Almost Wordless Wednesday

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Blessing from my "happy to have four birds in it" nest ~

Tina

Memorial Box Monday ~ A Little Heart's Desire

For a full scoop on MBM, see this post.

You can also visit Linny, creator of MBM,

@ A Place called Simplicity, here.

Memorial Box Monday ~ A Little Heart's Desire

This happy event actually took place on March 28, 2009, and I blogged about it then--I am just going to borrow the story from that post to present here as my newest Memorial Box Monday. Enjoy!

March 2009 ~

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 Internet, 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 night's 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!

* * * * * * *

We did enjoy several wonderful visits with Bryce over those ten precious days. Like Brogie, I too, had really been missing Bryce. We were in the height of Taylor's wedding planning, and I knew that Bryce would be coming in May for the wedding -- yet I also knew he would only have a few days, and I would have to share him (and my time) with lots of other people. How sweet it was to have those precious unplanned visits with him- and get him all to ourselves. God knew the desires of this mama's heart too. Oh He is good!

As I was thinking back on this story, and trying to figure out what would best represent it in our Memorial Box, I remembered the neatest little thing that Brogan brought home from school just a few days ago . . .

a precious clay heart made with his own little hands, and marked with a "B". What better to represent my Brogie boy's heart's desire? Another tiny detail taken care of by our Heavenly Father, at just the right time! Now how sweet is that?

Delight yourself also in the Lord,

and He will give you the desires

of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

Teddi's Readoption Day

Last Friday, March 5th, we made a trip to the county courthouse in beautiful downtown San Antonio, to do Teddi's readoption. For anyone wondering about the reason for a readoption-- A readoption in the U.S. recognizes our legal parent/child relationship under U.S. law, and it also enables us to obtain a birth certificate for Teddi, that isn't written in Chinese. She will now have an official Texas birth certificate to show for all of those many things that we all need our birth certificates for.

To bring the cost of the readoption down I put a group together, and the readoption lawyer did all of us at once. Joining us were a sweet family from Spring, TX-- the Torkelsons, who I met through another blogger friend. We were also joined by our friends Steven and Kristy Cox and their daughter Jen, age ten. Jen was one of Teddi's orphanage sisters in Zhuhai, she came home just a few months ahead of Teddi. What a joy it was to see the girls together again for this special occasion!

It was a very quick "ceremony" preformed while the judge was on recess from a jury trial. The jurors were invited by the bailiff to join us and "watch something happy", and so we had a sweet audience who applauded when we were done.

Teddi and I with Jen and Kristy

The girls playing with their magic slates, given to them by the lawyer

(along with snacks), while we wait for paperwork afterwards.

My sweet readopted girl, having fun on the courthouse steps.

(Her skirt was another great Good*will find!)

Hmm, this looks like a great panda slide . . .

sure is!

Great job panda!

Grinner doing what he does best. Grinning.

More grinning.

Happy, thankful mama.

After the paperwork was complete we walked a few blocks to Market Square. We enjoyed a wonderful Mexican lunch outdoors--one of the perks of Texas in March. During lunch Jen talked just briefly about remembering Teddi as a baby and toddler in Zhuhai. It touched me just to listen, and to know that this was someone who had witnessed Teddi's babyhood. (By the tears in my eyes as I type, I guess this is something I still mourn more than I thought I did. Teddi was only three when she came home, Jen was eight . . . oh the years.) I think about what could have been for our girls had they stayed orphans, and I look at them now, and it just overwhelms my heart.

Oh thank you Lord for watching over Teddi and Jen during those missed years. Thank you Father that the years that we missed, You did not. Thank you for making Teddi and Jen our daughters.

Whew, I didn't see that coming. Side-swiped by my own emotions . . .

My sweet "littles" had so much fun,

and were very excited to have big sister with us!

It was a wonderful day!

Blessings from our nest ~

Tina

Memorial Box Monday ~ One Little Sham

For a full scoop on MBM, see this post.

