Not just Cali has changed in 2 years!

Could it be two years?

So two years ago we were flying from Shanghai to Fuzhou to meet our newest daughter/sister. Tylar could not travel with us because she was just starting college. It was hard to leave her. What if something happened to her, what if something happened to us. I had to let it go, give it to God. While we were gone her car broke down in Maryland and towed home. An expense and experience we were not counting on. She started her first couple of weeks of college with out a hitch. We were in China. Lily's world was about to turn upside down. Cali's world was about to turn upside down. The insomnia that most expectant mom's experience before giving birth, I really feel God is preparing the woman for the nights that she will be up with her new born. I experienced insomnia before we traveled to adopt Cali. Humm, should have known God was preparing me for the months or years ahead. The first few months home were a killer. We were sleep deprived from jet lag and Cali and Lily were learning to be sisters and friends during the day but they had no interest in being sisters or friends during the night when both of them needed their mommy. I am getting ahead of myself. I have sweet memories of the trip to Fuzhou, China. I hope to return one day. Cali still keeps me up some nights and I fret over her, just like all mom's do over their babies. There is something different about her, she is independent,spunky,tough,loving,mad,happy,sweet and sassy. Guess all these things make her who she is. Could I have overcome the things she has in her 3, almost four years. Humm, not so sure. These children that have been adopted have quite a story to tell, I am blessed that God chose me to be part of Cali's story.

Summer is coming to a close

Cali has enjoyed her summer. She proudly proclaims she is a "fish!" She can swim from end to end in the pool, has conquered the waves, held a sting ray, watched the baby and mama deer at the beach and mastered the bicycle. What a great summer she had! Too bad it is winding down (although it is still well over 90 degrees). But the rights of autumn are here. Her big sisters and brother are heading back to school. Two years ago this week I was nervously packing and repacking with the anticipation of traveling to China to adopt Cali. It is a time of such emotion for me. It is a time that God draws me so close. A time when time stands still for just a bit. I love you Cali.

Time goes on..

The past few months have brought events to our immediate family that none of us could have imagined just a few short months ago. The photo attached was taken this past Thanksgiving. Greg was on call so we could not go the beach, as we had done for the past several years. We were a bit disappointed but we decided that we would take the opportunity to get some new family photos of Greg's side of the family. In the past 3 years Greg's brother had three children and we brought home Cali and Lily. I some how convinced, maybe forced Greg's mom into some of the photos (she hates herself in pictures). For Christmas I made Greg's mom a great photo book from snapfish with the photos from that day. She thought it was silly at first but it became a cherished gift. In April, Greg's brother (center photo, big smile) was killed riding his motorcycle. He left behind his two year old twins, and 3 year old son.Greg's mom, Estelle was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer 3 weeks ago.We had her funeral today.Greg grew up with his mom and brother, he misses them today.
I am going to say some things that may offend some one reading this, because in all honesty I do not know many of you who read this blog. Please know that it my intention NOT to offend but really share. My dad and brother both died when I was a teenager. It was an awful, dark time in my life. We were raised in a catholic home, but I can say I had no relationship with Jesus. It was a dark,dark, lonely place to be.Both Greg's mom and brother were buried in a catholic service. Here is the place where I may offend... I see so clearly now how I became so dark after loosing my brother and father. whom I loved very, very much. Listening to both priests recently, two different churches, I heard them both to say, pray that you are good enough, pray that those who have preceded you in death will work to get you into heaven, pray that your prayers can be heard so that they can get into heaven. Well, as a teenager and me today I will NEVER be good enough, I will NEVER be able to pray some one into heaven and I hope no one is "working" in heaven for me. Getting into heaven is between me and Jesus. It is knowing that HE died for me, He loves me (even when I do not love Him), It is about Jesus and nothing else. Listening to these two funerals brought me back to an ugly place but I am rejoicing that I am no longer there, I am a new creation in Christ. I am still sad for what may have been, for three little boys that do not have an earthly father. I am sad for my husband to have lost so much so soon. I am sad for my children to have lost a very special uncle and crazy grandma. But I am also happy that they are no longer suffering and that I can rest in the arms of Jesus.

Great Friends, Great times!

It is always so much fun to get together with our special friends. We live 100's of miles apart but that can not keep us apart!

Lily and Cali turn 5 ?!?!

Poor Cali she so wants to be the same as Lily. Lily's birthday was this week so that means Cali wants a birthday too! Poor kid, you have to wait until October and then you will only turn 4!

One wish

My daughter GB asks me funny questions from time to time that stump me for some reason. Last week she asked me what my favorite flower is. Well I love to garden so believe it or not I could not think of an answer. Even the next day I could not come up with an answer. Today's question was if you could have one wish... before I could answer she looked at her friend and said"this one is easy" I answered, "just bring one more baby home from China" She said to her friend, "I told you". GB did say,"could it be a brother this time". I really would not care if it were a boy or girl but am i CRAZY just thinking about it. What is wrong with me. I just can not get all those kids who need mommys out of my mind and ultimately my heart. It makes me sad. Today walking on the beach a couple stopped me and told me of their adoption journey some 11 and 13 years ago to Russia. It is like we who have adopted all speak a common language. One that is so easily understood, especially for those of us who have adopted "later in life". For now I will be satisfied praying for and cheering on my friends that are in the midst of their journeys. Thank you God for laying this on my heart.
PS GB's favorite flower is a day lily. I still can not think of just one favorite!

Boys are home

Greg and Peter are home from their trip to Oregon. It was a celebration of Peter graduating high school and Greg turning 50 this summer. They had a great trip. Really sweet to see them spend that time together.

First summer pics and new family photo

My good friend's husband took some photos for us at our home last week. Just to get the entire family in one location these days can prove difficult. We had an event at our house and RA graciously came and took tons of photos to record the night for us. He did a great job on a crazy night! I have to admit I think my favorite photo is the one of me and my mom. She hates getting her photo taken so she always proves the be a stubborn subject. RA got a great shot of the two of us that I know I am going to treasure. Thanks RA!!!!

Little changes

We often go to the same small Mexican place to eat. We have been going there for years. A couple of nights ago the sweet waitress remarked how Cali has changed so much in the past year or so. I asked her, how so? She said, "oh I remember how she would cry so much during dinner and you just had to hold her. Now look at her, so happy and eating, eating,eating." I guess it is those little changes that happen each day that sometimes we need to be reminded. She has changed so much, almost into a new creation. Oh I know she is still the Cali that God created so beautifully as she was knitted in her mother's womb. But as she grows into the beautiful girl that God planned for her I find it an honor to be a part of God's plan and little changes!