Even if the blog is silent...

That doesn't mean things have been boring around here. I can't say I have many pictures to document the past few weeks at our house. Once I write about everything we've had going on you'll appreciate why.

For starters last week all three girls went to camp. They had Bible Studies, horse back riding, canoeing, archery, swimming. Fun was had by all of them. And this momma is glad they are home!

While they were away the boys, Clayton and I went to play laser tag, fishing, and to eat ice cream at a new place where you pay by the ounce. Let's just say we ate ice cream for supper that night.

Just as everyone was getting caught up on sleep from being at camp for a week the stomach bug hit. It hit hard. Maybe it wasn't too hard but when a virus has 7 people to go through in a weeks time it certainly seemed hard. I'm not really sure why all of the kids come find me instead of the bathroom when they are getting sick but they do. Let's just say I woke up to complete darkness and the gagging sound three nights in a row. The first time it happened I came out of my daze elbowing gently nudging Clayton. He shot up out of bed so fast he almost stepped in the mess and took out the sickee at the same time. I think this too has passed- thankfully!

This passed just in time for us to have a marathon of doctor appointments. Most importantly a decision to go to Boston for the craniofacial decisions there. Boston is the Harvard of Children's Hospitals and we need some wisdom and are tired of feeling pushed to the side where we go in Atlanta. We love our ENT and that is about it. He is helping us find the right ENT there and we think we are going to be working with Dr. Meara as a plastic surgeon. Tomorrow that should all be set up as they are working on coordinating everything for us. Another AP and mom of a cleft kiddo actually offered for us to stay there with her. She lives 15 minutes from the hospital. When she emailed me I cried and couldn't stop. Obviously that will be so helpful!!

So that was our few weeks in a nutshell. Just grateful to still be breathing, although today I admit I had to remind myself to breath a few times!

God always proves Himself faithful and strong. We are trusting Him!

An incredible Father's Day

We had the privilege to do some great things this Father's Day. It started about 3 weeks ago when Isaac came to me close to tears over his sin and need to have Jesus as his Savior. After deciding to follow Jesus he wanted to be baptized. We had already decided to do dedication at church on Father's Day with Joy so Isaac was able to be baptized by Clayton on that day as well. It was really special.

Such a sweet time!

Then we were able to do dedication with Joy. Being that she is older we thought that waiting until she understood what was happening was better. She loves her "little Bible" with her name on it. Just one more thing to get to have a memory with her about. She was quite funny as Pastor introduced her to the congregation. Everyone already knows her and she is comfortable so she just waved confidently.

Both of our parents then we able to come to our house for lunch and gifts. The picture of the airplane was not for the kids, the ones under 30 anyway. This was a gift that was discovered when mommy was in China. When the kids realized Father's Day was coming all of them said, "Oh mom, we have to go back to that mall we were at with dad when you were gone and get that remote helicopter." So now he fights the kids to fly it!

 And of course a family post wouldn't be complete without a picture of my Mei Li! She is such a great dog!

Happy Father's Day to 3 of the best dads in the world!

Got boys?!

While I should be sharing pictures of our wonderful Father's Day I am going to share this little story instead. It was not written by me but shared on a yahoo group I am on. Someone has 2 teenage daughters and is adopting 2 sons. She asked for everyone's input on raising sons to write in a journal to keep for later. Here is a story that was shared that had us rolling on the floor (maybe because some of it has happened at our house and maybe because we could certainly add our own stories to it!)


Being a mother of all boys, can be challenging to say the least, and can sometimes make the days extra exciting and mothers extra weary till the evening hours.


But take heart mothers, speak softly, think tender thoughts, and lift
those weary arms and hands for we have been entrusted with one of the highest callings! We are raising the future leaders of future generations.


Are there any other mothers out there that marvel at the amazing source of knowledge that is stored in the minds of these little human beings that we call boys? I have learned things from my boys that I still can't believe I didn't figure out on my own.


Like...if you get stuck with the chore of bringing in the laundry off
the 40ft wheel line, you really don't have to go in for another basket. Just stand in the laundry basket you have. If you stomp on every piece that goes in, you can get a whole --half weeks worth of laundry in one basket!


