My Cup Runneth Over

Preparing to expand the family!

I keep saying I will update the blog and then I get caught up with life and school and kids and slapping pics and updates up on facebook and suddenly a month or two have gone by. And I think it's a leftover scrapbooking mentality that makes me want to go back and start putting up posts in chronological order from my last post and not leave anything out. But, that makes me feel overwhelmed so I just end up not blogging at all.

So, I'm just jumping in with a photo from earlier this fall. One we snapped on our way out the door to church (with the help of a tripod and timer!) We needed a recent family photo to send in with our application to our adoption agency in Florida. We have officially started the adoption process with Embraced By Grace, a wonderful agency we feel the Lord led us to as we researched and prayed over the summer. We were able to raise enough money to start our home study at our yard sale. We have continued to sell various items and curriculum along with some donations and we have now completed our home study paperwork, visits, background checks, fingerprinting and all that good stuff through Colorado Adoption Center. They have been wonderful. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know our new social worker. We imagine that she will be a great resource over the coming years.  Even though we've completed two home studies (and an update or two during our last long adoption!) over the past several years - I still find it very interesting to answer all of these various questions. Questions about our family history, our parenting style, our reasons for adopting and so many more. It causes us to explore our answers, pray about them, really know why we are doing this.

We made it through the various approval steps with Embraced By Grace. Because we are an out-of-state family we attended the orientation via a webinar - early on a Saturday from the comfort of our living room. :) It was so delightful to listen to them share what Embraced By Grace is all about - where their heart is and their hope for the future. As Trevor and I have moved forward with this adoption we feel as though God is not only growing our family and giving a baby a forever family, but also continuing to prepare us for something bigger. We don't know what that is - but our longings in the area of adoption, orphan care, the abortion issue and the hearts of birth moms were echoed in what we heard during the orientation. Our pastor has talked to us about the idea of starting some kind of ministry at our church that will come along side families who are interested in pursuing adoption, but are overwhelmed with the process and the financial aspects of it. So, perhaps that is where God is heading us. Or maybe becoming more involved with His Little Feet. Or mission trips, or even just continuing to be open as people all around us see our family and feel comfortable asking us questions about adoption. We love to share our story, answer questions and encourage others. God has given us the opportunity to do this several times over the years - in person, through emails and phone calls.  We can see how experiencing international and soon a domestic adoption will put us in a position to share even more. Whatever God has for us - we are excited and amazed and grateful!

The past few weeks we havce worked on putting together our Family Profile - which consists of a letter to our potential birth mom along with several pages of pictures and bits of information about us a snapshot of what our family is all about. So, a pregnant mom comes into the agency and is interested in making an adoption plan...if she looks like she might be a good match for our family - EBG will let her look at our family profile - possibly along with some others.  If she is interested in our family, then we'll have an interview with her if she chooses to "meet" us via Skype. If we all feel like it's a good match and she selects us then we figure out all of the details of open (phone calls, visits, etc.), closed or semi-open (sending letters and pictures) adoption. We pray, pray and pray some more for her, for the baby, for the rest of the process. And if God opens up this door - we travel to pick up our new baby when he or she is born and the birth mom has signed the paperwork. It is very surreal to think about becoming parents again. To think of having a newborn in our arms. To think of traveling across the country (instead of around the globe!) to welcome this precious one into our family.

One of the things we love about EBG is that our birth mom will hear the gospel presented at least once if not two or three times! They will develop a relationship with her, help meet her needs or connect her with people who can. We love that. We have been praying for her for months already and are very open and eager to be a blessing in her life if she chooses an open or semi-open adoption. And if she chooses closed we trust that God will still be working in her heart - just as we ask Him to do with our girls' birth parents in China. We will probably never know them and yet our hearts ache to share updates with them. To show them pictures of their beautiful daughters. We long to tell them how amazing and smart and funny they are. We wish we could assure them that they are safe and loved. We can't - but we pray for them and hope that we might meet them in heaven some day. So, the thought of being able to share this information with our little one's birth mom and possibly birth dad is incredible.

