much to be thankful for

my dear sweet husband--the love of my life and the best daddy in the world.

(I get about one good picture taken of me a year so I thought I would share it with you.)

my 4 kidlets... and another on the way...


this beautiful country I am priviledged to live in... and the men and women who give their lives to make it so.

my ornery, cantankerous, grumpy old man...whom I am very much like.

We are home from a wonderful trip to the mountains. The food was awesome, the views incredible, and my kids were amazing in their ability to get along...kindness abounded along with some board game playing, romping through the leaves, tree climbing, fly casting lessons (with Big), and even a little shopping at Bass Pro Shops on the drive home. We are blessed with some pretty special kiddos.

I am thankful for my growing family and that God has released me from the anxiety and worry I have struggled with for so long. Now if He could release me from a few pounds, that'd be GREEEEAT.

I am thankful that my sweet friends, The Perkins, have finally landed in China and will be receiving their 6th child--Grant-- in a day or two. What an exciting rollercoaster of a ride they have had over the last few years. So excited for them...you can follow their journey HERE.

Will and I had an appointment at the Atlanta USCIS office to be fingerprinted on our way home yesterday--Black Friday of all days--It was amazing. we were in and out in under 10 minutes with NO ONE else in the entire building. They even let our kids come in with us. Our fingerprints went straight to the FBI while we were there and a background check will be done within 24 hours...SOOOO our USCIS approval to bring an orphan into the country should arrive very shortly and hopefully we will be LOGGED IN with China before the year ends. Then we wait for LOA, TA, and travel.

I am thankful that my sweet boy in China is in a foster family...and that God led us to him and reaffirmed in so many ways that this boy IS Grady CLARK and he is in the hands of the Father.

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So now we are home and getting started on a science project (or at least the triboard). Mags and I are going to see her sweet friend, Tricia, perform "Clara" in the Nutcracker tonight and hopefully we will go get a Christmas tree tomorrow...

Please, Lord, help us embrace this season to the fullest...not with busyness but with open hearts so that we can see you...really see you.

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Ruby was so funny this morning...I was trying to explain why we celebrate Christmas...Jesus' birthday --so we get presents, we'll have a birthday cake, etc.

I was trying to work Santa in to my discussion. (but really --does he REALLY fit?) We kinda want to play down the whole "Santa" thing but we don't want to do away with him altogether...we want ALL of our kids to clebrate and have the same family traditions...not the "the BIGS did it this way but the Littles do it that way."

SOOO--here goes--

Me-"Santa is the guy who delivers the gifts for Jesus (all I could come up with on the fly)--he wears a red suit, he's kinda chubby, has a beard, has these flying reindeer..."

Ruby-" He sounds yucky."

Will- bursts out laughing from the other room...like HE could have done a better job.

hmmmmph

I think my speech needs work...

So how do you do the "Santa thing"??

this day...

Riding around this morning before we dropped off Janell and Abigail at the Atlanta Airport, out of the mouths of babes...via the rear view mirror...

Ruby-"Mama- Where is Jesus?"

Mama- " Where is He, Ruby?"

Ruby- "In my hawwwt (that's 'heart' in 2 yr old babble)."

Mama- "That's right, girlie- and where else does He live?"

Ruby-"In Heaven with Gawwwwd"

Mama- "Yep"

Ruby-"and is Jesus in Abigail's hawwwt? Big's? Susu's? Grandan? Nana?"

Mama- "Yep- you got it, sista."

Few moments of silence--then... realizing how deep she is thinking to have put all this together...

Mama-"Ruby- you are one cool kid."

Ruby- big cheesy grin in the rear view mirror

I don't think I had it this together at 2 years old. Man- I don't think I have it THAT together at 37.

Thanksgiving Feast at St. Thomas...

Miss Sandra

Miss AnnaJo

Abigail & Janell & Ruby

Proud parents of the cutest turkey around

the chaos before the show--

Mama & Ruby

Ruby & Daddy

fat lil turkey

the treat Ruby gave all her friends

This is why I love St. Thomas...the tradition, Miss Tisha's feast (best dressing in town!), Mrs. Anderson's flute playing, Father Doug's prayer, the drums, the children all dressed up as Pilgrims, Indians, pumpkins, and Turkeys, the songs, the parents grappling for the best viewing positions, Miss AnnaJo & Miss Sandra(& their hearts for children)...there is just so much to love. If you were there- you get it--if not--well, Bless your heart.

