Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad's birthday . . .  

Daddy, I just want to say thank you for being a wonderful example of what a father should be to his children.  Despite working many long hours while the four of us were growing up, often times two (or three) jobs, you always made time for us. . . . Time to chase us around the house acting the part of a crazed gorilla (you know you did Dad, and now so do a lot of other people), time to build us a really cool tree house, time to burn-- I mean pop, popcorn, time to sing, time to camp, time to teach us how to build things and fix things, and so much more. 

Thank you for saying, "yes" to eating huge bowls of ice cream instead of dinner on some special Sunday nights.  Thank you for saying "yes" to ponies, and mini bikes, and "yes" to spending our allowance on candy--if that's what we wanted to do.  Thank you for taking us to church.  Thank you for letting the four of us follow our dreams . . . even when they might not have been what you would have chosen.  Thank you for always supporting us, and always standing by us. Thank you for letting me move all over the world, without complaining.  Thank you for being a wonderful Papa to my bigs, and my littles.  Thank you for teaching me about God.  Thank you for showing me how to love unconditionally.  Thank you for your unconditional love, that has given me a true picture of how my Heavenly Father loves me! 

Thank you for teaching me that laughter is a very, very important part of life!

Happy Birthday Dad & Papa!

We love you,

Tina, Bry, Bryce, Taylor, Brady, Brogie & Teddi

More Sweetness From China!

Max has his new sister!  Kim and Paul have their new daughter! Vivian Josephine Xinhua has her family, forever!  Look closely at Max and Vivi Jo's picture, there is a rainbow over Vivi's head.  Oh what a treasure from heaven she is!  

Congratulations Paul and Kim, big sister Britney, big brothers Mark and Hayden, and little brother Max (who is very big in heart)!  We rejoice with you!  Welcome home "Vivi Hua Hua" you are precious.  May the Lord bless all of your days.

Blessings from my celebrating nest ~

Tina

Please remember little Grace, as she travels home from China tomorrow with her forever family . . . mama Sarah, baba David, Yana, Adam, Lily and Jadon, and Oma and Opa too!  

Thank You Veterans!

~To all the men and woman who have served our great nation, we honor you today.

~To those who have made the ultimate sacrifice that we might be free, and to their families who have lost so much, we thank you.

~ To my own men in blue, My Chief and My Airmen First Class, I am so PROUD, and thankful for your service.

Blessings from my nest~

Tina

Guess Who . . .

has slept the last two nights, all the way through?  And not only all the way through, but all the way through . . . in her very own bed!

If you said Teddi, you are right . . .

and if you lean your ear towards the west, you might just hear this mama sighing a very thankful sigh . . . or singing the Hallelujah chorus!

Blessings from my grateful and well rested nest~

Tina

Had to add a little more sweetness from China compliments of Sarah's blog.

Big sister Lily with new little sister Grace, together at last.  Pure JOY!

A little note ~ Please remember Vivi Jo in your prayers tonight.  She will meet her family in the wee hours of Monday morning our time.  There will be more sweetness from China to share tomorrow!  T~

Sweetness From China

Some days, it is enough

encouragement just to watch 

the clouds break up and disappear,

leaving behind a blue patch of sky

and bright sunshine that is so

warm upon my face.  It's a glimpse of

 divinity; a kiss from heaven.

This was the word of the day on my little flip calender this past Sunday,  November 2nd.  It reminded me of my friend Sarah who is now in China.  November 2nd was the day that the clouds of "waiting" broke up and disappeared for Sarah and her family.  The sunshine broke through, and they received their "kiss from heaven" . . . a girl named Grace.  Isn't that just what God's grace is to us?  A kiss from heaven.  Thank you Lord for Grace! 

This picture is from Sarah's blog today.  Look at the grin on Grace's face, it makes my heart smile.  

Congratulations to Sarah and David, and to big sisters Yana and Lily, and big brothers Adam and Jadon!   We rejoice with you.  Thank you Lord for bringing Grace home.  You can follow Grace's journey, here.

More sweetness soon . . .

My blogger friend Kim, along with her husband Paul, and sweet little man Max, leave Texas in the morning to be united with their daughter Vivi Jo in China, on Monday.  Visit Kim's blog here, for a link to Vivi's travel journal.

God is good!

An update from the home front . . .  We have been battling respiratory crud that was a follow-on to the stomach bug that started with The Grinner.  Grinner is back up and running again.  I made a turn for the better on Tuesday and Teddi went down for the count on Tuesday, but improved today . . . rough nights again, ugh.  Big brother and sister are fighting it as well. Praying that Baba stays healthy . . . if I were him, I'd have run for the hills by now, but he has stuck by and taken care of us!  Thank you honey.

Blessings from our nest~

Tina

 

Unchangeable!

  

Election '08 is over, "change" has come to America.  But, one thing will never change--

God is still on the throne, and Jesus still sits at the right hand of the Father.

The One who has ruled from the beginning of time still reigns!

We must continue to pray for those who are in authority over us.

Oh Lord, that we would remain, one nation under God.

Blessings ~

Tina

Pray Before You Vote

                

 

                                                                          Graphic by: Ohilda

Many things are at stake when America votes tomorrow,

none so large as the sanctity of human LIFE.  

Please pray before you vote.  Please.

Blessings ~

Tina