Fried Rice & Noodle Soup: January 2013

Monday, January 28, 2013

Are you ready for some cuteness???

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I know that many times we hear of the struggles that children have when they are adopted.

It is something that every adoptive parent must prepare for, you really do not know how your child will adjust. There are so many questions...

What has this precious one been through?

Did they get the attention they needed, or any attention at all?

Did anyone love on them?

Did they get enough food?

I could go on and on...

There are many unknowns. I will say that I had some fears about how Harper would adjust - the small amount I did know about her past really made me question how she would handle all of the changes coming her way. We knew all the things that could go wrong, BUT more importantly, we knew of all the things that can (and eventually will) go right.

Well, things are already going right, actually her transition has been nothing short of easy.

Things just seem so "normal". As if she has been in our family forever.

Let me also clarify, that does not mean that we do not have crying fits, or fighting, or disagreements, or trying times... but that is normal. Like I said, things seem so normal!!!

I know it is still early in our adoption with Harper. Yes, our circumstances could change. Yes, this is an ongoing process. My daughters will have to deal with things in their past for the rest of their lives.

I know, I know...

But I want to be thankful for what is happening today!

Since we are celebrating 3 months together with Harper, I want to share some things that I am thankful for about our sweet girl - things for TODAY...

Harper is so full of joy!

Her transition has been virtually seamless (and I am not exaggerating here).

She fits perfectly into our family and gets along well with everyone in the family.

She fights with her siblings (which shows a normal relationship & comfort in our family).

She sometimes get's upset with Cole & I when she is told no (which also shows comfort with us).

She is happy almost all of the time - which makes this mommy so very happy!

She has become very affectionate and loving, which makes my heart melt.

She is super silly and loves to laugh, she knows how to make us laugh too.

She is developmentally on track.

She is super smart and is not struggling with learning age appropriate school work.

She has such a gentle little spirit.

She listens and is an obedient little girl.

and

She is healthy!

You are amazing Harper Faith!!!

"The Lord your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17

Friday, January 25, 2013

Has it really been 3 years???

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I can not believe how time flies...

Three years ago today, we held our sweet little Elon for the first time...

She was the tiniest little thing we had ever seen...

At 45 months old, she was the size of a 12 to 18 month old child...

22 pounds and only 32 inches tall

And thankfully, she was ours...

Her personality started to peek through while we were in China,

But we had no idea how spunky...

how funny...

how full of joy...

And how loving...

Our precious little peanut would become.

Amazing how she has grown, in all ways!!!

We are so proud of our little Elon.
She has blessed our life tremendously!

Thank you God for this precious gift.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Funny!

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We were lucky enough to be able to celebrate my sweet niece, Hannah, on her birthday this past weekend and there was such a funny moment that I just had to remember....

Look at the victim, oops, I mean customer, that my girls found to doll up in the hair salon...

My poor little nephew!!!

He was obviously a good sport...

Time to dry your nails...

Elon: "Wait a minute, I'm not done yet!"

Her gentle nudge to bring him back to her attention by literally, turning his head!

I do not think this was his first time in the salon chair! Lol!!!

He is surrounded by three older sister's everyday!

Now he has had enough!

I think he was saying "Help Me!"

or maybe he just wanted his juice cup! Too funny!!

Happy Birthday sweet Hannah!!!

Your cousins (and Aunt) love you so much!!!!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

13 in 2013!!!!

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OK!! It is official...

I have a teenager!!!

What???

A teenager???

How did that happen?

Wasn't it just yesterday that I had this little guy running around??

Where does the time go?

I could not be any prouder of the young man you have become Case. When I think of your attributes, I just smile and thank God for who He created when He made you - my sweet young MAN!!

These are the things that I see in you almost every day...
You are very loving and affectionate,
you are quick to forgive, and to forget,
you are a peace maker,
you are self-less,
you are obediant
you give the best hugs,
you love with your whole heart (and you do not know how to love any other way),
you always put's others first (always),
you are happy - you are not a "down-in-the-dumps" kind of kid,
and most importantly, you love God!

Happy Birthday sweet boy! I am very lucky to be your mom :)

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Prayers needed...keep reading!!

6:18 AM |

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I received this yesterday from a beautiful woman who is very special to our family, and especially my sweet Elon. I could not contain the tears as I read the words. It is a perfect, brief statement of what is in my heart!

