Picture of the Year

Blogging takes so much work...kinda like clogging. I have been so out of the loop with blogging. Time just really slips away this time of year, with school almost out, trying to determine what summer camp the girls will attend, and if we will be vacationing this summer (probably not). It seems the closer the end of the school year gets, the more projects the girls have to complete. Well, here is one for you. Hannah had to pick her favorite photo subject & take her most memorable picture of it. Well as you can see in the picture it was not me. The subject she chose is probably the biggest kid I have ever saw and most definitely the goofiest. See for yourself and I know you will agree. Until next time, remember
"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine."

Quote for the week

"Christianity does not remove you from the world and its problems; it makes you fit to live in it, triumphantly and usefully."
Charles Templeton

This quote is so true. I am so thankful I am a CHRISTIAN in this day & time. I can't imagine not having God in my life each day as we are faced with all of the worldly problems we are experiencing now.

The Lord's Prayer...this is too precious

Picture of the Week!

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm at her best...

Okay...I have a daughter that LOVES being the center of attention and when she saw Hannah had a story about her, she was a little upset. Immediately she said "What about me, I want a story too." Let me just say, Sophia is full of stories. I could write non stop-all day-every day about her. She is a self made comedian. She has us laughing everytime she opens her mouth. I have given up trying to keep up with all her sayings because she comes up with a new one every day. My favorite was when she said...I want to thank you from the heart of my bottom for helping me with my report. Let's just way I was a little confused.

I am sometimes shocked when my cell phone rings because I never know what the ring tone will be. I was standing in the checkout line in the red bulls eye retail store one day & as loud as my phone could ring, Sophia's voice came through saying " Chakka lakka ding dong, yeah, yeah, Chakka lakka ding dong" over & over again. Of course I could not get to my phone and the person checking me out got quite a laugh. I was not very amused at the time but later when I truly listened to it, I got tickled too. You really have to be on guard with Sophia because she loves to embarrass you & your own expense. Needless to say, I had to get her to change the ringtone back because I couldn't figure it out. She knows more about cell phones and how they work better than Ken & I put together. She is a tech wizard. I now try to not leave her alone with my phone.

You never know what Sophia is up to most of the time. As she is standing beside me now I asked her what should I write about her & this is her quote. "I am so proud of my awesome child, Sophia." See what I mean you just never know what is going to come out of her mouth. She believes the world revolves around her. I beg to differ! One day she stuck her pointer finger up in the air and said this is me. She then took the other hand and circled it around her finger and said this is the universe revolving around me. I said "NOT!" We sometimes have to bring her down to earth. Anyway underneath that "all about me" facade is a very loving, caring, smart, &

God loving child that we all love! I am sure you will hear & see more of Sophia in the near future.

As you can see below I am not the best photographer so I am thankful my kids are photogenic. Anyway...enjoy the pics of Sophia (8 going on 18)!!!

"Christ the Lord is risen today!" Halleluhia

Yes, he is risen. Praise God!!! Each Easter as I read Mark 16, it always sends chills through my body. To know our Savior is alive today is a feeling like no other. Jesus is so precious to me & my family Without him, we are NOTHING, with him we are EVERYTHING.

For the last week, we have been seeing what God can do in situations we have no control over. Last Saturday my mother fell down some stairs & broke her hip. Immediately we thought the worst. As I was driving to the hospital to be with her & her sisters, I prayed all the way that God would let my mother feel his presence. I wasn't sure if she was severly bruised or broken, but I did know either way my mother would not take the news lightly. She is not one of the most optimistic people I know. As soon as the doctor came in & told us she had broken her right hip & would need surgery, I lifted my face to the heavens & prayed "God, now is a good time". No sooner that I got the words out, my mother said "Do what you need to do, it will have to be in God's hands now." Wow! "Thank you," was all I could say. I will say it has not been an easy week but the healing is going well. We have left the hospital & moved on to rehab. I know she will be up & around soon through all the prayers & support we have been receiving from family & friends.

