Mama's old sled

There was a day when Santa’s sleigh was magical for me

But then I got my own – the girls pose in front of mama’s old sled 

And Dad got a lead sled 

And then a more modern sled

And then the final sled

We left Rudolph in the dust – just sayin’…

We had a great time visiting the USS Yorktown with over 400 homeschoolers today.  The kids were great, but I was alarmed at my Katie’s penchant for artillery

doesn’t she know she’s from an aviator family?!  

The tour guides were great, and we even got a science lesson where we learned that somebody puts plankton in our toothpaste and ice cream – bleh!  It will be easier to forgo ice cream in the future… 

The Medal of Honor Museum was beautifully done, and I saw the best and noblest among us portrayed there.  It’s so sad to think that they were the ones who left us early – and sobering to wonder if you could make the same sacrifice for others.

We heard the incredible story of the Doolittle Raid, and I couldn’t help but reflect on the bravery of the young men who volunteered for this dangerous mission - but also the 250,000 Chinese civilians who lost their lives as a result of helping our pilots.   A debt of honor not easily repaid.   

I was able to see a picture of Jake DeShazer, the Doolittle crewmember whose biography I recently read.  He was held captive by the Japanese, tortured and deprived of food and medical care, and after the war, returned as a missionary to Japan.  He publicly forgave his prison guards as an illustration of the forgiveness found in Christ.

It was a wonderful day full of fun and life lessons and a reminder of all the blessings we have today – and those who paid dearly for them. 

Blessings,

Kim

We Are Thankful!

For Poppy...

For Nanny

 

 For family

 

For Nanny making everything look pretty at the table

For Mom's cooking and the girls' creativity

And of course, for football :)

     But most of all we are thankful for the author and provider of all our blessings!  Looking forward to Christmas and seeing the rest of our family, and praying we'll have our girls here soon.  
Blessings, Kim 

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  
1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Fall Fun!

We're having fun around the house with all the kiddo's home now!  

I made my yummy pumpkin roll (so much for cholesterol counts), heard all the college stories, got grade updates (Clint got a 95 on his Chemistry Exam - Wow!) and now it's time for our favorite show....

Sue Thomas, FB Eye!!  

Doesn't get any better than this. :)  Hope your Thanksgiving is just as blessed!  Kim

Pondering pictures

We received new pictures of Sarah - but I have waited to post them. I was thrilled to see her foster family, and know these will be a keepsake for her.  But I can't help but ponder the grief she will feel at leaving such a lovely family... 

After a wait more than a year on this side, it is hard to have only a few pictures of your child's growth.  No descriptions of her milestones, her daily joys, achievements, and challenges.  Every little smile - or frown - makes you wonder what she's thinking, feeling, and worrying about.  While we know her eye needs treatment immediately, and her future is dim with visible differences, a 6 year old isn't thinking that far ahead.  This orphanage prepares the children well, but what child can be fully prepared to leave everything - and everyone - familiar behind?  I can't wait to meet this little one, but am praying daily that God will enable me to understand  her needs and comfort her in this transition.  Praying for her foster family as well and the grief they may feel at saying goodbye to such a treasure.

The ladies to the right are the orphanage staff, I am guessing the smiling lady in the purple turtleneck is her foster mother.  Foster brother at bottom left.

A little bit of a smile :)

Please pray for Sarah and Jenny this month - for the upcoming losses in their lives - and for the transition to a completely different language and culture.  Please pray that I will have wisdom and insight from Jesus - who understands our needs before we make them known - to give the girls the love and care they need during our long travels - without the ability to communicate in their heart language.  Lastly, pray that we will enjoy our time in China - despite all these concerns, as I get to know my new daughters.  

On a lighter note, please pray that I'll be able to pack all the unknown sizes I may need for both girls into two suitcases - it's not looking good...!  Praises to the God who walks before us and with us, and cares about even the smallest details of our lives.

Blessings, 
Kim

New Pics of Jenny!

I was so excited to get new pics of Jenny today!   I can't wait to meet this little one!  I love the picture with her little friend and all the flower pots in the background...

