tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50492615405871132662024-03-19T00:18:03.731-07:00beloved-onesA Story of Love, Life, Adoption and FaithKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.comBlogger310125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-56669257076087035912016-11-02T12:45:00.002-07:002016-11-02T12:51:39.139-07:00Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We walked about 15 minutes through the city to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden<span id="goog_807012663"></span><span id="goog_807012664"></span> this morning. We went from being surrounded by tall building and busy streets filled with people walking to work to this sanctuary of beauty. Once inside, the only part of the city that could be seen was the clock tower. We walked the trails and took in one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. I was truly overwhelmed by the beauty surrounding us and the bitty boy sleeping in my arms and felt the most incredible thankfulness for it all. God is so very good. <br />
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All through out the park there were small children there as a class with their teachers. All of them were wearing hats all alike... like this little line of yellow hats. (: The children were all so very cute!<br />
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We left the park and walked through the city. There are giant buildings, stores upon stores and busy streets... and then you can turn and find yourself in a small alleyway where cars don't drive and there are these hole in the wall restaurants and shops. We decided to be adventurous and eat at one of them. They didn't know a single word of English but we managed to get the best meal yet!!<br />
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We left here and somehow navigated the subway system... I think we only took the wrong train once and felt lost only half of the time. (o: But we got to the Embassy and back! We have everything we need now in order to come home with Rhett!!! We have one more full day here... and will use it to meet his birth mother and grandmother. <br />
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We are having a wonderful time while we are here and it is truly a gift to be able to spend this time to get to know Rhett and see his birth country, but man, oh man do I miss our chickens!! We have face-timed as much as we can and it kills me not to be able to hug and kiss them. Very soon we will all be a family... I am seriously worried that my heart just might bust when we are together. </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-6545017731689061162016-11-01T12:05:00.000-07:002016-11-02T13:38:09.835-07:00Day two - Emabassy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Several days of knowing this sweet boy and we have finally chosen what his name should be, </div>
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Rhett Kenta Lekberg. </div>
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Today we met our guide at 8am ready for a jam packed day. We went first to get Rhett's medical exam. We got there before our appointment at 9 and waited a long time. We saw a doctor that spoke perfect English (which is always nice!) We were very pleased that we did not have to complete any vaccines for him here. They are okay with us doing all of that at home.</div>
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Normally families can leave the medical visit with the forms they need for the Embassy but unfortunately, the report we needed to have from the doctor wasn't ready in time for us. That means that we have to return to the Embassy a second time tomorrow. </div>
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We were able to get the interview done at the Embassy (where we raised our right hand and swore to always love and protect this bitty boy.) They gave us approval for our I-600 (which means that we will be able to legally adopted him once we are in the states).</div>
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We will return tomorrow with his medical information and will receive his visa.</div>
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This bitty boy is just incredible in every way. Incredible to hold, and
stare at all day too. 💕💕💕 He has the sweetest disposition- he hardly
makes a peep during the day. We had appointments the <u>whole
day</u>, 9am until 4pm, and where we were completely exhausted, he carried on peaceful and perfect.<br />
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Apparently, Halloween is big here too! The area right outside our hotel has these trees lit up and as we walked through the city we saw a lot of people in costumes, out having fun with friends. A lot of store fronts are decorated... and in a very fun and pleasant way, not a creepy way. </div>
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This is what the baby formula looks like here. They are in large cubes that you place in the bottle and add hot water too. It has made it very easy to take with us and mess free... He takes 3 cubes to make 120ml or 4 ounces. <br />
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I know I've posted our view from our room already, but I just can not get over it! See that area in the middle with all of the trees? It is a park that is only a few minutes to walk to... we plan to visit it tomorrow! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-66496620815895950912016-10-31T01:26:00.002-07:002016-10-31T03:39:42.178-07:00Gotcha Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This whole day hasn't felt real. At 11:40am Kenta came through our door with the nanny who has cared for him for the past 2 weeks (on the right) and our guide. We really can't even express in words how it feels to look at Kenta and know that he is ours... it is a miracle. </div>
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The yellow blanket is from Kenta's birthmother. We will get to meet her on Thursday, it is so very wonderful that we will have this opportunity. </div>
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We have only had Kenta for 5 hours now... he has been an absolutely angel. He is so quiet that we have checked many times to see that he is still breathing. We still have not picked a first name for him... I hope we will have some inspiration now that we know him.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Pictures only show a glimpse of the complete Kenta. He is beyond my wildest dreams</span><span style="text-align: center;">. </span><br />
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And lastly, we went out with our sweet boy and found delicious noodles for lunch. First time eating noodles with chopsticks while holding a baby! Many more firsts to come. </div>
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This is like a dream. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-14711811183119310632016-10-30T19:15:00.000-07:002016-10-31T03:40:36.049-07:00First Night and First Morning in Tokyo<div>
Cody here as a guest poster on the blog. I'll let you all know when it's me posting from now on. Kristen says I always give too many details when I tell stories, so be prepared. </div>
