Adoption Help

Here are some sites for you guys to possibly do some shopping and certainly helping orphans. I want to also include some sites that will offer a sponsorship opportunity.  Please search your heart and listen to what the Lord might be saying to you.

www.wildolivetees.com

www.showhope.org

www.147millionorphans.org

www.pearlriveroutreach.blogspot.com

Cuteness for you to enjoy

17 yrs with my guy

On this wonderful day 17 yrs ago we said we do to a life of love, laughter, loss, and loyalty.  He was truly sent by God to marry me. I am so lucky that he continues to love me unconditionally EVERYDAY, most of the time I don't deserve it.  He is a MASTER father and loves his children to a fault.  We wouldn't have him any other way.  He is our knight in shining armor with poofy hair and the softest shirts ever.  We love our family traditions and can't wait for another 17 yrs. 

FINALLY

 

 

 

The day he turned 5....9 months ago....he was ready to go.The backpacks were bought, and he totally went off the grid and almost wouldn't take it off. Clothes laid out the night before and lunch was made. The short ride there was filled with talk of how wonderful school would be, his expectations were pretty high. We walked into the school hand in hand and he witnessed the first day of school chaos, I felt his small hand tighten in mine. "Mom, it sure is busy in here today" Trepidation creeped into his voice, my heart sank,  but I made my voice sound chipper and confident "Yes, but we know right where we are going and Mrs. L can't wait for you to get there". We walked into his beloved classroom that we had just visited a few days ago, and the assisant teacher hadn't shown up yet.  Our sweet teacher has the largest class of kindergarteners...also added to our corner of the school this year, 200 pre K kids. We walked to the breakfast line and there were 50 kids in line. None knowing what to do, and one lady to pass out breakfast.  I put Kevin in line and said I was going to help and would be right back.  Well, you know the story here, I get busy and the next thing I know there is Kevin and I am handing him his breakfast. "Big boy, you stayed in line. YEA!! Go to your seat and I will come and say goodbye". Yup....time continues to fly and then school starts.  I begin to panic and tell the breakfast woman I have to go say goodbye to my boy.  The teacher wants to get started on time, so I had no time to spend with him, just a quick goodbye.  I look back, I know big mistake, and I see him with his arms out and his face breaking as he says "Mama??" I muttered a quick love you and hurried out the door.  I was unable to see as I stumbled to the car blinded by tears. How blessed I am to have Claire's wonderful teacher to drop by and give him a hug and me an update. SIGH.

He ran from school with a huge smile and a report of "Mom, I want to come here everyday!!" Made my morning tears seem far away.  Happy Kindergarten year big boy.....we love you to infinity and beyond!!

MY baby

She was an absolute surprise.

She wasn't supposed to happen..ALL the experts had told me it was impossible.

God knew different. Even through our surprise, we KNEW this was for real

We were so young and dumb....

She was sooo forgiving and patient

We had absolutely no idea how much she would change us.

She was the perfect child for us to grow up with, she was easy goin'

She was fun lovin' and adventurous even as a baby.

Thank you sweet merciful Jesus for giving us the joy and privilege of HANNAH

Happy 16th Birthday....we love you to infinity and beyond.

Family Vacation in SD.

                                      Claire loved being buried in the sand....it was warmer

                                                            Outside the aquarium

 Big ol whales

 Sitting on the Ben and Jerrys cow

View from the aquarium

 K man loving the merry go round

 Loved the facepainting

He and I

LOVED the merry go round....named her horse Mystery

 Cute kids...just like having 2 sets of twins

A girl and her dad, a relationship really coming together           

Such beautiful scenery in SD, so glad we went. I don't think we will be making that MARATHON driving trip any more.  We decided we won't drive more than six hrs before making a stop for the night.  Claire lost her tooth while walking in Old Town, she made quite a cute mini celebrity. Hannah showed that she is really growing up and can handle tough situations sent her way.  Great vacation all around.

One yr ago. Look how they have grown

The dreaded...er..beloved field day.

Fri was Claire's fun day at school.  Why I volunteer for these things, I don't know.  Yes I do, because before I know it we will be teaching HER how to drive.  Yes, Hannah is learning to drive.  We prayed for a deal to drop in our lap if she was to have a car.  Careful when you pray....they get answered. My BIL is a minister and they have a HUGE garage sale every year. This year a great 15 yr old car was donated. My BIL had it checked out and we bought it.  Now she wants to drive her car all the time.  We have begun driver training.....the love flows shallow during those times.  She is really good and really careful, so I guess I shouldn't complain.

