Delighted!!!!!

Delight yourself also in the Lord, 

and He will give you the desires

of your heart.  Psalm 37:4

We recently started "Skyping" with our oldest bird Bryce, who is stationed in Spokane, and it has been such a blessing to get to "see" him!  (For anyone who doesn't know what Skype is, it's like a video conference via the Internet.  With the aid of a web cam on either end you can make a call through the net, and then talk and see one another on your computer screen.  It's the coolest thing ever, and it's free!)

So, last night Bryce sent me a text message asking when would be a good time to Skype to see Brogan and Teddi before they went to bed.  I said 7:15ish, and he sent another text saying he was still out, how about 8:00ish.  Well 8:00ish is usually bedtime now that the kids get up early for school, but I told him yes, thinking we would get the kids completely ready for bed and then Skype for a short bit and then tuck them in!  A little before eight, we sat down to read their Bible story, and then we got up to head to the computer--just across the sunroom.  

As we stood up, Brogan said, "I wish we could see Bryce." 

 To which I cheerily replied, "We are going to see him, we're getting ready to Skype right now!"  

To which Brogie's sad little voice answered, "No I mean see him herrrrre."

  

To which I replied (with my mamas heart aching), "I know buddy".

As this conversation was transpiring Bryce called on his cell to see if we were ready to Skype, and in turn Bryan "called" him through the computer.  We heard the ringing sound as the Internet connected with Bryce . . . first one ring, two rings, three rings . . . four . . .  five . . . six . . . seven . . . and just as we began to wonder why he wasn't "picking up", the back door of the sunroom flew open behind us . . . and in walked  . . .

the desire of Brogan's little heart!

We had nooooo idea he was coming!  As I hugged his neck, and asked what he was doing here, the other big kids came running.  Brogan and Teddi had already scrambled up Bryce! 

Turns out, Bryce was given an opportunity to come teach survival training at a base about 4o minutes away.  He'll be in the area for about 10 or 11 days, and part of that time he'll be out in the field.  He's staying in a hotel near where he needs to be for work, but we are hopeful we will get to spend a bit of time with him.  And even if it isn't much, last night was a precious, precious gift.  (Needless to say the 8:00ish bedtime flew out the window . . . Flit and Grinner are currently napping to catch back up!)

This morning while driving Brogan and Teddi to school we talked about last nights wonderful surprise.  I was reminding Brogie of what he had said about wanting so badly to see Bryce, and then I shared with him how God knows the desires of our heart (what we really, really want), and that God knows his very thoughts!  

I told Brogan, "I think God was smiling a great big smile down on you, and thinking, Brogan is about to get a realllllly big surprise!"

The thought of God surprising him like that just tickled Brogan and he giggled the longest, most joyful giggle . . . and then very matter-of-factly he said, "That was like a miracle"!

Yes, Brogie it was.  A miracle just for you! 

Thank You heavenly Father for lovingly tending to the desires of my baby boy's heart.  Thank you for bringing my oldest bird home to the nest for a bit.  

We are delighted!

Blessings from my very surprised nest ~

Tina

Coming soon (hopefully) . . . Brogan's birthday celebrations . . . Taye's Bridal Shower given this past Saturday by Frankie's sweet family .  . . the Pre-K rodeo . . . and more!

Wordless Wednesday . . .Shhhhhh

Blessings from my nest~

Tina

Happy Birthday Grinner!

My Brogan Elijah is five years old today.  How can that be?  It seems he was just a hope in our hearts, and now he is five!  How blessed we are to have him, our little miracle of sorts.  Born to us the year Bryan and I both turned 41, the result of a successful vasectomy reversal.  Sorry if that's too much information, but Brogan really is a testimony of God's grace, and of the blessing of second chances . . . and of our good God giving us the desires of our hearts.  Oh Brogie, what joy you bring!

At the time that Brogan was born I had already been praying for Teddi (by name) for over four years, and just nine months after he was born, she was born.  I surely could not have done that better myself, nor would I have tried!   I know I've said this before . . . but, oh how perfectly God put the rest of our family together after many years of prayer . . . and waiting faithfully!  (Okay, I waited faithfully most of the time, and sometimes I waited rather impatiently . . . but still, God was faithful!)

On March 23, 2004 our sweet boy entered the world at a healthy 9 pounds, 8 ounces!  The name Brogan means strong and sturdy and I prayed daily over my growing tummy that God would make him so,  and once again God was faithful!