As we will soon be in the part of the process where we wait to be matched with a birth mom - we will continue praying for our baby, for his/her birth parents. Attempt to be prepared for this adoption. We will read and talk to people about what it will be like to adopt an African American child and what it will be like for our child to grow up in our family, in our community. We will prepare as best as we can for that experience and attempt to be armed with resources, friends and most importantly with the Lord and His wisdom. With each of our children we have tried to walk with them, prepare them for life as adults. We give them life skills, education and Jesus! We want to find the balance of helping each child through the hard times, the grieving, the questions and doing what we can (or hooking them up with people who can help) with helping them to see that their true identity can be found in Jesus. He has a plan for their lives. He knew their names before the foundations of the world were created. He knew they would be placed in our family and He loves them more then they will ever know. This is true for our birth kids, our girls from China and our next little one who will probably be from Florida or somewhere in the south.

It is such an interesting position to be in. For years we viewed domestic adoption as a competitive, awkward, scary way of growing a family. We would never want to feel like we are competing with another couple over a baby. We have obviously been blessed with children and while we are excited to grow our family, we want to be adopting where there is a need. The statistics reveal that the majority of couples adopting in the US are seeking a white baby (very often a girl), or perhaps they are open to a Hispanic or  Asian child. A few are open to half African American. But, very few seem to be open to full African American babies. We are not only open to that possibility we are eager and anxious to adopt an African American baby! There is such a need for families who are open to full AA - to adopt that some agencies offer a discounted program. So, while we know this part of waiting for a birth mom to choose us will be interesting, possibly trying and filled with emotion. We also trust that God has led us down this path and we know He will work out the details. Unless God blesses us with an unusual amount of money while we are waiting - we will need to be matched with a birthmom who has no medical or living expenses. Just another area to trust Him! We also trust His perfect timing - but we pray and hope that this adoption happens in the next few months rather then years!

Again for those that might have read to the end of this long post - we'd appreciate prayer. Prayer for our birth mom - for the courage to choose life, for wisdom, for physical, emotional and spiritual protection. Prayer for our little one - protection and peace and health. And prayer for our family to be prepared for this adoption. Prayer for continued financial provision. We will need $1,000 when we are matched with a birth mom. And we will need money to travel. Our agency has a plan that helps families with a large portion of the rest of the adoption fees called the Tabitha Fund - which works with the current tax credit. But, these other fees will need to be paid by us and the money isn't there yet! Thanks for reading, for praying and supporting us!

I love my family

Nope - not perfect. But, I love each one of them so much it hurts sometimes! How did I come to be so blessed by these 5 people? God's grace and prayer...lots and lots and lots of prayer. My folks began praying for my spouse years before I met Trevor. He wasn't quite what they pictured when I first brought him home with earrings and an attitude! But, they love him and are so grateful for him now. I couldn't ask for a better husband and daddy to our kids. Iron sharpens iron and Trevor and I give each other plenty to pray about and allow God to continue working on us and our marriage - but we love each other deeply and are best friends.

My kids...well - I go on and on about them here on the blog, on facebook and to anyone who will listen! They are, each one, a gift. I have always been a fairly  happy person - enjoying childhood years, teenage years. I was thrilled to get married and become Trevor's help meet. But, my joy was multiplied exponentially when Chase was born...I expected to enjoy being a mom - but wasn't prepared for the deep, incredible joy (and in turn all the other emotions that run just as deep in parenting). As each child has been birthed or adopted into our family I truly feel that my cup runneth over. Yes - we are busy, we are loud, we are at times stressed, grumpy, frustrated and impatient with one another. But, most often our joy runs over. Can't wait to have 6 people to love!

Family update

I have been SOOO bad about keeping up my blog. Trevor continues to give me a hard time about it. I know it's because facebook is such a quick and easy way to stay in touch with people and post pics. But, it's not at all the journal that a blog can be. So - I will once again attempt to catch up here on the blog in the coming few weeks.

Usually I go back and start where I left off. But, with such exciting news it's too hard to wait on this. 

Knowing we are no where near "done" parenting - ever. We have officially raised our first child from birth through graduation. And most definitely NOT without the Lord's help! What a journey, what a blessing Chase has been. He is currently looking for a summer job (wow even the teens are having a hard time finding work - it's crazy) and has plans (if accepted) to attend Ellerslie training this fall. Then, at this point, he is considering pursuing something in the editing/publishing field. He is passionate reader - so that would be an excellent fit. But, he is open to whatever God has for him. He may head to Aims after Ellerslie to get some general classes out of the way and see where God leads him after that. We are proud of him and super excited to see how God moves in his life.

