Yes, I have my hands full, but my heart is full as well!

Article: On Adoption, Christians Should Put Up or Shut Up

2011-06-21T02:08:00.007-05:00

Not a fan so much of the title, but the content of this article is excellent :)

My Take: On Adoption, Christians Should Put Up or Shut Up

by Jason Locy

Excerpt . . . "If a Christian group wants to wade into the discussion over who should adopt, it needs to put its money and manpower where its mouth is. That means not only challenging families and churches to adopt from foster care (which costs virtually nothing financially) but also to adopt children resulting from unplanned pregnancies, children with special needs and children of mixed race or minority ethnicity."

The article also features an Christian initiative begun in the state of Colorado in 2008 called Wait No More that has reduced the number of orphans in the state by half! It has since expanded to include 8 states.

It's a . . . Baby!

2011-05-10T21:01:00.010-05:00

Well, today we excitedly got our little growing family all together into our compact car (our van is still in the shop) and traveled to the doctor's office to get our 19-week ultrasound. The kids were SO excited!

We found out we are having a precious baby _____________! (See video below first before reading further). You'll also have to pause the playlist at the very bottom of this page.

These were some of the kids' reactions upon returning to the car . . .

E: "This means trouble."

C: "We can jump on the ceiling together!"

S: "I just give up." (poor baby . . . her reaction was also a bit exaggerated by the high fever she developed this afternoon)

They also shared with us some excellent name choices!

C: Elmo

E: Mater

S: King

While we like the thought of Elmo Mater King Gary, it's just not quite the name we had in mind.

While we've had a girl's name chosen since the day we were engaged almost 12 years ago, we will have to put it back on the shelf awhile longer :)

Drum roll, please!

We are pleased to announce the impending arrival of Alexander Corban Gary in early October!

Alexander means "defender of mankind" and Corban is a Hebrew word meaning "gift or offering consecrated to God," literally "a drawing near."

According to one Biblical name meanings site, "It is also believed that Jesus Christ was not only the Messiah, but also a sacrifice or corban to atone for the sins of mankind."

Finally, while today was a shock to our tendency toward symmetry, having another little man around the house will be pure joy! We recently fell in love with this song called Godspeed by The Dixie Chicks, especially the line "Rocket Racer's all tuckered out; Super Man's in pajamas on the couch."

Blessings,

The Growing Gary Family!

Jelly Beans and Other Things . . .

2011-05-01T20:59:00.012-05:00

Our kids have been really struggling with sweets lately . . . I think it has something to do with the Christmas/ Valentine's/ Easter holidays, and a smattering of family birthdays in there too. I'm "this close" (think 1/8 inch space between my thumb and pointer) to throwing it all out the window!

Our daughter has had a real struggle in this area this past month. We found a stash of wrappers in the space between her bed and wall a few weeks back and have also discovered that she has been getting up in the middle of the night and at nap time, while mommy is sleeping on the couch taking a much-needed doze, to sneak sweets. We've really had to set some strong boundaries around her for her own health. Fortunately, upon talking to our pediatrician, she does not think S has any signs of diabetes, hypoglycemia, etc.

Because of all this, we have had the opportunity to talk a lot with the kids about impulse choices lately, and how not everything we want is good for us. As Paul says to the church in Corinth, "'Everything is permissible for me' - but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me' - but I will not be mastered by anything." (1 Cor. 6:12) I also like the Message paraphrase of the verse: "Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whateverI thought I could get by with, I'd be a slave to my whims."

We've also talked about temptation, how Jesus experienced and had victory over every temptation known to man, and how God promises to always provide an escape. "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted [by the deceiver], He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Cor. 10:12-13)

The boys have their own struggles as well. Their major candy trap is a jar of brightly-colored jelly beans on display in our church's elementary wing. In fact, our 3-year-old will often break free of me to go down and grab a handful before this pregnant mama can catch him. Our eldest will ask us for some every time he passes it.

