The last Florida post

Yes, we've been home for over a month and it's taken this long to post the best ones.

A few more Florida pics

Not my child Monday

I usually don't take part in these little blog games, but I have too many "not my child moments" to not play along. The following things did NOT happen recently:

It was not my almost 4-year-old who answered "feeding Gabe his boogers" when I asked her what in the world she was doing with her fingers in her baby brother's mouth.

This same generous child did not declare the other day, "When I get to heaven, I'll NEVER have to share."

And this same child certainly did not stand on the couch and move the big hand on the clock after I told her she was going to "sit on that couch for a time-out until the big hand gets to the 12." No, she'd never do that.

And she of course never yells, "Don't look at my pretty face!!!" when she's mad. That would be vain and rude.

And finally, my 7-year-old most definitely did not try "just three squirts" of each kind of perfume sample at Target when I was busy getting a prescription. No, she knows better than that.

Whew, I feel much better getting all that out, admitting what my sweet angels did NOT do lately.

A Few Florida Photos

I finally got around to editing some pictures from Florida. Here are some, and I'm going to try to post some more over the next few days.

























































This last one would have been a great picture if Brooke's face was in focus instead of the flower. Oh well.

To advocate or not to advocate...

One of the things I have struggled with is whether or not to advocate for orphans on my blog. The reason I'm hesitant is because I don't want people to think I'm trying to tell everyone to adopt. I am passionate about adoption, and it breaks my heart to think of the orphan all alone thinking no one cares, needing a family that could be provided if only that family stepped out in faith. I believe that adoption , while not easy by any means, is very close to God's heart. He adopted us into His family, and He commands Christians to take care of orphans. This article says it well. BUT, that does not mean every Christian is called to adopt. We are all called to do different things for the Kingdom. We are the body of Christ and we all have different roles to play.


What about the word "called?" A couple summers ago when Chad and I were first discussing the possibility of adopting, we asked for advice from a Christian mentor of Chad's (his old youth pastor who was himself in the process of adopting). We asked, "How will we know if we are called-if it's God's will that we adopt?" He told us the best advice, advice that had he not shared, we probably would not have stepped out to adopt. He said, "Adoption is a theme woven throughout the Bible. Christians are called to help the orphans. If you want to do it, and the Bible supports it, then do it!" He said we will not hear a "voice" from the sky and to not look for a "sign." The sign is there; it's called the Bible. Interesting, huh?

If you are not in a position to adopt, then what about helping to sponsor someone else's adoption? Adoption is costly. If you know someone in the process of adoption and you want to be a part of it, how about helping financially? (Financial contributions from friends and family made Ava's adoption possible.) Or how about sponsoring a specific child financially so he or she is more "adoptable?" If you go to Reece's Rainbow, an adoption ministry that facilitates the adoption of children with special needs, mainly Down Syndrome, but other needs as well, you can sponsor a waiting child. You can also view pictures of the children waiting for families.

Here is just one child from Reece's Rainbow with one of the more minor special needs, a cleft lip and palate like Ava. I showed this picture to Ava and she said, "That's me!" Is this little girl not just adorable?


























And this little pumpkin over at Reece's Rainbow, who was, by our Creator, hand-crafted with an extra chromosome, is described as happy and calm, very laid back and content by his care-takers. Don't you just want to pick him up and love on him???

























And this little guy about breaks my heart.

A family who was adopting out of his orphanage visited him and had this to say:
"...He was just the most pitiful thing. His face needed to be cleaned and I wanted to wash him off so bad! He was sitting up on his own it looked like, but he was super quiet. He was fascinated with my camera but was so pitiful and didn't have much to smile about. :( He looked like a little lover baby that needed some good cuddling. I wanted to hold him so badly. He needs a family to give him the affection he needs! "






Well, that's all for now. I guess I decided to advocate after all because these precious children need people to speak up for them. If anyone is offended, that is not my intent. If this post just gets one person even considering adoption (or considering supporting an adoption) it will be well worth it.

One of my favorite photos of all time

This was taken 3 years ago and I happened across it the other day. I was doing dishes and walked in the family room to check on the kids and this is what I found- all three in the chair with Brooke reading to Ashton and Kate. (I think Ashton had recently had his face painted)

I love how Brooke's lips are pursed as she's reading and Ashton and Kate look so engrossed. They didn't even know I was taking their picture.

Happy Birthday, Gabe!!!

My sweet baby is one now. Where in the world did the last year go???? It seems only yesterday he was born. Even Brooke said to me, "Mom, I feel sad that Gabe is so big and not a tiny newborn anymore." Oh well, we celebrated his birthday anyway. This little guy us SO well loved by his mommy, daddy and brother and sisters. Happy birthday, Gabe!















































































































































He actually turned one in Florida and we had his party there. His new presents (trucks) kept him happy for a long time on the drive home as you can see.

Interview with Ava

Chad: "Ava, tell me about God."

Ava: "Father"

Chad: "Tell me about Jesus."

Ava: "Died"

Tara: "Who is God?"

Ava: "Jesus"

Tara: "Who is Jesus?"

Ava: "God"

Chad and I were talking the other day about how amazing it is that when Ava was first home from China a year ago, she would hear us pray and never looked around wondering who we were talking to. She just seemed to know. Then about a month after she was home, she started wanting a turn to pray just like the other kids got. We didn't understand anything of what she said at the time, but she knew. Now we understand her prayers and can have conversations with her. Interesting how much she's learned in the past year, isn't it?