Sweet Christmas Times

~ visiting a "live" nativity

~ Christmas doughnuts from Krispy Kreme

~ writing Christmas notes to Sunday school, choir and missions teachers

~ kids wrapping presents for each other

~ our Christmas picture

E playing Light the Advent Candle at church.

~ our Chrismon wreath

~ counting down the days until Christmas

~ making a daily chain depicting the events of Advent

~ celebrating the Sundays of Advent

We LOVE Christmas and are enjoying all the sights, sounds and traditions of this most precious season. We wish everyone all the joy and wonder of these sweet Christmas times!

F-I-V-E!

Our baby girl turned five years old today! S is spunky and super-creative :o)

I told her that she's a whole "hand-ful" now! Her Papa says that she already was one!

We love you baby girl!

Today With M!

One Year Ago Today

Two Years Ago Today - Kunming City, Yunnan Province, Republic of China

Two years ago today, my eyes first beheld the living form of this precious child. She was scared, overwhelmed and in survival mode. We were incredibly excited, overwhelmed and in wonder that this day had actually arrived. Our daughter is bright, energetic, creative, brave, thoughtful, patient, and talkative. Our family is blessed. Tremendously blessed.

Birthday Celebrations!

Look Who's SEVEN!

Our only son, J, turns SEVEN years old today! He is active, creative and thoughtful. His favorite things include playing with legos and bionicles, Star Wars, drawing, digging in the dirt and riding his bike. He is in the first grade this year and is excited to have learned to read! He is tender-hearted, but as rough as they come. We are so proud of the

little man he is growing into being!

Look Who's TEN!!!!!!!!!!

Our firstborn, E, turns TEN years old today! She's beautiful, thoughtful, and smart. Her favorite things are reading, doing art projects, school (just kidding!), playing games, and spending time with her friends. If you want to be comforted or encouraged, she is the girl to seek out! She is in the fourth grade this year and doing well in all her subjects. Also, she is continuing to take piano and has played in church. We are so proud of the young girl she has blossomed into.

Our Season of Wonder

It is Fall. I love, love, love this season of the year! It is fraught with so many very special occasions and memories for our family. It begins with my very own birthday in September! Every one who knows me, knows that I am absolutely CRAZY about my birthday. The 13th of October, TEN years ago, we welcomed our firstborn into our family. Two years later, on the 14 of this month, our son joined our family. Two years ago, in the first week of October, we received a most thrilling email - our LOA from China was on it's way, bringing an end to sight of the long wait for our chosen child. On October 18 of that same year, we got notice of Travel Approval from China and booked plane tickets! The joy of this season continues on into November! We laid eyes on and arms around our chosen child on November 5th, 2007.

Our family was reunited on November 18. And finally FIVE years ago,

on November 23, our baby was born.

Truly a season of thankfulness and unbridled blessings!

Daybook ~ September 28, 2009

FOR TODAY...September 28, 2009

Outside my window...twilight.

I am thinking...I am glad that the busi-ness of this day is nearly over.

I am thankful for...peace.

From the learning rooms...the eldest will begin typing tomorrow and is adding the memorization of the states of America to her studies. The youngest are

continuing on their studies and we all are beginning a study of clouds.

From the kitchen...three bean chili, rice and applesauce.

I am wearing...a tee-shirt, knit pants and tennis shoes.

I am creating...plans for E and J's Birthday parties in October.

I am going...to do our bedtime ritual soon.

I am reading...the book of Isaiah, Knowing God by His Names (Dick Purnell)

and The Wizard of OZ (aloud to the children).

I am hearing...the dishwasher run.

One of my favorite things...lying in my bed reading.

A few plans for the rest of the week: get in a really good

school week and focus on my priorities.
The creator of this project is http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ Join the fun!

40 Gifts

S's sweet card with hugs and kisses!

Sweet, sweet party planners!

A secret desire fulfilled!

M's homemade gift that she spent a lot of time on!

E's homemade friendship bracelet!

J's stuffed dragon that we will now share!

Today was my best birthday yet! These are 40 gifts in my life.

1. Life itself.

2. God's great love.

3. Growing up in a stable family.

4. God's faithfulness.

5. A love of reading.

6. God's mercy.

7. Big dreams.

8. God's soveriegnty.

9. Salvation.

10. God's grace.

11. Meeting Ira.

12. God's compassion.

13. Giving birth to E.

14. The Living Word of God.

15. Moving into our home.

16. The power of God.

17. The birth of J.

18. The dream of adoption.

19. The birth of S.

20. The pursiut of M.

21. The loyalty of good friends.

22. A God that grows bigger daily.

23. Journalling.

24. Finally holding M.

25. God's patience.

26. More big dreams.

27. Finding our current church home.

28. Growing in faith.

29. Scrapbooking.

30. E accepting Jesus as her Saviour.

31. Music that leads to the foot of the cross.

32. Good health.

33. The call to come pick up a foster baby.

34. The peace of God.

35. Blogging.

36. That a holy God pursues a relationship with me.

37. Holding a newborn baby.

38. Feeling God carry me through giving a baby back.

39. Being called mama.

40. Birthdays.

I have had a lovely 40th birthday. God is so good to me.

Our Life in Pictures

We've had a baby in the house!

E making paper doll clothes at the tea party birthday
celebration of a friend.

S falling asleep mid-sucker!

M being creative with her babies.

J making his Papa proud with the BB gun.