Drama

Love me my Noel.  Love her.  Fascinated by her.  Entertained by her.  Loved by her.  But this girl has some drama going on!  I thought today that she might be getting her period with the way she is acting.  She is 4 1/2 going on 14.  Today, to punish me for not retrieving a craft because she had thrown a fit, she declared that she was not going to eat lunch.  It is difficult for me not to laugh because she thinks she will certainly get her way then: I mean, my daughter has to eat!  Imagine her surprise when I said I would miss her at lunch and she'd have another opportunity to eat at supper.  She stomps her way around.  She throws her head down in distress at the most innocent of things.  I think I may need to take her in for whiplash.  Noel: save the fits for real problems please.

A few days ago while in one of her "moods", I grabbed the camera.  She kept trying to keep her disgust going, but eventually. . .the camera found a smile.

Love

Love my girl.

Love my country.

Love my new camera.

Neighbors neighbors!

We've lived in our house for almost seven years.  We know the folks right next to us, but no many others.  I've been a little sad about that, but didn't know what to do about it.  I want my kids to go off and play with friends.  I want to walk on a summer evening and chat with people along the way.  That doesn't happen.

Last night it happened.  We got invited to a bonfire.  And we went.  Our kids ran around.  We were welcomed.  We laughed.  I was so nervous.  I almost turned around as we walked into the backyard and I'm so glad that we didn't.  Neighbors.  Sharing who we are.  Staying up late.  Going over names.  Then as we left, we were invited to swim at a neighbors pool today.  I almost didn't go.  BUT, we did.  I said a prayer as I walked into the backyard and Amy (the neighbor) said to me "Oh, I'm so glad that you came.  I was hoping you would come."  I thanked God.  We had a really nice time and were invited back.  Whew.

I'm going to try and step out this summer.  Folks have invited us over to swim or to play.  I tend to hide out and go find my friends that I know already.  I'm so afraid (introverted!) in situations where I meet new people and make small-talk.  Not.  This.  Summer.  I'm going to call and ask "Hey, is your invitation to come over still good?  When can we make that happen."  I'm going to ask "Can you remind me of your name again?"   For me and for my kids---we are going to make some new friends and I'm going to say "Thanks for inviting us."  I'll also bring popsicles.  Or maybe a bundt.

Tricia

Waiting for the second dance to begin.

I love my sister.  I love it that I get to dance with her during Tulip Time.  We do so great together when we see each other often--and during Tulip Time we get to see each other every day.  Love her.

I often thank God for putting us together--after all--He could have chosen someone else for me.  We have different interests.  We look different.  We sound different.  BUT--we compliment each other in a variety of ways.  She is my biggest cheer leader and I love her a ton.

Inheritance

The thought of an inheritance has been passing through my mind on and off over the past few months.  As you may recall, Gary's biological father passed away at the end of February and Gary was named the executor of the estate.  He has been working many hours and a couple of weeks ago, he was able to make the pay-out to the beneficiaries.  We were among those who received a check from Jerry.  It was large enough that we had to think about what to do with the money, but small enough that Gary most certainly went to work the next day.  We've spent some, saved some, and given some.  It has been fun.
I must say that I have struggled and grown from this whole experience.  I've been so grateful that we were included and yet I've fought against envy in that we were given very little compared to others.  I think God has really used this experience to challenge where my thinking and priorities are.  It has been good.  Really good.  I've landed in a place of complete gratitude for what Jerry gave to us as a family.  I've blessed God that rather than be given more money, Gary was instead able to have a relationship with Jerry over the past few years.  Given the choice: I'd choose a relationship. 
Though Gary and I are a long way from dying (we hope!), we have already begun to think about the inheritance we want to pass down to our kids. . . to our extended family. . . to our friends. . . to our church.  What are our values?  Do we demonstrate high quality relationships?  Do others see our commitment to God?  Will our kids bless God that they had an outstanding relationship with us and their inheritance is seen in their values, work ethic, spiritual walk, and general attitude about life?  Sure I'd love to be able to gift some money to them, but frankly. . .it won't be huge.  I pray that they see our inheritance to them as being much more than money.
When I look at Jerry's life, he didn't value relationships.  Seven people attended his funeral.  Almost everyone there was an employee (gardener, nurse, realtor).  Only Gary and a neighbor were there as friends and family.  Jerry chose vacations, making money, and time with his wife above all else.  He didn't leave Gary an example of what being a great dad was.  He didn't leave our family a wonderful example of what a Grandpa looks like.  Our inheritance from him was money, but little else.
I've been thinking about inheritance too because Gary's dad died just a few weeks ago.  His inheritance will be much different.  When we see mom next month, we'll celebrate his life and how he served His Lord.  We'll talk for years to come with our kids about Grandpa Larry and how he repaired the jukebox for them.  We share his and mom's faith journey and celebrate their testimony about God's amazing faithfulness in their lives.  
I'll soon think less and less about Jerry as the work of the estate gradually winds down.  I'll often think about Dad Petty as my kids grow up and Garrison himself carries Grandpa Larry's name. Gary has the same sense of humor.  We'll ride fast in a boat and hoop and holler.  We'll bless each other as we say good-bye.  What a great inheritance!

