Still here and enjoying the end of summer days

Enjoying herself on the playground.

Well, it has been longer than I planned since my last blog. I am truly sorry about so much time passing. The summer has been full. Most weekends we have been very busy with our new ministry, Kids Against Hunger. The kids seem to enjoy working at the packaging of the food that will feed a hungry child once shipped. Our focus has been on Haiti for this shipment and with good reason!! They have suffered thru two terrible hurricanes this season which have left them with no power on the island! Larry and Aimee are there right now and things there are very bleak. I look forward to hearing more and seeing the photos that Aimee has taken. She is a very talented photographer.

I think our kids enjoyed this long summer and were ready for some directed activities! I know that N was for sure!!! She told me herself!! N is a child who loves to have something to do, now I don't mean just hanging with a friend, she likes to have a specific thing to do. She is a reader and often I have to pry the books out of her hands and force her to rest her eyes! N loves to wrtie on the computer and would sit in front of a television for hours is allowed. She is loving her 6th grade class with all the different teachers and lockers this year. I have a good feeling that she will continue to enjoy this change. I think B is antsy to school to just be over completely!! She is just not a lover of disciplined learning although she is an excellent student!! This year she has two classes she attends 2x a week and works on her math at home. Not too bad for someone who really doesn't like school. She has signed on to the PEP choir and drama group and that should give her some fun things to do. B is also very involved in her friends which is normal for a girl of 17. She also has a "boyfriend" that is a great friend to her. S is a nice youngman with some amazing talents! I will post a painting he did of B from a photograph!! Amazing!! Anyway, they have enjoyed each others company for over 2 years now and will hopefully continue to do so. A is going into her junior year at UC with a major in International Affairs. Perhaps she will be a candidate for VP one day!! LOL!! A continues to love traveling and is Haiti with her day now. She is working at a coffee shop as is Bekki, so we don't lack for good coffee!!! Well, that is the family catch-up minus Emma. She is a story unto her own.

Emma is now 3 1/2 and is so amazing!! Looking back 18 months ago when she joined our family, she was a completely different child. She was actually at baby at 24 months and now is a little child. She is funny and full of energy. She loves to laugh and does so often! Her favorite thing is her stuffed dog she named Woof. He is with her constantly and is looking a little worn! I've purchased a replacement she has named Boo after her favorite guy S's dog. They don't look alike, but are similar so hopefully one day when Woof says his last woof Boo can step in. E also tells us she will not be going to school because she doesn't like it. She has never been to school . Yes, E will go to school for a bit to give mommy a little down time soon. :) E is also feeling her wild oats and will talk-back to me frequently! I've had some pretty grown-up conversations with my 3 year old lately!!

Well, Larry and I have enjoyed another summer here with our beautiful backyard pool. It has been a blessing to our family and we hold losely to it. The fall is fast approaching and we are ready for the change.

Dance Party in China 07

Here is a video of the kids dancing with our guides and the head of USAA, Norman. Enjoy!!

A couple of photos of ME!

Hi, a friend commented that there were no photos of me on the blog! Well, right, but if you go back a year or so you will find a few from our trip to China. I really haven't changed much so here are a couple. :) I will try to keep that in my mind when photos are being taken. :)

Emma and her mom celebrating! This was our last night and the USAA team planned a big party in a resturant from us. They treated us like VIP's. Emma enjoyed dressing up and dancing with her little friends to some crazy music. I will have to post some of those.


Mom with an unhappy Emma. She wanted to run in the hotel lobby and mom said NO!! Look how tiny my girl was! She wore a 12-18 mos. size and had little feet and a little hair etc. Look at her little hand on me.

Keeping Cool

Here are a few photos of the kids and their da keeping cool. While they dunk in the pool I find the AC in the house much more enjoyable. :)

Little Emma enjoying her snack after swiming. She loves the pool and has made great progress this summer.
This is a really hard lifestyle! Me and my da are enjoying some conversation and floating around in some really big water!!
Nadya and her dolphin ride. She is a fish too and has finally learned to dive! I will get that up on video soon! It is entertaining.
A budding artist!!

Remembering....