You can also visit Linny, the creator of MBM

@ A Place called Simplicity, here.

One Little Sham

Shortly after the New Year, I decided to give my bedroom a little makeover. I had some Christmas and birthday money and Targ*et was clearing out and marking down -- the combination seemed good, so I began the hunt.

I bought a beautiful comforter on clearance only to discover that it was Dry Clean only. No thank you, not when my freshly made bed seems to emit a secret call to all of the kids in my household . . . "Jump on me, roll on me, wrestle on me . . . come on . . . more . . . more. . . rustle those covers up!" Does anyone else's bed speak to their children in this manner? I digress. That comforter went back.

I found another clearance quilt/coverlet that I liked and I bought it in a queen. I would have rather had a king size, but they were already gone. I also purchased one sham. Why one? Because that is all that my neighborhood Targe*t had. I hit three more Targe*ts (one advantage of living in a big city) looking for a standard sham. Gone. Gone. Gone. So I sent Taye searching in Houston. She was successful in locating a king size quilt, so I made yet one more return, and traded queen for king. The only matching sham she could find was king size. After having her read me the dimensions I decided I would pay the higher price, and alter the king sham to standard. It was either this or no sham at all. Or so I thought . . .

This past Friday, after much begging and pleading with my husband, we stopped at a Good*will Store that we were about to pass by. (For some reason he just does not see them for the treasure trove that I do). Within minutes of entering the store my true love called to me, he was holding something in the air. A sham. One single, lonely sham. One single, lonely sham, that just so happened to match the lonely sham I had at home. But, could it be a standard sham? If your Provider is Jehovah Jireh, well yes it could be -- and it was! Not only that, but for a mere $3.99--as compared to the $7.99 I had paid for the other standard sham, or the $10.99 I'd paid for the king--which thankfully, I had not altered yet. I love that Bry found the treasure instead of me--it made it so much more fun!

Some would call this a lucky day. I feel sorry for those who think in that direction. They are missing out on a greater truth, that there is Someone much bigger than themselves who is working behind the scenes. He loves us immensely, more than we can imagine, and He cares about the smallest details of our lives. God cares so much that He knows the very number of hairs on our heads!

And just like that new sham that now encases my old pillow . . .

He's got me covered.

He's got you covered!

He's got us covered!

We will add to our Memorial Box this week, the little plastic pocket from the sham package--complete with the sweet $3.99 marked on the front (and we will return the King sized sham).

One more thing . . .

This little bluebird has nothing to do with my sham story -- but, it is a tiny addition to my new bedroom. I found it at the dollar store . . . for you guessed it, one dollar, and it makes me happy every time I look at it. Yet another precious reminder to me that the Lord is in the little things.

Father God ~ Thank you for being my Provider. Thank you for giving me the sweetest little desires of my heart when I haven't even asked You for them. What a joy to be surprised by You, I am grateful!

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

Want Your Heart Blessed?

Just days after the devastating earthquake struck in Haiti a little "heart" project began here in Texas.

An art teacher had a vision . . .

What if we made hearts, and sold them for a $10 donation to help the Red Cross help Haiti?

It was out of this thought that HeARTs of Hope for Haiti was born.

The lesson for the students would be this --

EveryONE of us can

make a difference, but

T-ogether E-veryone A-cccomplishes M-ore.

And so the TEAM began to make hearts . . . teachers, students, parents, administrators-- everyone doing their part. Brogie came home to tell me that the Kindergartners had the most important job. They were the ones chosen to roll the tiny balls of clay that would jingle inside the heart once it was fired. Just what were these little balls of clay? The love of course! Yes Brogie, I do believe you were right -- a heart without love inside is nothing.

