Happy Chinese New Year!

Xin Nian Kuai Le--OR--Happy New Year!!! February 5th is the start of Chinese New Year and is a holiday that everyone in China looks forward to very much. It is a family holiday and everyone tries to 'go home' for time with family. I received some adorable pictures of 'my' foster care kids the other day and thought I would share them. They brought a huge smile to my face as I saw proud foster parents showing off their little ones, all wearing brightly colored, traditional Chinese outfits. They are so cute--and Dr. Joyce Hill said it was a Herculean effort to get them to sit still enough for a photo! How awesome to know that these precious ones have a family to celebrate with! We are so grateful to our foster parents who give of themselves so selflessly.

MY LITTLE BUDDY, NICHOLAS

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Something you don't see every day....

Jordan has been filling up a backpack lately with trucks, blocks and all other toys that he wants to hoard and keep his siblings from touching. It is quite comical to see him lugging the thing all over the house. The other day, he fell over, rolled onto his back and then couldn't get up due to the weight of the backpack. I snapped a few pictures before I helped him back to his feet.


I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP!!!

Our oldest son, Ryan, decided to try riding a bull at a local rodeo a few weeks ago. YES, it was a REAL bull. And yes, I DID watch, signed the release...and prayed a lot. He stayed on for 3.15 seconds and didn't hurt himself. I took video but am waiting for pictures from my Mom who also watched. I do have this one shot of the 'cowboy' before he rode.

Sometimes Silence isn't Golden

My friend, Amy, sent this email to me today with a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr:

"The day our lives begin to end is the day we remain silent about things that matter."
With Amy's permission, I share what she wrote:
"It sure is easier to remain silent, isn't it? It sure is easier to live in our comfortable homes and think that the most important issue of the day is where we want to go out to eat that night or whether we can get our kids to soccer practice on time. It sure is easy to not think outside our own little space. Does it matter that millions of children around the world live every single day without a mother or father to care for them? Does it matter that so many orphaned children with medical needs don't have access to the health care that could improve their lives? Does it matter that many are unable to go to public school? Or that they go to bed each night feeling that their special need might define them for the rest of their lives? I think those who love children would say it matters greatly.

Let's not keep silent about the things that matter..... all these precious children who need love. I hope everyone whose life has been touched by the miracle of adoption chooses to be vocal and encourages those around them to consider building a family in this wonderful way. Those of us who track the waiting children lists often watch child after child have their adoption files returned without being chosen. I looked up the opposite of "chosen" online, and the word that I saw made me cringe. Did you know the opposite of chosen is "rejected?" What an awful word that is.

It is a sad reality that thousands of children around the world each year are abandoned. We all wish that wasn't the case. But for many... there is still hope. The staff in their orphanages who care for them prepare their files and send them forward with the hope of a new family. But for some, particularly the boys....no one ever comes forward. The time goes by and their files are returned without being chosen. The hope of a family is gone.

Right now on so many great agency lists....there are children who are waiting and who have not been chosen. It is hard to believe that with millions of potential parents in the United States, that there isn't a family for every child who shows up on an adoption list. We know adoption is expensive. We know it is most definitely a leap of faith. But all of us at LWB believe completely that every child born deserves to know what it really means to be loved. And when there is a will to become a parent, there is almost always a way....whether it is through domestic adoption or international.

Let's not keep silent about the fact that so many orphaned children are waiting for homes. There are so many waiting right now for a family to choose them for their own.

Help spread the news that so many kids are waiting for homes. You never know....the person you tell might have been praying that very day for a way to become a parent. The majority of people around us have absolutely no idea that so many children wait. Let's not be silent....because every child on this earth truly does matter."

Focus on the Family

Yesterday, Focus on the Family had a broadcast on adoption. Some friends of ours were interviewed (their story is last). If you missed the program, you can hear it online at: http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/Archives.asp?bcd=2008-1-10

You might not think we are so crazy after you hear other people's stories. :) Seriously, though, it again brought tears to my eyes as I contemplate that God knows the name of every orphan in the world--all 143 million of them--and He is aware of their suffering. He has given all of us the job of caring for them in some way, and what a privilege that is.

