Bins of Memories

We have been "spring cleaning" here in preparation for our first ever rummage sale in early May.  After we had Lydia, I went through all of our boy clothes and donated bags of clothes ... admittedly, lots of bags.  And, admittedly, we still had a lot of stuff left ... little outfits, clothing and shoes that I was too emotionally attached to and thus I just couldn't part with yet.  We had BINS of stuff left (I guess the boys had a fairly decent wardrobe as babies and tots!).

These past couple of months, I have been going through the leftover bins and preparing for our first ever rummage sale where I will try to detach my memories of the boys as babies and little boys from these bins of clothes (another admission, there are bins to the side and behind these as well).

Yes, there are some things I still cannot part with.

And, I've debated posting this, but in full disclosure, we are going to do the rummage sale as an adoption fundraiser, putting the proceeds toward bringing China Girl home and her related medical expenses (yes, adoption is crazy expensive!).  If anyone else is doing any spring cleaning and has any items they'd like to donate to the rummage sale, you know where to find us! 

Every day, we are feeling that China Girl is out there, and we are just waiting for that day when we get "the call" and get to see her precious face.

Hey Little Sis, we're waiting for you!

The Artist(s)

No, this isn't a review of the Oscar winning film The Artist.  It is a review of our little artists.  Lydia and I did a Toddler Art Time class this month.  So much fun!  And, the teacher was Jack's preschool teacher and Samuel's Toddler Art Time teacher.  Jason took a few sessions of this class when Samuel was 2-3 years old (and became somewhat famous for it in advertisements for the Arts Center where this is offered ~ showing up in many advertisements for the Arts Center).  In fact, this photo is still used today and is often on their site in Fall and Winter as the sign-up photo for Toddler Art Time. It is a great photo!

And, here's a glimpse into little missy getting a little messy! 

This post was originally just going to be about Toddler Art Time ... BUT, the boys had their annual spring break sleepover with their cousins, and they did this SUPER COOL project.  So, here they are with their masterpieces (Rita, you are so creative!!!).



Laura Ingalls Wilder Day

Last week at school Jack had a Laura Ingalls Wilder Day where the kids dressed in costume.  They spent the day making candles, dancing, tin punching, making treats, sewing, etc.  It happened to be the same day that Jason volunteers in Samuel's classroom.  So, he spent the morning in Samuel's classroom and the afternoon with Jack's class.  Such a good Daddy ...

 Jack, do you think the boys wore Nike baseball socks in LIW days?

 Jason and Jack Candle Dipping

And, this little lady? 

When Jason volunteers at school, Lydia hangs out with "Gamma" Goose ~ these two get a little lot crazy together.  Jason does appreciate coming home on these days and finding that Gamma has fixed Lydia's hair (Jason will be the first to admit that he still hasn't quite conquered the little rubberbands and getting her hair into piggies).

Adoption Update

It's been a while since I've posted any updates on China Girl (see this post for our last update).  Similar to in August 2010 our immigration paperwork and biometrics (fingerprints) "expired" in the past month.  Thus, we spent time this past Fall visiting doctors, updating paperwork, visiting the sheriff's department, meeting with our social work, and updating our home study ... again.  We then trekked down to Milwaukee for our biometrics appointment.  Approximately a month ago we received our updated immigration approval.  Thus, we are now current until early next year when we will start the process again.  Unless, of course, God's timing is the physical placement of China Girl with our family this year.  It is with much anticipation that we wonder if this will be "the year."

As I've mentioned in the past, the wait time for a China adoption is ever increasing, and we are years out from a "healthy" referral.  After we began the adoption process, we felt we were being lead to opening up our application to special needs.  This process entails a checklist of sorts where you and your spouse agree (hopefully) on which special needs you are open to.  When we originally completed this additional paperwork and application, we checked the box that we were open to cleft conditions (lip and / or palate).  Over the course of the past month or so, God has been opening our hearts to this special need more and more.  We have been able to connect with families from our adoption agency, and we have "stumbled" across some amazing blogs of families who have adopted little ones with cleft conditions. There have been a few other things that are molding our hearts as well that perhaps over time will be shared here.

