Reminders

 Some days there are reminders during those moments of routine that even though it seems like Lia has been in our family forever, it has really only been 15 months.  Such a short time, but I can hardly imagine our life without her and the joy she brings.  She has adapted better than I would have ever dreamed and we have our new routine with a young one around again.  Sometimes those reminders are funny and others times they bring tears to my eyes.

There are moments like tonight when she wanted to draw with the sidewalk chalk outside and not remembering the correct word, in her precious little voice she said, "I want to porkchop." Huh? You want to what?  I guess, porkchop and sidewalk chalk have about the same ring to them.  Pretty cute porkchop I must admit!

Then there are the gentle reminders of the tough days with very little that she experienced.  I occasionally ask her if she remembers something from her time in China simply so I can record it for her for later.  Tonight, after bath time, while she was carrying her clothes to the laundry room I asked her what she did with her clothes in the orphanage.  She said we just put them in a box so someone else could wear them the next day.  She said, "we had to share clothes."Sometimes they didn't smell good cause we all wear them."  Now, one of her most exciting things to do, is pick out her clothes for the next day.  Can you blame her?

Then, there was the short moment tonight that was a gentle reminder that she has experienced more abandonment than most of us will ever know.  While I was outside she was a bit stressed when she couldn't find me and I was only around the corner.  Once again, I promised her I would NEVER leave her and we went to prepare for bed. I snapped this photo with my phone the other night, but it is the same cherished scene most nights.  She wants to make sure we are VERY close before falling asleep and then I can quietly sneak out of the bed.

As we snuggled into bed and read a book, she decided tonight that she didn't want her pillow.  It was yet another reminder that she slept on a hard metal bed for a few years and sometimes she just reverts back.

Just like a couple of mornings ago I saw this sunrise and was reminded of God's faithful new mercies every morning.   I am so thankful for the new life He has given each of us who believe and that He promises never to leave us or forsake us. 

And then we have little reminders like really cool t-shirts matching big sister to remind 

us to think on the good things.

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Phil 4:8

How do you measure LOVE?

Around this house with a sweet little 5 year old we get lots of lovin!  After storing it up for four years with no one to share it with,  there is more than enough to go around.  



We play a little game and say, "I love you to ____ and back."  It usually goes something like this, "I love you to China and back."  Then the other person says, "I love you to the moon and back."

Tonight, it went like this:

Me: "I love you to the moon and back."

Lia: "Well, I love you to China and back."

Me: "Well, I love you to Australia and back."

Lia: "Well, I love you to

AND BACK, AND TO

AND BACK!

Now that's what I call a LOT of LOVIN!

School days and play days

The lazy days of summer have come to an end and the routine of another school year is now upon us.  As much as I like a routine, I don't like the early mornings that accompany it and the fast paced evenings in order to get to bed early.  

As we prepared for this new year, I was so proud to be part of a church that spent Sunday afternoon walking the halls of our schools and praying for the students and staff who would soon fill the buildings.  Teaching is a huge responsibility, but one I can face with confidence because I know that my heavenly Father is the One who gives me wisdom and endurance to face each new situation.

I am thankful to all the prayer warriors that daily bear our burdens 

in the classroom and lift them up to heaven on our behalf.

I have the awesome privilege this year of having Tia in my reading and writing class and will cherish this year and the time we get to spend together.  She made me promise not to embarrass her, but I wonder if that is possible!  Isn't that our goal as parents-to embarrass our children? 

I did promise to be on my best behavior!

Do I have to?

  

We have had two great days and I look forward to an exciting year and making lots of memories.  Lia is loving kindergarten, although the rigor is quite exhausting.  She asked yesterday, "When is rest time?"  Obviously, the powers that be have decided that 5 year olds no longer need rest time.  It has certainly made for an early and easy bedtime and a very tired little girl!

First day of kindergarten

Day two and still smiling!

After sending Brandon off of to college again last week David and I looked at each other and said, "I guess we could have been enjoying the empty nest now."  

Well, as much as we love our time alone, we are so glad our nest isn't empty!  

We are having a BLAST with our two girls and the laughter they bring to an otherwise stressful journey with young adult children.

 

 Who wouldn't have fun when every mealtime is a new adventure...

and we get to once again enjoy the simple pleasures like ice cream sundaes and merry go rounds?

This ride was the one and only thing Lia wanted to do all summer and

for $2.50 she was one happy girl!

We try not to take a single moment for granted as we know too well how quickly this time will pass and other challenges will arise.  I am trying to keep my sanity as my FAITH grows daily while my boys are facing difficult situations.  My morning devotion is spent in prayer and reading The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children, by Stormie Omartian, which is helping me keep focused.  

Please keep our boys in your prayers as Justin is traveling back from Mexico again this week, Nathan is working a very dangerous oil field job 

and Brandon is in a new college town(enough said on that!)

 All your children will be taught by the LORD,
   and great will be their peace.  

Isaiah 54:13