Birthdays and summer

It feels so good to get to a much slower pace time of the year.  I say slower but not by any means slow.  That probably won't happen until I am dead.  A friend of ours once said he will have plenty of time to rest when he gets to heaven.  That is Ok with me.  We have no needs for medication to sleep around hear.  We fall into bed at night and it is all over.  Our days are full of activities and full of life.  If anyone reading this feels like your life is missing purpose.  Well I have the solution.  Adopt a child.  There you have it.  Loving, serving, caring for these children God tells us is like caring for Jesus himself.  I remind myself of that quite frequently when I am tired and grumpy and just want to lock myself in a quiet room.  Like I said summer is here and we are all happy.  We made a trip to Grammo and Grampo's house to let them meet Katy.  It was really fun with all of the cousins.  Katy loved every minute.  We took them to a local amusement park that I grew up going to.  Katy hopped on her first ride and didn't look back.  She loved them all.  The faster the better.  She squealed and clapped.  She really liked the bumper cars.  That is just her personality to love running into someone and it is ok with everyone.  She rode them several times.  Backing up a bit to her birthday on May 8th.  She loved her birthday.  She had a perfect birthday in her head and it was complete with everyone surprising her.  Katy and I had a big day at the American Doll store and mall eating and getting her ears pierced.  We ended it with lots of decorations, balloons and a pink barbie cake.  She told me that every year she would wish for a family.  That is a moment that catches you and doesn't let you go for a while.  I am just thankful for the millionth time that we listened to God and traveled to China for her.  Despite all of the second guesses we had along the way.  We don't want to ever disobey God and miss out on these children.

I have a wonderful  friend Sonia who I have never physically met.  That is the beauty of internet.  She challenges me all of the time. Sonia I wanted to let my friends see your heart that I love.  Read her blog and be challenged yourself.  As we were coming home from my mom and dad's we stopped to get gas.  It was me and 7 children.  A man came up to me asking for money stating that he was homeless.  I didn't want to miss a chance to share love for someone and do it right in front of the kids.  The impact was huge and I will say life changing for all of us.  Now I have given money to people but never with so much purpose, love and hoping that in some way my children would catch on and feel that love that  God wants us to have for People.  I told the man to wait a minute and I would buy him a meal.  As he waited I learned more about him.  Me and the kids went in and picked out his food and they skipped over to him so excited to give him a meal.  He gave them all knuckles and for the next 30 minutes in the car going home we talked about helping others.  They were worried that no one else would feed him  and Sam pointed out a few run down barns on the side of the road that he felt might work for the man to live in.  Later that night as we prayed at dinner.  Sam said "Mom, don't forget to pray for the man to get food".  Ok, my mission was accomplished.  My heart was blessed.  My children learned more about caring for others.  And hopefully my God said well done.

Lots of photos and even more talk!

 Her we are at our weekly date night sitting in the gym.  

Katy is loving her family and we are loving her!!!!

 If you were wondering how we are doing.....well....busy, busy, and good.  There is so much that goes into bringing a child into your family especially an older child that has a lot of set habits, ideas and lived in a completely different environment.  If you haven't walked this road, which many of you reading this have, you might think it would be impossible.  The minute to minute changing emotions for all of us can be a little tiring that is for sure.  I think I have said it before but this type of adoption is not for the weak or for the family that wants a simple life.  At church on Sunday our pastor said in order really love people with messy issues that we have to get messy ourselves.  That was a great for me to hear.  In parenting several children in our family that can be just a little difficult we have to jump right in and join them where they are in order to help them.  I have to say that in doing so I have seen the icky part of, Wendi.  You might think that we are really helping these children but really they are teaching and helping me way more.  For instance this week Katy and I were shopping at Costco. She was riding and hanging on the basket which was fine until it got full and then I could hardly push it. (by the way the amount of groceries that I buy each week is flat out insane) I asked her to get off so she did and then began hanging on it, I asked her not to touch the basket anymore.  She let go and then looked me in the eye as she grabbed hold of the basket.  Ok, now this is a Wendi move.  Mom, I know you had a little girl who did this same thing .  This is where I began to understand her and see a snippet into ME.  I don't flat out disobey my mom anymore but but it comes out in many worse ways than that and it isn't pretty.  I began to tell Katy that she wasn't obeying me and that she needed to obey her mama.  She crossed her little arms and said "ME not obey".  Yep, you said it girly.  You sure aren't.  At least she is honest and she tells it how it is like the time I had her sit in time out on the couch.  She was upset and said no, no, no, 100 no.  I think that meant I really, really don't want to do that.  She storms, pouts and has the loudest cry you have ever heard.  It is full of complete drama.  Ok, now for the amazing side of Katy.  She is THE most loving girl I have ever known.  She is smart and knows what she wants.  If she doesn't understand she asks until she does.  If she is upset with you she tells you.  She has no hidden thoughts.  She has wanted a family her whole life and even asked for one on her birthdays.  She tells me she loves me all day and hugs and kisses.  She desires to do everything right but can't get past that stubborn part of herself which I have no doubt has helped her survive for the last 10 yrs.  We have already had deep conversations about her China mom and dad and why they might have had to give her up.  She spontaneously prays and asks God for things and also thanks Him.  In many, many ways she deserves so much more than I have to give her however God chose me to be her mother.  We are learning from each other everyday and I think we make a pretty good team. 

