Wordless Wednesday: Black & White

Wordless Wednesday: Rainy Days

Wordless Wednesday: Peek-a-boo

Wordless Wednesday: Just Chillin

Fun With Blocks

I keep certain toys  in the preschool room, to only be used there. Needless to say, these toys become very special and the kids love playing with them! I think it's because they don't always get to play with them, just once in a while.

This week in preschool, I brought out some new alphabet blocks we received.

My original plan was to work on their recognition of letters and colors but then realized that building towers was way more fun!

After all, we are working on fine motor skills so it's totally educational!

We built....

And we lined up.

For not really wanting to ever be a preschool teacher, I have come to really love it. We have such fun!

I Am the "Lucky One"

"They are so lucky to have you"

"She is so lucky that you adopted her."

First of all, I have never liked the term lucky. Luck has absolutely nothing to do with it which is why I prefer the term blessed.

Now that we got that out of the way, these are two statements that just "get to me." I know people mean well but I guess you really don't "get it" until you live it. In just a few months, we will be celebrating 12 years of Kiah being a part of our family. In all honesty, it's hard for me to remember what life was like before she was part of our family. She was the missing piece, the sister I dreamed about and prayed for for years. She has brought so much joy to our family and none of us, can imagine life without her. "She is so lucky that you adopted her." That is a statement we have heard probably hundreds of times over the past 12 years but no, that is not it at all. She is not the "blessed one," we are. She has brought us so much joy and happiness that it almost seems unfair. We are the ones who won, hands down, in this situation. 

Then there is the one I receive quite often now, how lucky my kids are to have me. Once again, that is totally backwards. They aren't lucky at all. Yes, I can make them laugh with my silly face and antics but the truth is, they have blessed me way more than I have blessed them. They have taught me about the heart of the Father. The Father who has not forgotten a little orphan child. A Father who loves and cares and cherishes. A Father who will never leave or forsake us. They have taught me about joy, laughter, and trust. They have taught me about healing and miracles. They are not the lucky ones, not at all. It is me. 

Wordless Wednesday: Treasure

Sunday Snapshot: Hard Goodbye

I just loved having my brother, Thaddeus, here. Like really loved it. I will admit, I was a little nervous at first because I'm so used to just "my life" over here that I wasn't sure how it would be to have another person around. But it was great! He was able to see and experience a lot in the 2 weeks he was in China. And surprisingly, things went very smoothly. 

On Tuesday afternoon, it was time to say goodbye. He became quite attached to little Treasure which made it painfully hard to say goodbye. 

These two were inseparable for those two weeks he was here. Playing, reading, laughing for hours. It brought me to tears several times just watching them together.

In such a short time together, they fell in love with each other. And I know they miss each other terribly.

When Thaddeus was in the room, no one else existed to Treasure, not even me! Their bond was that strong.

 A beautiful friendship was formed in such a short amount of time.

Which made the goodbye all the more painful. It was painful to watch when he walked out of the playroom for the last time and Treasure lifted her arms in anticipation of being picked up.

*Sigh* It's hard. But I know that two lives were changed in their time together. And that makes it even more special and I know the memories will last forever.

Linking up with Ni Hao Ya'll

Miracle Students

Today was a big day. Two sweet girls joined my preschool class. My kiddos love school and when they aren't old enough to come, they try to come anyways and then throw a fit when they are not allowed. Today was the day. Sweetheart and Treasure got to join in on the fun.

As I was trying to find all my preschool material after being gone for 5 weeks and getting re-organized (still working on that one), I couldn't help but be reminded of what precious miracles I had in front of me. Both of these girls are living, breathing miracles. Without coming to the foster home, neither of them would probably be here today.

Sweetheart came to us as a tiny baby girl. Weak and sick. After two surgeries and lots of love, would you just look at her? Yes, miracle indeed.

Then there is Treasure. Remember all those months and months we all spent praying for this little girl? Interceding in prayer on her behalf and just begging God to let her live? That's right... this is the same little girl. Miracle indeed.

Even though having new students can be challenging and really tests my patience until they get the hang of how preschool works, I can't help but give thanks and praise to God. Because neither of these girls should probably be in my classroom. And yet they are. What else can I do but thank Him?

In Love

Being back with my babies has been so wonderful and it's been even more wonderful having my brother, Thaddeus here with me. I have so much to share about the adventures we have had in just 5 days in China but we appear to be too busy for me to blog much! I'll try to post pictures occasionally and then update you all once he leaves next week.

I think he is in love...

An we have quite a few children in love with him.

Honestly... when he is in the room, I don't even exist! Especially this little Treasure. I already know it will be super hard for her when he leaves. In just a few days, she has fallen in love. And fallen hard.

It is amazing to see how much my little ones have grown and how they are thriving.

And then there are the trials that we are in the middle of. I can't wait to watch this miracle story unfold.

2013.... what a year. As we ring in the new year in just a few hours here in China, I can't help but be excited. 2013 was a year of ups and downs but He has been faithful through it all. 2014 is going to be a big year and a year of many changes for me. It's terrifying, yet I can't help but be excited for all it holds. Having my brother here to bring in the new year with me is such a blessing. I couldn't ask for more.

See you later, 2013. It's been great! Happy New Year!

Day 9 of Thankfulness: Foster Home Children

I am thankful for the foster home children.

I could obviously go on and on about how precious these children are. How they have gripped my heart and never let go. How they have taught me what love really is. 

They have taught me about hope. 

 They have reminded me that miracles do indeed exist today.

They have taught me to be thankful for each day.

 They have challenged me to learn new things, like teaching, which I have never done before.

They have taught me about perseverance.

  They have shown me true joy.

 They have taught me about the heart of Jesus.

Wordless Wednesday: Concentration

Miracle in Our Midst?

When I watch this little Treasure sleeping, I can’t help it but stand amazed at the hand of God. Remember just 5 months ago when I sent out an emergency prayer request asking you all to pray for a miracle? The doctors were giving her no hope. Children with her condition never left the hospital alive. "You might as well give upon her," they said. But of course, we know that there is always hope. No matter how slim it looks, in Christ there is a hope. And He indeed worked a miracle. I still stand amazed. Do you know what I think? God was planning on healing her all along but He was waiting for His people to stand up and cover this little one in prayer. To trust Him in a miracle and then to watch His hand at work.

We are in need of another miracle. Peanut is not doing well. He was transferred to a better hospital last night and his condition is quite serious. As we sit and listen to the doctor’s, it’s easy to become discouraged. He is so sick…. What hope is there for him? But as we have already stated, there is always hope. Won’t you please pray for another miracle? Pray that the peace of Christ will fill his heart as well.

Do we have another miracle in our midst? We very well may.

Remember When...

This little Treasure was fighting for her life?

When she was given no hope?

I do too....

Now when I hold her in my arms and listen to her sweet sing song voice,

or pick her up time and time again, when she is fussy,

I can't help but be thankful.

Because she was so close to not making it.

 Your prayers are what made all the difference.

Once people all over the world began lifting up this little sweetheart, that is when things changed.

You sure are a Treasure, little one.

Continue growing big and strong. 

Want to read more about her miraculous story?

Read about it here!