The Great Adventure...: Alaina

Showing posts with label Alaina. Show all posts

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Joy {Alaina's Persuasive Essay on Adoption}

During Alaina's 3rd grade English, she was learning how to write a 'persuasive essay.' My sensitive, out-going girl decided to write her paper on adoption.

The minute Alaina entered our arms, we noticed this charm about her. Since she came home, we have witnessed over 30 babies find homes. Her charm has always encouraged others to buy plane tickets to... China. So, when she told me she was going to convince Daddy to adopt a sister, I wasn't surprised. I think her essay is well thought out and her facts are very true. Oh my heart. :)

I love how BJU Press takes them step by step through the process. First, she came up with an 'opinion statement.' Then, she needed two reasons why she believes in her opinion statement. With each reason, she needed facts to back up her opinion.

She put lots of thought into each reason and each fact is true, sadly.

(Be sure to click on the picture so you can read it better.)

After posting her proud picture on facebook, many fun comments were received. One comment, got me thinking. It took me several days to think through it.

"When you put it like that, how do you ever stop adopting?"

Wow, this is such a tough question for me. I’m always open to adopting, if God calls us. Joel and I might be 'done' adding more, but our family...from generation to generation will not forget, I pray.

I think of the verse "Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12

So,...I can't forget the ones left behind. It's with me daily. Until I die, God has called me to educate, share the truth, and advocate for these little people left behind. It's always in my heart and mind.

Not everybody is called to adopt but we are all called to do our part...widows and orphans...all over the world. By sharing my heart, boldly, it helps me feel like I'm making a difference...one by one. As each baby/child comes home to their forever family, I experience pure joy.

So, yes, I would adopt more if God wants us to. In the mean time, I will continue sharing my heart and praying more Christians step up…adopting, foster care, sponsoring, visiting.

Alaina deciding to write a paper to convince others to adopt, including our family, brings me great joy.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Our Christmas Morning 2010

Happy New Year 2011!!

May I have some more grace, please?

With three birthdays, three family gatherings, and the Vintage Ball, I needed a week to recuperate.

And our little people were so cute on our Christmas morning, I just have to share.

On December 23, the stockings were all hung by the chimney with care...and finally all the kids {even the teens} were all in bed asleep.

So...while the kids were all sleeping, Santa gathered all the stockings and filled them with fun treats and hung them back on the fireplace. He came a night early since my family came to visit on the 25th. :)

The next morning, as tradition holds, they gathered up their stockings, trying not to peek in the fancy, overflowing sock.

All six gathered at the foot of our bed.

They took turns pulling out one thing at a time.

{ Awww...I love this picture. I want to always remember this as someday, they won't fit on the end of my bed...or won't be at home to wake us..sigh.}

Before Ms. Alaina went to bed, she realized that we didn't have any cookies to share with Santa. Instead, Santa enjoyed a slice of pepperoni pizza and a sip of KoolAid, grape to be exact. {We know he enjoyed it because, he had eaten all of it but the crust.}

He didn't put any gifts under the tree because he remembered that a little guy named Benjamin lived here and he didn't want him to open all of them at once. He decided to place them all in my bathroom. So the next morning, Joel and I carried them all down and placed them so perfectly under the tree.

If it appears like a lot, well, it was. Alexis and I were Santa's assistants and we had a wrapping party that lasted several hours.

For many years now, the kids have picked names and most years have kept it a secret.

Alexis picked Benjamin's name and bought him a Thomas the Train puzzle.

Zachary picked Alaina's name and contributed towards an adorable Bitty Baby outfit.

Alaina was so excited that she got Joel B's name. I helped her pick out an ear hook/plugs for his Ipod Touch.

Joel B got Alexis's name. He had to be the funny guy and wrap a Ken doll and place it so strategically on top of the gift. To her surprise, he bought her an adorable phone cover for her cell phone with lots of sparkling bling.

She LOVED it...the phone case, that is. Not Ken.

Hudson got Zachary's name and 'bought' him a shirt.

Hudson was so excited that Benjamin 'bought' him Cars vehicles...just like the ones that were on Benjamin's cupcakes. Very fun.

And there they are, all together. They were so happy. I think we could have ended the gift opening right then. But we didn't. We courageously continued on, opening and opening...for at least a couple of hours.

Yes, we recycle. The little guys LOVE their "new" sleeping bags {once owned by Zachary and Joel B}. Notice Hudson's Billy Blazes. F*sher Pr*ce doesn't make Resc*e Heroes anymore. They love them. Every night for a week now, they fall asleep, all cozy and warm in their sleeping bags and I then, move them to their beds.

Zachary opened his new cell phone. Look at that expression. So excited.

{We now have a "drop box" for all electronic devices that is open for collection at 9AM every morning. They are not allowed to collect them back until school and chores are finished. Funny how they thought they could text during school hours. Hmmm.}

Alaina squealed with delight when she opened her new camera from Mammaw and Pappaw. I'm sure she will start her own blog soon and display her new photos. She's actually pretty good.

Ms. Alexis {who cheated and got up early to put makeup on}, got a new coat. So cute...and practically, so warm.

Ms. Alaina will now be homeschooling her dolls. Love this book from AG.

And they received practical things like school day planners.

The most requested items this year were clothes.

Little guys are enjoying their Le*psters that were bought on Black Friday. $25, oh yeah. They also got their very own Legos and more trains to add to their collection.

The grand finale...the T*y Story gang. So how long does it take for the batteries to die..haha. Really though, these are the cutest dolls and they have played and played with them. Not so fun in the dark when you step on Buzz Lightyear. He keeps talking and talking.

After picking up a mound of wrapping paper, we headed for the mall to ride the train one more time. We watched Santa leave his big chair. He waved and briskly walked as I'm sure he had many more houses to visit that night. I'm glad he came to our house a day early.

{The next day, Christmas afternoon, my family arrived. We met Caden, our new nephew from China, for the first time. The details to follow...tomorrow.}

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Jolly Ol' St. Nick

It was 30 degrees outside...and nice and toasty inside. Cookies. Hot chocolate. And big Sis Alexis's ballet ensemble felt honored to perform.

We were not expecting Santa to be at the post parade event. Hudson and Alaina jumped right on Santa's lap and each shared what they wanted for Christmas. It's funny that they told him silly things...small things that cost a dollar. Cool. I can return all their Christmas gifts right? haha.

It was very sweet.

And then there was Benjamin. He would NOT get near Santa. Santa's elf gave him a candy cane and he seemed to enjoy it while he watched Sissy dance. We had to wait until after Alexis danced and then give it another try with Santa. Since he did enjoy the first candy cane, he thought that maybe he could get close enough to get another.

And then somehow, we convinced him to be in the picture...on the other side of Santa.

Eventually, he decided that Santa was a pretty nice guy. Very, very sweet.

Our two little guys are adorably affectionate. They freely give everyone hugs.

Including Santa.

As we were walking to the van in the cold temperatures, Benjamin was holding my hand. He said, "What a wonderful surprise." It was so cute.

It's the simple things in life...our time...our love...our hugs...that mean the most to a child. And these are free.