Adoption

I'm so overwhelmed at the moment.  I've just read blogs of two friends who are adopting.  And in both, I see the relentless, pursuing nature of God.  I wish adoption had been a possibility when I was a young mom--but it was more for parents who couldn't have children--or so we thought.  (In fact there were several kids from the Mexico orphanage we went to for 15 years that I wanted to bring home--but they weren't adoptable.)  But I did what I could and adopted a few teenagers for months at a time.  :)

I love what God is stirring in the hearts of this generation!!  I am so confident in the future church.  Their hearts are bigger, they are pro-active, they see no limits.  They are obedient.  And I'm so proud I could bust my buttons!

I may be too old to adopt...but I'm not too old to invest in those who adopt---especially when I know a child will be going to a godly family.  Please open your hearts to do the same!

My life wouldn't be complete without this Ethiopian princess!

We're READY!!

We're ready.  In fact, we've spent a whole week getting ready. 

We made a sign to welcome Hadassah home and since it was Valentine's...

we went with the heart theme.

And because we already love her.

I can't even begin to describe the anxiousness on the part of these three kids.  (I had to go back and add the first 3 photos.  I decided this last photo of the 3 kids didn't describe their anxiousness enough.  They would hardly stand still long enough for me to get their photo--a bunch of little blurry hams.  You'll notice Isaac finally got in-between the 2 biggest hams to help calm them down.)

Josiah (left) was at home with Jay & Amy as they did the whole adoption paperwork process...and he was very aware.  He kept us all praying specific prayers throughout this past year.

Isaac (center) is the big brother.  And he takes his job very seriously.  He can't wait to see all the little tricks that Hadassah can already do.

Olivia (right) is the big sister.  And she told me today that she wants to keep Hadassah forever--to be her special baby--without the boys.  (Meaning--her own special playmate!)  She can't wait to see her new baby sister...but she's also anxious to see mom & dad.  A week is a long time for a little girl.

These notes may make you tear up!

   When Isaac showed me this, he said, "This is going to be the most awesome day E-V-E-R!!!

Josiah's note (with nothing changed):  

"bear Hadassah (he's a lefty and gets some letters backwards still)

I am Glade that you are here.  We are Gowing to hav Great tim."  And he means it with all his heart.

And this is Olivia's drawing of her family.  Mom was on the front of the card and from left to right are:

Baby Hadassah (in the circles), Dad, Olivia with a hat, Josiah & Isaac.  (She calls these eyes her spider eyes! ha!)

I waited to post this tonight after I knew Jay & Amy were on the long overseas flight and wouldn't have a chance to see it.  

Please be praying for us...the boys have gotten the cough I had and feel pretty lousy.  Thanks to a doctor I know, we got some meds for them.  (Praise God!!  Because I had no idea where to take them in Dallas!  And praise God that their pastor is picking Jay & Amy up at DFW--I know I'd get lost!)  So we're hoping everyone wakes up  feeling so much better!!

We plan on getting up in the morning and getting things DONE around here--breakfast, school, last-minute clean-ups--so that we are READY when Hadassah comes home!!  I have a feeling things may be a little chaotic and unfocused.  

Or maybe...we'll be very focused on this 

most awesome day E-V-E-R!!!

Prayers for Hadassah

Would you join me in praying for Hadassah as she comes home?

Pray that:

1. Hadassah's spirit experiences "the Spirit of adoption" with Mom & Dad.  That she will feel safe and secure with them and know she belongs to them.
2. Hadassah won't be overwhelmed with everything new taking place.
3. She and her nannies will have a sweet departure from one another.
4. Hadassah won't be overstimulated as she goes through airports and sees so many faces and new things.
5. Hadassah will get great sleep on the airplane...as will her mom & dad.
6. Hadassah responds well to her brothers and sister at their first meeting.
7. There is minimal jet lag for Dad, Mom & Hadassah.
8. This family falls in love and bonds quickly and settles into their new routine.

