Lately (and a correction)

Last weekend, Dave took the two older boys to Alcatraz Island with a family friend.  We have lots of pictures (and the history of the place is fascinating!), but the two I chose don't show the prison at all.

One of the most striking things about Alcatraz is the garden.  It has many species from all over the world thriving there.  It was so poignant when Matthew relayed to me about the prisoners having the privilege to work in the garden with good behavior - and how they would feel like free men when they were doing so.

Matthew lost a tooth on the trip to Alcatraz.  My oldest baby is almost 12, and has lost about that many teeth I think.

In other news, the older boys are progressing well with taekwondo.  This is actually an older picture, they have since tested to blue belt level!

The boys have also been learning to play basketball in our homeschool P.E. class.  Matthew and Nathan love it, but Aaron not so much.  In fact, the reason there are no photos of him is because he sat out of 3 of 4 classes.

The amazing Nathan is doing a drill here where the kids have to practice passing the ball from hand to hand between their legs!

And a correction - a couple of posts ago I wrote about the termite eggs.  Well, I have found out now that they are not termite eggs, they are termite poop :-(.  Don't know whether to be relieved or horrified on a different level.

Hosea 6:3

Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.

Things My Kids Say

I have a pile next to my washer of clothes that need to be washed by hand or on delicate.  Dave's brown North Face sweater had been lying there for a while.  When I picked it up and inspected it, I was disgusted to notice that there were (ew!) termite eggs all over it.  For those who have not been to our house, our washer and dryer are in the bonus room - a room made from what used to be the garage.  In that section of the bonus room, there is deteriorating insulation and ceiling above the washer/dryer.  I have NO DOUBT that there are termites all over this home, but since it is a rental we have been trying to avoid the trouble of tenting and vacating the premises and all those horrible chemicals and just stick it out.

I shook out the eggs (shivers) and promptly put the sweater in the washer on delicate.

When I relayed my unwelcome discovery to Dave, Matthew - who was in the next room overheard us. Here's how the conversations went:

Me:  Dave, I found termite eggs on your brown North Face sweater.

Dave:  (recoiling and sticking out his tongue) Ew!

Matthew (voice coming from the next room):  You found TERMITE EGGS?

Me (shouting):  Yes, but don't worry - I got rid of them.

Matthew:  WHAT?!?  You should have kept them for me!

Family Photo Shoot

We were blessed to be able to have some family photos shot by our dear friend Eric Beaubien.  We are so pleased with how all of the photos came out :-).  It was also wonderful to spend a morning with Eric and his family.

The last time we had family photos taken was when Matthew was a baby.  It was at JC Penney in San Diego.  This shoot with Eric was way more natural and fun - and we all love the results sooooo much more!  Thanks for letting me share :-).  

Love, Chenning

I love this

A friend shared this with me.  Enjoy, and ponder on God's unconditional love and what adoption means :-).

Yes, I Still Blog

I have been absent from this blog for a couple of months.  Honestly, I have fallen behind with uploading and downloading photos, and have been very busy with life.  

I don't have many words, but here are some photos of our recent holiday activities.

Sugar cookies.  Lily loved just playing with the flour!

Sugar overload.

My little elves :-).

Ahhh - knitting with a sleeping baby on my lap.  The BEST!

Aaron hanging the ornaments.  He was so excited to get the nutcrackers out of our Christmas decoration box.  He kept calling them "wood chuckles."

Matthew looks so big in this photo.  My baby is going to be 12 in 3 months.

Playing dreidel with some of our friends.

"And His name (Jesus) will be the hope of the whole world."  Matthew 12:21

A Sweet Reunion

On our east coast trip, we had the absolute blessing of being reunited with our "China friends," the Ramella family.  We met John and Judy in Hunan Province where we were both going to meet our new daughters for the first time.  At that time, they adopted their daughter, also named Lily, who is just about a year older than our Lily.  John and Judy were and have continued to be an amazing encouragement to both Dave and me.  They have 2 grown children who are out of the house, and then Gracie (now 5) also adopted from China years ago, and now Lily (who is now 3 1/2).  John and Judy just lift us up with their faith in our wonderful Lord, and how they truly want to live a life that pleases Him.  They love the orphan :-).  The Ramellas live on the East Coast, and we were thrilled to be able to go to their home and get the kids together again.

Jumping with Gracie on the backyard trampoline.

From left to right:  Lily and Grace Ramella, Lily, Matthew, Nathan, and Aaron

The two Lily's on their Daddies.

We were treated to an ITALIAN FEAST!!!  Homemade pizza!

Bread and olive oil.

The two Lily's.  Both from Hunan Province, China.  Our girls getting ready to eat.

Macaroni.  We heard so much about this macaroni while we were in China.  When we were in China, and familiar foods were slim pickins, Judy would say, "I can't wait to get home and have some macaroni!"  And I finally got to have some!  Yummmmmm.

The Ramella girls made cupcakes with sprinkles for the occasion.  Obviously, Aaron approves. 

Oh my!  Cannoli.  Yes, please!

Matthew reading a Pinkalicious book to Lily and Aarbear.

John, Judy, me, and Dave!

And I loved this so much that I took a photo of it.  It is hanging over Judy's kitchen sink.  Just in case you cannot read it.  It says:
God's main goal is not leisure, it's likeness.
Not feel better at times but follow better!
Holy Spirit knows what you are going to face next week, month, etc.  So he equips you for the future when he touches on an area of our life.  He touches on a fault.  Painful!  But He will walk with you to help you.
God will maximize your obedience and turn your weakness into a strength.  Romans 8:28

Everyone but Nathan (who is the camera man).

Their Lily is just thriving with her family!  She was also a special needs adoption - and her special need involves dermatology.  Dave is privileged to be dubbed her "angel doctor" by the Ramellas.  You can read about the details of the Lord's provision here in Judy's blog.

Oh man, I miss them already :-).

You never forget the friends you make when you go to adopt a child, that is for sure.