We have lots of Medical evaluations ahead of us.  Some not so fun.  If getting her teeth cleaned is any indication on how things will go I am going to need some serious vacation time.  If you could pray for us as we go through the process I would really be thankful.

As for the rest of the family.  Well, can you say basketball and soccer.  Lots and lots of it.  I really love watching the kids do this.  The only problem is the ones not participating are left having a boring weekend and I have a hard time feeding them in between games.  I need 2 of me.  Wouldn't that be great.  The one who would stay home and do nothing but laundry, homework and cook.  The other to run around and play all the time with the kids.  Scott joins me in the insanity as we carefully make our game plan of attack each Fri. night.  

Sam is playing basketball for the first time.  Joel has been a great big brother and gone to his practices with him.  The coach liked Joel so much that she quit and gave him her job so now Joel is coaching Sam.  That has been really fun.  When you have kids who are learning English you get so many funny things out of them like the "100 no".  Sam refers to the other team as the "bad guys".  I love it.  We have some good laughs.  Also he gets "he and she" mixed up.  He tells me about friends that he has.  He talks for days about her and then when he shows me her, she is really a HE.  

We had a track meet last weekend for 3 of our kiddos.  DonLI, Ellie and Luke.  DonLi and Ellie ran the first and fourth leg on the coed relay.  It was so fun to see them do that together.  

Leah is our soccer girl.  She loves it and does so well.  The new rule is if Scott and I have to split up to different games he gets soccer if it is cold and windy.  Whew.  He happily took that one for me.

Joel is playing club basketball and loving it.  He plays for hrs a day and has tournaments every weekend and coaches on the side.  I assume he is going to school because someone posted a photo on FB of him in class today however he looked kind of tired and there was an iPod and cellphone laying on the desk.  hmmmm.

We only have 2 more weeks of school.  Yay.  That means I can sleep a little more and it also means that they will all be home everyday for many days.  What in the world am I supposed to do with 8 kids all day!  For that matter, what am I supposed to do with 8 kids period?  Well, God gives me what I need everyday.  Really nothing left over for the next day.  He wants me to know that He will show up again the next day for my needs.  It takes some getting used to.  We like to know that everything is perfect before we jump into something, right?  We are in it....we are loving it.....we are tired......we are excited and we wouldn't have it any other way............

Wendi

Yes!!!! We are still alive and doing well!

