Michael's name

You have questions about Michael.  I do too.  :)

I got one thing cleared up today.  When we looked at his file. . .let me back up.  There is an agency in China that that puts together the paperwork for orphans.  Orphanages submit paperwork to the CCWAA and it gets translated and sent off to the shared list.  There are thousands of orphans with special needs on this list.  Michael's file was from when he was one.  One.  He is now five.  Ug. . . the tears come every time.

Anyway after our agency found his files they sent it to us via e-mail.  One file was the translated files into English and one file was the original scanned Mandarin documents.  I brought one of the original documents into school today and had Yingpu (my kids' teacher) take a look.  She told us the correct pronunciation of his name!  That is a gift to me indeed.  It was translated into English as "Chang" and we pronounced as we read it.  However, in Mandarin it is pronounced more like "Chung".  A name is so important and we like it when folks say our names correctly.  She even told us what it means.  "comfortable, smoothly, fluently, unrestrained"  It can be used by itself or added to other words to convey meaning.  I like it.  I pray that his transition goes smoothly and that he feels comfortable quickly.

Pick up the phone!

I have a problem.  It may not seem like a problem to you, but for me it is.  I don't like to pick up the phone and make appointments.  I'm way overdue for a dentist appointment. . . because I don't want to call.  I need to call for my kids too.  It has been on my to-do list for the past two months!  Every day I either forget (seriously) or decide to do it tomorrow.  I'm not sure why I feel this way. . .it took me so long to make the appointments for summer physicals for my kids too!

So after lunch today with Penny sleeping and Noel watching a video---I did it.  I picked up the phone and called.  First of course, I looked up the number in the phone book.  Yes, I still use the phone book.  I like it. I called the number and talked to a very sweet woman--the wife of the dentist.  This is a new dentist for me (my former dentist wouldn't fix my crown for three weeks even though it was cracked-"we have to check to see if it's cracked and then we can get you in three weeks later"-um. . . I can see the crack, I am spitting out pieces of crown, and I am in pain therefore you will no longer by my dentist) so I was taken aback when she explained that I had called her house.  Their home number was mistakenly put into the yellow pages.  I called with right number and left a message. Perhaps they were on lunch.

Then I called the number of the kids dentist.  I felt so great that I was doing it.  I had the calendar beside me and had some dates in mind.  They were closed for lunch.  Please call back at 1:30.

It is now 1:37.  I WILL finish this blog post.  I WILL then get up and not check other internet stuff and I WILL call back.  Yes.  I.  Will.

Eeeew

Get the kids off to school, put on a video for Penny (I am so thankful for my friends Dora and Kai Lan who entertain my Penny so that I can exercise and shower most mornings.  I don't even have to pay them!).  I rocked the treadmill and then showered.  I had to move this morning because I have Bible Study.  While drying my hair I gasped and then got all prickly all over.  There was a tick.  On my head.  Attached to my head and drinking my blood!  I began to cry and ran to the phone.

My sweet Gary. . . who drives all over every day between all points lakeshore. . . he was only 10 minutes away.  God is so very good!!!  I cried and snotted all over the phone and begged him to come home and help me.  He did.  He did.  I'm consider myself to be a pretty strong woman and can handle all sorts of things, but ticks on me--this I find a hard time handling.

While waiting for Gary I called the doctor's office, folded the boys laundry while on hold, and paced all over the house while waving my left arm.  (Don't know why, but it is what I did.)  The nurse told me to get it out and that I probably wouldn't get Lyme Disease.  Probably.  I should watch for a rash and for fever for the next two weeks.  I'm familiar with someone who has Lyme Disease and from what I can tell. . . it is horrible.

Gary got it out for me (I fell more in love with him as he took it out, killed it, and then hugged me while I cried again on his shoulder and snotted again).  I'm so thankful for a man who will come to my rescue.

Down with ticks.

My big Dad

I met with a new friend this morning for a bit and she was sharing part of her story with me.  It is a story of addiction and redemption.  A story filled with God's love for her.  A story of a flower rising from the ashes.  She is now serving God in mighty ways for the Kingdom.  She is helping other addicts. . . other criminals. . . the others.  I'm constantly amazed at the news ways I see to be servants in the Kingdom.

We were laughing together about our God and she said without missing a beat "Don't we just have the best Dad?"



I missed some of the next words because I was caught up on the Dad.  "Don't we just have the best Dad."  I don't often refer to God as my Dad, yet that is who He is.  I've been thinking about that off and on through this day.  Maybe I'm missing something because I'm not looking to my Heavenly Father as my Dad.  My earthly dad is still here on earth and we don't have a fantastic relationship.  Addiction has robbed us of that.  Choices on both of our parts have robbed us of that.  If I'm honest with myself, there are flaws in every relationship that I have.  Imperfections.  Troubles.  God is the only one who can be the perfect ____________ for me.  He is the perfect Dad. . . the perfect Parent.  He is the perfect friend: Thank you Jesus!  He is the perfect boss and counselor.  He is the perfect "whatever" I need.

So I ask you to my believing friends "Don't we just have the best Dad?"  To my unbelieving friends "I'd love to tell you sometime about the best Dad ever!"  Thank you God for being the best Dad ever.

:)

Isn't he a sweetheart?  Oh my heart falls all over itself.

Michael

Good Morning!  Are ya having a good morning?  We didn't seem to function in a fantastic way this morning, but hey. . .the older ducks are off and Penny is watching Dora and I'm blogging.  Good stuff.

