As I type this we are driving in Colorado to spend the first week of our vacation in the mountains! Hudson is oohing and aahing over the sights following the lead of his sisters. He has been SOO good on the trip so far. We drove about 9 hours yesterday and most of it he spent in his car seat. We all go a little crazy with his John Deere steering wheel honking and playing music but it entertains him! We will be here through the fourth and then head on to Minnesota to see family.
We had Hudson's ENT appt this week and found out he has mild hearing loss and his ear drums have no movement due to all the fluid behind them. The dr. was suprised he has had no ear infections since being home and that his hearing loss was only mild. He will have have tubes put in when they do his palate surgery on the 28th of July.
I had to post the collage below to show my sister-in-law Tanya how Hudson LOVES his hat! She gave him the camoflage aussie hat and he wakes up in the morning saying "hat" and pointing to his head. He typically wears it all day and has fallen asleep with it on at night. He also likes his baseball cap but his hat from Aunt Tan-Tan is by far is favorite. Love you Tanya!!!
6.30.2008
6.22.2008
"The Lord has done great things for us.........
.....and we are filled with JOY!! Psalm 126:3
I went to a Beth Moore conference the summer we were praying about pursing adoption and she taught from Psalm 126. Her main point was that He calls us to journey together. In this verse the Isrealites were seeing the first fruits of their restoration. It ends with "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him".
Many of us refer to our adoption stories as journey's. Regardless of country or the situation leading up to the decision it is a long process and not for the faint of heart. It is full of fears, doubts, joys, testing, waiting, faith and tears..... I think most can say they come out on the other side not only with a very loved and wanted child but with a much deeper faith and greater character, I hope this is the case anyway.
Not only did I journey together with my family and dear friends but my "Waiting Child" group from our agency, America World. It was amazing how the Lord used this incredible group of people, all in different stages of their adoption journey to encourage and uplift me when times were the hardest and celebrate with me when all those milestones happened. Of course, eventually, after we had received our RA I became even more closely connected to what would eventually become my travel group and to this day they are still part of my closest allies in this on going journey. Then of course, those of you who are part of the blogging world. I have meet some of the most deeply committed people through our agency and blog and am so grateful that the Lord led me to them (you).
I was reminded of this verse this weekend and it fit perfectly into a conversation Mark and I had the other night. Of course, with our other kids gone we were on a walk with just Hudson. Many of you know how Mark was very uncertian about adoption for years,,,well, basically wouldn't discuss it until the summer of 05. He told me "Thank you so much for staying on me about adopting, I would never have done it and I am so grateful we did. I cannot inmagine what we would have missed out on".(filled with joy!!!) We went on to discuss how what was seen as "bad" for Hudson (his cleft which was, I am sure, the reason he was abandoned) was so very good for us. Had he not had this his parents probably would not have abandoned him and we would not have the priviledge we do of parenting him.
I also wanted to include an expert from a friends blog who is in China now and just adopted their son from Hudson's orphanage.
"..a mid-size town in a very rural area in which there is nothing more important within a family than the birth of a son for a host of practical and not so practical (traditional cultural) reasons, and the importance of family can be nearly all encompassing.
But the people here, whether muslim Hui or Han Chinese, believe strongly in a kind of kharma, that what goes around comes around. “Most rural people are very superstitious so that if their son is born with a face like a rabbit (clefted), or something is really wrong, they are scared and think that it is punishment for something bad they have done,” went one of several similar explanations. “So they want to get rid of this punishment and for them the child is bad luck.”
I read this AFTER Mark and I had the above conversation. I feel for these families that they live under the condemnation of being punished. We continually pray for Hudson's birth parents, that they would know the Lord one day and that they would know what unspeakable joy he brings to us, nothing about this kid is bad luck!!!!
For those of you still in the waiting stage, paperchasing, waiting for the referral call, pouring over medical files and trying to decide if this child is yours, waiting on RA or TA.....the Lord is at work also in the life of your child. You WILL understand this when you meet him or her and I pray you will say "The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with Joy!!
I went to a Beth Moore conference the summer we were praying about pursing adoption and she taught from Psalm 126. Her main point was that He calls us to journey together. In this verse the Isrealites were seeing the first fruits of their restoration. It ends with "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him".
Many of us refer to our adoption stories as journey's. Regardless of country or the situation leading up to the decision it is a long process and not for the faint of heart. It is full of fears, doubts, joys, testing, waiting, faith and tears..... I think most can say they come out on the other side not only with a very loved and wanted child but with a much deeper faith and greater character, I hope this is the case anyway.
