"life cycle egg hunt"

Just to be PC 

 Ryan and I joined Mason's class for a CHILLY egg hunt

They are ready for Spring Break!!! Now if only the weather would feel like Spring!

Guess who is going to China with us?

If you grew up in my house, you would know I love to pack. I got this from my Nerna. She was the queen of early packers. My poor grandfather would have to wear the same outfit over and over again before leaving on a trip because she would have already packed his things, weeks in advance.
Weeks before going on vacation, I like to start my list. Now with 3 children to pack for, I actually have a spreadsheet I update after each trip. Just to make sure it's perfect ;)
Don't be fooled. My daily to-do lists are not this fancy, nor do I even use one (regularly). It's only for the love of packing. For this reason, I actually don't mind camping. It's packing to the extreme ;)
So, with my first major international trip in the near future, you can only imagine. Not to mention I have been waiting to buy little girly items for 8 years a long time.
I have found plenty of lists online from momma's travel to their little ones. They make me look like an amateur list maker ;)
I have a bin in the Sugar Plum's room that I have been adding to over time. It has been fun and helpful to have one specific place to keep them. The newest item added is this precious handmade doll. I bought her here from a mom of three boys ;)

The doll will be making the journey with us, in hopes of coercing Sugar Plum into my arms. It is very likely she has never seen a doll before, so it may not work.
We still don't know exactly who else will be making the trip to China. This is turning out to be a bigger decision than I ever imagined.

Dinner Conversation

Mason- "When I have kids I am going to be a really nice daddy"
Owen- "How do you know you are going to have kids?"
Mason- He looked completely taken aback and said, "everyone has kids"
Owen- "No they don't"
Mason- "Well, then I will adopt from China."
Owen- "I might adopt if it weren't so expensive. I don't agree that people should have to pay so much, to do a nice thing."
Me- "So if you were in an orphanage with no family, you'd want to be left there?"
Owen- "uh, no, but it shouldn't cost so much."

Adoption is always on our minds. And I love this. Even at the age of 9, he hit the nail on the head. A huge reason people don't adopt is the cost.

God is showing me how faithful he is to provide for the orphan and for those who care for them. I think it’s tempting to see the cost and turn our heads the other way, but by doing that we lose a chance to see just how big our God is. Sure, it is important to be wise stewards of what he has given us, but we also must remember it is His in the first place. IF God is calling someone to adoption or hosting, He will provide the way.

Wish I were a Little Bit Taller

Owen came home from school yesterday, very excited to tell me that the hoop on the playground had been lowered enough for slam dunking. And he was eager to go back and play. We rarely go anywhere after school unless it's for team practice/game. But considering it was a decent temp outside, we headed out after homework and Ryan's nap.

Oh, the power ;)

Not quite lowered enough for Mason

 

Ryan did not watch the entire time. He played on the playground :)

Forever

Seeing Sugar Plum again has stirred emotions that I didn't expect. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I am hoping if I sit down to type it will come out.

For weeks, I have been struggling to remember that I am not just preparing for 1 trip, 1 first meeting, 1 first hug and kiss (if she will let me) 1 set of gotcha day photos taken, etc.

I am finding it easy to compare to the preparations of a wedding. There is a lot of prep, a lot of waiting and then... THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. I still remember the moment (once we took off on a plane for our honeymoon), I realized I should have been more focused on my soon-to-be-marriage than my fleeting 6 hour wedding day. Not b/c something bad had happened, but because I had lost all sense of perspective.

This feels very similar.

Awhile ago, I complained to a friend that I felt I was always praying the same things for Sugar Plum... that she would be feed, kept safe, be healthy and loved, etc. And while all those are good and necessary for my mama instincts, she basically told me to be praying about the rest of our life together ;)

So when I look at her new pictures, I am struck by the reality that I DO NOT know this little girl. I had memorized her in the original pictures and apparently convinced myself that I knew her. Well, yesterday was a stark reminder that I do not. And while Owen reminded me that I didn't know him before he was born, I still can't shake the new found fear.

I don't know why this is suddenly hitting me. Perhaps it's because we are getting closer? Perhaps it's because our family's picture ironed onto a blanket is in the hands of a precious child in China?

Perhaps it's because we are welcoming a complete stranger into our lives forever!

I can look at her pictures and search intently for all the "good" I can see. It looks clean, she looks well, she is smiling. For all I know she was placed in the best spot in the orphanage for these pictures.

I have been haunted by some photos recently taken by families there now who are receiving their children. As much as I would like to think these places are ok. Growing up in an institution without a family is not ok.