I rarely blog in the morning. . . especially Monday.  I love my Monday mornings and find that I have lots of motivation to do house stuff so I'd better not waste it.  Yet. . . I'm here so something must be up.  It is.

I began this blog in 2008 right before we went to China to get Simon.  Folks (mom) wanted to follow us on our journey and this was a great way to share.  My intent was to stop after we got home, but we just kept on going.  Hard to believe it has been over four years.  Well. . . today we begin the journey again toward adoption.  Yes, you read that right.  Adoption.  It has come along very suddenly!  I've always kept an ear toward adopting again, but I must admit that I'm rather content where I am.  I love my two boys and two girls.  I love that we have four lockers and our truck fits six.  We all share a bedroom with a partner and our trailer just sleeps six.  It works for us and we love it.  BUT I've declared that God is in charge of my life.  I've asked Him to order my steps and because of that. . . my life is so much better.

I blogged a few weeks ago about a little boy who was going to be left behind.  Oh how I ached for him and wished that he could have a mom and dad.  Something about him grabbed my heart.  I wasn't sure what to do about it, so I talked with the Lord and with my amazing partner.  Together Gary and I prayed and talked and waited.  Then we received the answer: We are adopting Michael.  We love Michael.  We love our five kids.

We are so excited and eager and scared!  Frankly, this is a great place to be.  I know that only God can put this together.  There is so much paperwork: all doable.  We just have to do it.  There is so much expense.  Michael is priceless, but the shipping and handling is about $35,000.00.  I haven't figured out this piece, but a few friends have offered to help us do a fundraiser.  (On a side note--this will be very hard for me.  I help others out, but don't know how to ask for money.  I do know that where God leads He will also provide a way even though it might be hard.  More on this later perhaps.)  I'm not sure where Michael will sleep or how we'll be able to camp or where he will keep his snow boots.  There are all first world problems and we will figure it out.  I do know that he is our son.  I do know that God has given us the green light.  I do know that it might be hard.  I do know that our family will be better because we'll all be together.  I do know that I'll get to be a mama to a pretty special little boy.

Want to know more?  Here is the break-down.

Michael Alan Chang Sprick

Same orphanage as Simon.  (Woo-Hoo!)  It's like a true brother to Simon!

He is 5 1/2.

He has Treacher Collins Syndrome.  He is missing some of his facial bones so he looks a bit different.  We think he is very cute.

His left ear is completely closed, but the equipment might be there for him to hear.  We'll get him checked out when he gets home.

And that lazy eye--that's no big deal.  We'll take care of that for you son.

He is three months younger than Noel, but he'll be a grade behind her.

I love him!

So there it is--our Monday morning announcement.  I'll post a big picture of him tomorrow perhaps.  I think you'll fall in love with him too.  Will you praise God with us that this one is no longer an orphan?  Our friend Kyla told him that he has parents and she said he gave her the biggest smile ever!  Oh I just want to hug him!  Will you pray that Michael will begin to know us in his heart already?  Prayers as well for paperwork going smoothly and funds acquired and God's perfect timing with traveling.  We praise God that our agency was able to find his file.  We praise God that when he comes home he'll have siblings that can understand him and communicate with him and translate for him.  We praise God that He is knitting our family together in ways that surprise and delight us.  

Thanks friends.  Thanks for walking with us.  Feel free to ask any questions.

Happy Birthday Penny

My baby girl is three.  "Free" as she would adamantly tell you while holding up anywhere from three to five fingers.  She has wanted to be three for awhile and has insisted that she was at times.  The girl has an opinion and isn't afraid to share it.  I hope that never stops.  I hope I can teach her how to share opinions with grace, but I hope she never stops sharing what she believes.  I adore her.  Seriously.  She is unlike any other child I have. . . much like every child I have.  Unique.  Different.  So necessary for our family to function.  Each child fills a spot in the puzzle that is our family.  Penny is funny and strong and silly and a do it herself kind of girl.  When she gets an idea in her head--watch out!  She has thanked God every night since August for the beach.  She has since added Strawberry Shortcake, the Doodlebops and Cinderella to her nightly list of thankfulness.  She'll do things when she wants (cough cough potty training!) and then she'll do them well.  She adores me and I love her for that.  She is playing better and better with others.  She tries different foods.  She loves to sing and still will stop to listen for music.  Her curiosity  about the world around her has taught me in so many ways.  I love seeing through her eyes and thankfully, she loves to tell me all about what is going on in her head.  Her hair is crazy beautiful--she gets that from her father.  She idolizes her siblings and learns far too much from them--she doesn't miss a beat.  The child gallops most of the time when she needs to get from here to there.  She loves to get "one more hug" and I let her.  Her kisses are the best (dry and closed mouth) and her breath is sweet in the morning when she still snuggles with me.  I can't imagine my life without her and pray that God never lets me experience that here on earth.  She is truly a special gift from God.

Happy Memorial Day 2012

She loved the pool as long as she could touch.

Umbrellas belong in the house of course.

A favorite!  She still squeezes my neck so hard and I love it!

Dancing at a soccer game--dressed in her finest.

She was able to really participate in Christmas stuff this year.

I can't work in the kitchen without Penny being involved.  Sometimes her involvement is too involved.

Playdough=hours of free time for mom.

This is the night she decorated Noel's face with lip gloss (see the bit of shine?) and then fell asleep next to her.

Praising Jesus in her sleep!

Dancing!

My girls

My little girl is three.  I love you so very much.