And So It Begins. . .

These were all in the mail today....the beginning of lots of mail for Meredith I am sure.
Thinking we should start some files:  YES, MAYBE & RECYCLE!

What a fun adventure this will be!!! Already planning some campus visits for spring break.

What a Season!

The Warriors took third in the district tournament this weekend to wrap up their season.
Well done Warriors!
We really should have played in the championship game, but that's another story.
So proud of these boys for maintaining exemplary Christian character in the face of adversity!

Over the past four months we saw some fantastic basketball!
We enjoyed watching these boys dedicate themselves to one another on and off the court.
These guys are best of friends and it was a blessing to see them challenge and encourage one another through the season.  Thanks, Coach Mason for your fine leadership!!!

What's next for Pete we're not sure.  He is ducking all attempts by coaching staff to be recruited for baseball and he's not sure about track.  As he put it, "I don't see the point in running in a straight line for no apparent reason".  He is all about balls.  Coach Honeycutt wants to see him hit the weight room and do some preseason football training.

This mom is thankful for coaches who work to engage and disciple my son.  In some respects, busy is good.  Exercising is great.  Doing hard things is awesome!  In essence, tired boys are a blessing!

With soccer and basketball over, we're gonna enjoy a little breather!  At least for a bit!

Lady Warriors

The Lady Warriors are wrapping up the 2011/2012 season this week.  What a great soccer season it was.  Charlotte's first time to play soccer was this fall with the elementary co-curriular league and then she extended the soccer season playing for the middle school team this winter.

If you recall, the Lady Warriors were short players with several of their key players out with injuries in the first weeks of play.  So, they had a 5th grade try out and these five ladies were selected to play on the Lady Warrior's Middle School team. What a privilege!

This is Mimi, one of the 8th grade team captains.  She was so sweet with the incoming 5th graders.  And quickly befriended Charlotte.  They are dear friends and we were so thankful that Mimi made Charlotte feel so welcome on the team and added to her joy this season.  This team, and especially, these eighth graders, have played together for several years.  How amazing that they enfolded the little 5th graders with such grace.  A great example of Christian character!

Here's the team trying to pose with "game faces"....they look tough, huh!?

Here they are with their sweet smiles.  They sure do have fun together...

And they adore their coaches, Mr. and Mrs. Cyr.
What dedication, exellent Christian discipleship and athletic training they brought to our team.

We will cherish the memories!

 Charlotte named everyone by their cleats for us....

We're thankful for new skills and new friends!

Well done, Lady Warriors!

Magic Protein Balls

Now you see them. . .

Now you don't!

Here is the recipe for the amazing and magical protein balls my kids devoured after school today:

 Stir together:
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup raw honey
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
1/2 cup very fine flaked coconut

Roll into balls and stand aside.  They WILL disappear quickly.
They are yummy, wholesome and packed with protein.

New Year Happy

 新年快樂 新 = New 年 = Year 快樂 = Happy

This is how the Chinese say Happy New Year

Full of myths and traditions, the Chinese New Year is the longest and the most significant festival in the Chinese calendar.  The customs vary from province to province and village to village, but nationally, it is a time to return home to family to usher in a new year.  Millions of people will travel great distance to be with family.  Migrant workers are given this time to be with family, and for many, this is the only time they will see family during the year.  Large feasts, fireworks, lighted lanterns, traditional dragon dances and red envelopes given with money are signature sights at this time of year.  Many of the traditions are based on superstitions like cleaning the house to rid the family of evil spirits or eating dumplings shaped like coin bags for the promise of good fortune.  The Chinese, do, however use this special festival to seek reconciliation with one another, to forgive debts and extend peace and harmony to each other for a new year.  That's a beautiful thing!

Having two beautiful children from China, we celebrate the New Year as we did last weekend with a traditional dinner, decorations, lanterns and special books about the festival.  It is always fun for our family to do so.  But amidst the customs and traditions, all based in astronomy and superstition, it is always a reminder of the dark side of a culture that does not know Jesus. 

We remember, too, or maybe it is just I who remember and wonder....about the families that gather without Yue Hui Ping and Wu Yue He, our precious children.  Do they think about who is missing in their festivities?  Do they recall the day they parted ways with their beloved babies?  Do they offer well wishes for the chidlren they no longer know?  

I think about those families, unknown to us!

I pray for them!

And it breaks my heart!

For all that we continue to not understand and yearn to know about being knit together through adoption, we trust to God.  And we are mindful on such special days especially of the great work our God has done in the lives of these two children.  His redeeming, faithful work.  Our greatest thanksgiving comes in knowing that they know Jesus and Claire already trusts Him for her salvation through faith.  Our prayer is that the same will be true for David one day.

