A Little Trip . . .

We didn't tell E we were going ANYWHERE because we knew he would obsess about going to Carson's house and not stop talking about it AND because we wanted to see the LOOK on his face when we actually GOT to Carson's house. But, obviously, as it got closer to time to go, he figured out that we were going somewhere. So, we told him we were going to GaGa's house. He was so excited! He packed a HUGE backpack of toys to take (including the white mouse puppet that 'hopped in his bag' the last time we were at her house), a few clothes, and we were off.

As we were loading the van Lyndal peeked his head in to ask Conner a question about a game controller that we might need at Aunt GiGi's house. When Lynbal went back into the house, Ethan said, "GaGa doesn't have a sister named Aunt GiGi?" I had to tell him that what he MEANT was Aunt Chrissy. So, we're all loaded into the van driving over to the vet to have Jasmine boarded (we usually take her to GaGa's with us). E was upset and asked why we couldn't take Jazzy with us to GaGa's? I just told him that we couldn't this time. Not another hint of confusion was spoken from his far corner of the backseat of the van for many hours. He pleasantly rode, reading books, and watching movies. He's only 4 so the MUCH looooooonger drive - 9 hours compared to about 4 - didn't seem to tip him off either. *SMILE*

When we were about an hour away he started whining because he was thirsty. So, I texted Angie to tell her to be waiting in her front yard with Carson holding a drink for Ethan. For the next hour he cried and whined because he was sooooo THIRSTY! Like he was going to DIE if he didn't get a drink RIGHT THEN!!! But when you are that close to your destination YOU JUST WANT TO KEEP GOING (not to mention the fact that we had some pop in the van, but he didn't want that, he wanted 'Bug Juice.' This "drink" that Lynbal buys the kids whenever we are on trips and have to stop at gas stations, it's quite lovely AND healthy I'm sure. We FINALLY pull up to their house and you can tell E is confused. He gets out, Carson hands him the drink, Ethan says, "Thanks Carson." I said, "OK, let's get back in the van we've got to get to GaGa's house!" Ethan says, "Bye, Carson." And gets back in the van!

Ethan Rocking OUT!

This is kind of old, but still a family favorite. I love his hair sticking up in the back! Enjoy!

Lunch with New Friends!

We had a traditional Chinese lunch today at China Camp after the panel of doctors spoke (see that brown thing at the bottom of the bottom picture, in the center? That's tofu and it is yuck.) There were 6 doctors that have come from Gansu Province to learn at Baptist Hospital in OKC for 6 months. They were very fun to listen to and were very knowledgeable. Two of the doctors, Angel and Maria, happened to sit with us for lunch. They were very embarrassed about their English, which I didn't think was too bad, just a little broken. I'm just glad they didn't ask me to speak Chinese! They would've gotten a 'Ni-hao' a 'Tzai-chen' a 'Wo Ai Ni' or a 'Shay-shay' and I'm not even sure I'm spelling those right.

Maria wanted to know how many children we had and when we told her 4 and that we were waiting to adopt she was very surprised. She wondered how we have time for them. She said she was exhausted and she just had 1 child. Angel also has one child. They both miss their children very much and Maria was very interested in Carlie because Carlie and her daughter are about the same age. They will not see their children until October. I asked them what their children's names were. Maria said that she gave her daughter an American name, "Emma." Angel said that her son, who is 3 1/2, was named "Do Do" (said like doe-doe with sort of a 'th' sound mixed with the 'd'). Ethan laughed and said, "You mean Dum Dum!" Thankfully they didn't understand him!

I think having lunch with them was my favorite part of the whole day.

Ni Hao From China Camp!

Every year they take a group photo. This is not everybody!

See Nicole in there?

One little group singing "London Bridges" in Chinese.

This week we had China Camp for three days. The kids are immersed in the Chinese culture and the adults can either volunteer or attend classes on various subjects. I did a little of both. Nicole was with her 'rabbit' group (that's her in the bottom picture on the left) and they performed a dance called 'Rice bowl' during closing ceremonies. The kids learn a little of the language, holidays, food, dance, videos, and kung fu. Nicole's favorites are the crafts and kung fu. My two little ones were in the nursery (E was not happy about that, he thinks he's too big for the nursery). I helped out the first two days, then Lyndal and I attended an adult adoptee panel and a panel that had doctors from China's Gansu Province. There are kids that come from all over the U.S. to attend China Camp! The first day there were 238 campers. My friend Kim said that she heard one of the little girls say, "They all have black hair just like me!" It's the little things we might not think about that makes a big difference.

Looking Back . . .

I was looking back at some old blog posts from when we first started, and found one from 11-05-06:

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before August 25, 2005.

The box at CCAA now says:

Placed through:
March 20, 2006

That almost makes me want to throw up. They have moved 7 months in 2 and a half years. I am glad we are now on the special needs waiting list. But, I wonder if they are ever going to speed things up again. Why is it so hard to bring an orphan home?!! Get out of the way people!

FREEDOM

We spent the 4th in Woodward at GaGa's house. It's nice there. Not much to do except play in the sprinkler, ride the golf cart and watch Jasmine (our dog) run after it, read, watch a little TV, and just chill. We did a lot of chillin' at GaGa's house! The city was going to do a fireworks show at 11pm. Call me a fuddy duddy, but I thought that was a little too late to be staying up with 5 kids (we brought an extra). So, we spent about $20 and bought our own. Lyndal bought 100 of these flower fireworks things because they were on sale - A HUNDRED! I just started lighting one right after the other to get them over with because I know the extras will be sitting in my laundry room above the cabinets until we remember them for some other fourth of July. Boys and fire and blowing things up = a lot of fun evidently!

