Three!

"I three now Mom?"

Yes!  Sunday, August 28th, Riley turned the big 3!  He is excited to be three and was SO excited for his birthday party.  With a nice mixture of relatives and friends, cool weather and some yummy treats, the party went off well.  Riley asked for a "Lightening" birthday party, so I did my best to make a race track cake and had Piston Cup favors ("You did what in your cup?"  -Mater =)  ) and  "Cars'" tatoos and balloons.  Riley got totally spoiled with some great new clothes and some awesome new toys, books and puzzles!

 All day he had to check in on his cake to look at it.  I had to tell him, more than once, that he couldn't lick the frosting.  :)

 The Kids' Table.

 Riley, before opening all his loot.

 Jamie and I got him Buzz and Woody from "Toy Story," and this was his face upon opening the package.  Priceless!

 He is in little boy heaven.

Happy Birthday to Riley!

Some things I don't want to forget...

Just one year ago, on his 2nd birthday, he still wasn't calling me Mom, nor was he hardly talking.  Now, he is crazy verbal and talks, talks, talks, all day long!

He has a little southern accent, which is so cute.  He pronounces "Woody,"  "Wue -dee."  

He is learning fast that words hold power, both for good and for bad.  i.e.  When he's mad at one of us he will say, "You're not my Mom," or, "You're not my baby sister."  I'm trying to teach him to express his actual emotion in that moment, such as, "I am mad at you Mom," as opposed to doling out a hurtful insult.  He is also learning to be complementary and to express thanks verbally.  He's also very good at saying, "I love you."  

He loves to be with me at all times.  This is precious to me as I know it won't last, but it can also be a bit tiring.  :)  I try to soak up all his offered cuddles and relish the fact that he enjoys my company so much right now.  

He is really into super heros right now.  He often becomes, "Super Riley!"

He loves to playact.  When he's playacting "Toy Story," he is always Buzz, Soph is Woody, Haddie is Jessie and he always makes Jamie and me Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.  Ha!

He loves playing on the "pad pad," and the computer.  He's getting pretty good at some games and I have to rip him away when his time is up.  

I can't believe Riley is three.  I am so thankful God blessed Jamie and me with such a precious little boy!

Shirmy

Where do I even begin.  I guess the beginning.  Shirmy moved to the United States in August of 2007, all the way from China.  At the time we were hosting a Bible Study, for international students that attended our local university, in our home.  In September of '07 some other students brought Shirmy, an unbeliever at the time, into our home for the Bible Study.  This began what would be a very special friendship between our family and Shirmy.

Riley (almost 3), Sophia (6 1/2), Hadassah (1 1/2) & Shirmy
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Saying Goodbye


In just a couple of short months of being introduced to the Bible, and making friends with a bunch of other Christian international students, Shirmy made the decision to become a follower of Jesus.  It was at this same time that she was also considering moving to New York City because the cost of school was becoming overwhelming.  Jamie and I felt so burdened for this girl we barely knew, and were urged by the Holy Spirit to ask Shirmy to come live with us, for free.  I remember feeling almost frantic for her well fare if she were to leave our little community.  Looking back I am so thankful that I serve a God who speaks into our lives and directs us to act.  I cannot imagine the course Shirmy's life would have taken if she had left our city way back then.  We hoped living with us would alleviate a lot of her expenses and might allow for her to remain in our community, where we hoped she could be nurtured in her relationship with Jesus.  Much to our joy she accepted our offer and thus began her three years of living with us and becoming a part of our family.  

Shirmy, Me, another student
My Birthday, November 2007
Just getting to know each other!


Shirmy moved in with us in early December of 2007.  At the time Sophia was barely three, and little did we know I was newly pregnant with Riley.  In the first few months, even year, there was some cultural tension as we adjusted to sharing our home and space with someone very new to the US and American culture.  As time passed we would learn so much about the Chinese culture and were able to better understand dear Shirmy.  

Riley and Shirmy
Winter 2008


Shirmy lived in our home for three years where we shared birthdays, holidays, saw the birth of two more children, had fun living life together, taught Shirmy how to drive, watched her struggle and grow in her faith, and finally celebrated Shirmy's graduation from Graduate School.  Upon graduation she moved to the city where we're actually moving soon.  She has lived there for the past year and we've been able to stay in touch and visit now and again.  It still hasn't sunk in she is across the world now...

Top: The whole gang (Soph is 4 1/2 and Riley is 8 mos.)  Bottom:  Me & Shirmy
April 2009
Celebrating Shirmy's Birthday!

Shirmy was/is such a hard worker.  Not only was she taking classes to earn a Master's Degree in Business (Let that sink in for a minute.  Can you imagine traveling to a foreign country, knowing their language only on a basic level, and studying master level courses in that language?  Yeah, me either!), but she also worked as much as she was able.

Sophia (almost 5) & Shirmy
November 12, 2009
 Chinese lessons!


