My heart has been so heavy the last 24 hours. Yesterday afternoon Stephen Curtis Chapmans youngest daughter Maria, who was adopted from China was killed in a horrible accident. This family has been in my thoughts and prayers all day. I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around what they must be going through. This terrible tragedy has also made me really stop and think. I so easily get caught up in the day to day craziness that has become my life. Work is always busy and crazy. My house is always cluttered and in disarray. And yet, what is really important is that I take the time to treasure reading to my kids, snuggling with them in the Lazy Boy, tucking them in to bed and praying with them. I know that I will think twice before letting the distractions of day to day life keep me from valuing every moment I have with my kids.
"Dear Father, please be with the Chapmans tonight. Give them your peace that passes all understanding. Be near to them in this dark hour. In Your name I pray, Amen".
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Cherish My Time
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Fun-filled, activity-packed days
We have been on the go the last few days and have had such fun. On Thurs. we had to take Logan to see his orthopedic specialist in Indianapolis (he and his sibs all have scholiosis). After good news from Dr. B. that his curve is not worsening at all we all headed to the Childrens Museum. We got to visit with dinosaurs, play dress up, dig in the dirt, play in the water and go through mazes. There was a new comic book display which included an acual batmobile used in the movies and capes for both batman and superman worn in the movies. My "big kid" really liked that. It was a great way to spend a day. Then on Friday we were able to go to an indoor water park recently built in the heart of Amish country in northern Indiana. Found out that Helina is a HUGE water fan. The girl has no fear (which we already knew) and this evidently transends both land and water:). She came down a slide barrelling under water, came up smiling and climbed back up for more. Swim lessons are definitely on the agenda for the summer!!!
Being out and about has also included some encounters with others regarding our diverse family. I had an African American woman approach me when I had Noah in the sling and tell me how adorable he was. This is not anything new as Noah draws attention wherever he goes. People are constantly coming up to him and telling us how cute he is. This woman asked us whether we were fostering him and I told her that he was ours, that we had adopted him. She got this huge smile on her face and said "oh my goodness (with a great southern drawl) that is just the most wonderful thing. Can I give you a hug?". And I gave her a hug and told her that we felt blessed to be able to have these children. We often get stared at but we have yet to encounter anything that isnt positive or encouraging. We are fortunate.
I am really getting the hang of uploading my pics to the computer so I added some new pics of our last few days!
Happy Mothers Day to all of you moms out there!!!!! God bless!
Logan enjoying the water hose
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Fun weekend!!!!
Well, we had a great weekend. Helina and I attended the "Princess only" party for our good friends twin girls. They turn 3 in a few days. Helina has such a blast and made a great princess. She loved having her nails painted and drinking lemonade out of a pretty tea cup. She kept the "girlie" trend going by later playing dress-up with Logan. Thanks to Aunt Jen Helina has a full collection of dress up clothes. It became PAINFULLY obvious (especially when he is 17 and heading to prom when next these pics surface) that Logan is in need of some dress-up clothes of his very own. Oh, and speaking of Logan we had another of those "oh man what did he do now" episodes. We were in Target on Saturday and Logan was having a particularly persnickity kind of day. He at one point laid down on the floor in protest of the misery that we subject him to (like walking). I kept on moving with the other kids and left him with Mike. A few minutes later Mike they catch up to us and Mike has quite a tale to tell. Logan started wailing "mommy, mommy (as if laying on the floor isnt bad enough). A sweet you girl walks by and makes eye contact with him (big mistake) and realizing that he has a rapt audience he start wailing "mommy, mommy.....my mommy is dead". The lady evidently started tearing up (no exaggeration) before Mike can tell her that his mommy was very much alive but that if he didnt stop there WOULD be a death in the family. Man oh man where DOES he come up with this stuff? All in all it was a fun weekend spent with my fantastic (and dramatic) family. Doesnt get any better than that!
I want to send out a HUGE thanks to my dear friend Rebecca for re-decorating my blog. Her blog design business is going strong and its easy to see why! Love ya girl!!!!
Enjoy the new pics!
Yes, he does appear to be saying "for the love of all that is good, what am I doing?"
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Too long
Well, I am embarrassed by how long it has been since I have posted. To say that the days have been "flying by" would be a huge understatement. We are enjoying every minute of it.
Helina has been home for 5 weeks now and is adjusting to life with us tremendously well. She is an absolute joy. People are constantly commenting on her beautiful smile (all Ethiopians have one). She loves her brothers (she is constantly giving Noah kisses) and is quite the "accessory girl". She loves shoes, jewelry, hair pretties and all things girl. She and I are going to enjoy shopping together for sure!!!!!! She is speaking more english every day. She loves to sing and dance and is just so happy. She amazes me every day!!!
To all of you who have been praying for our family in the past months, THANK YOU!!!! God is good!
Helinas first night with me in Ethiopia
Thursday, March 13, 2008
My sweet Logan
Well, it has been a long and very trying week. We found out this week that the US Embassy in Ethiopia has no record of us or our previous adoption of Noah and so we have been battling our states Immigration dept branch to get the necessary documents where they need to be before I leave Saturday and appear before the US Embassy next Wed. As anyone who has had "dealings" with this particular branch of our govt knows this can make you want to commit HARRY CARRY!!! I have felt at my wits end several times this week. In the midst of this we are dealing with a 3 year old boy who VERY MUCH needs to get outside and blow the stink off. He has been climbing the walls and is making Mike and I pull our hair out with his naughty behavior. Today though I am reminded of why I am the luckiest mom on this earth for being given the gift of Logan. My babysitter called me earlier today to tell me about her conversation with Logan this morning. It went something like this....L: mommy spanked me this morning (which is actually not even true. The spanking were last night bless his soul). B: why did your mommy spank you Logan? Were you naughty? L: No, (dramatic pause while thinking)... I dont know what is wrong with that woman. :) Just when mommy was beginning to think humor was a thing of the past her little man came through for her.
Your prayers in days ahead will be much appreciated. I will again have Mike update my blog with exerpts from my emails. God bless and we will see you on the flip side!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Congrats Rebecca
I wanted to post a HUGE congratulations to my dear friend Rebecca. Her family accepted a referral for a beautiful little boy from China named Xu Bing. Her blog is posted in my favorites so feel free to check it out! She is a wonderful blog designer who is going to have her hands full soon with her growing business and a 2 year old boy coming home~
Love you Rebecca and congrats again!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Long time no see
Friday, February 8, 2008
Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, I didnt realize how long it had been since I posted. Needless to say the time has really flown by lately. Noah is adjusting to life as member of our family tremendously well. He is a good-natured little guy!
Yesterday was such an answer to prayer when we found out that Hilena had finally made it through court. She is officially ours. We are excited beyond belief. I told my friend Kelly yesterday that I am totally "thinking pink" for the first time. This is a new (and quite pleasant) concept for me. I have been looking at nothing but trucks, dinosaurs, matchbox cars and all that is blue for several years now:) I am not complaining as I LOVE my boys but Hilena coming home will add some new "color" (pink is such a lovely color) to our testosterone filled houshold.
I have decided that I will be going back over to pick Hilena up. I am excited to go back over and spend more time with all of the kids. Hopefully this trip will be considerably shorter than my original 11 day adventure.