Well, the jar I loathe became an unexpected blessing this past Wednesday. E took a yellow bean from the jar and brought it over to me as I was chasing down my busy lil C who had already swallowed a mouthful. He asked me about 3 times if he could eat it, and I wasn't really focusing on him because of trying to find lil C. Finally, I just said "No, I want you to go put it back."

Now, at this point you are probably thinking I am the strictest Mommy ever, but God was up to something BIG in his character that morning. When I saw that he obeyed right away, I went over to him, hugged him, and whispered in his ear "E, I am so proud of you. Because you honored Mommy's words, you get to pick 2 Easter eggs instead of 1 from your basket after lunch today."

This is the part of the story where my joy in my children overflows, and where I know that, despite all my mistakes in parenting, that God is filling in the gaps and teaching them Himself. "All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace." (Isaiah 54:13)

On the way home, E shared excitedly, "Mommy, God made a way out, and I walked toward the light!"

Our Family's Newest Tradition

2010-08-15T20:57:00.007-05:00

God is at work around the world and in our lives, and we are overjoyed to join Him in what He is up to.

Last month took Heather to LA to be a bridesmaid in her longtime friend Eileen's wedding. It was a sweet, God-honoring ceremony on a stone veranda overlooking the hills of coastal California.

Me & Beautiful Eileen

Another bridesmaid and her family shared their recently-begun tradition of focusing on one country each month with their children - praying for, eating meals inspired by, wearing clothing of, etc. the peoples of that nation. We thought it was such a God-honoring and enriching idea, that we decided to copy it :) Each month, one of our children will spin the globe and wherever his/her pointer finger lands will be the selected country and we will culminate the month with a family dinner.

Little did we know that the first pass by our eldest would land on Saudi Arabia. We were mentally prepared for places like Peru, Kenya, Russia, China, India (pretty much anywhere except certain countries on or around the Arabian peninsula). We confess we were in shock and a touch bitter, feeling much like Jonah remembering the violence of the Assyrian Ninevites (in our case the extremists of 9/11). God’s timing is so evident, however, because Muslims all around the world are currently celebrating Ramadan (from August 11th through September 9th). This is a season of heightened spiritual awareness and sensitivity for Muslims, so this a prime time to be praying for them. Culturally, dreams are highly significant in this region of the world, so Christians will often pray that Muslims during these days of fasting will receive dreams about Jesus Christ.

Did you know that Saudia Arabia is also a part of the 10/40 window, a group of nations in which Christians represent less than 1% of the population, meaning 99% are unsaved?! This 10/40 window represents 2.6 billion people (40% of the world’s population).

More on unreached people groups (Video):

Unreached People Groups from HistoryMaker on Vimeo.

Will you join us in praying for Saudia Arabia and the Muslim world this month?

30-day Ramadan prayer guide: http://www.30-days.net/

Thank you, God, for the work you will do in the hearts of Muslims during Ramadan. We pray that You and your people will “be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen.” - Isaiah 32:2-3

Skateboards in Heaven

2009-06-26T01:40:00.002-05:00

When Tim and I married, I knew that it would open up a whole new realm of understanding about my relationship with the Lord and the ahab (strong affection) and chesed (covenant commitment/loyalty) loves of God (just learned the Hebrew words this week in my Knowing God by Name Bible study). In the same way, when I became a mommy, I knew it would stretch and grow my understanding of the Father in an entirely different direction. I have to say all four of my sweeties have been some of the best theological teachers in my life. This week alone, God has proven Himself at work in the hearts and minds of my children . . . It's amazing what wisdom He offered through their innocence.

The kids have been listening more intently than I thought as I have been gathering a lot of music lately into various playlists - one for this blog, and one for Tim for Father's Day. One of these was actually a Christmas song by Faith Hill about which E and I had a brief conversation a couple of weeks ago. Tim was out shopping with the kids at Target and was preparing to check out when E, who was sitting inside the shopping cart, began repeating a line from the song over and over: "A baby changes everything, a baby changes everything." Of his own initiative, he suddenly stood up in the cart and said loudly enough for the cashier and other listeners to hear this little one preach words of simple but profound truth, "Jesus was a baby; Jesus changes everything!"

