The Fall

Lucy fell

Lucy always falls

but this was a bad one

this one was down our stairs

like all - the - way - down!

 

She hit hard

 

and so did I...

 

For you adoptive Mamas out there, you know the moment when you have that kick in your heart, the moment you have that "oh my gosh, I REALLY DO LOVE this child" moment?

Well today was that moment.

Not that I have not loved sweet Lucy, cause I have.

I loved her before we brought her home and I loved her when we met her and all the days after and the day we stepped foot into the R Hospital where she lived for 4 years, I knew that we would be ok cause this was so not ok.

Know what I mean?

Today though...

today was my kick in the heart moment when I realized just how strong, how deep, how real my love for this precious child is.

As I watched Lucy plummet down the stairs and land in a heap in the floor...

my world stopped

and I was terrified.

As I held her and comforted her and kissed away her tears and wiped away the blood on her lip and told her that she was ok and that I loved her and cried with her...

 

I knew...

I also knew that, even though she seemed ok, she needed to stay home from school...

I needed her to stay home from school... 

 

 

 and as she rested all tucked in on the sofa with a blanket and a doggie or two, her heart began to open up and she began to tell me a bit more of her story and I got my second kick of the day.

 

 

What Lucy told me did not shock me as I have heard many stories, heartbreaking stories, from other older adopted children and I saw first hand what I thought her life had been in China, so I was not shocked but still completely heartbroken for this beautiful child - my child.

 

 

Lucy told me that she would fall down all the time and that no one would help her.  She shared that she would fall in the bathroom a lot (here my heart broke as I saw what this bathroom looked like) and that she called for help and no - one - would - come.  

 

(heart shattered)

I asked her if her sweet BFF at the hospital would help her and she said yes.  This sweet boy, who is now home with his family (praise God), told his Mom that he would help Lucy up and down the stairs and pick her up when she would fall.

Sigh...

Again, heartbreak for my sweet girl and for her BFF as he was just a child too.  They apparently just decided one day that they were going to be big brother and little sister.  He took care of my girl!

Lucy told me that she would get scared in her bed at night and that she would cry but no - one - would - come...

She said that when she fell down and hurt herself, no one would kiss her and make it better and that they would be angry with her, always angry with her.

Oh sweet Lucy, would that I could have come to you...

 

 I know, however, that I cannot stay "there"

 

I know I have to be here for her - now

 

so we talked and we hugged and we cried and then we watched "I Spy" 

 

I know there is more to come and Maggie's story has really turned us inside out (more to come on that later) but for now, we just keep on coming when she calls and kissing her when she falls and loving her through it all!

 

This is why we have 3 more children than most people thought we should have had.

 

I cannot and I will not ignore their plight or His call.

 

Praying more will begin to hear this call and not just to adopt but maybe to help others who are adopting or sponsor a child or at least be supportive of those who do hear the call and choose to answer!

My heart is heavy for my daughters but I know they will be ok

My heart is heavier for those who will never have a Mom or a Dad to come to them when they call or kiss them when they fall.

Please pray for all of these precious ones who wait and all of the families who step out in faith and ignore the promptings of this world to follow the promptings of our heavenly Father.

 

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

It is not easy but we were not promised easy and nothing that comes easy is treasured nearly as much as that which comes out of true hard work and challenge and we are so incredibly blessed by our challenges right now.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

 James 1:2-4 

Micro No More!

So my 10th grader is playing varsity soccer this year!

Thank goodness it is varsity soccer and not varsity football!

I know, I know, I like watching football but not when it is my son getting tackled!

Yikes!

Once he decided that soccer was his sport....

 he worked hard...

and was determined to play varsity ball and this year, he finally got his chance.  He is playing for our local high school and still participating when he can with the wonderful club team that he has played with for so long.

This kiddo actually gets upset when his practices are cancelled or if he can't get to his 2nd practice of the night because his 1st practice runs over!

Yep, he is MY child!

Shhh, don't tell anyone but I am one of those strange people who actually likes to exercise, so I totally get him!

