Sunday Snapshot {Orphan Sunday}

While going through Angel's school work earlier this week, I came across this page in her workbook. I read through all of the blessings she had written down, deeply touched by each one ... these things that SHE feels are blessings in her life.

And then I saw it ...

The bottom left "rock" ... the blessing that has now become such an all-consuming, amazing part of my life. Of our life.

"aDoPtion"

I started to cry.

Almost 2 years ago when DH and I made the decision to adopt, I had no idea how far reaching that decision would be ... how much it would affect our kids in ways I didn't know possible. Sure, I thought about how awesome it would be to gain a daughter and sister.  How it would stretch the older two and ask them to give even more of themselves as they welcomed a third sibling. And I put a bit of thought into how it would strengthen them and how wonderful it would be to celebrate another culture in our home. But for some reason, I never thought about how THEY would feel that adoption was a blessing.

I was totally wrong. This "rock" that DH and I know to be a miraculous blessing is now seen as a blessing by our kids too. It's inspiring ... truly inspiring, to watch their faith develop.

When we chose to walk this path of adoption, it was unchartered territory but we *knew* it was where God wanted us to be. Angel and Lovebug happily supported the decision with "faith like a child," they didn't question it and were excited to bring their baby sister home. And now, not only do we have a new daughter and sister to love, adoption is a blessing to us all.

Today, I am so thankful for adoption and how it has changed our lives. Sunshine, we love you baby girl and are so excited to watch you blossom into the person God intends for you to be! I am also thankful for Orphan Sunday (see the short video below) - I hope & pray this day makes people more aware of just how many orphans there are in the world. WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, PLEASE SHARE THE LOVE!

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

Future musician?

Girlfriend is pulling herself up on *everything* these days and really enjoys banging, I mean "playing" on the piano. And in the last few days, she has been standing for a few seconds on her own, completely unassisted! WAHOO! Yes, I do believe I see walking in her future - something I couldn't always say with confidence! Of course the timing couldn't be more perfect ... LOL ... what with her next surgery coming up and all. Can I clothe her in bubble wrap during recovery?

Today I am so very thankful for this precious baby girl that God has given me the honor of loving and raising. She has taught me more about myself in the last 5 months than I thought possible. She has stretched me and helped me grow as a mama. And well, she's pretty darn amazing. Today I stand in awe at the progress she has made in the short time she's been with us ... a little miracle I tell ya.

In the eyes of a new 4-year old

McDonald's most definitely provides the *best* birthday dinner and chicken nuggets are the greatest thing ever to eat ... especially if it's on your birthday and YOU get to choose. Ahhh to be four again ... or even 29. LOL.

Today I am thankful for the four whole years I have been blessed to spend with this little guy. He makes every day better and he makes me a better person. I can't help but feel complete joy when I'm with him (or honestly, even when I just *think* about him!).

One of his favorite things

Moondough ... I think I am one of the rare moms who lets her kids enjoy this stuff. I'm telling you, once you get past the mess, it's really, really, really fun. And for my little guy's birthday last week, he got whatever he wanted - so moondough it was :-) He has such joy in his eyes, oh he just takes my breath away. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I get to be his mom. God must really love me. LOL.

Today I am thankful for a simple pleasure in life - the joy in my son's eyes when he plays with something that he loves so much. I soak in as much of it as I can.

Fu sisters for life

If you have been following my blog, you'll know the story of our dear friends the W's and our connection to them. We unfortunately were not able to travel to China together to bring the girls home but I was able to be a part of Miss E.'s homecoming and it was amazingly wonderful. After several months of our girls being home, they were finally able to meet yesterday. For the very first time. Or maybe not? Who knows, Angie and I like to think they crossed paths while in Fuzhou.

Anywho, what a beautiful day we had! It was just remarkable to have the girls together and the older kids played like they were old friends. And the parents sure did lots of talking too :-) It just feels like "home" to be with their family. I can't say that Sunshine and Miss E. were thrilled to play together ... but at least they finally met each other! LOL. They are destined to be forever friends and Fu sisters for life ... we have lots of time :-)

After turning several outtakes into one viable portrait (thank you Photoshop!), we were able to recreate the same group portrait we took back in March when we were only dreaming of holding our girls ... with just teeny pictures of them halfway across the world. At that time, today's reality seemed so far away. Now I look back at that picture and think that it seems like forever ago. Funny how your mind works, isn't it? What's also funny is that the new portrait looks like a boatload more people ... is it just me? The other one looks kind of empty I guess. Welcome home, baby girls. None of us are empty anymore!

PS - "Fu" is a common nickname coined by adoptive parents for all of the kiddos that come from the Fuzhou SWI, where our girls are from. While in China, they are all given the last name "Fu" from the first 2 letters in the city's name. It means "luck" :-)