A dear friend of mine is in China now with her family completeing the long journey to their little daughter, Ahna who is 13 months old. As they have been in the throes of this journey it has brought back the very sweet memories of our own journey to bring Emma-leah home. We have been home for 15 months and our little one is now 3 1/2 years old, how dare she grow up!! The memories are inscribed on my mind with hopes of sharing those memories with our daughter when she is at an age to listen and hopefully embrace her beginnings. That may not be as easy as it sounds, but with much prayer we will tell her of her meek beginnings and of a country so full of history and color and smell. Here are a few photos I have not posted. They are the very heart and soul of China.


Mom and baby in a sweet basket backpack.
A grandmother and her grandson walk hand and hand, not unlike the families today in America.
A shop keeper on the street selling her wares and food. The people were so gracious.
Two little girls heading to school.
one of many shrines on the roadside.

I've been tagged...by Arielle

Hello, sorry it's been so long. I've been busy reading friend's blogs while they have been in China adoption their little chidlren. :) Ok, let's get on with the tag.

1. Where is your cell phone: right next to me
2. Your significant other? in his office at home
3. umm...favorite place? away from it all
4.Your mother living in Florida
5.Your father? with our Heavenly Father
6. Your favorite things? books and little children
7.Your dream last night? don't think I dreamed
8. Your favorite drink? peach iced tea
9. Your dream/goal? to have my life organized so I can focus on God
10. Room you are in? kitchen
11.Your hobby? reading & decorating my house
12.Your fear? age
13.Where do you want to be in 6 years? six years younger!!
14.What you are not? super woman!
15.Muffins? orange-cranberry
16. Wish list item? TIME
17.Where you grew up? New England
18.Last thing you did? wipe a little hinny
19.What are you wearing? capris & shirt
20.Favorite gadget? AC for sure!!
21.Your pets? 2 dogs
22.Your computer? Dell
23.Your mood? tired/needing a break from it all!
24.MIssing someone? Yes, Aimee & Bekki along with my other kids and grandkids in Ct.
25.Your car? Toyota Sienna
26.Something you are not wearing? makeup
27.Favorite store? Homegoods
28.LIke someone? Yes
29.Favorite color? (s) red/sage/gold/brown/turquoise/pink....
30.Last time you laughed? just now :)
31.Last time you cried this am when I saw the little Simmon's baby, Ahna!!

Random photos of Aimee

Aimee cleaning up the beach in Thailand after tzunami

Aimee and lovely Thai child playing games
Summer 2007 in Thailand helping in orphanage with children that are HIV positive. These are her little charges!! Aren't the just beautiful children!!!!
Aimee and team friend in India going to church in native attaire. The young man with her is Indian, but was adopted as a young child by an American family. He was part of the missions team.

Working the street in Israel. Aimee on left

Swimming in Jamaica with one of the kids
Franklin Graham with Aimee and Mary after 9/11. The shipment of shoeboxes went to Afganastan.

What day is it?

Photo taken in the fall of 2004 of Aimee on the right and Brett (middle) and Krista on left as they prepare for their winter Cotillion.
Aimee and friends at the Honor Academy in Texas. She spent a year there being decipiled and challenged in her walk with Christ.
Aimee and her dad on graduation day at the Honor Academy Aimee's trip to India broke her heart and helped shape who she is. This is a photo of a young mom and two children.

Aimee and friend in Israel two summers ago. They were in the country days before the war broke out in that part of the world.

Let's just say that the days have begun to run together lately, it's hard to know when the week begins and ends. Perhaps that is just another sign of my age! Do I have to admit that? :) We have been cleaning out "stuff" that we seem to continue cleaning out on a weekly basis, where does all this "stuff" come from? When we moved from Ct. to Ohio nearly 3 years ago we emptied the closets of excess stuff and left usuable things with dear friends in order to simplify our lives only to find ourselves doing the same thing now. Not that we are moving, but the potential is always in the back of our minds. So, we will continue the quest to live simply even if that takes till our days where we no longer realize that we want a simple life.

Last weekend we tried the familiar "tag sale" stragedy with little success. Preparing for one of those events takes a lot of time and then manning the tables for the whole day is another time committment resulting in the approximate pocketed cash of $63.00. I think that breaks down to about $5.00 an hour. Is it worth it, not for a minute, but it is fun chatting with our neighbors and others who venture out for treasures.