And, if you are clearing off the table after a meal? First, make sure you are in stocking feet, pile your arms with dishes (if you have a brother handy, get him to help with the stacking) get a running start at the table, slide across the floor (if it's not too sticky), bump into the sink, and ka-thud, the dishes automatically slide off your arms into the sink. Two trips like this and you are done....unless mom catches you mid-slide on the first trip...then you are done either way.


Oh, and did you know that if you bite off one end of a big marshmallow and throw it up at the ceiling, it will actually stay sticking!? The challenge in this? See whose marshmallow hangs on the longest. Poor mom would have remained ignorant of this amazing fact, if she hadn't questioned the round slightly sticky marks on the ceiling.


As I look out the window I spy the oddest contraption coming out of the garage. Are my eyes deceiving me? Or---no those tow back wheels on that thing once belonged on my garden way cart, and heaven only know what they used for the frame!


I see tools scattered all over the garage floor and the drawers of my husband's expensive, _lock-able _tool chest are all hanging open. The thought "wow, he's going to be upset," runs through my mind, then I think ," nah, deep down he's probably going to feel proud, he'll check out the thing, might even take a ride on it. Then he will persuade them to disassemble it and put all the parts back to their originals again."


At least it isn't motorized; it can't be that extremely dangerous. We'll let them have a bit of fun.


This thought had barely left my mind, when our 4 year old comes in with his pants covered in grease, a black smudge beside his nose, with a small hammer clutched in his hand. In his sweet lisping voice says, "Mom, Wyn wants to know if you know anyfing 'bout mowtors?"


I very calmly reply, "no honey, you tell Ryn that mom knows nothing about engines." In my mind I am all but screaming " NO, NO not engines I know nothing about engines and I don't want to learn about them either!"


My mind has absorbed all the boy knowledge it can handle in one day!


Just when you think your sons think of nothing else but bugs, dirt,
dogs, baseball, explosions, power equipment and eating, they take you for a loop and say something so unusual and profound, that it leaves tears in your eyes and a feeling of love in your heart, so intense that it is almost an actual pain.


Since we have sons that grew in my womb, and some that grew in our hearts, adoption is a subject of great discussion in our home.


The other day our 9 year old (biological son) Lonny came to me and says,


"Do you know that you're actually not my mom?"


At a loss for words, not knowing how to respond, I just replied,


"Oh...I'm not?"


"No" he says, "because you didn't adopt me yet."


With a smile I said, "Well Lonny, you're right, we didn't adopt you."


And teasingly I asked, "so whose child are you?"


Tears pushed at the back of my eyes, when he answered "God's"


I told him "That's right, all children are God's boys and girls, He has a great plan and a future for each of you. God just gives children to parents as sons and daughters to raise and take care of for a short time."


Satisfied he skipped away to play with his brothers.


"One of my greatest hopes is that someday a little child will walk up to me and say, 'thank you grandma for raising such a good daddy for me'."---a quote from a book by Rich Johnson.


A mother from Boyland USA

Do you ever find yourself praying in the middle of the night?!

Usually when I find myself praying while sleeping and waking up in the middle of the night it is either for these kids....

Or these kids....

Or my friend Yi who holds a special place in my heart but is not yet a Christian....

 Last night it was for her...

I have mentioned before that having children with medical needs or just having children in general that sometimes need a doctor or urgent care or the ER has made me think. I thin alot about kids who can't just go to the doctor or have surgery when the need arises. And I really just don't think money should ever come in the way of kids getting the surgeries they need when they need them. You see, Hope, needs to have her 2nd surgery to finish repairing her anal atresia and money is standing in the way. Not to mention the fact that she sticks her tongue out when she smiles just like our Grace used to do! :)

While I was praying God reminded me that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He owns it all, money, kids, He is over everything. Can you help be His hands and feet to get Hope the surgery she needs? Please go to this site to give toward her surgery. The fun part will be being able to see her afterwards on the An Orphan's Wish site as she recovers and continues live life to its fullest.

