O Christmas Tree...

Placing the lights...the girls were so excited...they even wanted to help with the boring parts.

Close up of the decorations
Our 3 girls helped decorate....every time Love placed an ornament she would exclaim..."Ta-Dah!"

Our tree became very bottom heavy, the girls put most of the ornaments on the very bottom branches. The little girls got the biggest kick out of touching the ornaments and rearranging them.All lit up

I am not sure what happens in the photos...if it is my camera or what...the tree definitely loses something in the photos. We have a "themed" tree. It is mostly snowmen/snowomen and snowflakes. We have stuffed animals from Christmases as far back as the year Hunter was born. I love the tree because it has all the ornaments the big kids have made in preschool and Kindergarten. It is so much fun to have another chance at seeing the magic of Christmas through little eyes. Always admiring all the lights and songs of the season. As for our tree, it is much more fabulous in person...or at least our girls think so :0)

Hope's Hunting Trip

It wasn't actually just Hope's hunting trip. She has been counting the days until she was able to go hunting and camping with Big Daddy and Hunter. I have heard..."How many more days until I go deer hunting?" more than 100 times...seriously.

She is fast asleep and probably dreaming of her time spent at our friend, Greg's land. It was Big Daddy, Hunter, Hope, Greg and his two kiddos. They always have such a good time when they go. He has been allowing them to tag along for over 10 years after the holidays....and yes, they are psyched about their after Christmas dove hunt.

Greg's son got a deer, Big Daddy got a hog and Hope well...she nailed a bag of marshmallows from what I hear. She said she didn't really like to go sit and hunt that much. For those of you who know her, you know she is NOT a quiet child. I am not sure how it happened but she is loud, when she speaks, when she laughs and when she cries...it is just who she is. And well, it probably doesn't go well with sitting in a stand for a few hours with complete silence. Now, if you ask her if she had fun she will give you a very boisterous "Yes!!" But, if you ask her what she loved the most...it is riding four wheelers and roasting marshmallows, and eating smores, and being by the campfire.

So, maybe we don't actually have a deer hunter on our hands...perhaps she is just a "camper gurl". And she loves being with Big Daddy. In fact, if you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up...her latest answer is "a man, so I can be a Dad". I agree, Big Daddy has lots of fun things he does. If I had the choice between grocery shopping, dishes and laundry as the Mommy or fishing, hunting and camping as the Daddy...I'd probably want to be a Daddy too. But, if she ever had the chance to go to work with Big Daddy for just a few days...I'm guessing being the Mommy would become a much more glamorous option :0)

Our Thanksgiving and after...

Well, for Thanksgiving...

My 87 year old grandmother, MaMa, always cooks the meal. In the last few years she has "given up" more and more of the side dishes. This was most definitely her last turkey. Makes me sad. But, it will be a tradition I will gladly carry. So next year, that bird is all mine...what makes me think I can do it? Well, she's already agreed to stay the night next year and help me through it ;0)

So, we go to my Mom's for the BEST Thanksgiving meal...like I said, my grandma cooks it...y'all she is the real deal...no quick recipes, no gravy mixes, no store bought pies, everything is hot when she serves it too...she does it all...and oh, so well. So, we had a really good afternoon spent with family. My sister, her kiddos and her boyfriend and his kiddo, my family, my Mom and Dad and my two grandmas...Totsie and MaMa. It was laid back...we didn't get in any hurry just soaking it all up and appreciating the scenery...4 generations represented on both sides of my parents family...that is a pretty picture ;0)

We then went to Bambi's, Big Daddy's mother's, for more good food and family. We had coffee that was just too yummy! Unfortunately we had missed some of the family who left before we arrived...but Bambi and PawPaw were there, Aunt JuJu and her family, Aunt Jan and her family...including her son Mike from out of state!!, Aunt Kay, and then us.

I am sad to say that my camera maybe on her last leg...she took shotty pictures all day and the color and flash are off. I made a slide show...but you'll have to get through the blurry photos and off color....dern it!