And as the children sang their blessing- "God is so Good"--I shed tears of thankfulness...because He IS SOOOO GOOD to me!! I am so thankful for my youngest blessing and the one to come...I never thought I'd sit in another St. Thomas assembly. I am so glad I get to!

some sewing

This skirt for the Magpie turned out cute ...but ugh! it was a pain to make!

a wall hanging

another pillow

these bottom 2 : I still have to make these INTO something and I really don't need another Christmas pillow...any help? Buehler? I thought so.

Ruby, Sam, & Abigail...

Here are our 3 munchkins...LOVED Sam's shirt...when I asked him "Who is trouble?" He pointed straight to Ruby...hmmmmm....he could be onto something.

Sam had a thing for firestarting...and sticks...

Abigail's had just about enough of Ruby's "together-ness"

crunchy leaves

sweet smile

Ruby finally decided she likes to swing.

The Potty- on wheels...

We met up with Susan and Sam over in Auburn, yesterday at a cute little park. Sam lived in the same orphanage as Ruby & Abigail but came home a few months before we did. It was fun comparing notes with Susan and just letting the kids play. Of course they don't understand the connection they share right now, but one day it will make sense...and maybe they'll even appreciate the effort we all went to to give them links to their pasts.

Anyway- Janell's been here since Wednesday and leaves tomorrow--we've had a jam packed few days and will miss her company when she's gone.

Grady Update

So many of you remember how hard the wait for Ruby was that you try not to ask how Grady's adoption is going...thankyou for being so thoughtful, but really, it's ok. It IS hard knowing exactly WHO our little boy is and WHERE he is but we can't communicate with him to let him know we even exist and that he has a mama and a daddy who love him already...and more than that- that Jesus loves him and has a beautiful plan for his life...that's difficult. But God has kept us occupied (I hate that word "busy") during this season of waiting and while Grady is never far from my thoughts--We are going forth with LIFE....football games, horseback riding, piano, math tournaments, scouting trips, book club, preschool, elementary school, middle school, the prep for high school, WHEW! We certainly have a lot going on.

But here's the latest----

• The Chinese government granted us an extension on getting our dossier turned in...which was delayed because of a really unmotivated homestudy agency.
• Homestudy is complete and our I800A application turned in--now we wait for the USCIS (that's the U.S. Citizen's and immigration service) to call us up to Atlanta to be fingerprinted
• Our dossier MUST be logged in with China by late January but that will likely happen sooner. (Can't log in until we have USCIS approval)
• Then we wait for LOA from China (Letter of Acceptance--just another piece of paperwork).
• Then we wait for TA from China (travel acceptance--another piece of paperwork)

We will travel within weeks of getting our TA--whenever we can get our visas and Consulate Appointment arranged in Guangzhou.

PLEASE PRAY we travel before school lets out in mid May---that would make for the smoothest transition for our other children and it would mean Grady can be treated and be cast free for most of the HOT Georgia Summer...

So that is the latest...we have redecorated Ruby's old room and it is now a "BOY" room complete with lots of new books, curtains, bedding, clothing, and TRUCKS!

We are extremely thankful for the support of our families...and friends...you guys are always the best. I know you think we are just a little bit crazy...but God is holding us in the palm of His hand...and it's all good.

By His grace & for His glory...

a mini vacation

snow down South in 70 degree weather

This was Reames' "driving face" --his exact words before he literally put the pedal to the medal were, "I'm going on a rampage!"

Who needs a playground when you have a farm and a fun daddy? Adams looks a little anxious...don't worry- she was supervised by a real grown up the entire time.

I tried to get a picture worthy of our Christmas card...but they just wern't going for it.

SNOW!?!?!

Have you ever felt the need to just escape and get away from the phone, computer, dreaded house chores, etc? Of course you have. We all need to sometimes. My crew has been so "scheduled" of late that I thought a little time off would do us good, so off to the farm we went. No phone, no computer, no honey do list...just time to hang out together.

and hang out we did--we grabbed a bite on the way down and skipped naptime. Ahh- the joy of having nothing to finish or work on or anything--we threw the football (and giggled as we watched Reames do his best Bobby Boushe' impression) and shot some skeet (decided daddy is not the pro he thinks he is) and took a nap under the oak tree (that would be me- Ruby would have no part in it). Maggie ruth got to work on her driving skills-(cuz it is so important that my 10 year old be able to drive!) and Adams found the time to climb a tree (something all nearly 14 year old boys should have an interest in)

And at the end of the day, we headed home tired, dirty, and peaceful...not one bit of bickering in the backseat...oh and Ruby (who is potty training) got to tinkle out in the great outdoors...

It was a good day.