More photos from the Anniversary Party

50 Years!

My parents celebrated their Golden Anniversary! We had a blast at the party. My two sisters and their families were there and the children danced the night away. The D.J. loved us because he is used to elderly people who only want to dance the Fox Trot. We kept asking for loud dance songs and the boys impressed everyone with attempts at break dancing. We have decided we need a reason to throw a party every year! Congratulations Dad and Mom!

The Three Sisters: Kerry, Keve and Shannon
Kerry's family

Keve and her husband, Kerry Farrell

The Nelsons

Universal

The Nelson family spent Christmas week in at Universal. Visiting with the cousins and riding rollercoasters was a nice way to keep my mind off of Gigi and China. It was a fabulous time. Zachary had a little bit of a scare with high blood sugars and slight keytones for a few days, but we were able to get his sugars more stable by Christmas Eve. I actually enjoyed missing the Christmas hustle this year.

The Nelsons travel to the Holy Land

It is Day 6 of our vacation now. The weather has been rainy and quite cold for Florida. We are making the best of it. Swimming is possible if one stays in the hot tub! Yesterday, we went to the Holy Land park and it was pleasant. My favorite part was the scriptorium where you take a guided tour through the history of writing and scripture. It was very informative and interesting. The temple replica and Old Jerusalem were interesting. There was a passion play which was very well acted.

Wordless Wednesday

Table for 6

We are about to have our last vacation as a family of 6. Because of our travel approval being in January, we are able to take our vacation for two weeks! I have always wanted to fly to Florida, stay in a nice resort and visit the parks. So tomorrow we take off for sunshine and relaxation. I don't normally like to travel or vacation, but this one is so perfect, I am excited. I'll try and post pictures from Florida.

Travel Approval!!!!!!

We have Travel Approval!!!!! I am so relieved. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Everything is working out perfectly. We are actually going to fly to Florida and have a very nice vacation! Then we get to come home and rest for a bit before we head off to China. The kids get to have a Florida vacation, we get to go to the anniversary party and celebrate my parents and we get to FLY!!! Then the kids will stay with their friends (as they wanted) and we will get to celebrate Gigi's first birthday with her. I know I was acting silly last week, I just felt so much pressure and worry. It was so hard waiting. But now everything is working out, just as all my friends told me. I am so unfaithful sometimes! Well I thank God for his mercy.

We are still waiting for travel approval. Yesterday, I saw online that several people with our LID had their "gotcha day". I am so happy for them, but I can't bring myself to look at those blogs again. Some days I wish I were the logical type. These emotions of mine are a weakness in times like these. Oh, well!

Abby and I made some gingerbread cookies for her Church teachers. The children and all the activity is helping me to pass the time and stay distracted. She really loved decorating and even gave the gingerbread people hairbows. She is so imaginative.

An Epiphany

So I've been having this 3 week long pity party for myself. I've been an emotional wreck. My poor children. Normally I am an emotional person, but usually pretty cheerful. Many people gave me heart-felt advice and showed me a lot of compassion, but I still felt so sad. My hope would be ignited, only to be dashed. I was on a rollercoaster of highs and lows and was suffering panic over my worries. Lack of sleep Magnified my mood. So finally, Rob said something to me. It got me. He knows me so well. He said..." Shannon, people were hacked to death in the Congo today. What do you want to do about it? Do you want to adopt an orphan from Africa? As important as Gigi is, if you can't handle China, how on earth would you ever handle adopting an orphan from Africa whose parents were killed or died from Aids?" Now, the point really isn't whether we adopt from Africa or not, although I would love that. I just had the feeling....." You are so right!" This adoption isn't about me getting my sweet little girl home for Christmas. This is about doing whatever work God has prepared for me with diligence and perseverance. If you know me at all, you know I am a big softy, but when it comes to the welfare of my children, I will become stubborn and force myself to do the right thing.
So I set my resolve to be stronger and focus on being steadfast. Next, God opened my eyes a little more. Yesterday, I was reading some adoption blogs. I stumbled across a family's blog. As I read through their adoption journey from Africa, I realized that the referral of their tiny, sweet little girl had ended in grief. This little three month old girl had died from Malaria while they were waiting to bring her home. Their journey was not an easy one and was filled with hopes and with pain. But the story was not over. Several months later, they were able to bring home their second daughter and she is home with them now. I praise God for working his purposes in this family, even amidst tragedy.
So I realize what a big baby I have been. God is my refuge and my strength. May He alone be my joy.

Matthew and Zachary: best friends

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me

I finished Matt's transcripts for college today. We printed out all of the transcripts, coarse descriptions, work samples and even created letters of recommendation. What a feat! When I decided to homeschool high school, transcripts was one of my worries. I could I ever make them professional enough. I am so happy with the results! I am so happy that I didn't quit over something like this!

When Matt was born, he had serious complications which left his lungs unable to oxenginate his blood properly. We waited anxiously as the doctors decided overnight if they should fly him to children's hospital in Boston for a very tenuous treatment. Rob had his bags packed and we barely slept that night. He continued to be very sick for the next 48 hours. I begged God to let me keep him. I don't know why He did, but I am so thankful! Matt recovered. I have wanted him to be the Lords from the very beginning. He has turned into such a fine young man and a true follower of Christ. I am so blessed!

More places I caught the children reading...........................

Places I caught my students reading one week

I am so glad the kids love to read. The library is very glad too. We have paid so many fines over the years, I think we need an area named after our family! Happy learning!

Deuteronomy 6: 5-7

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Home schooling: No Child Left Inside

I am obviously new to the adoption community. While I am passionate about adoption, I feel like a bit of a novice. It is new and exciting, yet I am nervous and a bit confused! I remember when I felt this way about home schooling. I had so many questions and doubts.

How could I teach Matthew to read? How long would I be able to do this? Now looking back,those were some very sweet times indeed.

We celebrated our very first week of "school" by attending rollerskating. This was followed by a picnic lunch and a long hike at Potato State Creek Park.

We got lost and I had to carry one very tired two year old and drag a five year old until I found my way back to the clearing.

It's a bit of an allegory for me. I had no definite idea of where I was going, but I knew we were enjoying the view along the way together.

Looking back on that first week, I am so grateful for all the wonderful discoveries and even for the "lost" moments of the last 12 years.

There have been so many teachable moments along the way. It has not been a neat, "color in between the lines" kind of journey!

Some days I think I must have lost my mind! Then we sit down to dinner and discuss all the interesting books and ideas we have experienced together and I am so content! It is rich indeed.

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Some pictures of the family