Half The Sky

One day an elephant saw a hummingbird lying on it's back with it's feet up in the air.

"What are you doing?" asked the elephant.

The hummingbird replied, "I heard that the sky might fall today, and so I am ready to help hold it up, should it fall."

The elephant laughed cruelly. "Do you really think," he said, "that those tiny feet could help hold up the sky?"

The hummingbird kept his feet up in the air, intent on his purpose, as he replied, "Not alone. But each must do what he can. And this is what I can do." ~A Chinese folktale

A foundation that has been near and dear to my heart for quite some time now is Half The Sky Foundation. Half the sky was created to enrich the lives, and enhance the prospects for orphan children in China. They provide training to local women who work in orphanages, to build healthy emotional bonds with the children in their care. Children who are held often, who receive affection, love, and attention, are able to thrive, and develop healthy emotional attachments as they grow older. Individual nurture and attention is as important to a developing child as food, shelter, and medical attention.

We have supported this charity for quite a few years now, and I have a half the sky poster in my house. Imagine my excitement when I learned that the orphanage that Mackenzie lives in is a Half the Sky center! I am so relieved to know that my little girl is held, loved, and treated with kindness and respect, because of where she lives.

Click here to learn more about Half the Sky, and the great things they are doing in the lives of orphaned children in China.

Why Wouldn't I?

Why wouldn't anyone?

Her Face

When I look at this little face, I am in awe. How can a little girl I have never met have my heart? I smile every time I see her beautiful little smile. It warms my heart that she looks so happy, and I pray that she is this happy more often than not. This little face, this little girl...I am in love.

Topping It Off

I knew the bay window was beautiful, and I knew it was happy with it's new treatment, but I felt like it needed a little something more, so I found some pictures of letters, and then found the perfect frame to put them in.

Ah, Spring! I hope it comes soon!

The Care Package

We have finally put together a little care package for Mackenzie. We aren't supposed to send much, but we wanted her to have some things!

So we got some disposable cameras, and a little picture album, with pictures of us in it. A little stuffed hello kitty, a small blanket, some bubbles, a birthday dress from my mom, and some candy for the nannies at the orphanage. We will send her a cake in a few weeks for her birthday.

I love the way the photo album turned out. We found the chinese characters online, and put them with the appropriate pictures. I am hoping that her nannies will show and read them to her.

One Month Ago

Exactly one month and one week ago, we were wondering if we were ever going to be parents. We were discouraged, and wondering what God had in mind for us. Then...

One month ago today we saw Mackenzie's face for the first time, and we have fallen in love with this adorable little girl. It feels surreal that this summer we will be bringing this little girl home to her family. Even though we have been waiting and preparing for her for months and years, no one told Mackenzie, and I know her little world is about to be rocked.

Please pray that her little heart would be at peace, and that she will be open to trusting, and bonding with us!

And pray that she will stay healthy until we can get her the surgery she so badly needs!

Thanks!

Just Because I Liked It...

Lamp Candlesticks

My friend was going to throw these cute little lamps away! (Don't worry, she got cuter ones)

So I took them, and then I realized I didn't need any lamps, I just love their cute little shape.

So I took them all apart, and now?

Now they are my new candlesticks! A little paint (what can I say, I see something, and I want to paint it black), and now I love them even more!

A Little Treatment

Our bay window has had the same treatment on it for five years. It was left by the previous owner, and I was too chicken to deal with it. There was nothing really wrong with it, I thought. I didn't love it, and I even hated it a little, but still I let it stay. Well, no more! After great thought and agonizing about what I wanted my bay window's style to be, I believe I have got it figured out. And after searching high and low at antique stores, I have what I want!

Here, I give you the before. This is the picture of Josh taking down the old treatment. I have no other pictures of them, because, really, why would I?

And here is the new treatment! Antique shutters, and grassroot blinds. It is much more "us", and goes better with our style.

Becoming a Mother

I didn't write this, and I don't know who did, but I know exactly what they were feeling when they did write it. And I cried when I read it.

There are women that become mothers without effort, without thought, without patience or loss and though they are good mothers and love their children, I know that I will be just as good, if not better.
I will be good not because of genetics, or money or that I have read more books but because I have struggled and toiled for this child.
I have longed and waited.
I have cried and prayed.
I have endured and planned over and over again.
Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.
I will notice everything about my child.
I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and discover. I will marvel at this miracle every day for the rest of my life.
I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold and feed him and that I am not waking to take another temperature, pop another pill, take another shot or cry tears of a broken dream. My dream will be crying for me.
I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child that my friends will not see.
Whether I parent a child I actually give birth to or a child that God leads me to, I will not be careless with my love.
I will be a better mother for all that I have endured. I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, friend, and sister because I have known pain.
I know disillusionment as I have been betrayed by my own body. I have been tried by fire and hell many never face, yet given time, I stood tall.
I have prevailed.
I have succeeded.
I have won.
So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs.
I listen.
And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely. I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth and when life is beyond hard. I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes.
I have learned to appreciate life.
Yes I will be a wonderful mother.


~Author Unknown

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Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Day of love, everyone! We are off on a weekend getaway, to the chocolate capitol of the US!

Pre-Approval!

We have received our pre-approval from China! This is much sooner than we expected, and were looking to receive it in the next 2-4 weeks.

What happens next?

*We receive our letter of intent (LOI) from the China Center of Adoption Affairs, and we sign it and send it back. This can take anywhere from two weeks to two months.

*Then we wait to receive our travel approval. This can happen anywhere from 1-3 months after we send our letter of intent.

*We travel 3-4 weeks after receiving our Travel approval!

We received a new picture of little Mackenzie, as well! She is so cute, and looks happy and healthy. I can't wait to get to her!