An Early Christmas Present

Six years ago today, someone asked me a question that changed both of our lives forever- "Will You Marry Me?"Well, I don't think I have to tell you my response, but I will share some of our story.

Nate and I ironically went to the same University; however, we never met each other there- even though we later found out we had mutual friends. Once we both left school and entered our careers, it would be several years before God would allow our paths to cross.  For me, He had to take me literally around the world and back before I would "find" Nate or be ready to meet him (I had almost given up hope that there were actually great guys still to be found out there...but I'm oh so glad I was patient and didn't believe that little thought...good things truly come to those who wait).  Fast forward to a move back to the United States, a new job in DC, and several months later this "new guy" moving to the same area for a job offer. Hmmm.... let's just say it didn't take long before we met, became friends, started dating, and well, as they say- the rest is history.  

So our engagement? Here's how that memorable December 16th unfolded. 

A few days before December 16th, Nate told me that a friend from his work was starting his  photography business, so he wanted us to take some pictures that Saturday evening for his portfolio (or at least this was what I was told) The funny part is, I wasn't too into the idea at all, but went along with it anyway. (of course this was Nate's way to make sure I was "photo ready" for such a big day)

So, on Saturday, I headed out to do some Christmas shopping and Nate told me to meet him at his house at 3:30 so we could find "this guy's home".  I was a little late (surprise, surprise) from my Christmas shopping adventures (and was probably giving Nate a heart attack at this point since he had everything planned out and I had no idea what was to come) so once I arrived we headed out to find "Mr. Photography" and meet up with him. (not knowing that this guy doesn't actually exist)

After a short drive, we arrived at this location at the top of a hill and Nate acted like he couldn't find the house and long and short after "searching-for-the-guy-who-never-existed" he sends me walking one direction and before I know it, he calls out- I turn around and he is down on one knee, holding out a ring, with the sun setting behind him (he knew that I loved sunsets). Unfortunately, I think he's joking at this point and kept asking him "Are you really being serious?"  (I really don't know how many times I said that, but I know it was enough for him to say- "shhh....just let me talk for a minute" (haha- excitement/nervous energy I guess) and then he proposed and someone got an early Christmas present.

After he proposed, he played a song for me, then said we had to go somewhere. 

We jumped back in the car and ended up at a little gift shop to which he says "I thought it would be fun to pick out our first Christmas ornament together, so we headed inside. Little did I know, but he had already designed an ornament w/ the shop owner and ironically I walked in and headed right towards a certain Christmas tree where this ornament was hanging (I was drawn to the tree because of the color and had NO IDEA he had an ornament hanging on it).  As I'm just looking at the tree, I suddenly see my name on one of the ornaments and realize that it's for us- with our names on it, the date, and the statement "One Promise Lasting Forever"painted on it. 

And then there is a box under the tree that he tells me to unwrap and this is what I found inside...

I'm then pulled to another location where all of the ladies who work in the gift shop, and who helped pull this off, are standing (and just a little giddy might I add in light of what's happening).  I notice a gift box on the counter and realize it has our photo in it.  (it also had some wedding magazines and some tickets to an upcoming bridal show-- yes, he pretty much thought of it all so I'm going to brag on him for a minute)

After all of the fun at Zazu, we headed to a Christmas light show and an ice skating rink. To wind down the night, he had prepared dessert, complete with candles and rose petals to top of the evening.  A keeper?  I definitely think so.

So as we reflect on today, I know we can both say we have grown so much closer as only time can do.    

I am thankful for....

Who he is    
The godly example and leader that he is
What he means to me
 Who we are together

...and pray that the years ahead will be just a great as those in our past. 

The Christmas Adventures of "Instagranny"

Yes, you read that right and I did type "Instagranny" because this post has a couple of quick Instagram photos we took on my phone tonight of my grandma. This evening was a "date night" with Nate and "granny" [yes, we do call her granny sometimes- and yes, Nate was a great sport to share a date night with me and my grandma (#coolhusbandpoints)]. My grandma has always loved Christmas time and Christmas lights, so we decided to take a trip to see her and take her to look at Christmas lights in a nearby neighborhood. 