As a middle child, poor S must often compete for attention with two very energetic brothers. On one bath night this week, one parent had to take a fussy baby C to bed (who was recovering from an ear infection) while the other took an exhausted 4-year-old-who-doesn't-nap-anymore to bed. Upon returning to bathe her 5-10 minutes later, I told her Mommy was back and she sweetly said "Thank you for letting me play longer in the bath." I responded, "Honey, I'm so sorry you had to wait in here all alone." She then said with full confidence and assurance, "God was with me!" I am so thankful that the Lord's presence hovers lovingly over my children when my human presence is limited by space and time!

This Wednesday, my childhood pastor and cross-country coach, Reverend Clay Thornton, passed away unexpectedly. I shared with E during our nightly bedtime conversation that night how Pastor Clay is happy that he is with Jesus, but his family is sad that they can't be with him right now. E has been pretty preoccupied with death lately and has had some good conversations with his Daddy and his Papi. I could hear both his awe and his fear as he asked, "Mommy, when you are 100, what will happen to you?" We then had a long conversation about heaven and being with Jesus; E said sweetly "If you are with Jesus, Daddy will be lonely." I wanted to soothe his fears some but could tell he was getting uptight until he started asking if there would be rolling things in heaven. I was getting ready to respond that I wasn't sure, until he added quickly "Like skateboards with wheels?" Before I could scramble for an answer, his vision grew larger "with wheels the size of car tires?", and then grandiose "with monster truck wheels?!!". I think my sweet boy gained a glimpse into heaven -- a New Earth, bigger and better and more beautiful with so many exciting and wonderful corners to discover -- in the form of a skateboard with monster truck wheels :) What bliss!

The moment I found out about my pastor, the song playing on the radio was "It is Well with My Soul". Since then this song has also resonated given the unexpected nature of his passing . . .

WITH HOPE
By Steven Curtis Chapman
1 Thess. 4:13-14 / Heb. 6:9, 10:23

This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but ...

We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again

And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're home
And now you're free, and ...

We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so ...

We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope

Let your desire be the vision of God, your fear the loss of Him, your sorrow His absence, and your joy in that which may take you to Him, and your life shall be in great peace. - St. Teresa of Avila

Love you!
Heather

143 Million Children . . . The Lord's Pleasure?

2009-06-13T22:24:00.011-05:00

We are enjoying Buckner Camp this weekend, a wonderful ranch given in trust to Buckner Children and Family Services. It so wonderful to be around so many families who have opened up their homes to children who need the warmth of a mother's touch and the strength that tender warrior fathers offer.

Being here is restful for our family, but it also reminds me of an article link I followed from a friend's blog about a year ago. It's an article by Steven Curtis Chapman, adoptive father of 3 precious little ones from China.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/07/chapman.orphans/index.html

A couple of things that stood out from what he says in the article . . .

According to UNICEF, there are 143 million children in the world who have lost one or both parents.
In America alone, there are half a million children in foster care, and approximately 120,000 of these children are waiting to be adopted. In many countries, children are too often orphaned or abandoned because of poverty, disabilities and disease; every 15 seconds, a child loses a parent because of AIDS.
If only 7 percent of the 2 billion Christians in the world would care for a single orphan in distress, there would effectively be no more orphans. If everybody would be willing to simply do something to care for one of these precious treasures, I think we would be amazed by just how much we could change the world.
Closer to home for us, in the Lubbock/Amarillo area alone, around 140 children each month come into the foster care system.

So many children in need . . .