I did get some really great news...remember my friend Kylie Jean and her husband's wedding back in July? Well...they found out they are expecting...what awesome news to be thankful for!! Congratulations guys...I love y'all!!

The day after Thanksgiving, Big Daddy was heading to W*lmart for a few big items...I decided I'd go along to help him (read...make sure he actually goes). Y'all, I am not even making this stuff up...it was like what I picture a store looking like if there is ever a food and water shortage...it was plum crazy. We stayed about 15 minutes and left...they didn't even have very many of anything good. I had to get my pastor's daughters and wife agree with me....This was the WORST it has ever been....y'all I needed some back up...Big Daddy was feeling misled. We returned home and slept.

Then Big Daddy, Hope and Hunter took off for the deer lease for the rest of the week and Love and I went shopping with my Mom. Faith went to my sister's to "hang". We, well I, reduced my list quite nicely. I marked quite a few completely off my "to do's". And, well, I had a productive 12 hours of shopping. And Love, she was a trooper, she is so easy going and fun! She smiled, sang, pushed buggies, entertained folks, waved at the people...she is little Miss Sunshine...she kept a smile on my mom's and my face all day...and laughter...she made us laugh so much. I enjoyed the time with them both so much. We ended, well almost, we had another stop after, our shopping with our yearly after Thanksgiving shopping spree meal at Olive G*rden. Love totally dug the new soup they have...it reminds me of chicken and dumplings...mmmmm.

So, that is about all for now...I am drowning in a sea of laundry and may get the tree set up for when the other half of my family returns from hunting...maybe.

Giving Thanks...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We have so much to be thankful for. We have all our basic needs met. We have food, we have water, and we have shelter. Isn't that an awful lot to be thankful for? We take so much for granted, we want sodas or coffee, not water, we want a steak and baked potato but could easily live on rice alone, and we want a house big enough for each person to have their own room (almost) when just a roof and walls to protect us from the weather would be more than sufficient. And then there is health, we all are in good health.

I think above all these things, and maybe it is because they all 4 flow so freely in our home, I am thankful for our family. Immediate family, extended family, our church family, the family of Christ...we have so much family.

But, there are those who do not know the love of one parent, much less both. There are those that have no one to go to for comfort when they ache or a hug when they are scared or a goodnight kiss before bed. Those are the children my heart is consumed with. I just can not imagine...I mean really, can you even fathom having no one? Specifically my heart is burdened for the special needs children in China. Not because the children around the world aren't in great need as well, they so are. But the Lord has taken me to these children, he has shared them with me. I know their faces, I have touched them, and I love them. We must actively advocate for them. Can you imagine being a child living in a orphanage and not being able to physically eat because of a surgery that is done all day, everyday here in the United States? Can you see the child with the missing arm or leg who could really flourish here, not stuck in a corner or confined to a bed? What about a child failing to thrive due to a heart condition...one that can be repaired, or at least the opportunity to the care we so readily have available here? What about being an older child...not 19, not 18 but some children, healthy children, are just over 5 years old. Did you know that China's adoption program is not available for children over 14? They may well be left on their own at that point to care for themselves....14?! I have a 14 year old son...he still needs us, a lot!

There is a woman who has adopted 4 special needs children from China...she has a heart for those left behind. She along with support from 3 other moms with waiting children from China have begun a website. I am hoping you have seen the button to the right of my blog....No Hands But Ours(click on the button or the highlighted text to go there). It is a wonderful, helpful, God glorifying resource for families to find out more about adoption...and perhaps it may open their heart to special needs adoption. The site offers specific information about most special needs, resources and links, even a list of waiting children and family stories (our sweet Love's story is shared).

As you enjoy your abundant Thanksgiving meal sharing life and love with your family. Hug your healthy and well fed family inside your safe and cozy home and breathe it in....I encourage you to truly be thankful for all that God has given you. I know you will. I pray your heart is touched. We just have so much to be thankful for and I am guilty of not truly appreciating it ALL, even the everyday. Sorry for the soapbox...just where my heart is.