Our home is quieter right now. Aimee left on Father's Day for a summer job in Ct. at a children's camp. She is working full time with a group of kindergarten age girls thinking that it would be a piece of cake!! She phoned home on her 3rd day on the job and said she was exhausted and that somehow she would make it through the whole summer. I think this is a great experience for her, not that she needs experience. She has built up several years of experience while on her missions trips around the world. I remember that last summer in Thailand her saying that she was in charge of a small group of young children and that they were so full of energy! Somehow she had forgotten that experience!! That reminds me of my own pregnancies. Each time I gave birth I told myself that I could never do that again, but somehow the years soften the memories and I am ready again. So, Aimee will undoubtedly have memories of her years caring for young children in the US and abroad and over time she will have only good things to remember.

I don't have many photos of her available, but here is a sampling of her and her travels.

Thru the year with Emma

Emma on the day she was placed in our arms. She was not a happy little girl, but quickly a little smile began and she hasn't stopped!
Six months home! Love that little smile!!
This was taken in the winter, she looks like she got away with something! Home 10 months.
Home for 14 months! Our flower child.

A DAY AT THE PLAYGROUND

Random photos of Emma and her sister Bekki at the playground.

Ops...this was taken on a different day!! LOL! Cute photo!

Prayers for Chapman family

Many of you know by now about the tragic accident in Steven Curtis Chapman's family. It has been a week today yet our prayers are still fresh for this family. Steven and his wife, Mary Beth, adopted 3 daughters from China over the past few years and they have become huge supporters and advocates for adoption. Their youngest daughter, Maria, died last Wednesday at her home after being hit by a car. The family is mourning the loss of this vibrant child who spent only a few years with them. Please remember them in your prayers. The song downloaded before has so much more meaning now than when he first wrote it. May our Heavenly Father hold this family close during this time.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But REJOICE that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13)

In this you greatly REJOICE, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Cinderella - Steven Curtis Chapman

Family

Nadya giving us her biggest smile!! A pensive Emma.

I decided to post some family photos for you all to see how we are looking these days!! Grampa and baby Hayley!
Hayely and Melissa hunting Easter eggs on our front lawn.
My sweet smiley faced Hayley!
Hallie and Sam keeping warm in the sun!
Melissa and Aimee Easter 2008

A MOTHER'S DAY PRAYER FOR ALL THE MOMS I LOVE

Wishing you all a special blessing on Mother's Day. I think this day often comes with high expectations and disappointments. So, it is my prayer for you all to try and put this day into perspective.

Lord, please watch over these dear family members who are also mothers. Being a mother is a special calling and often goes without any praise or acknowledgement. Let them feel encouraged in their calling and let them remember that being a mother is something that will last a life time. May you all feel God's love as you journey thru life and mother your children. I love you all!!

Africa 2008 continued

Larry serving the meal he helped cook for the children.
This is the meal from Kids Against Hunger.
This little girl is enjoying her new meal!! Yummy!!!
The team, John Warden, Gary Angstat, pastor and Larry.
The Kids Against Hunger food package!!!

I decided to continue this post on Larry's trip to Africa this past January. Although we love see the photos of the faces and places he visited, the purpose of the trip was to determine how to feed these little children a healthier meal so that they would have better chance in life. They currently eat a meal that consists of a corn mush and one cup of water that may or may not be clean!! There are no bodies of water nearby and water is carried in jugs, often for a couple of miles from it's source. The team went to see if they could provide a prepackaged meal that was high in nutrition thru Kids Against Hunger. This organization is located in Mo. and provides food both locally and abroad. The mixture was prepared over an open fire and served to the children while they were there and much enjoyed!! It consists of rice, soy protein, dried vegies and some dried seasonings along with vitamins. Yummy!!! We would also like to have wells put in at each of these carepoints. Many churchs have committed to supplying these needs. PTL..Larry and I have decided that we are ready to begin a new journey that would help provide food, water and other necessities to children around the world. The ministry called The Coalition of Care will focus on adoption, foster care, humanitarian aid and orphan care. We are still in the beginning steps so please pray for us as we trust God to lead us down this path.

You can check out our new web site at www.achildshopeintl.org

Swaziland, Africa 2008

Larry holding the hand of an African child, so different yet the same.
This is how these kids eat at this "carepoint". Most of the children have no family and live alone. They walk daily to these carepoints to have a meal of corn mush and a cup of water, that is it.
One of God's treasures!
Tribal chief and my chief!!
These kids have a special headcovering called "underwear". These kids received some new undies and did not know what to do with it until my dear husband showed them!! Yes, it makes a great hat!!