I had many thoughts surrounding Christmas that I wanted to share, but I got sick and couldn't write. Now I have forgotten what I was going to say. haha...must have been profound. :)

I have had a few amusing moments with the kids the past few days, though. Little Jake keeps us on our toes every minute. He is into everything and very curious. Two mornings ago, I heard blood-curdling screams coming from his room. This usually means he has gotten a chubby leg stuck in the railing of his crib. I went up to rescue him but started cracking up when I saw the reason for his great distress. He had tried to hike a leg over the railing, between the wall and the crib, and he was stuck on TOP of the railing, straddling it precariously, and screaming at the top of his lungs. Now, one would think that this traumatic experience would teach him not to do it again. The following morning....yes....I again hear the same screams. This time I took the camera and got this shot of his morning escapades.


Yesterday, I took the girls to Hobby Lobby and as we were checking out, the check-out lady asked SaraGrace what her name was. SaraGrace told her, and then said, 'Waths you name?" The lady told her, "Marsha." SaraGrace wrinkled up her nose in confusion and said loudly, "Why thomeone name you Marshmallow?" The whole line behind me cracked up as I wanted to disappear into the floor. Thankfully, "Marshmallow" was very gracious and said, 'My name is MarshA, but when I was a little girl, I was called Marshmallow." I love that girl--but I would like to put a muzzle on her sometimes!

Nicholas

Through my work for Love Without Boundaries, I see pictures of orphaned children in China nearly every day. They are all so precious and since the children in my foster care program are all special needs, they each have overcome great odds to be where they are. Sometimes, though, there is one special child who grabs my heart and causes me to root just a little bit harder for him or her. Currently, that special little one is Nicholas.

Sweet little Nicholas is not yet a year old and he is not destined to live to be very old. He was born with a congenital heart problem that is so severe that it is inoperable. He is in palliative care through LWB and Hope Healing Home in Beijing.

I receive reports on the children every other month and each time, I eagerly open Nicholas' first. He is always smiling. This little boy has such a joy about him. He looks at me though his photo and I can almost imagine him winking at me. His adorable smile seems to say, "Look at me! I have been given another day and I will choose to spend it happily!" He doesn't let his heart condition hold him back from enjoying each day. He has much to complain about, but he chooses not to.

What an inspiration this little boy is to me! He did not have the privileges that I have been given....to be born to parents who had the means to care for him...to be born in a country that would have been able to pay for the health care he needed. He doesn't know what it feels like to take a breath without struggling for it, or what his skin would look like if it wasn't a deathly blue pallor. He will probably never have the strength to run and play like the other children. And yet, little Nicholas' life is so full of joy and purpose. His life speaks volumes to those around him as he teaches us to be thankful for our health, our families, and our material blessings. He teaches us to care for those who have no parents and those who have special needs. I have heard many people ask why a loving God would allow such suffering, but when I see the results, I can see that suffering is never capricious or purposeless. Each time I speak to someone who is assisting a child or person less fortunate, I can't help wondering who is being blessed more...the person being helped, or the person helping. The sparkle in the eyes of the helper, cements the belief that giving brings much more happiness than receiving. We are given the opportunity to live outside of ourselves and GIVE hope and support and I believe that God also gives extra peace and comfort to those who are suffering.

Thankfully, through foster care and a very dear woman who is willing to give her heart to orphans that are dying, little Nicholas DOES know what it feels like to have arms around him. He DOES know what it feels like to have someone love him.

Thank you, Nicholas, for letting your life be an example for the rest of us...for letting your shining eyes tell us of your great spirit and will to live joyfully in the face of incredible odds.