Not only did I journey together with my family and dear friends but my "Waiting Child" group from our agency, America World. It was amazing how the Lord used this incredible group of people, all in different stages of their adoption journey to encourage and uplift me when times were the hardest and celebrate with me when all those milestones happened. Of course, eventually, after we had received our RA I became even more closely connected to what would eventually become my travel group and to this day they are still part of my closest allies in this on going journey. Then of course, those of you who are part of the blogging world. I have meet some of the most deeply committed people through our agency and blog and am so grateful that the Lord led me to them (you).
I was reminded of this verse this weekend and it fit perfectly into a conversation Mark and I had the other night. Of course, with our other kids gone we were on a walk with just Hudson. Many of you know how Mark was very uncertian about adoption for years,,,well, basically wouldn't discuss it until the summer of 05. He told me "Thank you so much for staying on me about adopting, I would never have done it and I am so grateful we did. I cannot inmagine what we would have missed out on".(filled with joy!!!) We went on to discuss how what was seen as "bad" for Hudson (his cleft which was, I am sure, the reason he was abandoned) was so very good for us. Had he not had this his parents probably would not have abandoned him and we would not have the priviledge we do of parenting him.
I also wanted to include an expert from a friends blog who is in China now and just adopted their son from Hudson's orphanage.
"..a mid-size town in a very rural area in which there is nothing more important within a family than the birth of a son for a host of practical and not so practical (traditional cultural) reasons, and the importance of family can be nearly all encompassing.
But the people here, whether muslim Hui or Han Chinese, believe strongly in a kind of kharma, that what goes around comes around. “Most rural people are very superstitious so that if their son is born with a face like a rabbit (clefted), or something is really wrong, they are scared and think that it is punishment for something bad they have done,” went one of several similar explanations. “So they want to get rid of this punishment and for them the child is bad luck.”
I read this AFTER Mark and I had the above conversation. I feel for these families that they live under the condemnation of being punished. We continually pray for Hudson's birth parents, that they would know the Lord one day and that they would know what unspeakable joy he brings to us, nothing about this kid is bad luck!!!!
For those of you still in the waiting stage, paperchasing, waiting for the referral call, pouring over medical files and trying to decide if this child is yours, waiting on RA or TA.....the Lord is at work also in the life of your child. You WILL understand this when you meet him or her and I pray you will say "The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with Joy!!
6.16.2008
As much as I love blogging I have really been struggling with it since I came home. Our adoption journey was such a journey of faith and I think that is why it was so easy for me to do it....I worked through a lot of my fears, feelings and what God was showing me that now.....It seems a little "trite" to just blog about our days. Don't get me wrong.....I LOVE finding out about what my blogging friends are up to and what their days consist of....I am just one of those that gets energized when I share my heart and what the Lord is doing in my life and I feel like that is where I need to put my focus, SOOO....I am going to try to take a different approach to my blog, even thinking about doing a "makeover" to change the tone. I will continue to give snippets of what Hudson is up to as well as the rest of the kids and hope that you continue to follow our family. Many of you have become so dear to me and Mark and we were so blessed by all those that followed our trip to China, we had NO idea the interest so many took (outside of the adoption community).
I have been challenged with this scripture and one of the reasons behind this post:
"......and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." Isaiah 58:13
Isaiah is my favorite book of the bible and where I have found myself contnually challenged out of. Due to the business of life since Hudson came home, finishing up missed school work in China and finals, trying to figure out how to work from home and juggling three busy kids schedules with a toddlers, my time with the Lord has taken a back seat. I hate this and am determined to get back that sweet place with Him that I desperately miss. This is one of the biggest reasons I have felt I needed to change the focus of our blog. I intend not blog about the simple joys of our family and all the "new" things with Hudson until I feel the Lord has given me something from Him to share first. I don't want my words to be idle and long to "ride on the heights" again with Him.
I will post a "Day In The Life"....at the end of each post as I do want you to know what our family is up to...this just won't be my main focus in blogging. My heart is to honor Him and that He would have His proper place in my life as the FIRST priority and family my second. Please know also that there is no condemnation in Christ and my prayer is that no one is offended by this. This is where the Lord has me and I in no way have intended anyone who follows my blog to read anything into this. Once again.... I LOVE reading others blogs and it was the reason I started ours. Some of you I know personally and love you dearly, others, I follow your blogs because they speak to me and I so enjoying watching your kids grow.....we all share a common bond and you are all dear to me!!!