I have to say that being a foster mommy is one of the hardest and most rewarding things I've ever done in my entire life. Being someone who is both a strong introvert and someone who in some ways doesn't like constant change (part of me is just a little addicted to moving every 3 years), foster care doesn't seem especially appealing. For me, however, I liken the appeal of this precious ministry to something the runner Eric Liddell shares with his sister who would rather him fulfill his calling to overseas missions than run in the Olympics: "When I run, I feel the Lord's pleasure."

I can't say I feel that much pleasure when I run anymore, but when I open my home to an orphan in Jesus' name, I feel the Lord's pleasure . . . and, it's indescribable. This probably sounds a little bit selfish in a way, but then again, I am a Christian hedonist in the line of John Piper who declares in his richly theological book entitled Desiring God that "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him."

Drama in Two Parts Starring the Roles of Athlete, Dancer, Villain Not-so-Reluctant, Damsel Not-so-distressed, and Physician-Apothecary Helpful

2009-06-05T13:49:00.015-05:00

This week's schedule marked a first for the Gary kids . . . our first organized sports/arts classes. S is enjoying a Pre-Ballet class at the community center, while E is participating in T-ball. I admit I have an ulterior motive. Rather than simply exposing my children to new learning opportunities, I am hoping these extras will help me get through the long days of summer without PDO (Parent's Day Out).

The first weekly sessions went well as they both learn the basics of training their bodies to move in modes both athletic and aesthetic. As much as they love to argue with each other daily, it was so precious to see how they cheered each other on. S wanted to be on the field so badly when E was practicing, and E talked about how "pretty" and "bee-ta-ful" his sister looked as she danced and then gave a HUMONGOUS hug to her when he came back from playing with Daddy to pick her up - he was really proud of her!

While the tone of their relationship was all encouragement yesterday, the atmosphere was the opposite today. Today, in the van, the kids were assigning roles in the story of The Nutcracker musical we saw this past December, preparing to reenact it once we returned home. E is in the phase of wanting to be the "mean person" in whatever story he's imagining at the time (we're somewhat laid back about it, but still try to teach him that strength and meanness are not the same thing). He declared that he would play the role of the Rat King and would turn his attack upon the princesses of the story (instead of the nutcracker's army). Very put-out about this scenario, S responded in a very precociously adult manner "E, if you keep acting this way, I will NOT be a princess, and I will NOT be a ballerina." And as they continued to bicker back and forth, she indicated in a tone reminiscent of some bigger persons in our family "Well, you will just have to make a decision." E has also developed a new penchant for expressing his emotions verbally so responded to S' bossy tone by saying "You really hurt my feelings" after which S began crying.

The plot of this unfolding drama was thickened by the fact that we had just been to the doctor for the second time this week, and all three kids have experienced illness this week. This spring has felt like one illness after another, especially with S' surgery in February and with my youngest who has gone through pneumonia and has developed anemia as a result of bug bombardment. By the end of weeks like this, I often feel like crying over the constant illness of my children, wishing I could somehow boost their immune systems, but then recognize that I have so much for which to be thankful in the years of modern medicine and that these illnesses, while taxing, are far preferable to major illness.

To help relieve my stress a little, I posted the following status on facebook:

Took EG to the MD today and got a DX of ST which prompted ABs for the BKs (the LM aka MG already had ABs for his EI so he's AOK).

Hint: I have 2 LMs, 1 is the Lst.

Speaking of my Littlest Man and letters . . . and since lil C didn't get a huge role in the play above because he's so little (and had already fallen asleep in the van) . . . and since his two favorite things to see and words to say right now are "birds" and "balls". . . he closes the play standing (or rather walking/running/climbing) center stage dressed in the appropriate letter in blue while a blond broad broadcasts the following over the booming speakers . . .

Today's blog has been brought to you today by the letter "B".

(Curtain)

Where was I?

2009-06-02T22:40:00.002-05:00

After one and a half years of bonding with our daughter, we think it has all "clicked" for all of us.