In November, we also had an opportunity to share our adoption journey with our church family (for Orphan Sunday).  From a timing perspective, it was good to sit down and reflect on our journey to date and anticipate what is to come ...

From November 2011:
Our “official” adoption journey began in January 2009.  However, we began discussing adoption a few years prior to that.  At that point adoption was our “Plan B.” We would pursue adoption IF we didn’t get pregnant again.  After losing Owen, it became increasingly clear to us that adoption is not God’s Plan B, nor should it be ours.

God does not make mistakes. And He does not need a backup plan. Adoption was not God’s plan B. We had seen adoption to be a second choice after biological children. But, just as God designed some families to grow through biological children, He has also designed some families to grow through the miracle of adoption.

Our dossier is in China, and we have been on the “wait list” for approximately two and half years.  The wait time for a little girl from China is increasing every day.  There are many circumstances that could determine when our little girl will officially join our family, but we know that it is God’s will and His timing that will determine this.  While we wait God is working in ways only He can. This little girl already is part of our family and holds a piece of all of our hearts.  When the boys talk about our family, they list out themselves (Jack and Samuel), Owen, Lydia and China Girl (this is how the boys started affectionately referring to their one-day sister shortly after we began the adoption process).

As we are waiting on God’s perfect timing, please join us in praying for the orphans, in praying for the birth mothers who carry these babies, and the birth parents who make the unimaginable decision to give these children up.

Valentine's Day 2012

2012

2012 General Observations:  the kiddos are outgrowing the chair ... Samuel's hair is as crazy as ever ... the boys are wearing the same shirts as last year ... our love for these kiddos grows more and more every day ...

 2011

2010

Happy Heart

I got the water color heart banner and happy heart verse idea from Jess's blog here.  Although we've never met in "real life", love this girl, she is crazy creative and talented and has an amazing {happy} heart. 

Note:  Samuel helped with the banner too, but he was too "cool" for me to take his picture "crafting."  Love that boy and his very middle-child characteristics!  And Jack, he would have readily assisted, but he was at basketball.  Although he may not readily admit it, he has a happy heart for crafting with his mama.

Headliner

It is with wonder that I look at Jack, Samuel and Lydia and think how similar they are and yet how different as well.  We had an event at school this past week where, on the spot, Samuel volunteered to go on stage and tell a joke.  Jack would never do that.  In fact, Jack was embarrassed that even Samuel went up there.

I didn't get a photo of Samuel actually telling his joke as I was on the edge of the bleacher, waiting with baited breath to see what joke Samuel was going to even tell. 

In case you were wondering, here is the joke he told:

   What is a horse's favorite drink?
   Lemon-neigggggghed!

And, he did great!!!!  Way to go, Samuel!!!! 

And, even though Jack was initially embarrassed, he was looking rather proud when even Jack's friends were coming up and telling Samuel that they liked his joke!

Overnight

When my niece Ellison was a little over two, my SIL put her hair in rags overnight and voila - beautiful curls the next morning.  Five years ago, when admiring how Rita transformed Ellison's hair I remember thinking to myself that if God would ever bless me with a little girl I'd have to try that.  So, here it is, my first attempt ...

Saturday Night After Bath

Yes, she's in that stage where it's hard to get any photos with a natural smile!

Sunday Morning

And, Jason, sorry honey, but you owe me $20 (insert evil laughter - muhahahahaha)!

Four Years

While I have done a good job of neglecting this dear blog of mine, today is a day that cannot go by without a few words of rememberance.  Four years ago today we received news that would forever change us.  Four years ago we became all too familiar with a diagnosis of "incompatible with life."  Four years ago, we walked in a state of disbelief, a state of sadness. 

Yes, we continue to mourn and miss Owen.  And, yes, moments continue to be bittersweet (read here for more thoughts on this anniversary).  But, we have learned to live through the here and now.  And, we have learned to lean on and lean into our Father.  We have learned so much over these four years.

Owen, you are forever in our hearts ... we love you ... we miss you ... we have been blessed through you, sweet little one.  We will never take for granted the time you were given to us here.

When Love Takes You In

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