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As you all know we got into Tokyo yesterday afternoon after flying all day from Atlanta. The flights were great and luckily on the leg from LAX to Tokyo the plane was only about 2/3 full so we had 3 seats to ourselves. We were able to somewhat sleep, but were still exhausted when we go to the hotel around 4:30. After unpacking and laying down (it was really nice to be able to lay horizontally for a few minutes) we decided to go out and explore a bit. </div>
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We are staying in part of town called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku" target="_blank">Shinjuku</a>, and are right across the street from Shinjuku Station which is the busiest railway station in the world! </div>
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Before dinner we went looking for baby formula and "Baby water." Apparently it OK to drink the tap water here, but it has too many minerals for babies so they make a special bottled water for babies with a lot of the minerals taken out. We walked around for a while and checked out several 7-11's, and a couple Family Markets (which are just like 7-11). We didn't have any luck so Kristen asked the lady working at 7-11 and she pointed us to a place across the street. It was a 7 story store that looked like it just sold electronics. After exploring about 4 floors, we showed someone a picture of the formula we needed and he directed us to the basement...we had no idea there even was a basement. We found the water and formula but Kristen wanted something for her heartburn so we spoke to a guy and tried to explain what we needed. He found us some sort of medicine that had a picture of a happy stomach. So we gave it a shot. </div>
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Once we got what we needed we decided to get some dinner. There are tons of restaurants around us from little hole in the wall noodle shops to McDonalds to pretty nice sit down places. We decided to go to a sit down restaurant for dinner and picked a place called Tavern S. It had a very American feel and smelled great, so we gave it a shot and were not disappointed. The food was fantastic and everyone there was very polite. Most people speak English but not incredibly well, so we usually end up playing a bit of charades. While at the restaurant our waitress seemed to speak pretty good English, so we showed her the medicine we just bought and asked if it was good for heartburn. Apparently "heartburn" is tough to translate. Luckily I had access to Wifi and Google Translated "heartburn" into Japanese and the waitress confirmed that our Happy Stomach medicine was indeed for heartburn. Crisis diverted. </div>
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Like I said, the food was great. I had a cheeseburger and Kristen had Chicken Carbonara. Who would have known this would be our first meals in Japan?! </div>
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After dinner we went back to our room and tried to stay awake as long as possible. It was only 7:30 but we were exhausted. After FaceTiming with the kids I passed out and woke up the next morning at 6:00 am. Perfect! </div>
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When I opened the binds in the morning, we were astounded at how beautiful the city looked. Our room overlooks <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Station" target="_blank">Shinjuku Station</a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Gyoen" target="_blank">Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden</a>. The sunrise was amazing!</div>
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For breakfast we ate at the hotel and they had a very nice buffet. I was a little worried at first because all I saw was fruit, salad and something called Horse Mackerel. Luckily I spotted some waffles, french toast and pancakes. On the other side they had sausage (which ended up just being small hot dogs), crispy bacon (real bacon!) and something called "bacon" which looked like bacon that was just warmed up and not crispy. I've been referring to it as "trichinosis bacon." Overall we really enjoyed it. <br />
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After breakfast we decided to walk around outside for an hour or so to explore. This might not be very interesting to everyone else, but here are some of my observations.</div>
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First of all this place is C-L-E-A-N! It's hard to explain but everything is just orderly and clean. We walked outside for about 30 minutes before we saw a piece of trash on the ground. All of the cars here are clean, especially the taxi cabs. The cabs all look like late 80's model Nissans but look like they just rolled off of the assembly line. The guys that drive them all wear suits, white driving gloves and the seats have white lace covering them. </div>
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Secondly, this place is quiet. Again, this is hard to explain but people don't seem to talk much. It's Monday morning here so we were walking among everyone going to work. We walked for about 15 minutes before I realized that NO ONE was talking on their cell phone. Not a single person. I bet we walked by thousands of people and nobody had a phone out. After walking for an hour we saw TWO people walking and talking on their phone...they were both Americans. </div>
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Third, there is music almost everywhere. When we walk through our hotel we hear this very soft, very sweet music. I need to see if I can record it because it's hard to describe. It's just very pleasant and very light. Even when we go outside there is a similar music playing in most places. </div>
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We are loving this place! </div>
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Well it's 11:15 and Kenta is supposed to be here in 15 minutes! Stay tuned. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-74837490327402298622016-10-30T04:54:00.003-07:002016-11-02T13:48:18.857-07:00 We Made It to Tokyo!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our day began at 4:30am Saturday morning, we flew to LAX (5 hour flight, 2 hour lay over) and then we flew to Tokyo (12 hour flight). You know you are on a long flight when they pass out slippers and eye masks.<br />
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We landed and found our hotel!! We are right in the heart of the big city. There is a Starbucks and Krispy Kreme directly next to our hotel... and within walking distance we have everything else! So far a couple of things that we've noticed about Japan : I will bet money there isn't a cleaner place. Everything is immaculate and orderly. Smoking on the sidewalk is a punishable offense. People are dressed up and very fashionable.... and it seems that there are couples holding hands and wearing a smiles at every turn.<br />
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So first night in Tokyo, last sleep before baby Kenta!! We are so sleep deprived!! We hope we will get adequate sleep tonight! The Nanny and guide will be at our room sometime between 11:30-12 tomorrow, (Monday here, 10:30pm Sunday night your time.)<br />
