From my heart...

We had to update our USCIS document for our China adoption again.  It expires every 18 months.  So with a four year wait (and counting) for referral, our documentation needs to be updated again and again. Hopefully this is really the last time we will have to update this document for Marisa.  (It basically gives us pre-approval to adopt a child internationally, and aids us with getting her US citizenship once she's home.)  Doing all the paperwork and home study updating again is actually sort of therapeutic, as it gives us something to do rather than just waiting.  For those that are wondering... there's no way to know for sure when we will be receiving a referral from China.  I'm still thinking that this fall would be the earliest, and January or February of next year could be very likely.  


We have been planning and dreaming about Marisa for years.  As early as 2001, we knew we wanted to  adopt from China.  Meanwhile, if she's even been born yet, our daughter has no idea who we are.  She may be in a crib in an orphanage right now.  If so, she doesn't know how long we've waited, or how tough the journey to get to her has been.  She doesn't know how much we love her already, or that there is a little boy from Africa that will be her big brother.  She doesn't know that there are extended family members who love her, and have waited with expectation for her to come home.  


All of this makes me wonder how many people are unaware of God's love.  While we have made "sacrifices" and "suffered" much heartache as we wait for our daughter, God actually came down to earth and died on a cross so we all could know Him; that's a real sacrifice!   Some people know about what He's done, but they've rejected or ignored His offer to be adopted by Him.  While we were in Rwanda, we went back to Kieran's orphanage to say good bye.  Kieran had been with us for only four days then.  Visiting the orphanage was hard for him and he wanted to stay there where things were familiar. At the end of our visit, we sat in the van waiting to leave.  I tried to comfort him, as I knew what we had to offer him would surpass what he was leaving behind.  I whispered into his little ear, "Son you have no idea the house that's been prepared for you.  You will have your own room filled with toys, a huge crib, plenty of food to eat, lots of clothes to wear, and a family who loves you."  (Please understand that the orphanage did the best they could but it wasn't the same as the love of a family.) Thankfully, Kieran is happy in his new home and wonderfully bonded with us now.  We are his family; we are so blessed and honored to be his parents.   Although we are an imperfect example of love, God's love is perfect.  He loves each and every person, with no exceptions.   


Maybe you've been unaware of how much God cares about you.  Or, maybe you've heard about Him and chose to stick with what you knew rather than trust Him.  Either way, Easter is always a good time to take a closer look at what you have been missing.   Here is the gist of the Easter message: Isaiah 53:5 "He (Jesus) was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed."   If we open our hearts in faith and receive His forgiveness for our sins, we are adopted into God's family.  1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" 

“In love God predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:5-8

Happy spring!

I'm calling this picture Tea and Sympathy.  I had to have endodontic surgery to repair a root canal earlier this month.  My dear friend Mandy sent me get well flowers, which made my day!  I also got a special treat, a chai tea.   It's been an ordeal with three rounds of antibiotics, but I finally feel better!  Which means I have a lot of catching up to do on the blog.  So, I'm just going to do a quick synopsis of all the latest activities here at our place.

In spite of my tooth woes, we've had a lot of fun this month.  For example, Kieran discovered the joy of toilet papering himself.

We had a great time dyeing Easter eggs with my friend Janine, and my sister Katie.  Janine stayed for a few days and Kieran had a great time showing off all his skills to someone new.

The weather is starting to get warmer here, so we've been outside whenever possible.  Mike mowed the lawn for the first time this year, and Kieran was eager to watch and participate in whatever fashion possible.  Towmater has become an outdoor toy...no more denting up the walls inside.  So Kieran turned Towmater into "Mowmater".  (Lame joke, I know, but pretend to laugh for my benefit.)    

A couple of days ago, Kieran got a train set from my family.  He has been having a blast with it.  I captured his expression right as he walked into the room and saw it for the first time.  He was so shocked, he didn't know what to think for a minute.   Thank you family!!

Yesterday we did more baking together; this time it was healthy banana muffins.  Kieran loves assisting me in the kitchen, and we both have such a good time creating something for everybody to enjoy.  I know I've said it before, but baking with your kids is an excellent bonding experience.  You get their five senses involved, everybody gets to participate and feel valued, and there's the sweet reward of sampling what you've made when it's done.  

Hope you have a sunny week!  

What's new?

We've just been hanging out at home lately, nothing much to talk about so I thought I'd post some fun pictures taken recently.  Kieran has started to take an interest in his stuffed animals. (He has plenty of them!)  He is also getting so much more creative and imaginative in his play. I love to observe him when he doesn't know anyone is watching.  {Sometimes when I watch Kieran I get overwhelmed by all that he has been through in his young life.  I'm so grateful to God that our son is no longer just one of many in a crowd of children.  Now he's got the attention and affection of two parents and countless relatives.   I often think of all the little ones that are still in orphanages, waiting.  There are so many more that are in need of families to shower them with love.}

Kieran did this all by himself.  I never know what he'll think of next.

(Picture taken right after a hard workout.)  At the end of January, we started a rigorous exercise program and eating plan...P90X.  Yep, the one on the infomercials!  It works, but it's tough and seems to take up a lot of our time.  However, we both feel better and have the energy we need to keep up with Kieran.  Plus, I like that we are showing him a good example by taking care of ourselves.  Kieran often hops around with us and tries to emulate the stretches and warm up moves.

Mike is making great strides toward his weight loss goals.  I am so proud of him, and grateful that he motivated both of us to start making healthier choices.  We'll let you know about our progress.

More reunion pictures

Here are some more photos from our little reunion we had last week with our fellow adoptive families.  Enjoy!  

 Kieran and Trent are playing catch while Henry supervises.  It was so cute to watch them interact with each other.  They are getting old enough to understand how to play together.  I love it!

It's way past bed time, but we had to get an updated "couch" picture of all three boys together. 

(Remember this picture?  Our last reunion, October '09. They grow so fast!)

Kieran and his pal Chase are refueling for their next round of fun.

Brody is the big guy in the group.  He is a wonderful big brother to Chase and Trent.  He made us a delicious ice cream pie.  Thanks, Brody!

Thanks for dropping by our little blog.  

A sweet reunion

April of 2009.  Mandy, me, and Kelly.  We all had our referrals for our boys in Rwanda.  We were just waiting with hope and longing for our travel approval.  This was the first time we actually got to meet in person.  We'd gotten to know each other through our adoption agency's chat group.  We became instant friends through our shared experiences.  It's been an awesome thing to have such a dear group of friends to travel the world with.

February of 2010.  We got together yesterday with  for a little reunion.  It's been just over nine months since we traveled to Rwanda together.  All the boys are growing by leaps and bounds.  It was so awesome to see them playing together.  Everybody had a blast!  I'm so grateful to God that He brought our families to the same place at the same time.  It's been amazing to have this group as we continue on the journey of adoption and parenthood.  Love you guys!!