Be Still

Over the past month we have experienced emotional hardship. I have not shared much of it here because it seemed too difficult to rehash and put down in writing.  At times it has felt as if our family was falling apart. At times it felt as if I was falling apart. The emotional strain and stress has been almost more than I can bear. 

But God is faithful. He has brought people into our lives to minister to us, comfort us, and direct us. We are so grateful that, in His timing, He has provided exactly what we needed. 

Yesterday, I was feeling overwhelmed with all that is before me. As I stepped outside after Noah was in bed, my heart began to quiet. God's beauty surrounded me as day faded into night. And in the solitude of twilight He gave me these words:

Be still, my soul, and rest;

These quiet moments blessed.

The waxing moon is soft aglow

As one lone bird calls from below.

Dusky blue has washed the sky

And peace is mine by and by.

We are asking our friends and family to join us in prayer as we seek restoration and healing. Please post a comment or send a note if you are willing to stand with us in prayer. It would mean so much to our family. Specifically, we are asking God for wisdom as we pursue further treatment for Noah, unity and peace in our family, patience in dealing with difficult behaviors, and that God's great love would heal the hurts of this past year. Thank you for praying with us.

Noah's First Trip to the Zoo

First we dropped off Daddy, Sissy, and GeGe at the airport. (They had to take an important trip to celebrate Grandma's 70th birthday!)

Then it was off to the zoo with Mommy and Nana.

We saw elephants,

flamingos,

giraffes,

and colorful, little birds. (I wasn't too sure about these birds. They were a bit unpredictable, flying here and there.)

At the end of the day. Mommy bought me my own Gibson monkey. It was sort of like Build-A-Bear in that you got to choose your own animal and then watch the stuffing get pumped into him. When Mommy handed him to me, I said "Monkey. Mine?" Mommy assured me it was mine and I began to hum "Happy Birthday." I was happy indeed!

Summer Rain

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

The cleansing freedom of a summer rain. Oh, joy!

Jesus Loves Me

As I was closing the blinds in Noah's room for his nap this afternoon, he climbed into the rocking chair and started singing a little song. He rocked with a smile on his face and sang in a sweet, little voice: "Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so."

Yes, Noah. Jesus loves you more than you can imagine. Thanks be to God for this musical gift reminding me of His love for both of us.

Dragonboat Festival

Eleven months ago a little boy was placed in our arms. It was a hot and humid day in June and the city of Nanning was bustling with excitement. Drums beat steadily as vendors hawked their wares and locals strolled along the river. For the people of Nanning it was a holiday celebrating the Dragonboat Festival. But for us was it was the day we would meet our third child, a small boy named Sheng Heng, soon to be Noah.

This past weekend we were able to take our family to a local Dragonboat Festival. The kids were excited to see the races as colorful kites danced in the sky above us. Noah particularly enjoyed the boats even though he was anxious and did not want to leave the safety of his stroller. 

What memories the drums and the boats stirred within me. It is hard to believe it has almost been one year. Noah has come a long way but he still has so far to go. Please continue to keep us in your prayers - that Noah would feel secure in our family and that God would give us the patience and wisdom we need on a daily basis.

Play Time with Noah

Noah and I had some play time yesterday morning. He played his first game of shape bingo and did quite well with the spinner and placing the chips on the correct shapes.

We also read an endearing story entitled Mama Do You Love Me? about the great love a mother has for her child.

Noah's visual-spatial skills are improving. He can now identify and accurately place twelve shapes in his shape ball. Yeah, Noah!

Don't Mind if I Do!

I was running the shower the other night for Ethan. While we were waiting for it to warm-up Noah walked through the doorway and right into the shower, clothes and all!

Lowe's Man

Building a Mother's Day gift at the Lowe's Saturday Kid's Workshop

Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head

Last Game of the Season in Pictures

Happy Mother's Day!

Cute Quotes

Just wanted to share a few cute quotes from Noah:

"I bundy!" - translation: "I'm funny!" He usually says this while he is laughing at something he considers hilarious. Do we have a comedian on our hands? (As of this evening "I bundy" is now "I funny." He is picking up on pronunciation rapidly!)

"I pray." - He said this two nights ago for the first time! He puts his little hands together and waits for us to guide him through a simple prayer. Mealtime prayers and bedtime prayers have become a very important part of our little guy's routine.

"Nooooooo!" - I was wondering when he would start to use this word. Well, it has happened. And, believe it or not, I am glad. It normalizes things for us by helping us see that he is catching-up developmentally.

Bull Frog Sunday

Daddy found something on the road last night. What could it be?

A frog!

Although he looks unhappy here, Noah loved the frog and even 

kissed it several times (much to my chagrin!)

That's one big frog!

Smile!

Happy swimming!

Spring Recital

Claire and Ethan did beautifully on their recital pieces.

 We are so proud of them!