Letting Go...

This photo was taken a week ago on our last day with Barron. For a number of reasons God has asked us to let go of something that we treasured. It was extremely hard for our family. But He came along side of us and provided  a very good home for Barron. He has a new family that treasures him like we did. We are so thankful for that, but it is still bittersweet. Funny thing is...I never thought of myself as a horse owner, but I really loved it. It sort of changed me. Horses are just an amazing part of God's creation. The fact that He could design such an animal points to His majesty and supremacy. No wonder His Son will return to this earth riding a horse....

Two Teenagers Now!!!

Logan, my newest teen (and Penny)

Hunter and Barron

Well, this weekend officially made me the mom of 2 teenagers.Heaven help me!!! My Logan turned 13 over the weekend, joining her 15 year old sister, Hunter. Personally, I think the teenage years can be a challenge. I would take the" terrible 2's" any old day. The secret??? Whatever it takes to keep them walking with the Lord even though the World is constantly pulling them in other directions. I long to enjoy these years to the fullest, but their are days when I hang my head and feel  failure pressing in. Praise God for His grace and mercy over and through our situations!  Praise Him that He loves our children even more than we can imagine!(Praise Him that I won't have another teenager for 5 more years!) Anyway, Logan had a very good time celebrating with her family and grandparents. We are THANKFUL to have this young lady as our daughter. Happy Birthday, Logan... we.hope and pray that this is your best year yet!!!

How Beautiful!

My husband and I (and the rest of the family) spent last weekend in a little country town seeing Randy's eldest daughter (Elisa) get married. We also photographed the event...no stress here! It was a beautiful ceremony and Lisa was completely elegant in her gown. She was a radiant bride if ever I saw one. Randy and I also took her portrait the week before. Yes, you heard me right, I said the WEEK before the wedding...no stress here! I could not help but be reminded that this year marks 20 years of marriage for me and Randy. Twenty years! Is it possible? It also brought to mind that a successful marriage makes Christ the center. I can look back at the ups and downs and give thanks that He was ever present for us to lean on and still is. Randy and I wish all the happiness and joy in the world to Elisa and Ryan.
The new header photo is of Kate looking out of the church where the wedding took place. This church was built in the mid 1800's and overlooks the graves of Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers.

WANTED: This Video Says it All

WANTED: This Video Says it All

If you have 8 minutes.....please watch this.

Valentine's Day Question???

Anybody out there know of anything SEXIER than a man who will take another man's child as his own...give that child his energy , love, guidance and support in every way??? A man who would give that child something very precious.... his last name.... and the reputation that goes with it???  Me either!!!!  
                                      (Just a little plug for my valentine today.)
Lisa

Chinese New Year Celebration

Two Saturdays ago we all went to watch Hunter, our 14 yr old, dance the double ribbon dance at this year's CNY celebration. She was the token white girl dancing but it doesn't bother her so it doesn't bother me. I have to admit, however, that I did wonder how many people in the crowd thought she was Chinese and had albinism. Anyway, my girls are allowed to dance because we are a part of FCC here in Raleigh. FCC stands for Families with Children from China and since we have Olivia, we qualify . Olivia was not dancing this year as she would rather do a double back hand spring than twirl. Oh well. It is a lot of fun to watch these girls dance , but sobering to know how drastically different their lives would be if families had not stepped up and adopted them. So much talent and beauty and potential and wonder in these little lives. Praise God that they are now in a place where they are appreciated for the treasure they are. So many are still languishing in orphanages. It's haunting.
On another sad note, Olivia , a few years ago, did dance the Scarf Dance with about 30 other 4 yr old Chinese adopted little girls. This year there was no Scarf Dance. I thought they had just done away with it because it was a lot of work (can you imagine teaching 30plus 4 yr olds to dance??/) and they didn't have the teachers to do it. But no...there was no Scarf Dance this year because there were no 4 yr olds signed up to dance, presumably because of the massive slowdown  in adoptions out of China over the past few years. Tragic!!!

My Kate Turns 4!

Unbelievably my littlest girl  turned 4 last week. We just happened to all be sick with what we thought was the flu, but what turned out to be just a rogue virus, so there wasn't much of a celebration on her actual birthday. (Yeah, now we can still catch the flu!) So, this week, we celebrated with Kate's friends at ballet. It was just right. Eight sweet kids, a wonderful hostess (thanks Jody) and Duncan Doughnuts with sprinkles...just right!!! Kate ...this is your mother telling you to stop growing now!!! I don't want you to get any bigger!!! Not one bit bigger!!! Happy Birthday sweet baby: )