This special gift was from Elon's pre-school teacher for two years. Elon started pre-school 7 months after she came home and school was the ONLY place that Elon felt confident and secure to go without me. She had her days that she needed mommy, but she truly blossomed and became more secure through those years at school. I know that Elon's comfort had ALOT to do with this teacher. I am (and will always be) so thankful for this precious teacher who literally partnered with me and helped my little Elon flourish.

Thank you Mrs. Chapman, not just for this gift, but for the impact you made on Elon and our family. We love you!

If you are reading this, most likely your heart has been tugged by adoption. If my girls have touched your life, I ask that you pray for a few other children who have also come home to their forever families. I know many reading my blog are new to the adoption world, but I want you to know that there are many families out there truly partnering with Jesus to "transform" a life - and for some, to save a life.

There are three families that have been on my heart so much lately. They truly need some big prayers right now - I know I have some prayer warrior family and friends!! Please add Lily, Ivy Joy, and Rachel to your prayer lists.

These families need people to come along side them and to pray for their children that God has brought into their families. I am pretty sure that these families knew that they had a long road ahead of them when God called them to their children. I know that two of these families even saw the words "terminal" before they brought their child home - but they knew this was the path for their family. That is called FAITH people!!! Just love that :)

I do not personally know these families, but if you want to see people living out their faith - read their blogs, you will not be disappointed. But more importantly, please pray for these girls!

One thing that I feel that God showed us before we brought Harper home was that no mater what came our way... GOD WOULD SEE US THROUGH. There was so much peace in that!

He is always with us!

He wants us to trust Him.

I see these families living this - I would hate to have to walk through what they are walking through - my hope would be that I would do it trusting Him as they are.

If I was walking through this, I would want as many people possible praying for my child.

PLEASE PRAY FOR...

*Lily's heart - she has been in the hospital for way too long and is really struggling!!! Lily's sister, MacKenzie is from Shanghai, same as my girls - she too needs prayers.

http://rancourtfamily.blogspot.com

*Ivy Joy' heart - she has been air lifted to a new hospital and really needs prayers!!

http://sammonsfamily7.blogspot.com

*A new heart for Rachel - she need's a heart transplant. Rachel is also from Shanghai - same as my girls. Her blog is listed below - but you can jump to one post that really touched my heart - the link is listed last and is titled - "I can't wait!!!"

http://www.lorimccary.com

Blog: Now to Him who is able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE...
Post: I can't wait!!!!
Link: http://www.lorimccary.com/2012/11/i-cant-wait.html

**I can not read this post without crying my eyes out!!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

New Year's

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We have been with Jason and Sunday most New Year Eve's since Cole and I have been married. We have missed a few. We have been in different homes, different states, with different people, and mostly with different kid's (adding many over the years!).

Yet there is one thing that NEVER changes...

Jason is always the first one to fall asleep!!

On New Year's day, it finally warmed up! A beautiful day in Florida.

A beach day!!

We really wanted to take Harper to the beach since we knew this would be

the first time she had experienced this....

She was cautious on the sand, and very curious. Taking her time with each step.

Case was so gentle with her and showed her everything he could.

He is such a sweet big brother!

We found so many beautiful sea shells!

The kids ran, dug, and searched. We had a great time!

We will miss them so much! Looking forward to our next visit...

Monday, January 7, 2013

Florida bound!!

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Our Christmas would not have been complete without seeing this part of our family :)
Look at all those kiddo's - Love it!!!!

We were able to visit with Jason and Sunday - and our three precious niece's!!!
(Cole's brother and his wife)

Oh how we miss them!! Cole started with painting toe nails...

Jason started with some wrestling...

Then everyone joined in...

If you can't tell by now, this was not a "quiet and relaxing" visit!! It was LOUD and FUN!!!!

Loved every minute...

Harper did too :)

And so did Elon!!!

But Case didn't - just kidding, I just liked this picture of him - had to include it :)

Where Sunday and her girls usually find sea shells, Elon and Ella found mud!!!

I love spending time with Sunday! How blessed I am to have received a best friend in my sister-in-law when I married my sweet husband.

If you look in the distance, in the water between our heads, you can see a pirate ship!! We took the kid's on this ship. It was so much fun, and the kid's had a blast :)