Thought This Was a Funny List from Family Life

How to Ruin Your Kids for Life


Tricia Goyer


1. Give your kid everything he wants. Don’t deny what will truly make him happy. Overvalue money and things in his eyes.

2. Dress your child in designer clothes, no matter the cost. Show her that her outward appearance matters most of all.


3. Place your child’s needs over those of your spouse. If she cries, run to her immediately. If she interrupts, give her your full attention.

4. Entertain your child throughout the day. If she wants to play tea, put your plans aside. If she wants to watch her favorite movie for the hundredth time, forget your idea for going for a walk and getting some sunshine.


5. Plan your menu around your child’s desires. No child should have to eat something he doesn’t like. If, by chance, you want to make something other than macaroni and cheese or peanut butter and jelly, feel free to cook your own meal, just as long as you have time to fix what your child likes.


6. Sign your child up for as many extracurricular activities as she desires, even if it means giving up your evening plans on a regular basis. Don’t worry about trying to gather around the dinner table either. He can only be in the junior soccer league for so long, and you don’t want him to miss out.


7. Don’t discipline your child when she acts up. Everyone should learn to express herself in her own way. If she demands something, then applaud her efforts. At least you know that she will not be a pushover or a doormat in this world.


8. Don’t worry when your child fights with neighbor kids or even when he is a bully. Life is not fair, and someone always has to be the underdog. At least your child is learning to elbow his way to the top at a young age.


9. When your child has a disagreement with her teacher, always choose your child’s side. Don’t show up when the teacher wants to discuss your child’s problems. The teacher will want to take a course of disciplinary action and that’ll hurt your child’s feelings.


10. Don’t share your faith with your child. After all, you don’t want to offend. Let your child decide if she wants to hear Bible stories. And don’t pressure her to memorize Scripture verses. She might get disheartened if she doesn’t get it right the first time and you’ll ruin her self-esteem. More than that, you don’t want her to know there’s a God who runs the universe, makes the rules, and determines eternity. The thought is too hard, and your child might not understand. More than that, she won’t be self-dependent and strive to be a good person.


Copyright © 2011 Tricia Goyer. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared on MomLife Today, FamilyLife's blog for moms.


Related resources


While They Are Sleeping, by Anne Arkins and Gary Harrell


Grace Based Parenting, by Tim Kimmel


Don't Make Me Count to Three, by Ginger Plowman

Kids like her...

Is why you should consider going here to sponsor a child!

Go here to read about Rylie's miracle.

How much is $35 a month? For our family it is one trip to ChicFilA a month. What can you give up to help change lives here and in eternity?

Devotion I read today worth sharing....

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless…” 2 Samuel 22:26 (NIV 2011)



“Are you scared?” my daughter asked. Nibbling on fingernails, she glanced at the harnesses hung on pegs, then to the mountain and finally to my face to assess my take on the situation.


Shading my eyes, I looked up the same mountain to the highest landing, barely visible between branches. Within a few minutes we’d be there, strapped into harnesses and hooked onto a thin wire. Her apprehension was clear.


“No, I’m not scared,” I answered honestly. I trusted the harness and wires to keep me safe. I trusted the staff who’d done this with thousands of other people. Beyond explanation, I (the person who avoids wasting any adrenalin) had faith I’d be safe zipping through the canopy.


As I waited my turn to get trussed up, God whispered in my heart, “That’s the kind of faith I’d like you to have all the time — only in Me.”


That thought settled in my heart and begged me to explore it. My initial response was a tad bit defensive. Sometimes my faith is strong. Haven’t I leapt into situations trusting You to make a way, I asked God. Before I could start reminding Him of specific instances, the Holy Spirit nudged me to go deeper. So I did.


In the most honest places in my heart, I had to admit that often – even those areas I almost bragged about – my trust was in God and my exit strategy.


I trusted God, but I also trusted the strength of my arm or my ability to negotiate a positive outcome. It was like I said, “I trust You but just let me get this harness strapped on and hooked to the wire.”