Hunter following behind him by two years is right in that super-fun teenage time of life. He's about to get his driver's permit and will start his junior year in a few months. He's working part-time at a computer repair shop and while the summer hours are a bit slow - he is thankful for the experience he's getting and even a little extra money right now. He found out today that he was accepted into Lost Marbles Theatrics - a theater group for homeschooled high schoolers. He will attend classes this fall and then take part in a play (either acting or behind the scenes) in the spring. This is a new direction for him. We have watched their past few plays and the group does a great job. He is looking forward to learning some drama skills as well as spending time with current friends and making some new friends.

Eloise is a very chatty, gapped toothed (she finally lost her first two teeth a few weeks ago!) super busy 6 year old. She rarely slows down. She also rarely stops talking! Loe is a natural born learner and organizer. She begs to do more school (dream student!) and loves to organize toys, cabinets - whatever I'll let her! She can be a bit on the bossy side - so we have to keep an eye on the attitude. She loves being a big sister - most of the time. She is mostly patient and has all kinds of fun playing with Ren and teaching her new things. But, we have seen a whole new side to her when she loses her temper or just gets tired of the little sister antics. :) She is finished with 1st grade and excited to move into 2nd grade. 

Ren is 2 and brings out strong emotions in all of us. She is a huge joy and can be a BIG stinker! Whatever mood she is in - she is all there! If she's feeling whiny - oh my word. If she's ornery - watch out. But, if she's ready to play and have fun experiencing new things - what a blast she is. She makes us laugh a lot. She likes to experience life to it's fullest. We love her to pieces and I wouldn't change a thing about her (well - maybe that whole struggle she has with first-time obedience!) But...it's good to have people in your life that keep you on your knees in prayer - right?!

Trevor is busy with work, enjoying playing softball with old friends and still has fun cooking up new recipes and yummy old ones for us. This summer he is working with the boys to teach them some basic cooking skills and how to spice up a meal. (Their wives will LOVE him for that!) With the changes in the government - there is a chance we may be out of work in the coming months (thank-you Obama!). We are praying about that and seeking God's plan for the future. Trusting it's all in His hands.

We are pretty much finished with our school year - finishing a few books and things. And still working on a few things over the summer break. We always attempt to start school up in August so we can take some more time off through out the year. This week is our annual state homeschooling conference. We attend every year. It is a HUGE boost of encouragement, advice and support for our homeschool and our family. We always look forward to going. When the boys turned 13 - they began attending with us. Even though Chase has graduated - we're still going together just to spend the time with them, learning and growing. And there are always plenty of books to browse! Many of the workshops focus on way more then just homeschooling. The girls are looking forward to time with Grandma and Grandpa. Then Saturday we'll hook up with some travel group families at our adoption agency's annual picnic. We're finishing that day off at the Rockie's game.

So...with all of this busyness - what we need is another baby - right?! We are thinking...yes! We are ready and willing to go through the 'door' of another adoption if God opens it for us! So many reasons are involved in coming to this place. The main one being open to another amazing blessing - another baby to love, child to raise and teenager to enjoy. A little over 16 years ago our friends adopted a super cute African-American baby boy who was the same age as Hunter - exactly the same! They shared their birthday! Then a few years later they adopted a baby girl. I was blessed to babysit those kiddos and get to know them. Fast-forward several years and they touched my heart. About a year into our waiting period for Ren's referral (her adoption was a 3 year process) - I felt like God gave me a vision for our family - one with a precious little one who had beautiful dark skin. We even explored shifting that adoption from China to Africa or to a domestic adoption here in the US. But, we had been given a large grant and it was specific to a Chinese adoption. We knew that was God's confirmation that we needed to bring a child home from China - our child! He knew her name before the foundations of the world and He knew she would be placed in our family! So, we waited 2 more years and she came home. The vision I had faded off and on - but never went away completely. Ren was super challenging between 1 and 2 years of age and I remember thinking we would be crazy to add another child in. But...as she continued to grow after 2 (she's still quite the stinker!)  it suddenly seems not so crazy to think about adding a little one into our family.

