Bomb shell and house cleaning....

That is a pretty unworthy topic if you aren't up with the happenings of our family...  We have some BIG news!!! We are adopting another little girl from China and we couldn't be happier!!!  A month or so ago I started a new blog to chronicle our journey, having no idea that things would move as quickly as they did.  I wanted to be transparent for the adoption community but we were not ready to tell everyone of our plans until we were a little closer.   To say things have gone down fast in an understatement.  So now I have two blogs... I like keeping up the blog, but I also do not think I am blogworthy & interesting enough to hold an audience for 2 seperate www.'s .  In trying to figure how to fix this I have decided to basically Cut & Paste my new blog into this, our family blog.   So if things are a little messy I apologize.... but sometimes you have to make a mess to get it all picked up, right?  If we haven't personally told you of our big news, Surprise!!!  Here are all the details to get you up to speed if you so choose... (you can see the dates if it gets confusing)..

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008
Here we go!!!

So I have started this new blog to journal our next journey to China... It was really a toss up if we should add to our family blog or start a new one. We decided to start this for a few reasons, we really would like to be a bit more transparent on our adoption process than we were the last time. We have kept things really sugar coated ecspecially for our families that would have way too much input an advice to offer. I have really struggled with this because I know we shouldn't care how others view what we are doing as a family. But we also love our families very much, what we feel as them not being supportive, really comes from a place of love and worry on their side. All that being said, we were not ready to lay it all out there that we are starting the adoption process again.When we adopted Mina we were very secretive about our plans. We didn't really want all the questions from family and friends that come with all of the unknowns about adoption. When are you going to China? Why are you going to China? Are you sure you want to do this? You already have 3 kids, your crazy, you guys really want 4 kids? I am pretty much an open book, I am not the type to keep things in, but for this... only a few of my closest friends knew about our adoption plans before we had Mina's photo and we were counting down the days for our trip. Secrecy does have its upside, When we did receive the questioning from the "not so supportive" few, it was pretty much a non-issue. Mina was our daughter, no matter what anyone had to say. Marc and I would love to have the support of our family and friends but it surely isn't the most important thing to us. So as much as I love posting cute photos of my kids (they are pretty darn cute), I know that most people who read this blog are adoptive families as well. I am committed to tell our story for them and for the people who are considering opening their families to the blessing of adoption. It will be great to be able to share how God works this out from start to finish. A few months ago Marc and I prayed that God would let our hearts be content with our family and that he would either take away our desire to adopt or make it a possibility. Over the past few months we have come to the realization that we both strongly feel like we have another child waiting for us in China!!! We do truly believe that this is God's plan for our lives and we are leaving it up to him to show us the way. That is what will be so great about journaling this entire process start to finish.. And being completely transparent about the whole thing... We expect God to show up in a big way... We started the process yesterday!! We want to adopt another child from China!! We will go through the China Special Needs program, just like we did with Mina. We have NO idea how long the process will take but we are looking forward to the journey. A few months ago we started to pray that God would show us how we could financially be ready for another adoption so soon. A few days later Marc's job security was ripped out from under him. We were crushed on many different levels. Please pray that his company either decides to keep his division (this is still up in the air and will be for awhile) or that he finds another job. (this is yet again why our families have HUGE reason to worry, ecspecially in this wonderful economic situation we find ourselves in.) We really feel like we are meant to move forward in this adoption process even though logic may say otherwise. Now it is out of our hands... I'm am excited to see how it works out!A day or two after the news of his job, our Pastor wrote the following on his blog...
www.stevenfurtick.com
When God answers by fire
October 15th, 2008
“…The god who answers by fire-he is God.”
1 Kings 18:24

What do you do when you really need rain, but instead, God answers by fire?

In 1 Kings 18, Elijah declares to the people that God is going to show up and prove himself after 3 years of drought. And God does exactly that.
But…
When it hasn’t rained in over 3 years, and you hear that God is about to show up, wouldn’t you expect him to show up by sending rain?