I am really sorry for taking soooo long to post.  I have wondered over this past long week if I would survive but today is Saturday and I think I will be ok.  Seriously.....the jet lag just about does me in.  Now if I could come home to a nice calm, quiet house and take it easy for a couple of weeks all would be great....but there is a problem.  I now have 9 children and a husband, 2 dogs and life.  I would like to have  a video of me over this past week.  I know that I looked completely like I was drugged out with glazed eyes.  After going over for a visit with my friend, Nancy, she told me that she didn't think jet lag was the problem.  Katy can be very stimulated by new environments and she is all over the place.  It was that way for a couple of days at home but she is now settled in and calmed down at home.  I have to say I am  little shocked at how well she has blended in our family.  She has done very little bossing of the other children.  She seems really happy hear and our kids happy to have her.  The girls love her.  They have had so much fun playing girl things.  I was a wondering if Katy would decide she liked girly things.  After just 3 wks with her she now tells me she wants long hair(which I don't think they ever gave her that choice before), she wants her ears pierced, she now puts barrettes in her hair and wants her nails painted.  She would have none of that when we met her.  Today Scott got all of the bikes out for the kids.  Katy didn't have one yet so I took her shopping.  We bought the pinkest bike we could find.  She came home so excited.  Hopped on and was ready to learn to ride.  She had never been on a bike before.  She did great.  I think a few more days of practice and she will be on her way.  She went across monkey bars for the first time yesterday and gave swinging a try.  It looks like she has never done that before either.  Amazing.  Can you imagine being almost 10 and having never done those things?  At Target today I wasn't paying attention and she started grabbing items and scanning them.  Oh my!  We have soooo much to learn.  She has been quick to give us hugs and looks at us like she really may like us....a lot.  Oh yes, she is still very stubborn.  She has stamped up the stairs a few times when she didn't get her way.  She corrects easily and oh how she wants to learn.  She constantly asks me what things are and how to say certain things.  Her biggest spontaneous phrase is "No thank you, I just want a coke".  Every word of that was said when I offered to buy her ice cream.  Now if you haven't adopted an older Chinese child this might not mean that much to you, but I am here to say, it is incredible.  As for Katy and Samuel and their interactions.  It is a little different that what I had thought it might be.  They don't seem that interested in each other or maybe just feel a little awkward around each other.  He is very gentle and kind to her but doesn't offer too much Chinese conversation with her.  I catch them every now and then talking in Chinese but not very often.  He does look after her.  He saw her trying to cut up a pear tonight and quickly jumped in and did it for her.  Scott and I mentioned how Sam just seems so grown up now that we have Katy.  He seems to know so much.  At the rate Katy is learning no doubt she will pass up his English knowledge.  She constantly asks me a word and then has me spell it for her.  She will repeat it like now that she knows the word she will remember it.   It has really been great and I look forward to being alive enough to enjoy it.

Thank you all for your prayers and support through this journey.  Keep us in your prayers and I will update here every few weeks so check back.  We are full and blessed.  Thank you God for your goodness.

Adoption complete!

Today was our final appointment which was the US Consulate.  We finalized all of Katy's immigration paperwork and now she will get her visa to come to the US.  As soon as she touches down in the US she will automatically become a US citizen.  We are way ready to be coming home.  Well I am anyway.  Leah is still enjoying it all so that makes me enjoy it also.  Not much went on today other than a little more eating and shopping.  We have really enjoyed a very nice family that adopted the 14 year old girl.  They have kind of taken us in and have become great friends.  I think this will be my last post in China. I will look forward to updating you after we are joined together as one big family.  Thank you all for your prayers and support during this whole process.  It has been great and now I am ready to move forward as a family of 11.  I can't believe that is the size of my family!  Oh my goodness.  Maybe just keep on praying for us..........

Safari Park

What another full day.  We visited our favorite Safari park.  It really is great.  They have tons of neat animals that you can get really close up views.  That was just the surroundings for a day of pushing the limits and a mama who says no way.  Scott if you are reading this, I really am missing you.  First I have to say Katy really, really enjoyed most of her day.  She asked questions of each volunteer at each exhibit until I tore her away.  She was totally interested in everything.  She is a smart, witty little thing.  On the less than wonderful side she had her very stubborn moments of wanting her way.  For instance when we were feeding the giraffes she was struggling getting the branches off to feed them.  I tried to help and she wouldn't let me have it.  I got it from her and pulled a branch off but by that time she was in fit mode stamping her foot at me and giving me not so nice looks.  I had the guide explain to her that her mama would not give her anything if she asked for it like that.  She then began the loud crying.  All of the families thought she was hurt.  It was a tough stand for me to take.  Yes, it would have been easier and brought way less attention to this mean mama but I felt that boundaries need to be established ASAP.  Later as we were walking one of my favorite moms in our group came up to me and said, "you are a good mama".  I needed that because I wasn't feeling so hot at the time.  She told me that was a hard thing to do especially with so many people watching.  Anyway, we move on....Katy pushes......mama says no......mama says I love you to Katy and that I always will forever.......later I got a kiss on my cheek.  I think this battle will get worse but I am expecting it and ready.  She is precious, fiesty, cute, wild, and wonderful.  I look forward to how things will look for her in a few months.

