Happy Easter!

Christ is risen indeed!

 

 

 

Happy Easter everyone.

 

 

 

Our precious children already home.

 

 

 

Our poor children. . .they don't have any candy.

 

 

Not! 

 

It might just take us until summer to down all of the candy

they have collected in the last couple of days! 

 

 

 

 

Easter dudes in fancy duds

 

 

 

Playing tag with Miss DiDi before the egg hunt yesterday

 

 

 

 

The 5 and under group waiting to begin the hunt

 

 

 

 

Trying to hold the 6 and up group at bay so the little

ones can have their hunt - too funny!

 

 

 

Ok, now it's their turn!

 

 

 

 

Shifting through their loot

 

 

 

 



There is a very special little girl half way around the world who doesn't know she has a family yet!

But we know!

God is good.  He is bringing another precious child to join our family.  We have locked in the file of a beautiful little girl who will someday be called Gracie Mei.

Just wanted you all to know!  Details will follow as soon as we know we have PA!

March 19

March 19, 2005

 

 

 

Ted was getting ready to graduate from high school and we were learning to let go of him a little at a time so he could go off to college and then "fly" on his own . . .

 

 

 

Such a bittersweet time for parents . . .

 

 

 

Ted's senior year had been a series of "good-byes" and "last times" for many things like senior night of the cross country team, the choir, the band, swimming, etc.  Kevin and I spent a lot of time brushing back tears as we said "good-bye" to Ted's growing up years.

 

 

 

But half a world away on March 19, 2005, a different kind of "good-bye" was taking place - one that would profoundly effect the three of us. . .

 

 

 

A little baby boy was being born to a birth mom who couldn't keep him.  A day or so later he would be placed in a finding spot, rescued by a policeman, taken to an orphanage, and then three months later placed in a foster village until his "real" family could find him. 

 

 

Oh be still my heart - this is

the picture that took our breath away!

 

 

Now, eight years later (and almost five years home), our Philip Bao is turning eight. 

 

 

We still marvel at God's timing.  As we were letting go of our "only child" (that we knew about),  Philip's China mommy was "letting go" of him so he could have a better life. 

 

 

Philip is the second child out of four to join our family.  Kevin and I never could have imagined the amazing and overwhelmingly joyful turn our lives would take.  But God knew!  Thanking Him for the blessing of Philip (and all of our children).

 

 

Happy Birthday Buddy.  We all love you so.

 

 

 

 

 

 



March Madness!

March Madness usually refers to basketball, and living in a "basketball" state, we hear plenty about it.

Philip

But when I say "March Madness" today, it is just that!

Sophia

So far March has been totally wild.   Over half of us sick, Philip's surgery, Pampered Chef business well under way, and other kinds of exciting things going on around here!  Whew!  I think I need a vacation!

Our three at Ellie's first birthday party

Good sport Daddy at Upward's closing ceremony

Good bye sweet Disney

We are sad once again at our home. 

Our 16 1/2 year old dog Disney had to be put down today.  Both Soccer and Disney have been fragile for about a year and a half, and it has been touch and go with them.

But to say good-bye to them both so close together makes our hearts hurt.

This past Christmas

We brought Disney home when Ted was going into fourth grade.  Ted just celebrated his 27th birthday, so that means that Disney (and Soccer) were a part of most of Ted's growing up years. 

Getting her Christmas present - so excited!

We adore and cherish our four-legged furry children so very much.  Kevin, the children, and I miss Disney terribly already and it has only been a couple of hours since she left.

Sweet little elderly lady

While Soccer was the lovable fellow, Disney was a little different in personality.  She had a mind of her own and was kind of a stinker at times. 

She loved to dig up the backyard, eat things out of the trash, bark when she was put in our bedroom when company came to visit, demanding when she was hungry, and didn't particularly like us fussing over her for long periods of time.  Hee, hee.   She would even shake her head when we bent down to kiss her.  What a little stinker doggy! 

Standing by Elijah when he had on his "clashing" outfit

Even though Disney was a "bit" ornery, she was so incredibly sweet.  She would follow me around the house all day long.  I will miss her trailing behind me so much. 

She would lie down beside us as we homeschooled each day, enjoying being part of the school day.  The children and I will be sad tomorrow morning when our cute little doggy is not there. 

She would walk all over the game board and scatter the pieces whenever we were on the floor playing a game.  She just wanted to be a part of the action.

She would always take an afternoon nap with me in the living room as the children had their rest time.  In fact, she did that today.  Mommy and Disney needed our bit of rest time as well.  Naps won't be the same anymore.

Taking her naps with Mommy

Disney loved it when Ted came home and would be the first to greet him at the door.  She was Kevin's buddy when he was home, too!  She would watch intently as he made her dinner every night and breakfast every morning.  She loved to eat!

Thank you God for giving us such wonderful little animal friends to connect with in this world.  We love Disney and Soccer, and we miss them so much.

Happy Birthday Ted

Happy 27th Birthday Ted! 

What a joy and treasure you are to us!

 

We had a pleasant treat tonight. 

Grandma and cousin Michael joined us for Ted's dinner.

27 years ago all of Ted's grandparents were at the hospital

visiting him.  He was very tiny and in the special care nursery.

But look at how strong and healthy he is now! 

Thanking God for our Ted.  We all love him so.

Someone special was born on this day

My father-in-law, Kevin's dad, our children's granddad was a treasure of a man.

He was very loving, kind, thoughtful, sweet, funny, tender, strong, . . .

I could go on and on.

He was so dear to us, and we miss him very much.  He never got to meet his three youngest grandchildren, and he never got to see most of his grandchildren grow up.  He has missed out on so much in this life of his beloved family.  Dick died young in 2002 at age 72.  That makes us sad at times, but the time he did have here on earth . . .

. . .he lived to the fullest. 

He was a loving and faithful husband, a devoted father, and a doting grandfather.

At every family gathering, Dick could be found playing with the kids.  Playing basketball, drawing pictures, playing hide and seek . . .

Or just holding the little ones.  He loved his family, and he was crazy about his grandchildren.

Happy Birthday Dad, Dick, and Granddad.  You are always close in our hearts, and we will never forget you.