EAT!

One of our dinners out we went to a Hibachi grille. We thought it would be a big treat for the kids to watch their food cooked at the table. As you can see, Sawyer was NOT impressed. 

 To much sun and a little bit tired mixed with a picky eater? Let's just say he won't be traveling to China any time soon.

 Though he did TRY a few new things, and the rest of the family ate it up!

Our cook was really fun! 

Another evening we ate at a HUGE seafood buffet. The kid's all (ok 2 of them, who don't care for seafood, shockingly NOT Sawyer) whined about it. Till they saw that it was unlike ANY buffet they had ever seen and realized that they could find just about anything they desired. I was proud of them for trying crab legs, YUM! (I forgot camera so no photos) 

We are thrilled that there is a Jersey Mikes on every corner around here! This was our favorite sub shop when we lived in Charlotte, and the kids were quickly convinced that it is now their favorite too! 

Sun!

The thing I enjoy about Myrtle Beach vs other beaches we have been to is that it is like having  Branson (for those at home) with the ocean. We LOVE sitting on the beach. But we also LOVE having options for the evenings. It is a good mix for our family. Relaxation when you want, things to do when you want.

 We have had perfect weather for out time here, and really the crowds have been low, which is always really nice.

 Just enough people for our kids to make friends. Of course.

 The biggest issue we have with the beach is that all of them truly believe they are mermaids and have NO FEAR of, well, ANYTHING. They especially love how rough the waves are. Wave pool anyone?

 We have done lots of digging

 LOTS

 We have buried and buried. (can't claim the pigtails, she is a cutie though!)

 Sage has made it her mission to collect LOTS of shells. 

And clams! She wanted to keep them all but I said no way, they were making to much noise! ;-) 

Beach=Relaxed!

I've been to lazy to download any photos, and when I finally did tonight, our Internet is out. But we are having lots of fun! Sun, sand, pirates, magical adventures, trying new foods, RELAXING!!

Vacation Day 2-Augusta with the cousins

Marks brother lives in Augusta and this is the first time we have been down to visit. It is so hard to be away from cousins, so time spent together is super special. Many of you prayed for their family when they lost their home in a fire one year ago. I know it was hard for Amy to lose so many precious things, BUT we love their house and the kids all agree they just have so much fun happening here! 

 They took us to a park where they decided they would be tree huggers.

 And rock climbers. 

 This reminded us of Johnson Shut ins, beautiful! 

 Matching cousins! 

 Getting cooled off. 

 How many people can you fit in one van? 

 They fed us well! Dessert before lunch is our favorite! 

 Cake, YUM! 

 We have major pool envy going on for sure. 

Fun in the sun! 

And on the go karts! 

 Tired out from all that FUN!  

 Hanging out

 Watching fireworks! 

Graham is about the same height as Malaine, she is on a hill! 

Good times, never enough time. But next stop is the BEACH! 

Vacation Day 1

I guess technically day one was yesterday, but since we did nothing but DRIVE, I don't count it. Though I have to say, it was not a bad drive at all. Which is a first for me EVER to say that with 5 kids in the van. They did great, nothing broke down, I wrote a few blogs, good day. 

(the flags are our travel timeline, we moved a bus each flag every 100 miles. Totally stole that off pinterest!) 

But today.... 

We made it to Augusta where we are spending the weekend with Marks brother and family. Before we arrived at their house, we met up with some new friends. You might remember Makenna and her special baby from our trip? Well today we met her family! 

This is NOT the same baby we met almost a year ago! LOOK what love can do! They asked if she looked bigger, or has changed alot. She is still a tiny peanut, but she just looks loved. She looks content. She looks like she just fits perfectly in their family. 

 She came to me and let me snuggle on her and oh she is adorable! How do you put into words holding this child in her home, surrounded in love, remembering the last time I held her?

 And God, how He works things out in ways that only He could do! Makenna really loved this baby girl. And then to find out she would go to a home with a big sister her own age? Not to mention that she would be in the town her uncle lived in? Really amazing.

 When Amy contacted me, I knew we would be fast friends. We share so many of the same passions. SO so thankful that our paths have crossed.

 Two spicy Chenzhou girls!! 

10 children, 2 families, beautifully designed by God's plan. Connected by His grace. Thank you Amy for your sweet hospitality! We hope to visit again!! 

School is out!

This month has been pretty emotional for me.

My babies?

Are done with kindergarten.

I am not sure how that is possible.

I swear just yesterday I was crying my eyes out that they were STARTING school.  

And now they are done?

We told Sage either she has to stay in kindergarten one more year,

Or we were going to have another baby.

She struggled with the answer on that one.

She is VERY excited to go to first grade.

But she REALLY likes being the “baby”. 

Because babies are really loud.

And stinky. (in her words)

She knows we are joking of course.

Though nothing makes me want a baby more than all these graduations.

My oldest?

Done with 8^th grade.

Which also means done with homeschooling.

In August she will go to High School.

PUBLIC high school.

Some will breath a sigh of relief.

Some are disgusted with me. ;-)  

Never really particularly cared what anyone had to say about my children’s education.