The Brookster

For TWO WEEKS we were blessed to have my niece Brooke with us from Tennessee. She is 12, just like our oldest, and such a GREAT kid! We had quite a few adventures in the days she was with us. We drug her to VBS (she was even a part of our music program in front of our whole church!), the library, Pops and the Round Barn in Arcadia, the Aquarium and the OKC Zoo! She was a HUGE help with the younger kids AND she can make grilled cheese sandwiches, fold some clothes, and vacuum (not that I had her do a lot of that, but why not?). The second week she was with us GaGa joined us for the fun - WOO HOO!

By the way, did you know that two 12 year olds scream and yell a lot?

ALICE!

I don't normally advertise on here.  Not that I'm against it, some people make a little money off their blogs.  I just haven't gone that route yet.  BUT, this is ALICE (the little banner to the right of my blog) and it means free shipping on groceries, they automatically keep track of coupons, your order is shipped within 3-4 days via UPS, and when you click my little banner over there you get a $10 sign-up bonus!  AND if you sign other people up then you get 3% of their order for a year!  Go check out ALICE!!

The ZOO - WHEW!!!

Four families all somewhere in the adoption process met today at the zoo for some good ole hot fun. There were 16 kids in all present - we had two stow-a-away friends to add to the group, and 8 adults that trapsed ALL over that zoo and saw just a few animals (one family had to leave early and they aren't in this picture). Apparently the animals are pretty smart and stay shaded or under water during the hot days - what a novel idea! Three of the four families are waiting to bring four more children home from China. The last time we were together, in 2006, there were only three adopted children present. Since then two more have been brought home, one more born (to us), and when all is said and done there will be a grand total of TEN children born originally in China to forever live in the hearts AND homes of their forever families here in the US (unless God has other plans and decides to add to it :)! I so wish we could get together more often so our children would get to know each other better. I know my children are so impacted by being around families who have adopted - it completely changed Conner's mind the first time we were together, now, to him, it's just a part of our life.

It is hard to explain, but we have a connection and a bond that really has no words. We speak a different language sometimes. We rejoice in referrals and pieces of paperwork. We also comfort each other when the wait seems unbearable for our children to come home. We are PRAYER WARRIORS more than anything. I know these moms will commit to pray for my adopted daughter and I would do the same for them, no question. Seeing their families gives me hope. International adoption is a miracle that involves God, of course, but also paperwork, and people in different parts of the world moving together in accordance to God's timing all fitting this giant puzzle together to bring a child home. A child, that, once you see him or her you know without question that that is YOUR child just as if they were born to you. It is amazing to see this all unfold! GOD IS AMAZING.

The ZOO - WHEW!! Boy was it FUN!

Lunch time! Come and get it!

What sweet little girls!

It was really hot at the zoo, thank goodness for misters!

What is this? Is that a map? Couldn't be . . . And how many guys are looking at that map? This is proof, girls that men do read maps!

The ZOO - WHEW!! Merry-Go-Round

You think they picked the pandas on purpose?

This little one wasn't too excited to be on here at first, but she warmed up after a few spins!

Carlie and Mommy on the gorilla!

Such sweet girls! Look at those faces - how precious!

A Little Pep Talk

IMG_3603, originally uploaded by lmcmurphy2000.

I've been feeling a little blah, and disappointed about the whole adoption thing. Sometimes the wait gets to me and I think this adoption will never happen, that something will get in the way of it.  I need a pep talk!  I need to pump myself up a bit! Here goes:

For faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 1:1

guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:5

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20

For in You, O LORD, I hope;You will hear, O Lord my God.
Psalm 38:15

Why am I so sad?
Why am I so upset?
I should put my hope in God
and keep praising him,
my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:4-6

God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life.
Psalm 62:5

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4

Crocodile Dock - VBS!!!

This week was Vacation Bible School and it was so much fun! VBS is one of my most favorite weeks of the year. I got to help my friend J. with music - we have been together for many years and always have so much fun. She can carry a tune, and I try. The last night of VBS is our big family fun night where the kids sing some of the songs they have learned then we go outside for big party - food, water slide, Safari Joe, Jolly Trolly (snow cones), a train ride, and everyone just having a good time. All five of the kids (our four and my niece) were in the show and everyone sang their little hearts out. E wore his skeleton glove, not sure why, it just happened to be the toy of the day. Everyday he would say, "Mom I just wuv BBS. And I weally wuv Miss Janet." It was his first year to participate, his teacher was my Aunt and my cousins - what a great way to start 'BBS!' It was E.'s first year and Conner's last (we got one more out of him:)!

The Great Camping Expedition!!!

Our castle and our tent

The BRAVE Campers (Carlie slept in the house with me and GaGa)

Lyndal reading the directions and Conner helping

Diggy is ready for those scarey stories!

The great wood gatherers!

We've been wanting to camp for a while now, but you know "the facilities" are not always up to my standards ("Mr. Frederickson? Do you dig a hole before or after? Nevermind! It's before!" from UP). So, we had a WONDERFUL idea! Let's set up the tent and camp at GaGa's house! She has a large yard with a level place for a tent. She has a creek which equals lots of birds chirping, crickets cricketing, lightening bugs, wood for burning, and just the right touch of slightly scarey noises (we heard coyotes!). AND the best backdrop of all was the CASTLE that PaPa built with a waterfall and everything! It was a perfect night for building a fire, making s'mores, and falling asleep under the stars. The three older kids and Lyndal fell asleep and I tip-toed up to the house to sleep in a nice bed - tee hee! I'm no dummy.

WEEEEEE!!!!!

Just changing up the blog a little bit, trying to make it more cheery. I feel like I have been down in the dumps a little bit and I don't want to be! So, here's to a brighter, cheerier life! RING PHONE RING!!!