A Gift {Photos from Kirstin Roethel Photography}

You may remember me posting that shortly after we were home Amy graciously asked if she could take family photos for us, and she helped design our fun Christmas card.  Amy does photography as a hobby, and I'm thankful she graciously offered to photograph our family for "practice."  I'm also thankful for beautiful family photos with Nora pre-surgery.

Well, shortly before we left for China, a photographer in our community, Kirstin Roethel, approached me at a soccer game (our kids play sports together) and asked if she could do family photos as part of Project Jane.  Project Jane is Kirstin's way of giving back in memory of her mom, an amazing lady who made it a priority to serve.  The offer was humbling.

A couple of weeks ago we had our session, here are some of my favorites.  We will treasure these as they continue to tell the story of our family.

Thank you, Kirstin, this was truly a gift!

Nora's Readoption

Today was Nora's readoption.  Readoption is a process in which the court in your county reviews the details of the adoption done in the child's birth country.  The judge then issues a new adoption decree which is independent from the foreign decree.  The new decree essentially states that your child has been adopted in agreement with the laws of your state, Wisconsin in our case. 

Some states require this and in some it is "nice to have".  One of the most important pieces of this is that Nora will essentially get a US birth certificate which will make getting her US passport, driver’s license, marriage license, etc. easier in the future. 

 

The readoption process required more paperwork (no surprise there) and then a court appointment with a Judge.  We all went to our county's courthouse, and I’m positive that we were a spectacle walking in.  The whole “proceeding” with the Judge was very quick but very formal.  The boys really liked when the Bailiff had us all rise for the Judge (and she kindly thanked the children for standing for her). 

Our social worker told us that a readoption case will likely be one of the most enjoyable for the Judge in comparison to what they normally preside over.  This definitely proved to be our experience, the Judge was so kind. After we finished the “proceeding” she asked if the kids wanted to come on up behind the bench.  She even got out a gavel.  It was all quite entertaining. 

I was sure to warn the boys that this better be their only time inside a courtroom ... all while shaking my finger at them.  It turns out that the Judge, the Bailiff and the Case Recorders caught that and were amused.  It was a fun ending to an important day for Nora.

A day with my boys ...

This past weekend we surprised the boys with an end-of-the-school-year date day with mom.  We went to the ballpark for a game, it ended up being a beautiful day (and a great game with lots of excitement).  Thankful that these boys are still okay hanging out with their mom for the day.

At the Ballpark

 

The Boys

 

Blue-Eyed Brothers

 

Aoki Samuel

 

The last photo makes me smile big and will be a constant reminder of the boys' and their boy humor and silliness.  Did I mention that there was a lot of boy humor on our date day?  Anyhow, this cutout of Aoki entertained Samuel all the way home as he tried to make it look like Aoki was sitting in one of the girls' car seats.  After we got home Samuel made a few videos of Aoki ... Aoki sleeping in Samuel's bed (all snuggled under the covers) ... Aoki stuck in his drawer ... you get the idea, and while I'm tempted to post a video, I'll spare you as finding Aoki in random places in the house is a little creepy.

 

Thankful for my boys ... boy humor and all ...

China Girl Dress

While we were waiting for a referral we purchased (ordered online) this dress for Lydia from a shop on Shamian Island and paid way too much for shipping ... but these pictures of the girls wearing it were totally worth paying more for shipping than the dress.

Lydia at 17 Months ~ May 2011

The dress served as a physical reminder and sign to others that we were continuing down the adoption path.  During our pregnancy and after Lydia was born, this was the question that we most often got - were we going to continue to pursue adoption?  Y.E.S.

And, here is Miss Nora rockin' the China Girl dress.  Pure sweetness.

Nora at 22 Months ~ May 2013

These photos remind me of a conversation that the kids had this weekend along with conversations I have been having with friends lately.  The kids have been making comments like "I wish I had an Asian nose like Nora" ... "I wish I had big, brown almond eyes" ... "I wish I had her beautiful bronze sun-kissed skin" ... (okay, for the record, the last wish was me) ... And, I've had some great conversations with friends about how it's as if Nora is starting to really look like the other LilyKids.  I know it seems odd, but I see it too.

This is one area that will likely bring some of our more challenging, yet rewarding, parenting conversations ... the conversation that will ensue the day Nora realizes that her physical attributes are quite different than those of her siblings.  On that day we will do our best to tell her her story.  Her birth mom is my hero ... we will never understand the exact circumstances that lead to her giving Nora up, but she is my hero for carrying her, an ocean away.  My hero for allowing us to love Nora.  Nora's story is one of bravery, her story is important and when the day comes that Nora starts questioning, we pray that He will grant us a portion of her bravery to honestly, with raw emotion, tell her her story.

And, this is what happens when you blink ...