A DAY IN THE LIFE...
Mark and I had a very strange thing happen to us this weekend. Our girls left last Friday to spend the week with our dear friends, in New Braunfels. (This is the 2nd time they have been gone this summer, spending 4 days at cheerleading camp while Jordan was on a cruise with a friend). As you know, Jordan turned 16, June 10 and got his license Friday. Saturday afternoon he drove off without us for the first time, running an errand and then heading to a class party. After giving him "instructions" I watched Mark walk out the door carrying Hudson as they stood out in front of our house and watched him drive away. When he came back in and sat down we just kind of looked at each other not saying anything. How could this be real? Our oldest now on his own in a new way and feeling a bit "lost" as the house seemed so quiet with the girls gone also. Well, for a minute anyway until the beep, beep of Hudsons Little Tyke school bus went off. Oh yeah, we still are young, we have a toddler who will keep us busy for the next 16 years. Our kids are growing up and how sweet that the Lord has given us Hudson to keep us on our toes. We love our boys (and girls of course) and this has already been a sweet time with just them.
I have been challenged with this scripture and one of the reasons behind this post:
"......and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." Isaiah 58:13
Isaiah is my favorite book of the bible and where I have found myself contnually challenged out of. Due to the business of life since Hudson came home, finishing up missed school work in China and finals, trying to figure out how to work from home and juggling three busy kids schedules with a toddlers, my time with the Lord has taken a back seat. I hate this and am determined to get back that sweet place with Him that I desperately miss. This is one of the biggest reasons I have felt I needed to change the focus of our blog. I intend not blog about the simple joys of our family and all the "new" things with Hudson until I feel the Lord has given me something from Him to share first. I don't want my words to be idle and long to "ride on the heights" again with Him.
I will post a "Day In The Life"....at the end of each post as I do want you to know what our family is up to...this just won't be my main focus in blogging. My heart is to honor Him and that He would have His proper place in my life as the FIRST priority and family my second. Please know also that there is no condemnation in Christ and my prayer is that no one is offended by this. This is where the Lord has me and I in no way have intended anyone who follows my blog to read anything into this. Once again.... I LOVE reading others blogs and it was the reason I started ours. Some of you I know personally and love you dearly, others, I follow your blogs because they speak to me and I so enjoying watching your kids grow.....we all share a common bond and you are all dear to me!!!
A DAY IN THE LIFE...
Mark and I had a very strange thing happen to us this weekend. Our girls left last Friday to spend the week with our dear friends, in New Braunfels. (This is the 2nd time they have been gone this summer, spending 4 days at cheerleading camp while Jordan was on a cruise with a friend). As you know, Jordan turned 16, June 10 and got his license Friday. Saturday afternoon he drove off without us for the first time, running an errand and then heading to a class party. After giving him "instructions" I watched Mark walk out the door carrying Hudson as they stood out in front of our house and watched him drive away. When he came back in and sat down we just kind of looked at each other not saying anything. How could this be real? Our oldest now on his own in a new way and feeling a bit "lost" as the house seemed so quiet with the girls gone also. Well, for a minute anyway until the beep, beep of Hudsons Little Tyke school bus went off. Oh yeah, we still are young, we have a toddler who will keep us busy for the next 16 years. Our kids are growing up and how sweet that the Lord has given us Hudson to keep us on our toes. We love our boys (and girls of course) and this has already been a sweet time with just them.
6.12.2008
Love Without Boundaries is a organization that helps the children in China in so many different ways. This was posted on their blog a few days ago and it was wonderful to see Hudson's little orphanage friends. I have gotten to know some of the moms of these kids through the blogging world and they are family to us. We been closely following how things are going in Pingliang and are thrilled that two of the kids pictured below will meet their forever families this week. When we show Hudson these pictures he says "Ohhhh" and gives the kids kisses!! We love you Pingliang kids, Mrs. Yang and the wonderful Ayis!!
Perfect Timing
Posted: 06 Jun 2008 12:58 PM CDT
The following photos are from an orphanage located in Gansu Province, just north of Sichuan. The building, like so many others, was damaged by an aftershock. All 80 children have been living outside in tents to keep safe. Unfortunately, the weather has been damp and chilly.
Love Without Boundaries was able to contact the director and found out they were in need of warm clothing and diapers. In perfect timing, we had just finished a clothing fundraiser for this SWI, through our Orphanage Assistance program! Due to the generosity of the SWI adoptive parent group, we were able to send a large shipment of clothing and diapers just when they were needed most.
