Only God. Only God.

I'm not sure when I'll have time to do another post this week, because I'll be busy living life with my blessings!  Woot woot!  Which is just one of the many things I 'm thankful for! 

So, I thought I'd do a variation on the Memorial Box Monday posts that Linny does over at A Place Called Simplicity. 

She asks us to think about a time God has been faithful, or a time where His voice has been clear.  Then, choose a memento to represent that time and display it where you will remember.  This allows us to recall the goodness of God when times might not look so good.

Well, God has come through in a big way lately.  He not only blessed our family with Stinker, He included a good relationship with her siblings.  We are able to text, call, and see them just about whenever we want to or they want to!  He has somehow created a relationship between us all that does not include jealousy.   We are constantly aware that S's siblings could be jealous that she is with us, while they are not.  But they aren't.  They have confirmed in many ways that S needs to be with us, and they with their cousin in order for everyone to heal.  They have said to us directly, that our home is the best place for S.  How could two children, who have endured just as much as S, extend such caring and grace?  Only God.  Only God. 

Our families both welcome S's siblings into the family as well.  They ask about, pray for, and care about those kids just as much as us.  And her siblings love our family as well.  Matter-of-fact, S's sister recently asked for a get together, so we could all get together and eat and enjoy each other's company.  How could two families, so vastly different in backgrounds and history, be so accepting and open to one another?  Only God.  Only God.

God was also wonderful to my family, by blessing my mom with a wonderful surgeon who did her hip replacement.  She was so hesitant to have surgery again.  So worried about the outcome.  Well, worried until she handed it over to God.  Then, in the holding tank (that's what I call it), right before she went in for surgery, we got to see her.  The peace that was in that curtained room was breathtaking.  The peace on her face.  The calmness in her voice.  Only God.  Only God.

And my mom is healing!  She is stretching, and working out.  She is doing the therapy they are telling her to.  My dad is such a good support for her.  He sees the future for them.  And it looks so much brighter than it did mere months ago.  Man performed the surgery.  Man helps with therapy.  But the ultimate Physician?  Only God.  Only God.

Finally, as weird as it sounds, I'm so thankful that Abby started sobbing when I was leaving this morning.  I think other mothers do the same thing, but I often question my parenting.  Am I good enough?  Did I respond correctly?  Why did I yell?  Was I tender enough?  Did I just act like a child, just like them, just then?  Will they need therapy as an adult?  Those are some of the questions I ask myself.  (and God)  Make no mistake, we are trying to raise our girls, all three, to be independent and confident in who they are.  This usually means that when I leave in the mornings (I leave first) they give me kisses and tell me they love me, and run off to play or finish getting ready.  I'm going to be transparent here.  Sometimes, I get sad.  I hate that I have to leave them in the first place.  Then, I hate that they so easily let me go!  So when Abby started crying this morning, I was, in a weird broken-hearted-yet-joyful sort of way, happy.  She wanted her Mama to stay with her.  She didn't want me to leave.  Oh, my heart!    I have since called and checked on her at my sister's house, and she's fine.  Just needed some more Mama squeezes this morning.  And I'm so glad to do it!  Just over three years ago, Tony and I were longing for a child.  We ended up with gorgeous twins!  (and now S too!)  Only God!  Only God!

There is much more I could write, but I want to know something.  What is your "Only God!" story?

What are you thankful for?

Happy Turkey Day!  Thank you, GOD!

Bonding and Birthdays

On the eve eve of our family birthday, I'm feeling sort of reflective.  But oddly enough, it's a swirl of emotions about our first babies in China, and our newest chickie here.

We prayed and prayed about attachment and bonding before we ever left for China.  We wanted our girls to be loved so much that they'd transfer that bonding to us.  Well, having twins, we got a little of both types of reactions.  I often joke that Abby had the reaction of, "Oh!  YOU'RE Mama and Baba!  Where have you been all my life?"  Seriously.  One Cheer*io and she was hooked on us.  (And we were hooked on her too.)

Laney?  Well, she didn't like us.  It took her a while to warm up to us.  And by a while, I mean...like 20 bags of Cheer*ios later.  Heh.  Even today, we're working on bonding.  But I'm thankful we have come so far.