Here we are, already at the end of another school year!  How can it be that these boys flew through 5th and 2nd grade?  It seems I was just contemplating Jack's integration into the Middle School, and now the school is year is already at an end.

When I say "flew through" I do not, certainly, mean without incident.  We have many stories from this year that make me laugh and question, especially with Jack, if he is really my child.  And, so many other stories that confirm, yes, the apple does not fall far from the tree.  What a joy to parent these boys!

To commemorate the end of the school year, I spent the afternoon hanging out with Samuel guy at the elementary school.  Then, at the end of his school day, Jack walked over from the Middle School.

Samuel's teacher, one of our absolute favorites, was also Jack's teacher for 2nd grade.  When Jack was in 2nd grade we had Lydia, and this year we picked up Nora.  We have been so blessed by this teacher and the love she has shown our boys and our family.  It was certainly a memorable year and the way she loved on Samuel when we were in China was above and beyond.  How we love her and hope that the girls will also fly through 2nd grade with her!

Aside from being the last day of school, today also marks a milestone as it was one year ago today that Jack had his seizure. I realize that I really haven't blogged much in follow-up to that. I am so thankful that it seems it was an isolated incident with no other occurrences ... but I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that it still worries me especially hen he's hanging out with friends, sleeping over at friend's houses, etc. 

Thankful for these gifts which He has so graciously given us.

{5.30.2013}

Today we remember, reflect and celebrate Owen.  He would be five today which seems near impossible.  Reflecting upon the past five years it is impossible not to see his legacy, not to see the impact Owen's short life has made ... through Owen's story, it is clear to see that our Redeemer lives and through His grace we have hope.

I look at our little family line-up, and it is hard not to melt in a puddle when it's so obvious that there is a step missing.  But, I look closer and see these incredible gifts that God has given us, beautifully created.  And for that and all of life's lessons, even the hard ones, I am thankful.

And, I am thankful to do life with our sweet friends and family, the ones who checked in today, the ones who are tracking with us and remembering with us. 

Normalcy

Jason and the boys returned home from LLBC's work weekend last night.  It was the first time since Nora's homecoming that we have divided and conquered. 

It felt good, and it felt like we may have gotten to a point of normalcy (somewhat sleep deprived normalcy, but normalcy none-the-less). 

Normalcy is all relative, of course, but entering a milestone week (where we will celebrate Owen's 5th birthday), the realization that we may have found our new rhythm feels good.

Sounds like a plan ...

Jason and the boys are out of town this weekend leaving me with the girls (which, can I just say is still a bit surreal ... feeling incredibly blessed with the way He created our family). 

We started the day by picking up Grandma Goose (this is how Lydia affectionately refers to my Mom) and headed to the Hallow (LOVE this art) for teacher gifts (gulp, cannot believe it's nearly the end of another school year for the boys). 

Afterwards, Lydia had a plan (this past week or so she has often been heard stating "okay, it's a plan" ... a glimpse into one of her characteristics that is a mold of mine ... oh, how I appreciate being planful).  Lydia's plan included a donut for her and a cookie for Nora, courtesy of Grandma, at a small town bakery. 

 

After a few other stops, we had lunch (and, um, admittedly I was not prepared and had not been planful which is totally out of character ... had not packed anything for Little Miss so she was forced to eat fries for lunch ... she did not protest).

Then it was back to Grandma's for a quick visit with Grandpa and then home in time to play outside a bit before naps ("naps" is used loosely here ... only one little girl took a very brief nap).

 

So thankful for these days and time with my girls and my mum.

Little Princess

So, you think we are in a household where the boys came first?  Somehow I don't have a photo of Lydia, but she was stylin' in a Power Ranger costume as she dressed her sister in a Transformer mask and orange wings ... bless the orange wings.

 Oh dear, may be time to invest in some princess gear ...

White Ruffle Leggings ... For Real {Nora's Dedication}

The girls debuted their white ruffle leggings today for Nora's Dedication and Mother's Day.  It was a wonderful day but also a hard day.  For the past five years, as we approached Owen's birth and as we near his birthday, Mother's Day is a reminder of the piece of our hearts that is missing.  As we near Owen's 5th birthday I cannot help but wonder how our lives would be different had we not lost Owen.  That said, I am very aware of the blessings we have been given ~ four healthy LilyKids here with us.  Beautiful.

Today Nora was dedicated by our sweet Pastor friend.  Unfortunately, we have no photos of the actual dedication as corralling four kiddos into church this morning and then remembering to ask a family member to take a photo was apparently too much for this aging mama.

But, I did get a few photos of the kiddos afterward and of Little Miss who enjoyed her first cake ... A LOT!

Praying that we can bring this girl up to grow in the Truth.

 

P.S.  For those who have inquired, the multi-leggings were from HERE.  Would love for our friends down south to have some too!!!