Happy Fourth!

Four years ago yesterday I became a Mommy for the very first time.

Thanks to the amazing midwives at Charleston Birth Place we had the privilege of becoming parents to this healthy, perfect, chunk of a boy.  Never thought I could love someone that instantly.  

He has blessed our lives like we could never have imagined.  

His determined spirit is going to take him far in this life.  

We are so blessed to have been given the privilege to raise him up to be a great man of God.

We pray for you daily, big guy.  That God will bless your life immeasurably and that He will equip you to do more than we could ever ask or imagine for you.  Chase after God and He will give you everything you need.  And never forget that Mommy and Daddy love you always and forever.  Thank you for being the awesome boy you are.  We are so proud of you and can't wait to see what lies ahead for you!

Reflections

I awoke early Christmas morning in anticipation of the day's excitement. The hum of the coffee maker was soothing as I pulled the creamer from the fridge. After carefully turning the coffee into a sweet, creamy, somewhat coffee-tasting beverage, I turned on the tree and stuffed the stockings. I re-organized the presents under the tree for the third time before finally curling up on the couch the wait for the pitter patter of feet upstairs.

Christmas is my very favorite time of year. People are happier, the air is (sometimes) chilly and crisp, and I get to spoil my kids rotten. I also get more opportunities than usual to tell them about Jesus and his love for them. I remember His birth as I reflect on His sacrifice. And I give thanks.

This Christmas was different, however. I watched with joy as our kids opened their presents in very loud wonder. My eyes met with my husband's as we sat on the couch and played tea party with two very cute little people. We celebrated Jesus' birth with friends we couldn't be more blessed to know.

But despite the cheer and laughter, there was a hole in my heart.

You see, halfway around the world there is a 7 year old girl who doesn't know what Christmas is. She did not awake to the smell of cinnamon rolls and the sound of Christmas music in the kitchen. She didn't snuggle in bed with her family before running down the stairs to find presents under the tree. She wasn't here to unwrap the handmade blanket her grandma gave her the night before. She missed the stockings and breakfast and trampoline jumping. She missed the hugs and kisses and the Christmas story.

And I missed her.

But I rejoiced in the hope that she will be with us next Christmas. I rejoiced knowing that we are doing everything we can to make sure she never spends another Christmas alone. Her story is only just beginning.

There are other kids who don't have that hope. Kids who may not ever spend Christmas with a family. Children who may never learn what Christmas IS. Children who may never know the Savior whose birth we celebrate.

And that's the cause of the hole in my heart. Yes, I long for the day we bring Miah home, but I am at peace because I know that day will come. The despair in my heart is not for our daughter's current living situation, but for the children who will never be held or loved or wanted. The children who have no hope.

I don't know that a heart can be mended once it has been broken this way. I don't know that it SHOULD be mended. I pray that my heart will always be broken for orphans. May I never forget their struggles. And may I never stop doing everything in my power to pray for, advocate for, and love them.

A new year is coming. It's a big year for us. It's the year we bring our daughter home. It can also be the year you decide to step out and do something great. Is your heart broken like mine? Do you weep for these children? Did you know you can DO something very tangible to change the life of a child? Are you ready to step out in faith? Adoption is beautiful. Will you consider it? I can tell you without a doubt that it is the most exciting, powerful, inspiring step we have ever taken. Will you take that step with us?

Christmas for Miah

As you know, our sweet Miah will not be with us for Christmas this year.  She will still be in her orphanage, blind to the knowledge that we are coming for her.  (But GREAT news - this is her last Christmas in an orphanage!)  We have been stretching our brains for the last several weeks trying to figure out what we can do for her for Christmas this year.  Presents seem a bit silly since she will not be home until around June.  But we want to do something to make her part of the celebration.  And we know you want to make her part of your celebrations, too.

In light of the recent news I shared earlier, we have discovered there IS something we can do for Miah.  Her country has what is known as a "baba program".  Babas are grandmother type figures who come in for two hours each day and care for the children.  Miah has a baba for two hours each weekday.  But!  There is more that we can do!  I was told today that it is possible to pay for a private baba for Miah who will be able to stay with her for 6 hours a day.  These babas help make sure the children are fed, changed, held, and talked to.  This will be crucial in helping to prepare Miah for life with a family.  In addition, if the unthinkable happens, Miah will still have someone on her side and by her side.