(Disclaimer: this very wildly, ahem, "festively" lit home pictured below wasn't one we came across with her (she might have jumped out of the back seat if we had), but rather came across in our city-- and trust me, this photo isn't even the half of it nor does it do it justice as to what it truly looks like- just think lots of bling, blinking, and animated things down an entire block. I was just thinking I'm glad I don't live beside this house or I might never get any sleep)

Now, if you think a little child enjoys looking at Christmas lights, I do think my grandma has them beat. I think she must have thanked us about 100 times for taking her out to look at the Christmas decorations and lights, complete with all of the "ooohs & aaahs". 

I have to say that I think that I have two of the cutest grandmas ever...and sure, I know that you probably think the same about yours, and you're allowed to think that; however, both of mine are too cute in my opinion (well, most of the time anyway). As we drove around, she was just loving every minute of the glistening white lights, the colored lights covering every inch of some homes, and listening to Christmas music. (to which she has not forgotten the lyrics to -might I add)  She continued to remind us how much she loved this time of year and just wanted to have everyone around at Christmas. We were also reminded quite a number of times that she couldn't believe it was almost Christmas. (to which I agreed and panicked because I have much to do in a few short days!)

Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's years ago, and as anyone knows, you continue to see things progress over time. Tonight was the first time that she didn't recognize which granddaughter I was. (but at least she remembered I was her granddaughter,right?)  Oh she tried and tried hard- she recognized my face, but just couldn't connect my name with my face tonight. 

What I did find somewhat funny, though, is how she could remember Nate's name (once I told her which granddaughter I was). I told her she could always remember a good looking man's name somehow. (this is our family joke as she always is joking around about finding a boyfriend even at the young age of 80+  -although she has clearly told us there are no good prospects at the assisted living home)  

When I asked her what she wanted for Christmas this year--- her response?

"A good looking man"..... "with lots of money".  

Oh, Alzheimer's may have stolen some things, but her sense of humor and energy, not so much. It was the typical response one could expect from our funny little grandma.  So, I hooked her up at the end of the night with a good looking man and took their picture, what do you think?

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Last night was our community group Christmas party. Now, we all know that anytime you gather a big group of married couples together with a wild mix of personalities, it is going to be a crazy very calm  and serious night. (ok, maybe not so much) Though they do look rather calm and serious here, don't let those faces fool you. We might have lost a few of those "pre-Christmas pounds" with all of the laughter throughout the night.

**In order to protect individuals- no names will be mentioned in this post**

As you know, when a big group gets together during Christmas, you must play the ever-famous "White Elephant Gift Exchange"  (a.k.a.find the worst thing in your home or that one wedding or birthday gift you really didn't like and wrap it up to bring to the party) and with every round of this game year after year, no two times you play this will ever be the same. Last night was no exception.

Now, granted, it's always nice when a few people actually bring something someone will want (as was the case w/ about 3 gifts that luckily Nate and I seemed to open each time; though "somehow" they kept getting stolen from us all night. 

(again, no names will be mentioned in relation to stealing). 

 Here is a run down of some of the crazier/random items of the evening:

A life-size artichoke

(I mean, doesn't EVERYONE need an artichoke sitting around the house?)

A Singing Rabbi

The "Abominable Snowman Hand" Ice Scraper

Of course let's not forget.....

Packets & Bottles of Hot Sauce

Gigantic Fuzzy Pink Slippers

A Huge Medical Law Book

Spy Glasses and Mustache Kit

(and you know these were the first ones everyone wanted to play with after the game)

The Spyglass Telescope(which Nate ended up with as you can see)

The Christmas Oven Mit w/ a Whisk filled

with Hershey Kisses(pictured below w/ a note "We Whisk you a Merry Kissmas")

And what man wouldn't want

A big ball of Yarn?

AND......

 A Partridge in a Pear Tree

 ok not really, but someone did get a 

Toy Cork Pop Gun

(which turned every guy there into a little boy again)

The faces and the gifts they are holding say it all don't they?

Of course, the guys couldn't have all the fun....

What's not to love about Christmas parties and this fun group?

 

Notice there is no "all male" photo-- they were too busy playing w/ their toys!