Change is in the Air...

Change.
The weather has changed...the wardrobe has changed....and well, our mind has changed.

Before we sold our home we had already put down earnest money on a lot and confirmed plans on our new home to be built. It is a really nice builder. Nothing is left undone. Nothing I would rather have, no changes to be made when there was extra money. Nothing would have to be done...all the bells and whistles...at least to a family in our income bracket. Get the keys...walk in and live.

But, there is a price to be paid for all that. A price that we just are no longer willing to pay. Not because of the money...well, it is, but more because of the time. Big Daddy has been fortunate enough to have a job at the same company for 19 years...he started young, and it has paid off. He has an income that can provide for a family of 6 without any financial help from me. And let me tell you, we are NOT rolling in the money. Those of you who know our income and figure the number of people it has to feed and clothe have a hard time believing it can be done. But it is....every single month.

Overtime is a beautiful thing...when it isn't mandatory. I love.love.love. that Big Daddy works set hours every single day. He works from 7-3:30 and is home in time for dinner, everyday. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Now, if he wants to or we decide we "need" the extra income, he will work a Saturday or stay over a night or two...but not because he has to. Which is a huge luxury...and that is what we want it to remain....an option...not a mandatory means to make the bills.

So, we no longer will have the house we have been dreaming about for the past 3 months. We have moved on...we are on to the new and more fabulous financial peace house. We are renting in a new neighborhood now. We have looked at the houses under construction in this neighborhood off and on. Never really impressed...until, Big Daddy went in and pretty much asked for the world and got it on an incredible, unbelievable deal. What are we to do? We have been praying and praying about making the right decision and it almost felt like the bright lights and singing angels were abound when Big Daddy told me they had accepted our ridiculous offer. Of course, they aren't really doing us any special favors...they just really get away with charging out the kazoo. It would blow your mind what kind of deal Big Daddy has arranged for us. Even after the deal was done...we still had some uneasiness and I read the Proverb for the day and what came blaring back at me in my green highlighted text was:

The rich rules over the poor,

And the borrower becomes the lender's slave.

Proverbs 22:7

I suppose it is right there in black and white...at least for us...confirmation. The only better solution would be to save and pay cash for a home....but, since our new house payment is going to be $30 cheaper than rent...well, we'll just have to save and pay off our mortgage early.

So, that is where we are....instead of having 6 months to wait for our home to be completed, the new deal home will be finished December 23rd and we will close the same day. We will have the rent house through the 31st of December so we will probably just celebrate here and move things in as we go. Oh, and maybe paint a little too, just to add a personal touch...right honey? Or, maybe not :0)

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Park Time

Our neighborhood park, well most of it...
Love and my nephew Trev

Hanging out with Daddy

Our sweet Hope having a ball

One thing we have both come to love in our short time here in this house is our neighborhood. We love the multitude of kiddos everywhere, we love the friendly neighbors and we love the park within our neighborhood. We walked to it today while Hope and my nephew Trev rode their bikes. We all had such a good time. I am not exaggerating when I tell you there were at least 30 kids there....little ones on the playground, middle ones playing tag in the open grass and the older ones playing football. It was refreshing to see all that youth and being our age we can appreciate all the energy that was being burned while having fun. I am not sure exactly when it becomes "working out" but when it does...it just takes all the fun out of it...or at least for me :) We are happy with our decision to remain in this area...it already really feels like a good fit.

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Busted!

Love takes full advantage of the open floor plan and pushes the chairs where she'd like to be. Even if that means to the counter top, the pantry, or the refrigerator. Baby girl knows what she wants and she now knows precisely how to get to it. Here she had just helped herself up on the counter and into the sugar bowl...Lovely :) Oh, and when I asked Hope how she ended up there...she told me Love wanted her to sit by her. Oh, what a sweet sister for obliging :0)

Being Boys....

