Struggling...

   
I'm struggling this CHRISTmas.  I'm having a hard time rectifying that there is an orphan crisis in a world filled with believers.  I'm struggling this CHRISTmas knowing that only 34% of CHRISTians consider adoption and even more shocking is that only 1% do it.  Now, I know not everyone is called to adopt, but probably more than 1% of 34%.  If you are in that 33%, what is holding you back?  Actually, I know one common thing that holds people back - fear.  How do I know it's fear?  Well, I have people tell me all the time that they have thought about adoption at one time or another, and then they explain to me why they can't.  Fear is a powerful tool in the devil's arsonal.  It stops...on earth as it is in heaven.

This CHRISTmas I'm pondering how would the story have been different if Mary and Joseph let fear instead of God rule their hearts.  I mean - Jesus, born in a manger, wasn't Joseph's biological child.  Would he be considered Mary's biological child?  Just something to ponder this CHRISTmas...

Watch this heart moving video...
Deprived Indifference....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHJ6-YhSYQ
 

Thanksgiving Weekend - 1st Thanksgiving, ER Visit and Anniversary

   

First Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving time is always a busy time for us, but this year was especially busy with 3 kiddos.  Despite some injuries and minor sickness, we had an awesome 1st Thanksgiving as a family of 5. 

So much to be thankful for!!!

As tradition, we head to visit my family for Thanksgiving day.  I was a little anxious to see how "G" would do on his first car ride and with all the new places.  He did great!

Our 1st stop was my Mom's (Nanny) house.  "G" did great, and we had such a wonderful time.  Luckily, the weather cooperated, so we spent a large majority of the time outside playing.

As soon as we hit the door, "B" goes straight for "Whoopie".  She is such a great dog.  She lets "B" carry her around the ENTIRE time we are inside.

 

"A" with cousin Rachel - Rachel is one of the sweetest teenagers I know.  "A" just adores her.

Outside the kiddos introduce "G" to all-time favorite - tag.

He joins right in, but doesn't quite get the concept of "base".

One of the bonuses of Nanny's house, besides the yard, is the playground right next door.

Everyone shows off their monkey bar skills.  "B" hopped right on and went all the way across and back.  I had no idea she could do that.  I guess I still think of her as my baby.

Not to be outdone by little sis, "A" takes off.

Even "Daddy" has to show the girls that he still has it.  (BTW, he is doing a flip.)

"G" keeps shouting "bigger".  He wants to go as high as big sis.

Papa Stan and "G" playing peek-a-boo around the tree.

Next, it was to my Granny's house.  Again, "G" did great.  It was a bit more challenging with so many "fragile" items around, but we managed our 1st visit without breaking anything.  Whew!!

"G" is starting to overcome his fear of dogs.  About 2 to 3 weeks ago, he announced that he wanted to pet our dog, Symba.  (And, Symba is a large hynea looking dog - in a cute way of course.)  He just openned the door and went right out and pet her.  "S" and I just looked at each other puzzled as to what had changed.  I guess he had just made up his mind.  I'm constantly amazed at this boy! 

Anyways, Max, my aunt's dog, was the toy of choice at my Granny's.  He was such a good sport.  He let the kiddos chase him around and then carry him around.  After a couple of hours, he did finally go behind the couch, so little arms couldn't reach him.

This girl could do this all day everyday.

"B" with Granny.  Granny always puts on a good feast!!!  Nothing like garden canned grean beans and cornbread dressing - YUM.

Happy 3 Months Home & ER Visit

"G" has been home for exactly 3 months, and to mark the date, we made our 1st trip ever as parents to the ER.

  

The day after Thanksgiving, we went over to Uncle M and Aunt K's house to celebrate.  We all had a great time, until "G" ran into the counter and punctured his forehead.  At first, we didn't think he needed stitches, and the phone nurse said that it was right on the border of needing them.  So, he continued to play for another hour after his head wound.  Yes - this boy is one tough cookie!  Once we got home and could really exam it, we were off to the ER. 

Yes, this little boy was perfectly happy and content to wait in the ER.  We were in and out in under 2 hours.  I was thoroughly impressed with the staff.  They were great! 

(I know he has a Halloween shirt on, but I wanted to put something on him that I didn't care if it got messed up and that he could sleep in - this one met both objectives.)

"G" thoroughly got a kick out of decorating the house for Christmas.  I did have to chuckle when he tried to hang his flashlight on the Christmas tree.  Here, he is posing in front of his Christmas tree.  His tree was a little smaller than his sisters, so to make it "BIG" like his sisters, we put it on a chair.  He was satisfied.