I wonder how many of us are praying for God to send rain into an area of our lives, but it seems like He’s turning up the heat instead?
-Praying for God’s provision…but the bank account continues to dip
-Praying for God to grow your church…but another disgruntled faction just took their tithe and moved their membership elsewhere
-Praying for God to heal your marriage…yet your husband seems to be getting colder and more resistant by the day

It can be difficult to trust the intention of God when He’s forecasting more fire in your already scorched situation.
Remember:
God eventually did send the rain that Israel so desperately needed. But first He had to reveal His glory and authenticate His sovereignty by fire.

God often answers by fire before He sends the rain.
The fire incinerates our altars of idolatry, and burns away all of the false securities that we tend to trust in.
That way, when the sky finally opens, and the rain starts to pour, there’s no doubt:
He is God.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2008
God showed up big yesterday!

This was me yesterday, and a bit this morning... Oh, the paperwork,,,Yes, I said paperwork... Let me just say, God showed himself in a big way yesterday. This is already shaping up to be a fun journey, I have a feeling it is going to knock my socks off. I can't say much more than that yet... Oh, but I just can't wait until I can... Curious???

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2008
LOI BABY!
We sent a LOI (letter of intent to adopt) to China yesterday! A little girl with the same SN as Mina, and a full year younger. We had really prepared our hearts for an older child, and we were comfortable with that, we were shocked when we saw this baby's sweet face. I was looking forward to being done with diapers and the 18 month old "point and grunt" means of communication. But one look at this child, knowing that we feel comfortable with this rare SN, reading about her little personality - Diapers and sippy cups HERE I COME!!! We are full of hope that we will receive our PA (pre-approval) in the next few weeks so we know we can bring her home. I can't share a photo yet, but she is absolutely, positively the cutest little thing,,, It took one look to know God was getting our hearts ready for this child.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2008
PA (Pre-approval to adopt)
We received our PA from China today! Which means we can share the cuteness of our new daughter. Something about seeing her photo for the first time made my heart leap, it truly felt like I have always had this little face on my heart. This photo is about 6 months old so I am looking forward to seeing updated pictures, hopefully soon. I can't wait to get to China and kiss these cheeks, can you blame me?

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2008
The not so pretty side of the paperwork!
My 4 year old (soon to be 5) took this photo of me this morning, this is how the kids have been seeing me lately. At a table full of paperwork, unwashed hair in a ponytail, and sweatsuit to boot. It's like a new level of Mommy guilt. I hate that my dossier paperwork is in my hands. I feel like every day that I hold on to it is another day that our sweet girl waits for us. So to say I have be a bit neurotic is an understatement. We have our last homestudy visit tonight, and my SW Rocks! so we should have our completed homestudy in a matter of days. Other than that we are just waiting on Marc's physical on Monday and we will be DONE! Hopefully we can have all of our documents certified & authenticated and on their way to China well before Christmas. The flip side of the Mommy guilt is that the 4 kiddos have a very preoccupied Mommy this week, one who made up a game called "SQUIRREL" which is played by their pathetic Mother hiding a bag of (shelled)mixed nuts in the backyard so they can look for them easter egg style. Did I mention that NONE of my kids watch TV, ever... so I do have some type of excuse for turning my children into scavengers...

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2008
A little bit closer...Marc and I set our alarm for 4:00 a.m. and headed out for the 3 hour drive to the Secretary of States office to get our documents authenticated. (Thanks baby for taking the day off of work to accompany & appease your over anxious wife) It was a looooonnnngg day, and let's just say the workers at the Sec. of St. office were in no particular hurry to authenticate our documents. It is their policy- if you get their before 10:00a.m. that they will get them back to you the same day, but we had to wait alllll day. We did save about 4 days of our paperwork either on someone's desk or on a Fed-ex truck so it was worth it. Mina was exhausted by the end of the day. At this very moment our dossier paperwork is winging its way to D.C. for it's final stamp of approval before heading to China!!! Head over to our family blog, here for a funny (at least I think so) story about our little road trip to the State Capitol!

