Two Years Ago Today.....

We saw our Jada's face for the very first time.

That is one day we will never forget - a day we begged God for wisdom, as we had such a short time to decide if this dear one would be our next daughter.

And yes, 2 years later, we are still praising God He showed us YES!!

Jada Faith - you are a blessing!

Haiti Trip

Our oldest son, Micah, will be taking a short term missions trip to Haiti this summer. He is excited to go and we are already praying that God works in him and uses him mightily while he is there. We covet your prayers with us, and, if you felt so led, you can also contribute financially as well. He has worked hard to help finance this trip, but there are still funds needed to get him there! I am attaching his support letter in case you would be interested.

ANOTHER way you could help him is through my Scentsy business. I have set up a fundraiser that is called - Micah- Haiti Missions Trip off of my site - if you click on that fundraiser, all of the profits will go toward his trip! (Just make sure to click on "Ship directly to Me" when checking out so that your order goes to your house and not ours!!) If you have wanted to try Scentsy or need more product, this is a great way to do it! You are supporting missions at the same time!

Thanks so much for caring for our family - we are truly blessed!

support letter

Deep Talks

I knew it would come - no matter how much you read about how to talk to your children about adoption, it doesn't make it any easier. The sad reality is always hovering there and it can be a tough thing. So here was our conversation yesterday:

Chloe: Mom, how many relatives do I have in my orphanage in China?

Me: Well, I don't think you have any relatives there since none of those children would be actually related to you.

Chloe: Oh, do you think there were 100 kids there with me?

Me: Yes, Chloe there were at least 100 other kids there with you.

Chloe: That is SO sad, Mom, all those kids and their first moms and dads can't take care of them.

Me: I agree, it is very sad. We don't know why every time, but I do agree, for some children, their moms and dads just can not take care of them, so they leave them at an orphanage hoping that someone else that can take care of them will find them.

Chloe: That's why you have me, right?

Me: Well, we aren't sure, but that could be the reason. You could be right.

Chloe: I know I'm right, Mom. My first Mom and Dad could not take care of me so they took me to the orphanage and they KNEW you'd find me.

Me: ******** (That was my stunned silence.) I love that idea, Chloe. And I am so glad that they allowed us to take you to live with us. God has a good plan!

Chloe: Me too, because they knew I'd need glasses and you'd have to buy them for me.

Me: Yes - I am glad we can buy you glasses and take care of you. We love having you for our daughter. But I'm also glad God gave you to us for another reason.

Chloe: Why is that?

Me: Because many people in China do not know about God and I am so glad God brought you here so you could learn about Him.

Chloe: (Imagine this, if you can, in her best almost-seven-year-old -adult -voice) Mom, I am SO glad I learned about God. I just CAN NOT imagine my life without Him.

She makes me smile......

Sunday Snapshot

Sunday Snapshot...

I think one of my favorite things is to see my girls interact.

I love it that even though Jada has very little language, Chloe knows exactly what she wants and is saying.

I love it that Chloe enjoys showing Jada the ropes and rarely tires of teaching her new things.

I love the bond these two have formed over the last year and a half.

God is indeed GOOD!

Baking....

I know, you are wondering what I'm up today. (ME too, to be honest!)

But I did accomplish my friendship bread (you see, last week my Mom finished it up for me, yep, I mushed and she did all the hard work!). But today I did it myself. I do take a small amount of pride in that - I mean - after all of my kitchen fiasco's I am almost frightened to step in that linoleum-floored room. (I think Joe gets scared too - he watches me pretty close and asks LOTS of questions). But here it is - my pride and joy!

I branched out this time - yes, take a deep breath! I added ALMOND flavoring instead of vanilla - STOP LAUGHING - I was worried about that minor change but Joe said I'd be ok. And if you want alternative recipes, THIS is a great spot!! SO now the grand prize - I have three bags of starter to share!! (That's just the kind of person I am - always willing to share what I have!!) So don't be shy - speak up, oh, the only glitch is that you must be local - I just can not subject myself to standing in the post office and explaining that the contents of my package are liquid, fragile and yes, maybe even potentially hazardous!!

