All in His Timing....

I honestly did not think this day would ever come, but I'm happy to say I was wrong! Since we first met Min Hao Li back in 2007, we have wondered why he did not have a family, and have prayed for this to come to fruition. He was an energetic 5-year old who seemed to have the rule of the place;-)  He particularly bonded with a grandfather on our team who affectionately gave him the nickname "Booger," due to his mischievous behavior. Here they are pictured together.

When we returned in 2008, we were disappointed to see that Booger was still there, but excited to learn that he was being adopted by a family in Sweden. That enthusiasm was short lived when we received Chinese New Year photos from the orphanage that following winter, proving Booger was still there. Why was he still there? With being unable to return in 2009, we were anxious to see if he was still there in 2010. We found he was now attending the local boarding school, but he and the other children we had worked with previously, were allowed to come visit with us twice during our stay. We asked what happened to the family in Sweden, and were told that his paperwork had been lost. Again, we advocated for his adoption, and was ensured that they would make it happen. If you understand China politics, or the "Lost in tranlation" concept, then you understand why we did not hold our breath.

It was fun to see how much he has grown up since we last saw him two years ago. Quite the handsome boy now....

However, our God is a mighty God who can doesn't care about roadblocks. I am thrilled to say that Booger's family is now in China, and will soon be bringing him home to the United States! Despite the long journey, it only encourages me more to keep praying for these kids, and continuing our summertime trips to Chaoyang. I like to think that our visits help prepare them for their family some day. Won't you join me in continuing to pray for these precious children?

Please, No More Snow...

Believe it or not we have had record February snowfall here, but I think we're all in agreement that enough is enough! Mike and the kids are now up to four extra days tacked on to the end of the school year, and from today's boredom, I am thinking they would've rather been in school today than in summer.

The enthusiasm was high to begin with, evident by Josh making a snow angel, in his boxers, at 6 am. The snow came down so quickly in the early hours that we got 3-4 inches in just an hour. The kids and dogs were frolicking around the front yard, while Mike shoveled the driveway (which he would have to do again in just a couple hours). Josh's enthusiasm was outdone by our neighbor girls, who decided to build their snowman while wearing their swimsuits. I was chilled to the bone just watching them! We then did some sledding on our local hill (which was not nearly as conducive to sledding as it was back in Nov.), and snowman making in the front yard (but not as good as these creations from the past). After recovering in the afternoon by watching movies, snow was gathered outside to make Snow Ice Cream, which was quickly devoured; that's when boredom set in.

 It did make for some beautiful scenic pictures though....

Japanese Maple tree in our front yard

Pine trees in our backyard, heavy laden with snow

 Today, the second day home, the kids have been bored, not even feigning their enthusiasm by playing outside! Due to unusually cold temperatures, the snow is supposed to "stick" around for a couple more days, but thankfully school should be back on for tomorrow. With President's Day being this past Monday, why am I feeling so tired if it is just a two-day work week?

One More Brag...

Yep, one more time for me to brag, then I promise to stop for a week a little while. Just had to say that this past weekend Mike was honored as Regional Coach of the Year (last week was District honors) at the regional wrestling tournament. So that means that he will be entered for Statewide Coach of the Year at this upcoming weekend's state tournament. Unfortunately for Josh he didn't do as well as he had hoped last weekend, so he is not moving on, but five other wrestlers are. Josh will be going down with them though, and I know he totally has his mind set on being a participant there next year. When he does, I'll link back to this post, as being a part of what propelled him to accomplish his goal.

Moments before coaching Josh (before his heart rate and blood pressure soar!) Trust me, he does not look quite this calm during the action....

Proud Day....

Today I am doubly proud. First, Josh placed second in the NW District wrestling tournament, and will be moving on to regionals next weekend at Glacier Peak HS. Second, before the championship round they announced that Mike was selected as the NW District Coach of the Year!  Yeah for the Crebbin Boys! I am truly proud today, but actually I am proud and blessed each and every day to have such a wonderful husband, and four loving kids:)

My boys after Josh's championship match. Josh looks a bit tired, but look at that proud dad!

Year of the rabbitt....

Here is a photo from our local adoptive families' CNY celebration Thursday night. The newest addition has only been home one month, with the oldest now being a college freshman. What a beautiful group of kids we are all blessed to parent!

Thank you Leona Helmsley!

You are probably wondering what this post could possibly be about with a title like that, right? I'll start by reminding you of who Leona Helmsley is. Who could forget this picture....

This was her mug shot when she spent almost two years in jail for tax evasion. Seems the billionaire was quoted as saying "We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes..."  Guess that makes me a little person! But some of you may recognize her more from this photo with her dog, whom she willed $12 million in a trust fund when she died in 2007!

I know, you're still wondering where I'm going with this history lesson....well it seems that after litigation, the money did not go to her dog afterall, but to create the The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. It turns out that one of her grandchildren has Type I diabetes, and that the trust has recently poured a lot of money in to TI research. That's where I come in....

Yesterday when I was at UW for my quarterly visit with my endocrinologist, he asked me if I wanted to become a part of the data repository for a grant that the foundation awarded. The grant is for the development of a type 1 diabetes exchange that includes a data repository, a biobank and an interactive website with mobile capability. The Exchange is designed to drive a better understanding of the disease, improve care and accelerate new therapies for type 1 diabetes through the promotion of collaborative research and data sharing.  So yesterday I answered some basic questions (my first time using an Ipad!), and gave them permission to follow my data from every doctor appointment.  And because my information is in their database, I may become part of other studies from it too.

For some reason I just get a kick out of the fact that all this is funded by money that was to go towards Leona Helmsley's Maltese. Thanks Trouble!