I am terrified about what it will feel like to leave all the other children behind. How can I possibly only bring 1 home? Will this haunt me for the rest of my life? I suppose, I hope it does. Because 1 less, is NOT enough.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord. Psalm 117:2

My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

I am forever His. May this change who I am, forever.

My Birthday

Snow on my birthday! Crazy! 

This is what it looked like before dinner.

 

And after

 

I had a wonderful birthday. I felt very celebrated and loved.

Breakfast with 2 dear friends. 

An impromptu lunch at our house with mom, sister and Alex.

Dinner out with just us 5.

Played in the snow AFTER dinner b/c school was cancelled for the next day.

And to top it off. New pictures of my little girl!!! No word on LOA. But she got our package and we have pictures of her with items from the package. Alleluia!

What a way to start my 35th year ;)

JuMp jUmP

 

As far as b'day parties go (in our immediate family), this was a big one. I am blaming myself, the distracted with China, mama, who was happy to take something of her plate ;) I did not have to clean the house, organize games and activities and feed a bunch of loud, energetic boys. It was perfect for this season. And they had a BLAST!

Even Ryan joined in the fun!

I jumped for about 3 minutes. Man, what a workout!

 Mason, loved the dodge ball arena. Boys!

 It was a fun bunch of boys!

My mom and sister joined us. I wasn't the only female ;)

 Oh my goodness, where oh where, has my little boy gone?

Let's Go to China!

Sugar Plum is 19 months old today!

We received the sweetest note in our birthday box from our dear friend, Rebekah. I LOVE the "Let's Go to China" My sentiments exactly! I can have our bags packed in a few days. Let's Go!
Rebekah, we are SO grateful for your prayers and the way the Lord is growing in your heart everyday. I would love you to be at the airport! No pressure ;)

No word yet on the LOA or if Sugar Plum has received our package. I am constantly battling conversations in my head about waiting patiently, asking forgiveness when I am not, and pleading that word comes soon. I am SO thankful He knows best. The next set of papers will be done and waiting ;) I think today is 50 days.

Looking Back

When I was pregnant with Ryan, I created Mason's baby book with Mixbook. It only seemed fitting to do Ryan's while waiting for Sugar Plum. Not to mention his 3rd birthday is right around the corner ;) I used Mixbook again. Aside from their misleading discount advertisement, I love using them. It is beautiful and I love it. Ryan loves it too!

Here is a few pages:

Love this little munchkin!

Owen Turns 9

 He is 9 today! Unbelievable!

A couple of months ago, Owen won a Tony Dungy autographed football at an "All Pro Dad" event. I wasn't there to witness his excitement, but apparently he was on stage receiving his prize before EJ had even finished reading his own raffle ticket number ;)
Well, today he received a glass case to replace the cardboard box it came in. Now we can Ooo and Ahh all the time ;) He also got a new DS game!
His party will be on Saturday. Tonight he will celebrate with baseball practice. The hardships of a true athlete ;)

This past weekend we were at a party celebrating my cousin's engagement. Owen was the oldest kid at the party. Kind of the odd man out. Thankfully for college basketball he didn't mind at all. At one point, during the adult's sit down dinner (kid's were playing elsewhere with a babysitter) EJ elbowed me and pointed to Owen. He was sitting on the couch watching the game (that several other men were wishing they could see from their spot at the dinner table) and HE WAS HAVING A CONVERSATION with my uncle and LOOKING AT him. Be still my heart! This is HUGE. He is growing up! We are so very proud.
Lot's of other reasons to be proud, but I can't possibly list them all ;)

Jumping for Joy

Thank you to our church for starting an adoption fund and matching our fundraising up to $1500. Thank you to our friends and friend's friends who generously gave on our behalf. Thank you to God for being so faithful! He is advocating on our behalf and our daughter's behalf. We are blessed!

Hokies Season Completed

Another season comes to an end. But not without already being 3 weeks into baseball. Ah... the life of a cheerleader, taxi driver, mom! He has informed us that he has outgrown Upwards and will be moving on next winter. Sadness! Really this translates, all my friends play elsewhere. This church is not close by, but we go b/c that is where our neighbor/friends go. Their 4th-6th grade program is very small, so I understand. We'll see! He had a great time.

The performer was amazing! 

Below, he is spinning the ball on the tip of his thumb and doing a handstand.

St. Patty's Day

Green Pancakes!

Green Hands! 

Messy hands are a sign of a great artist ;)

The crazy Irish Fogarty's went out for Chinese food on St. Patty's Day ;) Just getting some practice ordering more authentic food. Owen and I are nervous about eating in China. We have our Chinese AMERICAN favorites and tend to stick with what we know.

For the Grandparents

My lack of photos has caused some complaints ;)

He has been coloring up a storm.

I am loving these days with just him.