From our Community Group to you- we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy this wonderful season of the year with family and friends!

A Christmas Box

Ok, so I know that when we were all little, we were told we shouldn't brag, right? Well, today I'm going to brag on my church for just a moment. I think every now and then that's ok, right? Today, was the culmination of one of our Christmas outreach projects at our church- "Christmas for an Orphan".

Artwork created by Kids Point Children

which is sponsored by an organization our church supports- World Help. Like several other ministry organizations, World Help collects Christmas shoe boxes that families, churches, and individuals pack with toys and other daily essential items (toothbrush, soap, lotion, bandaids, neosporin, children's tylenol, etc.). These boxes are then distributed to orphans and less fortunate children around the world. 

We had to laugh, as we were shopping this weekend for our box items, that there is such a great difference between what goes into a "boy box" and what goes into a "girl box".  As you probably guessed, Nate chose the boy stuff and I focused on the girl stuff.  As we were looking through items and talking about what to get, Nate said that we had to get cars and trucks, lizards (since we happened to see those), a soccer ball, a dinosaur, wild animals (plastic ones of course because what boy doesn't like wild animals) among a few other things. Now, here is something we came across that Nate said every boy loves to play with because it is a little boy's way of teasing little girls (a.k.a. flirting) The picture says it all (and I'm sure some of you have some childhood stories that come to mind) 

**WARNING: If you don't like critters, scroll very quickly past this next picture**

I'm not going to tell you if this ever made it into the box or not...

that will remain a mystery.

Nate also informed me that what boy doesn't like loves flashing things and flashlights, so when he found the lizards and a little flashlight, he said that the little boy who got these would be the "cool kid" particularly because he had a flashlight. 

though quite a contrast from part of our "girly stuff"...

Today was the last day for individuals in our church to turn their boxes in or bring "loose items" for the boxes. All "loose items" were being used in Kids Point as one of the activity stations for children, where they would help pack a box for another child in Guatemala.

 The response from our church was overwhelming. Box after box poured in during our services...

 and numerous bags of items were also donated for our children's ministry to make boxes during their Christmas festival.

There were art supplies, pencils and sharpeners, pens, notebooks, 

coloring books, markers, headbands/hairbows/rubberbands, bracelets, stickers, dolls, cars and trucks, stuffed animals, and play dough, to name a few of the items represented. (of course who could forget candy!)

Toothbrushes and toothpaste, neosporin, children's cold medicine, children's tylenol, soap, lotion and hair care items were also donated.

 Children came through the various stations and chose items for either a boy or a girl and then packed their box...

This year, the Christmas festival had a global theme and children made different crafts as well as took home a Christmas ornament as a reminder that Jesus was born at Christmas for everyone and loves children all around the world. 

As always, our Kids Point staff and volunteers did an amazing job today in preparation for today's event. (I'm allowed to brag on them too, right?)

The boxes will head to World Help in the upcoming week...

Hundreds of boxes were collected (of course the official count will remain a surprise until our pastor announces it in the services). We are excited about how our church stepped up in such a big way this year. One thing unique about our partnership with World Help is that all of the boxes that our church packed this December, will be distributed by individuals in our church who will be heading on mission trips to Guatemala in 2013. They will be distributed in the village of Curva Del Pino.

We are thankful for such a generous church family and know that each gift will bless a child in need. There are several other projects our community groups and church have been blessed to be a part of this Christmas, which not only include providing items for children overseas, but providing Christmas gifts/items for children in need in our local school systems throughout the city. We also look forward to our local food drive that will take place during our two Christmas Eve services. 

To those who participated in this year's Christmas projects- we say thank you and are so very proud to be a part of such a loving and giving church family!

Dates & Memories

There are some dates that we will always remember for various reasons.  Some are days of great excitement and joy with wonderful memories while others are dates that we wish we could go back in time and change. Today is one of the days. December 3rd will always hold significance to my family for more than one reason. Last year, Nate & I decided to announce something special on a day that otherwise, was one that for the last four years had been a sad day in our family. On December 3rd, four years ago- heaven gained one of the sweetest uncles to walk this earth. He had fought a very hard and difficult 5 year battle with cancer. Our loss was heaven's gain and without a doubt, we know that this wonderful Christian man of faith, was welcomed by our Savior and joined other family members that had gone on before him. His life was evidence of that.