I took a little walk down memory lane and would love to share some pictures of my happy guy . . .

Grinner gettin' the grin going!

Ahoy maties!

He had the sweetest baby curls.  Awwwwe . . .

and the most beautiful baby blues.

Howdy!

Serious about his hockey.

Oh how I love . . .

this grinning . . .

boy of mine!

Thank you Lord for Brogan and for the blessing he is to us.  Thank you for making him the perfect little brother to his "bigs" and the perfect big brother to his beloved "Ted".  

May the Lord bless you and keep you little man, and may He continue to grow you strong and sturdy in Him!  We love you Brogie.

Blessings from my grinning nest ~

Tina

Praise report!  Little Miss Katie is home sweet home with her family!  Thank you so much to everyone who prayed for Melissa and her family.  The paperwork prayers were answered and they returned to Japan, together, as a family of five!  Welcome home Katie.  Please continue to pray for the Lord to comfort Katie's heart as she grieves all that she has left behind.  Things are improving, but her transition continues to be rough.  

Still praying for Dave and Rebecca as they wait for word on Dave's second interview.  Also praying for continued grace from the Brazilian officials . . . and that God would make a way for this sibling group of four to come h-o-m-e!  

Thanks all!  T~

Ten Months With Teddi!

It's hard to believe that ten months have passed since the day we met our precious little bird in China!  She has come so very far . . . 

from scribbling,

double fisted . . .

to writing her very own name . . .

complete with her trademark upside down "e".

Yet the more things change, the more they stay the same . . .

This picture was taken about two hours after "gotcha" . . .

check out my baby birds's noggin.

It was green upon her arrival.

And two days ago, green again --

With one big difference . . .

this time when she got a bump

 she had a mama to kiss it and make it better!

We love you, 

our little flitting  . . .

Flit!

What a ten months it has been.  Oh how you have blessed our nest!

Blessings from my "ten months grateful" nest~

Tina

~ For those of you praying for Dave and Rebecca and their Brazilian adoption (sibling group of four).  Dave had a second interview today . . . but the company has two other people to interview and won't make a final decision until the 30th of March.  The Brazilian officials had given them until today for Dave to be employed.  Dave and Rebecca have asked the Brazilian officials for one more grace period while they await the outcome of the interview.  Please pray that Brazil will grant them more time, and that Dave (who already has five kiddos at home) will get the job he desperately needs.

Also please keep the prayers coming for Melissa's little Katie (age five, newly adopted in Mongolia).  Katie's days are going better, but she is still screaming and crying for hours at night.  Please pray for comfort for Katie as she learns to love and trust her new family, and for strength for Melissa and her family, they are weary--to say the least.  Thanks to all who are lifting these families up!  T~

Happy St. Patty's Day . . . and Little Bird Gets an Egg

Flit flitted herself right into the cement wall of our sun room last week.  My poor little bird got the biggest egg I've ever seen in the nearly 23 years that I have been a mama!

This was taken about 15 minutes post flit.

Her little egg has turned many different colors over the past few days, and just in time for St. Patrick's Day it's green (with a bit of yellow).  So sorry about your noggin Flit.

Top o' the mornin' to ya from Grinner and Flit!

My happy little bird!

(I was so excited to find her shirt at Kohl*s,

if you look closely it says "Free as a Bird"!)

My sweet Grinner, who is counting down to the 

big  "FIVE" . . . six more days!

Calling Aunt MeMe (my sister Amy) . . . 

"MeMe, could you please tell mama 

to put the camera DOWN?" 

A quick update:

Thank you so much for your prayers for my friend Melissa and her family who are currently in Mongolia.  Five year old Katie had a really, really, rough start with her new family.  She was inconsolably sad and scared but each new day is getting better.  Please continue to pray for the paperwork details to be wrapped up in order for their family to all return to Japan (where they are stationed) together.   No new news on Dave and Rebecca and their four waiting children in Brazil--please continue to pray that the Lord will make a way for these babes (all brothers and sisters) to come home!  (Updated to add:  My sister just called to say Dave has his second interview within the hour (3:oo p.m. eastern).  The Brazilian orphanage has given them until today for Dave to be employed, or they will halt the adoption.  Please, please pray that Dave gets this job.)  Thanks so much for your prayers.  One more . . . my bloggy friend Ohilda's little man Kai is recovery from surgery.  They have had a really rough week, and would truly appreciate your prayers as well.   Thanks again.