Then, there's S.  I feel like we're somewhere in the middle.  She can be silly and affectionate (as in, sit on me if I'm layinug on the floor...NO personal space.)  Or, she can be distant and stand-offish.  Like, tonight, I kind of snapped at her during homework.  After she got out of the shower, I went in to apologize.  I told her I wanted to give her a hug.  She was like, "No.  It's fine.  I don't want a hug anyone."  I won't lie, my feelings were hurt.  She hugs my mom, and others! 

But I have to step back and remember:
A.  She's 11.
B.  She's emotional. 
C.  I had just snapped at her.
D.  We're still settling into our new normal.
E.  It's totally uncool to hug.
F.  Any other thoughts?

So other tween moms...tell me everything is normal.  Yes, I'm the QUEEN of OVERANALYZING!  So it's ok if you tell me that too!  Hehehe.

Ok, last request...since our Family Birthday is coming up, do you have any good ideas for how we can celebrate?  We can't until Saturday because Tony has a meeting, but we want to do something fun!  Three years ago we became a family!    Any ideas?

Bahahaha

Two things:

1.  My mom's surgery went smashingly well!  She has a new hip and has been doing therapy beautfiully!  Now if she'll just EAT to keep her energy up!  Thank you for praying!  God is good!

2.  We're all pathetic.  How in the world did NONE of us see on my sidebar that you can follow my Tweets.  But, um, upon further inspection, my last tweet was some 180 days ago?!?!?!?!  Yikes, time to take that off the blog. 

That's it.  It's 2:30 AM and I couldn't sleep.  Random, I know.  But that's how I roll.

(Yes, I'm a little slap happy)

WOW. Talk about suspense.

Ok, if anyone was still checking back to see if we got guardianship,WE DID!  Matter-of-fact, we received the paperwork today that makes it 100% official!  WOOT WOOT! 

Our stinker is no longer a "foster child"  but a child of ours!  (Well, not adopted, but loved just the same.)!

This is a picture from one of the recent "makeover" sessions.  WOW.  I need to schedule them appointments at EB's makeup counter, STAT! 

I know it seems odd that I chose THAT to be our first picture of her posted on here, but that picture, friends, speaks volumes.  S (she doesn't want me to post her real name yet--she prefers Stinker.  ODD GIRL) is such a fun girl.  She is always up for an adventure and loves to laugh.  She is so tender with the girls.  She cheers them on when their afraid, does gymnastics with them to make them strong, prays with them, tickles them, encourages them, and just plain loves them.  And, oh, that feeling is mutual.  We're so thankful to have her as a part of our family!!!! 

Sorry for delaying that good news.  The hearing was Friday, followed by a HORRIBLE virus hitting our house Saturday.  Satan did NOT like what happened on Friday, for sure!  So, I'm finally among the living tonight.  Bottom line, THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS!

On one last VERY important note...my mom is having hip surgery tomorrow.  Total hip replacement, actually.  PLEASE pray with me for accurate surgery, my mom's safety throughout, swift healing, and strength for my dad and family.  You guys are the best at praying,   THANK YOU for loving us, through this blog.

BIG DAY TOMORROW!

Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."

That was the scripture on my daily devotional today.  I thought it was a good reminder.  I posted it in case any of my two readers needed to hear His promise today.

Also, tomorrow is a big day for us.  At 3:45 we will going to a guardianship hearing for S.  We will find out tomorrow if we can gain guardianship of her.  We KNOW what our hearts say.  We pray it aligns with the judge's heart.  But, ultimately, God's will be done.  


STAND IN PRAYER WITH US, PLEASE!

ANGEL TREE

Oh, my heart.  You have to go HERE and follow the link for the Angel Tree sponsorships.  Or go directly HERE and scroll down to stare into the most beautiful eyes of some of the most gorgeous children.  Each of these children need sponsorships to help their family find them.  You will help lower the costs to bring them home, and away from the tragedy of certain death for them!

WHAT could be more important than saving the life of a child?

You don't even have the exccuse of..."Oh, if my husband would agree, we would adopt."  Or, "If we had the money to, we would adopt."  Well, YOU might not be the one who adopts one of these cuties, but you might help another family take that leap because the costs are lower!  Or who knows, God might knock on your heart by having one of their faces leap off the page at you.

Go ahead and look.  Don't be afraid.  Sponsor one, or sponsor all.  Help save their lives!