Then...
On Wednesday, we received a call that Ken's mother was not doing well and was going to live with his oldest brother. She has been suffering from a rare blood disorder for the last 2 years and has been getting shots twice a week to help. Apparently there is no cure. She is down to 82 pounds & has not been eating well. Our prayer is now that she is staying with someone & not by herself, she will get the care & attention she deserves and will be able to go back to her home soon. Ken's sister-in-law is a nurse practitioner so she will be a tremendous help to her. I am so glad God intervened in this situation by showing her that she can accept help when she needs it. She doesn't have to go through this alone.

As we go through this week, remember to...
"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Ephesians 6:18

Where did the time go???

As we celebrated Hannah’s 11th birthday this weekend, I started reflecting back over the last 10 years she has been with us. This was a time of our life I will never forget. As a matter of fact, whenever I think about the day she came off that airplane, I automatically tear up. What a beautiful day it was. It was the 2nd of April and the sun was shining so bright. We had so many friends & family gathered at Nashville airport awaiting her arrival. I was on pins & needles. I wanted so desperately to run onto the airplane & get her myself, but I held back. When she & her escort came off the plane, the tears started rolling. She was so beautiful with her hair standing straight up in the air just patiently waiting as everyone approached her. I remember saying, “Will her hair ever lay down?”

When the adoption agency sent her pictures to us before she came home, she looked like she was a fat little girl. We could not tell really how big or small she was until she got off the plane. Once I took her in my arms, I realized she wasn’t as chunky as I had thought. She had on 3 layers of clothes, so we instantly started peeling them off so she wouldn’t be so hot.

As we were leaving the airport, I remember thinking how wonderful God is for giving us such a beautiful gift and I didn’t not know if I could ever thank Him enough. Even today, as I pray, I always thank him for her & Sophia. He has given me so much more than I could ever thank Him for.

I just want to say that was one of the most wonderful day’s I ever experienced. When we arrived home, we had so many friends there waiting for us. We all just watched her every move. She transitioned so much better than we anticipated. As I think about it now, I believe Hannah knew she was finally in her own home because she never appeared fearful or out of sorts. It seemed like she had been there since the day she was born. Well, let me rephrase…. she was afraid of Ken for a day or two, but in her defense, if I came here from a foreign country, I would be afraid of him too. It didn’t take long for her to warm up to him and it was hasn’t changed since. She is very much a DADDY’S GIRL .

So over the years, we have seen Hannah grow into a beautiful, artistic, selfless, loving, kindhearted, compassionate, intelligent young pre-teen. She is very shy & soft spoken. She is a straight “A” student (not with our help) in her school. She amazes us the way she carries herself. She is a God loving young girl with massive plans for her future.
She has stated several times that she wants to be a member of the Supreme Court Justice.
Regardless of what her future holds, I will always be very proud of her.

I know God has his own plan for each & every one of us and I am so thankful for his plan. I knew after 5 miscarriages and a stillbirth, my plan was not God’s so I had to trust in him to get me through those very difficult times. It just all fell into place. After all those miscarriages & a stillbirth, I had surgery to correct what was causing the miscarriages, only to find out I would never be pregnant again. I was devastated. Ken at the time was not sure he wanted to adopt, but I did not give up. When we decided to go through with it we did not realize that the day we applied for adoption, Hannah was being born. GOD IS AMAZING!!!
So…Hannah is 11 and I am 29 (ha, ha, ha). These 10 years have been the best years of our lives. Not just having Hannah & Sophia, but also have the love and support of all our family & friends. As much as I want time to stand still sometimes, I know the next 10 years will be just as incredible. I have a few (a lot) pictures I just have to share so some of you that went through the adoption with us can reflect too… How Time Flies!!!!!!

Still in Korea

First day in the USA....

I'm Happy.........

We're happy...

Adoption Day....

My Mulan haircut....

Me & my best friend Caleb at church...

Ballet Days...Not!!!


Let us pray!

Being an artist..

All dressed up...

I'm posing now......

School Days...

9 years old...

10 years old...

11 years old...