The Wright Kids & Me

I have to admit...my time with the Wright kids got off to a rocky start.  I came with a tickle in my chest that became a cough by Friday morning.  It became full-blown "something" by Saturday.  I'd planned on taking the kids to church today but woke up admitting I just didn't feel good.  Friday was also a hard day for Mr. Josiah.  Amy had warned me that she thinks he's become gluten intolerant.  That was proven out by Friday night after all the bread he'd eaten.  He came in and laid down (first clue!) and told me that his tummy was "worried."  (I love his term!)  So we just chilled for the evening and tried to make his tummy better.  I was afraid it was more than that by bedtime because he seemed to have a fever and chills.

Josiah with a worried tummy.

But...this was Josiah by Saturday morning.  He was washing the morning dishes in his undies (he'll hate me some day!) appropriately singing "Bare Necessities."  HA!

This is the Queen Chef.  She was in her dress-up clothes cooking.  Olivia plays so well by herself.  She'd gotten a new cookbook with measuring spoons and was getting after it!

We decided to make a big sign welcoming Hadassah home and make Valentines to put all over it.  So tonight, we made the first of those.  Isaac is quite an artist.

He's also quite an acrobat.  I heard a loud THUMP tonight after I'd put them to bed and he'd fallen out of his top bunk---right on the top of his head.  Oh. my. goodness.  I hope we all survive.  Thank goodness for guardian angels!!

Because we didn't go to church this morning, we had a special treat.  Mumzie called us and told us we could watch Baby Dax's dedication on their church's website with live streaming.  It was precious!!  All of us gathered around my new iPhone and watched the entire thing.  Dax was sporting his yellow vest and was very handsome.  We loved getting to be a part of his dedication that way.

Yes, I left Borger without my phone.  I realized it at breakfast in Amarillo.  And I panicked.  Andy took me to Sam's to get a new iPhone (he's been bugging me to get it since Christmas) after I realized I'd be up a creek without a paddle, so to speak.  My kids don't have a landline, so I HAD to have a cell phone with me, in case of an emergency--or just to be able to communicate!  When I realized a throw-away phone would be quite an investment, I just chose to upgrade what I had.  So...I now have a new phone minus lots of phone numbers.  I'll get there, though.

After seeing a friend's post on Facebook, I looked out my window and saw it---it's SNOWING in DALLAS!!  Yee-haw!!  A part of me wants to wake the kids up to see it, but the wise adult part says "no."  They'd never get back to sleep!!

I'm feeling like I may actually wake up in the morning feeling normal.  Please pray with me that none of the kids gets this---I sure don't want to pass it through this family with a new baby coming home!

THURSDAY MORNING!!!

We're counting down the days til Hadassah comes home!

NUTCRACKER!

Every year we get to go to Nutcracker...because we have granddaughters, Caitlin & Alexis,  performing in it!!  They did an outstanding job this year, as always.  I told their mother, Lisa, that it was fun watching it and seeing all of the parts they've played (from the lamb to the Peddlar or Dancing Bear Trainer) and how much they've grown.  Tonight, Caitlin was the Peddlar and the girl with the Chinese parasol and Alexis was the Swiss doll.  And they were beautiful.  I kept procrastinating over getting tickets because I wasn't sure with the Wright kids here when we could go and what would be the best time.  I was all set to call the David Dietz family and see if we could coordinate logistics when we got word that Lindsey's grandmother died.  Of course, they immediately left to be with family in Brownwood...and offered us their tickets they had preplanned, prearranged and basically pre-thought...and I had not.  I did eventually call and switch their 6:00 tickets for the 2:00 performance.  I wasn't sure we could all last getting home around 9:00 tonight.  Plus...Andy was able go at 2--and not at 6.  We kept it a secret that we were going!  (I do remember some of the important things from being a mom--like keeping secrets so they don't ask you 50x about it!)  Today was going to be a full day.  We went to church and had planned on taking the Ethiopian girls (attending FPC) to lunch.  When Andy went to find them after church, he discovered they had forgotten and were planning on eating lunch with the Rusten's.  Being people with a heart of gold, the Rusten's invited us to come on over and join them...and we did!  (This blog is becoming much longer than I anticipated.)  