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The view from our room is spectacular!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-65278040542320804292016-10-20T12:56:00.004-07:002016-10-20T13:12:54.550-07:00Ian's SpineI tell you dear friends, God is BIGGER! His will is different from what we expect and ultimately, infinitely more glorious than our wildest imaginings.<br />
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Today, I am writing you after going through and personally experiencing His perfect goodness displayed.<br />
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At the end of September we met with a brilliant genetics specialists for Ian. Because he was born with several malnormalities (anal atresia, esophageal and trachea atresia, among other things) we were recommended to see her. She spent a long time with us and went over Ian's medical history... which is a very thick stack. She recommended that we have an EKG for his heart and a full spinal X-ray, along with a complete chromosomal mockup.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4b_3dYdFdERw9frqKCfZ7gDmUxSQsENR_Mo3Fo25c3azdaQdo65F4E7PuJ6VOHQ26aIehAtvot11NG_p9b4M2Jxc71QJ9SsxJIt5CypJLjmd_Qil-NO4SA78wi3NNm9c0Hf4erYEUszo/s1600/IMG_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4b_3dYdFdERw9frqKCfZ7gDmUxSQsENR_Mo3Fo25c3azdaQdo65F4E7PuJ6VOHQ26aIehAtvot11NG_p9b4M2Jxc71QJ9SsxJIt5CypJLjmd_Qil-NO4SA78wi3NNm9c0Hf4erYEUszo/s320/IMG_0372.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTgoX8rDObniuVZf0PSWDef4p5b2mvir4BDGtlbT_tzbgWYJGQvl-Y8UaxSC4KvTTX2gKUNEcaAHiNuFKA84gzYCsVht7RKVM25bJy7tzCL7sQn4rzzpKXAP9YxCeXeIGE0-XbYKAnJg/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTgoX8rDObniuVZf0PSWDef4p5b2mvir4BDGtlbT_tzbgWYJGQvl-Y8UaxSC4KvTTX2gKUNEcaAHiNuFKA84gzYCsVht7RKVM25bJy7tzCL7sQn4rzzpKXAP9YxCeXeIGE0-XbYKAnJg/s320/IMG_0373.JPG" width="240" /></a>
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We completed these tests at Scottish Rite Hospital and Ian had his two sisters there as cheerleaders. It was a long day and we had to end with blood work. ): <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Ian is a rock star!</span></td></tr>
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We heard the results from the EKG and X-ray on September 22. The EKG shows a small hole in his heart and a small amount of mixture of blood, but not enough to be operable. The X-ray shows he has 13 ribs, instead of 12 (this makes no difference, only an interesting thing about him). But the big finding was that he has a malformation of his spine at his neck. The pieces of his spine at C3 and C4 are misshapen and not complete, making an opening.<br />
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She told us we needed to get a CT scan to see his spine to determine the weakness due to this malformation. We started praying. The CT scan was on Thursday, October 6. Another hospital trip, but Ian left with a giant smile and an orange balloon.<br />
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When the CT scan came back it confirmed that the spine was malformed—leaving two openings to his spinal cord. We were referred to a neurosurgeon, but in the mean time we were told to use caution, that if this malformation has caused a weakness it could lead to injury. Her words were actually, "I would be Nervous Nelly until you hear otherwise from the Neurosurgeon." She advised that he not jump on the trampoline with other kids or bouncy houses, or do fair rides, etc.<br />
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I was sick at the thought of Ian undergoing more surgeries. He's been through enough! I was truly overwhelmed. We have been waiting for a call <i>any day</i> of a <b>baby</b> being born, and flying to Japan, and then adding that baby into the mix of our already crazy-at-times lives. There's a lot of unknowns for me here... even though I'm extremely excited, I am nervous too. BUT I didn't even know how to process the flood of emotions this brought. another surgery. hospital stay. the regression Ian has had with every surgery. Even writing this, it makes me want to cry. I wanted to be excited about our new baby. I wanted celebration with our family.<br />
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I did a great deal of praying and worrying. And I know worrying is an awful waste of energy. Why should I bother my head with worry if I turned it over to Him??<br />
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Tuesday, at 8am (Oct 18) we had our appointment with the neurosurgeon. He came into our room and said that surgery was not necessary. And we got to look at the CT scans with him. As soon as we saw the holes where bone <i>should be</i> we still couldn't believe he had just said, we did not need surgery? I couldn't compute... I'd gone into the appointment knowing we'd hear he would need surgery. Now he doesn't. Didn't I pray this? Didn't I believe my God is BIGGER!? </div>
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The doctor said that he sees tons of kids that have holes like Ian's and they live problem free. Ian should not play tackle football or things of that nature, but that he will be fine. Just yearly check-ups are required. AMAZING!! God is all over it! Thankfully God's love is steadfast, and doesn't change based on our feelings, lack of faith or responses. </div>
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So we are celebrating this day with Chick-fil-A. (:<br />
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<br />Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-91542520730664278282016-07-18T08:52:00.002-07:002016-07-18T09:44:21.718-07:00Nesting Mama<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Quick Update<u></u><u></u></div>
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We have one final step to get finger printed <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_299292494" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span>, and then we wait for the “OK” from Homeland Security. And then, we will be officially “Paper Ready” for our new baby!!!! <u></u><u></u></div>
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We have applied for a grant from Promise686 to match some promised donations at this point. Unfortunately, they don’t meet again until August, so we’re in a bit of a waiting game to even see if we can finish our funding with what’s been promised. But God is in control of every dollar! We saw that in the AMAZING outcome of our t-shirt sales raising $4,000!! So, keep praying for that!<u></u><u></u></div>
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Provision<u></u><u></u></div>
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When we decided to adopt again, I had a lot of insecurity about some of the challenges we’ve faced with our other children and whether or not I was prepared to embrace those again. Mainly, I thought about the attachment issues we’ve faced with Ian, and I wondered if I could do that again. I wondered if adopting another boy would be good for him. And I even considered that it could make things worse for him. I tried to just push those thoughts aside as we moved forward because I clearly felt a calling from the Lord to adopt! And he has been so very faithful in this process!! The program we’ve been matched with doesn’t allow you to choose gender (so that one is completely up to God!), and we will be bringing home a newborn for the first time. A child who will grow in our existing family and never remember a day without us all.<u></u><u></u></div>
