Once upon a time...

Once upon a time I held a child,
whose eyes did not match mine.
Her hair a different color,
Her smile was just divine.
This child was not born
from my womb,
but given by another,
For me to love and give a home,
to one day call me Mother.
No greater gift
will I receive
or cherish more than this.
Thank you Lord
with all my heart
for granting me this gift."

(Author: Linda Paige-Tolis)

18 months today!

Today is Selah's 18 month day!

We were blessed with pictures of Selah yesterday....it was bittersweet to see her. I loved seeing her sweet face, but also "ached" to hold her in my arms. She looks a little older, but not as much as I thought she would look, so that was good. She seems to have a little tan on her face and her hair is a touch lighter- like she has been going outside.

We have no news on when we will be returning, but, hopefully we will soon.

PLEASE don't stop praying for us!!!!!

Chapman Family

MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME

NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.

My heart breaks for this family. I had the honor of meeting SCC and his two sons.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM!

http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria/

Mother's Day

As Shane would say, "Is it really Mother's Day or Mother's WEEK???"......  That all started with him, because he has spoiled me from the beginning of our marriage. He goes out of his way to make EVERY holiday a special one. So he created the monster!  I know, I know, I feel bad but his selflessness has taught me to be that way too- However, he always out does me! 

Shane took me on a much needed night away, just the two of us to a Bed-n-Breakfast in 

St. Augustine, FL. Here is a picture of us at a little Italian restaurant that we had ate at before and loved the food and the atmosphere. 

On Sunday, we went to church and then out to eat with my Mom and my brother, Christian.

On Sunday evening we went to the annual "Symphony under the Stars". It is so neat. Everyone brings their blankets, chairs, dinner, wine, etc... and you just sit out on this huge golf course while the Symphony plays. You catch up with people, play ball with the kids (well, the Dads do) and just have a good time.

Happy Birthday Gage and Mom!

Gage-3 and Seth-4....Wow, time flies!

My mom (in green) opening gifts. I'll keep her age a secret! ;)

MOM- Happy Birthday Mommy! I hope this year is filled with joy and laughter for you! You have done so much for all of us, your children. I know its been an exhausting year for you, so I want you to get some rest and relaxation! You deserve it! 

I just want you to know that now that I am a Mother, I think of all the sweet things you did for me. I have noticed that I am doing many of the things you did, without even realizing it. I can remember when I was Seth's age, you would come in at night and kiss me all over my face and whisper "I love you Greta". Everytime that I do that to my boys, I think of you. This is just one of the many ways Mom....... I love you.

GAGE- O my sweet son, I can't believe that you are already THREE! The past three years have flown by. But, you have grown into a tender-hearted, strong, brave, smart little boy already. Your daddy and I were talking about you the other night and we were just saying how we are blessed that you are with us. I thank God for your life Gage. I thank God that I get the honor of being your Mommy. I pray that you will see how much God loves you through us. Happy Birthday Gage. We love you!

Disney World!!!

We went to Disney World's Magic Kingdom for the first time with the boys and we were surprised as to how much fun we had! We are not theme park lovers, mainly because of the cost, the crowds, the heat, the lines, etc.... But we had an awesome time!

We used it as part of Gage's celebration weekend for his birthday. He even got in FREE because he was a couple days shy of 3!

We rode ALL the rides with the boys! I kept thinking how I couldn't believe that we could ride adult rides with BOTH boys! That shows how much my boys are growing up! 

We met up with the Definos. We met them in the parking lot and you can see the happy reunion between Seth and Kaelyn. Kaelyn calls Seth her "prince". So she as in heaven having him and her castle all in the same place?!?!

Then we met up with another adoptive family, Kim, and her family. They were down on business and I spotted her from the Flying Dumbo ride! It was like meeting up with an old friend, even though we had never met in person. You really get close to cyber friends! :)

Shane and I were pleasantly surprised as to how much fun we had! We have two more days on our passes, so we might hit Animal Kingdom next- anyone wanna join???? :)

You know you are an Adoptive Parent if......

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.

2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love & family.

3. You can’t watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.

4. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who’ve experienced the blessing of adoption.

5. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.

6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child’s “real” parents.

7. You’ve been “pregnant” with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth (2 years!)

8. You’d no idea how you’d afford to adopt, but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing He’d provide.

9. You’ve taken an airplane half-way around the world with a child you just met.

10. You believe God’s heart’s for adoption. See James 1:27 and Romans 8.

11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart & family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.

12. You know what the word “Dossier” means & you can actually pronounce it correctly!

13. You’ve welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

14. You shudder when people say your child’s so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you’re the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

15. You know full well that the journey of your child coming into
your family is one of the most wonderful, miraculous things that has ever happened to you.