Only God!

Last week-end I was able to do what folks only dream about doing.  I met our sponsored daughter!!!!  I know. . .incredible!  After our return from China, Gary and I felt that we needed to take care of one of Simon's friends. ICC (International China Concern) took amazing care of Simon.  Though we couldn't take all of Simon's friends home with us, we could contribute to their care.  We inquired as to who was Simon's friend and we were matched up with YunYun.  Her picture was on our fridge for almost two years.  We received updates and there are pictures of her and Simon in Simon's China photo album.
We received the good news last summer that YunYun had been adopted and we found out that her forever family lived in Wisconsin.  We became friends on Facebook and I so enjoyed watching her bloom in her new home.
So when I read on Facebook that her family was headed to. . . Holland, MI for a conference--I was ecstatic!  We connected and joined YunYun (now Ava) and her family at a local hotel.  Though Simon only remembers her through pictures, she remembers him.  She ran out of the doors and greeted Simon.  He was a bit shy.  Many boys are when greeted by a beautiful girl.  :)  We took pictures and visited for awhile.  We were joined by another family who had adopted from the same orphanage, although their daughter had not been in the care of ICC.
After the week-end I received the best "mama" news of all though.  I'm thankful that these two kids both have homes now and aren't orphans.  I'm thankful that I was able to meet this person who has history with my son.  But my heart soared as I read something that Nancy, Ava's mom, wrote under a picture of Simon and Ava together.  Ava had remembered Simon and had told her mom that "he loved me".  We have been told multiple times about Simon's care for others in the orphanage.  To hear it from someone who remembers and was a recipient of that love--oh I pray that it never goes away but is instead fanned by the Holy Spirit.

Enjoy the pictures of our reunion/meeting!

Friends reunited after 3 years apart.

Isn't this just like a little sister?  She is trying to get him off the chair so we can take more pictures.

Simon doesn't want to stand too close--his eyes are asking me if they can just stand this far apart instead of next to each other.  :)  Ave is enjoying his coyness. 

Kimmy, Ava, and Simon.  He is looking good--maybe even comfortable.

Things are changing. . Ave is trying to hold his hand.  Uh-Oh!

Look at Simon's face!  He is touching a girl's hand!

Ava gets what she wants--and this was the last picture as Simon made his escape.

I finally got to hold and hug this precious girl.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, feel free to look up International China Concern.  We also plan to travel to China in 9 years with our family and volunteer for a couple of weeks at the orphanage.  Feel free to start saving your pennies to come with us.  :)  Our current sponsor son is Chuan.  He has a cleft lip and is waiting for his forever family.  We'll keep praying for him.  Maybe God will let us meet him someday.

No longer a baby

Happy Birthday sweet Penny!  Oh how I love you.  You are such a spirited and funny little girl.  You also drive me crazy!  God is teaching me all kinds of new things with you little one and I couldn't be more grateful.  Today you are "tswo" and for breakfast you had "cuck-cake".  I adore you and love being with you each and every day.

Here are a few peeks at Penny's first two years.  Amazing.  Just Amazing.  Who else could create this but God?