 Claire with her bestie *A*

 Hamburgers for lunch!!

 Loving her picnic

 They held hands everywhere.....CUTE

See the green striped shirt pelting the teacher with snowballs? Go Claire.

Forgot sunscreen at the field day on fri.  paying for it this weekend....the birthday weekend!!

These are the best on the planet

This is a wonderful give a way.  I love these tees. They are soft and durable.


http://thelayersoflife.blogspot.com/2012/05/give-away-timejust-because.html

Saturday at a sunny park

We went to the park today and it was HOT. I can't believe we aren't even in May and we have already hit 100 degrees.  Claire and Kevin are getting better at the jungle gym every time we go. I am posting these pics here for our dear friends who don't use FB.

Sweet girl

Time is flying by

I can't believe how fast time is flying.  We are nearing the end of another school yr and the summer will be upon us.  I am sure by the end of July I will be screaming for school to start but for now, time seems to be going by so fast.  All three children will be in school next yr.  I will start back to work at that time unless God sees the need for me to have a job before then.  We are continuing to lean and trust upon God,he continues to take care of us. 
We are so proud of the young woman Hannah is becoming.  She is maturing each month and it is becoming somewhat easier to parent her.  She will be gone from this house so soon, I can't believe that is on the horizon.  Claire and Kevin continue to love/hate each other. They are so much alike but yet still have differences that keep them like gas and fire.


Kevin still is having trouble being without Claire. She is his life line in so many ways.  She never lets her frustration show *if there is any* at always waiting for him or doing something simpler for him.  He wants to be in the thick of things but still MOSTLY refuses to try new things.  We pray for his courage daily, I am sure it will come. I wish it will come before kindergarten starts this fall.  We still battle the controling demon that lives in Kevin.  I pray for his ease and comfort everyday. He still has to do everything himself (even when clearly this isn't possible) and has to go over a "schedule" everyday~~~ALL DAY.  We are mainly routine people, so that has helped, but he remains over stimulated by changes and takes a bit to recover. He is such a  joy to have and we know he was made for our family. Thank you God for this precious soul to take care of and lead to you.

Claire is s-l-o-w-l-y learning and really asking questions about Jesus.  She is still really confused and concerned about why he had to die on the cross. She is unsure about heaven, strictly because it is different than home....claire is a homebody.  I have eased her a bit by letting her know heaven will be JUST LIKE HOME....except for the homework and bedtimes. She seems ok with that now. We are taking it slow since she becomes quite upset and overwhelmed about heaven and hell. She has a wonderful Children's Minister and teacher at church that help ease fears as well. She is both amazed and terrified at the same time. Her soul is so precious and tender. I know the Lord will help her understand.

Hannah will be driving soon. She has begun to practice with us....glad there isn't a parent taught driver's course any longer....we would never get through it.  She is better taught by professionals. Whew..dodged a bullet there. She is really such a great girl.  Grades good and great friends. Decent attitude towards life and LOVES Jesus. It will be hard to let her go out into the world, but that is where she must go. I must have faith that we did the best we could and she has great instincts to help. I thank God that he allowed me this child to love and protect for always.

Spring breaks adventures

Today we went to the museum and a wonderful walk through museum of sorts. Ranching Heritage center is a place to walk through and look at houses and other buildings from pioneers who settled in this part of the country.  Great fun for me to look back at history and see how far we have come.  The kitchens in the homes were almost non exsistant.  Amazing they got everything done in those small homes with electricity or running water.

Kevin and Claire had fun finding pine cones and chasing the jack rabbits that dared to run across our path. Saw a fox trying to catch a dinner treat with one of them, but the rabbit got away.  Whew! I would have hates to explain the circle of life to the little ones. The older girls (Hannah had her bestie Amanda with her) loved all the picture taking opportunities that the museum and ranch had to offer.