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2008
My kind of Beautiful...They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.... Well, it may not look like much to some, but this is as beautiful as it gets in this Momma's eyes. An entire authenticated at 3 different levels, fully ready to go to China -dossier!!! Now that's PUR-DEEEE! I made Mina hold it with me as I prayed that our paperwork would find it's way to China safe and sound and that this little stack of paper would move from desk to desk and room to room in China as quickly as possible, and all who touch it show favor to it and get us to China with record breaking speed. I feel a hundred pounds lighter knowing that our baby girl is not waiting for her Mommy to get her papers ready, Now we wait, and right now waiting feels good! Now ask me that question again next month and I will probably be done waiting... but for now all is well.Now can I have my baby sister?
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2008
DTC (Dossier to China)

As I type this my dossier is in the air, winging its way to China!!! DTC, Baby!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2008
Happy BIRTHDAY BABY!!
Our little girl celebrated her first birthday on December 23rd, we had sent her a care package and a birthday cake through a service in China. We were hoping and praying for new updated photos and information about our precious daughter. Instead we got word that she is in the hospital and could not receive her package. We have a little bit of conflicting information as to why exactly she is in the hospital. We have peace that she is well of and we are fervently praying for her health and that she feels our love from the other side of the world. Please join us in praying for her. We will hopefully have more information soon and some new photos too!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2009
Nada
Still no news or updates. Hopefully we will hear something soon. Thank you everyone for your prayers and emails. I will update as soon as I find out anything else. I have peace that she is okay, it would still be wonderful to get an update! We have almost settled on a name. Once we are positive we will share. It might be hard to change at this point because we let our first choice slip and all the kids are calling her by name now. I hadn't really had the chance to scour baby name books (which I think is SOOO fun, really) so I am not ready to put it out there. I was also really hoping we would have our LID date by now so we could start counting down the days until we receive our LOA..

New Years Resolution (I just couldn't resist)

Ok, so this year, instead of shedding a few pounds, organizing my cupboards, or running a marathon ( all mighty fine goals, which I could stand to achieve) I resolve to make the DECISION to be happy.  I know this sounds small or cliche but I think it is really huge.  I remember when I was 12 or 13 years old and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I thought I was being a little miss smarty pants to reply "I just want to be happy".  I was really just trying not put myself in a little box by giving a straight answer, and probably because I didn't have a clue.  Maybe I was closer than I thought.  Because everyone wants to be happy,Right?   What I didn't realize was that Happiness is not a stage, a thing, a place, an award, an accomplishment, or a bulging bank account.  Happiness is a choice. No matter my circumstance, if I CHOOSE to be filled with joy it is all within my power. Worry is a choice!  Sadness is a choice! Bitterness is a choice!  Joy is a choice! Peace is a choice! Faith is a choice! Happiness is a choice!

It all sounds so simple, but to live it and really feel it is something that I am just starting to practice.  I used to think I was a better Mom because I worried about my kids, and lately I realize that I was just robbing myself and them of Peace and Happiness. I am guilty of thinking I would be happy if I just had ____ or if so and so would just ____. It feels so wonderful to let all of this go, but it is not always easy. It is a decision that I have to make daily and sometimes hourly because lets face it, sometimes it's all about the little things.  Sometimes my worrisome thoughts start to creep in...Like a fix to an addict..I have to choose to think of something else. Is their a 12 step program for this because I think it could be a certified addiction?  And because I am a child of the 80's... This is what I will post on my little vision board and my 'fridge to help me remember!Ok, so I am very sad to admit that my (younger than me) husband had no idea who this was... Sad, really sad. I thought I was being funny and that EVERYONE would get this but I guess not.  For the one other person out there who doesn't know who this is  you  MUST click here, right now just click here!!!  There is no way that you can be over 26 years of age and have not heard this at least a thousand times!

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Eve, Downtown after Church, listening to street performers play Christmas music.  What a magical night,  Mina loved the music!


Waiting to comedownstairs.
Mina would have been happy with this one gift, as it took much help from her big brother and sister to open the rest of her gifts.  
Santa brought Kobi her Panda Bear Webkin..
and Collin his pet hedgehog!!!  He has been begging for one of these little guys. I must say, she is pretty cute. 

