Sad, but sweet...

Back in March, when Lilyann was in the hospital with pneumonia, her nurse informed us that she was also in the process of adopting from China. She had a log in date of 2/06, and they (CCAA, China center of adoption affairs) are now matching people with log in dates of 1/06, however it is taking forever, as the CCAA is only matching a few days at a time now...and the regular China adoption program has slowed drastically. Anyway, just the other day, that nurse contacted us, and gave us all of these things! These were all items she had purchased over time for her daughter to be. She informed us that they will no longer be adopting. She appeared sad. She did not say why they were not able to continue with their adoption plans. I feel for them, and also really wonder how they came so close to their daughter, and had to quit their pursuit. It was so kind of her to donate these items to us.

Mothering....my best job ever!!!

Yes, even though I have worked in healthcare, in a career I have loved for many years, I can now tell you that being a mother is the best job ever! This photo was just taken on mother's day. I love it. Lilyann has just learned to "smile" for cameras, and this is the face we always get now. It is so funny!

I haven't always felt this way, in fact, six and a half years ago when Miranda was born my husband actually said I could quit my job and become a stay at home mom. My response?? No, way! How could you suggest such a thing, you must be kidding!! I felt that I had worked much too hard for my degree and I was not going to waste it by quitting. God has done a huge work in me, because now, if my husband were to suggest that same thing, my response would be very different. I would see it as the greatest privelege to have the opportunity to spend every day at home with the children God has given me. I work 2 days (20 hrs.) per week. Even this seems like far too much time to be away from them now. My heart is rooted in the home now, where before, I believe it was rooted in my work. I still love helping people, and working with families at such a wonderful place, but my heart is at home.

How do I know this? I love being home...and all that it stands for. I now cherish every moment I have at home with my family. I now understand what it means to be a keeper of the home (Titus 2). I actually love doing housework now, and cooking for my family is something I now look at as an awesome responsibility, as I am always trying to learn more about how to cook healthy delicious meals for them! I try to limit outings and stay home as much as possible. In today's society this is almost impossible, but it is something I strive for all the time. I limit extra curriculur activities to put our children in as well, when most people are running around day and night trying to make it to that next group, practice, or meeting. My goal is to create a simplistic lifestyle, but one where children flourish with natural activities such as gardening, raising animals, and creative activities such as crafts, art, and creating with your hands, (sewing, knitting, baking, etc.). These are all centered in and around the home. Right now we are working on the barn, and on a new outside playhouse. We have tree swings, and lots of outdoor play activities available. Every day we go outside, do some chores, but mostly play.

Most people were shocked when they first heard that my husband and I were both going to work part time. We chose to do this almost 7 yrs ago, (after I refused to quit my job) so that our children would never have to be in childcare. No one around us thought we could do it. Family members even discouraged us to make this shift to be more family centered! There were sacrifices that we made financially, but this is incomparable to the time we have had with our children. It is so worth it. Many people don't realize that this is possible. There may be some major or minor adjustments that you would need to make, but it can be done. Two full time working parents does not have to be the norm. We could never go back to that. If we can make this work, I believe many others can as well.

So there you have it! My best job ever! Mothering!!!

Mothering, part 2

As a teen, I discovered my mom was having an affair. At that moment I confronted her, only to hear lies. Through a private investigator, we all had proof, and later we all watched, as my mom moved her stuff out of the house. It was at that moment, that, what I knew to be family was now over.

Through this situation, I learned how much I needed God. God, in His faithfulfulness, met me, and I knew in my heart He would always be there for me, as long as I walked and trusted in Him.