Snowbound

What do Midwesterners do when they get a lot of snow? For those of you who live in warm climates, I thought I'd put a few pictures on the blog. Church was cancelled yesterday and today school is cancelled, so the kids have been having fun in the snow!
First, the men work on the snowblower for hours trying to get it started, and when it does....This is Ryan handling the snow.

Little brother, Jordan, watches Ryan and Daddy from the window. The snow is too deep for Jordan to play in.

The girls played in the big piles of snow that Daddy shoveled after the snowblower quit working AGAIN.
The girls came in all bedraggled and freezing cold... ...and decided to play dress-up instead.
Taylor takes a break in front of the fire...

Our budding actress

From the day she has been in our arms, SaraGrace has put all of her considerable acting talents to good use. She has always cracked us up. In fact, as I was starting to type this, she stood next to me with notebook and pen and asked me, "What is your name, my dear?" in her most theatrical voice.

The kids have been watching a Little Rascals movie lately (over and over ad nauseum). There is a scene were Alfalfa, Darla (the girl he is 'sweet' on), and an interloper boy are all involved in a talent show. Both boys are trying to impress Darla. Molly loves to sing and I heard her singing the song the other day. It sounded like SaraGrace was also involved so I peeked around the corner. SaraGrace was imitating Darla and Molly was singing to her. They wouldn't do their 'act' while I was watching, so Jillian taped it for me. I uploaded it to YouTube if you want to see it. It's a bit rough--Molly was mumbling the words because she was embarrassed, but SaraGrace's dancing is hysterical. (At least we think so!!)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=k2byNTB9pM8
At least they weren't tobogganing down the stairs on a crib mattress today....

We have had two birthday's since I last wrote...Little Miss Chloe turned five and a few days later, Jeff turned 48. Since our kids--led by Molly--love the Red Robin jingle (ie: Red Robin....YUM!), we decided to try it out for Chloe's birthday. Grandma and Grandpa joined us and I think everyone had fun. :)

I am trying to adjust to the cold weather and having the kid's inside all day. They have so much energy and sometimes they just need to run. It makes for a very LOUD household on the days that they cannot go outside to blow off steam. Today is one of those days--it's freezing rain outside. Earlier today,they tried riding a crib mattress down the stairs--hmmmmm. I guess sliding down in their sleeping bags lost it's luster from the other day. Thankfully, no one got hurt before I put a stop to it! (I remember as a kid telling myself that someday, when I had kids, I WOULD let them slide down the stairs in sleeping bags...haha)

We are in full swing preparing for Christmas. The kids are soooo excited! SaraGrace wanted to know what the fuss was all about--was it someone's birthday? We said, 'Yes, it's Jesus' birthday!" She looked at me seriously and said, "For real or for fake?"

For real.

Jesus really DID come as a tiny baby--not with trumpets announcing a King. He came quietly and not many knew. But now we know...and we celebrate with grateful hearts.

Our 25th Annversary

THEN....
Today is our 25th wedding anniversary! How is that possible?! We are amazed at how fast the years have flown by. God has been so incredibly faithful to us all these years and we are so thankful for the ways He has blessed us!

Never in our wildest dreams would we have thought He would take us to Oklahoma, China and Guatemala for our children--or that He would take us there so many times!! We are so grateful for all He has done for us.


Thought you might get a kick out of these wedding pictures...we sure did! Our kids have looked at them over and over the past few days and decided that we looked 'wierd' back then. :) I'm sure the circa 1982 "Princess Diana" bridesmaid dresses will take you back. ha.

And now....

Family update

Time continues to slip by me and many of these blog entries are written in my head and then never make it to the blog. Oh well....

SaraGrace has had a birthday since I last wrote--how can she be FOUR already? That morning, she came downstairs in a Chinese silk dress, several sizes too big, and announced that she would be the wearing it in honor of her 'happy birthday.' She actually wore it all day, which is remarkable since she normally has more wardrobe changes per day than a Hollywood starlet. She celebrated in true SaraGrace style--big smiles and lots of exitement (aka: drama).