Shirmy's story is amazing.  She has faced challenges in trusting the Lord with her present and her future like I will most likely never have to face.  Her decision to return to China this past Saturday was probably the hardest decision she has faced yet in life.  Her Mom, brother and sister-in-law all live in Singapore now, so she returns to only extended family until she can join her immediate family in Singapore.  Though her Mom and brother finally accept her decision to leave America, her extended family (unless God moves their hearts towards compassion) will not.  Shirmy told me they will most likely shame her and laugh at her.  That literally makes my chest hurt to write.  

Shirmy and Me
April 2010
Hosted a party for Shirmy's Birthday!


After we prayed over Shirmy in the airport as we prepared to say goodbye, for only the Lord knows how long, tears were streaming down my face as I looked her in the eyes and said, "I am proud of you." And I am.  What breaks my heart is that she will not hear that from anyone else.

Soph (5), Shirmy & Riley (16 mos.)
Christmas 2009

Soph (6), Shirmy, Haddie (9 mos.) & Riley (2 1/4)
Christmas 2010


If Shirmy had stayed in the States past Saturday she would have been breaking the law as the conditions of her visa required her to leave by then.  She told me that she would be ridiculed and told that so many others borrow way more money than she had to (which blows my mind, because she borrowed A LOT of money to be able to come to the U.S.) come to the States to earn money and then she would just leave?  Since becoming a believer Shirmy has had to come to terms with what the world says and what Christ says.  The faith she displayed in God by being obedient and getting on that plane Saturday will remain one of the most beautiful pictures of God's goodness and power I will ever see.  She was in such turmoil in the days leading up to her departure, only making her final decision three days before she left. But, the girl we said goodbye to was covered in peace, that can only be explained by God's goodness and faithfulness.

Above pictures, Shirmy, Soph (5 1/2) & Riley (almost 2)
Spring 2010
Playing at the park

Jamie, Haddie (2 mos.), Shirmy, Sophia (5 1/2) & me
May 2010
Shirmy's Graduation!

I don't know exactly what Shirmy's future holds, but I do know that God has something great in store for her!  She will be looking for a job and is hoping to join her Mom and brother in Singapore.  I am praying that God allows her to move to Singapore quickly and gives her an awesome job, as she'll have to work hard for a long time to pay back what she owes her family for getting her to the U.S. in the first place.  I am also praying that God brings her into a local body of believers so that she can be encouraged in her faith.  Sophia is so heartbroken over Shirmy's departure and Jamie and I feel generally sad, but hopeful too.  We pray that the Lord allows us to reunite this side of heaven.  We, along with Shirmy, covet your prayers for her as she readjust to life in Asia.  One thing I know, we are blessed to have had Shirmy join our family and our lives will never be the same!

Riley (almost 3), Shirmy, Sophia (6 1/2), Me, Jamie, Haddie (1 1/2)
August 13, 2011
Last family shot with Shirmy, until next time.

Kids' Day, 4th Edition

This weekend we celebrated our fourth Kids' Day!  For the history of Kids' Day, you can click on the following links to read the original posts:

The Origin of Kids' Day

First Kids' Day, Part II & III

Kids' Day 2009

Kids' Day 2010

***

So, this Kids' Day was a little different than usual.  See, we will be moving soon, and so we decided to do this summer's Kids' Day in the new city we'll be living in so the kiddos could get introduced to where we'll be living.  We made it a weekend trip with two nights in a hotel.  Poor Riley was so confused, thinking the hotel was our new house at first.  :)

We drove to our destination city on Friday.  Jamie was busy with work (he's been working for some time in the city we'll be moving to, commuting to and from home) while the kids and I spent the day with Shirmy.  I will be writing a specific post about this for tomorrow, so I'll just leave it at that for now.  

On Saturday we had breakfast in the hotel, took Shirmy to the airport, said goodbye :( , and then went to our main Kids' Day attraction - the Zoo!  When planning Kids' Day I specifically said I did not want to go to the zoo.  The zoo is always hot, especially in August, and then the animals never seem to be out, everyone gets tired and grumpy by the end and it just never seems to live up to the hype.  Well... somewhere along the way I changed my mind.  We had never been to this zoo, and the website made it seem like a pretty great zoo.  The weather was supposed to be more mild than it has been lately, soo... off we went, to the zoo.  :)

I was both right and wrong.  I was right in that by the end of the day everyone was very tired and grumpy.  I was wrong in that the animals were out and it wasn't a letdown- overall anyways.  :)  And the kids seemed to have fun, so that's what matters, especially on Kids' Day!

 They loved posing on all the animal statues.

 The Big Papa Lion was lounging pretty close to the fence.  He was separated from the females and young this particular day because it was "Bone Saturday," and he was stealing all the bones for himself.

 We actually got to see the real tiger walk about.  This tiger was fun to pose on, of course while getting Haddie down I totally ran into the paw of it and it gave me a nice gash on my shin.  :)  Always the graceful one I am.

 Riding the Carousel was one of the highlights of the day.  Everyone had a great time!  Of course leaving the carousel proved challenging for certain people two and under.  Some screaming, flailing and gnashing of teeth may have ensued.

 Checking out the male kangaroo.

 The Koala.