Wanna know what happens when Hunter invites a few friends to stay the night and they get bored? Not door knocking, not prank calling, not graffiti writing, not even texting, well, ya texting too but...it is tent building that took all their energy. Which I was told by all 3 would be easy. Well, about 3 short hours later....this little shelter arose...and weathered the winds to remain up all night. Big Daddy and I knew for sure they'd all 3 be stumbling in during the night...it was pretty cool that night. But, they all withstood the temperature. They all had a blast and had such a sense of accomplishment. They slept on cots in their sleeping bags...so they did fine...well, better than fine :0)

The shelter


Hunter's best buddy and partner in crime
Hunter

They had such a good time "camping" in the backyard that they talked Big Daddy into to taking them to the land to hunt and camp for real. Which believe me...it wasn't a difficult decision for Big Daddy...he's always biting at the bit to go.

Hunter's best friend's dad lost his job recently. We've been praying that he would find a new one soon. I can't imagine being with the same job for 10 years and one day..."poof" it is gone. Nothing he could have done differently, just the economy.

But, guess who has meat to put in the freezer!!

Starting to Think About It...

Well, this morning Hope and I were talking. She understands (I think) that she has two mothers...a birthmom in China and me, her forever Mommy. Today she said she wanted me to call her "Ling Xu Qiu" instead of the name we gave her (which does include part of her Chinese name).

Me: Why do you want me to call your name in Chinese?
Hope: Because it is my name. (Girl has got a point here)
Me: Do you want your friends to call you Ling Xu Qiu?
Hope: Yes.
Me: Do you like your name Mommy and Daddy gave you?
Hope: Yes...you can call me that too.
Me: Oh, alright but it might be confusing to other kids when they
hear us call you so many names.
Hope: That's ok.
Hope: I miss my birthmom. I love her.
Me: I love her too sweetheart. (We went into deeper conversation...her leading of course, but I am gonna keep that part to us, since it is her story and she can tell it when and if she pleases.)

Gosh, I knew these times were coming. And it both breaks and blesses me. She wants to know who grew inside who's tummy all the time. It is a big deal to her that Hunter and Faith grew in my tummy and she and Love did not. I tell her they grew inside my heart. I feel like if I am honest and open it will be easier for her to accept how we became a family and know that we choose to think she joined our family through love...there just isn't any getting around it...it is hard. She is thinking about it more and more and her wheels are turning. I am so thankful we have adoption into the Lord's family as a beautiful example of how you can be born to one father and yet adopted by another forever. It brings me comfort and peace, I pray it will do the same for Hope and Love.

Back in the Saddle Again....

Hey guys!! I have missed my cyber world so much...you wouldn't even believe. I have missed reading about my bloggy friends, reading emails, and access to the dictionary, encyclopedia, and thesarus on a whim. I am spoiled y'all. I know it. I own it.

So, where to start....I guess I will make it one very long post to catch up...otherwise I may miss something or leave something out...which I am probably bound to do with so much going on.

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Old House/New House

First, we closed on our house!!! Woo Hoo! Praise the Lord! You have no idea how dicey it became even the day of closing. It could have gone either way. Don't get me wrong, that house served its purpose. We were on Dave Ramsey's plan when we bought it...gonna be out of debt in a matter of years...house and all. Yeah, right. So, we didn't follow the plan. Or even get close. We have failed miserably, but with such good intentions. And moving...it.stinks.bad.very.very.bad. But, it is over :)...for now. I am not kidding when I say this was our theme when we moved.