A year ago today, Nate and I announced to my side of the family we were adopting from China and though it was exciting for us, we also knew that on this very day held difficult memories for my mom's side of the family.  We decided to call my aunt this time last year, to share the news with her since we knew it was a difficult day for her and thought it might be something to make the day a little better. (as we had originally planned to share our news with our extended family when we saw them at Christmas) Needless to say, it made her day and she was so excited to hear the news.

My uncle Kenneth (a.k.a Ken, Papa, Buddha (don't ask about this one, really-- he had many aliases) was an incredible uncle and the kind of man that every one around him couldn't help but love. He was just one of those people who lit up a room when he walked in- with his sweet personality, his hilarious sense of humor, and warm smile.  People naturally gravitated to him.  

Pictured in Green with his brother and sons

You never saw him angry (although I'm sure there were occasions, you just never saw it often) and he always had a funny story to share every time you saw him. Though my dad doesn't have siblings, Kenneth became the brother my dad never had and became a part of our family in a way that many uncles don't always become. We grew up sharing many holidays with him, my aunt Sandra and their children. Oh could we share some stories of hilarious Christmas times and other family get togethers. I'll save you the details, but he was always the life of the party for sure. (and for us poor children, we had to keep him and my dad under control when the two of them were in the same room- it could get a little wild and crazy-- especially when his horse "Invisible" was around!)

He was an incredible family man. He was the example of what a father and husband should be, and had a wonderful relationship with them.  He loved to be with his family. His relationship with God and with his family were of utmost importance to him. 

.....and he loved his wife, Sandra. He was always the sweetest caring husband and I know that my aunt Sandra could share far greater stories than I ever could of what a kind, gentle, and loving husband he was. They shared many wonderful years together as a family and they both strengthened each other in different ways during his battle with cancer. She was faithful to stick by his side through the difficult moments until the end and as she would tell you, he would quote Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

We all shared some special moments in the hospital before God healed him and took him to be with Him, but the last words he said to my aunt was, "I love you and I'm going to miss you so much". I'm sure those were difficult words for my aunt to hear, but I'm pretty sure he's enjoying his new home much more than his home here. He's more alive now than he has ever been and he has many relatives who look forward to seeing him again some day. 

This is truly the beauty of knowing where you will go when life here on earth is over.

Kenneth, you were loved and are missed greatly- family gatherings just aren't quite the same without you. We know God healed you on December 3rd, just not quite the way we all had prayed. We look forward to the day when we will see your sweet smile again. 

A Year Ago this Week

Several days ago, Nate and I were reflecting that a year ago this past week we submitted our application to our agency to start the adoption process and were approved the day before Thanksgiving. As we were reflecting on that along with what Nate chose to speak on last Sunday at our church, the video I'd like to share today, just seemed to fit together. I'll get to the video in a moment, but wanted to share a little about Nate's sermon last Sunday, that in some ways ties into today's video clip.

The sermon topic last Sunday was taken from the book of Nehemiah and illustrated how when Nehemiah took on the project of rebuilding the wall, it took many individuals linking arms together for a joint purpose to get the job done. Though one could certainly take a number of great truths from the story of Nehemiah (vision, prayer, joining together as the body of Christ to accomplish a common purpose to name a few) Nate's message focused on the importance of the body of Christ, when it comes to accomplishing ministry locally, regionally, and globally as a church. Oftentimes we see so many large, daunting needs in our local communities, in the lives of families within our churches, and even large scale needs around the world that we may just choose to buy into the belief "I can't really make a difference as the need is so great". 

The truth is- alone you may only be able to change one life, but by linking arms together with others in the church, together we accomplish greater things and can have larger-scale impact than through what we may be able to do as an individual. As we've been studying through this book of the Bible as a church, our church body has grasped the importance of this truth and in the past several weeks, we were able to see a large number of needy families in our community adopted for Thanksgiving this week, by providing a Thanksgiving meal to them on Thursday. Our church also partnered with a ministry to help provide disaster relief items for those affected by Hurricane Sandy in the Northeast. Together, more lives were impacted than if we had tried to do it alone.