We are currently exploring a domestic adoption of an African-American baby. (We're all thinking baby boy this time and I'm already working on Trevor - with bold hints about maybe adopting a little boys from Africa in a few years!! But...one thing at a time!) Like many families who feel open to adoption - we feel confident that we have plenty of room in our home and love in our hearts for a baby. But, the fees for an adoption can be overwhelming. Sadly, African-American babies and children are often the hardest to place. So, while this idea of a new baby feels selfish and exciting to us. We also know that God cares for orphans; for children who need families. We know it breaks His heart that millions of babies have been murdered by abortion in our country alone and we would like to offer our family as a realistic option for a birth mom who explores the possibility of choosing life for her baby. There are some grants we can apply for that might be able to help with some of the fees. But, most of those foundations want us to have our home study complete before we apply. So, we are planning to have a big garage/bake sale in July to help raise money for our home study. God has already started blessing us with donations for the sale! He is SOOO amazing!

Would welcome prayer for our family as we embark on this journey. Please pray for God to open doors financially and give us wisdom regarding homestudy agencies, adoption agencies and the timing of all of this. The total cost is estimated at between $15,000-$20,000 for the adoption. God proved Himself faithful and incredible in how He blessed us and provided for Ren's adoption fees. We know He will do that again if He wants us heading down this path.

In the meantime we will pray for our next little one, his birth parents, and all the millions of orphans here and around the world. We pray for the murder of innocent babies to end. We pray for more and more families to be open to being a part of the miracle of adoption - whether that is becoming adoptive families themselves or by supporting others who are adopting. We also plan to continue enjoying the blessings that have been given to us and focus on raising them in the training and admonition of the Lord. Our God is so BIG, so strong and so mighty - there's nothing our God can not do!  (Just saw that song posted on fb and was reminded how much I LOVE it!)

More picture posts (with lots less talking) to come soon.

Hope your summer is off to a fabulous start!

The field trip that came to us.

One day while Loe was having a playdate with her friend, Linnea we received a phone call from our neighbors and friends (and fellow homeschoolers). Just as I hung up the phone the giant fire truck that she mentioned was coming past our house. We grabbed flip-flops (thankful for a mild March day!) and ran to the next cul-de-sac. We are also friends and fellow homeschoolers with one of the firemen. They gave our kids a personal tour of the impressive and HUGE truck! So very cool.

Thank-you Mike for bringing the truck around and thank-you April for giving us a call! Field trips are such a great way for the kids to learn. And it sure is fun to have little ones to experience these things with all over again. We LOVE homeschooling!

 

 

 
 
  
  

Home School

This is my favorite part of homeschooling...snuggling on the couch reading a great Sonlight book to the kid (or kids!) This right here makes the hard times worth it and the memories we build and the stories the kids hear...priceless.

Now...some in the family would say one of the advantages to homeschooling is the free time it gives them to read their own books and play video games. :) This is what recess looks like at our house!

 

Impromptu field trip to our neighbor's house when the fire truck came through! SO cool!

Government...Teenpact (it's educational and FUN)

P.E. and bible in the same classes.

Literature

Mid-morning snack (lots more fun in a tea cup!)

 

Ready for CHESS (optional enrichment academy classes that meet one day a week)

More field trips...science!

    

Centers :)

Not only art, but life and relational skills...

...lots of opportunity for those skills to be built!

  

Spelling, vocabulary and PE (if we count all the laughter!)

 

More PE and health (big doses of Vitamin D!)

 

 Nature journaling the nasty spider out front = science
 
 

Considering I didn't do a lot of Loe's science book work...we managed to work plenty of science in = field trip to local dairy and farm

Let's see...PE, history and socialization!

 

Outreach and cultural awareness

Definitely PE and bible (gotta memorize those verses!)

And even more science at the aquarium. And one of my favorites..Loe conquering the shoe-tying challenge!

We all have learned much this year, so much that we didn't get pictures of...regular book work, family devotions, driver's ed, jobs, church, volunteer work, frisbee, Disney, family, friends, and the list goes on and on. We LOVE homeschooling and I can NOT believe Chase will graduate in a couple of months!! 

Dressing up

 

Having two little girls around is such a hoot! They bicker and annoy each other a bunch. But, they sure do have a ton of fun together! They are becoming such friends - it's so sweet. Recently the girls went through a creative dress-up phase. Ren let Loe pick out clothes for her and then she started branching out and selecting her own outfits! This provided hours of fun. Gotta love sisterhood.

 

 

   

Tae Kwon Do

Trevor, Hunter and Eloise have all been taking Tae Kwon Do at a local Christian school here in town - Miller's Academy. The instructor is fabulous with the kids! Recently Trevor re-injured his knee and Hunter decided to stop when Trevor did. For him it was more of a partial PE credit, but he had some fun beating up his dad in class. :) It was fun to watch Hunter do some martial arts again, still has those amazing and incredible HIGH kicks!

