Labor Day Weekend 2014

My original plan of a family getaway for the long weekend didn't happen.

We booked a cabin in Gatlinburg TN for the weekend and both kids were going to play in the Gatlinburg Invitational. I was so excited about this family getaway!!!

Well, plans change.

Not enough teams in the U17 girls bracket.

So Julia's team played in Jacksonville FL in the Jacksonville Labor Day Shoot Out.

The rest of us headed to the mountains while my parents took Julia to the beach.

We missed our big girl terribly.

Sam had a 7:00 am game Saturday...yes that means arrive at fields by 6:00.

Vacation....NOT!

He played in a beautiful complex with turf fields and the Appalachain Mtns as a backdrop.

The boys were phenomenal!

Bringing home yet another Championship!

They really are an amazing team for being so young!

Julia's team braved the sweltering Florida heat indexes above 100 degrees to bring home a Championship too!

Hated missing her play.

The Littles enjoyed the cabin and it's basement with pool table, foozball, and their very own tv. And quite a bit of good old fashioned junk food!

We took them on a little hike walk along the river path.

Enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

And then to a little museum.

We watched a little football.

Ate too much.

And then headed home to be reunited.

Well, kinda sorta....Xin had plans with a friend.

Julia had plans with friends.

But we did all manage to sit together briefly and talk over the weekend.

Such is the life of a large family.

Trying to make the best of the moments we all have together.

I do hope we are making good memories for our kiddos!

A New Era

When a child turns 16 something happens.

Something BIG

And it happened in our family Tuesday

And off she went.....by herself

This picture sums up my life perfectly...my teen driving off and my pre-schooler holding her pink poodle and watching her go. A little sad at how fast they grow up. So glad I have a foot in both worlds!

Honestly, it has been SO NICE!

My life got a whole lot easier!

So proud of you Julia!

Love you my sweet girl!

123...and just like that summer is over

August 8th the littlest started school. Pre-K. Oh my!

My baby. My last.I had to swallow a few tears.

I have been in and out of this amazing preschool for 14 years.

Look at my sweet girl. Looking so darn big!

 The end of the first day. She did GREAT!!!!

August 11th, the next two started the school year.

 Jaida is in 2nd grade

Xin is in 3rd grade.

And then August 12th, the last 2 began.

 Sam headed to 7th grade and to school for the first time in 5 years. I enjoyed homeschooling him for those years. What a gift! But he was ready to go back to school and I am so excited for him!!!

  Julia is an 11th grader! A junior. It doesn't seem possible?????

 So glad these two will be attending the same school this year.

 And then......August 13th, ALL 5 WENT OFF TO SCHOOL!!!!!

I have not had a few hours to myself during the school day for 8 years!!!!

I was just a tad giddy about this.

I will have 12 hours a week without my favorite munchkins underfoot.

Can I just say that 4 hours that first day FLEW by!!!

Here's to hoping  the 2014-15 school year is filled with many wonderful things!

So far.....all are happy!!!

Including me!

When God grants you the privilege of being part of something amazing

I am speechless

My soul has a deep deep joy

Last year we went on a mission trip to Chenzhou CWI

There were some pretty sick kids there.

One named Sarah with whom our friend Megan cherished deeply

 And Julia fell in love with a baby with a severe heart condition

She named her Charlotte

Through God’s grace, He got them to New Hope in Beijing

The day after Charlotte arrived, she was rushed to the hospital for surgery.

They did not think she would survive.

She did!

She is a thriving toddler now.

We have been able to keep up with her progress as we are helping to support her at New Hope.

Julia dedicated her soccer seasons to Charlotte and raised over $2000 in donations to help fund her heart surgery.

We just got word that she is being adopted next month and coming to the US.

She is alive!

She will have a family!

She will be loved!

I sobbed uncontrollably.

I couldn’t get a read on what exactly I was feeling.

Joy.

You see it is such a series of God ordained events that led to this and I am so humbled He allowed flawed and sinful ME and my daughter to be a part of something so redemptively BEAUTIFUL!

He did not need us but He allowed us to be present  and to participate in this beautiful miracle!

My daughter got to witness His greatness at the young age of 16.

How I hope and pray she holds this in her heart throughout her life and allows it to grow into something even more wonderful.

Thank you God for this amazing reminder of your love.

How I wish I could let Charlotte’s birth mother know how her daughter’s story ends…..or just begins.

Sarah has also been given heart surgery and is also making tremendous progress!

She will be adopted next month and coming to the US.

What an amazing God we serve!

And just to add even more fabulousness to this story….

My sweet Angelina is still alive and will be heading to New Hope soon for surgery and care!

Then...weighing about 3-4 lbs. I gave her strict instructions and made her promise when I left to hang on!

Now......she made it! And on the way to get cleft surgery and some nutrients in that tiny little body.

A relationship was established between organizations and they are reaching out to each other

Trying to make a difference in these orphans lives

How much more beautiful does it get!

Thank you Lord for such a miraculous display of your grace and mercy!

Links to past posts concerning these sweet babies:

http://popsiclesandpopcorn.blogspot.com/2013/11/celebrating-life-and-red-thread.html

http://popsiclesandpopcorn.blogspot.com/2013/08/they-are-there.html

http://popsiclesandpopcorn.blogspot.com/2013/07/babies-are-beijing-bound.html

http://popsiclesandpopcorn.blogspot.com/2013/07/progress-and-praising-god.html

http://popsiclesandpopcorn.blogspot.com/2013/07/day-2.html