Blessings from my wearin' green nest ~

Tina

 ~ For those of you who asked where the pink guitar came from, the answer is -- Target*.  Rock on!

Katie Day, Soccer, and Our Newest Musician

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!  Psalm 118:24

It is Friday morning in Mongolia as I type this, and Katie has a family!  She is an orphan no more!  The Mongolian officials finalized the paperwork Thursday afternoon, and in a few short hours Katie's new mama, daddy and big bothers will attend a going away party at Katie's orphanage, given on her behalf.  When they walk out the orphanage doors, they will have their long awaited daughter with them, and it will be forever.  Welcome Home Katie!  Please continue to pray for the Lord to work out all of the birth certificate/visa/passport/ details . . .  there are many (and it is complicated as Melissa and her family are stationed overseas) but nothing is too complicated for our really BIG God!  Thank you Father God for moving mountains on Katie's behalf. Thank you for her family.  Please comfort her heart Lord as she leaves all she knows behind, and begins a new day.  Thank you bloggy friends for praying. Update: Word from Melissa this morning says Katie is really struggling.  She's very, very sad and wants to go home (back to the orphange).  Lots of tears.  Please lift her up to the One who can comfort her. I can't even begin to imagine her heartache at being taken away from all she knows.  Please also continue to pray for Rebecca and David and their four babes waiting in Brazil . . . no new word yet.

In other news . . .

Brogan played his first soccer game last Saturday morning in the Under 5 league.  They play six players to a team, with just three players from each team on the field at a time.  This makes for a lot of playing time, and plenty of room for instruction.  The main focus of the first game was to kick the ball.  Hopefully towards the opposing team's goal.  Hopefully.  No score is kept, but that certainly doesn't dampen the excitement.  Brogie took the field grinning, in true Grinner style!  He loved it.  What happened to my baby?  He'll be five in a week and a half!

Kick it Grinner!

Go, baby, go!

Doing a "throw in" from the sideline, 

while daddy coaches from behind.  

(Thank you daddy for volunteering to be the assistant coach.)

Post game cheer.  GO HORNETS!

The head coach (in gray) is absolutely wonderful . . . not that the assistant coach (daddy) isn't.  I was just so impressed, and thankful.  He gathered the kids around him after the game, and on one knee, one child at a time, looked them in the eye, called them by name and said, "Do you know what I love about how you played?"  And then proceeded to tell each of them what they did well!  What a blessing to see character building come first.  Soccer second.  Thank you coach.

One more update from the homefront . . . 

There is a new musician in the house.  She strums.  And she flits.

Happiness is a pink guitar, so you can jam with your brothers.

She played for an hour straight the first time, without putting it down.

(I am using the word played very loosely.)

We love you, our strumming little hummingbird!

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

Happy Birthday Thayne! (and a prayer request update)

Wishing a  . . .

Happy Sweet Sixteen

to another one of my faithful blog followers, my nephew Thayne Christian!

Happy Birthday Thayner, may the Lord bless your birthday and all of your days to come.

I am so proud of you and the way you shine your light!

Love you!  Aunt T~T (and all)

Blessings from my nest~

Tina

Prayer request update:

~ Melissa's latest blog post says still no word that the Mongolian committee has met.  Please continue to pray for a speedy finalization.  They were able to spend much of the day with Katie yesterday.  Thank you Lord!

~ No new word on David and Rebecca's situation, please continue to pray for favor with the Brazilian courts, so that they can bring their four babies HOME!

Thanks for praying!  T~

Update from Mongolia

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.  Proverbs 25:25

A wonderful update to yesterday's prayer request . . . 

My friend Melissa has finally met and held her daughter Katie!  They had a successful interview (during our night) with the Mongolian officials and shortly thereafter Melissa and her husband and their two boys were allowed to go and meet their five year old daughter, Katie, for the very first time!  Katie is in a Christian run orphanage in Mongolia.  Melissa and her family were welcomed in and were able to spend two hours with Katie.  They have been told that they may visit anytime. Thank you Jesus!  Their blog is private but trust me when I say the sight of Katie with her mama on one side and her daddy on the other, is priceless.  As well as the pictures of Katie wrapped in the arms of her big brothers. To give you an idea of her cuteness, Katie has the sweetest cheeks that might as well have "kiss me" printed right on them!

