My Overthinking

Philly Area mom, Life forever changed by adoption

Pierced and Inked

It was one of those what-were-we-thinking moments.

I had to wait until I was 12 to get my ears pierced. It’s a rite of passage. I practically counted down the days until I was allowed to get them pierced.

But, Ashlyn wanted them pierced…now. Months ago, we said no. She asked when. We said when we felt like she was responsible enough to take care of her ears as well as oodles of little earrings she would no doubt accumulate.

When we were deciding what experience gift to give her for Christmas, we decided this would be it. I mean, why wait? She’s pretty responsible. And, there’s no real reason why we have to make her wait. Haven’t read anything that says a girl has to be a certain age. 

But, seeing her sitting there in that seat waiting for the big moment, I was thinking we may have made a mistake.

She’s 7 years old. And, getting her ears pierced would make her look years older – 10 years older, I’m sure. Okay, maybe only 8 or 9 years older.

What’s next? 
Don’t answer that.

This was the worst it got. No blood. No tears. Not even a rating more than 1 on the pain scale, so she told the 8 year old waiting to age 10 years herself.

My little girl, looking all grown up, with her sweet dainty little pink pearl earrings. 
And, you know what, I kind of like them on her after all.
But, Drew’s new look he greeted us with when we got home? 

Nope. This mama has to draw the line somewhere.

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My favorite things

Brown paper packages tied up with ribbons

AND a super cute tea kettle to replace the boring silver one I left on the burner too long.

A very generous gift from Gran for our whole family…

One Mark really appreciates for the kids’ sake, but one he says he’ll never use.

But, my favorite gift of all was one that made me cry.

Remember this?

Weeks earlier, as Lydia and I walked Evan and Ashlyn to school, Lydia asked to go with them. The big kids and I laughed and started talking about what their day might be like if Lydia (aka our Chinese Curious George) joined them.

A few days later, Ashlyn won a Bingo game in school and chose the prize of a Mickey Mouse shaped pencil, one she was pretty excited about. But, then she got an idea. So, she asked her teacher if she could trade her already sharpened pencil for something else–a blank book. And, so she gave up her prize and  went to work so she could give us something very special.

Yup, I cried. Of course I did. And, I smiled till my cheeks hurt and gave lots of hugs.

And, though I’m an undeniable apple addict and may get warm fuzzies when I think about my brand new iPad 2 and all the neat cases, apps, and add-ons to try, my little handmade story written using a plain old No. 2 pencil makes my heart skip a beat.

And, hearts skipping beats tops warm fuzzies any day.

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Ahhh….Christmas

Every Christmas is fun. Even kidless, Christmases were fun. But, with kids, Christmas is fun. And, this year, well, it may have been the most fun of all the Christmases I can remember. 

A big ole breakfast we ate together before opening gifts. 
A family devotion over breakfast discussing why Jesus was born as a baby, to go to the cross.

homemade gifts that were graciously appreciated
some interesting gifts from a big sister (which was just what he wanted, mind you)

and some interesting snapshots (featuring Lydia’s first gift, her practical gift, of size 2 panties. woot woot).
Watching the kids get more excited about giving their gifts than opening gifts.
And, sharing some big smiles.

That’s what made Christmas amazing this year. 
The funnest one I can remember. Yes, the funnest.

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{Advocating} Dancing Machine

Our gifts have all been opened. Toys have been played with; some batteries already may be running low. Food has been eaten…and will be reheated today for round 2.
Today, we continue to celebrate, enjoying time with family, a big ole BINGO game, and rest. 
Yet, I cannot forget those who are still waiting. Children who have been waiting for years. This child–made ready for adoption and waiting for nearly 2 years for someone to make him theirs. 2 years. 2 years on a list for anyone to view his file and accept him. But, he still waits. 
Read about him–words from someone who knows him firsthand. 
Share about him. 
Maybe his family will meet him today for the first time. 
Now, that would be a Merry Christmas.
________________________________________

Not just another summer. This past July, my husband and I returned to China to be part of of the Bring Me Hope Camp in Xian for Chinese orphans. This was our 2nd BMH camp in Xian. And, knowing what we were getting into, we were both very excited to spend 5 days with children who would no doubt change us as we served them.

I was blessed to actually go to the orphanage to collect the orphans and bring them to our campsite. And, the first child I saw was a little boy I remembered from the year before, a little boy who had been buddied with my friend. His little face just beamed when he saw me. Twelve months later, he clearly knew me. And, as happy as I was to see him, I was hoping I would not. I was hoping he wouldn’t still be there.

This year, he was my buddy. My little man “Daniel” has a smile that just seemed to go from ear to ear, and a personality to melt hearts.

At the young age of 8, he was able to entertain the entire camp with his incredible dance moves, putting the rest of us to shame (get a first-hand glimpse of the action here or here or here). When he wasn’t singing and dancing, we were playing badminton, blowing bubbles, and chasing each other around the campsite.

With an easygoing nature and an infectious laugh, I couldn’t get enough of how he would grab hold of my hand and try to drag me to where he wanted to play.

I hope I don’t see him again.

Because when I go back to Xi’an, I don’t want him to be there. I want him to be home with a family. He needs to be grabbing hold of the hands of his forever mum and dad and maybe dancing around with brothers and sisters.

Three years of waiting for a family to say yes is too long. His best friend will be joining his family soon. Daniel needs to too.

________________________________________

These words were written Carol Blanch (and edited by me for the purpose of advocating). Carol is a school teacher in Anna Bay, NSW, Australia. She and her husband Stephen volunteered with Bring Me Hope in China for the second time this past July. They have two grown, married daughters and are part of a vibrant church community. China and orphans have captured their hearts.

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