Other classes spent time rolling the clay and cutting out the hearts, as older children, teachers and parents worked on assembling them. Then there was the glazing or staining . . . the firing . . .

the hang tag printing and cutting (the music teacher made this her job) . . . the ribbon tie-ers (my favorite job) . . . the promoting . . . and finally the selling of hearts! Once people heard the cause and saw the hearts the little symbols of hope pretty much sold themselves!

It became a group effort of supply and demand--with the art teacher, her assistant and others working weekends to keep up . . . and as the hearts went out, the money began to come in!

With approximately 610 children (Pre-K thru 5th grade) enrolled in the school, the art teacher set a goal: To sell 61o hearts, one for each student -- this would bring in a nice $6,100 gift for the Red Cross.

The demand continued to rise . . . hearts out . . . donations in. Within a very short time the goal was in sight. And as quickly as the goal was reached (hurrah) the goal was surpassed! The heart-o-meter began to stretch down the walkway. Word was out, and around the $7,500 mark the TV News crew came and did a great story.

Soon another big milestone was hit . . .

Tears of joy flowed at the amazing goodness that was happening in the midst of such sadness.

It was around this time that the earthquake in Haiti "took on a face" for our family . . . and tears of sorrow would find themselves mixing with the tears of joy.

This is why . . .

Our church works closely with an orphanage in Haiti. At Christmas time we fill personalized shoeboxes for the children. Very near Christmas they got word that the orphanage had received new children . . . four more boxes would need to be filled. When Taylor heard this, she and Frankie immediately offered to sponsor all four children-- twin five year old boys, and two adorable five year old girls. I remember Taye's excitement over finding the cutest little basketball outfits for the boys. One green, one blue. Of course there were toys and treats, and many pretty things for the girls as well . . . most importantly those boxes were filled with love. Love for children who needed all the love they could get.

And then the earthquake struck.

The orphanage, situated away from the city, was spared. Yet for reasons unknown to us, sometime before the quake these four babies were moved to Port-au-Prince. All four perished.

Four beautiful five year olds who had no father to call their own, now dance with their heavenly Father, forever. Taylor and Frankie made their donation to the Red Cross with the purchase of four hearts. Identical blue hearts for the boys, and delicate pink and white hearts for the girls. A precious reminder of four of Haiti's most beautiful little faces.

(This is the heart I chose for myself-- a little"broken" with a tiny

crack on the outside, yet still full of jingling love on the inside!)

Weeks in -- and the teamwork continued, tired hands motivated by hopeful hearts! A new goal had been set-- to reach $12,200, doubling the original goal. As the Valentine's Day cut-off neared, the donations continued to roll in. The new goal was soon met!

The making of hearts continued, and the money kept on coming . . .

the heart-o-meter was proof as it continued to grow . . .

and grow . . .

and on February 17th, the "little school that could" . . .

gathered to celebrate-- and to make an amazing presentation to the Red Cross representatives who had come! To say that the auditorium was buzzing would be an understatement, somewhat like that original $6,100 goal.

Speeches were made, and thank yous were spoken as paper hearts waved in the air!

The children were reminded of just what can be accomplished when teamwork, done with your heart, is the goal! (I do believe that a huge lesson in serving others was an added gift they gave themselves!)

As the excitement grew . . . the drum-rolllllled . . . and the check written out to the Red Cross took center stage.

Cheers went up, and the little auditorium full of people came to it's feet! Tears of joy flowed once again . . .

and one teacher's vision, along with many, many, many people's help became a $16, 482 reality!

Which has since grown to over $17,000!

Hope born out of tragedy, in hearts full of love, for a people far away.

Father, please hold closely all those in Haiti who are hurting so desperately. Love on them Lord, be their provider and above all, please bless their aching hearts. In Jesus name, Amen!

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

* To Mrs. Heier, the art teacher ~

Thank you for dreaming big. Thank you for believing the dream!

Memorial Box Monday ~ Brogan: Special Delivery

For a full scoop on MMB, see this post.

You can also visit Linny at

A Place called Simplicity, here.

