A Word For Wednesday

Encouragement is awesome.

It has the capacity to lift a man's or woman's shoulders.

To spark the flicker of a smile on the face of a discouraged child.

To breathe fresh fire into the fading embers of a smoldering dream.

To actually change the course of another human being's day, week, or life.  

~ Charles  R. Swindoll

Thank you bloggy buddies for the sweet encouragement you are to me!

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

More Babies are Comin' Home!

Within a matter of hours in Nanning, China this sweet little man will be an orphan no more! 

Will you pray for little G's heart as he leaves behind all he has known to gain a family forever?  You can follow my friend Doreen's journey to this sweet boy here.  I have blogged about Doreen before.  We "met" while she was in the midst of a painfully long wait for her LOA (letter of acceptance) from China.  The wait hit 199 days!  Doreen will tell you herself that it wasn't always pretty, yet I know she never stopped trusting the Lord to bring His plan to fruition.  Now soon, very soon the wait will be over as G is placed in his mama's arms forever, an orphan no more.

Would you also pray for my friend (and former neighbor) Melissa?  Melissa waited faithfully with me for Teddi, even as she was in the midst of a much longer wait for her Mongolian treasure, Katie.  I am pleased to announce that Melissa and her family (who are now stationed in northern Japan) are headed for Mongolia, as I type!  Please, if you would, pray for a favorable interview process with the Mongolian officials, and that Melissa and Greg, and big brothers Kyle and Cole, won't have to wait long to be united with their little ladybug!  M's blog is private, but trust me when I say that five year old Katie is cuter than cuter, and I for one cannot wait to see her in her mama's arms!

Finally, a little Ren update . . .

Just look at the precious smile of a little boy who is an orphan no more!  Ren's new family is Canadian, so they have left Guangzhou for Beijing to finalize Ren's adoption.

Behold the cuteness . . . Ren and his new big sister Claire who came home two years ago from China.  Claire is eight months older than Ren, but as you can see Ren has stepped into a "big" little brother position!  

Thank you to my friends Melissa, Doreen and Monica for allowing me to share your joy.  Thank you to my bloggy buddies for following along.

Blessings from my thankful nest ~

Tina

Flying Strong

Two years ago today my oldest bird, Bryce, flew from my nest.  On February 27, 2007 in the very wee hours of the morning he left for Air Force basic training.  Oh how my mamas heart ached to see him go, oh the tears that I cried.  Six and a half weeks later I watched as he graduated from basic training with honors.  How very proud I was, and how very proud I am of what he has gone on to accomplish over the past two years.  It hasn't been easy, in fact much of it has been unbelievably tough (like sleeping out in the snow protected only by a man-made shelter, in 40 degrees below temps) . . . the kind of tough that has shown me what this strong bird of mine is made of.

Sweet reunion after basic training

Time goes by so quickly . . . it seems he was just my little babe with blond curls and big brown eyes, dependant on me, his mama, for survival.

Wearing Daddy's beret

And now he's a strapping young man, strong and independent.  A Survival Specialist with a beret of his own.  Oh how I love this boy!

I wrote the following poem for Bryce shortly before he flew, (and admittedly also for myself as I came to terms with letting go of my first bird).

Fly Strong

My firstborn bird is getting ready to fly,

He’s perched on the nest’s edge, wings ready to try.

How did we get here? I wish it weren’t so. . .
My babe is a man now just waiting to go.

I say, “Lord I’m not ready; I don’t want him to leave,”
God’s still small voice speaks gently to me.
He reminds me with love, of the last twenty years. . .

Of memories of good times, of laughter, of tears.

“He’s ready, he’s waiting, you’ve done all you can.
You’ve brought him up well from a babe to a man

I’ll take it from here, you pray and you watch.

He’ll soar, you will see, just give him a nudge.

There he goes; flying high, like you knew that he would.
It’s sad and it’s hard, but it’s great and it’s good!”

Thank you Lord, thank you, for holding us up!
My bird as he flies and me as I watch.

To my bird I say, “Trust Him with all of your cares.

He’s the wind 'neath your wings, he’s your strength in the air.”
I love you my God, and I love you my bird,
Fly high, fly strong, take your place, CHANGE the world!

Two years later I can say, "Thank you Lord for keeping Your promise.  Thank you for being Bryce's wind, thank you for being his strength.  Thank you for holding us up."

My bird is flying strong.  I couldn't be prouder.  

I love you Bryce Evan!

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:3

A Word for Wednesday

  You are valuable just because you exist. 

 Not because of what you do or what you have done, 

but simply because you are. 

Just think about the way Jesus honors you . . .

and smile.  

