Shhhhh, she's sleeping.....

Lori and the kids are asleep on the eve of Mother's Day here in Kansas City where we have had 2 awesome days in a reunion with our adoption travel group. They are an awesome bunch. We grew very close in China as we traveled through the adoption process together. At times, it was like 1 big family of 4 kids and 8 parents and an Uncle (not Tom.... Mr Li) who helped us along in the process. Honestly, they are like family to us. Today, after a day of eating and playing together, we swam in the pool and it was so much fun. We had the entire pool to ourselves after a short time and got a chance to continue our enjoyment of our (family) reunion. Had you observed from afar, it would have been very tough to know whose kids were whose because everyone was interacting with each other with such love and joy. I took a moment last post to wish a Happy Mother's Day to a few people and I'm gonna do it again.

Janet: Thank you for hosting. Today in the pool should be the kind of tribute that makes a mother proud. Joy was so amazing with our little Katie and Julie with her little sister Jenny. We all know how tough siblings can be with one another but your girls have been amazing with each other and all the other kids. I wish i could make a tape of Jenny's laugh, it is just awesome and she has such joy in her life that she uses it often! I hope you have a joyous Mother's Day.

Tamara: Your kids are so amazing. Nathan has been outstanding with Katie and the others. I was worried he would be bored because he was so much older than the other kids, but he has done a great job having fun with the kids and putting up with Tom and I. Logan reminds me so much of our little Alex. What a character and what energy. He is just awesome. Little Sarah....what a sweetheart. I wanted to cry seeing her by the pool today wanting so bad to get in but that feeling went away when she soon after smiled. Yes, I am listening to Hall and Oates right now! I hope Mother's Day in Kansas is great for you. You deserve it.

Jackie: OK, there aint many who will put up with me and my incessant(ly bad) humor. Dylan has grown up so much. She is a little princess yet she is still a doll. I think she will be an amazing big sister. We are so glad you guys are finally living out your dream to spend Mother's Day in Kansas with 10 kids. I put on a little Kool Moe Dee to get me in the mood to craft my Mother's Day wish for you..... "I go to work.... like a friend..... when i call at 7am you gotta love the tones ringing your ear .... aint no reason for voicemail...... aight I send a text.. what you say, your phones not there.... you left it in the yard back of the house....." Happy Mother's Day.

Lori: I already wished you a happy Mother's Day but I tell you what. I can't thank you enough for your parnership and love. For your heart and your head. It allows you to know enough to be an amazing provider and healer but also you have enough love to love me and kids with such zeal that we know you will always do your best for us in every way. Our kids are amazing and they love you so much. I love you so much. Happy Mother's Day.

To the biological mothers of our adopted children: Thank you so much. We can't know what you went through but we know that you gave up months of your life carrying and delivering our precious children. You sacrificed for 9 months to bring our children into this world and we can only guess that you have suffered being apart from them. We are blessed by your sacrifice and we acknowledge your pain. Wherever you are, I wish you peace, joy, and His love in your life. God bless you!

Mike, David, and Tom... maybe I'll say something nice about you in a future post but for now.... it's all about the moms!!!

Mother's Day is coming

With mother's day coming up and things being so crazy I thought I'd take a little time to wish Lori a happy mother's day before I forget. Mother's are a special breed and the moms in my life have all taken their job to excellent heights through different methodology. So, I will pay tribute to the mom's in my life by telling you a little about what they mean to me or have taught me.

My mom: She showed me that being a mom is a 24/7 job even when your kids grow up. She has always been all about her kids and she puts a lot of time and emotional effort into us. It has to be hard these days since Jona nd I are both grown-up and very busy for her since she vested so much effort into us and we are unable to reciprocate with as much time as she puts into us.

My mother-in-law: She has always treated me as if I was one of her kids and she is a constant reminder to me of the power and strength you can get through prayer.

Lori: She works and works and comes home to chaos. She is not a person who usually likes chaos or clutter yet she has to come home to it every day. She also has to deal with the difficulties of being a working mom. Yet, the kids are little Loris. They love their mom and they love to say the things she says and do the things she does.

Anyway, thank you to all the moms out there (especially to the moms of our kids future spouses)
for their hard work and love. You are all appreciated.

