From Dating to Diapers

Happy 17th, Nolan!!

2010-07-17T00:00:00.002-05:00

(Well, here I am with another birthday post...and NONE in between. :( So much for me gettin' back into the blogging-swing...)

Nolan, how can it be? 17 years ago at 3:08 am you came into this world on a sweltering summer day just like today, and have been nothing but a joy since. That seems like yesterday, and yet here you are, standing 6'4" and a young man...it's an odd thing for a mom to see her "baby" so big. But surpassing your size is your heart. I am so proud to be your mom, Nolan Christian! So proud of the daily choices I see you making. You know who you are, and you stand firm in your convictions. You have always been mature beyond your years. I love your tender heart. Your heart of mercy and forgiveness. I love your compassion, and empathy. Your ability to find humor in everything. In you, I see astonishing strength and resolve. I love how you are a free spirit...how you "do what you love; love what you do." I love how you could care less about the "in" things, rather decide for yourself what is "in" for you. I love your independent nature...how you embrace the unknown, and take the plunge into "adventure" without looking back. I love how material things are meaningless to you. I love your mentoring-spirit, and how you take your "example" seriously. I love that you know little ones' eyes are upon you, and walk humbly in that role. I love how you call me "Mama." I love how appreciative you are of a fine meal, and especially a home-cooked one. I love how you seek out wisdom from others and are able to discern the wise. I love how you listen. You're an imitator of God. Honest. You are a man of your word. I love the conscientious student you are, and how you welcome the hard stuff and excel in it. More than that, I love that you're a student of God's Word. I respect you for how you daily seek the Lord, and slow down enough to know from Where your strength comes. I respect your sense of self-discipline. You are equipped for greatness. I love how you live in the moment...and make moments count. I'm proud of the many ways I see you loving your brothers and sister. Through Macy Li, I get a glimpse into your protective nature. In you, she surely has much to emulate. In our world, it's a gift when a parent can say they whole-heartedly trust their teen...and that we can say. You are trust-worthy. I love how you're a joy-spreader...how you light up a room...and a heart. "Sunshine" is fitting ;) "Hurry" isn't in your vocabulary, and while that sometimes makes me crazy, it's a sign of your wisdom. You make time for the important stuff of life. You're unhindered by what is not. I love the balance I see in your life. You're patient and kind. A deep well. Precious. And again, another jewel in my crown. "I like you for always. I'll love you forever. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be." Happy Birthday, NoNo. You are a treasure to your daddy and me.

Love,

Mom

"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth." ~Psalm 127:4

Happy 3rd Birthday, Macy Li!!!!

2010-06-30T23:06:00.007-05:00

Dear Macy Li,

Wow, how can I, using mere words, adequately describe how deeply I love you and how profoundly thankful I am to be celebrating birthday #3 as your mommy?! Needless to say, you are the apple of our eye and bring us immeasurable joy! You've been ours' for almost 2 years now, and I still can't wrap my mind around the thought that we missed the first 12 1/2 months of your sweet little life in China. I will always wonder about that time before we knew you. I suppose there will never be answers to most of my questions. Or yours' for that matter. I'll just have to be at peace with that. But one thing I know for certain is that before you were born, when you were being fearfully and wonderfully knit together in your birth-mother's womb, God knew ALL the answers. He had ordained ALL your days before one of them came into existence. His plan was/is greater than ours'. He knew that we would be your forever family. I will forever be in awe of that. Of how He wooed our hearts toward adoption, and specifically toward China, and brought us to the place of stepping out in faith onto the "unknown" path where He was leading. I shudder to think that I could have missed His plan (YOU) for fear of the "what-if's"....I am so thankful that He took me on a journey of learning to really BELIEVE Him to equip me to do what He was calling me to do. Every day, I look back and am humbled to recall just how He orchestrated your entire life story. Baby~Girl, He has big plans for your life, this I am certain of! I have no clue what they'll be, but from what I know of you, they have to be big. Already, at age 3, He has gifted you in so many ways....I can already see a heart of mercy and forgiveness, a tender heart toward the things of God, a heart of praise, a joyful spirit, a free spirit, astonishing intelligence, beauty from the inside out, a love of prayer, and on the list goes. You ARE fearfully and wonderfully made, and I know it full well. What a privilege to be your mommy! I am humbled to wear that name. You were born in my heart back in 2005, 2 years before you were even born in the flesh. Macy Li Ming, I have loved you since before you were conceived. Thank you for the joy you have brought into my life, Daddy's life, and all of your brother's lives. We feel like the most blessed family in all the world to have you! We love watching you grow, even though selfishly, we wish we could keep you little. But we know that walking through life with you is going to be exciting. We'll have your hand and cheer you on, every step of the way. Bless you, our little Asian angel. We celebrate the day you were born!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you to the moon!
Mommy

Happy Birthday, Peyton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-08T11:58:00.010-05:00

Well, my baby boy is 13 today and so there's 3 teenage boys in my house (19, 16, 13), along with a 2 year old little girl.

As I write, I remember that at this exact time on April 8th, 1997, he was just about to be born and we had no clue as to his gender. He came into this world weighing almost 10 pounds and when they said we had another boy, everybody in the room just burst into laughter and joy! I was the blessed mom to 3 boys! So fun! What a ride it's been. He is my gentle giant in so many ways.