Jeff and I recently stumbled onto a TV show called "John and Kate plus Eight." It follows a real family who has eight children, a set of twins and a set of septuplets. Jeff says he loves to watch this show to see chaos in other people's homes. haha The father is Korean and the children all look Asian, which makes the show much more endearing to us. We noticed that the TV crew only seems to tape the family getting ready to go on an outing--as well as getting ready for the outing. We crack up at this because we mostly stay HOME because taking the kids anywhere is such an undertaking--partly because it is hard to keep track of everyone and we are constantly counting heads. However, we did feel a bit inspired to take them somewhere once in a while.

We live in a small town that has a Christmas event in early November. They have a Christmas walk and all the little shops are open, and the shop windows are decorated for Christmas. At 7PM, they light all the trees lining the main street. It's a fun event that we missed last year because we were just home from China and totally jet-lagged. So off we went to this year's event. We counted down out loud with the other townsfolk for the 7PM lighting, and walked around looking at the Christmas displays. We finished up with some wonderful hot chocolate at the Daily Grind and then one more peek at the Doll Cottage before heading home. Our big boys opted not to come and poor little Jordan had to stay home because he was sick. I had forgotten what a novelty our family is when we all go out together. Too funny to hear the comments of some people whose depth perception is a bit off and think we don't hear them. "Why look at that, Martha...they have two sets of twins and a baby boy." HUH??!! Jake's first time in winter clothes, which make him as wide as he is tall.
"Mmmmm...Yummy hot chocolate"



We were on a roll, so later that weekend when Ryan asked all of us to go bowling, we thought we'd give it a try while the little boys were napping. Taylor stayed home to babysit and we all headed over to the bowling alley where they were having a smoke-free day. What a hoot! The girls had their own bumper lane and they actually did pretty well. SaraGrace was the queen of spares because somehow, she always managed to hit those few remaining pins and knock them over. She would then jump up and down squealing, "YAY!!! YAY!!!" There was a teenage girl next to us who told her boyfriend to make sure he watched her when she 'bowled." Jeff and Ryan were slightly mortified at our girlish enthusiasm, but we girls had fun jumping up and down and cheering for each other.




Now all the kids have colds so I guess we will stay home for awhile and not share the gift of germs with anyone.

Happy Gotcha Day, Jordan!

It's hard to believe that one year ago today we walked into the Civil Affairs office in Taiyuan China. We went up the stairs and into the same room where we received SaraGrace the year before. There, sitting on the couch, were two sweet little boys waiting for their new Mom's and Dad's. They were dressed alike and looked very scared at what was happening. They were both quickly swept up into the arms of their new parents, and new lives were started.
Jordan, with Mommy and Daddy in China

Caleb, with his new Mommy and Daddy in China

One year later, Jordan is blossoming. He is still a quiet little guy with a huge appetite, but he has started talking, building amazing block structures and riding a bike with training wheels. He is a wonderful big brother to little brother, Jake, and a sweet 'baby' brother to his doting big sisters.

Happy Gotcha Day, sweet Jordan! You are a blessing to our family.

Jakey is taking his first steps!

Our tiny little guy is starting to take his first steps! It is so cute. He grins at all of us first before he starts. I think we are getting him too used to having an adoring audience to cheer his every accomplishment. haha He first looks around to make sure everyone is watching and then with a big grin, starts off. He takes the smallest steps I have ever seen a baby take. It is so funny. He also takes the fastest steps I have ever seen--much like the way he crawls--in hyperdrive. He has such tiny feet, I don't know how he can balance himself on them.

He will look so funny when he is walking full time because he is so small. He is only wearing 9 month clothing but he has a full head of hair which confuses a lot of people who try to guess his age.

He has added a new word to his repertoire..."yuck." He can say Mama, Dada, Uh-oh, and yuck. ha Whenever he has a poopy diaper and I start to change him, he says, 'Yuck." Hmmm...I guess I must say that more than I realize!

