handsful

Taken by Justin

Don’t let anyone tell you differently.  Moving is HARD.  Moving out of state is that much harder.  Of course, you miss your friends and all things familiar to you.  But, the daunting task of finding replacements for all of the activities, doctors, homeschool connections, etc. is…well, hard.  We’ve prayed specifically that God would provide for us in these areas.  And, even though finding a good guitar teacher might not seem like something God would care much about…boy, does He.  

Driving around in downtown Mooresville, I spotted a small guitar store and I figured that would be a good place to start finding out about area guitar teachers.  The guy who answered the phone said he normally taught, but his summer work schedule was too heavy for it…but, he had a friend who was home from college who was looking for students.  He gave me his number.  Having no info on this guy (he could be an ax murderer posing as a guitar teacher!!), I called him. 

To say he was polite is a grave understatement.  Then, he told us he was a christian, majoring in worship music at a very respected christian college (our nephew heads there this coming Fall).  He came to the house, and did a few lessons here.  We’ve ended up moving lessons to his houe because he also teaches drums…something Payton has always wanted to take.  Jackpot! 

So, I take the 3 kids to his house once a week…and, even though he heads back to college soon, he plans on getting together with them during his weekends home and he has a friend that he highly recommends when he’s not home. 

There are many more examples of how God is providing for our needs here in our new home.  Justin, the totally cool, totally sold-out for God, guitar/drum teacher is just one of them.  It amazes me how much God loves us.

Recently, I was forwarded a blog post that summarized a speech given by Amy Eldridge, Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit organization Love Without Boundaries (www.lovewithoutboundaries.com).   According to the website…

Love Without Boundaries began in the year 2003, after a group of adoptive parents came together to help save the life of one tiny boy in China. Following his successful heart surgery, they realized that people with a pure love for helping children can truly make a difference. LWB incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charity in the state of Oklahoma, and our worldwide team of volunteers went to work. We have watched our foundation grow from providing a handful of surgeries and baby formula in 2003 to touching the lives of thousands of children today through our many program areas.

In her speech, she gave her insights and opinions on the current state of China adoption.  It was extremely eye-opening for us, and we believe the information is important to pass along to anyone with a heart for China adoption.  Please click the link below.

http://chinaadoptiontalk.blogspot.com/2010/07/amy-eldridge-of-lwb-speaks.html

Ethan

conquers

the

wakeboard.  You’ve got skills, dude.

I hate to blog out of order.  Call me a control freak…unfortunately, the title fits more than I’d like it to.  For instance, I was nearly twitching in my seat watching the kids fold the clean towels.  They were doing it all wrong.  But, I think I’m getting off topic. 

I must back up to birthdays again.  Back on the 11th, we had a family birthday party for M, P, E, and L.  I made 3 cakes (with lots of help decorating) and bought one (Ethan wanted an ice cream cake).

Marley requested chocolate cake, buttercream frosting.

it says Tater (Payton’s preferred nickname)…he chose strawberry cake, buttercream frosting.

Cookies and cream, Ethan’s favorite flavor hands down. 

Lainey wanted a cookie cake.  Abbey designed and decorated it with L’s help.  The characters say “Lainey”. 

Time to sing…

She enjoyed the attention!

Make a wish and blow!

harder!

she did eventually get them blown out :)

It was a great party. 

Guess who else had a party? 

These characters say “Happy Birthday Dang Yu Hai”.

The birthday boy with some friends :)

I love seeing him have his own special day. 

A pink flower just for Dylan.  I wonder how wired up all that sugar made him? 

Oooh, I think he’s gonna try it. 

Can my friends have some, too?

Awww…she’s letting him help cut the cake. 

We were so happy to get these pictures.  I was told that the party was held on the 7th, since the 4th was on a Sunday and adoption related matters aren’t held on Sundays.  I hope he was told that his mama and dada sent him his birthday treat. 

So, 5 cakes later and we have 12 year olds, a 4 year old, and a 3 year old.  Last post about July birthdays.  I promise!  ;)

Oh, how we love this little guy already! 

My friend Denise (see sidebar…Denise-Seth) is in China right now, adopting her 2nd child from China, Seth.  You may remember Dylan being in his birthday pictures back in March.  She graciously offered to try and meet Dylan, and take pictures of him if they were allowed to visit the orphanage. 

I was so excited to see these…I mean, he’s SMILING!  He was cute in those other pictures, but seriously??  I can barely stand the cuteness now! 

Seeing the pictures makes me so happy, but it also makes the waiting time seem that much longer until we can get there. 

Denise not only took the time to get all these pictures for us.  She also talked to him, spoke to the orphanage workers for us, gave him a hug for us.  It brings tears to my eyes.  I mean, she’s there adopting her own child and she went to such lengths to give us these precious gifts.  I’m so thankful. 

I’ll share more detail in another blog…for now, more cuteness. 

He’s happy.  The nannies he’s with seem to care for him. 

I think our next care package should include a shirt that fits better?  I guess pants are optional.  :)

Marley, Payton, and Ethan…my preemie triplets who each weighed in around 3 1/2lbs…are now 12 years old.  Officially pre-teens – 1 year till teenagers – 4 years from driving.  (yikes)

Their birthday was actually fairly laid back…as pretty much all of our summer days have been.  They slept in, and then requested cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  Well, I had none in the fridge and didn’t have all the ingredients for homemade.  I did have a roll of biscuit dough, so after some imagination on my part, I presented them with cinnamon rolls.  They were good, if I do say so.

That night, they opened Abbey’s presents to them.

purple and pink camo sleeping bag

always suspicious of his sister, he’s listening for ticking.  Or, breathing.  Turns out it was an Xbox game.

Earlier in the week, Marley found just the comforter she’d been looking for, so that became her birthday present from us.  The boys were wishy-washy about what they wanted until it was too late.  We think we’ve hit on a couple of things, so we’ll do some internet surfing.

Then, we headed out to dinner…

Yummy dinner, followed by the usual birthday ice cream.  This time, there were no birthday singers – we were fine with that!

Now that they are 12, I decided to do a “who they are now” kind of post.  Listing things that really define them.  Afterall, I’m seeing glimpses of them as young adults these days (gulp), and I want to remember this season in their lives.

Marley –

Loves all things horses – dreams of owning her own horse farm with lots of other animals scattered about.

Hates all things related to thunder storms.  And splinters.  And peanut butter.

Loves to read – chapter books about animals are favorites.  Currently reading The Percy Jackson series.

Prefers to wear double-layered tank tops and jeans.  Isn’t fond of anything remotely “cute”.

She’s creative – loves to draw, color, cook, and write stories.

Loves to make other people happy, but can still flash a mean temper.

Payton –

Loves his brother intensely…can be just as intensely mad at him, too.

Hates injustice, soda, and wearing anything other than his favorite black shorts.

Orders lemonade at every restaurant.  Everytime.

Has a gift in drawing, especially cartooning.  Which fits his personality perfectly.

Little kids are drawn to him, and he loves that.

Prefers friends to call him “Tater”, and has a knack of making us laugh.

Ethan –

Hates reading, talking on the phone, and hearing his baby sister cry.

Loves soda, sugary cereal, and junk food.  Too much.

Has decided that baseball is not his thing.

Has decided that guitar is his thing, and he does it very well.   That and video games.

Always has arms full of silly bands and a rope anklet on his ankle.

Is a bit of a daredevil and loves a thrill.  Skateboarding, wakeboarding, skiing, roller-coasters…you name it.

I couldn’t be prouder of my triplets…who they are now, and who they are becoming.  Happy 12th M, P, and E!