Tea for Two

Afternoon tea...I believe it has become a casualty of our super busy fast paced world. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to share tea with a close friend of mine on a few occasions but then we both adopted children, life got even busier, and then she moved away. I miss those times.

So, in the interest of passing the joys of tea time on to my two little ladies, the girls and I made a trip to the local toy store last week in search of a sturdy tea set for little hands. Most of the ones we found were either porcelain, which would never survive with our concrete floors, or cheap thin plastic that wouldn't last long around here either.

After searching the store and finding a few treasures on the clearance aisle (we'll save those for another post), we happened upon a nice sturdy tea set that I thought just might serve our purposes.

So...on Sunday afternoon I made the girls some tea sandwiches and filled their little tea pot up for them and they had a ball serving each other and enjoying one another's company.

I had intended to join them but was in the middle of baking cookies for our new neighbors and they had finished their "tea" before I finished the cookies. It was definitely my loss...but there is always next time and I am really looking forward to it.

Grace

I had a hard time telling my little ones goodnight tonight. I had just watched the Chapman family on Larry King Live. My heart is so grieved over their loss of little Maria. I cannot imagine how they must feel and how they are dealing with it all. The scripture that keeps coming to mind over and over again is Hebrews 4:16.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

God gives a special mercy and grace to people when they need it. It is obvious that the Chapman family is being flooded with God's grace right now. Their grace is not mine to have because I don't need it at this time. Maybe that's why I have such a difficult time understanding how they can get up in the morning let alone open themselves up with such transparency to the whole world.

Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Miracle of the Moment" is a good reminder to live each moment to the fullest. Each breath we take here on earth is a gift and we never know when it might be the last. I want to do it right. I want to focus on the miracle of each moment I have here and make the most of it for God's glory.

For the Chapmans, I know that their prayer for this interview was that God would use it to draw others to Himself. That people would see and understand that the greatest hope we have in this life is to spend all eternity with the loving Father that created us.

I pray that God will allow the Chapmans to see the fruit that He will bring about as a result of their willingness to be honest and open in the midst of such tremendous grief. I pray that God will continue to sustain them with His great grace and bring healing and peace to them once again. They are forever changed but they cling to the One who never changes and who has promised to reunite them with Maria someday. He, Jesus Christ, is the One they hope in and He is the One I hope in. Without that hope, we have nothing.

5 Years Ago Today...

...on a very hot afternoon...in the western/central part of China... Emma joined our family. It was 105 degrees with 95% humidity. Today's temperatures in northern Texas will make reminiscing easy.



This picture was taken just after Emma was handed to me at the orphanage. She reached up and ran her little hand down my cheek and stared at me as if to say "Hi Mama, where have you been all my life?" It was the sweetest moment and one that I will never forget.






Emma was sick with pneumonia when we got her. Thankfully, we had taken antibiotics with us and within a few days she was much better. This picture was taken just after our tour of the orphanage.




Jeremy was such a huge help to me on the trip. He and Emma took to each other right away and they still have an amazing relationship.








This was at the airport as we arrived back home two weeks later.








Daddy and Emma finally meet face to face.








Emma in 2004.














2005



















2006



















2007















2008 just prior to donating her hair to Locks of Love - do any of you remember Cousin It?










Our beautiful girl today!

Emma is very different from her shy little sister. She has never met a stranger in her life and loves to share her sunshine with others. She does everything with a level of intensity that rivals a nuclear reactor. She is one tough cookie. Our life with her has truly been an adventure and we look forward to the future with great expectation for what the Lord is going to do in and through her. Today we officially celebrate her "Gotcha" Day. I hope she knows how truly special she is to us.

Happy "Gotcha" Day Emma! We love you so much!!!

Our Family

While Jeremy was at home this week we took advantage of the opportunity to try to get some family pictures taken. It was 100 degrees outside and fairly humid but the kids were good sports and we ended up with some fairly good shots. You will probably see at least one of them again in the form of a Christmas card later this year.

While cooler temps would have been wonderful...you take what you can get!

Our Time Together

Our time with Jeremy at home is quickly drawing to a close. The last few days we have spent some of our free time playing a game that our pastor and his wife taught us awhile back. It is called Take Two and you play with the tiles from a Scrabble game. We have always enjoyed playing games together as a family and this one is a current favorite.

Tonight we opted for a final game before hitting the sack. Keith won by just a few points over Jeremy but we all had fun.

I find myself not wanting to say goodnight because I know what the morning will bring. But instead of focusing on that, I will choose to be thankful for the time we have had together these last few days and what a blessing it has been. Hopefully it won't be too long before we can play some more Take Two with our whole family together.

A Full House

The girls and I have returned home as have all of my boys. Jeremy is even home to spend a few days with us and I have to say that it is awesome to have all of my baby birds in the nest for awhile. Granted, not many of them look like babies anymore.

Today, after Tyler got off work, we went bowling. None of us bowled lights out but we had a great time anyway. Here are a few pictures I wanted to share.

Have you ever seen a sweeter pair of bowling shoes?

This is a great contraption that the bowling alley has to help little ones get the ball down the lane. Where were these things when we were young?

She's a natural.

Austin's turn

All arms and legs

These girls adore their big brother.

Alicia and Drew

Keith beat me both games...but not by much.

Unfortunately my camera battery died before I was ready to stop taking pictures but I'm sure that I'll have more to share over the next couple of days. Jeremy will be here until Thursday morning and we intend to make the most of our short time together.

Visiting Grandma and Papa

With the 2 younger boys away at camp and Drew off visiting Jeremy, the girls and I decided to spend the week with Grandma and Papa.

My parents moved into a retirement complex last year. It has an awesome swimming pool and we have been making great use of it this week. It gets the girls out of the apartment and gives them an outlet for their abundant energy.

I thought I would share a few pics from our time so far.

Emma has taken to the water like a fish. Today, she removed the arm floaties and took off on her own. This child has no fear.

Kara was not originally very excited about the idea of the huge pool. But after maybe 10 minutes in it on the first day, she is the one constantly begging to go again. She doesn't like water in her face but she really loves to float around in it. Today she got brave enough to try floating on her back, which she really seems to like now.

Ths is a picture of what happens to the adults after an afternoon in the pool...notice the girls looking as fresh as ever!

We are all having a lot of fun and enjoying the rest and relaxation. We are looking forward to the rest of our week here. See you all soon!