1. My husband's friend, send him a present in the mail this week, a CD by John Michael Talbot. Thirty years ago, they used to listen to it when they were in a Baptist youth group. Now, as a convert to Catholicism, the album has an even more special meaning to my husband because the songs are from the Liturgy of the Mass.
I wish you and your family peace and joy as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This year has been filled with many milestones for my family.
In April, on Ladybug’s 5th birthday, we received the final order of adoption for Bumblebee.
In May, I started my new career as full-time Mom to my girls. I also started my blog.
In July, my husband was elected the Grand Knight for his Knights of Columbus council.
In August, we began our home schooling adventure as Ladybug started kindergarten.
In October, Ladybug learned to ride her bike without training wheels. Not to be outdone, our three-year old graduated from her tricycle to a 12 inch bike. Soon, training wheels will be a thing of the past for her too.
This year has been a challenge for our family. We have learned to live abundantly on much less than last year. Most of all, we have learned to trust God and follow the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for being part of this wonderful adventure.
Merry Christmas to all!
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My mother-in-law loved babies. She raised three children, then adopted two of her grandchildren when she was in her mid-forties. Her home was a place of love and acceptance. She took care of countless neighborhood children, and provided childcare for many others.
My mother-in-law played a very important role in my childrens' life, especially that of Bumblebee. She was the priority care provider for Bumblebee from birth until she was eighteen months old. Even as her cancer ravished her body, she insisted on providing care for Bumblebee while the adoption dragged on and I worked. I think having the baby around lifted her spirits and gave her a reason to live.
A picture of Grandma and Papa is hanging in my girls' bedroom. I talk to my girls about her every day. I want them to remember her from the stories I tell them.
Happy Birthday Grandma, we love you.
The act of abandonment is such a horrifying thought to most twenty-first century Americans. However, one must realize there is a different culture in China—a different mindset. Ladybug’s birth Mother put her in pajamas and wrapped her in a purple towel and set her just in front of the Institute, so someone would find her—which someone did. This is a story that I have known since we received the medical report, and one that I have thought about dozens of times. This act of abandonment is illegal in China, but one, to me, which might contain a shred of hope for the baby—the hope of a better life somewhere else. Clearly, this was done because for some reason, raising a girl in this particular family would be impossible without serious consequences—the most likely consequence: starvation. Poverty would also explain the Mother carrying her to term, with that same shred of hope for the baby in letting her live, wrapping her up against the cold, and placing her in a spot so conspicuous as in front of the orphanage.
Last night, as Bumblebee laid in bed, I rocked Ladybug. Usually she likes her Daddy to rock her, he makes up funny stories to amuse the girls. However, last night, Ladybug requested me. I tried to tell how a funny story, but it was no good. She smiled, and her eyes lit up as a thought crossed her mind. "Mommy, tell me about when I was a baby and they put me in your arms and you cried." So I did, a story I have told her dozens of times, a story I will share with you all in more detail when I am less tired from my day...
As I look at my beautiful child with her new sassy hairdo, I thanked God for this beautiful, beautiful child and her tow-haired sister who was now sitting up to listen to the story too.
By Monday, both barrels were full. On Tuesday, he filled all available five gallon buckets. By Wednesday, he hooked up the garden hose and diverted the stream of water to the back of our property. Now, half of his vegetable garden is underwater.
2. Speaking of rain, my girls have found new and creative ways to play. They have made tents, houses, castles and even a garage for their imaginary cars. They have also enjoyed playing with all of the math manipulatives I bought back in the summer. Bumblebee is really becoming interested in learning and has joined in many of Ladybug's lessons. Thursday, we all participated in a scavenger hunt for shapes around the house. Who thought learning could be so much fun on a rainy day?
3. I guess the heavy rain and flooding has also forced us to slow down a bit this week, and frankly, it was just what we needed. Thursday, my husband did not wake me up and I slept until 7:30 am. To be quite honest, it felt great!
4. It has been ten months since my mother-in-law has passed, and my father-in-law is slowly cleaning out the garage. This week he gave my husband several of her childhood diaries. We also found a 8 X 10 photograph of his mother when she was a teenager. She looks so young and fresh with wavy blonde hair and blue eyes. I cleaned up the frame and placed it next to a picture of Bumblebee, the resemblance is striking. To explain, Bumblebee was adopted through a relative adoption. She was our great-niece before she became our daughter, and my mother-in-law was her primary caregiver. I think it warms my husband's heart to see how she favors my mother-in-law in her looks.
5. Participating in 40 Days for Life has been an inspiring and encouraging experience so far. Locally, several women have decided to keep their babies, and approached the 40 Days for Life team for help. The team were able to give the mothers support contact information for agencies such as the Keim Center and Birthright.
6. I cannot believe its October! Thanks to the influence of PBS Kids, my oldest daughter has decided she would like to be Super Why for Halloween. Bumblebee has decided she will be Princess Presto. Fortunately, her birth mother gave her a purple Princess gown and crown for her birthday. However, I will need to be creative coming up with the Super Why outfit. Wish me luck!
7. This 7 Quick Takes is hosted my Jennifer at the Conversion Diary. She is a wonderful writer, please check her out!
The act of abandonment is such a horrifying thought to most twenty-first century Americans. However, one must realize there is a different culture in China—a different mindset. Ladybug’s birth Mother put her in pajamas and wrapped her in a purple towel and set her just in front of the Institute, so someone would find her—which someone did. This is a story that I have known since we received the medical report, and one that I have thought about dozens of times. This act of abandonment is illegal in China, but one, to me, which might contain a shred of hope for the baby—the hope of a better life somewhere else. Clearly, this was done because for some reason, raising a girl in this particular family would be impossible without serious consequences—the most likely consequence: starvation. Poverty would also explain the Mother carrying her to term, with that same shred of hope for the baby in letting her live, wrapping her up against the cold, and placing her in a spot so conspicuous as in front of the orphanage.
Last night, as Bumblebee laid in bed, I rocked Ladybug. Usually she likes her Daddy to rock her, he makes up funny stories to amuse the girls. However, last night, Ladybug requested me. I tried to tell how a funny story, but it was no good. She smiled, and her eyes lit up as a thought crossed her mind. "Mommy, tell me about when I was a baby and they put me in your arms and you cried." So I did, a story I have told her dozens of times, a story I will share with you all in more detail when I am less tired from my day...
As I look at my beautiful child with her new sassy hairdo, I thanked God for this beautiful, beautiful child and her tow-haired sister who was now sitting up to listen to the story too.
I can tell her how her adoption, forced me, control freak that I am, to rely on the awesome power of God, and to listen to the Holy Spirit. Through the long process of her adoption and the wonderful years that have followed, I have conquered insecurities I had over adoption, money, and motherhood. The experience allowed me open my heart up to the domestic adoption of her sister, Bumblebee.
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