Monday, November 30, 2009

Type A???

Eliza has discovered that her highchair tray has a built in cup holder. She is very persistant about making sure her cup is IN that cup holder. Either this is a fun new game, or I have a little type A personality on my hands. Hmm...at first I thought this could be bad, because I am just about as nonstructured as can be, but then I thought....Maybe she'll be a neat freak, and clean my house when she gets older. Now that would be a switch from these tornado boys.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Apparently It Is A Very Important Day...

I am so embarrassed that my sweet son had to remind me of this. I mean, what kind of mother forgets such a very "special" day??? Nathan is 100 MONTHS old today. Who knew?!? Sorry kiddo. No cake for the 100 month day, but we will have turkey and pumpkin pie tomorrow. Here's a pic of him on his actual birthday (I did make cake for that.)


Friday, November 20, 2009

National Adoption Awareness Month

November is National Adoption Month. As most people know, adoption and the care of the orphans of this world is a subject that I am passionate about. By obeying God's call on our lives to adopt, Ken and I have been abundantly blessed with our daughter, Eliza. When I first felt God nudging me toward adoption, I must admit, I was hesitant. I deeply longed for a daughter, but I had my reservations. In the end, after much prayer, Ken and I decided to let God be in control, and follow His lead. Life usually does work out better that way. I celebrate every day that we have Eliza in our lives. What a true miracle of God's love and grace she is.


God has, through our adoption process taught me that ,as a christian, caring for the orphans of this world is not optional. I believe scripture commands us to care for them. I'm not saying every christian family should adopt a child. If God is calling you to adopt, I urge your to follow His prompting. But perhaps caring for His children looks different for you. Perhaps you are called to give financially to one of the many organizations that sponsor orphaned or poor children. Perhaps you are called to pray for them to find the homes they need or the food they need or the education or medical care they need. Perhaps you are called to serve them in another way. All I know is that as Christians, we are called to serve them in some way. As long as I am able to do something for the poorest and neediest children of this world, I believe that is exactly what God calls me to do...something.
James 1:27 - Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Let us not just be "aware" of the orphans of the world this month. Let us do something about it. Let us step out of our comfort zones and reach out to the least of these.


Here are some links to just a few organizations (there are so many more) out there that are fighting for those who have no family, and trying to give them, at the very least, a voice in this world. Also I am including, instead of pics of my gorgeous kids, pics of other gorgeous kids who are waiting patiently to be called son or daughter by parents who love them.



http://www.holtintl.org/

http://www.shaohannahshope.org/

http://www.cryoftheorphan.org/

http://www.feedthechildren.org/

http://www.adoptuskids.org/

http://www.rainbowkids.com/














Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

It's Riddle Time

How many clowns can you fit inside a princess tent?




Answer: 4



Monday, November 16, 2009

Early Thanksgiving & Baptism

This past weekend, we went to St. Louis for an early Thanksgiving visit. It was a whirlwind trip, but we had lots of fun with Ken's family. Eliza got meet several family members for the first time including her aunt and uncle who live in Arizona, great grandparents, great aunt and uncle, and some cousins. It was so good to see everyone. The kids also had Christmas with Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Rich, since we won't see them again at Christmas time. They thought it was great fun having Christmas and Thanksgiving in one weekend.




Eliza and her proud Aunt Jennifer




Eliza with Great Grandma Velma









We came home Sat. night, and Sunday morning we celebrated Eliza's Baptism. It was a wonderful day. Eliza wore her Korean hanbok, which is a traditional Korean outfit worn for special occasions. It was gifted to her by her Korean foster mother, and is so beautiful. Some of our church family even cried tears of joy at welcoming Eliza into our church family. They have prayed for her coming almost as much as we have, and it was such a joyous celebration to have her finally home. What a privilege to have this responsibility of raising her in our faith.










Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Monday, November 2, 2009

Look Who's Standing

Little Miss Eliza is starting to stand up all by herself. She has been cruising along furniture for about a month, and is now starting to get brave enough to let go.(even with one shoe on, and one off) My baby girl is getting big already. I caught a pic of her letting go today. She's so proud of herself too. It's adorable to see her beaming smile when she realizes what she's doing.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Happy Halloween!

The whole gang at grandma's house. (except daddy who was a police officer this halloween)



Phillip aka Greasy Street Pizza Delivery Guy



Nathan aka Vampire



Ian aka Wolverine



Isaac aka Ninja




Mommy and Eliza aka Mommy and Eliza with few kitty wiskers and a cute Halloween shirt