Asbury Visit

Last weekend, Sara and I made a quick trip to KY to visit Asbury University (which happens to be our Alma Mater). My mom rode along too and visited an old friend that lived nearby. After dropping mom off, Sara and I continued the drive up to Wilmore (just outside of Lexington). Since I had never driven that specific route before, I pulled out the GPS and decided to just let it lead the way. Sara was driving and I knew we were close to Wilmore (aka, the "Holy City" - KY version) and we made a left turn as Garmin instructed. Soon we found ourself on a narrowing road and, although it was paved, continued to narrow and curve and curve some more! We were laughing at first, but soon got a bit nervous. Finally we rounded a curve (Garmin saying we were only 1 mile from our destination) and what did we see? A CREEK (that was more like a river) flowing right over the road!!! On the other side of this creek continued our road! We just laughed ... and we stopped too. And then what? Why, take some pictures, of course!

After our little creek in the road adventure, we made it to Asbury and walked around campus. Many things are the same but many things are different -- new and exciting changes. There is something about that place - you can just feel it. Well, at least I can. Such a feeling of comfort and security and that you are "in the right place". I saw a few friends (Kellie, Tim, Tricia, Mark) and a few folks that I knew from "back in the day". Sara stayed in the dorm with one of my college friends' daughters. She stayed right there in Kresge 1st West - the same unit that I called home for 3 of my 4 years at Asbury. I think Sara liked it; although, it is far from home, 7 hours. My prayer for her is that she seeks God's guidance in this decision. My prayer is that He leads her to Wilmore!!! And her 3 younger sisters when the time comes. I think I will be working till I'm 80, but I'll do it!! (well, I'd rather not, haha!).

God's #4

One afternoon this week as I was driving Ally and Alaina home from school, Alaina told Ally, "You are supposed to love God the most. More than anybody. More that Mommy and Daddy. He's supposed to be number 1."

At first, Ally didn't reply.

She thought about it.

After a few minutes, and Alaina reiterating, Ally announced, "God's my #4. Mommy is #1, Sara is #2 and God's #4."

I continued to listen, letting the conversation between the girls continue.

Alaina said, "But you don't have a #3! Who is number #3? And God has to be #1. I learned it in SS."

Ally said, "#3 may be you or Daddy or Lauren, but God is #4."

I was about to crack up. I guess she leaves that slot open for whoever she likes best on a given day among the 3 of them! That's a pretty big concept for a little person to grasp!

Changed...

There is a reason that we call this an adoption journey. Its because it is a process and there is actually no end. Yes, the adoption is completed but its effects last a lifetime. Your mind is changed, your heart is changed, you are no longer the person you were when you began.

So, when you come home and you don't fit in, you are right.....you don't. No longer can you sit through pointless social gatherings and you become glassy eyed at the long spirited conversation your neighbors have about whose dog upset the trash can like it really matters. THINGS and the chasing, collecting and maintaining of those THINGS lose their glitter when you think of the sparkle that could be put on the face of a child for mere donated pennies or some of our time tying blankets.

You lose patience with those who cannot understand the urgency of the task before you....that children are crying. Children are dying. And the world keeps on shopping. Spending billions of dollars on things...that. ..don't.. ..matter. ....

When you look into the eyes of a child in the SWI you visit your eyes never see the world the same again. Most of the world "doesn't get it" and to those that do, we must stick together because otherwise its a
lonely place. For those of us who continually hear ion the back of our minds the crying of the children left behind, we cannot rest because we cannot forget. There is no silence. Our friends, families, spouses may not understand and we ourselves may not understand why we cannot make the crying stop or make the urgency end. So we do what we can do. We give what we can give. And often, we join in the crying.

The thread of hearing the orphan's cry makes me proud to be among you. While we cannot change the world at one time, we ARE changing the world. Each tiny step that seems insignificant is giant. Please believe in that.--written by Stefani, advocate for waiting children

Thinking of Prom...

Sara and her friend Morgan (both in 11th grade) decided to ask Austin and Tyler to prom in a fun way! Since the boys are in 10th grade, the girls took things into their own hands! Last night they "asked" them by chalking the message in their driveway so they would see it this morning. Luckily, they both said yes! The boys' dad took pictures while their mom was texting me!

And the next morning, they got the message!

Dance Time with Daddy!

Father Daughter Dance again! Doug took the girls out for dinner all dressed up. When they walked into the restaurant, a little boy who saw them said, "Look Mommy, some princesses!"

Ally, who is known for falling asleep while the night is still young, was true to form! She made it almost an hour before climbing up in Doug's lap, announcing that she was sleepy and falling asleep! Music and all! Alaina, on the other hand, danced the entire time and hardly stopped for a snack! Ally, again true to form, gobbled up her cupcake!

Happy Chinese New Year

We got together today with some very special friends today and made the little girls get all dressed-up! Lin's Bistro was either very happy to see us all coming or NOT!

Just Amazing...

I am constantly amazed at how "far reaching" our little world is -- how adopting 2 little girls can change SO MANY lives... I'm finding out that we will never really know in how many ways. Of course, you could say that about ANY decision. I recently crossed paths with a "friend" from long-ago. Events led up to her asking me some questions about adoption. So, we met today for a long breakfast and talked about adoption from China - a lot. I don't know what direction this will take (obviously, I HOPE I know the direction), but it was just amazing.... details later as "her story" develops...

Bad blogger is my new code name. Actually it isn't much of a code since I have been the worst blogger -- maybe "blogger gone bad" is a better name. I'll stop be-laboring the fact and just ask you all to get over it. Maybe I'll do better. Don't bank on it!

So, Alaina turned 8 last week. We gave her the gift of getting her ears pierced, but since that scares her, I don't know when it will actually happen. S and L want her to get earrings more then Alaina wants them. This surprises everyone who knows Alaina, since nothing can be too girly for this girl!

We are in the process of a little home improvement project. We have a big deck that overlooks our back yard. It gets FULL sun in the summer (well, actually all year) and it is incredibly HOT out there. We have tables and chairs but by the time it's cool and shady enough to sit or eat out there, the bugs begin to swarm. Not exactly usable space. But now we have it covered and 2/3 screened! It's SO nice - maybe, just maybe, I remember how to post a picture!!! We have put our house projects on hold while recovering (financially) from 2 consecutive adoptions... it's been a while!