As a caveat to the following stories, we absolutely love the family S lived with prior to coming to our home. They were a loving, godly family who have been so generous to us, so these stories in no way reflect upon their character, but rather S' strength of bond with us as her family.

Story #1
E, being the older brother he is, in a moment of frustration at his kid sister said to S "Well, we will just un-adopt you!" Poor S looked at him with fright and said "I don't WANT to live with [her former foster parents]." You have to understand that these are people she loves dearly, and they were the only mommy and daddy she knew for the first 2 years of her life. I quickly reassured her that she could never be un-adopted by us and that she was our daughter for forever!

Story #2
We were looking at a picture yesterday of E's class at school on a hay ride (taken before S came to be with us). S asked "Where was I?" to which I replied "You still lived with your foster parents then." She looked up at me with the sweetest of eyes and said, "When I was at their house, I prayed for you." I scooped her up so fast and swung her around in a tight hug, with tears in my eyes!

I prayed for you, too, sweet daughter of mine!

The Hands of God . . . from the Mouths of Babes

2009-05-07T22:33:00.002-05:00

"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Psalm 24:1

I was feeling pretty down the other day about something or other (who knows with my introspective personality!), when my sweet daughter came over to me while I was sitting at the kitchen table and said, "Mommy, someone is holding you. You know who it is? God [pronounced Gawd]." It was just what I needed to hear at that moment, and from what a sweet angel the message came.

We recently experienced some rather crazy weather here in Lubbock, west Texas. I did not grow up here, so I am not used to the constant threat of tornadoes that happen with spring/summer storms in Texas; in fact, I have to say that I am quite terrifed of tornadoes. Back in mid-April, I was taking my first class at Bodyworks (my big birthday gift this year) when, all of a sudden, we were told to take shelter due to a Tornado Warning. I was there with my two biggest kids, separated from my littlest baby by 10 miles, my husband getting ready to make the trek home in rush hour traffic. Large hail came pounding down onto the cars parked outside (our van later needed $2500 in repairs), and I ran to get my kids from the childcare area, then moving quickly to the women's locker room where we were all glued to the television. We watched silently as the weatherman indicated that there was a strong area of rotation around 82nd street (between Indiana and Quaker). One lady let out a nervous giggle . . . that's right where we were located!

My son was anxious as he snuggled in on my right side watching the news, asking many questions; my daughter blissfully and trustingly unaware on my left, focused on mundane but important things like going potty. I hugged them close and whispered a prayer with them to calm my own nerves, then told them they could keep praying aloud if they wanted or in their minds. After a few quiet minutes, my son looked up at me all of the sudden as said "He said 'It's okay.'" Then, my rambunctious boy who rarely sleeps during the day drifted off to sleep in my arms. I stared at him in wonder and continued watching the news as a stormwatcher on the ground closer to the wall cloud declared, "Whatever conditions are on the ground are preventing the wall cloud from descending."

What sweet reassurance that a sovereign God was watching out for Lubbock, Texas on Thursday, April 16th, holding His hand under the clouds as if to say "This far you may go and no further." What an amazing God we serve, who places His words of peace and comfort in the hearts and mouths of those who trust Him with the complete trust of a child!

A few plagues prior to the mass exodus of Hebrew slaves from Egypt, Pharoah pleaded with Moses after the plague of hail. Moses replied, "When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD's." (Exodus 9:29)

Actual hail that fell at my friend's home in south Lubbock on 4/16/09, notice the real golf ball on the left.

Famous Firsts

2008-08-15T09:55:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to send an update on some firsts in our family . . .

Lil C now has his first two teeth (the first one came in a couple of weeks ago, and his 2nd one came in earlier this week). Also, he clapped for the first time last night (maybe it’s because he was watching the Olympics with us – smile). And, he also pulled up onto the side of his pack n’ play yesterday (time to move him to the crib!!)