Happy Gotcha Day, SaraGrace!

Two years ago today, the most adorable little spitfire was placed in our arms. She was none to happy about it at first, but before very long, this amazing little fighter embraced us with the same tenacity that had helped her survive her first year of life. The only reminder of that difficult first year is the scar on her chest from her heart surgery. She has brought incredible joy and fun to our lives and quite a lot of mischief!

Happy Gotcha Day, SaraGrace. You are forever treasured.

Brief update on baby Sinh

I don't have a whole lot to report, but Sinh is currently undergoing tests in a French Hospital in Hanoi. They are not very optimistic, but they are giving her some medication to strengthen her and her heart for the surgery. The adoption agency director said, 'I think we are running out of time. Please keep her in your prayers."

Yearning....

I still do not have any update on Sinh. I will post as soon as I hear something.

Yesterday, a dear friend of mine, Amy Eldridge, posted a story on her blog. She is out of town so I can't get her permission to paste some of that story here--but I do not think she will mind. Amy is the founder of Love Without Boundaries, a group that I am priviledged to work for. LWB exists to help orphans in China with medical, nutritional, and educational needs. www.lovewithoutbounaries.com . Here is Amy's story...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When I was first getting started with my work in China, one of the orphanages we helped did not do many special needs adoptions. They didn't think that the kids would be chosen, and so many of the children were getting older and watching only the healthy babies leave for their new homes. They would hear the aunties say to the babies, "oh today is a lucky day....you will have a family to love you." And the preschoolers and older kids would think to themselves....'it must be wonderful to have a family pick you.'

Well, we were going to do a heart surgery for one little girl in this orphanage, and so I asked for a photo of her so that we could raise funds. This orphanage didn't have a lot of nice clothing, so for this special photograph they wanted the little girl to look nice. Another little girl in the orphanage, named Yan, who was just three years old, had been given a beautiful red coat by a volunteer, and she loved that red coat and wore it all the time. The aunties went and took off her red coat to put on the child with heart disease for her photo, and Yan burst into tears crying. The aunties scolded her and said, "Yan, you must share your red coat...don't be selfish", but Yan kept crying and crying and kept trying to climb over the gate to get out in the hallway where the photo was being taken. Finally one aunty had heard enough, and so she walked over to Yan to take her back into the room. As she got closer, she realized that Yan was NOT crying because the other little girl was wearing her coat. No, not at all. Yan was crying while saying over and over, "take MY picture...please take MY picture. I want a family....take my picture so I can have a family, too. "
You see, at the ripe old age of three, Yan had already learned that the only way a baby got a family was by having her picture taken first. And she wanted a family of her own so badly, that she was crying to her aunties to please take her photo, too.

... I have been in orphanages when they do the files, and each and every time the aunties try to make the kids look at cute as possible. They say things like, 'smile pretty so a family will pick you." ...."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It breaks my heart to think of all the children who get their pictures taken and then WAIT and WAIT to see if a family will choose them. It must seem like an eternity of waiting (remember how loooong it took for Christmas to come when we were kids?). It breaks my heart to think of those who never even get a chance to have their photo taken at all. What must they think? "I am not even good enough that the orphanage would TRY to find me a family." And for those who wait to see if a family will choose them based on their picture..."Was my smile cute enough? Will a family think I am special?"

Please pray for these little ones...and may I ask you to be brave enough to ask Him if you might be the one that could answer their prayers...and their yearning for a family. You could live without them...but can they live without you?

Smile for the camera!

I have no news yet on Sinh, but think I am overdue for sending some updated pictures of little Jake. He is a ham but is really hard to photograph. He's either squinting in advance of the flash, or crawling away before I can get a picture taken. He is an absolute delight...full of fun and is constantly imitating us. He is especially fond of letting out high pitched shrieks in church (sigh) which either amuse or annoy depending on who is sitting in front of us. haha Big brother, Jordan, takes his role very seriously and is always on the look-out for any small objects lying around that baby Jake could choke on. So cute! The boys are opposites in personality--Jordan is quiet and serious, while Jake is um...NOT. He is smiley and takes great delight in making lots of loud noises.