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But y’all, a newborn brings a whole new set of challenges we’ve never faced before! And we will certainly tackle them all! But one of the main challenges for me right now as I’ve been nesting has been not having ALL THE THINGS for a newborn ready and waiting! And yes, babies don’t need much, but a mom of FOUR sure does to make life easier…even functional! And God has, once again, provided where I didn’t even know I needed him to! The kindness of friends—old and even BRAND NEW friends I just met—has been absolutely incredible! <u></u><u></u></div>
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One of the things I have to remind myself on a regular basis is that while it’s extremely humbling to ask others for money and baby items, this is just as much his calling for our faithfulness as it is for the faithfulness of others who are called to walk beside us!! <a href="http://firstdayofmae.blogspot.com/2016/07/special-delivery.html" target="_blank">Car seat and stroller</a>, swing, burp cloths, rock’n’play, play mat, bumbo seat… the list just goes on! And while all have been a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness and his provision, <u></u><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">it’s the story of two chairs that reminds me how much GOD IS BIGGER!!</span></div>
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Asking has been HARD, but I really needed a chair for our bedroom to rock this baby in at night. But I also needed a chair to rock the baby in during the day, in the main part of the house with my other children. It’s hard to just escape to the back of the house when you’ve got three other children to look after! So, I was torn as to where to even put a chair if I had one. Someone suggested that I post to Facebook what I needed and just see if anyone had something they were willing to part with. Then, if I found another one cheap, I was only buying one chair. <u></u><u></u></div>
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And what did God do?!?!? Offers for chairs just rolled on in! And it was amazing, that God fulfilled my desire for TWO CHAIRS so quickly! Two perfect chairs. Not just “I’m getting rid of this” chairs. Really nice chairs that I love having in my home. And here they both sit in my home as signs of God’s promise for this baby who is soon to come. <u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">This nesting mama is so very grateful for the outpouring of support! For providing ALL the many things that make having a baby just a little bit easier—and making the burden to provide just a little lighter.</span><br />
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-88282169922511598442016-07-06T08:31:00.000-07:002016-07-18T08:31:57.012-07:00Special Delivery!! While we were in NC this weekend we had a very large and unexpected gift arrive... a brand new beautiful stroller and car seat!! I just can't express the gratitude I feel right now. This baby's needs are being met even before I could even worry about how.<br />
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So, it feels like Christmas in the Lekberg home! I am looking at this and still feeling a little disbelief, but more than ever this is really happening!! With each of our adoptions we waited until the very end to get our children anything or get their rooms ready... but today it feels like the time has finally come, and I can get ready for our baby!!<br />
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The baby dolls are getting a lot more attention around here, and the kids talk about their new *real* baby every day.<br />
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-16609247912349326522016-07-05T07:06:00.001-07:002016-07-05T07:06:08.881-07:004th of July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had a fantastic time with our family celebrating the 4th of July. I love these sweet cousins together!<br />
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<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-85296177253707465832016-06-11T11:21:00.000-07:002016-06-11T11:23:37.583-07:00Slip-n-Slide <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Let's face it... Cody is just more fun than me. He just is. And today he proved it yet again, when he turned up from his trip to Home Depot with materials to make a giant slip-n-slide. Sprinklers are a summertime must, and add a giant piece of plastic and a little baby soap and you get loads of silly fun! The kids didn't really know how to run and slide on the plastic so Cody showed them how. There are some happy lekberg children over here.<br />
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<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-57284472069138787782016-05-23T14:15:00.001-07:002016-05-23T15:14:47.933-07:005 Good Reasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcVj-pgUKUtlE3BiRvJ1CjKrHVYSZteMvhmNCdUmrs51YJf4W_b2O5HhEF88_7P06zHNRAa3O1Sxd7IF0K-c8AblA-kwTatCKQfMVV3aKAlvlFHqvSdB8-u5PwdP4SGD5TpUjTk-yFqI/s1600/GOD+IS++BIGGER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcVj-pgUKUtlE3BiRvJ1CjKrHVYSZteMvhmNCdUmrs51YJf4W_b2O5HhEF88_7P06zHNRAa3O1Sxd7IF0K-c8AblA-kwTatCKQfMVV3aKAlvlFHqvSdB8-u5PwdP4SGD5TpUjTk-yFqI/s400/GOD+IS++BIGGER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are so excited about the orders that have come in for these shirts! If you haven't ordered yet, here are <b>5 really good reasons to order:</b> </div>
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">#1 </span><b>Share in our adventure!!</b></span> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: normal; font-weight: normal;">Y'all really can't understand the gravity of your support for our family. We know it takes a village, and to have countless people walk alongside us as we grow by one more... well it's just mind-blowing.</span> </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">#2 </span><b>Proudly Proclaim that our God is Bigger!</b></span><span style="font-size: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: normal; font-weight: normal;">My mind is just blown when I think about this... like a slug trying to understand Einstein's Theory of Relativity. God is infinite in power, sovereign in dominion, self-sufficient, and all sufficient. He is so strong, and so mighty that nothing is impossible for him. God is Eternal and Unchanging. That means: what God is, he was from eternity, and will be so for eternity. And he is creator of all things (just think about the kind of character He must have to create all the crazy things just in the ocean) His love has no ending... there is nothing I can do to change his mind to ever stop loving me!!</span> <span style="font-size: normal;">Y'all God is Bigger.</span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">#3 </span><b>All seriousness aside, these shirts are darn cute!