This is part of the calling of the church and it's always incredible to see the church becoming what it was meant to be- a place of restoration, healing and hope for those who are hurting; yet, reaching out to meet the needs of others around us.

I'd like to share the incredible video below by Dr. Karyn Purvis who highlights this very idea of how the church can make a profound impact as the body of Christ- TOGETHER. She highlights how the church and those in it aren't supposed to be perfect and people's lives will oftentimes get messy. Her comment towards the end of the clip from her meeting with Congressional leaders is quite impactful-

"This problem is too big for our government, we need the church". 

I can speak both on a personal level as well as on a professional level through my work on how much I highly recommend Karyn's resources for those who have children from foster backgrounds, adoptive backgrounds, or children who have come from "hard places"- a term she has coined. Her ministry and years of expertise in working with children who come from these backgrounds are invaluable. If you do any work with children or are a family looking into foster care or adoption and aren't familiar with her resources,  I highly recommend them to you. I would also highly encourage you to consider attending one of her conferences if you are able. You will gain valuable resources and learn so much that will help you better work and minister to children from different backgrounds.

Please click the link below to watch this powerful video.

Thoughts on Black Friday

On the day after Thanksgiving, there might be a few words that immediately come to your mind…

Black Friday (which this year we actually chose to avoid)

Crazy Shoppers
"I ate too much"

Lack of Sleep because you stayed up all night to get that “that amazing deal”

Thanksgiving Day Leftovers
"I ate too much"

 The Start of Christmas Movies on TV

Getting out the Christmas Decorations

Listening to the First Songs of the Christmas Season
Did I mention eating too much?

 For me, personally, Thanksgiving leftovers might be one of the first things that comes to my mind the day after Thanksgiving.  I must say I am a very big fan of Thanksgiving leftovers (well, quite honestly I enjoy leftovers any time really) However, in enjoying “my Thanksgiving” for a few more days, I know that what is on my table is not the same in other parts of the world. We so quickly hurry Thanksgiving day along and can so easily get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Black Friday and the commercialism of Christmas that we fail to spend time to truly reflect on the things for which we truly should be thankful for- one of which can simply be the food we put on our table.

Let me explain what I mean and expound on a thought that most likely many of us have rarely considered when we sit down to enjoy our leftovers after Thanksgiving Day.

Consider this- the orphan’s table.

Now, you are probably wondering what exactly I mean by this, but let me take a moment to expound and give you a wonderful resource for your children, youth groups, small groups, and families- one that will help to teach a simple truth of gratefulness and will impact you and your family far greater than “just words”. 

I’m sure that many of us have never paused to think about what an “Orphan’s Table” looks like the day of Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, or in general every day.  For most of us, we have an abundance of food, but for street children or orphans, many have little more than a simple meal of porridge or rice in many cases. My first observation of this came when I traveled to work in India. The photo below will be forever etched in my mind as staff at this orphanage, home to more than 600 children, took out large metal buckets of food to dish out to the children. Each child sat on the concrete floor and ate their meal out of a metal pan while flies flew all around. This is basically what they ate every day with very little deviation.

Oh the days before digital photos were the norm - :)

I think about our table yesterday during Thanksgiving (minus food, of course, as you can see below)

and I think what a great contrast the above photo taken in India looks like in comparison to what our Thanksgiving table looked like yesterday. Yet, this is the reality of what life is like for many children and adults around the world from day to day both in our own country and around the world.

It has been said:

Experiences Impact us far Greater than Words.

I can honestly say that these seven words hold an incredible amount of truth. You can certainly hear someone talk about any topic they choose, but until you experience it yourself they are but "words" to most of us. I would encourage you to check out the incredible resource and link below that comes from Christian Alliance for Orphans (which the organization I work for is a part of)  as it explains how you can have an “Orphan’s Table” event or host one with your family, children, or church.