Do you want to get a present for Miah this Christmas? Do you want to include her in your celebrations?  We're doing a special Christmas fundraiser for Miah to raise the money needed to pay for a baba for her. We are trying to get a baba for her as soon as possible.  Hopefully this can happen in time for Christmas.  :)  We are asking that each person who wants to include Miah in their Christmas celebrations purchase a star for $10.  That $10 will go directly into her baba fund to get her extra care and love while she waits for us. The star will have your name written on it and will be hung above the crib in her room.  (Thanks Jessica for your blocks idea!  We're totally basing this off of it!)  You can donate through paypal using the Chip In link on the right side of this blog.  This is a safe and secure way to give.

I'm super excited to have all of these stars hanging in Miah's room to show her how much all of you love her! It's going to be amazing!

Advent

It's no surprise to the people who know me that Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the lights, the tree, wreaths, nativities, cookies, candies, parties, and...well...I pretty much love all of it. I love the Christmas season so much that we set up the tree before Thanksgiving this year.  :)  I sit by it every night and crochet the evening away.

Our 2012 Christmas Tree

I am especially loving this year as I watch Nathan's excitement over the season. I watch him as he remembers traditions from last year and makes the connection that we are continuing this memories. I love watching Alex's face as she experiences Christmas as a toddler who is walking around and understanding things. I love watching them anticipate the season together.  Watching them laugh and sing and dance around.  Watching them listen to the Christmas story and make connections about Jesus.  Watching them take in the Christmas lights on our walk.  I love it all.

Sorting ornaments for "their" tree.

But along with the excitement and joy I feel watching them experience Christmas comes a great feeling of responsibility. Craig and I are directly responsible for how our kids view Christmas. We are directly responsible for whether they come out of childhood thinking Christmas is all about them or if they come out of childhood knowing Christmas is all about HIM.

The nativity I received from my in-laws.  My constant reminder of WHO the season is really about it.  

How do you find the balance? The balance of receiving gifts and giving gifts. The balance of fun and excitement and reverence for what this day means to us. The balance of the material side of Christmas and the spiritual side of Christmas. The balance of going and doing and just sitting and abiding. It's a big job we have as parents. How to "do Christmas".  Sometimes it overwhelms me.

Daddy and Alex, decorating the kids' tree.

For our family in this season, we're making Christmas about giving. Giving to Jesus through giving to others. We're also doing everything we can to point our kids to Jesus this season. For us this means minimizing Santa.  We're also not doing the Elf on the Shelf. (Pretty sure I'd stress out trying to keep up with that guy!). We're not doing a tree full of gifts or an advent activity full of chocolate and presents. While they are young we want to instill a spirit of giving in their hearts in a world that tells us we need to "get".

All dressed up and ready to deliver some cookies.  

So what are we doing? Well, this year we are doing an advent activity called Truth in the Tinsel. Every day the kids make an ornament that represents part of the Christmas story. (If you don't have an advent activity and are looking for one - I highly recommend this one.  WELL worth the 8 bucks.)  We are also doing random acts of kindness throughout December. (Check out this site for lots of ideas!) We've already taken the kids to carol and deliver cookies twice (practicing on our parents to see if the kids would really sing). By the way, they did.  And loved it! We are doing gifts, but are not going overboard with them like we have in the past.

Their first advent craft of 2012.

Does this mean we're cutting down on the excitement? I don't think so. Changing the focus of the excitement? Sure. But diminishing it? No. They are enjoying their crafts and look forward to moving the trinket on the advent calendar. They love delivering cookies and making other people smile. Nathan keeps telling me he likes to "help people". They love counting down to Jesus's birthday so they can celebrate it.

Jesus came to give light to a dark world.  Their candle ornaments are reminders of that.  

And that's what is working for us this year.

What does your family do to celebrate Christmas?

Halloween :)

A little photo blog of how we spent Halloween.

In case you wondered, the kids are still on a candy high.  I have to hide the pumpkins in the microwave so they can't sneak candy every time I walk out of the room.  :)

The Birthday Boy

Yes, I know this post is two weeks too late.  But the pictures are still adorable.  :)

We played "Pin the Propeller on the Airplane"

And at Nathan's request, we HAD to have a pinata.  (Which he calls a Miata.)

Candy!  

And singing.

And of course a birthday cake (made by my mom!)

And ice cream.

And noisy party favors.

And presents.  

And "party hats".

Otherwise known as pieces of the pinata.

They were the best part of the party!

And, for a bonus, my favorite silly people ever.