~ Max Lucado

Wednesday blessings from our smiling nest ~

Tina

Prayer Requests (and some randomness)

Edited to update, Monday night--

Claire did well with her surgery, it took a little longer than expected but all went well.  She woke up slowly but peacefully from the anesthesia and then proceeded to eat three popcsicles! Claire should get to come home tomorrow.  Well done brave girl.  We love you!

And in China . . . Ren and Yao Yao have their families!  Thank you Jesus!  At last report Ren was quiet but content, and taking everything in.  He arrived wearing golden silks, so handsome!  Yao Yao's mama reports that her transition so far has been very smooth, and that Yao Yao "smiles all the time"!  

Thank you all for your prayers, and  thank you Lord for hearing our prayers!

Some big events will take place over the next few hours . . .

I would love it if you would join me in prayer for our sweet friend Claire, and for Teddi's orphanage "brother" Ren,  and "sister" Yao Yao, as they prepare to meet their forever families.

Sweet Claire will be having cochlear implant surgery on Monday morning (around 11:30), it is about a three hour operation.  Please pray that Jesus would keep her in His care, and that the surgery would be a success, and also for a smooth recovery for Claire.  Please pray for peace for her family as they wait.  Oh how blessed we are to have this sweet girl just down the street from us.  She is a bundle of pure J-O-Y!  May God bless you Claire, and keep you in His care.

In the wee hours of Monday morning this sweet little man will lose the title of "orphan" and gain a precious family, forever!  Ren will meet his mommy Monica, his daddy Paul and sister Claire in Guangzhou, and four lives will be forever changed!  At the same time, in the same place a little girl named Yao Yao (one of Teddi's close orphanage sisters) will become Olivia. She too will exchange the title of "orphan" for that of daughter and sister.  Oh Lord, how we praise you for putting these orphans in families!  May you give peace to Ren and Yao Yao's hearts as they leave all they know behind for the journey that lies ahead.

Now for the randomness . . .  

I pay a lot of attention to dates and the 23rd of the month brings several thoughts to mind, just thought I'd share a couple . . .

Nine months ago (on May 23, 2008) our little Xiao Xiao, in the grip of her daddy's hand, gave one last look across the water at her birthplace, Zhuhai City, China.  We had visited her orphanage that day and her finding spot, and then we had stopped here at the water's edge to take in one last look.  Even though it has been nine months I cannot yet grasp the emotion of that day, or even put it into words. This picture speaks volumes to me.  

In just three more months, on May 23, 2009, my other little girl will take hold of her Daddy's hand and he will walk her up the aisle to "give her hand away" in marriage.  Oh my, I cannot put into words the emotions that this thought brings to mind, nor do I want to try.  I just want to hold onto my baby girl for three more months . . . and then celebrate the changes that life brings, as they happen.

As I was pondering the "23rd" shortly before beginning this post, I realized that 26 years ago today, on February 23, 1983 I became engaged to my true love!  It was a cold winter day in Michigan.  I was two years out of high school, and Bryan three, when we went and announced to another daddy -- my daddy, that he (and my mama too), would soon be giving their baby girl's hand away in marriage.  On May 4th, 2009, just two and a half weeks before Taylor and Frankie's wedding, we will celebrate 25 years of wedded bliss. Okay, maybe it hasn't all been bliss, but ohhhhhh how life has blessed us, big.  To my true love ~ Thank you for putting a ring on my finger 26 years ago, and for making my dreams come true.

Blessings from my very, very blessed nest ~  

Tina

~ Remember to pray for the babes, Claire, Ren and Yao Yao.  Thanks!

Seventeen on the 17th ~ Happy Birthday Brady!

My middle-man turned seventeen today . . . (actually yesterday, which is when I started this post)

he was my "original baby", the last of my bigs . . . and darn cute, too.  

Wouldn't you agree?  (Please forgive the rainbow background on the picture below . . . my scanner added that.)

Brady came along just as Bryce and Taylor were turning six and four.  It was a perfect baby "position" and it lasted for 12 years  . . .

. . . and then shortly after his twelfth birthday, he got bumped!

Thus becoming my original baby, yet sharing the spot gracefully with his new baby brother. . . who in turn also got bumped!

Brady and Brogan, another match made in heaven!

Brady is my middle-man, positioned between two bigs and two littles -- Though officially he is a big,  and he wears it well.  But you won't find him "wearing" it like anyone else would, because as I already mentioned, he is also my original!  Brady is my outside-the-box kid and he spends most of his time teaching me to parent outside the box.  

I like boxes. . . they have sides, and they hold a specified amount.  They have tops that close, and bottoms that support.  There is an amount of control with a box, they are predictable.  But, there is something to be said for living outside the box.  You can march to your own beat, after all, it's your beat--no one will know if you mess up.  Yet the joy of living outside the box is this, you don't care if anyone cares that you mis-marched.  It just doesn't matter.