A few years later I got married. Mothering was far from my mind at that point. I entered the working world, as well as carried the load of a college student. I picked a career that I learned to love. Occupational therapy. School was hard for me, but with this career choice came a lot of hands on work, creative classes, and time out in the field working in a variety of clinical settings. This was the part I loved! I loved helping people. I got to spend time in nursing homes, schools for the profoundly delayed, state mental hospitals, public schools, child care settings and hospitals. It was an adventure! During my last year of school, I also worked a part time job at a group home for chronically mentally ill adults. This was interesting, challenging, yet disturbing at the same time. I finally graduated, and chose an area to specialize in: pediatrics. That very year, a brand new facility opened in our city. It was the first of it's kind. With a collaboration of many agencies, an all encompassing pediatric center for children with special health care needs was born. I landed a job there. It was definately a dream come true. I loved my job from day one!!! I had the privlege of working closely with families and children with a wide range of special needs. It was never boring. I got to "play" with kids all day...and I got paid for it! Of course, the "play" was very specialized, and targeted whatever goal the child had, but we always had fun! I felt so thankful and blessed to have a job I could go to every day that I absolutely love, and still do!!

I have another job too! It's one I love even more!!! I can't wait to tell you about it in my next post!

Mothering...

In honor of mother's day, I decided I would take this week to write my thoughts on mothering, what it means to me, how God has changed me, and what He is currently doing in my life!

Today is tuesday, and I am in the middle of "mothering" right now, so I expect this first post may be short. The baby just went down for her nap, so I have a few moments, while my 6 yr. old works on her art project.

I didn't come from a home where mothering was something my mother cherished. I wouldn't say I came from a home where nurturing was present at all, in fact. I had a mother, and a father, and a brother. I went to public school, hung out with friends, and had a pretty typical upbringing. I attended church very infrequently, but came to know the Lord at the age of 18, when in a sort of desperate situation, I cried out to God, and He met me right where I was. If there ever was a situation where God could take something bad and make something good out of it, that was it.

Stay tuned...part 2 is coming soon!

Happy Mother's Day!

I remember my Mother's prayers, and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.

-Abraham Lincoln

6 months with you!!!

Lilyann, 6 months ago today, far away in China, you were handed to me by your nanny. You were sleeping, so peaceful, and sweet. I felt so much love for you, even in that moment.
You came home with us, to a brand new life. At 16 mos. of age, you were so little and you just liked to sit and play quietly with your cups. You could not walk, talk, or eat yet.
This was the first bite you took of something solid. It took lots of coaxing, and demonstrations on my part, and you finally trusted me enough to take that first bite. You knew right then and there that this food thing was something good!
You are such a little love bug. You give me kisses all the time. You love to be snuggled, and you love to sit on my lap and read books. You are also very loud now! You make yourself well known everywhere you go! You are a unique and special child, with your own little sparkle!
You are a ham! You do silly things like this! You don't mind getting messy! You love baths and bubbles! You make us smile and laugh daily! We can't believe how much you have grown and blossomed in just 6 months! We love you baby girl! Keep smiling that darling smile of yours! We are so thankful to God for bringing you into our lives!!!!!

Spring treasures...

We have begun the big "barn cleaning", and let me tell you, it is the most digusting job I have ever done. So, I thought about doing a before and after picture of our barn project, but decided it was just too unpleasant, so instead I will share some of the more delightful spring photos I have. I just love this new "window" bird feeder we have. When the birds finally got hungry enough, and brave enough, they started landing in it and staying for awhile. Our dining room table sits right in front of this window, so we get an up close and personal nature study right there at dinner.
Here's a closer view. The finches have now turned a bright golden yellow, this photo was taken a few weeks back.

We also hung our hummingbird feeder out on our front porch. Now we just wait for that first hummingbird sighting!
We have many different types of daffodils around, but this is my favorite!
I have this old pie safe sitting on an old farm table out on the patio. Inside there are some antique garden tools, and this old fabric bowl. I was surprised to find that Miranda's kitten, Winter, has decided that this is her new bed!

My tulips are blooming this week! They are my all time favorite flower! I hope to get out there and cut some to bring inside. We have had a busier than usual shedule lately. I hope to just sit back and relax next week, and take in the sounds and sights of spring.