Family needs prayer...

If you read my blog regularly, you may remember an earlier post that I wrote about Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Cinderalla" and what an inspiration he has been to adoptive families. Well tonight I have been in tears over learning one of his daughters was hit and killed today. What makes it more difficult is that one of her older brothers was driving the vehicle that struck her in their driveway. I can't imagine the pain they all must be going through. For all the joy they have brought through encouraging so many to adopt, it's time we pay them back with our prayers. Please join me in lifting this family up.

Mom's New Haircut....

Two Years Ago This Week....

we were blessed to have Jaelyn join our family, forever! I can't imagine life without this beautiful, compassionate child. Everywhere we go people comment on her smile, and they are right, her whole face lights up. It's contagious, and I know God has and will use her to bless others.

We celebrated the day in our usual fashion, chinese food! We swore we were back in China, as the waitress hovered by our table, picking up every plate and bowl the second it was empty. Jaelyn really captured the waitress' heart too, as by the end of the meal she was taking Jaelyn by the hand and walking her to the dessert buffet. Jaelyn grinned from ear to ear as she walked back with a bowl full of sweets, AFTER we had already given her ice cream. A minute later, here came the waitress again, with ice cream cones for the girls! It so took us back to our visits to China. You never get that type of service and attention in the states, and in the restaurants in China, you don't even tip!

Here are a couple pictures from the celebration, as well as a picture from the first time we held Jaelyn.

Incredible Sportsmanship

My friend Julie, knowing what a sports fanatic and strong believer in good sportsmanship I am, brought this article to my attention. It is so nice to see when people get it right. It truly builds my belief in humanity again. Now if we could all go out and do just one selfless act a day....

Catching Up....

So I have some catching up to do, as April has flown by without me posting much. First of all, we had Kaia's 4th birthday over our spring break (everyone's that is, except Mike), followed by her Ariel birthday party that she has been dying for. Turns out her party was on the nicest day of the year so far, so the pinata was outside instead of in the garage.


After watching Kellen set a PR (personal record) Friday night in the 800, we met up with my parents on Saturday at Josh's wrestling tournament, where he placed 3rd in his weight class.


Remember the beautiful day for Kaia's party? Well the week after we had 2 inches of snow on the ground! I wasn't sure the tulips would come out at all this year, but alas, they did. On Saturday we also stopped by the incredible Skagit Valley Tulip Fields for some beautiful back drops. Of course, the first thing I did was to tell the girls to stay out of the mud. Yeah right, Kaia gets pulled into water like a gigantic magnet. Silly me didn't pack any extra shoes or pants. Oh well, she dried:)

Teenage Boys...

Just a glimpse into the gym bag of a teenage boy (and he's proud of it).

You Know You're....

I have to start off by saying I completely stole this from my friend Lisa's blog....thanks Lisa! Those of you in the adoptive community will find this amusing:


You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When . . .

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents.
7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth. (2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

-Author unknown