Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Here a Rabbit, There a Rabbit

The rabbit condos are complete except for some rolled roofing.

Aren't they fancy?

The boys are putting the hutch into position.
Just in time as 2 new rabbits arrived last weekend.
The buck, isn't he handsome?

The doe is a bit shy.
You have to look close to tell them apart.
The latest additions bring our rabbitry total to 5 bunnies,
at least for the next 27 days.....

Monday, May 9, 2011

Where, Oh Where, Did He Go?

I had a general idea where all the kids were.

After all, I regularly utilize those eyes in the back of my head.

And my supersonic mother ears.


All of the sudden, we all wondered where Micah was.

"He was here a minute ago."

"I just heard him crying because he wanted to swing."

"He went inside."

"No, he didn't."

"His boots are inside."

"He didn't have his boots on."

The six of us mobilized for the search lasting about 1 minute,

until we found him.
He must have decided to close his eyes for a little rest.
Apparently the floor felt better than the bed.
Naps are necessary when you are 2.

Precious boy.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day Dedication

Happy Mother's Day!
I come from a good line of wonderful, caring, Christian women. I miss my grandmother whose birthday was May 3rd. My grandmother loved her grandchildren and showed it in many tangible ways. I was blessed to spend a week with my Mom in April. She filled me with kind words and wisdom from above. I am grateful to have excellent role models as I wade my way through womanhood.
I cannot help but think of the three other mothers of my children who are surely thinking about the fruit of their wombs. That they chose life for these precious souls is amazing. We are grateful.
Today, we had the privilege of dedicating Micah and Trey to the Lord. When the Pastor asked if we agreed that these children came from the Lord, Bob and I laughed. Oh yes! God brought these children and abundantly blessed us.
We all gathered up front
and took up most of the stage.
Trey was blessed by Pastor Marc.
Then Pastor Marc held him up for a special blessing.
I wonder what he was thinking
as he was looking at 200 people?

Pastor Dan blessed Micah.
Micah was listening intently.
A cuddle with Mom after the blessing.
Not sure why I was looking right at the camera when apparently everyone else was praying. I think this was during the blessing of the boys and then the girls that were dedicated. I was happy for these children to be blessed and pledged to be brought up in the light of the Lord.
I AM BLESSED!

In Honor of Lindsey

In honor of my

cow lovin'

hard workin'

carhartt wearin'

gal!
Cora HAD to get this picture for Lindsey

In other news:

I've been workin' on her for about 6 months.

Friday was the day.
This is what I had to work with.
She has beautiful hair.
The moment of truth.
We are committed now.
Seriously? 12 inches. Yikes!
The result?
Not bad for a Mom haircut, eh?
And the price is right!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Humbled

I found his picture on Jean's blog.

She hopes and prays for the least of these.

This photo was the one that caught my breath.

A pivotal moment.

I never felt like that....

about a picture.

Jean knows first hand about adoption. She and her husband have adopted 6 precious kiddos from China. She asked me if she could let her readers know about our story.

I am humbled that people around the world would pray for our boy, for our family, for our adoption.


And I am thankful.

We pray for healing for our boy's heart both physically and emotionally.

We pray that his heart will be prepared to open and accept the love of our family.

We pray that he will come home soon so that we will have as much time together as possible.

Shangri-La






Meanwhile, back at home.....


Thursday, May 5, 2011

Heading Towards Sunshine

God, in His providence, put all the pieces together for us to get our fingerprints done on the same day we were going to the airport. The fingerprint place and the airport are a few miles apart from each other and both are 2 hours away from our house. What a blessing to not have to make a special trip. Bob had already planned on taking the day off to take us to the airport.
The plan? I took the 6 younger kids to sunny Arizona for a wonderful vacation which included my birthday and Easter. The richest blessing was that we got to spend that time with my parents while Bob and Jerrod went to West Virginia on a mission trip to work with World Vision. Dearest Lindsey stayed home and held down the fort. College sometimes gets in the way of all this fun.

Our preferred mode of travel.
Practically painless.
Okay, Sandra, so shoot me now. We had a 6 hour direct flight. I was sure we needed every trick in the book to keep 6 kids including a 2 & 3 year old busy on the plane. Sandra is my amazing friend who traveled for 2 weeks with 2 kids and only a backpack. I kept that in mind while I was packing....oh boy, it could have been so much worse. Only 7 bags and 2 strollers. Um, this is what we carried on the plane, we also checked a few bags. I think I need to work on that simplify thing.
I begged Bob to get a gate pass and come see us off.
We had strategic assigned placement on the plane. Instead of counting sheep, I spent hours coming up with the best configuration in seating that would promote the maximum amount of harmony.
We went to see these wonderful folks,
Grandma Marcia and Grandpa Jere.
We had a fabulous vacation.

Other posts coming with pictures of all the fun in the sun. The only thing that could have made Easter in Arizona better was if everyone was there. But Lindsey was home being the best college student she can be and Bob and Jerrod were doing good work helping people and sharing the love of Christ in West Virginia.

I learned my lesson.
Only 4 bags on the way home.
I could write a whole post on my lack of "grace." If I had a nickel for everyone who told me I had my hands full... Here we were having an idyllic moment sharing Cinnabons in the airport and some guy gave me the "line." He was young and had not yet experienced the pure joy and love that we have been given.
By the time we got home, I was utterly convinced that I have the BEST kids in the whole world. They were great on the plane and I would travel anywhere with this set anytime.

Hello Mama and Baba

Ni hao bao bei.

Ni zhen ying jun.

Wo shi ni de ma ma.
Wo shi ni de ba ba.

Wo men hui hao hao zhao gu ni.

Wo men fei chang ai ni!

Hello Treasured Child.

You are so handsome.

We are your Mama and Baba.

We will take good care of you.

We love you so much.


Today we got to send pictures to our boy in China.

We received an update that said he was told about us early this year.

HE.KNOWS.ABOUT.US!

He knows we want him and are coming to get him.

Since we have received our I800A, the orphanage director
has requested pictures of our family.


I sent the picture at the top of the blog and the one of Bob and I.

I would love to see his little face when he looks at his new family.
I hope he doesn't faint when he sees the crowd.
Just kidding.

Hopefully, our dossier will go to China next week.
Waiting on one last document.

Lesson learned.

Patience is definitely a virtue.