The orphanage was celebrating one of the children's birthdays, so Melissa and her family planned to leave before the party started.  Katie went and found an empty chair, pulled it up next to her own and promptly told her new brother (age 8) to "sit down" in English!  So he did!  I'd say she is off to a great start.  What are little sisters for if not to boss around big brothers?  

So the request for today from Melissa is this,  "We still need LOTS of prayer because we don't know when the committee will meet and issue their final approval.  If it's not tomorrow, (Wednesday Mongolia time, Tuesday night U.S. time) there's probably no way that we will come home together.  Please keep praying.  We KNOW that God can work a miracle here!"  

Melissa also left a comment on the post below (this is part of it), "We are humbled and honored that you are praying and fasting for our situation--bringing us before the Throne of Grace. It brings us to tears to think of people all over the world who don't even know us joining with us in our journey to our daughter. Your continued prayers mean so much!" 

So over the next 24 hours or so we pray hard that Mongolia will finalize things NOW!  So that this family can all leave Mongolia together.  Thank you Lord that Katie has met her family, and that they have met her.  Lord, please continue to move this mountain on their behalf.  We praise you knowing that you are bringing Katie home!  

Please also continue to lift up Dave and Rebecca's situation (see below).  Pray that God would move on the hearts of the Brazilian officials to give this family a little more time, even as we pray for God to work out the details!  He is ABLE!

Thank you friends for praying, I am touched by your kindness.  

Blessings from my prayin' nest ~

Tina

Will You Please Pray? (updated)

Hello friends,

I have a couple of big prayer requests to share with you.  As you read through these would you please lift these families (and their waiting babes) up in prayer?

My friend Melissa and her family have been in Mongolia for eight days now and still have not met their precious Katie (age five) who is waiting for them.  Melissa and her family are the first American adoption to take place under Mongolia's new (and yet to be figured out) adoption process.  As of today they were finally granted the interview that they were promised would take place last Wednesday.  The interview is set for tomorrow morning (Tuesday) at 11:00 in Mongolia.  After this interview they will finally be allowed to meet their precious girl.  The following  is a part of Melissa's request from this morning . . .

"After this interview, they will present the results to the whole committee and they will make the final approval. Only after that can we start the finalization paperwork. It takes 3 days for a birth certificate and 2 days for a passport, another 2 days after that for the US visa and we can't even get the Japanese embassy to see us to find out about their visa.

It will take a miracle for us to all go home together! This process is getting more expensive everyday and now we are adding the increased costs of the new airline tickets . . .  Please pray that after our interview tomorrow, we will get a definite time for the final committee meeting that will give us final approval. This meeting needs to happen WEDNESDAY if there will be any way for us all to go home together."

Please pray for favor for Melissa's family.  Pray that the Lord would provide the paperwork miracle that they need so that they may return to Japan (where they are stationed) together- as a family of five. (As opposed to sending dad and the boys back on tickets already purchased, and paying a large sum to change M's and Katie's tickets.)  Pray that their union with Katie would be perfectly blessed despite the stress.  It has been well over two years since they began his adoption process which at the time they were told would take around 9 months . . . it has been a long haul.  Please pray Katie into the arms of her mama!

My second request is for a family in Michigan (friends of my dear sister).  . .

Dave and Rebecca are the parents of five children.  They visited Brazil on a mission trip, and shortly thereafter they felt the Lord calling them back to Brazil to adopt. They thought they would bring home a baby girl, but as His thoughts are higher than ours, the Lord led them to a sibling group of FOUR.  (Three older children approx. 9, 7 & 5, and a baby who is 18 months)  Obediently this family began the paperwork process to bring these four children home to be a part of their family forever.  

This is where the story gets tough . . . Dave (like so many other hard working Americans) has lost his job.  No job = no adoption.  Brazil has given them a deadline of March 12, THIS Thursday, for Dave to find employment (making at least $60,000  a year) or they will halt the adoption.  To make matters worse, the children will be sent from Brazil to Europe, and the baby will be separated from his siblings forever.  Those of you who have adopted understand that for all intents and purposes these babies are already Dave and Rebecca's.  They have their pictures . . . these precious faces are a part of this family of seven's hearts.  Please pray that the Lord would move this mountain on behalf of Dave and Rebecca and their five children, and on behalf of their other four children waiting in Brazil.  This seems huge to us (especially in Michigan's failing economy), but nothing is too big for our really big GOD!

