Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Finding my son on Facebook

Yesterday was a momentous day.  Just imagine scrolling through hundreds of pictures on Facebook and recognizing photos that you never knew existed.  That is what happened to me.  I found Teddy's beginnings that strangers were commenting on years before I knew my son.  It was like going house hunting and finding photos on the wall of your grandfather posed with the owner.  I sure did not expect such a treasure.  What a gift of God to live in the digital age of photography.
 
 
Teddy, 4, and another little munchkin, 3, were driven 800 miles to another province to receive treatment on their feet 

Playing washers
 
Teddy, my little scholar, is reading while his friend poses
 

Teddy with his double casts is second from right

Sky High- Teddy with his back to the camera

Proof even back then, electronics were fascinating to Teddy.

Teddy with some special friends


Looks like they may have done some shenanigans together.  I'm sure Teddy was the innocent party ;)

 

 
Marked his face in his artistic endeavors, Teddy reminds me of a little lion with his shag and pen whiskers.

 
American children are told they are digging holes to China, but I imagine Chinese children think they are digging holes to the other side of China. 
 
 
 
Floating a handmade boat.

 
Once so small
 
The pencil looks bigger than him
 
 
 


Fire trucks hold fascination everywhere.


Precious ponderings. 


Expectant children.  Teddy, front row, second from right.




Years later the two children that arrive together, return 800 miles to their first orphanage.  They are about to be adopted by two different families in the same state, 8,000 miles away from their birth country.

Only God can write such improbable stories. 

Monday, May 25, 2015

Packaged Food and Imported Telly


Best chip I have ever tasted! 
Grand chips could be paired with Grand Designs. 
 British telly that follows homeowners as they build their dream homes.  Some are lavish and others are eco driven.  The styles of the homes and locations vary greatly by episode.

Woodsman Cottage
https://vimeo.com/28848933




 
I've missed all the jasmine tea in China. One day I found this tin at our Asian market.  Love it.
As you sip your hot tea, you might be in the mood for an episode of Restoration Home.
Again the British must love their homes.  Watch determined, deep-pocketed people overcome planning permission and months of renovations to transform unique properties.
 
Nutborne Common Pumping Station
 


This is mocha flavored perfection.

You might like to pair this ice cream with an episode of May the Best House Win.
An often zany British competition betwen four strangers that allow them full access to each others homes on the hopes of winning the title of the best house and cash.
 
Rimbard Manor

Sunday, May 24, 2015

On the Shelf

Since you know I have a thing for books, I bet you thought this was about my recent reads.  Well, life is full of surprises.  These are the living stories that don't stay on the shelf for long.  My favorite reads have human flesh and I get to "photo bully" them as my husband calls it.  However from youngest to oldest, they seemed to have a good time posing for my camera.  Since each shelf was rated for up to 2,000 pounds, I think next time Ben and I should have joined them on the shelf.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Sunday, May 10, 2015

To the Mother I Never Knew

I don't know if you are alive or dead.   I wonder if you wish circumstances were different.  Do you live with nine years of regret?  Do you live with recurring nightmares?  Is the earth around your feet soft with tears?  On the anniversary of the drop-off, do you visit the site of your heartache?  Are you the stranger that asks what happened to the round-faced, man child, or are you glad in the not knowing?  Were you brave to birth a child without permission?  Or maybe you were the privileged one with a pregnancy sanctioned by the government.  Did all your hopes and dreams alter with his twisted feet and folded hands?  Do you keep the matching newspaper clipping in a secret spot in your drawer?  I will never know if you sob into your pillow or bite your lips and think of something else. 

This Mother's Day, I want you to know that your great sacrifice birthed your child in another woman's heart.  I am your son's second mother and I know I would not have him without you.  Oh, may you know he is loved, safe and treasured.  Your son's brown eyes sparkle when he smiles, and he tells me jokes about barefoot bears.  His twisted feet are straightened and he runs on a different continent with your blood coursing through his veins.  He is first Chinese and second American.  He wrote me a beautiful card for Mother's Day saying, "I love you, Mommy."  My heart knows that that card should have been yours.  Your love was bigger than his 14 pounds.  You entrusted something priceless to the passing finder.  He was found and named "little warrior."  He inherited your strength and fought for the life you gave him.

The child found in Bengbu on February 7, 2007 is now our "gift of God."  As he gets older and as he asks questions, I want you to know I will honor you.   You chose life and our son is learning about the Life Giver, Jesus.  May your Heavenly Father so assure you of his love for you that where your tears have softened the ground may 100 flowers grow. 

Dear Mother across the ocean, may my thanks reach you and give you hope, joy and peace.


Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Driving Me Crazy

Just kidding :)


Friday, May 01, 2015

Curlicious




Jane has been longing to curl her hair. Tonight we finally pulled out the hot rollers. 

The bad news is her hair didn't hold a curl.  The good news is it sure made cute photos.