I knew God was speaking about faith with no backup plan. Faith that really gets His attention — where there’s no harness or wire. No experienced staff. No net. There’s just God. I’ve tasted that faith, but not often enough.


God is calling me to a higher place of faith. It’s a place where I believe God can and will provide for me. And therein lies the hard place. I’ve anchored my life in the belief that God can do anything, but somehow feel presumptuous believing He will for me.


That’s doubt masquerading as false humility. And that, my friends, saddens God and limits His work in my life.


Scripture shows us God is moved by followers with faith. There’s not enough space in this devotion to list the miracles God performed when people had faith. Nor is there space to list those times when doubt made a difference.


God’s whisper challenged me to submit my unbelief to Him once again in my pursuit to become a woman of faith. My heart longs to be completely sold-out for Jesus, following Him without doubt. I want the same faith in God I had when I jumped off a platform 100 feet above the jungle floor and laughed with the sheer joy of soaring. Yes, that’s the type of faith I want in God. All the time.


Dear Lord, I declare today that You are faithful and worthy of all my faith. You never lie, will never leave and never break Your promises. Help me to be a woman who follows You with complete trust. Help my unbelief. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Grace's birthday week

It seems that around here instead of a birthDAY kids have birthday WEEKS. We have family partes, friend parties, and then if your actual birthday falls on a different day you get a "just our family" celebration with dinner and another dessert. Here are pictures of Grace's "friend" party. We went to a water park and then to Pizza Hut. This was such a sweet group of girls. It is so hard to believe that she will be in middle school next year. I'm grateful she has some godly girlfriends.

This is Sharon. She has had a week of fun with us. I've had 2 extra children living with us this week while their mom had surgery. We've had Grace's birthday celebrations and VBS at church every night this week. It has been a full week for sure. She has been sweet to join us for everything and has been a huge help.

We stayed up late last night and talked about Jesus, Christianity, and the difference between a relationship with God and religion. She asked lots of questions. I am praying that God would open her spiritual eyes.

The boys had a campout at the same time as us going to the water park. We were quickly told when we went down to take photos at our creek that No Girls were allowed! Here are some pictures of their fun though.

The girls had a plan to scare the boys so my good friend, Sara, and I joined in on the fun. Later we commented that we felt like teenagers at summer camp and are glad no one was spying on US while we were spying on them :)

 Here are the scary girls!

What a great surprise!!

These updated photos were in my inbox this afternoon....

 As I am studying these pictures I am seeing kind of a sneaky kind of look to the first one, then an aren't I too cute look to the 2nd... hmmm!

Okay.... the impatience begins! He is one of the 3 cutest fellas I've laid my eyes on!

We also got some questions answered. The most important one is that he is with a foster family- Praise the Lord. AND that the little big guy weighs 27.5 pounds. To put that in perspective Joshie weighed 21 when we brought him home at 2 years and Samuel turns 2 in August. So if they didn't weigh him with all those clothes on that is great :) He also looks well loved by the look of that smile!

Now come on USCIS approval I am looking for record time...

Happy Birthday Grace Marie!!

11 years ago today our Grace entered the world with barely a whimper. One of those labors that ended me with NO epideral because things went a little faster than they thought. Guess she was ready to make her mark on the world. And that she is doing.

She is shy upon first observation but passionate about things that matter. Right now she is saving her money because she wants to go on a mission trip and is not sure where. At first she was saving for an iPod Touch but told me she thought God wanted her to go on a mission trip so she changed her goal.

She is learning Mandarin with Rosetta Stone- a birthday wish and gift. We love you Grace and are proud of you!! So grateful God made us your parents.

 I try to take a picture of the birthday kid with each of the guests. The boys got her water balloons!

 This is Sharon, Yi's friend. Yi is in China, she left at the end of May. We email often, I miss her a lot- she seems to miss her home and family in the States too! Sharon is living with us for a few weeks this summer. We are grateful to have her and are enjoying getting to know her better.

 Faith and Joy got her a beach towel.

 She decorated the cake herself!

Happy Birthday Grace! We love you!