Ah, the boat ride.  This would be what one would call a low of the day.  Sophia enjoyed herself.  Jamie and Riley had a delightful time.  Hadassah on the other hand (and thus me, as I had the privilege of restraining her sitting with her) did not so much have fun.  Before we even boarded she was screaming and flailing about in my arms.  The entire ride she screamed and flailed.  I felt bad for the childless couple who had the unfortunate luck to be aboard the same boat as "the family with the screaming child."  :)

By the time we left, indeed everyone was tired and fussy, but we had had a lot of fun and were thankful that when, at one point Riley managed to walk away from us, was found by Jamie only a few minutes later (terrifying by the way!).

We made our way back to the hotel and enjoyed a quiet dinner, baths for the kids and an early bedtime!

Sunday we got to worship at the church that we will soon call our own and even got to give the kids a peak at the house we'll soon be living in.  We ended our weekend adventure with ice-cream and sorbet and everyone was indeed happy!

:)

I am blessed to know her

I have been holding this post in for awhile now, and today is the day to get it out.  

My Sophia Ruth.  My first born.

If I had to describe her in one word, it would be, 

life.

When I found out I was pregnant with Sophia I never could have imagined what a girl she would be and I never could have envisioned the way she would stretch me, challenge me and inspire me.

There is never a dull moment with Soph.  She is such a joy to know.

I will always be her Mama, first and foremost, but we also enjoy a really special friendship, and I just love that.

Sophia is one of those kids that will always choose playing outside or, if stuck inside, something creative or imaginative, over watching tv or playing computer games.  Don't get me wrong, she loves her some tv and computer games, but given the choice she'll walk away from either in a second to do something active or creative!  I love that about her.  

There have been many a challenging day when it has come to raising my daughter.  She is smart and verbal and stubborn.  She can duel and debate with the best of them.  I have always felt though, the things that make her the so called, "strong-willed child," are the same qualities that will make her a strong leader and, Lord-willing, a powerful force in the Kingdom of God.  

Sophia has never met a stranger and never ceases to amaze me with her ability and nerve to ask for what she wants and to never stop, even if she's told no.  :)  Somewhere along my journey I got scarred and jaded and lost my nerve to honestly ask for the things I want.  One of my greatest weaknesses as an adult is that if I fear rejection I most often won't even bother going after whatever it is I seek.  This habit has even seeped into my spiritual life.  I don't want that for Sophia.  I want her to always have the courage and guts to ask the Lord for her desires and to not be afraid to ask the next time even if she was previously told no.

One of my greatest fears as I raise my green-eyed first-born, is that my insecurities and holdups will affect her in a negative way and do harm to her beautiful, unique spirit.  Sophia is unlike any other child I know- if you know her personally, you know it too!  She stretches me to uncomfortable lengths.  Sometimes I fear that others will reject her or label her or put her in a box, or judge the way they perceive that Jamie and I parent her - and that she will feel the sting.  I know that if I embrace all of who God has made her to be and work to shepherd her heart in a way that strives to make her seek the Lord first, she will flourish and soar.  I cannot let my fear of how others may perceive or receive my daughter affect the way I accept her and let her grow wings and fly.

It was with a proud heart that I heard the following story.

 Let me tell you about Wilbur first.  Wilbur reminds me so much of my late Grandpa [pictured above].  He is a WWII vet and lives across the street from us.  He moved to our street when his house was only one of four.  So, he has basically lived here since this street began, some 50 years ago.  When we moved here, over four years ago, Wilbur and Sophia became fast friends.  Barely a day goes by that Sophia doesn't make a visit to Wilbur.  Sometimes she'll stay over there for upwards to an hour, chatting away and listening to his tales.  They have a really beautiful friendship.

So, the story... Another neighbor, and friend of mine, was relating to me how the first time she met Wilbur, and every single time she's spoken to him since, he has told her the same tale. She said that Wilbur always tells her that this neighborhood was changed when Sophia came.  He says that before she came it was all fuddy-duddies.  :)  He tells of a little girl that can always be heard, even when she's inside, and how he loves that.  He says that Sophia brought life back to this neighborhood.

I cannot imagine much higher of a compliment.  My daughter, Sophia Ruth.

Life.

My Boys

Found this picture on Jamie's phone.

I just love it!

And, I love them.

Why Not?

This past Easter my sister, Jeni, and I planned to dye eggs with the kids.  Easter was a bit hectic this year with four hyper kids and Jeni being pregnant, etc... so we never did get around to dyeing the eggs.  Sophia never forgot though and has been asking to do it ever since.

Fast forward to last weekend.  Sophia found an egg dyeing kit in the free pile at a garage sale.  Ever since Saturday she's been asking to use it.  So, I bought an extra dozen eggs this week and today was the day.  Riley, Jamie and I joined in on the fun.  

Who says you can't dye Easter eggs in August?

This was one of Jamie's contributions.  :)  

I love Riley's face in the following pictures.  And Sophia in this shot?  

Can anyone say, "America's Next Top Model?"

It was really fun to do this today and now we get to enjoy some hard-boiled eggs.  I'm looking forward to some egg salad.  Riley is waiting for them to hatch into dinosaurs.  :)