Thankful Day 15

This will be short because this mommy is tired but I am so very thankful. Madison,our 14 year old daughter had an accident while cheering at the JV football game on Thursday night. She was dropped from about 8 feet in the air, landing on the back of her head. She had an impact seizure on the field and suffered a concussion. The neurologist ordered strict bed rest and a series of more testing this week. She will be out of school for a while.
I am thankful for the incredible support we have received.
I am thankful for the medical staff.
I am thankful for the quick action of the school staff.
I am thankful that we still have our Madi.
God is so good to us at all times.

Thankful Day 14

Sometimes it is simple things that can make us thankful. I took the little girls to their routine dentist appt today and I have no news to report. That is what I am thankful for. When it comes to the dentist, no news is good news. Cali has this funny tooth next to the opening in her gum line. The last time we were at the dentist they said to keep an eye on it because it really does have a funny look to it on the outside of the tooth. I wish I were more diligent about brushing their teeth twice a day and I wish I could say that Cali does not still drink that yogurt drink everynight before bed, I wish I flossed their teeth twice a day, I wish I could say they drink more water than any other liquids but that would be well...lieing. I guess I can stop feeling the guilt that was raising up inside me as we pulled into the dentist's office because, as the dentist told me "They are looking good, with no changes to report!" Now.....what else can I feel guilty about......

Thankful Day 13

I went to the beach this weekend with a group of ladies. We are different but we are united in two things that guide our lives-we are daughters of Christ and we have heard the call for the orphan. Although there were only 5 women, we have over 20 children,9 thru adoption from 4 different countries and we represent 3 different local churches. Our weekend was spent building friendships, telling stories about our children and sharing our adoption journeys. What I came away with was also a sense of sadness that we all share towards the church that has left the call of the orphan unheard. Why is that?????? It is so clear in the bible that we are to take care of the orphan. Where is the church leadership where are its people????
I am thankful that God has given me sisters that share the same passion for Him and His children. Pray for the orphan today.

Thankful Day 12

Most days there is some one who tells me,"wow,I could never do what you do...How could you start all over when your other kids were all in school"..or something like that. I am used to it now and usually answer with something like how much I love being a mom or if I am wanting to go down a deeper path I try to explain how it is a calling from God and I was simply being obedient so it really is not about me. Any how looking at this picture...such sweet,innocent joy in sliding down the slide. What a joy takes over me when I can be a part of that pure happiness. I am so thankful that I can still be in the life that is so full of that young, pure emotion.

Thankful Day 11

While we were in AL we visited the Botanical Gardens. They had it decorated with different gourds as various people. Some of them were incredible. This one was called "Desperate Housewives" They had me down to tee. Two asian preschoolers hanging on me,pink sweater, cell phone and looking well a bit desperate. I am not pushed to the edge very often but I will admit, there are times. So today I am thankful that I can laugh at myself.

Thankful Day 10

Sorry I have gotten off my list. I was out of town for a few days and then travel delays but I am home so I want to get in my Thankful list...
We visited our dear friends that we met in China when we were adopting Cali. Their little Sophie is the same age as Lily and has the same gotcha day as Cali. Sherrie, Sophie's mommy has become a dear friend to me. When we were in China people asked if we were sisters adopting together. While we we in AL a friend of Sherrie's came up and gave me a little tickle thinking I was Sherrie from the back. Poor girl she was so confused for a moment. We got a good laugh out of it. I do now consider Sherrie my sister- sister in Christ. She is a wonderful wife, mommy to 5 and a great friend to me and my family. I am so very thankful that God chose to have Sherrie and I meet. Now He just has to move her closer to me! Yes me, always wanting a bit more...

Thankful Day 9-Happy 3rd B-Day Cali

Happy Birthday to my sweet Cali. How far you have come from the first birthday we got to share with you. Your smile is easily seen and your kisses are delicious. I thank God for all He has given me. I pray that some how your birth mother in China can one day feel peace. I am so very thankful for the people in China that cared for you until God sent us to bring you home. I am thankful that I can send them back some of your sweet photos and that they send back priceless notes to you. My baby is 3 years old today!

Thankful Day 8

Last night we went to watch Madison cheer for her high school football team. As I was sitting there I was so happy for Madi because she is so happy at her new school. It was not an easy decision for us to have her change schools. But we are thankful that we did and she has been so welcome there by the staff and her fellow classmates. It is a school that strives for academic excellence but more important than that it builds relationships and cares for the individual.

Thankful Day 7

Not really sure how to make this post. Since I have started this thankful journal/blog posting I often go through my day thi
nking hum...what will I be thankful for at the end of this day, what will I post about. My phone rang about an hour ago and it was my husband. A friend of ours called him to give him the news that their 6 month old baby had died this morning. From what I can tell it sounds like SIDS since as far as all of us knew the baby was a beautiful healthy baby. I can not imagine their pain right now. The confusion for them as well as their other children. The what ifs, the how comes, the whys...I do know that in times like this we must still be thankful. As believers we know that we will be reunited at the feet of Jesus. This does not mean we do not suffer the loss and feel immense pain. I have followed along Mary Beth Chapman's blog through the incredible pain of her loosing Maria Sue last year. Mary Beth shares the deep pain yet her faith in our Savior is amazing. I ask you to pray for this family in the coming hours, days, weeks and months. I am thankful that in dark, sad, painful seasons in our lives ,as believers, we do not have to walk alone.