Lori, I love you and I hope you will have an awesome mother's day.

Crazy but good times

We have had so much going on recently. My mom visited and we had a wonderful time. My mom worked hard and the kids enjoyed playing with Aiya. Dinosaur cupcakes were enjoyed by all.

Alex and Ryan have begun their first season of soccer. They are both so cute out there. Ryan, while timid, gets into the play more. He tries hard and has a great time. I am so proud of him for giving it his all and having fun while doing it. Alex enjoys playing too. Sitting on the sidelines, talking to people, doing some sort of Tai Chi, and going after the ball are all things he likes to do on the field. He loves being part of the team and when he wants to go after the ball, he goes after it until he falls down (which everyone does in this age group). Katie wishes she could play. She probably would do really well, but she would also be the smallest kid out there and I dont think Lori or I are ready to handle her out there.

Easter was on Sunday and it was the first time in a while we all sat together in service. Usually Alex and Katie stay in extended care, but we decided to keep them with us and it was a real blessing. We then went to Nana and Grandpa's house and had dinner with them and Aunt Christy. The rain came in the morning but the easter bunny found a way to hide eggs outside and the kids had a blast. Even Butchie found an egg!

Anyway, soccer goes on for a few more weeks. I'll even get a chance to coach a week and I cant wait. Feels good to be back on the field.

Candy Candy Candy!!!!!!

Alex Found an egg!

Katie and Alex Hunting

Alex Always has Fun Playing Soccer

Ryan in goal!

Can I play pleeeeeeaseeeee

Important Team meeting

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Ryan won the Kindergarten 1st prize for his drawing of what Easter means to him. It made the Friday newspaper!!!! I am not at all biased, but I think his was the best drawing even better than 1st and 2nd grade!!!

Watching for how He Works

God works in wonderous ways. I have been praying and frustrated about my inability to find a way to learn Chinese. Suddenly, I met someone quite out of the blue and I am now taking Chinese lessons for a reasonable cost IN BOLIVAR with a fellow learner(someone to practice with!). Also, quite suddenly I have an opportunity to work with a wonderful international organization. I am praying about the details and trusting God will show me where He wants to use me in this situation. Check out their video - I love the end montage.

Spring Break

Aiya (Eric's Mom) is down for the week and so far, the kids are having a blast. Ryan had a double ear infection and bronchitis and now Alex has it, but both are feeling well enough to make cookies and cupcakes and play.

Last Wednesday we went to the zoo and Chuck E Cheese. The weather has mostly been beautiful and we are happy that Spring is here!!

Signs of Wonderful Progress

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123683410215005161.html

I love this video and the accompanying article. These are historical changes for China and further proof to me that we are going to see amazing things happening there in the future.

I think of the special needs orphans still in China every day.
My heart still longs to do more. I am continuing to pray about someday adopting again from China as well as living and working there - short term and then permanently - at some point in my life.

Time to SERIOUSLY start studying Mandarin.

Magic Treehouse "The Musical"

We spent the weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It was nice to be back in my home state. I didn't realize just how much I had missed it. Northwest AR is a fun and beautiful place and the kids and Eric really enjoyed it.

We went down to see the Magic Treehouse Musical. The Magic Treehouse is a series of books that Ryan absolutely loves - he owns every book now I believe. Aiya introduced him to them. They have a traveling musical now and there was also a "Family Festival" that raised money for the Arts Center that was hosting the musical. There was food, crafts, and face painting. Alex loved the swordfighting demonstration that was done by folks that are apparently "Renaissance Fair" people.
They were all dressed up running around interacting with the kids.
I don't think I realized it when I bought the tickets, but the author, Mary Pope Osbourne, made an appearance. She gave a talk to all the families and kids and did a reading from the newest book due out soon. Then a line formed and the kids could go meet her and get their photos taken. Ryan was thrilled and enthralled to meet her. She was a bit stunned by him and asked "How old are you?"

Afterward, while Eric took Ry to the play, I took Kate and Alex to a local park. Then we spent the night at a hotel in the area with an indoor swimming pool. The kids spent the whole next morning in the pool before we drove home.

We've really had some wonderful memories from these short "regional" trips the last two years. It's great family time and the kids have had some really fun experiences.