Brogan: Special Delivery

Summer of 2002. We were returning to Texas, after a wonderful summer vacation in Michigan with our families. Nearing home, we passed a billboard. An odd billboard. Perhaps only seen in Texas.

I did not take a picture of it at the time . . . but you can find just about anything on the Internet (including this picture). Obviously someone thought the billboard was "photoworthy", and since a picture is sometimes worth a thousand words -- I'll let the billboard do the talking . . .

So we are driving along and my dear husband says, "Maybe I'll do that for my 40th birthday."

Me: (In a slightly shocked tone.) Really?

B: Yep. What do you think?

Me: Sure. (Honestly, I'm not sure if that was my exact word. But, I will tell you I didn't spend a long time pondering.)

Fast forward a couple of weeks. My sweet man walks in from work and says, "I'm on the list!"

Me: What list?

B: The reversal list.

Me: Really? (Sorry to be repetitive.)

B: Yep, they ask me a few questions and said, "Sign up here, we'll give you a call".

Approximately one month later, and just days before Bry's 40th birthday, I receive a call at home. They have an opening for the surgery. Can they schedule him? Well, you could if he was in the state. But he wasn't.

No problem. We'll call again.

A little background. We were stationed at a base with a very large training hospital. Think residents need practice. Think free vasectomy. That in and of itself could be a great MBM post, since Goo*gle tells me the cost is between $6,000 to $15,ooo, and insurance generally does not cover it. Incidentally, ten years prior, the military had done for free, the very thing they were now going to "undo".

Fast forward a couple more weeks. Another phone call. This time Bry is available. He's on the books.

I will say for the record, that we didn't completely fly into this without praying about it . . . but our prayer was quite simple. . . "Lord, if this is Your will, then You make the way."

He made the way.

I must also share that well before this decision was made, the Lord had made the promise of Teddi's adoption to my heart. I had already been praying for her by name for nearly three years. I knew that if God made the reversal a success, and we conceived, it would be a boy. I can't explain it, but I just knew. I knew there would be no confusion between the child who I had long been praying for, and the child I would give birth to--if God so choose to bless us that way.

The day of surgery came. Afterwards, the surgeon said all had gone well . . . but, our chances of success were on the low side. Bry was over 40. One strike. It had been 10 years since his initial surgery. Two strikes. We continued to trust.

I had no idea what the statistics were until tonight when I looked them up -- 44%. That was our chance of conceiving since we were beyond the ten year mark. Hmmm . . .

Within six months I was pregnant.

The "average" time to conceive after a reversal is 12 months, but it can often take two years -- at which point I would have been pushing 43 years old. Again, I just looked this stat up tonight . . . we were going on faith. The more I know, the more I stand in awe of His goodness!

I was six months past my 40th birthday, I would be 41 when I delivered. I was of "advanced maternal age". Statistics would say that I had a much higher chance of delivering a child with birth defects.

Trust . . .

On March 23, 2004 at 9:23 p.m. Brogan Elijah Winder entered the world. On his due date. Perfectly beautiful -- every single nine pounds and eight ounces of him!

As with the addition of each and every one of our children,

our lives would never be the same!

Who could have known?

God did . . . before time began!

He had given us the desires of our hearts, in a most joyously, grinning way.

Who knew, that the daddy who said, "We're done",

would have his heart stretched in a way that only God could do . . .

to be filled in a way that only God could fill it?

Brogan and Teddi are a little over nine months apart. I like to think that at the same time God was bringing Brogie into the world, He was creating Teddi . . . an answer to the long prayer of a mama's heart.

Trust.

We will add to our Memorial Box this day, the positive pregnancy test stick from 2003, a reminder that statistics mean nothing when God is involved. Brogan, our special delivery, is certain proof of that!

Blessings from our five times blessed nest ~

Tina

"Love is the response of the heart

to the overwhelming goodness of God."

~ Richard J. Foster

One Word Wednesday

"Ni Hao"