Thankful Day 6

Today there is a family that is flying across the ocean to adopt a little girl from China. I do not know this family except through emails and her blog. They brought home a little girl last year just before we traveled to bring home Cali. Now they are traveling yet again to bring home another sweet sweet gift from God. I am thankful that although the adoption process has become more and more difficult and more and more expensive that people are still heeding the call to adopt. It is funny how many times I am asked whether we are "finished". How can I say a definite YES! There are definite reasons why we "should" be finished but "finished" really closes that door. Is that right for us, I do not know for sure. But I am so very thankful that others are picking up the one star fish and giving him a home, giving her a forever family, giving him a warm bed, giving her a sweet kiss good night, holding him when the imaginary monsters are abound, putting bandaides where there are no boo boos, reading books, telling her "I love you when you are happy, I love you when you are sad, I love you when you are mad, I love you when you are bad, I love you when you are good. I love you all the time". Thank you for adopting and hearing God's call.
PS I added the family that is traveling today to my blog list on the side bar.

Thankful Day 5

Today I went in the capital to get Cali's certificate of foreign birth. I hope I do not insult any one here but I was not anticipating a pleasant experience. I felt this way because of the finger printing,DMV and other various gov't agencies. When I arrived I was greeted by an older gentleman that was actually helpful. Then the process took only 1 hour from start to finish, with each person greeting me with a smile. I noticed as I was waiting that each employee was cheerful when they were walking in and out of the gov't building. I know I should not be surprised but sadly I was. But I am thankful for the nice folks who helped me.

Thankful Day 4

Today is Sunday, therefore we go to church. Today I am thankful for the commitment of Sunday school teachers. They are often overlooked as parents drop off their preschoolers and go on their way to be fed by the pastor. Mr.Scott and Miss Cathy are Lily and Cali's Sunday school teachers. They are a married couple that has raised a family and each week for more than one year, they have taught Cali and Lily. I have known them for almost 15 years and I am so thankful that we are sharing another season with them. They are wonderful servants that are bringing glory to God.
Next Sunday, thank your child's Sunday teacher.

Thankful day 3

Today I am thankful that it is a beautiful Carolina blue sky Saturday. We have lived in many cities but God had brought us here some 16 years ago. It is an incredible community to raise kids. Today I got to watch Lily and Cali run around and play "soccer". The weather was incredible and the Carolina blue skies could not be any more beautiful. Only our Creator could have created such an incredible color blue and splashed it across our sky for us to enjoy. Thank you God, the one and only Creator.

Thankful day number 2

I am a wife, mother,sister and daughter. Today I am thankful for my mother and all she is to me. She will never read this because she does not own a computer, does not use the ATM, no drive-thrus and just learned how to use her cell phone. She is beautiful and full of life. She spreads mulch in her garden and scrubs her windows. She was a widow in her mid 40's and never dated again. She said she found her one true love and that was enough for her. She had to get a job and raise the 3 of us on her own. Her future plans changed but she eventually rose to the occasion. She moved into Manhattan for a fresh start and lived there for about 15 years until she retired and moved south to be closer to me and her much loved grandkids.She bought her first house at age 65. She started to drive again (not much need to drive in NYC). She loves each of my children equally. She still worries about me. She cooks dinner and leaves it in my fridge once a week. We have coffee together and catch up on family gossip. She attends most of my kids sporting events. She always has a basket of candy for my DH and children in her frig. She makes us Sunday dinner and takes such joy in serving us.I look at her and marvel at all she has been through in her life and I am honored that she is my mother.

Thankful continued...

My darling daughter Greyson has complained to me that I have not updated my blog enough lately. She is right. So I have decided that between now and Thanksgiving I am going to update my blog each day to express one thing I am thankful for in my life each day (and then throw in random stuff that might be amusing)
Today I am thankful for Greyson.
I am thankful that she has the heart for the under dog.
I am thankful for the way she helps me with her younger sisters.
I am thankful that from the time she could pray out loud, I can count on her to be my pray warrior.
I am thankful that she prays with Lily and lets her sleep with her.
I am thankful that she thinks it is nice when other families' speak kindly of eachother.
I am thankful she is now taller than me-LOL!
I am thankful that she tried a new sport this fall.
I am thankful that she is my daughter-I love you more than all the sand on the beaches!
PS-random item number one-as I sat down to write this post, Cali had to peeeeeee and Lily was sure there was a monster in the laundry basket. So I took Cali to the potty and placed the monster in the washing machine. All is good now, for the moment....