</b></span><span style="font-size: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Shall I say more?!? I'm so excited to have one and see these on my kids!</span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">#4 </span><b>It all adds up! </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Every one of you is helping fund the crazy expense of adoption! It does not have to be large donations, every </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;">$5, $</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;">10</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;">, $20 adds up. </span></span><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We are so humbled by each and every donation and sale of a shirt!</span></span> </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">#5 </span><b>God says to do this stuff!</b></span><span style="font-size: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">God's heart for orphans is clearly displayed throughout the Bible and he invites his people to be the hands and feet. Don't you know that it makes God smile when people get involved in caring for what matters to Him?? </span></span></blockquote>
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>><a href="http://fineafternoon.bigcartel.com/products" target="_blank">ORDER SHIRTS HERE</a><<</div>
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<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-60727065611247330522016-05-20T08:29:00.000-07:002016-05-20T08:43:52.690-07:00God is Bigger<div style="line-height: 20px;">
My beautiful friends!! Y’all are the best! We are so thankful for all the sweet messages we received, the prayers for our family, and the many of you that have donated towards our adoption. We’ve already reached 16% of our goal in less than two weeks!!</div>
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Our paper bun is officially in the oven! We have now been through the adoption process two times before, So we’re old pros at this thing, right? </div>
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Along with a mound of paperwork, the home study process also requires you to do some odd things, we’ve had our septic tank inspected which included digging it up and lifting the lid, just to say we are in good shape. We’ve given blood work and urine samples for our medical exam, written an extensive autobiography that felt a lot like an invasive personal interrogation. And on Sunday we will have our first home study visit from our social worker. She will interview Cody and I, and the kids (I hope I get to be in there with the kids, I want to hear what they have to say!) We will have our last home study visit on June 5. And when that is complete we can file for our I-600a. Not unlike pregnancy and birth, adoption is a true labor of love, only this time it is in warp speed.</div>
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I’ve mentioned to a few of you that we’d be selling t-shirts again to help us link arms and bring home this baby! Well, I am so excited to share with you the design!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6D3j5bZQmo00pkvYPj5Pm38T8NkXwKIAvsOq01TF8ovqzJXMopgWX7yiq6pgDTqk6Zp7mARHFTRy05DURJEzEdoZ5mZjlklv7NWDF08VUHDgJIKYEcGLn0xTM278n7xNGTwilUu7wdg/s1600/god-is-bigger.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6D3j5bZQmo00pkvYPj5Pm38T8NkXwKIAvsOq01TF8ovqzJXMopgWX7yiq6pgDTqk6Zp7mARHFTRy05DURJEzEdoZ5mZjlklv7NWDF08VUHDgJIKYEcGLn0xTM278n7xNGTwilUu7wdg/s320/god-is-bigger.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Below is a mock-up, but the shirts will be very close to what you see. The Adult and Youth shirts are Charcoal/Black and the toddlers will be on Black shirts. These are going to be super-soft tees and will fit true to size. I’m so excited to have one and see these on my kids!! I only wish we had one of these God is Bigger Tees on Jovie when we left the hospital with her after her heart surgery!</div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><b>The shirts are available in Adult, Youth and Toddler sizes <a href="http://fineafternoon.bigcartel.com/products" target="_blank">here</a>.</b></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toddler 2T-5/6</td></tr>
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We created these shirts as a a way to represent this journey and as a reflection of what God is doing! The t-shirts are so important to us, it’s not only that you are providing a donation to our adoption, but you are sharing in our adventure, and we are all a team. THE GOD IS BIGGER TEAM! We have been so crazy blessed by each and every one of you that walked alongside our family over the years. And I am so astounded every time we see anyone wearing our rescued shirts from Ian and Jovie’s adoption. </div>
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<li><a href="http://fineafternoon.bigcartel.com/products" target="_blank">Buy a shirt.</a> We will need to pre-sale these shirts so that we know what sizes to order. Once we have enough for the minimum we will go ahead and order our first batch. We hope that you will be a part of this first order and join us on this God-Sized adventure! We also hope you will wear your shirt, share it on FB and Instagram and help us spread the word!</li>
<li><a href="https://purecharity.com/lekberg-family-adoption/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Donate.</a> Partner with us and play a part in funding the (crazy!) expense of adoption. We will have $45,000 in adoption fees. Cody and I have $25,000, but that leaves us vastly short, and we must raise the $20,000 in less than 90 days. As overwhelming as that is, we know if 1000 people gave $20 we will reach our goal. </li>
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<i><span style="font-size: normal;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes. Phil 4:19</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">xo, Kristen</span></span></i></span></span></i></div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-80671680467231539062016-05-13T09:13:00.000-07:002016-05-13T09:50:45.368-07:00radical difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzgD9ri7OSGmcStrSluCqqQBwhWKYaMCSTkggcZ5Wnjipna2om5S_Q3JNDjr7ArnpCkbVNhH7VRjVLFUWSxIsGYv4cQ6gJ4Y13bvMHmKIvz8-RujSxSuoTv8LwjSoNwLBCKXMA5GS8bw/s1600/ianworking-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzgD9ri7OSGmcStrSluCqqQBwhWKYaMCSTkggcZ5Wnjipna2om5S_Q3JNDjr7ArnpCkbVNhH7VRjVLFUWSxIsGYv4cQ6gJ4Y13bvMHmKIvz8-RujSxSuoTv8LwjSoNwLBCKXMA5GS8bw/s640/ianworking-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">For those of you that know our struggles you will see a miracle here. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Ian has certainly turned an undeniable corner, (and I want to shout it from the rooftops-here again, GOD IS BIGGER!!) So what's the big deal?? He <u>never</u> would do any school work with us, and has struggled with <i>any</i> instruction or help from me. (He would shut off if I told him something as simple as his shoes were on the wrong feet.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">He had no problem doing work at school for his teachers, but if they sent homework he wouldn't even put his pencil to the page for me. I just stopped asking him, and let go of unimportant things like shoes on the wrong feet. When I home-schooled Mae, Jovie always wants to join in but Ian never has voluntarily... until today! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">He has had attachment disorder (*</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Children with attachment disorders have difficulty connecting to others and managing their own emotions. This results in a lack of trust and self-worth, a fear of getting close to anyone, anger, and a need to be in control. A child with an attachment disorder feels unsafe and alone.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">) He is hurting, that is clear, but i</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">t's </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">so hard</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"> not to take all this personal when you are the one he is pushing away. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">He is back and forth on whether he likes me today, will talk to me, or even look at me. This has understandably been one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. (And my stress has looked like an extra thirty pounds) His phrase was "I love you today" and it was fitting. Those days were great ones... But on the off days it broke my heart in two. </span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">Ian has continually brought me to my knees, and I have begged God for the tools I need to parent him, and give him what he needs, AND overcome my pain. And my lesson I kept having to learn over and over again was, " </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">for the battle is not yours but God's." 2 </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Chronicles 20:15</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;">In January we celebrated two years home with Jovie and Ian. I was so saddened to see the daily struggles we were still facing with Ian and I was finally at the point that</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> I broke down in front of the women in my Bible Study and shared with them my worries and burden for my son. Right then and there, I felt a beautiful release to share my hardship, and do you know their response? They got down on their knees right then and there WITH ME! Prayer is a powerful thing, and I do believe that God wants us to share with others our trials, so that when prayer is answered HIS GLORY is magnified. I only wish I had done it sooner!! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">Yesterday Ian exclaimed "I love you mommy and I get to keep you forever!" Wow wow wow!! You don't even know the gravity of this one phrase! Just looking at him you know change is happening, his whole posture looks different, he is more assertive, being more funny and getting less and less upset by things. It's like he's been holding back this whole time and now we are finally seeing all of him. His heart is healing. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">We knew that Ian needed to find a therapist to come alongside and help us. We found an amazing play therapist that has been working with Ian to overcome his many traumas (abandonment, adoption, multiple surgeries and painful medical issues). </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">I know there will be ups and downs, but we see a radical difference. Glory to GOD! He has redeemed what was broken. He called me to be Ian's mother and the battle is His. AND HE HAS ALREADY WON!!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "\22 arial\22 " , sans-serif;">I read the lyrics of this song today: </span></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "eb garamond"; letter-spacing: 1px;">I’m holding you together</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "eb garamond"; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1px;">I’m holding you together</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "eb garamond"; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1px;">Like glue and like mortar, every seam, every corner</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "eb garamond"; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1px;">My love covers you…</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "eb garamond"; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1px;">I know you, even more than yourself, I know you</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "eb garamond"; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1px;">‘Cause I’m the One who placed all those dreams in your heart</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "eb garamond"; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1px;">So you could bring Me glory…</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "eb garamond"; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1px;">I know what it’s like when you’re hurting</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "eb garamond"; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1px;">This labor of love that you choose,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "eb garamond"; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1px;">But long before you were a mother, I labored for you…</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "eb garamond"; letter-spacing: 1px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">If you want to download this song it is </span><a href="http://christynockels.com/happy-mothers-day/" target="_blank">here</a><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">.</span></span><br />
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<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a></span>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-64416350553940065702016-05-07T12:26:00.000-07:002016-05-24T11:06:43.731-07:00BIG NEWS!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">Hi friends,</span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">We are so excited to share with you all that WE’RE ADOPTING!! (again) </span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">As you know, Cody and I have such a heart for adoption. The Lord has placed it on our hearts three times before to grow our family…and now a fourth! God has been working on both of our hearts in a really neat way—first a thought, then the back and forth until we came to the conclusion together that God is definitely prompting us to adopt again. Last week, while we were still on the cusp of making that decision, I got a call from one of my dearest friends who told me about a program in Japan that her agency was working with. The program is very small and would almost always be closed to new applicants. BUT instead, the agency is in a position they have never experienced before, and they are SEEKING out families to hustle through the United States' paperwork and be ready to fly to Japan to adopt a baby in need of a family…quickly.