Peyton, you are a PRECIOUS child, who I love and respect in so many ways. You came into this world, as I've said so many times "half grown," and it's true not only physically, but other ways as well. You are mature beyond your years. You're bright. You're the most patient person that I have ever met. You can do anything. You are a self-teacher. You can figure out a conundrum like no other. You are a deep thinker. You have an analytical mind. You are not intimidated by the hard stuff. You invite a challenge. You welcome a struggle. You embrace what others would fear. You amaze me and your daddy. You are a third son, which makes you tough. You have been picked on by two older brothers 'til it has made you a strong and resilient young man. You have had to "fight" to keep up and keep up you've done. You have soaked it all in, and digested it all, and figured out your place, and who you are, and to Whom you belong. You know your Maker and you love your Maker. You have a tender heart toward the things of God. Speaking of that, you KNOW His Word, and that makes me so proud. You really do know His Word. It is hidden in your heart. It is the well-spring of your life, today and forever. You have the markings of one who knows Jesus. I love that in you so much. You are a friend. A real friend. It matters not to you whether a person is popular, or an athlete, or is smart, or is.....You just love people right where they are. For who they are. Flaws and all. That sounds like Jesus to me!!!!!!!!! I know this about you, but it's what your teachers tell me about you as well. What a gift you are to those around you. As I'm writing, it just turned 11:13 am and that's the exact time you were born! What a joy you were that moment 13 years ago and ever since. Back to being a friend. You are trustworthy. You don't turn your back on others when the going gets tough. You stand for what you believe, even when it's not popular. You are you, and no one tells you who to be. You are not afraid of that either. You are funny. Actually hysterical. You are quirky. You are full of surprises. I love how you fight off our smooches, when deep down, we know you really do love 'em. You never cease to amaze us with your newfound talents. Speaking of newly discovered talent: tell me WHO just teaches themselves in a couple month's time how to play the piano like you? Pey-toven, that's who!! And you're dang good! I love hearing that piano come to life every time you walk through the door. Even when it's loud and chaotic in the midst of this crazy, busy house, I still love hearing you do your thing on that piano over it all! Thank you for blessing us with that! What a gift. I love your love for the call to Adoption. I love how you love all the little children, red and yellow, black and white. I also love that when anything needs fixing around here, that we all come running to you! You've got our backs on how everything works. I love that you still have to give me daily tutorials on how all these electronics in our house work...even down to how to get some of these TVs on! Sorry, get used to it. Peyton, I really love how you have embraced and loved and cared for your baby sister. You "moved over" and willingly gave up the title of "baby" in our family with the most loving, welcoming spirit I have ever seen!! You were a trooper in China. A soldier on a mission. You were a champion for our cause and I will admire you forever for the grace you displayed under some pretty difficult circumstances. You adopted her with every bit of passion and love that we did! Looked like Jesus to me!! Never once have you even hinted at jealousy. Never once. You've given and given to her. You've cared for her better than some other moms I know, and I mean that Peyton. I know a few moms who could benefit from watching you in action. You are her "Captain Safety." We all laugh about that in this family and "at" you for it, but you know that it's a worthy title. I want you to know that it's love in action that makes you Captain Safety. I would trust you to literally raise Macy Li if something happened to us because you could MORE than do it. How many moms can say that about their 13 year old son? Not many. I love your shoulder-dimples that match my own (see below). I love how you're a night-owl! I love how social you are. I love watching you compete in sports. You love it and you do it with passion. You fight. You love to win. But when the game's over, your perspective about what just went down is more mature than most of the parents' who were watching the game. That's Jesus in you! You get it. You've always gotten it. You know what's important and what's not. You live life for the moment. You love every moment for what it brings to your life. This will probably embarrass you, but I love how you snuggle. I love it when you crawl into bed and wrap me up. I looooove your hugs. Your "embrace" (haha!private joke). I love your creations. I love your magic tricks. Your riddles and jokes. I love your stories. I love that you want to learn everything about everything. I just love you, Tater. Happy Birthday to my new teenager! You're a joy! I'm glad you were born!

Love you, my gentle giant,
Mom

Psalm 127:3-5a
"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."

So Proud...

2010-03-06T11:28:00.023-06:00

Well, I know I've been missing in action now for a while. Winter gets to me every year and I've been in that gray-winter-funk and in no mood for blogging. But I'm back to post this little video of my Peyton and his friend, yesterday's Middle School Talent Show WINNERS!!!!!!!! Woo hoo! So proud!

**Before listening to this, you'll have to scroll down my sidebar and turn off the music on my player. If you listen closely, you can hear Macy Li hollering, "Go PeyPey...play your piano!"

William (left).......Peyton (right)

China Travel Group Reunion

2010-01-31T22:22:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, our China Travel Group had a little reunion right here in Nashville. (I haven't had a chance to post the pictures yet, because that was the weekend that my grandmother died). Anyway, it was so good to see everybody again and to just marvel at how these six little Jiangxi-girls have blossomed over the past 18 months from all the love they've received from their forever families! The entire travel-group wasn't able to come, but we did have families come from Denver, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Birmingham and Greenville, S.C.

While they were here, we had an early Chinese New Year celebration here at our house and the girls wore their Chinese silks and we all enjoyed a Chinese dinner and watched a video from our China trip.

Macy Li was all about these "Dorothy's" (Elmo) in the flowers...

This is Gracelyn with her sweet daddy and they live in Indianapolis.

She was One Sick Baby when we were in China...but look at the power of love and family.

My little "Li Ming" from Jiangxi!

This little noodle-lover is Rachel, who lives in Greenville, S.C.

She was a prune-eatin'-machine when we were in China.

This is Pam, with her daughters Miah and Sydney, and they live in Denver.

I kidded her, saying Miah got Macy Li's share of hair!

When we were in China, Sydney would say to Phillip,

"I love you Beef!" (long story...a nickname of his :))

This is Sweet Sue with her daughter Rachel and Macy Li...

Sue saved the day in China b/c she's a pediatrician! Great to

have in a third-world country when several of these girls were so sick.

Here is Bryan with his daughter, Mia-Kate, and they live outside of Birmingham.

His son Mason is the same age as Peyton, so they became fast friends in China.

Funny thing was that Mason's nickname is "Mater,"

while Peyton's nickname is "Tater!"

Here are the Asian Angels serving up tea...Chinese-style!

Okay, China adoptive families, y'all know what this is!

Our attempt at a re-make of the famous Red Couch Photo from The White Swan in Guangzhou!

I'm gonna go back and find our originals from China and post them here for

you to see the changes. They were all screaming their heads off in Guangzhou!

Pey-toven offered a little musical entertainment, while

Macy Li danced for us!

Presh!

While here, all the families stayed out at the Opryland Hotel...

I included this because it looks JUST LIKE US in

all our hotels in China...although there, we probably looked like

"deer in the headlights!!" LOL!

Here's little Li Ming running down to the hotel pool!

Mia-Kate and Macy Li

Of course we took 'em to Loveless Cafe

b/c it wouldn't be Nashville without it! ;)

Miah tearing into her biscuit!

This is sweet little Hope, who lives in Cincinnati now.

Some of the group...

Snow!

2010-01-30T22:19:00.003-06:00

Finally! Tennessee got a decent little snow, and so we wasted no time getting out in it to play. While we were out in our Winter Wonderland, we get a text from Tyler and he's at the beach! College kids! We didn't even ask... Anyway, here's a few highlights from our day...

Wakin' up to a beautiful snowfall...

My babies...

Presh...

Macy Li with Nolan...

Wipe Out!

Look at those smiles and those eyes....OBVIOUSLY related!

Hangin' with the teens...

Nolan and Caroline...

Nolan and his friends racing...

Jackson, Nolan and Coble...

Daddy's girl...

What a life...she got to ride with all of us!

Awww...

Lookin' forward to more fun tomorrow after church. Next: Macy Li's first snowman. :D

P.S. I want to thank each and every one of y'all who sent sweet messages, cards, flowers, and came to visit when my Grandmother died a couple weeks ago. It meant so much to me, and I just wanted to say thanks for all your kindness.

We'll Miss You, Granny!!

2010-01-17T22:35:00.007-06:00

This is my 100 year old Granny (my mom's mom). She went home to be with Jesus last night, after a long long life. This picture was taken on December 22nd when we had all her family here for a Christmas party. Doesn't she look so sweet? Macy Li ADORES her and will soon be asking "Where Granny go?" Kills me. This past Thursday, we were visiting with her and Macy Li would walk up and grab her hand and Granny would squeeze it, and then Macy Li would say in the loudest voice, "I wanna HUG HER!" So she did several times, and even though Granny was almost completely out of it, she would open her eyes wider and pull her head toward Macy....it was so precious.

This amazing woman lived by herself until she was 91, driving to church, the "beauty-shop," and everything...But she had a stroke that really caused a lot of problems and her health has declined since. My mom and my Aunt Peggy are HEROES for the way they have so lovingly and sacrifically cared for her every single need for these 9 years. No matter what would happen, they were not to be deterred from the calling they felt to care for that woman. There were times I thought that Granny would out-live them because of the toll it took on them, giving every ounce of themselves to her care. I promise, I don't think the queen of England would have been tended to half as well as she was! No wonder she made it to 100!! So "Goggin" and Aunt Peggy: Here's to you for the way you gave and gave...and even gave when you had nothing else left to give. I'm still amazed. I hurt most of all for y'all because there will surely be a huge void left in your hearts.

Well, Granny "Grunt" (long story....I'll tell that later) had 7 children, 18 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Phillip and I spent the afternoon pouring over almost 300 photos as we were putting together a video tribute to have for the visitation and memorial service and I think I have squalled and bawled my ever-lovin' eyeballs out!!! Macy Li keeps saying, "You okay, Mommy? You okay?"

Later, I'm gonna come back here and share some of the awesome pictures we used in her video...but for now, here's to a great life of 100 years, Granny! We look forward to the day we see you again in heaven! We love you!

Christmas Memories

2010-01-01T22:01:00.013-06:00

Happy New Year, everybody! Hope all of you are off to a great start in 2010!! I decided to post some of our Christmas 2009 highlights...Warning: This is gonna be long, but it's mostly for us when we're too old to remember (like tomorrow) and for out-of-town family and friends. Enjoy!

Macy Li swinging at Nannie's on Christmas Eve morning

Macy Li praying with her cousin

Cabbage Patch Baby

China doll from Nannie

Cousins

Papa and Macy Li

Nolan and Nannie

Puttin' on her lipstick before Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at church

Leaving for church

She sang her heart out and held on to that candle for dear life!

After church, our friends the Manuels, came over for our annual

Pajama-Christmas movie party...

All these kids are growing up so fast!

Cookies for Santa!

Waking up Nolan on Christmas morning...

Running to see the dollhouse Santa brought...

Our house has never seen so much pink!

Tater :)

This little $3 camera was her very favorite gift!

Nolan

Oh no, make-up!

Piggies! We love 'em, but she won't leave 'em in...

All the girls greeting Papa...

My sister and her family in their matching Christmas jammies

When Macy Li saw the girls in their scarves, she had to have one herself...

My sister and I joined in with the pig-tails

(*Note: she's 12 years younger than me! ;))

Prayin' before our annual Christmas dinner...

Notice all the peekers...busted!

Our annual Christmas dinner...

Jennifer, Papa, McKenna and Me

Nolan: "Is there something in my teeth?"

Honestly, I think our name should be Griswold!

Never a dull moment at our dinner table! Proper, we're NOT!

All my boys, what can I say?

Here, Maggie Leigh (3) is saying "The Pledge of Allegiance" for us...

Clark Griswold: clearly moved, in his Clark Griswold-way

Tyler Griswold: bored out of his mind

Peyton Griswold: hahaha!

Grandma Griswold: thoroughly enthralled

I told you, it's crazy around here!

After an hour of sitting around the dinner table, the natives got wrestless and

decided to "go camping" under the table!

Then, it was more gifts...

Nolan, "Goggin" and Tyler

Beautiful Maggie!

Fancy Nancy in all her glory!

The next morning, the girls had to beautify themselves...

Bath-time...

Macy & Granny (100) totally into each other...

Awww...

Trouble!

Macy-Sandwich

The girls came down in these costumes they found in Macy Li's closet...

3 little monkeys jumping in the bed...

Future Marthas...

She's gonna kill me for this one, but this is my Type A, completely organized

sister freaking out over how messy my pantry was...so I said, "Knock yourself out!"

And she did...and I did with the camera! haha!

Here are the rottweilers tearing into my peanut butter cookies...

There's more to come...stay tuned.

Had To Put My Big-Girl's On Tonight!

2009-12-23T23:56:00.025-06:00

It's true, I had to put my big-girls on tonight. It was about 6:00 and I had just sat down to a long-overdue manicure after my shop/wrap/clean/decorate/party/send cards/and shop-some-more-A-Thon over the past couple of weeks. I was spent and I was sooo looking forward to just sitting there (in a trance-like-state) and having my pitiful nails done.

Well, sure enough, I'd no longer sat down and refused a glass of wine (not sure why), than my phone rings and it's Nolan.....at Denver International Airport....in a practical blizzard....BUMPED off his flight home because it was....you guessed it....OVERSOLD!!!!!!!!! (He'd been snow-boarding with KIVU friends out there for a few days.) Well, I asked him what they were gonna do about it, and he said there were no more flights out to Nashville and that they would have to put him on the same flight tomorrow night....DECEMBER 24th, putting him in the skies along side Santa!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well that was entirely unacceptable, and somebody was gonna have some 'xplainin' to do, so I told him to put the gate-agent on the phone, and the following is how my conversation with the smart-aleck went:

Agent: "Hellooooo??" (In a very sarcastic, out-done, ready-for-a-fight tone of voice)

Me: "Hi, I'm Nolan's mother (in my best Steel-Magnolia tone of voice) and I understand that you've bumped him off his flight that we paid full-fare for, and he showed up 2 hours early for. Care to tell me why?"

Agent: "The flight was oversold." (In a condescending tone)

Me: "Well, that's always nice. I love it when this happens. Especially to my kids. On Christmas Eve Eve! During a blizzard!"

Agent: "I'm sorry Ms." (Yes, the battle-axe called me 'Ms'!)

Me: "Oh, I'm sorry too. The fact that you oversold this flight is YOUR problem, not ours'."

Agent: "Well, it's oversold and there's nothing I can do about it."

Me: "Excuse me?! So we pay full-fare for this ticket, my son shows up 2 hours early, and your greedy airline bumps him off his flight, while you usher all these ADULTS onto the plane, and expect me to accept that you can do nothing about it? This is the worst business practice! Overselling flights is greed-driven and NOT RIGHT! This is the worst way to treat your customers..."

Agent: (Interrupting me in a very monotone, snide, hateful, seething voice) "Ms., statistically speaking, we have no-shows so-in-so percent of the time, and statistically speaking, yada yada yada, and statistically speaking, some other ridiculous bull-crap....")

Me: (Interrupting the statistician) "Well, I know a thing or two about statistics myself, MS! So just let me give you a couple that might interest you:

#1--Statistically speaking, 100% of people who mess with my kids find themselves seriously regretful after they do.

#2--Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and Christmas Eve breakfast is going to be served at Nannie's house at 10 o'clock, sharp. I expect 100%, statistically speaking, of my offspring to be buttering their biscuits as soon as grace is said at 10:01, and that would include that good-looking 16-year-old standin' there in front of you!!

#3--I need to get back to this manicure, so I suggest you pick up that speaker and start offering up some pretty sweet deals to those ADULTS you chose to put on that plane in the middle of this blizzard, or there's about a ZERO PROBABILITY, statistically speaking, that you'll be experiencing any 'peace on earth' this Christmas!"

Well, a few hours later, our Nolan is at home, and we're all enjoying his stories of snow-boarding and the agent at the counter after she hung up from "Mama!" ;)

Nolan is 2nd from right

Here's hoping you and yours' have a very blessed Christmas! Make it a "10," statistically speaking.

Visit from Yum Yum

2009-12-22T23:29:00.004-06:00

This afternoon, my friend Angela (who Macy Li calls Yum Yum) and her daughters Rachel and Kristen, came by for a little visit...Here they are having a tea party...

They brought her the cutest little medical kit, so a few procedures were in order...

It appeared that Kristen had a temperature...

And because Miss Bossy gets whatever she wants from YumYum, she wanted pig tails made with those "Silly Bands" that are actually little bracelets. But, she wasn't content with only two...

Checkin' out her new "do"...

Pey-toven played us a few dance-tunes...

So they got their groove on...

...until Daddy cut in...

Uh Oh, Daddy gets a little wild...

He can't help it after 3 boys...

Saying "Bye Bye"

She's feelin' the love right here!

Precious...

2009-12-21T23:49:00.002-06:00

Macy Li with her 100 year old great-grandmother!

Macy Li showed her every single Christmas card...

They're both completely enamored by the other one. Macy Li seems to sense that Grandma is "special" because she treats her so tenderly. It's cute.

Let It Snow!

2009-12-17T21:27:00.000-06:00

Today, I found Macy Li digging into a bag of Rice Krispies that she'd gotten out of the pantry. She was snacking and spilling them everywhere, as you'd expect. Well apparently, she decided to get comfortable by taking off her shoes...only to put them right down inside her bag of cereal! Once I saw that, of course I no longer wanted her eating them, but she wasn't about to surrender that bag over to me. Needing to distract her from eating any more I said, "Hey Macy Li, make it snow with your Rice Krispies!"

What a joy!

Please Pray...

2009-12-16T00:21:00.024-06:00

I want to share Lane Ann Miller's blog with you...Job 42:2 "Lord, I know you can do all things."

She is the wife to Tim Miller, who is the brother of 2 of my girlfriends (one of which is Suzanne...you know Suzanne, who just adopted Josie Love from Uganda...her blog is "Joining The Journey ")

Anyway, I have never met Tim or Lane Ann, until I read every single word from her entire blog tonight, when it was forwarded to me by another friend. Lane Ann is in the midst of a battle for her life...You must go read their story and pray for these precious people and their four children. I often wonder how I'd respond if I were to be given such devastating news. Would I be strong? Would I fall apart? Would I walk in that moment-to-moment grace, and hope and faith that He calls me to? Would I remember that my Foundation is solid and sure? That my Hope is in Him alone? That He is always Trustworthy, no matter what comes my way? No matter what I must sacrifice? Would I demonstrate God's grace to those watching? Would my actions point to the Living Hope who is within me? Would I wallow in self-pity, or be totally surrendered to whatever God had for me?

Well, these people are living every bit of that, and you have to go read for yourself. And let's cover them in prayer. I can assure you that this is one family whole-heartedly focused on the Christ of Christmas.

Thank you and bless you!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

2009-12-13T00:29:00.013-06:00

Well obviously we've been pretty busy! I'm becoming more lame at blogging by the day. The thing is that I feel like blogging about life actually gets in the way of life itself sometimes, ya know? Do any of y'all feel that way? It's just time-consuming, especially when all your photos are on random cameras that you can never find, not to mention the card-loader-thingy has grown legs and ran off and the computer battery dies and your teenagers have taken off your power-cord into the bottomless abyss of....well I don't even know. And thus, the main reason why it's been a month since I've been to the blog-world.

Anyway, the kids are growing like weeds. Football is over and basketball has begun. Tyler has successfully completed his first semester of college and is home for the holidays. (And successfully drained his bank account as well!) The halls are decked. Santa has been visited. Parties have been had. Cooking and baking has begun. Gingerbread house decorated. Exams are coming next week. Spent $751 at Costco today on crap food for the masses of teenagers I expect during the holidays. Pey-toven had his first piano recital & rocked! Nolan has decided that being Will Ferrell is more fun on the basketball court (church league) than playing like LeBron James. Have you ever seen a 16-year-old boy turn a cartwheel in the middle of a game? Or intentionally shoot at the wrong basket? Or take out their cell-phone and call their mom before shooting a free-throw? Well, we witnessed all that and more out of our 16-year-old today, and needless to say, we RAN out of that gym when the game was over before anyone saw that he belonged to us! Believe it or not, they won, and more importantly to Nolan, EVERYbody was entertained, including the refs!! I don't know how many technicals he got for his antics. That kid ain't right. As for Macy Li, she's the boss of the family and the best word to describe her right now is loquacious! She NEVER stops! She's a mess a minute, but oh-so-much-fun! I walked into the room where she was yesterday and she looked up and said, "Well hi, Angel!"

Maggie and Macy on a recent trip to visit them in Cincinnati

These girls were DANGEROUS in this Jeep!

TOLD you! This is their road-kill!

Look, the Boss is in charge! "Take me to the park!"

I love this because both feet are off the ground! What joy!

A girl's gotta have her lipstick when she's swinging!

McKenna Grace showing off her "turkey" cupcake...

Okay, here they are about to visit with Santa. Macy Li's yelling, "Hey Santa! Look at me! It's Macy Li!" over and over and over!

Well Santa apparently had been into some Vodka or something because he was anything BUT jolly! Mama 'bout went fist to cuffs with the old fart guy.

I felt the same way as Macy Li....get us the heck out of here! Look at the old guy's face! And to think that he still had a month to go at this point! A new song called, " I Saw Mama SLAPPING Santa Claus!" comes to mind.

Santa's thinkin', "Snap this picture so I can get another sip of this Vodka!" The boys are thinkin', "Snap this picture before Mama goes postal on this jerk!"

Poor Macy Li....I wish she'd have taken that little right foot straight to his jingle-bells and given him something to be grinchy about!!

So, the boys felt so sorry for her after the visit with Grumpy Claus that they even VOLUNTEERED to take her to

the H1N1-Pit, I mean play-area, at the mall for a while.

They were willing to go, but they didn't say they had to like it!

Macy Li's new obsession: "Boo-Eggs"

Macy and Maggie waiting in line at Opryland Hotel to see "ICE!"

Burrrr....

I don't know who had more fun on these ice-slides...Me or Macy!

Okay, so I shoved nudged her a little over-zealously!

Chinese Eskimo!

Macy Li with Papa, who is WAY out of his comfort-zone...on a LOT of levels!!! hahaha!

Eskimos love penguins!

CLONES!!! This is Peyton (wearing a pair of Dad's glasses to show how much they look alike) about to leave for the Junior Cotillion Holiday Dance...

Macy Li LOVES her Aunt Sissy!

Partners in crime...

Here is my almost-99 year old grandmother, Granny Jackson, who Macy Li calls Michael Jackson. Doesn't she look amazing?!

My other grandmother is 100!!

Visiting Daddy at his office...

Some of his girls...

Love this! Here's Macy Li attempting to HIDE her chocolate that she just snuck out of the bowl! Little did she know that she left evidence right there on her front teeth! Good thing she is her dentist's FAVORITE patient!

Will Ferrell at his best!

Nolan's cheerleaders ;)

Macy's priority was applying lipstick and taking everyone's phones during the game.
I'm trying to pretend I don't even know Nolan!

Breakfast with old friends this morning at Loveless Cafe again...

Macy Li loves her some butter!

This is Danielle, whose wedding Macy Li is going to be in, come May in Charleston, S.C. :)

We affectionately call her DanL

So, that about sums up our life for the last month. Life is good. We are BEYOND BLESSED!!!!

So thankful for our family!

Even more thankful to know the Savior of the World, Emmanuel, during this blessed season!!

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord!!

Fall Days

2009-11-09T19:11:00.002-06:00

Tennessee is absolutely beautiful this time of year, so Dad grabbed his camera and took these shots of Macy Li this past Saturday right out in our front yard...

Then after church on Sunday, we decided to take advantage of this gorgeous weather once again...

"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you!" Jeremiah 32:17

First Date

2009-11-08T08:22:00.002-06:00

**Disclaimer: To all you "Captain Safety's" out there, they never left the driveway! ;)

Pure Sweetness!

2009-11-03T08:40:00.003-06:00

Happy Birthday Tyler!

2009-11-01T20:39:00.003-06:00

19 years ago today, I became a mom. How can that be?! That seems like only yesterday and I surely don't feel old enough to have an almost-20 year old!

Anyway Tyler, my first-born :), you are loved beyond words! You made us "Mom" and "Dad." You have taught us much, and continue to enlighten and inspire us daily. When you came into the world, you opened our eyes to the world beyond ourselves. You've brought sunshine, joy, and so much laughter. You've endured being the "guinea pig," that we've practiced parenting on. You've been the recipient of most our parenting mistakes and still, in spite of the ragamuffins we are, continue to make us proud. I love your tender ways, your open loving affection that you're always ready to give us. I love the way you love your baby sister. I love that you're a man of your word, that you will not speak negatively of others, that you are a lover of the unlovely. I love how you love nature, and have since you were a wee little boy. I love how you get up before dawn, head into the woods to hunt, then come home describing the wonder you found in the world waking up in the morning, the beauty of the sun rays, and all the little details of nature that you never fail to notice. I love the way you persevere in the hard stuff. I love your humility about your "hidden" talents (although it drives me crazy that you're not sharing them with the world...hint hint!). I love your singing and your never-ending whistling. I even love those crazy animal calls. Dr. Doolittle had nothing on you. I miss your going to your bedroom window, opening it, then proceeding to literally call into our backyard owls (in the day-time), turkeys, deer, or just about anything you wanted to see! Who can do that?! I love that you forego a huge, fun event at school to drive all the way home just to watch Nolan play a football game, then turn around and drive all the way back. I love your sweet smile. I love your hilarious laugh. I love the integrity you choose to walk in. I love how you forgive.

In some ways, it seems like forever ago that you were that little blue-eyed, tow-headed baby boy and I was the inexperienced "deer in the headlights"-mom wondering what in the world I was doing. But in the flash of a moment, here you are...all grown up, making your way into adulthood, and I can hardly believe my eyes every time you come home from college to visit. God has uniquely gifted you in so many ways, Tyler, and we believe you are only just beginning to unlock some of the hidden treasures God has knitted within you. "His eyes search to and fro, throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of the one who's heart is fully devoted to Him." His favor is surely upon you, Tyler.

I hope your day was a happy one! I missed your singing and whistling around here...and yes, even your dang laundry! Happy Happy 19th Birthday!!! I'm glad you were born ;)!

KISSHUG!
Mom

Trick or Treat

2009-10-31T23:01:00.001-05:00

Breakfast at Loveless Cafe

"Okay, let me lay here and let these Loveless biscuits and jam settle, and then I'm off to rack up on some candy!"

What a nerd! We were laughing so hard, I almost fell down our stairs!

Macy Li with Nolan

This is her first "Trick or Treat" experience...Last year, we were at her brothers' football game.

She enjoyed the decorations and people's puppy-dogs more than anything!

After a couple of houses, she got the hang of it and off she went!

These are our next door neighbors.

What love! We are so blessed!

Missin' my boy...

2009-10-20T11:41:00.006-05:00

I sure am missing my first-born these days...Here's what he's been up to lately...

Jeff, Katie, Caleb and Ty at Auburn this past weekend...

Ty with his date...

Some of my favorite boys...I miss y'all! Come home and let me cook for you! ;)

Freezing at the Auburn game...

Tyler and friends at Samford...

Clearly, he's enjoying himself at college!

Ty, with high school friend Ben, at Knoxville for the UT/AU game...

Caleb, Olivia, Jeff, Caroline, Tyler and Bethany--Reunion in Knoxville!

Ty, with his Samford buddies...

Mario, Ms. Peach, Barbie and Ken at Samford...

I love that he's having so much fun, but I sure do miss that boy...and all his buddies around here. It's just not the same. Macy Li is missing all of 'em, too. This morning, she's been asking, "Where Ty-la go? Where Ty-la go?" Kills me :(

Silly Girl

2009-10-14T18:43:00.003-05:00

A while ago, I came into the laundry room to find this...and I promise she put all this on by herself!

Notice she even put the under armour shirt on underneath!

And this was taken a little while ago, before pajama time....

Recent & Random...

2009-10-12T20:41:00.000-05:00

Chinese girl kissing pilgrim! ;)

Going to school with her beloved backpack!

She's into make-up these days!

She loves coloring...

...and reading to her dollies...

...and putting them to sleep on the playroom steps...

Here's Nolan getting his new Jeep :)

Next morning...Peyton and Nolan on their way to school.

More football...

Scissors, her latest obsession...along with coloring on her face...

Visiting the zoo...

...and the park...

I love my girl!

Joy!

Happy Birthday, Sissy!

2009-10-12T19:58:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to my sister, Jennifer, who is 34 today!!!! Oh, to be so young again! I love you, Sis!

Samford Family Weekend

2009-10-12T19:49:00.004-05:00

This past weekend, we went down to Birmingham to visit with Tyler during "SU Family Weekend." Here are a few pics from that...

Tyler glad to see Macy Li at the hotel...

Macy Li's first visit to a Frat House...ha!

Tyler's friends in his very "neat" ;) dorm-room...

"Spike," the Samford Bulldog, who Macy Li was obsessed with!

Here's our friend from CPA, Connor #9-Samford QB

Breakfast before going home...

We had a fun weekend there, meeting all his new friends and catching up on college life there at Samford. He's loving it and we're so thankful. Mid-terms this week! :(

Homecoming

2009-10-04T09:24:00.006-05:00

Fall means Homecoming. Last night was their dance, and here is Nolan with his friend Peyton D. and their dates, Kendall and Kate. Darling bunch, if I do say so myself....and sweet kids too! Instead of the usual dinner at a restaurant, they got carry-out from a great restaurant and had a candle-light picnic at a picturesque, scenic spot overlooking the Nashville skyline...I'll hopefully get some of the girl's pictures of that and come back and post later today.

Peyton D., Nolan, Kendall and Kate

My Nolan, what a handsome young man!

Nolan's friends are all so sweet to Macy Li

She's just part of the group!

Nolan and Macy Li actually favor each other here, don't you think?

Kate made this her facebook profile pic...haha!

Last minute instructions...;)

Random

2009-10-03T21:42:00.003-05:00

Time is flying and life is so full...I just wish I could slow down long enough to capture it all here. Two of my friends, Suzanne and Renee, came home safely from Uganda today. Thank you all who prayed for them over the past few weeks. Josie Love will be coming home in the next 2-6 months. Dana and Asher are awaiting more legal details to come together before they can come home. Please pray that that will happen, as she's been there almost a month, with 3 kids here at home...hard. They really need to wrap up their official appts. so that they can come on home.

As for us, we're just doing the "Football and Fried Rice" life! Here are some snapshots of our life right now...

"Barbie and Ken" at Chi O's Famous Couples party...how cute are they?!

Go Lions! Go #9

This daddy couldn't be more in love!

Little Lion fan

After last night's game...Nolan scored 2 touchdowns!

At Peyton's game today, jumpin' for joy!

Waitin' for Peyton

Uganda

2009-09-17T12:22:00.000-05:00

Y'all, I want you to read the stories from my friends in Uganda so that you can be praying for what they're dealing with...too much for me to try to type here. You just need to read it for yourselves. All of these people are my dear friends and my heart is so full both joy and pain right now as I learn of what they're facing...

Suzanne's blog: http://joiningthejourney.blogspot.com

Renee's blog: http://reflectionsfromuganda.blogspot.com (Renee is my dear dear friend who just felt led to accompany the Mayernicks and the Kecks. She's journaling about the whole experience on her blog.)

Dana's blog: http://mightytosave-keckadoption.blogspot.com

Please go read their stories, pray for all of them, and leave them a word of encouragement in their "comments."

Thank you and bless you!
~Rhonda

PLEASE PRAY

2009-09-15T17:54:00.000-05:00

Y'all, our friends, Mike and Suzanne Mayernick are in Uganda right now to adopt their precious little Josie Love, but they received some sad sad news yesterday. Please go read their blog and PLEASE hit your knees. We love these friends, who are absolute champions for the cause and the Call of Adoption. Thank you and Bless you for your prayers.

Catchin' Up

2009-09-12T22:55:00.003-05:00

It's official. I'm the world's lamest blogger. Despite all my ambitious intentions, "life" just seems to get in the way of "blogging about life!"

In the last couple of weeks, all the boys have settled into their school routines.

College is going really well for Tyler...He loves every one of his professors, and made a 100 on a History test and a 98 on a Spanish test last week! YES! It's a good thing, b/c we'd been hearing an awful lot about his intramural football team, the "Victorious Secrets" (what can I say?) and had been thinking that we're paying a crapload of moolah for that?!?!?! haha! Anyway, they've indeed been victorious thus far, and he's having a blast settling into the college-life and building new relationships there at Samford. Thank you, Jesus!

Nolan, a sophomore, has a pretty tough academic load this semester, but is pulling out some strong grades as well. Football keeps him pretty busy, and he somehow juggles the busiest social calendar I've ever seen. That kid is high on life and a joy!

Tater (Peyton, for anyone who doesn't know us) is so glad to be a middle-schooler (6th grade) this year. He's working hard on both school and football, too. He's started taking piano lessons, after our family has begged him for years to do so because of his natural knack for playing. Daily, he astonishes us with the songs he's teaching himself, with the help of Youtube. The kid is good, and so our family has re-named him "Pey-toven!"

The big news on Macy Li is that she..........drumroll please............started to school last week! Well, not exactly school. She's going to a p.r.e.c.i.o.u.s. little preschool 2 days a week for about 5 hours. And she loves it! On her first day, she was WAY excited about her backpack and lunchbox. Now, what's with that? Is it a girl-thing? Because none of my boys ever cared less. I mean, I think it's because it's sorta like an accessory, 'ya know? Well, she had it going on that first day. She wouldn't let me carry a thing. So, in she marched like a little bag-lady, lugging everything she owned. She could barely walk with all her stuff. But, cute she was, lemme tell you! Once in the room, she turned around and said, "Bye, Mommy!" and then ran off to play. I stood there in astonishment, thinking, "Thanks a lot, Miss Priss. I'm not gonna cry over you either!" So off I went, not knowing what in the world to do with myself. Aside from school, she's growing and learning sooo much! Her language/vocabulary is unbelievable. Truly, it's hard to believe her first language was "cut off" at 12.5 months of age, another one introduced, and here 13 months later, her mastery-level is that of a child way older than she is. Also, she's been enjoying the park, zoo, and pool during the great weather we've been having. She loves taking care of her baby dolls and is ALWAYS changing their clothes. She LOVES books, and even reads them to her babies. The other night, she recited "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you hear?" to her little baby-doll, word for word, while all of us sat there, mouths agape, thinking, "She's a genius!" She now weighs in at a whopping 22 pounds and is advancing to size 24 month clothes. She eats only life-sustaining amounts of food. Her favorite food is salad, so we expect she'll stay where she is, on the 3rd percentile for weight. Hmmm, if we all could be like that. She's totally into being naked. She strips down every chance she gets (another reason for keeping her in dresses :) ) and I just hope she doesn't decide to do it at a Friday night football game. Speaking of football, that's what we do during this time of year, and so, most of the pictures we've taken lately are of exactly that...enjoy!

Touchdown!

Nolan, gettin' his game-face on.

Sam and Nolan, besties...

Tater/Pey-toven and his favorite cheerleader!

What a Center!

The girl loves her bling!

What a stud! ;)

Dumped her first one (snow-cone, that is..haha) and is sitting on it!

A little half-time entertainment during the middle-school game.

Macy Li with our old neighbor, Bev.

Konked out in a basement full of teenagers watching football.

Watching Barney in Daddy's "beed."

Like Mama, like daughter!

"Go Lions!"

Daddy makes a mean milkshake!

...and some mean scrambled eggs...

and yes, a mean cup of Joe!

Beautiful Camille with Macy Li...

Our favorite "former Lion" came home to watch his brother...

"I Got The One I Love Beside Me..."

2009-08-30T21:30:00.008-05:00

Well, my friends, I have NO WORDS for last night...It was un-stinkin-believable! My boyfriend was ROCKIN! Our seats were perfect, and I even got to touch him. TWICE! Bless Phillip's heart, he even got pictures of it.

This is SUGARLAND, who opened for Keith. Their songs are fun, but I'm not into "overly twangy, manufactured Southern accents." Just doesn't work for me. The lady behind me, however, was pretty much worshipping them, so she was my entertainment...until she spilled her stupid beer on my son!

Let the real show begin!!

This is taken from our seats, no zoom...

Hideous!!

Okay, I have to explain. Keith came down to a small platform that was on the floor about 10 or 15 rows behind our seats. When I saw him headed for it, I RAN FOR IT! I was hurdling over seats and SPRINTING back there...Phillip, with his trusty camera, was right behind, as all my boys shook their heads in disbelief! Here's my boyfriend on that platform.

YES! I was right there! Actually, this pic is zoomed in, but I was about 10 feet away from him.

Now, how much better could it get?! Mm mm mm!

Seriously, we were 10 feet away from him right here! Muwah!

Back to the main stage...

Okay, right here, he came back down the aisle a few feet over from our seats, and again, I LEPT over a few people to get next to him, again with Phillip right behind. This is with NO ZOOM!!

Yes, that is my arm, about to touch his sweaty shoulder! haha!

Right here, I am right next to him :o)

Peyton, Tyler (home from college to see us, I mean the concert ;)), Tannis and Nolan....Now THOSE are some cute kids, if I do say so myself!

Tannis, Tyler and me

Tyler, Dad, Tannis, Me, Peyton and Nolan after the concert!

What a night!

The Moon Is High and The Night Is Young...

2009-08-29T08:03:00.001-05:00

...and I'm goin' to see my SWEET THING tonight!!!

In Just 3 More Days...

2009-08-26T20:25:00.007-05:00

I get to see my boyfriend!

Now, many of you already know that I've had this very unhealthy crush on Keith Urban for some time. I can't help myself. Whenever I ~~watch~~ hear him sing, he just does something to me. He totally brings out the inner-teenager in me. Well, he's going to be here in Nashville Saturday night and I. STINKIN'. CAN'T. WAIT!! Here's a shout out to Phillip's patient & Keith's manager, Daniel Miller, for the awesome seats one more time!! Woo hoo!! His last concert here was beyond amazing and this one is supposed to be over-the-top with effects, moving screens, lighting and such. Now seriously, who even notices all that crap when you've got Keith Sweet Thing Urban standing up there with a guitar in his hand?! Just sayin'.

More Random Cuteness...

2009-08-25T21:41:00.014-05:00

Macy Li is WAY into Tea Parties lately! Everyone who comes in this house is sat down in her tiny plastic chair and served tea...

Notice the title...We LOVE Fancy Nancy!

Notice Fancy Nancy's manicure...

Cheers!

The following was tonight...

Macy Li is also into layering up with any clothes she can find around the house...Notice what this shirt says (double click)...PERFECT attire for a tea party!

She doesn't go far without her teapot...

Fancy Nancy needs a little lipstick before bed!

Friday Night Lights...Game One

2009-08-25T08:53:00.015-05:00

With everything else going on, I didn't get a chance to post these cute pics from Friday night's football game...

Seeing that #11 jersey worn by anyone other than Tyler is not fun! (But he's another "Nolan", so we like him!! ;) ha!)

Speaking of Tyler: He started his classes at Samford yesterday and so far, so good. He really likes his professors and is meeting a lot of new friends and having a great time as a college student! This past weekend was geared toward getting the freshman class orientated with their "Connections" program, which seemed to be enjoyed by all of 'em. He's blessed to be rooming with 2 of his childhood friends, David and Ryan, and a new friend he's recently met, also from Brentwood. We're so thankful for the smooth start and can't wait to go back down there for "Family Weekend" in mid October. Please continue to pray for him....and me ;) I'm doing well, but I miss his smiling face, his continuous singing and whistling, and yes, even his laundry and messes!

Off To College & NEMO

2009-08-22T18:15:00.023-05:00

On Wednesday, we headed down to Birmingham, and on Thursday we moved our Tyler into his dorm-room at Samford University, and at the end of the day, said our good-byes and returned home. HARD! To say that it was a bittersweet day would be the biggest understatement. There was such a mixed bag of emotions...excitement for the journey ahead...ready for new challenges...Tyler's anxiousness to be on his own...our intense pride of the young man we'd raised..the sadness of knowing our home would never be the same...fear of the unknown...

Over the summer, Macy Li has fallen in love with the movie, "Finding Nemo" and I've found myself SO relating to it's themes as I've been preparing for (dreading) the "letting go" of Tyler. If you're familiar with the movie, you know it's theme is centered around a father's love for his son. It captures the fears that we parents have for our children's safety and how we would do anything to protect them.

Marlin, the overprotective clownfish, vows to protect his one and only son, Nemo, after his wife and all their (except the one-Nemo) eggs are attacked by a baracuda on the reef. The time comes for Nemo to head off for his first day of school, but his dad is really struggling with letting him go as he'd promised to protect him and never let anything happen to him. Although Nemo's plenty prepared and excited to be going to school, this joy is stiffled by his daddy's over-protectiveness. It's been a great reminder to me that letting go may be hard for the parent, but it's in the letting go that they're able to go and find their own way and become who God designed them to be.

Well, you know the story. Sure enough, Nemo rebels against his father's over-protectiveness, swims out to open sea and is captured and taken off to Sydney, where he's put in the aquarium in a dental office and learns many lessons from his friends there. The majority of the movie is focused around Marlin desperately searching for his lost son. As I listened to this movie over and over, it reminded me of how I would do anything to protect my children. Marlin's love for Nemo truly depicts this love, how no sacrifice would ever be too much for your child, and how a parent would go to any extreme to protect their most precious treasure.

While the two find themselves forced into situations beyond their control, Marlin and Nemo each grow up in many ways. Marlin discovers the freedom of fearless, adventurous living from his dingy and courageous friend, Dory. Meanwhile, Nemo's adventures build in him a spirit of confidence and competence. It's actually in their struggles, that they find life and the freedom "letting go" affords.

I truly believe the Lord gave me this movie again for "such a time as this" to gently remind me that the "safety of the anemone" is really an illusion. However, it's only when we venture out into the open seas, into the unknown, that we learn to live by faith...and it's there that we find the Father's gentle, leading Hand.

My last words to Tyler as we drove off that campus Thursday night was a line from the movie, where Marlin finally sets Nemo free and tells him, "I love you son, now go have an adventure!"

Move-in day highlights:

Dad doing the dad-thing

Moms' last trip out in the downpour!

Already studying? Not!

Ironing out "wireless" issues...

The BEST roomie and suite-mates!

They're in...we did it!

Those snacks ought to last about 2 days!

Gettin' organized!

About to say our good-byes...

Home for the next year...

Here comes good-bye...

Proud dads and their boys...

Opportunity!

Truth!

Here Comes Goodbye...

2009-08-19T05:37:00.003-05:00

Well, if you think I've vanished, it's because we've been neck deep in "heading-off-to-college-shopping-packing-visiting with every friend and family we know-saying goodbyes-having parties and such." I never thought that I'd not have the time to sit down here and put my thoughts into writing. TODAY is the day we load him up and take him to Birmingham. The students move into their dorms tomorrow morning at 8. And we'll return home tomorrow evening. Anyway, I have much to say, but no time to write b/c my day is already so crammed, but I'll be back this weekend to leave my reflections here. Let's just say it is a very happy-sad time. Tyler is beyond excited about what's ahead for him at Samford and we are too. He's so ready to fly out of this nest. We're so proud of the young man he is and is becoming. Closing this childhood chapter is hard b/c it's all I know with him, but it's so good at the same time b/c it's what we've worked toward and prayed for all these years. Now it's time to let go and watch him bloom. Well, I'll be back this weekend with pictures and thoughts to share. Please pray for us! We're on an exciting adventure! Love to all!

Happy 100th Birthday, Granny!

2009-08-09T17:33:00.004-05:00

Today is my grandmother's 100th birthday!! Yesterday, we had her party and lots of out of town family came and we all had a "family reunion" of sorts. Amazing that she's still going strong...well sorta. My grandmother had 7 children and I don't know how many grand and great-grand-children, but a bunch! She's awesome and seems to survive almost anything. At her party, we kept asking her if she knew why "all these people are here," and she would laugh and say, "I'm 100!"

Ty leaves next week. We leave on the 19th and move him in on the 20th! Yay and boo and the same time! I'm both incredibly excited for him, and incredibly sad to close the "childhood" chapter at the same time. It's weird. I know that parenting will never stop, but somehow this milestone seems so "final" for some reason. Back in May, I posted that I haven't been overly emotional and that I was really surprised at how "strong" I felt. Well, that has officially come to an end and I've been crying when the wind changes direction for the past couple of weeks! August came and brought with it that looming sense of dread that I've anticipated for so long. Yuck! So if you know me and you ask me ANYthing about Tyler leaving, just get ready for the floodgates to pour. I'm not gonna lie...I'm struggling a bit.

Well, off to cook dinner for some starving boys. Macy Li is sitting on the kitchen island TEARING into some guacamole ("aboo-caboo" as she calls it).

Will post pictures later!

Hugs to all!

Today is GOTCHA DAY--1 year anniversary!

2009-07-21T08:04:00.007-05:00

This time last year, we were back at our hotel in Nanchang holding a little angel in our arms and were in complete awe and wonder at the miracle of the love we'd just discovered. There are really no words to capture all those emotions we experienced on that day, or since. But, little "Gan Li Ming" changed our hearts and world forever. She is so far beyond what we'd ever asked or imagined. Below is the slideshow that I posted at the end of that day. Some of you who were following my blog back then have already seen it, but it's fun to go back and re-live that day....unbelievable!

Macy Li, you too, are a jewel in our crown, as you are in His! We love you with everything in us!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1 John 3:1

Warning!

2009-07-20T07:37:00.004-05:00

Nolan gets his driver's license today! Williamson County is no longer safe! Seriously. Stay home. Nolan is our kid who was born for "near death" thrills! It's what he loves, and that and driving are a dangerous combo!

I can't believe this precious child is 16. His birthday was actually Friday, the 17th. Nolan has brought so much laughter and joy to our family. Things I love about this very special gift from God are that he is tender-hearted, daring, courageous, thinks outside the box, is seeking after God's approval and not that of man's, that he is a "deep well," he's wise, considerate, calm, is a thinker, relaxed and never in a hurry, savors the moment, looks for a "lesson" or "experience" in the simplest things, is open to new ideas and things, knows who he is and to Whom he belongs, loves Jesus with his whole heart, loves people of every kind, doesn't see the "unlovely" as others would, has a heart for orphans, has a heart for the nations, his million-dollar smile, how he calls me "Mama," his cute flat feet, how he's so appreciative of what I cook for him, how he loves and protects Macy Li, how he's a good big brother and good little brother, how respectful he is of his grandparents, that he thrives on "near-death-thrills," his adventurous spirit, his willingness to go with the flow even when it is SO not what he wants to do, that he's a giver and not a taker, that he recognizes how spoiled he is and yet he is so humbled by it that he feels guilty for it, that he turned 16 on Friday and hasn't mentioned/asked for/even hinted at wanting a car when we know he has to, I love how he only gets "torn up" over worthy causes, how he is not a gossip, his sense of discernment, his contagious joy, how he treats little children, his self-control, how he's cool under pressure, how he truly reflects the love and character of the Father is countless ways.....

I could continue that list all day, but I mainly want to say what a privilege it is to be his "mama!" He's a way-cool kid and everything good in him is Jesus; not us. We're just humbled to be his parents.

Nolan, you are a treasure. We truly see the fingerprints of God all over your life! We can't wait to see His plans for your life as they unfold!

Nolan, you are a jewel in my crown. You are a jewel in His'. You are loved with an indescribable love!

P.S. And readers, remember...Consider yourselves warned for today he hits the streets! :O

Weekend with the Cryers

2009-07-19T21:19:00.006-05:00

We just wrapped up a great weekend with our friends, Rusty and Lesli Cryer and their 3 wonderful kids, twins Hudson and Hannah, and little Joshua. These were friends we met this very time last summer in China. They were in our travel group, and adopted Joshua from Shenyang. He was about 22 months at the time, and was "special needs," due to a cleft lip and palate. He is the most adorable little boy you've ever seen. Anyway, we loved the Cryers, and so they traveled from their home in Whichita, KS to spend the last 5 days with us. We had a great time of fellowship with them and below are some of the highlights of our weekend together...

Kanakuk-Colorado

2009-07-12T11:05:00.010-05:00

All my boys returned from Kanakuk this week. Tyler and Nolan were at K-Colorado in the San Juan Mountains near Durango, CO while Peyton was at K-West near Branson, MO in the Ozarks. Below are just a few of the photos of Tyler and Nolan at K-CO...I don't have but a very few of Peyton (12-year olds could care less about taking pictures...boo!), so enjoy!

Prom...2 1/2 months late

2009-07-10T16:38:00.012-05:00

Well, while I'm trying to get caught up on everything else, I wanted to post a few pics of my boy at his senior prom this year...

This is Tannis with Tyler

These are the dearest of friends...

Caleb, Jacob and Jeff with Tyler (these boys are practically my sons)...

Land of the Free...

2009-07-04T20:24:00.026-05:00

*Update: For those who've asked, I bought my little patriot's outfit when we were in China last year...in Guangzhou on Shaiman Island, but can't remember the name of the little shop.