Also, E read his first word today!!!! It was all him! He pulled down a devotional book (from our bookshelf) by Henry Blackaby called Experiencing _______. He spelled it out, G-O-D, then sounded it out and said “God!!” Then for fun, he read it backwards D-O-G, sounded it out and said “Dog!” So he must ambi-literate.

Oh, and we are buying our first, I mean second, house ever (we owned a home when we first got married but have been renters since moving to Texas in 2002) . . . This one is a go, unless something unforeseen happens.

The Poo-Poo Garden at Cinderella's House

2008-07-26T19:37:00.001-05:00

Some funny stories . . .

1) We went to a wedding a couple of weekends ago for a coworker of Tim’s named J. Brown (who also happens to be brown-skinned). Well the kids know her because she babysat and dogsat a couple of times for us. We explained that she was getting married, and her last name would be changed. Ethan then asked sans artifice “will she have pink skin now?” He thought that if her name was changing, she would literally not be “brown” anymore! We also went the reception afterwards, and the kids started to sing “Happy Birthday” because it was a big party :) We changed it to “Happy Wedding Day to you!”

2) I had to go to the doctor last week for some severe abdominal pain (still not sure what caused it), so Tim came home to take care of the kids. He explained to them that Mommy had to go to the doctor. Well the week before, S had seen her surgeon regarding her umbilical hernia, so she said, “the doctor press on her tummy, rub her button [her word for belly button], and she feel better!”

3) S recently called the side yard where our puppies do their business the “poo poo garden”.

4) S is excited about her impending adoption. She says often “I become a Gary, we have a big party.”
I asked her today, “do you want to have the party here at our house?”
She responded “Of course not.”
I then asked, “Where would you like to have it?”
Her reply, “At Cinderella’s, I think.” (maybe this was because Steven Curtis Chapman’s song called Cinderella in the background)
I said “Where is Cinderella’s?”
She thought for a moment and said “At Grammy and PaPa’s, I bet.”

**Side note, to hear the lyrics to Cinderella . . . Go to: http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/music.htm and click on the newest CD.

Jesus Stepped on a Bug?

2008-07-10T21:52:00.001-05:00

Was laying down with kids tonight and S said “God noways into our hearts.” I asked her some more questions about that, and she said “because Jesus told him to,” then repeated something we talked about months ago around Easter “When we make bad choices our hearts are dirty, but Jesus comes inside and makes it clean.”

Decided to talk to E some more about the same topic . . . Well it turned funny. He asked questions about Jesus dying on the cross, and the stone being rolled away, etc. I was trying to convey the enormity of Jesus living again in child’s terms which turned hilarious. I said something like “You know how when we step on a bug it’s not alive anymore . . .” well I said something like, “Jesus wasn’t alive anymore, then his friends put his body in the cave, but then he lived again and came out of the cave! Isn’t that amazing?” Well, his next question was “Jesus stepped on a bug?” I just laughed! Mommy obviously needs to work on her translation to 3-year-old-ese!

Busy bees and rough days . . .

2008-07-07T00:34:00.001-05:00

Just thought I’d share some sweet and funny stories . . . Before they are forever lost in the halls of my very poor memory.

Lil C
No stories from him yet other than that he is cutting 2 teeth on the bottom and was 18 pounds at his 6 month appointment. He is bigger than E was at that age (E was only 16 pounds at his 6 month) and he is definitely going to be taller than E. He is giggling a lot and rolling over (back to front now). Gone are the days of sitting quietly in his bouncy seat! He also did something so cute the other day. Tim laid his head down next to C, then lifted it up and C mirrored him, going up/down, up/down like his Daddy. It was so cute. The other thing he likes to do is touch foreheads with us :) He adores his bubba and sissy, and they adore him to pieces and help take care of him in so many little gestures.

E
Awhile back, both kids were testing their boundaries some by lying about different things. On one specific instance, I talked with E about how when he lied to me, it hurt my heart. He said it hurt his heart too, and then said “my heart is brok-een” then “you forgive me?” My sweet dear boy got a big hug from his Mommy.