We had an amazing time visiting with Hannah and Mehlat and learned several new things about Ethiopia.  They were pretty impressed with how much the Wright kids already knew about their country---and that they had eaten and LIKED Ethiopian food!  (Which they really miss, by the way.)  We learned that Christians there do not eat with forks, spoons or knives--just their hands.  They are beautiful girls and they fell in love with the Wright kids.  During lunch, Layne let it slip that we were going to Nutcracker!  It was priceless!!!  The boys' eyes lit up while Laynie's face turned red---she didn't know it was going to be a surprise.  But we were only minutes from telling them--and tried to convince her it was no big deal!  The kids were so excited to find out we were going to see their cousins perform.  So...

Here we are, sitting pretty, and waiting on the performance to begin.  We were texting with Caitlin and Alexis to let them know we were there and we got a surprise visit from them at intermission!

Here is Olivia with Alexis....aka Swiss Doll.

I have to tell you that the Wright kids were spellbound during the first half of the performance.  The sets and costumes are pretty spectacular!  But I was about to cry because I was laughing so hard during the second half of the performance.  Olivia was sitting in my lap and was "performing" with the ballerinas.  She was using my arms and swaying all over the place.  Josiah was "sitting" next to me with his hands braced on the arms of the chair and lifting himself above the chair and swinging over the empty (thank goodness!) chair in front of him.  He was singing along with the music the orchestra was playing (on key, I might add.)   I looked to my left, and Andy was directing the orchestra along with the conductor. Amy...I think I know where those genes come from!  (Lindsey!  Where were you????)

We talked the cousins into standing in front of the Christmas trees and taking their picture.

This photo was taken about 5 minutes after we left the Nutcracker.  But as I thought about it, I hadn't heard a peep out of her after we buckled her in! ha!  I just happened to turn and see this and made Andy snap the picture--since I was driving.

And this was 10 minutes after leaving the Nutcracker.  The reason this picture cracks me up is because this is a Sanders mouth position.  My dad did this when he was relaxed.  And I didn't even realize I did it until Amy pointed it out.  And Amy does it.  And now Livie.  I love that all of these great genes live on!  

I'd say Nutcracker was a HUGE success!  Everyone had their favorite part.  (Oh yeah...Liv was awake long enough to tell us her favorite part.  So she probably lasted a minute at least!)  As we got home, Isaac asked, "Gee, how long has it been since we left home this morning?"  

"Eight hours, Isaac.  Eight fun-filled, adventure-packed, amazing hours."

You never know...

You never know how the choices you're making as a parent will eventually affect your children.  But let me give you a little window into our lives....

My mom taught C.E.F. (Child Evangelism Fellowship) which teaches all of the Bible stories through flannelgraph.  I grew up in Good News Clubs.  My all-time favorite story was Esther.  (Esther means "Star.")  Her story resonated in my heart.  I guess it was partly the fascination of the beauty pageant-type story and the infamous line Mordecai told her:  "And who knows but that you were brought into the kingdom for such a time as this?"  This story (told well by my mom) truly affected my life.

Probably 22 years ago, Andy began leading a mission trip into Mexico--it was a "family" mission trip.  Not only did we go as a family, we took many families with us.  We went to an orphanage he was acquainted with and began helping them.  The first year we went, the only food in the orphanage was some black baked potatoes on the stove.  When Andy had gone to the orphanage years earlier, there were dirt floors.  After going back to this orphanage year after year, we gained such a relationship with the directors (and developed trust between us) that they would turn the orphanage over to us for a week and they would take a vacation.  We did all of the cooking, cleaning, child care, VBS, laundry, etc., etc.  I remember the first year we were left alone, a group of young girls (Amy included) took care of some of the youngest children every day--bathing them, dressing them, feeding them--everything.  Our family fell in love with a little brown-eyed beauty named Marisol.  If she'd been adoptable, we probably would have taken her home.  We went back to that orphanage for many years.  By the time we quit going, it was well established and we'd built lots of buildings and helped them get on their feet.

You just never know how these seemingly small things (at the time) might affect your future.  I'm sure I passed on my love for the story of Esther to my children.  And I'm sure Andy passed on his love for missions to them as well.  But we had absolutely no idea how those years at an orphanage would some day affect our family.  It was through that time, that God planted a seed in Amy's heart....one that wouldn't bloom until years later.  God gave her a love for orphans and a desire to adopt one some day.