</span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">This is still a little unreal to me, and I am feeling more like I am walking around in a dream. Because of the way this program works, we will actually be bringing home A NEWBORN! I have never had a newborn, and I am going from excited to overwhelmed and back to excited. I have so many sweet thoughts throughout the day, and then of course a little panic sets in too! </span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">PROGRAM DETAILS </span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">Japanese adoption is very rare because there isn’t a government adoption program in place. As I have researched more, I have been so saddened that while there are children in orphanages in Japan, there is an exceedingly large percentage of abortions—HALF of all pregnancies in Japan end in an abortion. I saw this staggering statistic over and over again. </span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">In Japan, the birthrate for unmarried women is almost zero. In order for the child to be recognized as a Japanese national, the mother must be legally married to the child’s father; without this, the baby will become a stateless person. And, culturally, they think it is wrong or shameful to bring a child into the world without an arrangement of marriage. Our agency told us that an unwed mother would also never be able to find a husband. So, you can imagine </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">the pressure from their families to resolve this and </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">the shame that they feel. </span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">This program is in place to help the mothers while also taking action for these unborn children. They offer help to mothers, counseling and advising that there ARE other options while offering help every step of the way. Some mothers need housing, transportation to doctor appointments, and financial assistance. They are often under 20 years old and don’t have anyone supporting their decision. What brave women!</span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">All this to say, when this fell into our laps, it was a lot to take in.</span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">WHAT THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WILL LOOK LIKE</span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">There are two rather LARGE obstacles keeping me up at night:</span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">1. The timeline for this adoption is incredibly fast. We are # 4 on a waiting list, and that means that there is already a mother in Japan who is pregnant and has made the choice to give up her baby through international adoption with the help of this program. That’s a whirlwind…</span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">2. The REAL obstacle for Cody and me is not knowing how we can come up with $45,000 for adoption fees in 2-4 months. We have money allocated for this adoption but we don’t have nearly enough. Not by a long shot! </span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">Some people might ask, why would you say “yes” to something you can’t financially cover? Our “yes” is scary. Our “yes” is really uncomfortable. Our “yes” really is keeping me up at night. BUT GOD IS BIGGER!!! And we would not be saying “YES!” without believing that this whole thing is from our Lord and Savior, and that this baby across the world God has already planned to knit into our family. </span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">We’ve already seen that GOD IS BIGGER…</span><br />
<blockquote style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">
I *thought* I never wanted to have children — GOD IS BIGGER<br />We adopted Mae in 10 months' time. She was supposed to have epilepsy and had a lot of seizures while she was in China, but has never had another seizure! —GOD IS BIGGER<br />We started our process for another adoption, and then Cody felt like we were called to bring home TWO at the same time —GOD IS BIGGER!<br />We raised $24,000 of the $43,000 need for our adoption fees for Ian and Jovie —GOD IS BIGGER<br />We brought home Jovie with a severe heart defect. It was a miracle that she was even alive, and we had open heart surgery 3 months after we came home from China… this was the hardest thing this mama has ever gone through, but GOD IS BIGGER!!<br />Ian was born with imperforated anus and the doctors didn’t know if he could ever have continence of stool. Y’all, this boy is completely in big boy underwear!! GOD IS BIGGER!!!</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">God is so much bigger than our limited view, expectations, and me-sized ideas. GOD IS BIGGER!!! </span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">HOW WE NEED YOUR HELP</span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">Our goal with this adoption is to raise $20,000 by the end of July. Even as I type this, I am overwhelmed by all the zeros here, BUT if we have 1,000 people give $20 we can make our goal! We'd like to invite you to prayerfully consider how much you are able to contribute financially toward the cost of our adoption. And friends, we need your influence… would you share our page? </span><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">We will be posting updates of our adoption story and fundraising on this blog. Check in again soon!</span>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-12575958842409228002016-03-28T03:30:00.000-07:002016-05-05T03:31:40.160-07:00Mae's Gotcha Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can not believe we are celebrating FIVE years knowing our big girl! </div>
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<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-30531850183625865242016-03-22T03:34:00.000-07:002016-05-05T03:38:13.517-07:00There's a Wedding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Mae and Ian's new Easter clothes have turned into their wedding attire. They are so stinking cute, and husband and wife according to today's ceremonies.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And every wedding needs a flying unicorn!</span></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-80022430841511755972016-02-04T03:39:00.000-08:002016-05-05T03:42:26.895-07:00Two Owls<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">My very talented momma made the girls these precious owl masks and capes. I just absolutely love watching these sisters play together.</span></div>
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<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-68315524644542701942016-01-03T10:10:00.000-08:002016-05-14T10:11:54.153-07:00Jovie Ming is FOUR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jovie Ming turned FOUR years old today!! We had so much fun at Babyland General! She got to pick out a special baby that she named Daffodil.<br />
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<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-78166459204914595892015-11-25T09:35:00.000-08:002016-05-14T09:35:47.192-07:00Little Indian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This little Indian had her Thanksgiving play today and she stole the show! but of course I would think that!!!<br />
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<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-2268360405183514542015-10-16T09:50:00.000-07:002016-05-14T09:50:34.279-07:00Beach trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm finally editing some of our beach trip a few weeks back... LOVE these photos of my chickens in their matching Show Hope "family rocks" tees and tutus!<br />
