Friday, September 30, 2011

Big Girl

Elise had her school picture made. Is it just me or does she look like a big girl in this picture?!? Still my baby though ;)

Thursday, September 29, 2011

SCC Concert on Saturday

The big day is this Saturday.  Remember when I posted that my hubby scored us some tickets way back when, well the time has come for our Stephen Curtis Chapman Concert.

Big kuddos to my favorite mom who has graciously agreed to keep ALL my kids OVERNIGHT!  Can I get an Amen!!

So excited.  Let me know if you are going to be there too :)

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

You Have Enough Kids

When you have time you should go read this entire article.  But for now I have posted below some of the great points made in the article that speak for themselves...

Encore: You Have Enough Kids

________________________________________
Over the years, starting even when we had just two kids, I have heard statements (from friends, family, and strangers alike) such as “you don’t need any more kids,” “you have enough kids,” “well, surely now you have enough kids” and “why would you adopt again? You have enough kids already!”

These types of statements used to make me feel like I had to explain our decisions or they used to make me feel like I needed to be a better parent because maybe if they saw that I was the best parent in the universe, they would think that I could “handle” more kids.

I have tried (in vain) to explain to people that we are adopting children WHO DO NOT HAVE A FAMILY, kids who NEED A HOME, but this does not seem to matter to those who continue to make this statement after or before each addition we have made to our growing family. I know that some of it has been said by those who are concerned because they do not want to see us overwhelmed or having a harder life than we could have if we chose the easier path, but this is the path we have chosen, and all we need need is support.

Recently, a family member said to me again, “you have enough kids” and for the first time, instead of feeling like I needed to justify our decisions and make excuses and explanations, I felt angry. I thought about all the other times that people have said to me similar things and I realized that many of those things were said before the addition of some of our kids, kids who those same people now love and adore. Kids who now have a home and a family. Kids who are no longer orphans. Kids who I could not be more proud to call my children. Kids who have made our lives richer, not harder. Kids who have taught me more than I have taught them. Kids who have given me more than I have given them. Kids who we would not know had we thought of our family in terms of “enough.” And, I was angry.

I have listened to well-meaning friends or family members over the years say things that have hurt, badly, and for the most part, I have remained silent.  Some people said this when we only had two kids or three or four, if four was “enough kids,” then what does that say about the last three?
Another reason it has me so upset is that we are talking about human beings here, precious children, not possessions. To say that one can ever have “enough” children sort of sounds like they are shoes or something.

Another is that I have never seen how it is deemed okay for people to question our personal decisions and give unsolicited advise and judgments, but it is not okay for us to do the same to them. What I mean is that when it comes to things that go against the norm, things like adoption, having a large family, and homeschooling, it seems that everyone and their neighbour thinks it’s somehow acceptable to tell us what a terrible thing we are doing.

Can you imagine how inappropriate it would be for me to say to a friend that I thought it was a selfish decision to go back to work full time when their baby was 4 months old because they wanted to pay for a nicer vacation or to say to a family member that it sickens me to think of all the starving children who could be fed for the cost of one of the brand new vehicles they buy for themselves every year? People judge it wrong that we went into debt to pay for an adoption of two children, but think nothing of going into debt themselves for a newer car, a bigger house, or even the latest computers, gadgets, and fashions!

I do not walk around telling people that they should not move because the house they have is “enough” or that they should not get another TV because the two they already own are “enough” or that they should not buy the latest iPhone because they just bought the last version and that should be “enough.” And, if you are shaking your head thinking, “yeah, but those are things, not children” then you are starting to get the point here! It is actually pretty uninformed to say “you have enough kids” as though they were objects. If there were ever anything I would want “too many” of, it would be children. Children are a blessing.

In response to the inevitable question, “are we going to adopt more kids?”, the answer is this: I don’t know. If you look only at logic, then the answer is…probably not. Logic dictates that seven children is nowadays, in North America, a huge family. Logic dictates that seven children is a huge expense. Logic dictates that I have a husband who is much more rational than I am and is less apt to make decisions based purely on emotion. Logic dictates a lot, but it does not dictate the size of our family. For now, we are done. That could mean forever. Or it could mean that tomorrow we will start the process for another adoption. Because God trumps all logic in my mind and in my heart. Our family size will be determined by God. He has called us to adopt, and I know that He is still working in our family.