"Yep, I'm always getting into the cupboards..."


Jordan says, "Mom, I'm trying to get Jacob to stay on my lap but the little bugger is slippery."

"Well, I do declare, I believe that child is wearing underwear on her head!" (Let's hope it was a clean pair.)

Jordan proudly rides his bike

Baby Sinh needs prayer again

It has been awhile since I wrote about Baby Sinh--the sweet little baby girl in Vietnam that we had been trying to help. After surgeons in the US and Singapore said that her heart had deteriorated to the point of not being fixable, we had given up hope of finding a way to heal her heart.

Yeterday, I emailed the adoption agency that has been keeping track of her, and got an astonishing email back. The agency took her to Ho Chi Men City in Vietnam last night and she will be having heart surgery at a French Heart hospital there. The French hospital will not donate any of the cost, so the agency will have to raise $15,000 to pay for it.

Her name means, "life." I do not know what God has in store for this precious child--or if she will survive the surgery--but I know that her life has purpose. I ache to think of her having major heart surgery without a family sitting in the waiting room, ready to advocate for her every need, praying and hoping that she will live. So I ask you, on behalf of one orphaned little girl to spend a minute or two from this side of the world, praying for this sweet child as if you WERE in her waiting room. THANK YOU!

I will update the blog as soon as I have any news.

Kids Say the Funniest Things

I have been meaning to write down some of the funny things my kids have been saying and am finally getting around to it. Molly, our seven year old, is currently the child who says funny things without meaning to. Here are some of my favorites…

Jeff and I were discussing bunk beds. Molly piped up, “I know why they call them bonk beds…it’s because you always bonk your head on them.”

'Girly girl' is an expression we hear a lot around here. Since Jordan has been home, he has tried to learn the ropes by copying his sisters. They are trying to get him interested in trucks rather than purses (!). One day Molly said to me, "Mom...I saw Jordan playing with trucks! He's turning into a real Boyly Boy."

Baby Jake's diapers sometimes resemble the consistancy of (sorry....) play-doh. One day Molly came in while I was changing Jake's diaper, peered over to see what I was doing, recoiled and said, 'Ewwwww....I'm never playing with Play-doh again!"

Jillian was quizzing the kids on their knowledge of something (can’t remember what). One of the girls answered correctly and Molly said, “Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!”

And then there is our spunky SaraGrace…
We were swimming the other day with some friends. Some little boys were there—age 7—and they are rough and tumble. My three oldest girls are very intimidated by them and keep their distance. SaraGrace was sitting on the edge of the pool, next to a wading pool full of water. One of the boys, who was in the pool, splashed her. Hmmmm….she got a glint in her eye, spotted a bucket, filled it up with water and dumped it over his head. She gleefully scooped up a second bucket and dumped that over his head, too. He didn’t care—but I was totally cracking up!

Little Man Jake has had a birthday

I should have updated this blog long ago--the summer has gotten away from me. Baby Jake turned one on July 14th. He was rather confused by all the hooplah, but the cake was good. :)

We have had a pretty quiet, laid back summer. We have stayed home mostly, letting Jake get adjusted to his new life and crazy family. He seems to like us. :) (Mommy is his current favorite, much to my delight). He is such a sweet little guy--although he rarely lets me hold him for long. He is extremely active and curious. He is into everything and I am thankful for the watchful eyes of his big sisters! He is such a happy baby--we are so grateful! I have had a hard time trying to capture a smile on camera, though, because he hates the flash and squints as soon as he sees the me coming. Here are some pictures of his birthday, and some recent favorites.




And last but not least, a family photo attempt (ha!) a few days ago....