9 months ago today it became official.. Parents to this little cutie!

Look what ❤️ can do!

Nine months home and it's incredible to see the transformation from month to month as I go back and read each monthly entry.  

Luke continues to make progress developmentally and socially.  He is healthy and growing fonder of his sisters with each day.  His newest phrase if one of the girls leave is: "be back?"  Clarifying they will be right back.  He's just crazy about them, and the feelings are mutual. He and Craig have a new daily time of playing ball together in the house (yes, I'm evolving as a mom to a son) and it's been really sweet to watch.  

I am daily reminded of God's unfailing, faithful love that He so generously gives me-- inspite of me.  May I, we, love like Jesus! 

May He, the Author and Perfector of our faith, be glorified in and through our family, by His design.  

Happy 4th of July! Luke's 1st as a U.S. citizen

There's nothing like leaving the comforts and safety of familiarity to remind you of your blessings.  To say we were grateful to be back in the USA a little more than 8 months ago when we returned home from China, would be a complete understatement.  The country had a unique culture, beautiful people, and breathtaking landscapes in some places, but not the freedom I so appreciate in our  country... freedom to worship the One true God and to freely share Him with others. It's a privilege, and calling, I never want to take for granted.  

Today was so special for us- Luke's first 4th of July as a United States citizen.  

Rachel showing him off at the neighborhood pool

Parade with some of the the neighborhood kiddos

                   Love! Love! Love!

Before the fireworks show...

Praise Be to God that our sweet baby boy has the opportunity to live in a country where he can freely learn about and share Christ with others.  We pray he, and our girls, will one day speak boldly of our Heavenly Father!

Luke's 1st Father's Day and baby dedication

Today our family celebrated Father's Day with our fathers and Luke's baby dedication. What a happy day it has been!

Feeling thankful to God for these men in my family's life: Grandad and Poppa... and forever amazed at the man I get to call my husband and my kiddos' father.  With each passing year of our marriage I see more and more of Jesus in him-praise be to God!

There is no greater feeling as a daughter than to know your father is totally crazy about you and a great encourager... I'm fortunate to have two- my dad and my Heavenly  Father!  

Happy 1st Father's Day, Craig, as a daddy of 4!!

8 months today...

8 months today this little cutie pie started rocking our world... and I'm so very grateful that His ways are higher than ours!

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8, 9 ESV)

2nd Annual Show Hope Family Fest

It was exactly one year this weekend that we were invited to Show Hope's 10 Year Anniversary celebration.  It included testimonies from the Chapman family, stories of Maria and a tribute to her life, testimonies of other adoptive families and celebrating the obedience of all to The Lord... those who generously give, who adopt, and who come alongside and support the many orphans in our world.  

I remember during the concert watching other families and seeing the joy they had in their eyes and the beautiful children with them.  I watched our girls and their excitement as they met Steven Curtis Chapman and Shoey and the events of the day and evening.  You see adoption not only changes the life of the orphan,  to a son or daughter, but it also forever changes the lives of their siblings.  Craig and I are so grateful that our obedience to adopt has allowed us to see the beauty in our daughters and their selfless love for their brother and tenderness that they are developing for hearing and listening to The Lord.  

Today we were so excited that we were able to share and expose Luke to the many people who are apart of his story.  I personally, am amazed and thankful that while there are no guarantees in life, today was a sweet day with my family and I'm so crazy thankful for each one of them!

Fun, fun, fun!

Just arriving and checking it all out

The Red Bus Project is a part of Show Hope.  It takes used/thrift items and resales with profits going to orphancare.  Luke, Craig, and Alaina looking at this bus.

Inside the Red Bus

Watching the show

We also ran into some friends from church who were there supporting their friends.  

Ok, it's getting hot now "Ma!"

In Love, He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:5-10 ESV)

Here we are.... Perry PaRtY of SiX!

Luke's 1st pool times with his sisters!

We are so thankful for summer break!!  Luke loved the water, thoroughly enjoys his sisters doting over him, and watching the others as they swim.  Hooray for summer and sunshine! 

7 months today...

It's so hard to believe that 7 months ago today Craig and I took one of the scariest plane rides of our lives to a province far, far north in China... the province of Gansu, to the city of Lanzhou.  We arrived (thankful to be alive and off the plane) and I pretty much instantly began to feel butterflies within my stomach-knowing that within less than a few hours we would finally be able to look at, touch, hold, and begin life with this amazing, strong-willed, determined, smiley little boy.  

It's still a journey of figuring things out, wrestling with ourselves about what true obedience to The Lord looks like, and how to love these four kiddos with the same unconditional love our Father so freely gives.  To say it's all rainbows would be a big, fat lie..  but to say that we are thankful, proud, and working very hard together to bless The Lord in our efforts would be very accurate.... 

Luke is doing well and continues to amaze us with the progression of his English and with his witty personality.  He definitely has his sisters, Craig, and myself on our toes~ at all times!!

****For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5 NIV)****