Oh how I need that lesson in my life.  I'm constantly worried about "my box".  Does it look okay?  Does it conform?  Is it stylish and up to date?  Do other people like my box?  It's a scary thought for me to get outside my box.  Unprotected.  Wide open.  Nothing to lean up against. Nothing to hide behind.  Nothing to conform to.  Don't get me wrong, as I say this I am speaking of how the world views things.  I know that I am protected by my Heavenly Father, and I do lean on Him.  But I also know that I spend waaaaaay too much time worrying about the way the world looks at "the box" that I choose to put myself in.  Brady on the other hand, looks at the world, and forms his own thoughts and opinions.  He does this guided by the Lord, and Scripture of course.  But no box.  Unlike his mama, he is not influenced by what others may think.  Therefore his thoughts and creativity are wide open.  And as I learn to parent a young man with this way of thinking, I pray for God to help me see things outside the boundaries of my box.

There are no dull moments with Brady . . .

he is loving, and sincere, and deep . . . 

and NOISY . . .

and CRAZY . . .

and he's SEVENTEEN!

See?  He's CRAZY . . .

and I am crazy in love with my middle man!

 

 Happy golden birthday Brady, seventeen on the 17th!

Discovery consists in seeing what everybody has seen 

and thinking what nobody has thought. 

 Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

Happy Birthday Brady, I love you . . . and my nest is blesssed because YOU are in it!

Blessings from my proud mama bird nest ~

Tina

Happy Valentine's Day, Preschool & A Love Story!

A true love story . . . 

Teddi and Brogan's world grew bigger this week with the event of preschool.  On more than one occasion I heard an innocent question from an inquisitive new classmate,  "What is wrong with her nose?" or "What is wrong with her mouth?"  To which I  gave a quick and kid friendly explanation of cleft lip and palate.  Yesterday morning Brogan and Teddi were side by side at my bathroom vanity while I did their hair for school.  Brogie pointed to Teddi's mouth and asked me what was wrong with her lip . . . as if in eight months he had never before noticed.  I asked if he remembered  seeing Teddi's baby pictures that were taken before her cleft lip was repaired, and he said yes.  I then reminded him of how the doctor had to fix Teddi's cleft, and that this was now her special lip.  His reply?  "I wish I had a special lip."  Oh what a match made in Heaven my Flit and Grinner are.  Thank you Lord for this double blessing!  (Please allow me to share one more little love story . . . We have been reading about the days of creation with our little ones and how God added to all that He had made, one day at a time, and each time it was "good".  So I ponder this thought . . . in June of 2003, God created Brogan (in my 40 year old womb).  Nine months later, I birthed a healthy 9 lb. 8 oz. baby boy. Teddi was born exactly nine months and 13 days after Brogan.  I can't help but think that God looked upon my newly born Brogan and then created Teddi in her mother's womb . . . and to that I say, "It is good."  They truly are a match made in Heaven, created in His image.)  

It's been a big week here . . .

Opening Valentines at school . . . an exciting new experience.

My babes had a great first week . . . no tears, new friends, and lots of fun! On Wednesday they traveled by bus (5 minutes each way) to the Post Office.  Mama went along for the big ride.  The children all stood in line and purchased a stamp, and then mailed the Valentines that they had made (for us) the day before.  It was a hoot to see Teddi standing on her tippy toes, handing over her 42 cents to make the big purchase.  Brogan clung tightly to my hand during the trip.  Teddi, on the other hand, was being cared for by a little blond haired girl who decided Teddi needed some mothering.  This included holding Teddi's hand in the line, helping Teddi up the bus steps, and then letting me know that she had gotten Teddi's seat belt "buckled up".   It did my heart good to see Teddi being accepted and made over in such a sweet way!  

Today (Friday) was their Valentines party --very exciting!  

Here they are post-party, with their U.S. Mail bags full of cards and sugary treats to take home . . . to top of the sugary treats already consumed during the card opening festivities.  Nap anyone?  No thank you. And waste this grand sugar buzz? 

Flit, headed for the van.  I love my girl's confidence!

A quick snuggle with big sister before she left for Houston to 

see her sweetie for Valentine's Day. Hi Frankie.  As of today, 

we are in the official "100 Day Countdown" to wedding bells!

My littles.  True love.

Oh how my nest is blessed on this Valentine's Day . . . 

To my own true love, Bryan ~  I love you whole BIG bunches!  

To my three bigs, Bryce, Taye and Brady (and Frankie too) ~I am so proud of you guys and the way you live your lives.   I am so very blessed to be your mom. 

To my littles ~  Brogie, your love for your new sister makes my heart sing!  

And to my Teddi girl~  I am grateful this day that you are no longer oceans away, but a dream come true, answer to prayer, smilin' your special smile-- IN my arms! 

Blowing kisses to Spokane, for Bryce.

Happy "heart filled" blessings from my nest ~

Tina