An Orphan's Table

Orphan's Table Prayer & Discussion Guide

It’s quite a simple idea, but one that can be so impactful. Here’s how it works:

In order to focus on what a meal might look like in other parts of the world, gather your family, children, friends, or small group and create a very sparse setting where your entire group will eat a very minimal meal together (one that would be commonly shared by orphans around the world- i.e.- rice or Gruel ) and during the meal discuss the issue of orphans around the world, and center on Scripture and a time of prayer for orphans.  It will certainly stir up thoughts and spur conversation towards the things that we take for granted and for which we should be thankful. We hope you will find these resources to be helpful to your family or to your church.

For those of you who are curious, here are a few testimonies from other churches, youth groups, and families who have participated together in “An Orphan’s Table” on Orphan Sunday and throughout the month of November:

“The best part of our experience was hearing the children praying for orphans.  Praying that they will get a hug before bed, praying they might get to eat some watermelon or pizza and listening to them talk about how good their lives are and wanting the same for children without families. Hopefully we planted seeds for a lifetime.”

“We had the most incredible orphan’s table experience with our own children.  They were so worried about being hungry, as we fasted before we ate the lunch, and did not eat again until later that night.  We were really able to see the light bulb come on in their hearts and minds as they put themselves in the place of children all around the world who are hungry.  The verses and questions that went along with our evening were amazing."

“We hosted 'The Orphan’s Table' for 30 teens.  We started by talking about inconveniences they may have experienced this past week.  They shared experiences such as the pencil sharpener at school being full, the pizza being cold at lunch, people driving too slowly on the road, etc.  We then talked about the inconveniences that orphans face and that we were going to partake in a typical orphan meal.  They were asked to line up and walk through the kitchen to get their meal, and then take it to the garage to eat.  They sat on flattened cardboard boxes, with plastic bowls and drank water out of “dirty” cups.  It was silent as the girls looked at the food and it dawned on them what real inconveniences might truly look like.”

If you’ve ever hosted or participated in a similar event, we’d love to hear from you! 

Our Big Thanksgiving Announcement

Thanksgiving... 

(and Day 22 of National Adoption Month)

A day set aside to look back over the year and all that God has done in our lives. In our reflection, our minds went back to a year ago today, when we announced to part of our family that we were adopting from China. (we wanted to make this announcement in person last year, so we shared with Nate's family on Thanksgiving day and my family the following weekend)  The day before Thanksgiving last year, we received a call from our adoption agency that our application had been approved to adopt from the China program. It was somewhat surreal just hearing them tell us we were approved to begin moving forward. (even though we knew we met the requirements, there was still that feeling of "I just want to be sure they approve us") We didn't want to announce it to our families until we at least had the "green light" from our agency.

I remember both Nate and I being so fidgety (or maybe it was just me) during Thanksgiving dinner last year knowing we had a big announcement to make, but just trying to figure out when the "timing was right". Certainly, I don't know what it feels like to be pregnant and 'keep the news a secret", but I think the way we both felt this time last year having kept something this big a secret for several months, we were ready to tell someone. When you know something that's as big as this it's so hard not to "slip up" and say something on accident in day to day conversation, so we just knew the sooner we could get through the next few weeks of sharing with family- and then our friends- the better.  To make this special announcement, we had planned it all out as we had wanted to purchase books for our parents to give to them with the "announcement" inside with a note that said:

 "Please read to me when I arrive from China and come and visit you- Love Baby Rockey"  

Truthfully, we weren't even sure our families would actually "get it" so we decided to add one more little item into the book hoping it would clarify what message we were trying to get across. [obviously those within the China adoption community are all too familiar with this commonly used photo (albeit a little over-used), but even still- we decided to print it off and attach it to the book hoping that along with our above note and further explanation in a short letter, it would get the point across without confusion.

Just to be clear, this is not real and was not a picture of "our child in China" 

Well, no matter how much planning you do to try to make something work out the way you sometimes want, it doesn't always turn out the way you intend. We had purchased the same book for both sets of parents in advance ( a book about a little girl being adopted from China) and were having it shipped to Nate's parent's home; however, we got a call the day before Thanksgiving that something had occurred with the shipping and the books would not be arriving and both of us were just a bit disappointed and frustrated as we had purchased an actual "child's storybook" that has an adoption message in it- and thought it would be perfect. So we cancelled our order, and here is what transpired.

