2017 was a year of preparation and growth for our family.
Our family is preparing to grow as we near the final stages of the adoption process.
Our days and hours were filled with paperwork, fundraisers, anticipation, and prayers.
The journey is tedious and long, but we TRUST it will be SO worth it.
Our boys are growing more each day preparing to be men of God.
Our days and hours are filled with messes, noise, and discipline.
The journey is exhausting, but we TRUST it is SO worth it.
Our own hearts are growing closer to Jesus and we prepare to be Like Him.
Our days are hours are filled with building our marriage, refining our parenting,
and trusting Him with our anxieties.
The journey seems impossible, but we TRUST that NOTHING is impossible with Him,
and it is SO worth it.
It is all SO worth it. Just take a look as these blessings:
Our bigger boy. If you know him at all, you know that God has gifted him with enormous amounts of energy. His days are filled funneling this energy into bike rides, lego buildings, art projects, and of course wrestling. He's so curious and asks MANY questions a day and stores it all in his photographic memory. This year in particular, he was really curious about the things of heaven and the spiritual forces around us. What a privilege and challenge God has given us in molding these little hearts! He went from K to 1st grade this year. He continues to take some classes at a part time private school while we homeschool the majority of his education. He is reading more and more on his own (including all restaurant ads on the road.) His mental math is quick and knowledge of geography is impressive! He has enjoyed soccer, singing in the church choir, and classes at the art museum. Though he's never seen the movies, he's really into Star Wars.
Our big boy. This 5 year old has really blossomed into a full grown big kid! He is writing his name and lots of other letters. His personality is more quiet and calm, but his brother sure can bring out a rough, tough and giggly side of his personality. He is beginning to lead their play time with his BIG imagination and creative ideas. He still enjoys cuddling with Mommy (and she enjoys it too) and lots of hugs and kisses! His favorite Bible Story is "David and Goliath" and song is"Away in a Manger," now matter the time of year. He has an extensive knowledge of habitats and animals which he learned from zoo preschool in the spring and museum preschool this past fall. Growing caterpillars into butterflies at home was his favorite project! He learned how to ride a bike on his own and now keeps up with us on the Trinity Trails. He has also enjoyed soccer and singing in the church choir for the first time this year! He's really into Superheros. 
Our little girl. This year we were matched with Sweet Pea! (This is her nickname for now.) I am constantly humbled and grateful that God would choose us to be her family. We get to see how well our 2 year old is growing and developing with each monthly report and updated photos. This year she learned to walk (and is now running around), to use crayons, and she loves to dance and sing! In November, we got to send her a care package with a photo album of us, a recordable story book of our voices and a "little sister" onesie. What a joy it was to see photos of her opening her package, being excited about the book, and wearing that onesie! This coming year, we hope to travel to Taiwan to officially meet her, complete our adoption, and bring her home! These upcoming months we will truly prepare for her arrival.
The Mr. This year he could often be seen riding bikes on the trails, wrestling with his boys, and cooking pancakes on the weekends. He had the honor of serving as a deacon at our church. He's enjoyed building relationships with the men in our home group Bible study. For two weeks this summer we hosted an intern from China in our home. B was able to bond with him and have some wonderful conversations.
He had quite a year of change at the engineering firm. He managed several teams to complete projects and served as a resource for another office. Toward the end of the year he has taken additional responsibility in helping to manage the mechanical group. As the new year starts, please continue to pray for these challenges as he balances the new roles and family life. His favorite part of his job is the people he works with. He loves teaching and training up new engineers and serving in the mentor role.
The Mrs. This has been a FULL year for me! I wore many hats on top of my wife and mom hat which is worn 24/7 (and in need of constant refining!)There is my Homeschool Mom hat. We focus on learning activities at home 2-3 days a week, but of course learning can be found in many other un-focused moments too! I've particularly enjoyed going through a curriculum called "Five-in-a-Row," which focuses on using quality children's literature as a spring board for learning other subjects such as science and art. It's amazing the information that sticks when tied to a story!
The days the boys went to school, I would often put on my "Part-time Job" hat. Delving deep into the adoption paperwork and planning fundraisers is truly a part time job! God provided the resources, organizational skills, and diligence I needed to get so many things done this year for our adoption. (More details on the adoption process later in the blog..)
My other hat this year (and many years prior to this)is that of a "health coach" to my family. I am constantly learning the best way to care for our health is the ways that God intended. Natural whole foods, healing herbs, and homeopathy have been my go-to's this year as the resources from God. This year I have felt so healthy and strong. My anxiety issues will always be a thorn in my flesh, but it is a thorn that God has given me the ability to control through these resources. My gut issues and thyroid issues continue to show improvement, (slowly but surely) and I hope to expand my diet this upcoming year!
This summer I was a part of a women's book study at our church about anxiety. The author talked alot about Manna. About taking God's provision for the given moment and trusting him to provide the Manna needed for the next moment. Truly "only worrying about today because tomorrow has enough trouble of it's own." This idea is the only way I could of gotten through this year and have the ability to wear all those hats without them falling off and losing them (and my mind) along with them. Trusting him moment by moment for the Manna I need.
Our Extended Family. We are blessed to live only an hour away from both sides of our family. We drive to their side of town often (and they come to the west side) for birthdays, holidays, or free babysitting!
We had lots of fun outings this year with the Heflin side of the family. We had trips to Granbury beach, the Arboretum, the Perot museum, among other places. We enjoyed receiving the many postcards they sent from the states visited. The boys especially enjoy occasional nights they get to spend at Nana and Ron Bob's house where they eat butterflies for breakfast. We are especially thankful for the quality photographs and videos provided by Ron-Bob, a retired news photographer!
The summer was filled with fun trips! In June, the boys had a wild time with my Mom and their cousins camping at Jellystone Park with Yogi Bear. (It was nice to have a quiet weekend at home!) In July all of us went down to Galveston and spent a week relaxing in a beach house, jumping in the waves, and seeing dolphins on the ferry ride. The boys keep asking about going back to Galveston, I agree!
Our adoption process. We've been in the adoption process about 1.5 years and have now completed every bit of paperwork needed to submit to the courts in Taiwan! We started out the year editing our homestudy and putting together a photo album displaying what our home and family is like. When we asked to be matched to Sweet Pea, we had to answer lots of tough questions about parenting and family life. Once we were approved, we put together our dossier which is a big set of super important papers that will be sent to court. These documents had to be authenticated by the Secretary of State and the Taiwanese Embassy! Whew! What a job!God graciously provided all we needed just in time to pay all the final adoption fees! Our adoption puzzle is complete! We knew that God did not want us to go at this journey alone and that he would provide a Village to be our partner and share in our adoption story. Through the year we ran various fundraisers to give others the chance to be a part. We were amazed at all the support we've received! From our HUGE garage sales in the spring, to our BIG online silent auction this past fall, and the sunshine shirts, coffee sales, Easter crafts, and funky socks in between; we were busy! I especially loved partnering with ministries in Haiti and Uganda these past two Christmas seasons to sell their beautiful items and in turn support their ministry. All in all these fundraisers brought in about $10,000 and the love and support of so many friends and family! We also received a HUGE grant and matching grant from our church through a tax-deductible ABBA fund. This brought in another $10,000+! We are happy to report that all of our fees are paid in full and documents can now be submitted to court! We will still need to pay for our travel expenses, so if you would like to be a part, the links above are still active fundraisers anyone is welcome to still participate in. We are so thankful and amazed at the Village HE provided!!
2017. Our year of preparation and growth.
How did you grow this year?
What is God preparing you for?
.....The only way to grow is to TRUST.
Oh, for Grace to Trust Him more..
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