Now changing topics a little.  Being here in China with adopted families doesn't look a thing like it did when we adopted Ellie.  Seven years ago there were tons of healthy baby girls everywhere.  Now there are older children and children with special needs and lots of boys.  As I look around I see families doing really hard things.  Well adoption in the best situation is hard and then you add special needs and age to that.  Here are a few things I have seen and people I have spoken with.  A couple with older grown kids and one child at home adopting an older girl with Downs Syndrome, a young couple adopting 2 children at the same time ages 2 and 4.  They have 3 at home under the age of 5.  Yes that is 5 under 5. To top it off their new daughter they find out has pretty severe CP.  They knew of her club feet but not the biggest problem.  They were ready for the unkown but it will be a tough road.  Another family with 10 kids at home now adopting 2 kids under 5 both with deformed lower limbs. Another with adopting 2 boys about 10 and 13.  You might ask what would causes these poeple to do this.  It is simple.  This kids need someone to love them and these familes get that and are willing to sacrifice much to care for them and give them a chance at a future with someone to love them.  It is a beautiful picture of God's love for us.  I am inspired and motivated by these people.  I have many poeple like this in my life that I want to honor for the love they bring to these children. Sonja, Tary,  Missy, Kristi, Jean, Stephanie, and the others of you that are reading this who I admire.  Blessings on each of you and your families.  Another group that I wouldn't want to walk this path without who have all love and adopted these little ones and are called my "playgroup friends".  We have met together with our children for 7 years now.  Yes our kids are in school but we still meet for encouragement and support every other wk.  They have prayed me through it all  and I want to say I love you guys. (Cheryl, Kim, Megan, Jeanine, Ann, and Rhonda).  I can't forget our friends Jeff and Nancy who haven't adopted themselves but that have actually adopted all of our kids as their own as they have loved and supported us through it all.  I'm not sure how we could do it without them.  Is this sounding like an awards speech?  I am just so overwhelmed and thankful for all the people that really have strengthened us and enable us to do what we do.  A few more.....our lifegroup bible study.  They have yet to tell us we are crazy. They just pray like we ask.  Both of our families have loved us and cared for us.  They love all of our children the same and are ready in a second to be there for us.  The biggest is my Jesus.  He is the reason I have any of this love to give.  Thank you God.  Sorry this is so long but I just needed to say it all.  My heart is just so full of thankfullness for what God is doing and how he is doing it.

This is my favorite picture.

I hope that none of your moms will do this with your children.

This was so sweet

This mama hippo forced her baby in for a swim.  

Scott and Wendi

Katy's friend Lina on the right.  She turned 14 today.  If she weren't adopted by today she would have never had the chance of a family.  She is beautiful.

The whole reason Leah came to China was to see this bear.  She loves panda's.  I'm really glad she came. She has been soooo good.  She doesn't fuss or complain and she is a wonderful big sister.  Patient and loving to Katy even when Katy steals her gum out of her purse.  Leah is a very special little girl. I would be completely lonely without her.

Shopping, shopping and more shopping

Today there are really no photos.  We just shopped and didn't get any photos.  It was a great day if you like that kind of thing.  Scott is probably really happy we saved this until after he left.  There is one highlight of the day and that is Katy told me she loved me all on her own.  She walked up to me, squeezed my hand, nuzzled into me and told me that she loved me.  It was wonderful.  Also I think I might have said how she seems to know alot of English.  I began quizzing her today on reading English.  I started with simple 3 letter words and went all the way up to the word rabbit.  She just read it without sounding anything out.  I know for most of you that means very little but for this mama and those at the schools our kids attend know this is huge.  We currently have 3, now 4 children that are working like crazy learning how to read.  This would be one of our biggest struggles with our adopted kids.  It is just a breath of fresh air to know that she has a huge head start on reading English.  Sorry that this is lacking in excitement but by this time of the trip we are just tired of posing for and taking pictures.  I will put some of our kids back at home.

Scott is really having a hard time at home with the kids. He doesn't look so well and Sam has really changed.

The welcoming crew for Scott

It is beautiful weather in Denver