Don't the babies look snug in their new clothes
It looks like some of the children are enjoying several sets of clothing....
It appears the sun has at last come out. How wonderful it is to see the children warm and dry, enjoying the day in their walkers.
I love how the babies clap and wave, unaware of the tragedy nearby.
One of these little guys will join his forever family in just a few weeks. His anxious mama was relieved to see pictures of him safe and sound!
We are thankful for all the loving Ayis in the earthquake area who are working so hard to keep the children fed, warm, and safe, despite their difficult circumstances.
Laura Baldwin
Orphanage Assistance Coordinator
Perfect Timing
Posted: 06 Jun 2008 12:58 PM CDT
The following photos are from an orphanage located in Gansu Province, just north of Sichuan. The building, like so many others, was damaged by an aftershock. All 80 children have been living outside in tents to keep safe. Unfortunately, the weather has been damp and chilly.
Love Without Boundaries was able to contact the director and found out they were in need of warm clothing and diapers. In perfect timing, we had just finished a clothing fundraiser for this SWI, through our Orphanage Assistance program! Due to the generosity of the SWI adoptive parent group, we were able to send a large shipment of clothing and diapers just when they were needed most.
Don't the babies look snug in their new clothes
It looks like some of the children are enjoying several sets of clothing....
It appears the sun has at last come out. How wonderful it is to see the children warm and dry, enjoying the day in their walkers.
I love how the babies clap and wave, unaware of the tragedy nearby.
One of these little guys will join his forever family in just a few weeks. His anxious mama was relieved to see pictures of him safe and sound!
We are thankful for all the loving Ayis in the earthquake area who are working so hard to keep the children fed, warm, and safe, despite their difficult circumstances.
Laura Baldwin
Orphanage Assistance Coordinator
6.10.2008
Jordan is 16 today!!!! Wow!! He plans on taking his driving test tomorrow....Can he really be old enought to drive?
We love watching who are children are becoming as they get older. Jordan can be way to serious at times but also has an extremely funny side which keeps his teachers on their toes and his classmates quite distracted. He has enjoyed having a brother although at times Hudson isn't quite sure how to take his personality. Hudson is sensitive just like Jordan and is still trying to figure out when Jordan is teasing and when he is serious.
We are delighted to have two sons and are blessed beyond measure by them both!
We love you Jo and are so proud of the man you are growing into to. You are becoming a man of integrity and we can't wait to see what God will do in your life each year!!!
We love watching who are children are becoming as they get older. Jordan can be way to serious at times but also has an extremely funny side which keeps his teachers on their toes and his classmates quite distracted. He has enjoyed having a brother although at times Hudson isn't quite sure how to take his personality. Hudson is sensitive just like Jordan and is still trying to figure out when Jordan is teasing and when he is serious.
We are delighted to have two sons and are blessed beyond measure by them both!
We love you Jo and are so proud of the man you are growing into to. You are becoming a man of integrity and we can't wait to see what God will do in your life each year!!!
6.02.2008
Yesterday, June 1st, Mark and I celebrated out 17th wedding anniversary. It is SO hard to believe that we have been married seventeen years!! There have been many struggles along the way but we love our life and our family and are blessed beyond what we could ever have imagined.
Had someone told us on our wedding day that on our 17th wedding anniversary we would also be dedicating our son, our fourth child, from China I don't know that we would have believed them. Yesterday we had the surreal feeling that we do everyday when we look at Hudson. As I have said before, adopting Hudson has been one of my oldest heart's desires and a real life 2 1/2 year journey that was worth every minute. It was an especially special day as we were able to stand up front with Pam, Frank and Ty. Frank is our worship pastor and very talented and made the above video which was played in church (slightly edited to include only our two families for our blogs).
We pray that Hudson and Ty both grow up to know and love the Lord and be mighty men for Him, just like their dads!!
Had someone told us on our wedding day that on our 17th wedding anniversary we would also be dedicating our son, our fourth child, from China I don't know that we would have believed them. Yesterday we had the surreal feeling that we do everyday when we look at Hudson. As I have said before, adopting Hudson has been one of my oldest heart's desires and a real life 2 1/2 year journey that was worth every minute. It was an especially special day as we were able to stand up front with Pam, Frank and Ty. Frank is our worship pastor and very talented and made the above video which was played in church (slightly edited to include only our two families for our blogs).
We pray that Hudson and Ty both grow up to know and love the Lord and be mighty men for Him, just like their dads!!
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