And this one in the cute jacket - she looks like a fighter pilot!

and last but not least - enjoying her cake- she'll fit right in here!

She's such a pretty girl - all she needs is a smile. :)  Can't wait to get there!  Any guesses on her size?

Blessings, Kim

Aloha China!

     That's right, folks...HAWAIIAN AND MEXICAN FOOD in Wuhan City, China!  This little Diner was recommended by some friends and I'm thrilled that I'll get a taste of home during my three week journey.  They've got Latte's, smoothies, milkshakes and BBQ - does it get any better than this??!!  It  will be like heaven after weeks of no home cooking. I wonder if they do a Christmas dinner...? 

Blessings, Kim

Electronics Obsession

The whole electronics thing for travel has become an obsession for me recently. I've got Rosetta Stone on laptop, kiddie apps for iPad, Kindle books, iPod with everything from Chinese Dora the Explorer to Cd sermons, cameras - both still and video - yikes! I'm trying to figure out what can be left behind - even now as I try to email this post to blogger from iPad! Skype has been set up on all devices, and this techno amateur is trying to get a Chinese phone number to avoid the panda phone. If it doesn't provide fun for kids, I don't want to carry it. Sooooo....let's see if this iPad post works..... Blessings, Kim

Sent from my iPad

Living History

No smart remarks that I'M the living history...  We went on a field trip and I got to try out my new long johns that I bought for Northern China today!  We spent the very cold day at a plantation listening to Civil War History and the stories of re-enactors.  Annie brought Caleb and the kids had a great time collecting pecans that had fallen from all the trees.

The girls loved the dresses the ladies wore!

They hung out with General Longstreet (who was homeschooled and went to West Point)

And saw how they cooked a long time ago (before Kitchen Aids and Cuisinarts)

I am VERY thankful for central heat, electric ovens, and my dishwasher today!!  Happy Veteran's Day! 

Blessings, Kim

CENSORED!

A morning post from one of my yahoo groups directed all participants to put “mentions God” in the subject line for all subsequent emails.  This is to avoid offending sensitive persons.  I was so inspired by this admonition that I decided to place some restrictions on comments here.  

In the future, please denote clearly your denominational affiliation in the subject line of your comments. That way, the Episcopalians can avoid any rabble rousing comments by the Pentecostals, and I can be sure to keep the Calvinists and Arminians separated and on topic.  If you belong to a non-denominational Church, just claim “mentions hand raising” so the rest of us can avoid reading the post and feeling un-spiritual about our more subdued form of worship.  If you are a creationist, write “mentions young earth” or “mentions old earth,” so I can only read the posts that I agree with. 

If you are not a Christian – just write “mentions allah” or “mentions buddha” so others can avoid being inadvertently converted.   If you’re an atheist, write “mentions atheism,” so we can all avoid being offended by you listing everything you’re offended by - and your incessant whining about religious people hurting your feelings.

More serious to me, however, are the health nuts.  Please warn me beforehand by “mentions granola” so I can avoid reading your post about baking your own bread and eating organic foods.  I don’t want to feel guilty the rest of the day while downing my Krispy Kremes and whole milk.  Sushi eaters should identify themselves clearly so I’m not irrevocably psychologically damaged by picturing you eating raw fish and pretending you like it just to look trendy.  Bleh.  

If you are not a Republican, or if you are a Republican with beliefs other than mine, identify yourself appropriately: “Mentions Obama,” “Mentions paying off the student debt of other people’s children,” “Mentions raising taxes,” are all posts that might be upsetting to me.  I want to avoid those. 

If you live in a home that is nicer than mine or drive a Mercedes, be sure to write, “mentions idolatry” in your subject line, because surely you must be greed driven and it might whip me into a retail frenzy that I’ll never pay off.  If you’re receiving unemployment, write “mentions on the dole,” and how long you’ve been that way, so we can all evaluate whether or not you’re milking the system.  Lastly, if you are upset about not getting your adoption tax rebate soon enough, write “mentions tax rebate,” so I don’t have to get upset about not getting one at all.  I think that about covers it.  Anyone else?