Besides God.

It is a whole post on its own.

So while I am excited that we survived Homeschooling, and the girls did so great at school, I am just not excited by the fact that life is just flying by.

It seems not that long ago Makenna graduated kindergarten.

And for goodness sakes, didn’t we just fly home from China with Sage?

Wasn’t I just praying for God to change Marks heart and let us bring home Mavery?

You know the saying days go so slow but years so fast?

It is proving more and more true as I get older.

Mark tries to convince me that no matter if we add more, eventually they will all grow up.

My response of at least it stretches it out does not phase him.

Regardless, time marches on and as we end this school year with bittersweet feelings, we are celebrating with a week at the BEACH!

With a stop to visit cousins and some Chinese "sisters". 

Hopefully a chance to blog. 

Relax, smile and ENJOY our time together. 

Team Ten!

Last week we had our tickets booked to China, with 9 team members.

We had hoped for ten, we had prayed for ten.

LOTS of people were praying with us that we would have ten.

And while many kept saying, that #10 is coming, I was over it.

I was frustrated because I WANTED 10.

We really needed 10.

We believed for 10, but time was up. 

Last week it was time to book tickets and so we bought 9 tickets.

And the flight grew longer this year I swear it did.

Tuesday I got an email from a member that went last year.

AND the year before I might add.

We celebrated her 15^th birthday in China.

I think she is more mature than me.  

So she emails and said she feels God is telling her to go, is it to late?

I think I cried.

I did not want to get to excited because, well, because.

Wednesday she emailed she was on Team Chenzhou 2012!!

I did cry right there sitting in the nail salon.

Because God….

Heard our prayers.

Knows our needs.

Presses on hearts and speaks even at the last minute.

Thankful for these YOUNG girls who are willing to sacrifice for these kids.

Thankful for parents who are willing to believe when God speaks to a 15 year old.

(Lord PLEASE help me remember this with my own children!)

Thankful for all those who prayed and believed that number 10 was out there.

Even when I did not.

I can now officially say Team Chenzhou is COMPLETE!

50 days and counting!

Want to help the orphans?

Last year we were so blessed with donations of stuff to take to China. From all over the USA we had donations to share with the kids. The nannies. Pretty much any one we might encounter while traveling. 

But there was one problem with all that stuff. Getting it over there. 

Our goal? Carry on only and use our checked bags as donations. That was a bit easier for some than others. 

We have thought long and hard about this whole donation thing, and our conclusion is, while it is FUN to give them a show in the China airports.

What would REALLY be easier is to take over CASH donations and BUY the supplies there! Because most of it IS made in China. ;-) 

And there happens to be a store right next to our hotel, where we can purchase all those things they need such as formula, diapers, wipes etc. 

So, if you want a way to help us out, please stop by our team blog by clicking here..

EVERY little bit helps us out. But most important, it helps out the kids, and really THAT is what this is all about. 

Humbled

I have a post to share about how we are now at NINE on my China team! Go God!! But I had to share how God has humbled me lately through my team.

This weekend I was going through and checking on some funds for a team member in her account. (you can pay into your account over time instead of paying it all at once). I noticed that this member was almost to what we estimate the trip to cost and I suggested she might not want to put any more money in until we know for sure what the total will be. There are no refunds with how we pay in our money and I did not want her to lose the over flow with how hard I have watched her work.

She replied to my note saying she wanted that overflow to help the others on the team, and that she knew another big chunk was coming she was getting ready to put in.

This is a young girl, in college. I have not yet had the privilege to meet her as this is her first trip. She has never been to China and just randomly found the trip and felt God say GO.  These young girls on my team, I am certain God placed them there for ME to learn from. Because I am sure there are MANY things a girl her age could use the extra money on. But she is choosing to SHARE it with a team of people she does not even know.

Humbled does not even BEGIN to express what I feel.

Team member Number 9 is a sweet girl who went last year. Who is getting married in MAY. So originally she thought there was no way. You know the whole newlywed thing, no money, college students etc.  But then God called and she listened. And so she will return with us.

Humbled.

I have others on my team, young girls. Both are returning, again. Working to save the money. Trusting that the Lord will provide. Young girls who could be using that money on things that most young girls are spending money on at their age. Using the time they are working to have fun with friends. And they never complain. They are SO excited to return.

Humbled.

My own daughter, 14 years old. I suggested maybe going every other year makes more sense. Would give her more time to save. Would give her more freedom. She said she was going, would raise the money. (and she almost has!) She tried out for color guard at school but told them she would not be on the team if it meant giving up church activities or her China trip. How many 14 year old girls are willing to do that?

Humbled.

All of my team members are just willing to step up and do WHATEVER is needed. The prayers, the work, the love & the patience they are putting into the trip is amazing.

Humbled.

It is such a gift to be able to be the team leader. Sure I am the one who is supposed to be leading. But in reality, I am the one who is taught by them. For some the concept of traveling with a group of people you don't really know is to much. But for many of my team? They are going blindly, just following the call and trusting the lord will provide a decent room mate in China! ;-) Parents and husbands are letting their daughters and wives GO, knowing God is in control. Being obedient, even when it does not make sense.