Loe is still going weekly and absolutely loving it. Her class is very small and so she gets a ton of attention. She just continues to amaze me at how eager she is to learn and how her confidence has grown. She is so outgoing now, it's almost hard to remember her when she was shy and scared of everything. She hates missing even a week of class. She quickly learns all the moves each cycle. She yells "yes sir" when it's appropriate and boldly recites her bible verses.  I can tell a difference in her balance, coordination, and hopefully she is gaining some self-defense techniques. She works hard at punching and kicking through boards. And her instructor points out in almost every class that she smiles non-stop the whole 30 minutes! Here are a few pics from a test a few months back.  

   
 
 

  
 
 

 
 
  
 

 

 

 

 

  

Steve

 Steve is our newest family member. He belongs to Hunter, though we all enjoy him immensely despite his extreme orneriness! This is one sweet, fiesty, loveable, funny, CURIOUS kitty! We brought him home about a week before Christmas. Chase's cat, Evie, hated him at first. But, then she became quite sick not long after he got here. And for a few days she did nothing but lay and sleep. Well, Steve took advantage of that and cuddled up next to her. By the time she was well she tolerated him a lot better! Sort of a blessing in disguise we decided.

He was such an adorable kitten - very distracting during the busy days leading up to Christmas when I should have stayed very busy shopping, wrapping and baking! He is a great diversion from serious homeschooling through out the day! We find him quite entertaining. I love all animals and have enjoyed having dogs all of my life. But, if I had to choose one pet - it would definitely be a cat. 

Here are some of the WAY too many pictures I've taken of him since he arrived. I always tell the kids that whoever is the current baby of the family is the one my camera will be pointed at the most - and animals are no exception.

  

  

 

 

   

 
 
 
 

  
  
 

  

 

 

    

  
  
 
 
 
 

 

    
 

 

   

Introducing...Liberty

Loe and Liberty...fast friends already! Some of Loe's friends have had dolls like these and she had shown more and more interest in them over the past several months. She even received a hand-me-down doll last summer and seemed to really enjoy her. So, when this doll went on sale at Vision Forum  (For quite a bit less then American Girl - yet still high quality) I let Mom know, who was looking for a birthday gift idea for Loe. We knew she wouldn't arrive in time for the party, so Mom printed out a picture of the doll and made up a very cute card so Loe would know she was on her way. She received some birthday money and wanted to order some clothes for her doll by the next day! We hopped on Vision Forum's site and discovered most of the doll clothes and matching outfits for kids were on sale. So, Loe ordered nightgowns for her and Liberty and bought this dress which came with a book about a girl who lived in the pioneer days. She showed those clothes to everyone who stepped foot into the house! She had it all tucked neatly into a drawer of her nightstand...waiting for Liberty to arrive. Days turned to weeks and weeks to a full month and it turned out that a doll was shipped to the wrong address. Once the error was discovered they sent a new doll out right away and she was there just in time for our family Christmas get together in January. Loe was SO surprised and excited! Mom had bought a dress for Loe that matched the one Loe had already ordered for her. As well as a Cinderella style dress. We came home that night and she immediately put on the matching nightgowns. And the next day she wore the dress all day long and she has worn it off and on ever since then. I love that she is enjoying her so much and is into the fun, era appropriate outfits! Super girly, very educational and I admit I love how modest and cute the clothes are compared to some of the stuff out there. I'm sure she'll round out her wardrobe with some more modern clothing at some point, but I will definitely encourage her to avoid the tacky stuff if I can. (tacky as in inappropriate, not cheap!) After Christmas she had more money to spend and chose a cute canopy doll bed (again...on sale on VF! Thank goodness because doll beds are insanely high priced for some reason! ) and ordered another princess dress - both of the princess dresses are more of a medieval style. She also came in a cute pink and white dress.

The pics above she suggested the different poses! These ones below she didn't know I was taking the pictures - just captured her getting to know Liberty and loving on her. What a precious little girl moment. I continue to stand in awe of and enjoy the differences between boys and girls!

 

 

 
 

 

Christmas Sweeties

The girls loved decorating sugar cookies. I took advantage of how cute they looked dressed in their red and white dresses and snapped several pics in front of the tree. Their expressions are hilarious and beautiful! I sure love my girls!