It is the fantastic year of the dragon.  Here is a hand print dragon Claire and I made. . .actually we decided it looked a bit more like Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar, but oh well.  We saw this idea on Pinterest and gave it a whirl!

The dragon is the most auspicious and powerful creature of the Chinese zodiac associated with high energy, prosperity and power.  This year, it is significant because it is not just the year of the dragon, but the water dragon.  This rolls around, we are told, every 60 years.  No doubt, as in other dragon years, the birthrate in Asian countries will soar.  What a matter of prayer this is.  How many more baby girls will be aborted?  How many more children will be abandoned because of this superstitious stronghold?  Makes my stomach turn and my heart weep!

On the brighter side, we are mindful of the many millions of people with their families during the next days and weeks and the hope we have in God and His sovereign hand over all the nations, over all the peoples and his redemption power even in the darkest places like superstitious China.  No doubt he is at work there.  

If you want to be encouraged in that fact, spend some time reading the blog of our dear freinds the H family living in Wuhan City.  We got to know them before traveling to China and spent time with them when we traveled for David last year.  They have adopted several children from David's city and are waiting for two more boys to come home!  They are a light in a dark place and you will be blessed to read how God is working in mighty ways ....MIGHTY WAYS...through this beautiful family.  Maybe you will even consider supporting their work there.  I don't know of another family who has been granted favor on such amazing levels in that country as the H family.  Truly amazing!

So it is the year of the water dragon.  He is no match for our great God and King who is redeeming every tribe, tongue and nation!  Amen to that!!!  And New Year Happy friends and family!!!

Adventures in Bucaramanga

Babba is home and we are so excited about that!

Ian spent the week in beautiful Colombia.  It is the second or third time he has gone in recent months.  Usually he works in the city of Bogota, but this visit bought him to the mountainous northern city of Bucaramanga in the Santander Department.  Here is a picture he sent the kids to see.

We love the gifts he brings from Colombia: woven bags, hand sewn dolls, braided jewelry and coffee.  Oh the coffee...it is amazing!   Nothing here compares...even the stuff marked "Colombian".

This visit he partook of a regional treat - harmigas culonas or "big-butt-ants".  I kid you not.
Roasted hormigas culonas are roasted and served like peanuts.
And what do these critters taste like?

In his own words, they "taste a bit like peanuts or bacon popcorn!"

I like peanuts.
I like bacon.
I like popcorn.
I surely would have passed, however, on the harmigas culonas!!!




Love my man's adventurous spirit, though.

Looking forward to our weekend....new members class at church, birthday parties, basketball, and Babba's stories from Bucaramanga!

Second Grade

It was an exciting day in second grade.

Most days in second grade are pretty cool, but today, Claire came home most excited!

Today in second grade, Claire bent light.

She discovered the properties of refraction.  How exciting!

She recounted the whole experiment before she even got her backpack off.

Of course, she is going to recreate the experiment for us all at home.

She loves to be the teacher.  

It is a joy to see her joy of discovering and learning.

Rainy Day Fun

What to do on a rainy day!?
David had a great idea..."make pictures"!


We poured out some of the contents of  the gallon ziplock of punch outs compliments of Aunt Annie from Unique Artistry.  David loves to sort through all the colors, shapes and sizes.  He giggles when he finds something matching and well . . .

the creative options are endless!!!

This picture is for Babba.

He wanted the heart to go right between him and his Babba "because I love him so much".

Thanks, Aunt Annie for a rainy morning of gluing fun.  Your scraps are our treasures!!!

My Cowgirl

Meredith is quickly becoming a bit of a cowgirl since our move to Phoenix and then to Texas.

She listens to country music.

She is most comfortable in her blue jeans.

And she has been yearning for her first pair of boots!

Ian and I gave her a gift certificate to Cavender's Boot City for Christmas.  And she has been so excited to go pick out her first pair of boots of which she has dreamt for many months.

Today, Meredith and I ventured to Cavender's, the fine Texas western outfitter since 1965!

It was a little overwhelming for us city folk.
So many options to chose from. . .
Heel style, material, shaft design and height, toe shape etc...

We were thankful for lots of patient help from the friendly cowboy staff!

We quickly learned that boots are not only practical working gear, but personal expressions of creative individuality.  And Meredith selected what suited her western cowgirl spirit the best.  They really are beautiful.