So, we have been living in the rent house now for about 1.5 weeks. We like it very much. It is roomy although less square feet than our last home...it just feels bigger here. Y'all know...more room to spread out and think and just be. Here is a picture of the girls the first morning they woke up here. Just had to document the memory.The kids in the neighborhood have really been a different change of pace for us. The house we just sold was more of a retirement community...no children other than ours but very nice neighbors. The house before that was on 42 acres...so no neighbors there either. Big Daddy set up the swing set and I am not kidding within a matter of minutes 5 kids rushed our back yard. Hope had such a ball. In fact, there is one little boy who comes to the door all the time asking..."Can that girl with black hair play?" Oh my word! Hope is eating it up :) Love had to stand on the inside and just watch, there are so many kids in the backyard...which is a bit small. It was sad but she could rest her arms on the window sill and was fine with being a spectator for a little while.

And a house is just a house...right? I mean I don't need fancy things...these thoughts along with the iffy economy has me thinking a lot about what I may want and what I may need. What I need is my husband home and my children need their Dad to be more than a financial father...someone who is present and not stuck at work...a lot. For the neighborhood or the hardwood floors or granite countertops. Thank goodness we have that now, and I am not willing to ask him to give up any time at home for work to pay for those things, and that is all they are really...just things. They won't train my children in the ways they should go, they won't love my kids, play with my kids, protect my kids or direct my kids.....Just thoughts running through my mind a lot lately as I realize we have for sure 4 or 5 years left with Hunter at home full time and then Faith is on his heels...what do I really want to sacrifice for shelter? Not time....time is so precious and never regained...not presence...again, never regained and these are the times the big kids need the most guidance...where the world really tries to feed them full of lies that are so easily accepted and bought into. I'd like, 4 walls, a roof, flooring, electricity, plumbing....please, thats all the upgrades that we really need.

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Love's Doctor Visits...

Speaking of Love...she went to the pediatric urologist. She is on watch for 6 months and we will redo the ultrasound then to see if there are any changes. I am not sure he was as well informed on the melamine issue. But, his ultimate decision was the same our pediatrician thought that they would suggest. We saw the associate to the doctor that our pediatrician consulted with...we should have seen him but he was booked out 3 months. I guess there is always a reason for that. Hopefully no more nights with Love sleeping with her hands over her ears or waking up crying.

She had her tubes put in on the 17th, she is doing great. Both Big Daddy and I noticed, especially today that she seems to hear more. She has been holding her ears when something drops or makes a loud sound. And, she is just chattering and repeating like no body's business. I LOVE IT!! And she has been so loving lately-tons of kisses with the kissing sound and hugs and pats and rubs....all unsolicited :) She is....pure, living, joy.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Snack Shack...Anyone?

So, why in the world the photo of the snack shack at Target? Well, being the bright one that I am...I locked my keys in my suburban. They must have fallen out of the diaper bag...I can't imagine I would be scatterbrained enough to do it the way it seemed...something had to have happened...the evidence is misleading. So, we enjoyed slurpees and popcorn...yes, it is nutricious...to some rodent, maybe. But, it was a way to waste time and spend minimal dollars. Of course Big Daddy swooped in to release us.

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Faith's New Locks

Took off about 6 or 7 inches....

The New do

Faith hasn't really cut her hair in so many years...long bangs, long hair. It needed more than a trim and was in poor condition. She is pretty rough on it. I love her new look. Don't tell her but she reminds me of my baby girl back in the day...way before the 'tude and the dudes...ha!

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Hunter's Birthday!!

Hunter wanted a family birthday at Babe's...he has eaten here the past 3 or 4 birthdays. He is not too cool to just want the friends birthday. He wants his family around...he thrives on it. We had both sets of grandparents, our family, Uncle Kev, Aunt JuJu, Bella and Auggie and our nephew and his wife. It was a lot of fun. They weren't too busy on Thursday so we just stayed and hung out well after we were done eating. It was such a good time. They came and sang to him and made him wear a paper cone in his mouth, a hen hat with long yellow braids and go to the center aisle and flap his arms up and down and walk up and down the main aisle as they sang happy birthday. And y'all to my surprise the boy did it willingly and had a little bounce in his step as he did it. I love seeing him let loose and just have fun.