As usual, the girls loved decorating their trees.

All of the kiddos think that their Dad is the bestest Dad.  They were all amazed that he jumped up onto the playhouse to put up lights.

Happy 12th Anniversary!!!

Finally, Sunday was our 12th Anniversary.  I started the day at the local Walgreens health clinic for a sinus infection.  But, I wasn't going to let a little sinus infection keep me from going out :)  This was the first time that we have had some time alone since we brought home G".  He cried when we left, but he quickly got over it.  It was important for us to go out if only for a couple of hours.  We needed some time just to talk.

I have to say that "S" is my best friend, and that I am so blessed to do life with him!

 

Will he get to go to school?

             
It was our last day in Ethiopia, and we were visiting an orphanage and doing a little shopping before we had to pack up.  We had stopped on a little side street in front of a little shop in order to pick up some translation papers.  I had "G" on my lap, and we were looking out the open bus window at everyone when a boy about 13 to 15ish approached my window asking me to buy some gum.  I immediately said "no thanks".  He persisted, and I was a little annoyed.  I had "G" on my lap and was totally trying to focus on him and didn't want the "disruption".  But, then we started talking, and I had a reality check...

"Will he get to go to school?"

That was what he wanted to know.  He looked at "G" and asked "Will he get to go to school?"  He wasn't selling the gum for extra money or to annoy me.  He was trying to make enough money to go back to school after the break.
 
Since we got home, I have thought of our exchange often, not only because I was impressed by this pleasant young man, but also because of my actions - or should I say inaction.  You know...we had a nice conversation, and I enjoyed talking with him, but as the bus pulled away, I had my second reality check...

I didn't buy a piece of gum.  I. Did. Not. Buy. A. Piece. Of. Gum.  Isn't that ironic?  I was on my way to an orphange "to be the hands and feet", and I had this sweet boy right in front of me basically asking me for a little hope, and I didn't do it.  How many times does God put things right in front of us, and we miss it?  We're too busy, we didn't plan for it, it makes us uncomfortable, blah, blah, blah.

Needless to say...this was one of those moments that I sooo regret, and I pray that next time I get it right.
  

I Am Thankful For...

 
My little turkey...
 

First Haircut!

  
(11/16/10)

Well, it was time for our first haircut.  One of my friends gave me a recommendation on where to go, and it just happened to be right down the street.  Lenny was awesome, and "S" liked him so much that he decided that Lenny would be his new barber too. 

 

We were a little worried about how "G" would do.  He did great!!!  (Of course, this is all second-hand info.  It was a father/son deal.  I tried to get "S" to take the camera.  He drew the line at the camera, but luckily his phone has a camera.)

When he got home, he was so excited to show me his new haircut.  He looks so handsome!!

 

WOW!! He looks so big with his short haircut. I see him growing so much already.  Even though he has only been home for a couple of months, it is like we are leaving the toddler stage and are now fully into the preschool stage.  We've missed so much of his life already.  I look forward to each stage.

  

 

Happy Baptism Anniversary!

  

Every year we gather together to help AB remember her baptism.  She loves it and looks forward to it every year.  Several weeks ago at dinner, she reminded us that her baptism anniversary was coming up and wanted to make sure that we were planning on it.

WOW!  She is turning into such a wonderful little girl.  I am so proud of her!

She just loves her little brother!

Little sis "helping" her with her presents.

We have never done daily devotions with the kids.  Hopefully, this will be the start of a new tradition.

 

Dear LORD, thank you so much for A.  She is such a blessing to us.  I pray that she always knows that she is a precious child of God and that you have chosen her and that she has a calling on her life.  I pray that she knows and fulfills her calling with passion and has a heart to love you more than anyone or anything.  In Your Holy Precious Name I pray...Amen!   

  

Happy Halloween

       

 We had such a blast this Halloween!!  We were a little anxious about how little man would do.  He did great!  It only took a couple of hands of candy, and he was ready to go.  And, of course, the girls could have trick-or-treated until midnight.

First, we all get a little pumpkin love.

  

 

 

Next comes getting all the guts out.  The girls love this part.

Little man was a little unsure, but the girls assured him that it is fun.

Now, he is really getting into it.  He loves getting the yuckies out.  "No eat"

Isn't this the cutest Bob the Builder!  (Wasn't going for the hat.)

Here's our little Hannah Montana.

 

Here's Hannah Montana with one of her rock star friends.  (A was going to be Taylor Swift, but then decided that she wanted just plain hair with glitter spray.)

 

They're ready to go!!!

This is our customary next day activity...count and sort the candy...count and sort...count and sort...count and sort

Happy Halloween!!