We were in a scramble to find a book for "our announcement" so we spent time online and on the phone trying to track down this particular book we had previously ordered and had only a few hours before everything would close for Thanksgiving. We wanted to try and find this book or at least one that was 'adoption themed' for a child. (in case you are wondering- there are scores of children's books written for domestic and international adopted children to help them learn about adoption or that have adoption related themes- another post for another time) 

Let's just say we went from store to store striking out each time and of course because we were out of town and weren't familiar with anything around us, we thought what any good book junkie would think " if I can't find it here, Barnes & Noble should have something that would work." (well, that was our logic anyway) So several hours later, we went with "Plan B" and went to a nearby town (since we were slightly in the middle of no where) to look for another option. 

Much to our dismay, even Barnes & Noble didn't quite come through for us on this one. 

SO............what did we do you ask?

We opted for a children's book about different countries (though sadly, China was not actually in the book- we figured this "global children's book" would still do the trick, so we put it together and prepped everything for "our announcement". After Thanksgiving dinner, while we were all sitting around in the living room, we decided to make our little announcement.

Safe to say, there was a lot of excitement in the air, a lot of shocked faces (and a few confused ones, to which we had to clearly explain what was going on) and one very excited "Aunt-to-be" who lives in Asia and was excited about having a Chinese niece. It was certainly a fun ending to Thanksgiving last year.

So fast forward to this year's Thanksgiving-- in lieu of being new homeowners, we hosted Thanksgiving at our home and part of Nate's family and part of mine were able to join us this year. It was a full day of food, laughter, conversation, and thankful hearts.

To our other family who couldn't be with us this year:

 You were missed. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

To our soon to be daughter halfway around the world:

 We don't yet know who you are or when you will arrive, but we hope next Thanksgiving you will be sitting at our big long table enjoying your "first Thanksgiving"(and we'll be sure your uncle doesn't eat all of the mashed potatoes so that you can have some)

At the close of this Thanksgiving day, we have much to be thankful for.  We could all sit here for hours and list the things we can be thankful for and the ways in which God has so richly blessed us, but at the close of this day, I'll just list a few:

I'm Thankful for:

A wonderful husband... 

who loves and supports me more than I'll ever comprehend. Who sees me for who I am and loves me despite me "being me" sometimes. Who has such a giving heart and passion for life and people- AND who still willingly helps me hang 'another thing' on the wall because I can't do it by myself. [this last one is just for you in honor of 

being two months- post move :)]

Loving Parents & Family...

who joined us today as well as those who could not be with us. We are blessed to have such wonderful family in our lives and are always thankful for each of them and how they each mean something different to each of us in different ways. We wouldn't be where we are today without each of them.

Precious Grandparents...

that though they may be getting up in years, they never cease to amaze me sometimes with their witty comments or what they are still able to do. Though my grandfathers are no longer living, it is special to have two grandmothers that are living and to have the privilege of knowing Nate's grandfather and grandmother as well. I'm thankful for each of my grandparents (both those who have passed and those who are still with us) and their godly examples throughout my life. I'm thankful for a grandfather who served in the military and gave me the freedoms that I enjoy today. 

Today's Technology...

Let me explain on this one, but I must say that I'm also thankful that we have incredible technology today which allowed me to see my cute little grandma "Facetime" on the Iphone with my sister in TX today. She may not have understood how it works, but the reaction--Priceless.

A Wonderful Church Family...

who we are blessed to have the opportunity to serve alongside.

My Freedom...

and the opportunity to live in a free nation that, at present, allows religious freedoms. May we never forget that our "freedom" was not free for another.

God's Abundance in My Life...

and all that we have so richly been given by His hand. We have a home this year that He has provided for us while many around the world don't have. I have a job that allows me to work with incredible people, an incredible ministry, and place precious children into adoptive families.  

Though this list could continue on, both Nate and I close this day with thankful hearts and hope that each of you found something in your day today for which to be thankful. From our home to yours- Happy Thanksgiving.