Psalm 68:8 says, "God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those who are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land."

Thank you dear ones for praying.  May your day be blessed!

With love from my nest ~

Tina

Edited to add: My (our) dear friend Linn at A Place Called Simplicity

has suggested we fast all or part of tomorrow as we lift these families up to the Father.  I will be joining her.  If anyone else feels led to do so please join us!

Also, I just talked to my sister, and Dave had a job interview at the end of last week.  They have asked him to come for a second interview, but it is after the deadline set by the Brazilian court.  Dave and Rebecca's agency is asking the Brazilian officials for a little more time, knowing that the courts are very strict.  We know that God is bigger than any of these details.  Please pray that Dave and Rebecca would be granted a grace period, and that Dave would be hired for this job! Thank you bloggy friends, you are the best!  T~

My Houston Birthday Trip, and a B~day Wish . . .

For those of you taking a first glance, no I did not turn 17 on my birthday trip to Houston . . .

It has been brought to my attention that I have a very faithful blog follower named Hannah. Hannah lives in Michigan and she is the beautiful daughter of my precious blogger friend Bonnie (who just happens to be my sister's bestest friend).  Hannah is turning "17" today,  and I thought it would be fun to honor her here!  Happy Birthday sweet Hannah, may the Lord bless your birthday, and all your days to come!  Thank you for keeping up with us, it blesses my heart!

And now on to my birthday road trip, which actually took place in January.  (I have several good reasons why it has taken me so long to post this, but I won't bore you with them here.) :)  

About two miles down the road I turned to check on Flit and Grinner and this was the sight that met my eyes.

I'm telling you, they are a match made in Heaven.  Precious babies!  

We left San Antonio for Houston on Saturday morning for the long Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.  It's about a three hour road trip.  Much more convenient than the 28 hour road trip home to Michigan.  Sorry, I am easily side-tracked.  Does three hours even qualify for a road trip?  I think it does if you have to stop along the way to use public restrooms.  We did.  I digress.  Again.  Since Frankie the Fiance lives in Houston his apartment was our free (and very comfortable I might add) accommodations!

On Saturday evening we had the pleasure of eating dinner with two of Teddi's orphanage sisters, and their families.  Both families live in the Houston area and were gracious enough to drive to Frankie' side of town to meet us.  There were thirteen of all together (counting parents  and siblings) and we had a wonderful time of fellowship and catching up!

Zhuhai moms . . . myself, Carol, and Kristy

 . . . and our Zhuhai sweeties, Joy, Teddi, and Jen!

On Sunday afternoon (my actual birthday) Frankie took us to a great park in Houston known as Discovery Green. This gorgeous park was created where the convention center parking lot once stood.  They moved the parking lot underground--beneath the park.  How cool is that?  You can only see bits of it here, but there was an outdoor ice skating rink, a great playground for the kids, a small lake, grassy hills to play and roll on, and all kinds of cool stuff . . . like huge sculptures made completely from recycled materials.  It was an unseasonably warm day, and we had such a great time!  Thank you Frankie for taking us!

This water feature was a great hit!

Trying not to get "too" wet.

JOY!

Posing by one of the sculptures.

The littles . . .

and the bigs.

After the park we celebrated with dinner at Pei Wei!  Yum!  Later that evening we went back out for birthday ice cream and gift opening.  It was much fun.  

I forgot my camera, so these last two are courtesy of Taylor's cell phone . . .

I wish I was eating that sundae right about now! 

(Yes, it was as big as it looks . . . it was my birthday remember?)

Happy Birthday to me! 

Thank you Frankie for your hospitality, and to my family (including Frankie) for making it a wonderful time.  I was missing Bryce and Brady, but did receive birthday wishes from both of them that day, as well as a really pretty watch from my bigs!

I am officially 46 years old.  How did that happen?  I never dreamed way back when that I would celebrate my 46th birthday with two four year olds-- who both belonged to me!  Then again I never dreamed way back when that I would celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary with a six week old baby.  Brogie.  I did dream of being a mama, and I wanted it to last a very long time. It is.  I did dream of going to China some day to bring home a daughter.  I did.  I did dream that my older children would grow up to be kind and loving young adults.  They have.  I did dream that I would marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.  I did.  

I am 46 years old, and I am living the dream!  Thank you Jesus.  My life is incredibly blessed!

Blessings from my incredibly blessed nest ~

Tina