Yesterday we went to see the Lorax....I didn't know it was a musical, nuff said. It was good to hold all the childrens attention. Then we played a rousing game of Headbandz and laughed our heads off. Kevin kept telling us what our cards were on our heads when he was trying to guess what HIS card was. Too funny. Hope the weather continues to do great, we have a picnic bike ride planned tomorrow. I will mostly be picnicing since I don't have a bike....Claire will be bike riding tomorrow.  We have tried to eat at a resturant everyday that we haven't eaten at before, so it kinda feels like we are out of town. Dad goes back to work tomorrow and the older girls will go to Amanda's house...should be quieter and calmer with just 2 kids the rest of the week.

Kevin at 5.

~ He is his dad's biggest fan. He prefers to be with dad over anybody. Even if dad is watching boring tv, Kevin wants to be with him.  Most of the times he is in his lap.  He doesn't like for dad to run any errands without him.  I believe this is God's way of teaching Duane patience, it seems to be working.

~He will try any food one time. He doesn't really eat off the childrens' menu any longer. Dads food always looks more tasty and exciting. He loves fruit and some veggies. He came home from China eating all veggies and now he has become quite finicky with them. He still hasn't found a meat that he doesn't like. 

~He has a HUGE crush on Claires first grade teacher. It is so cute to see him run for a hug from her everyday.

~He has begun karate 3 times a week and is beginning to love it.  He was so shy for the first month but has really begun to enjoy it.

~He loves going to church and sunday school.  They started wed evening classes as well and have really begun to thrive in there as well.

~He doesn't love the dogs nor will he ever love them.  We have come to see that now, but glad he does tolerate them.
~He loves to get dressed in the morning before anyone else. It seems to be a race for him?
~He still becomes very anxious with a change in schedule. He is learning at least to calm himself with the phrases that we have said to him from day one. We continue to be so proud of him everyday.

~He is loved more than he will ever know. He loves deeply from within a broken heart that is willing to be open again to love again. He is braver than most adults I know.

~He is ours and we are the luckiest people to have been given this honor.

Just for my children

I have decided to make this blog just a scrapbook for the children. So....I have turned off the comments so that I don't become distracted...not there were very many...it just makes me feel better.


We really do have 3 of the best kids around.  We have been struggling so much with Kevin's anxiety lately.  He doesn't seem to ever relax and enjoy his life. He must hear the schedule several times a day, even though our schedule really never changes. It can become such a heavy burden,I try to remain sensitive to his need to not deviate from routine. He may never be one of those "go with the flow" guys, just not in his dna. He loves his daddy like no other. He is Claires shadow and best friend.

Claire continues to be a little princess.  She comes home from school everyday to put on a costume of some kind and of course, jewelry. She has such a tender heart and is the first one to come comfort when someone is hurting or sad.  She is finding her way along the friendship route. She makes friends so easily but doesn't want to hurt anyones feelings, and that sometimes can make trouble. I believe the Lord has wonderful things for this precious one.

Hannah remains my heart. She is the one who made me a mother. She is so much of me it hurts sometimes. I know the road will be long and hard for her because of some of my traits that she inherited. She amazes me with her strength and grace.  She has such a great heart for God and love for the less fortunate.

I love them so much and HATE the days that don't show that. I am so blessed that the sweet Lord in all of his glorious wisdom, has given me the opportunity to parent these wonderful creatures.

Heart hurt and some pics

Today Claire was SUPPOSED to wear her Chinese silks to school.  We had planned our celebration for her class together, so she knew what was going to happen.  This morning for school a fit was thrown over wearing clothes that we had picked out.  She wanted jeans and a tshirt. It really would have been a better idea to discuss this wardrobe change at a different time than 0645 AM, but I digress.  It was not a problem for her not to wear her silks, I just wanted prior knowledge of that decision.

I asked her on the way home why she had a problem this am.  She replied (I was a little heart broken) "I don't want to wear Chinese clothes when no one else is". I remember, even as soon as last year, she LOVED wearing her silks and reveled in being "Chinese like Mulan". I am amazed at what a year does.  She is fastly becoming so socially aware of things going on around her.  It makes me sad that she wants to be part of the crowd, I knew the day would come, just not so early.

Kevin was ok....again I guess he is naive to the social stigma of being different.  I want to let my girl be who she wants to be and I won't ask her to do anything that makes her uncomfortable, but I do want her to be proud of who she is and who she will become.

We went for a book reading about CNY and gave red envelopes and chopsticks.  It was a great time but last too short for any pics really.  I did take some on the couch this evening.  I hope I will always remember her posing....notice the brother wasn't interested.

Happy New Year !!