We’re not sure where he got this from (not us), but on the way to church one Sunday morning, E said something like “God wants us to be on the right path.” And then, in reference to various cars on the road not driving in the same direction, “They are not on the right path because they are not going to church.”

We continue to share about Jesus with E and S in ways we think they can understand. We are believing for their little hearts to seek the Lord early in life, and E, especially just seems so close. Anyway, I was preparing E for a well visit to the doctor last week, and mentioned they would look in his ears, mouth, nose, etc. And he asked if “Geutersloh” (his dr.) would use a stethoscope. I replied affirmatively saying she would listen to his heart. He then said “She will see Jesus in my heart.”

There is a beautiful song by Chris Rice called Untitled Hymn (see lyrics below) that we were listening to in the van the other day. The song ends with the phrase “fly to Jesus.” After the song was finished, E said “I want to fly to Jesus.” I told him that Aunt Sara and Josiah Joy (we told the kids the other day about our baby we lost when we went through Fort Worth on the way home from VA) already flew to Jesus, and he responded “I want to fly to Jesus now!”

On July 4th, we taught E to take his hat off at the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner. Mommy, with her spectacular singing voice (ha!) proceeded to demonstrate by singing the song for him, and when she finished, he said “not again Mommy!”

This morning E animatedly told us what he learned in Sunday School. He told us excitedly that Martha was a “busy, busy bee” and she “not want to talk to Jesus,” but that Mary did.

S
We are trying to be more “squeaky wheel”-like with S' adoption because things are moving kind of slowly when they don’t really need to. It’s hard to keep telling her “soon, soon”, especially when we know that will help her feel her permanency with us. We are open with her about her history. She’ll often talk about being in her birth mother's tummy, and then going to live with her foster parents. She’ll say, “I cried and cried and cried, then Ethan gave me a paci” and she’ll also say “they gave me cereal.” She’ll equate whatever stage C is at with what she might have done at her foster family's home. Oh, and it was so sweet . . . The other day, she said, when we were talking about them taking care of her, “I tell them thank you.”

Another time we were talking about going to court to put S' new name on paper. She said in her very commanding voice “they not take it off!” meaning, once it’s changed, they can’t change it back :) Another sweet gesture she has started lately is saying lovingly “I not gonna let you go” when we’re telling her night-night, which is accompanied by a very strong hug, and she means what she says because we can barely pry her arms loose!

We have learned that S LOVES her sweets. We have to watch her carefully! And she is very much like her Mommy who LOVES ice cream. Well, one day she woke up from her nap and we had promise ice cream for snack that day (not a usual occurrence, mind you). So, when she got up, Tim started teasing her that we were going to put peanut butter, pickles, etc. on her ice cream. She started to get very agitatedly upset, and almost began to throw a tantrum. We reassured her that Daddy was playing with her, then she caught on all of the sudden and said “we put TUNA on my ice cream!” She was teasing us back; it was darling!

The other day, S had been icky-boo with Daddy at our 1st Wednesday service at church. She and I took a walk together and started talking, and I asked her why she had been icky-boo, and she said “I having a rough day.” I cracked up because I have a feeling she hears that all too often from Mommy’s lips when Daddy comes home from work because of the crazy chaos that is our lives right now.

We were praising each of the kids at the dinner table the other night, and we told S she had beautiful, kinky brown hair. She said “It’s not kinky. Kinky is NOT a word!”

Despite all of his teasing, S and her Daddy have a precious relationship. Tim had to run an errand one evening, and she warned him “Don’t you dare flip over your car” and then with all seriousness and concern “Don’t fall out the car.”

Our sweet, sassy lady also called her Daddy a buckethead the other day. E then countered, “He’s not a buckethead; he’s a hathead” because Daddy had on a baseball cap. Then, E proceeded to put a cup on his head and pronounced “I’m a cuphead.”

These are the days of our lives in the ongoing saga of parenting . . . three absolutely beautiful children!