Be Still My Heart

My cowgirl

A couple years ago she told me that she wanted to be a cowgirl…actually it came up when Rob surprised me Mother’s Day 2010 with a Skype visit with Mari while she was still in China and we were waiting for our Travel Approval. I was completely tickled by this silly little thing. She was so silly, but my goodness she was so smart. I was telling her about her bedroom and I told her that I picked out a beautiful pale blue color for the walls and that her room was finished and waiting for her. She asked me what color blue and I told her it was “Cowgirl Blue” and she said “oh, because I love horses?” I said “sure”. I had no idea that she loved horses.  In fact I thought to myself when in the world would you have had the opportunity to have seen an actual horse, but either way she said she loved horses and her room was a beautiful pale “cowgirl” blue. Perfect !
Well over the last year and a half Mari has told me at least 100 times that she wanted to be a cowgirl. It’s always accompanied by a doctor, a surfer, a mommy or something else, but cowgirl is always the common thing that she wants to be when she grows up. We have stick horse for Josiah that she gallops around on which is hilarious because between the wood stick and leggie it’s not easy to navigate, but she does it.  
So this weekend we spent time at the farm and Marianna finally got to ride a horse. Actually he’s a cute little pony named Forrest that Rob’s mom bought for the girls and our grandson Jacob. He’s full grown and the cutest little thing. Perfect size for Mei Mei. She could not have been more at home on Forrest. She seemed to know what she was doing. It was so sweet to watch her. She rode him and then she brushed him and she hasn’t stopped talking about riding him and brushing him : ) We forgot “handy” at home which we’ll have to bring with us next time. She didn’t need her hand, but it will be a big help with holding on to the saddle next time. She was so proud of herself. I was so proud of her. Mari often gets swept into Izzy’s shadow. It just happens sometimes when you’re the little sister, but this time Izzy wasn’t too interested in riding Forrest and Mari was all about it. She just shined while she was riding him. It was HER thing and very important to her. I’m thinking they’ll be some riding lessons in her future : )

Everything is possible for one who believes... Mark 9:23



Day 23 and counting...

So today is day 23 of our countdown...the girls are in serious count down mode. They can't wait for Rob to leave for China. What I don't think they get is that after he leaves we have 13 more days before he comes home with Josiah. Those will be very long days for us. My heart is still a little broken about not being in China. Not being there for his Gotcha Day. I've never been away from Rob for that long. The girls will be missing their Daddy something fierce. It's just going to be tough. So, trying to keep my mind off of that I'm constantly thinking about what Josiah is doing. Is he sleeping right now? I wonder if he's cold? Does he need a blanket? Is he healthy right now? Does he really get to see our pictures regularly? Does he have an idea that we are coming ?  I'm praying so fervently for the Lord to prepare his little heart for us. This will be very different for us. I know this is more of a typical adoption from China, but it's not what we are used to. Both Izzy and Mari were "prepared" for us. They both knew who we were before we got there. They both knew English. They were so loved, cared for, prayed over...I couldn't have asked for more. Their transition into our family went as good as could be expected. So yes, I'm a little anxious. I know that I shouldn't be. I've seen God's grace in these circumstances. We've been with other families as they've gone through this transition and after a few days an amazing thing happens and the family just gels. They become a family. It's beautiful and it's all God's grace ! I think the anxiety is more about me not being there more than anything. My husband is a great father and I know God will show him exactly what our sweet boy needs. I really do trust that. I just have to keep reminding myself of that. There is something really special about Rob going on this adventure alone to bring his son home to be with his family. I can see it in Rob's eyes...he is excited in a different kind of way. Like it's a mission that God is sending him on. He's serious as can be about it. He and his boy alone in China. Oh yeah...this will be quite an adventure : ) 23 more days...

Sand Angels

Inspired...

I'm not an artist...wish I was, but I'm not : (  So I don't totally get the sudden inspiration to drop everything that you are doing to draw something, but I'm learning.  You can learn a lot from your children if you're open to their teaching.  Finally in my forties...I am. So when Bella says "Momma, I've got to go outside and draw...please...can we go outside Momma, please...right now." unless it's storming or freezing I'm game these days. So, I said sure, let's go. So out we went sketch book in hand and she began to draw...

 

 

and draw...

and draw...

 

 

and draw...

 

 

 

 

and draw...

and draw....

and draw...

and draw...

 

 

and draw...

 

 

 

 

and draw...

 

 

 

 

and draw...

 

 

 

 

and draw...

 

 

and three and a half hours later...she was done : )

Warrior Princesses