As a message to our friends and family and to the friends and families of others who choose paths that are less socially acceptable…
Please support and love us where we are at, on the path that we have chosen. Pray for us, because the path that we have chosen is not an easy one. We know that you did not choose this path and we are not asking you to adopt yourself or have a large family yourself. We are not even asking you to understand or like the path we have chosen. If you choose to come and visit us on this journey once in awhile and ask how we are or offer your help, we would appreciate it greatly, but if you can only offer judgment and harsh words, please heed the wise advise of Thumper in “Bambi”…”if you can’t say somethin’ nice, don’t say nothin’ at all”!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Gotcha! Six Months Ago

So incredible that our little Elise has only been around for 6 months.  She fits like a glove in our crazy family.  She makes us smile everyday, especially if she give you one of her "evil eye" looks!  What a blessing Elise has been to our family and to everyone who meets her.




Now she isn't all sugar and spice, she can throw a fit like no other with her kicking legs and all.  But once she is back to her smiling self, you can't help but have your heart melted.  Happy 6 months Gotcha Day baby girl!!  Now that we gotcha, we will never let you go :)

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Day At the Creek

Out enjoying the Fall weather today at the creek! Hope you get to enjoy it too :)

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Friday, September 23, 2011

Big Brothers

I just read this post http://loosclan.blogspot.com/2011/08/do-you-know-what-this-is.html and it reminded me that there is ten years difference between my oldie and youngie. Most certainly I can relate to how much the girls have changed the boys for
The BETTER!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Guess I Am Crazy

Great post that confirms it, I am insane!
 


Adoption is Insane

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Car Wash

Yes, this is one of the benefits of a large family...CHILD LABOR :)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Mark Your Calendar

If you are in the Atlanta area, here is your official invite!

We would love to visit with everyone and catch up with our adoption friends. Please join us for a pot luck dinner and playtime at the Straight Home in East Cobb on October 15, at 5pm.

Please sign up on the database with the food items you are bringing. We have had a wonderful turnout lately, so please be sure to bring enough to feed a crowd :)

Hope to see you there. Please spread the word and invite anyone who is interested in adoption or has already jumped into the big adoption world. Everyone is welcome!

Jumping Princess

Elise trying out some of our thrift store finds today...

Friday, September 16, 2011

Waiting and Waiting

Just one of the MANY who still wait for a family, a mom and dad, somewhere to call home,
his home, his family.



Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names.
They are easier to ignore before you see their faces.
It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms.
But once you do, everything changes.
Radical by David Platt

TGIF

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

So Very Sad

Yet SO very true...

Monday, September 12, 2011

Happy Autumn Moon

Today is the official day of the Autumn Moon Chinese holiday.  We spent the weekend celebrating with our friends on Friday and Saturday night.  Here is wiki's info on Autumn Moon.  It was fun making laterns and eating moon cakes with all of our adoption folks.  I stole some of Lisa's photos to show off my girls, thanks Lisa ;)


 

One of a Kind

Oh this boy of mine :)

Sunday, September 11, 2011

My Big Girl

Come a long way baby!








Six Today

Happy happy birthday my Shelby baby!!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Humor



Not sure why I find this SO hilarious, but I do :)  Had to share...

Kids Matter

Read this on my Purpose Driven email, it was worth sharing...

As adults, we tend to focus on what we can teach children. But what about what they can teach you? Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). You need children in your life. They help you grow.

You can’t be all that God wants you to be without children. It’s not possible. Children teach you how to be unselfish. It’s hard to be selfish when you have children who depend upon you.

You don’t need to be a parent to have kids in your life, though. Your community has plenty of children who need a caring adult in their lives. Be a Big Brother or Big Sister. Get involved in the children’s ministry or youth ministry at your church. There’ll never be a time in your life when you don’t need to have kids around.

You’ll make a difference in the lives of kids when you do.

And they’ll make a difference in your life, too.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

After the Airport

Just read a great post over here.  It is worth the read for sure.  The paperwork, the process, the preparations are only the beginning.  Real life starts right "after the airport"!

Cheeeeeeessse

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The B Word

Considering CJ's new career change, plus the addition of another youngin, our household has started using the B word a lot these days. I know everyone cringes everytime you hear it, yet it is a fact of life...


B.U.D.G.E.T

Yes, I know you even felt the twinge just reading it. No one wants to talk about it, but alas we must. So CJ and I have started attending a Dave Ramsey class to help us get motivated. We hope to one day say the B word without cringing or squinting or squirming everytime we speak of it ;)

Monday, September 5, 2011

Spruced Up the Blog

I took up my fellow orphan advocate, Jen, on her special offer to spruce up my blog.  I know I should have done it a long time ago, but you know I am just lazy like that.  So when the chance came to get it done without any hassles, AND I get to help her bring her new little one home, well here you go!

Thanks Jen, it looks great!  Hop on over to her blog and take her up on her special deal :)


Friday, September 2, 2011