The big Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is coming up in March.  It is a VERY BIG DEAL here.  She will be well outfitted in her new boots.  Maybe by this time next year I will own boots for next years rodeo!  My Uncle Tom and Grandpa would be so proud!

Now to secure tickets to Brad Paisley or Jason Aldean (appearing at the rodeo) for her upcoming birthday!!!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

The Chinese New Year is not until january 23rd, but our family celebrated today.
Claire and I made red lanterns for our centerpiece. . .
Mason jars, red tissue paper and modge podge.

My Claire loves a good craft project!

Everyone participated in making Mrs. Lui's dumpling recipe.  She was our Chinese teacher in Arizona and made dumplings with the kids during class for the Lunar New Year.  We had trouble with the dough, so made an emergency run to the grocery for wrappers.  They were still yummy, though!  Must consult Mrs. Lui for next year!

David told stories about dragons. . .

and well, we just had a fun liesurely dinner together.

Didn't the lanterns turn out beautifully?

It is a joy to recognize the Chinese festivals as part of our family's traditions.

A Love Affair

Today, I mopped the floors with a a new found joy and enthusiasm.  I am in love.

I danced around the kitchen, skipped through the foyer, chassed round about the dining table and twirled into the mudroom in a most rewarding choreography of sorts.

My new partner. . .

The Rubbermaid Reveal.  

Oh how I love thee.  

Thou art cheap.  ($37.99)  Lightweight. Low maintenance. 

You swivel and turn with precion and grace.

You change directions with ease and reach with tender care into the many corners of my abode.

Your trigger switch is powerful yet controlled.  Responsive to my every movement.

What they said about your reusable microfiber pads is all but true.  

Oh how you have restored my joy.

I so fancied our pas de deux this morning.

Until we dance again. . . . . . .

45 and I'm Okay with That!

Yep.  I turned 45 this past Monday.  Forty. Five.

I love sharing the day with my twin brother, Scott. . .I cherish fond memories of coordinating cakes, combined birthday parties with our special friends and family celebrations at the neighborhood pizza place.  Good times!

My family loved on me all weekend.

My sweet husband brought me home flowers on Saturday.

On Sunday he scheduled me and the girls for manicures and pedicures after church.

The boys cleaned house while we were gone.

Then on Sunday evening we went to Pappasitos for a fiesta!!!

And yes, it's the kind of place that makes you wear the hillarious sombrero while they sing Happy Birthday at the top of their lungs.

Everyone at my table loved wearing the sombrero!

The 21 year old a couple tables down wore the sombrero for his birthday song and danced atop the table.  Not me.

When the waitress asked my name and how old I was turning and I told her 45...she replied,
"so do you really want to be 45...we're going to announce it!?"

Ummmmm....YES.  I'm 45 and I'm okay with that!  Really!!!

New Learning Game

We got a new game this weekend.

It is the bambino LUK...a research based German product.

It is a series of early learning workbooks used with a controller grid and plastic tiles.  

You can read more about it here.

It is a fun and engaging way to review or introduce important skills.  The preschool books start with sequencing, colors, numbers, logical thinking, visual discrimination, parts of a whole, association, memory, comparison, concentration, etc.

Once you complete an exercise, the case closes and you flip it over and self check with the big polk a dots.  David calls it his "homework".

He really enjoyed it.  And as you can see, it made him think!

We love new games...especially ones that build confidence and competence.
And it is easy, I'm thinking,  to take along to restaurants or appointment.  BONUS!

Look for it at educational stores, finer toy stores or on line.
It gets two thumbs up from me and my preschooler!

Warrior Soccer Victory

The Lady Warriors started the second half of their season off with a victory tonight and Charlotte scored the winning goal!  Her career first!  Way to go Charlotte. . .Way to go Warriors!

Discipleship is Sweet

In this new year, Meredith and I are carving out time to study this book together by Susan Hunt.

Prayers of the Bible
Equipping Women to Call on God in Truth. . .

It's focus is prayer, but Susan Hunt, one of my favorite authors, examines prayers from the Bible in light of our redemptive purpose in creation to be true women (title of another of her wonderful works).

I am reminded every day that the time is quickly drawing near when Meredith will be off to college.  I absolutely treasure the time we have together to pray and study God's word. To be equipped - each of us for our different stages of life as women.  To disciple her and mentor her as she is growing into womanhood.  Discipleship is sweet and I feel so blessed to have a daughter with a teachable heart and a spirit that longs for a closer walk with the Lord.

Of course we are both busy and our greatest battle will be to hold each other accountable to this study and to our time together.  May God be glorified as we call upon His name together.

Psalm 145:18 says the Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth!