"I need my momma"

Just a quick adoption update...we have immigration approval and hope to send our dossier to China very soon!!!  Now...

Yesterday, we were driving back home from a long soccer trip to Greenville, SC when Sam started feeling car sick.  We had a van packed full of people and luggage, so I was sitting in the very back when this all started.  When I realized what was going on, I decided to switch seats to be closer to him.  In the middle of me straddling the middle row (I'm not as young and limber as I like to think I am) trying to get to him, Sam stole my heart once again with what he said.  In his voice of pain and suffering, he said, "I need my momma!"  Well, let me tell you I may have pulled a hamstring getting over that seat as fast as possible when I heard those words.  I clung to those sweet words as he puked into a cup off and on for the next hour.  I found joy in the middle of this smelly and messy moment.  My friend, Sharon, had mentioned "joy bombs" that God gives us and friends, I never guessed that I would have so much joy in being able to wipe vomit from Sam's nose and mouth.  What I learned in that moment is that: 1) Sam knows to cry out for his momma to help take care of him.  This might not seem like a big deal to those of you who have parented your child from birth, but this is huge for him to show his vulnerability.  2) Sam appreciates the care I gave him in holding the cup and cleaning him up.  How do I know this?  Hours after we got home, this was our converstation:

Me: Sam, I'm so glad you're feeling better.
Sam:  Me too, thank you for taking care of me.
Me: (teary/choking voice) You're welcome, buddy.

Seriously...how sweet!  This from a kid who is brutally honest.  Bad breath? He'll let you know.  Got a zit you're trying to cover?  He'll point it out. 

And then the icing on the cake came today.  We were putting a new booster seat in the car and he asked, "When we get Eli?  I miss him."  Joy bombs!!!  Keep dropping them, God! I love to see how God is preparing Sam to be a big brother. 

I hope that you can see the joy bombs in your life!  Keep your eyes open for them.  They are there even in the middle of puke fests and booster seat installations.  Cling to them!  Share them with others. 

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Eli Matthew Franklin

We have been praying about a name for our child and have finally settled on Eli Matthew Franklin.  It's amazing to hear my children pray for their brother, Eli.  Something in my heart just melts when they utter his name.  Often times it's just in passing from them..."I wonder if Eli will like playing in the snow?", or intentional prayers, "I pray that Eli is ready to come home." 

  

Eli playing with a turtle!

Sam is going through a phase where he notices when people and even animals are by themselves.  He saw a bird flying solo in our backyard and commented, "they looking for they family."  He saw a baby sitting in a baby carrier at school and his mother was about 20 yards away.  Sam only saw that there was a baby with nobody close by.  He said, "Mama, why he not have a family?"  I showed him where the baby's mama was, but he was worried about this baby.  At first, I thought it was sweet that he didn't realize that of course, this baby wasn't left here without a mother.  Then, a sadness hit me...that my 4 year old would be burdened by the sight of children and animals away from their family.  I think he understands that God designed us for family. Sam has been praying some sweet prayers on behalf of so many waiting boys in China.  He prays every night that "everybody will get a new brother."  I like his boldness!  Of course, he also prayed that his new brother would have his "own" toys.  Ha!  I mean, really...who wants to share toys?  Sam seems to be understanding a little more about the reality that he will be a big brother.  Sam and Eli will be 8 months apart and I anticipate great joy and struggles.  I pray that they will have a great bond and become best friends.

We can see that God is preparing all of our hearts and we are praying that He will prepare Eli to join our family.  It's so hard to stare at a face and long for him to be home, but I trust in God's perfect timing.  I know there is much work to do in our hearts to be prepared.  Eli Matthew Franklin, you are greatly loved and prayed for daily!!!  We can't wait for you to come home and play in the snow with you!!!

Here we go again!!! Ready, set, SLOW!

Well, here we go again!  After many months of prayer for direction for our family, Jon and I both felt the calling.  So, we answered the call and are in the process of adopting from China again.  We have completed our home study and our paperwork is at immigration.  We are headed to get our biometric fingerprints soon and then after immigration approval our paperwork will be off to China!  We aren't sure of a timeline for that to happen...which leads me to this...

When we began this journey several months ago, I prayed that I would not be consumed with the adoption process like I was the first time.  I apologize to everyone who had to endure me whining and complaining over documents that you had never heard of, timelines that didn't match up to mine, and countless other issues dealing with our first adoption.  I confess, I was crazy and controlling.  Thank you, Captain Obvious!!!  This time I have prayed that I would just relax in God's goodness and perfect timing as He orchestrates this amazing story.  I can honestly say that there have been moments that I've been successful, and others that I've slipped back to my controlling ways.  All I need to do is take a glance at Sam to realize how perfectly God works.

I feel like God has been showing me a common thread in my life lately...SLOW DOWN.  Recently, at our youth retreat, the weekend theme was walking in the will of God.  I was reminded that we must crucify our will in order to walk in His.  It is not always comfortable to walk in His will, BUT it is GOOD!  God is calling me to slow down, to let go of some things that I hold too tightly.  Some of these things are tangible, some not.  I am a work in progress, but I trust that He will complete this work that He has begun.  I want to climb this mountain with my hands wide open! 

Mother's Day...mixed feelings

I'm feeling so blessed to celebrate this Mother's Day!  This is my first time celebrating as a mother to 3 children!  I've been feeling a little heavy hearted as this day is quickly approaching.  My heart is a little broken for Sam and his birthmother.  My desire is to honor Sam's birthmother in China as well as his nanny that cared for him in the orphanage for 2 1/2 years.  How do you do that??? I've asked other BTDT adoptive mom's what they do and they have great ideas.  Some suggestions were to plant trees/flowers, light a candle, read a specific book... I'm feeling the pressure to start a tradition that will honor these women, but I keep thinking that Sam will not understand the significance...for now. So, we will honor these women and pray that as Sam grows that God will help him develop an understanding and love for these women.  I realize that these women are highly unlikely to ever read this, but I still want to offer my gratitude to them both.

To Sam's birthmother...thank you for choosing life for Sam.  I can't imagine how difficult of a choice you made to give him a better life than you thought you could provide.  Thank you for the greatest gift our family has ever received.  You will never know the impact that your choice has made on us.  I pray that God will fill you with His peace and a knowledge that Sam is greatly loved.  Above that, I pray that you know the Father's love for you!

To Sam's nanny...thank you for standing in the gap and loving Sam until we could get him.  It is obvious that you loved him and took great pride in caring for him.  Thank you for caring for him after his surgery and for the affection you showed him.  Thank you for loving the children that came before him, the children that come after him, and most importantly...the children that will remain in the orphanage.  I pray that God will sustain you as you grow attached to countless children, only to see them leave.  I pray that you will love these children as God loves them.  May God reveal His great love for you!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Complete!

We got Sam's visa today, so we are able to leave China Saturday! Ready to come home!!! He is doing great and I was able to leave the room without him for about 15 minutes. That may not seem like much, but its the longest I've been away from him since we got him. I had to go to the lobby to get his visa and returned to find him laughing and playing. Such a relief!

I wanted to share a little "God wink" with you...back in April I visited Shepherds Field and met Joseph. He was close to aging out and was in danger of not being adopted. I purchased some of his art work for the kids to keep in their rooms as a reminder to pray that he would get a family. We prayed for him each night.  I was thrilled when we learned that God answered the prayers of so many! Honestly, I was a little afraid to have my children ask that prayer because I knew the odds were not in his favor! What a lesson I learned about the power of prayer! So, we got to visit shepherds field at the beginning of this trip and Joseph was already with his family. So, imagine my surprise when we were at the medical clinic getting Sam's TB results and Emily says, "mom, there's Joseph!"  Yes, it was. He was standing there for his test results too! I was so excited to see him with his little brother and father. I stood amazed at how God orchestrated that moment. I do not believe it was a coincidence, but rather a gift to see how He did provide Joseph with a family! God is good!

Not sure if I will blog again before we leave, but we please keep us in your prayers. We feel blessed, but are certainly struggling with adjusting to a toddler that speaks another language. Sam had a major meltdown this afternoon in the middle of the hotel. It's frustrating for him and us. Thankfully, it didn't last long. We would appreciate prayers for good health, safe travels, easy transition with time change and Sam's new environment. This will be his 3rd move in 2 weeks. Stressful for the little guy!

One week

Wow, what a difference in one week! Sam continues to amaze  us with how he has so easily adjusted into our family! He is happy and full of energy. He eats everything we've offered and doesn't fuss much. He is allowing Jon to hold him more, but must be holding my hand! He only likes to take a bath if Brooks gets in with him. His speech is difficult to discern, but he mimics sounds exactly. We've figured out he is saying things like thank you, Emily, daddy, no, mama, gugu (brother) based on sounds. We expect that once his palate is repaired that he will make more sense. His understanding of English is amazing! We are in complete awe of the little guy and feel so blessed that God chose us to be his family! HIS love never fails.

Our travel group has 11 adoptive families that are awesome. We had the chance to gather in a small play room this afternoon to worship together. Our stories were all different, but at the core we all had the same theme...obedience to answering the call.  We've met people adopting 2 children at once, some on their 4th/5th adoptions, others like us...first adoptions. I get all misty eyed each morning at breakfast as I walk past table after table of adoptive families. It's so moving to see firsthand what love can do! As we closed in prayer, it was requested that all of our families would go back and be a witness to the great need for families for these precious children. There are so many in need!  So, I'm asking you now, would you consider asking Him how you can help with the orphan crisis? The harvest is plentiful!

Medical exam

We took Sam for his medical exam today. They did a full body exam which he did not enjoy. He let the doctor know how he felt about it. He was good for the ENT and ended with a TB screening test. He didn't cry When they put the needle in. It is crazy to see a kid with no understanding of pain. He has cracked his head and done things that make me hurt and he hasn't even whimpered. I know this will change as he learns from his siblings. He did run into the wall today and said "wow" with a giggle. He continues to test boundaries and we are learning how much a toddler can get into and FAST! So thankful to have Emily and Brooks with us. They are doing so great with him!