We went to a "festival" down town the day after Christmas,  such a fun day...  Mommy did the rock wall too.. Fun!

Go Girl!

Merry Christmas EVE

We are gearing up for a big night! We are headed off to church, then we will come home to a big dinner, set out some reindeer food, make one more type of cookie, drink some hot cider and/or eggnog. Read the Christmas story from the Bible, followed up by, "Twas the Night before Christmas"

The Advent Calendar is shot, one of Collin's very favorite parts of the Christmas season, it can't be December around here without of few of these laying around my counter top- I never miss this come January.. We baked and decorated cookies for Santa last night... Don't they look yummy? Whatever you may think of these beautiful cookies, I don't mind... Guess what I had for breakfast with a cup of coffee, and a side of sugar shock... Good stuff!

"Hey Santa, You want some cookie to go with those sprinkles?"

Jack's Birthday was also this week, so we had a spaghetti dinner (his choice), and did the family birthday thing. He also had some of his friends join him for a party at Chuck E' Cheese.  Happy Birthday Baby!

13 seconds of sweetness

Today is our little guy's 5th Birthday, we have been blessed with his amazing heart, I am so in love with this child.   He is sensitive, strong, passionate, loving, athletic, kind, and funny.  His preschool teacher said something about him last year that I will always remember because it describes my little guy so well, she said, "No matter what activity we are doing, Jackson LOVES it.  Everything makes him happy."  This is so true, he is truly just a happy person, and I have so much respect for that.  I am proud to be his Mama!  Happy Birthday Little Man.  We will have birthday photos on here soon, but I had to post this short video of Jack saying the dinner blessing,  so cute!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!

Mina celebrated her birthday this week, with her official b-day being yesterday and she had some of her little friends over for a baby blanket picnic birthday party today. It was very cute. The expression on her face when we sang "Happy Birthday" to her was priceless.

She is such a joyful little girl and I feel blessed to be her Mommy!

You know your in the South when......

Just mere steps from our great State's capitol building is the North Carolina Museum of History.  We were on a little road trip today so we ventured in.  On the first floor was the funniest and maybe even a little disturbing exhibit.  Let me first say the entire second floor of the museum was split into sections entitled History of War, History of Politics, of Textiles, of Civil Rights, and Sports. But the entire first floor was one exhibit entitled :   Wait it gets better...So we wandered in...we were surprised to see two full rooms devoted to "waterfowl" decoys & rifles?  

Huh? The next room had this great little story time area with a large rug, bean bags and a bookshelf full of books about cute little Duckies...  Right next to the story time rug was this interactive video (the kind that you push a little elevator type button to play the film)  So of course Mina pushes the button,  The short film features two camouflage clad gentlemen with an over the top twang.  The video, no lie, shows them shooting ducks out of the air and having their dogs bring them back in their teeth... Great toddler entertainment.  

We moved onto the next room and it got even better, we saw this area....     right next to this....  Does anyone else think this is as funny as we did, I haven't laughed so hard in a long time... Thank goodness Mina is too young to "get it", Kobi would have been scarred for life.  

Busted!

Hey Jackson, Are you licking the frosting out of the container?

Holiday Weekend Getaway.

We went to the mountains this weekend to cut down our Christmas tree.  Hands down our favorite family tradition.  It was COLD, especially this morning - 18 degrees, but with the wind it felt much colder, we made quick work of picking out our tree and having it bundled up. Yesterday we spent the day in one of our favorite little mountain towns, sledding and playing in the snow.  Mina once again, took all the newness in stride and didn't miss a beat, she loved sledding as much as the rest of us.  We found this great little "inn" and stayed the night, I had made a crock pot full of Chili the day before so we checked in, and hit the snow.  We came back to our little place to bubbly hot chili and hot chocolate.  We settled in watched a movie and played board games.  It was a great family weekend, much needed. 

 We have our tree up and decorated, our house smells like pine, and we feel blessed beyond words... Merry Christmas!