And...she's wanted to name a daughter "Hadassah."  (Hadassah is Esther's Hebrew name)   In fact, she wanted to give Olivia that name but received mixed reviews over the name at the time and backed off from it.  I think it broke her heart--she really wanted a daughter with that name.  Then she and Jay began pursuing the possibility of adoption.  At first, they looked into adopting from China...but so many doors closed.  They almost gave up on adopting until they saw some friends were adopting from Ethiopia and began looking into it.  One day, Amy saw an Ethiopian baby girl's photo and felt God quicken her heart and thought, "That's my daughter!"  (Not the actual baby--but a baby from that country.)

So now...Jay & Amy are on their way to Ethiopia to meet Hadassah for the first time.  This is the first photo they received of her (they can't show her face until she's adopted):

If you click on the photo and look at it closer, you'll see that her gown says, "Little Star."  Remember...Esther means "star."  Did you know that the Esther of the Bible was living in Ethiopia?  And...did you know she was adopted?  I think God knew what He was doing when He prevented Jay & Amy from using the name "Hadassah" for Olivia.  (Besides the fact that Olivia perfectly fits her name!!)  And I think it's pretty perfect that Hadassah's story pretty well matches her namesakes' story!

You just never know how those small details may come together for God to tell a love story some day.  By the way, you can follow Jay & Amy's story here.

Thanksgiving Count

The Thanksgiving count is down from last year.  Last Thanksgiving, we had 2 of my siblings and 1 niece and 4 nephews and my mom....and Andy's brother and 4 of his children and their families and Andy's mom.  I think we had 16 kids under 9.  It was a BLAST!

This year will be smaller. 

We'll have both of our moms.

Matt & Lisa and girls will be in Kansas.

Jay & Amy and three kids will be here.  Hadassah will still be in Ethiopia this year.

Lindsey's grandmother fell and broke her hip and pelvis, so she's gone with her mom to tend to her grandmother.  But...David and kids will be here.

Zach, Shanna & Dax will be here, but maybe not as soon as they'd planned.  They spent the better part of last night and today enduring a stomach bug.  I'm so grateful to Lissa Anglin for helping out with Dax today!  I'm praying for a speedy recovery so they can get here as planned!

Turkey is purchased.  GAPS (diet) food is in the fridge for the D.Dietz fam.  And lots of goodies for the gang.  Andy wants to play Bingo. 

I'll keep you posted...

GRANDBABIES!!

Grandbabies and more grandbabies!  It's an exciting time in our lives.  I got a phone call this morning about Grandbaby #9.  Amy called to tell me that they could have their referral in 4 months.  That means Baby Hadassah will have been chosen for them and they'll have a photo of her.  The process is so amazing---and all about God!  The line-up, the choosing, the timing--all of it.  Kind of like a natural birth.  Ha!  Anyway, you can read all about it  here. 

Tomorrow, we're heading to Lubbock so Pops can meet Mr. Dax.  Of course, my meeting him was very short-lived since he was put under oxygen almost immediately after birth.  So I can't wait to get my hands on him.  Expect more pictures.

My bigger grandbabies are very busy.  Caitlin (who will be 12 in over 1 week!!  Yikes!!) & Alexis are in Louisiana with their other grandparents.  I think they're getting to see their other cousin. Caitlin was born first and then 2.5 years later, we started a process of having 5 grandkids in 3 years!!  So we have little stairsteps.  And now we could possibly have 2 more in 1 year.  We can hope!

Isaac and Josiah (who live in Florida) recently sent me letters.  They amaze me.  Isaac even included a joke in his:  "What did the stamp say to the envelope?...I'm stuck on you!"   Amy told me a cute story about Miss Olivia (who was supposed to be going to sleep) introducing her babies to one another.

And today, I got a picture from some Little House on the Prairie kids, Ryan & Addie:

I had a pretty good idea being a grandmother would be fun---I just had no idea how much fun!!

Grandbaby #9

Grandbaby #9 is on her way!! 

You can read all about it here---in Amy's own words.

And she's from here:

Please begin praying with us for this process. 

WE'RE EXCITED!!!

(And by the way...girls will outnumber the boys again!)