I am humbled.

Please meet my new Chenzhou family at my team blog. 

^{Phillipians 2:3-5}

³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

We are Dave Ramsified!

Or in other words, DEBT FREE!!

Besides our house.

But other than that? We don't even have a car payment!!

Let me go back a bit.

When we started our adoption journey with Sage, we were blessed to be able to pay for MOST of our adoption.

But not all of it. So we just "made payments" on a small loan.

Then, when I saw Maverys face? Well, that was one of many of Mark's hold ups.

We were not quite done paying those payments from our first round. And there was no sight of any big money coming to pay even part of her adoption.

So, we did what many people do when they need adoption money.

We did some fundraising.

But that did not cover it all, or even close.

We took out a loan.

We went in debt. 

Then Mavery came home and needed so many things.

Praise God her first heart surgery was covered by our amazing insurance.

But her attachment therapy was not. Nor was her Sensory Processing Therapy. Not to mention the other 4 kids and their needs.

Marks amazing insurance turned not so amazing, and in fact we took a pay cut with the economy cutting out, well, some of the paycheck we were used too.

But that did not mean our bills stopped. You know heart surgeries are pretty necessary when the doctor orders them. As are Mark's brain scans each year.

So that small debt grew bit by bit.

Add to all of this that in our relationship Mark has always been the money person. Me, not so much.

My theory is, he makes it, I spend it.

It worked well for me. Till I had to return from the spending.

About a year ago I was pushing another adoption.

Mark was not and it was the money, the money, the MONEY.

Mainly the lack of and debt we were in.

My reasoning was, LOTS of people live in debt. It is the American way after all.

And really, would God look down on us for spending money we do not have on an ORPHAN?

But when we were praying over this child last year, something clicked.

If it was all about the money standing in our way, well, I could fix that.

And so the Lord changed my heart and opened my eyes to MY spending.

He brought out the sin of our debt.

He showed us that we were a slave to our debt.

And I refuse to be a slave to anyone besides Jesus Christ.

We felt we needed to put the house up for sale to start. We would sell the house, downsize and that would help us to get it paid off.

So we put it up, and NOTHING happened. Lord, what is the deal??

Then our church offered a class called the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.

Which cost $100 just to join. Seemed like a total rip off to me when you are trying to SAVE $$.

But we went. And while we had been doing pretty well on our own, the class was exactly what we  I needed.

Sure, Mark learned quite a few things too, though he had always been good with money and investing.

But me? I learned much more.

The number one thing I learned?

By submitting to the budget, I was submitting to my husband. 


I could SEE the burden on my husbands shoulders lifted when I stayed in our budget each week.

We had no more fights about money.

Well ok, we had fewer fights about money.

Because I am still a girl. Who likes to shop.

But let me tell you, when you ONLY use cash? It changes everything.

Shopping is not nearly as much fun when I know that the cash I carry is IT for the week.

We put Dave Ramsey's rules into practice. We followed his debt snowball.

We were frustrated when it seemed that EVERYTHING was breaking down while we were TRYING to save money.

But we first saw the light when our van needed work. $600.00 of work.

We had $500 already put away in our car emergency fund.

It did not hurt hardly at all when all we had to come up with was that extra $100.

It actually felt REALLY good.

We were doing well and figured we were on target to pay off our debt by the end of 2012. Which was a miracle when just 6 months before we had our house for sale and were ready to downsize!

And then, Mark's work gave him a bonus.

IT PAID OFF THAT REMAINING DEBT.

Marks first words to me were, do not think we now have money.

Our budget stays the same.

And I get that. I am GOOD with that.

While we are thankful God allowed us to stay in our house and pay off our debt, it still is a higher payment/tax payment than we want. But it is ok, we budget for that.

We are saving up cash for the car we need to purchase.

We are putting as much away as we can for college. Weddings. Life.

AND we know God has put a calling on our lives for orphans. We have no idea what that looks like, but we want to be ready when we need to be. If it is simply to GO on mission. OR if it is bring more home.

Now, I know that MANY people will say, WELL, my husband does not get a bonus (true story, said to me today). Or we just don't make enough to save or blah, blah, blah.

Yes, Mark has a good job with a nice paycheck. BUT. We also have some nice sized bills to pay with that paycheck.  I don't take for granted what the Lord has blessed us with financially.

AND I do not doubt for ONE MINUTE that GOD gave Mark that bonus.

Maybe, because we were willing to lay it down. Give up our house. Not go on vacation. Give up our free spending habits. I.HAVE.NO.IDEA.

But I do know it was from Him and I will sing His glory.

It also makes me angry. IF we had learned the rules when we were young and starting out, where would our lives be now?

Giving away more, I hope.

 Sending teenagers on mission trips that so badly want to go but can't afford it. (something on my heart)

Going to China a few times a year to love on orphans.

Maybe adopting MORE.

No looking back though. Instead we look forward.

To a life honoring to God and remembering it is all from Him.