God Knows

Well, we got back the results of the EEG - it showed nothing abnormal.

We got back the results of the MRI - it showed nothing abnormal.

We sit back and say, "Praise God!"

But let's be honest - we sit back and say, "So why the learning problems then??"

We, for just a brief moment, wondered, "God, why won't you show us anything more? We want to help to help this little one and we are at a loss."

And then, as Joe and I were IM'ing each other - we both typed - at the same time -

But this is how God has worked from the beginning with us and with our questions about Jada.

He has very clearly shown us over and over - even through her name,

Jada - Hebrew for "God Knows".

He does know - we do not - and we trust in that.

We may never know anymore than we do right now.

And we can honestly say we are ok with that.

God knows!

Don't Move a Muscle!

Today I woke up with quite a bit of apprehension. Jada had an MRI scheduled for today. Now normally that would not bother me - but I was a tad bit nervous for this one. We had asked if we could do the MRI here in our town instead of driving back to Sioux Falls like we did twice a couple of weeks ago. It was fine to have it here in our town, but we were told they do not do anesthesia here with young children, so they were quite hesitant to say yes. I told the scheduler, I told our doctor, I told the MRI tech the same story - I can not explain it - but she has sat through numbing of her eyes, a catheterization, an EEG, drawing tons of blood for her genetic testing, you name it - she doesn't move a muscle. Now, as her mom, I am not entirely sure that's a good thing - but that is how she is. It is almost as if this little one knows - if I just sit still - it will soon be over. They ALL weren't sure - I don't blame them, I mean, really, you never know what a four year old will pull at the last moment!!! BUT they agreed, they said they'd try it.

We showed up and I told Jada it would be a BIG bed and they would be taking pictures of her head. I tried it to warn her it would be VERY noisy (for Jada, that is a big deal, she does NOT like loud noises at all!!). They took her in and that is where I nearly lost it. As they put her little ear plugs in, took her away from us, laid her in that big bed and then put the plastic form around her head, my eyes filled with tears. I know it is best for her - she needs all of this testing to rule out everything and move forward, but at that moment, I thought - maybe we just needed to have her "put out" for it. How scared she must be! It broke my heart - I wanted to go in with her, hold her tightly and promise her everything would be ok. But I obeyed and went to stand behind the window and watch. I will be eternally grateful, however, for the dear MRI tech, that held her hand the whole time and did not leave her side - she talked to her and reassured her and kept checking in on her. They told her to close her eyes and not to open them and, amazingly enough, Jada did JUST THAT. The tech that ran the computer told us that there was hardly even a vibration in her pictures - which means she really never did open her eyes or even move. She just didn't move a muscle. She told us some adults can't even provide that clear of a reading - because even opening your eyes can cause a vibration.

I was so proud of her. I was scared deep down that even though she is wonderful in doctor's offices that she might "flip out" a bit around that huge machine. But no, true to Jada-form, she did what she needed to do and came out smiling. My amazement and love deepens for this little girl everyday. She has been through so much, and may have to go through so much more, but she never flinches. She chose her prize, a Beanie Walrus, with pride and kissed it all the way home!

Hotels and Doctors!

We had to take Jada in for a sleep-deprived EEG last week and we KNEW we'd lose her with an hour and a half drive that morning after very little sleep the night before, so we spent the night. Which was quite comical as we STILL almost had her doze off on just the short ride to the hospital from our hotel! :) But we made it and she was a trooper - we are so glad she is so compliant for doctors - this little gal sees quite a few!

But we realized that this was her first hotel stay since being in China! And she LOVED it - cold pool and all!!

Oh yes, and here is what we found when we got there!

Yep, that's us - we are QUITE SPECIAL!!! :) You can take guesses at what was inside!