waiting...

The adoption process leaves us at the mercy of others. We get every paper we need together, we mail it off, we wait...we mail it somewhere else we wait...then we wait some more. This summer has flown by which has been such a blessing, because my mind has been occupied with packing and unpacking & packing again. I'm not patient. I want to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I want to check this item off my list. But, here's the funny thing. God has so deliberately planned each stage of this process. Not that he doesn't for every adopting couple, but for some reason I can sense his intentionality every step of the way. I think I will break down, and a friend calls with an encouraging word. I worry about our fingerprint appointments running into our vacation. They get scheduled the Friday before. I long to see Kai's face, a couple traveling snaps a pic of her.
We had been told about waiting at the immigration office. We arrive and no one is there. To top it off the sweet gentleman who helps us, Derek knows! I stand in awe. It is as if He just parts the seas & ask us to proceed. All the while, I do my best to worry less, and have more faith, patience, perseverance...but really. God just wants my reliance on Him. Is that too much to ask? No, but I find myself wandering...below are lyrics to a hymn penned in 1757. I don't know about you, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing...that just puts me over the edge. His mercy does not fail. His love is FAR greater than I can put into words. I'm so thankful for this journey we are on...I can't say what we set out expecting, but it's already more than I could have ever hoped for...and we have yet to meet face to face! At the end of this journey our family will look different physically, but our hearts have been transformed, we won't ever be the same.

8 is GREAT!!

This sweet treat is 8! My first born daughter. Tinlee is so special to us. Not only because she is who made us parents, but she is a joy. I don't know where 8 years has gone, but they aren't kidding when they say they grow like weeds. She's a wildflower...delicate & she wilts easily, but that tender heart makes her our Tinlee Joy. She's an excellent big sister & wonderful helper. She loves to read & is a great student. She's inquisitive & silly. And she'll be joining us on our trip to China. I'm so thankful for the plans God has purposed in her life. And I pray that Derek & I can steward her to the best of our abilities. She's a Jesus loving girl & I can't wait to see her leave her mark. 

we are blessed to be a blessing...

 We got to be part of one sweet blessing this summer...Our church collected items to create BBQ bags for families for the 4th of July. Just a small treat to say, we love you & enjoy the 4th. No strings attached. This pic was taken after we helped stuff bags full after Sunday service. It's such a small act, but we are blessed to be part of a church family who cares for it's community so dearly.

better late than never...Kai's Birthday

Sweet Kai turned 1 on June 24th...it was such a bittersweet birthday...I'm always emotional when it comes to any of the kids growing older...but this one was much different than any other birthday. I'm so thankful for the woman who chose life for Kai. I pray for her & her decision and hope she'll have a peace that passes all understanding. It saddens me to think Kai had no idea it was her birthday, or that she is worth celebrating. So we did our best. We enjoyed Chinese food, and I made her cake. I usually enlist a sweet friend for this task, but seeing that she had just given birth...it was Mom's turn to take a go. She gave excellent directions & let me borrow her cake pans. Gunnar selected sprinkles, Harper chose the little red heart for Kai & Tinlee made a Chinese flag to remember where she is this birthday. It was delicious & the kids were so proud of her little cake. Lots of tears were shed, but I'm so thankful for her. For 3 sweet children who pray the most precious heartfelt prayers for their sister. We can't wait to celebrate together...we are one day closer!! 

A Bai Jia Bei for Kai

I came across this sweet idea from another blog of an adopted son from China. Kai's is beautiful and I can't wait to share all the stories of her quilt coming together. A picture just doesn't do it justice. It is only fitting that we make the same quilt for Joli that she will also come to treasure. If you have the same material that's great too, that part is totally your choice. My mom and her friends couldn't believe I didn't have a color scheme...that's the beauty in all the parts coming together. 

What is a Bai Jia Bei/ 100 Good wishes Quilt? 

To welcome and celebrate new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite friends and family to contribute a patch of cloth with a wish for the baby. Part of the patch of cloth goes into the quilt for the baby and the other part of the cloth goes into a book with the wish for the child. The quilt contains the blessings from all the families and friends who contribute a piece of fabric. 

Would you like to participate?? This is what you can do:

1. Select a fabric that you like, or that is meaningful to you. It can be new or used. I'm going to use swatches from the kids blankets that my mom made for them, for their contributions. 

2. Cut one 8" x 8" square & also a scrap piece from the fabric to attach to the Blessing/Verse/ Card...whatever you decide on. Feel free to contribute more than one square. 

The Wish/or Blessing for our Purposes

1. This is your choice, something meaningful to you & your family. It could be a special verse, quote, prayer, card, poem & will be included in the scrapbook with the swatch of fabric to identify your square on the quilt. Remember to sign your blessing. 

2. If you would like you could include why you chose the fabric, so later Kai can read the story of all the love that went into make this Blessing Quilt. 

We'd love to have many different squares so if you'd like to help you can comment or message me & you can mail it on to us! 

Here's an example of a swatch! 

8" Square 

Scrap can be any size; we just want to see which fabric & it can be attached to a plain piece of paper handwritten, or typed, or a card, or whatever you think up-it's up to you! 

I'm thrilled & can't wait to see the final product!! 

Love One Another....

and when they do...it warms my heart! 

a little movie watching under the breakfast table...

& my favorite! 

the kids having dessert outside and giggling and loving on one another...they didn't know anyone was watching, we captured some pics from inside while being delighted by their sweetness!! 

..."the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 

sweet summertime....

Snow cones!

Cute Color Runners!

A little tent fun...

hot & windy tee ball!