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<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-21328774195653592692015-04-06T08:19:00.000-07:002015-05-02T08:20:21.008-07:00Easter <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I absolutely love Easter... and having children makes the day even more special. Mae really knows why we celebrate this day. She has such a sweet way of telling the story of how much God loves us all. She is full of questions about sin, angels and the holy spirit. It is amazing to watch her come to understand all these concepts and challenging to explain them to a five year old! <br />
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They love getting their basket and this year I specifically tried to eliminate the little items that get lost under the couch and get them Christian books, a devotional book for Mae and a Boz DVD (if you don't know about Boz, he is phenomenal!! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thank-Friends-Helpers-discovering-Together/dp/B000EYA084/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430579528&sr=8-1&keywords=boz+the+bear" target="_blank">LOOK IT UP</a>)<br />
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We had a picnic and then an Easter egg hunt. <br />
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Mae pointed out all the eggs to Ian and Jovie instead of rushing around to get them for herself. She is such an awesome big sister.<br />
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Their eggs were filled with yummy jelly beans. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHW7iKwu8rAsRSfmBrFJnbQcOz70rsbhyphenhyphenQnR538B5hYOsKLG_nC90OGFSTebZJhmPrwpH0vtdEqMvAyZ5qc7dYjftgspAEpvSqlBDFHnPGngCnTWAGRcqOIUAJCsmOrbxozATCvF8CiI/s1600/easter-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHW7iKwu8rAsRSfmBrFJnbQcOz70rsbhyphenhyphenQnR538B5hYOsKLG_nC90OGFSTebZJhmPrwpH0vtdEqMvAyZ5qc7dYjftgspAEpvSqlBDFHnPGngCnTWAGRcqOIUAJCsmOrbxozATCvF8CiI/s1600/easter-26.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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This may be my favorite picture of them.</div>
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I love these three little ones with all of my heart!</div>
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4758785" target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-2337084343360215992015-04-05T07:57:00.000-07:002015-05-02T07:58:07.622-07:00Nanny's 80th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Nanny had a very special birthday surprise. The whole family got together to celebrate this incredible person that we all love so much! She truly is 80 & FABULOUS!!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKkovtivs4kELv8b5hT3OpleJR2IATyCoU2Dzx3By1aIvRE4jdmgvVjSco2XD3abxKZtHjQ0IeBUX2a2JFnK3dOVw5G2PHL5R_n0a_YeuJOJvefhvOWiG4pYQNkCbDfGCzQXu3rTk6N0/s1600/nanny80th-111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKkovtivs4kELv8b5hT3OpleJR2IATyCoU2Dzx3By1aIvRE4jdmgvVjSco2XD3abxKZtHjQ0IeBUX2a2JFnK3dOVw5G2PHL5R_n0a_YeuJOJvefhvOWiG4pYQNkCbDfGCzQXu3rTk6N0/s1600/nanny80th-111.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this picture—my Nanny is so beautiful!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrpQIDh8LxT8-Kj-WPlIMoXFzpxodRoMc5y9NvmrBTXlKfRHfyX1Nxs6WVfYkLASlRZktaCW1Z2viygY-jQQ5H7bmfDHYLjo0-oIiCG5UYVp-myB-wmEfPJTLHU-nLzH3r60f7lJmHPw/s1600/nanny80th-97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrpQIDh8LxT8-Kj-WPlIMoXFzpxodRoMc5y9NvmrBTXlKfRHfyX1Nxs6WVfYkLASlRZktaCW1Z2viygY-jQQ5H7bmfDHYLjo0-oIiCG5UYVp-myB-wmEfPJTLHU-nLzH3r60f7lJmHPw/s1600/nanny80th-97.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the cousins.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a lap full</td></tr>
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My Nanny is deeply loved by my children and I am so fortunate that she is a part of their lives. <br />
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It was such a fun time with all these people that I love so dearly! We have the greatest family (: <br />
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4758785" target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-67197197888376036792015-04-04T07:18:00.000-07:002015-05-02T07:19:38.241-07:00off the Grandma's house we go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Three little chickens are off to Nonna & Boppy's house. Whatever shall I do without the kids for the night? (; <br />
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<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049261540587113266.post-53472177694887871302015-03-31T07:14:00.000-07:002015-05-02T07:19:00.885-07:00Mae's Famiversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Saturday was the anniversary of a special day... fours year ago I was
given the great honor of becoming a mother. It is a hard job, as you
know, but one that I just can not imagine not having. I really didn't
have a clue how much this one day could totally change our lives. Being a
mother has taught me more of who I am as a person, the good and the
bad. I have had to be stronger than I ever knew I could be, I've had to
push out selfishness, to make room for sacrifice, and I daily wear my
heart on my sleeve. My heart surges with love for my three children—it's
powerful. I love them with every fiber of my being... I still can't
believe we get to be parents of these treasures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyo-CQKeOzYAe266gLjtUxzhbrqs912DbIUP8bSF_c1jqsCdiiSBfCyXVBslIKUtOp18pEKbWpu4v97YwZHEFUaRo17yAVxuu-NNPiX_EvAWFho9MvspJZpnduD7evpBk2UALgqSSjMUU/s1600/mae-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyo-CQKeOzYAe266gLjtUxzhbrqs912DbIUP8bSF_c1jqsCdiiSBfCyXVBslIKUtOp18pEKbWpu4v97YwZHEFUaRo17yAVxuu-NNPiX_EvAWFho9MvspJZpnduD7evpBk2UALgqSSjMUU/s1600/mae-2.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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So on Saturday, all I
could think about is the day we first met our Mae, and how truly blessed
we are to know her as our own. She is so full of joy, is
incredibly creative, funny as all get out, and is a leader of all the
silly games that go on in our house. I am so excited to be on the front
row to her life story. God writes the most beautiful stories. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDin7IFObGu992tgVpxEd1ladHfGF_8vyLc7Qi9QpNflaaNzvJvJJK7Ne3MAh8M6EyDlGN-vgsMWvHLjRv3yYgBZRsBQ1A5orEh2OV63Jhw_jIrib5ADCTg3jSkdC7SPfUXSMAVuSi9MI/s1600/mae-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDin7IFObGu992tgVpxEd1ladHfGF_8vyLc7Qi9QpNflaaNzvJvJJK7Ne3MAh8M6EyDlGN-vgsMWvHLjRv3yYgBZRsBQ1A5orEh2OV63Jhw_jIrib5ADCTg3jSkdC7SPfUXSMAVuSi9MI/s1600/mae-7.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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It is our family's tradition to send off a lantern on their "gotcha
day" as it's called (we like to call it a famiversary). It was an
absolutely a gorgeous evening to celebrate. <br />
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4758785" target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4758785" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359155806481933483noreply@blogger.com0