*grin*

He has not had his first official game yet as a varsity player but will next week and I will be there, camera in hand and heart in throat! 

Micro Soccer seems like just yesterday...

and now he drives himself to practice!

So varsity soccer, here we come!

I think I am ready...

 

 

I know he is!

Sunday Snapshot - Puppy Love

Lizzie is a girl after her Momma's heart...

She is my doggie lover and I have a feeling...

when she is just a bit older...

she and I are gonna get into a lot of trouble together.

 

 

 Like Mother - Like Daughter

 

To see more awesome Sunday Snapshots, go to Stefanie's wonderful blog here

 

Here Comes the Sun

and after one of the coldest winters we have had in a long while...

and a full week of rain...

 

we - went - outside!

It was wonderful y'all

We played soccer

 We threw a huge frisbee

We played chase

 We walked the dogs

 and we jumped rope.

 I even taught Maggie and Lucy how to make a wish with a Dandelion and blow the petals away.

I remember doing that as a kid and it was good OT for them both as they struggled to blow hard enough to make the petals fly away.

As we were getting ready to go in, Maggie told me that her wish was for Jesus to come and visit...

oh my sweet child...

I told her that Jesus is here and is always here and when I asked her where Jesus is...

she replied "in our hearts."

Yes baby girl - in our hearts!

A few minutes later, she found another Dandelion and told me that she wanted to wish this for her foster mom and she wanted me to blow it so the petals would be sure to fly away.

I made certain each and every petal was gone.

After all that this precious child has been through, the love of Jesus brings this beautiful heart out of the dark of her former life...

She is being restored and what a blessing to be able to walk this with her!

HARD?

YES...

but here comes the sun Son and the Light and Maggie is being lifted up out of the darkness.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

Happy Birthday Emmeline

My heart gets hammered this time of year as Charlie, Caleb, Em, now Lucy and Lizzie all turn another year older...

one right after the other and while I enjoy each and every year and each and every stage (well just about each and every stage)...

I do find myself missing the years that I could pull them on to my lap (without a struggle and in mutual agreement - hehe) and have them melt into my arms with a sigh, making everything in their world right again...

besides, every year gets us one more year closer to having 4 teenage girls in this house...

oh my...

staying in my "happy place" today though...

as Em turned 8 years old on Monday...

not 13!

Whew

I remember the joy when sweet Em arrived.

I also remember checking for "boy parts" as soon as they handed her to me!

Hey, after 3 boys, you would check too!

*snicker*

Sure enough, there were no "boy parts" and beautiful Em has lived up to her girl status but girl status with 3 big brothers...

which makes for a rough and tumble girlie girl who likes to have her nails done...

for her soccer games!

Gotta love it!

Em stole my heart from the very beginning and bringing her sister, Lizzie, home began to shape her's.

Even at a very young age, she got it and she is teaching me, y'all

Her constant and steady love and tireless care for her newest sisters has convicted my heart on more than one occasion.  I know you all remember the beach pictures

when my sweet Em went back to get Lucy, who had been left behind!

Yep...

convicted!

This was not a burden to my precious girl

just a privilege and a joy!

The Lord is already using you, Em, in mighty ways and I just cannot wait to see where He leads you.

Em, you are sweet and sassy, strong but soft, nurturing and kind and we are oh so proud of you.

 Your teacher told us on Monday, on your birthday, that you were voted student of the month for kindness and one of the reasons given by a fellow classmate is that, "you play with me when I am lonely!"

Oh my heart!

Happy Birthday my sweet inspiration.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Your light is shining my sweet love...

Happy Birthday!

Sunday Snapshot - Sisters

Snapped this precious pic at our 11 year old's soccer game.

Em and Lucy are tight.

Lucy is really too big to be carried by her sister, but that does not deter my sweet Em, who just wants to carry her everywhere...

not great for Lucy's legs but oh so great for Lucy's heart!

To see more sweet Sunday Snapshots go to Stefanie's awesome blog here,