6 months ago

We were in Taiwan

I knew very little about it or what life would be like there.
Our son's birth country
90 miles from mainland China
Mandarin Chinese is the national language
A whole different culture
And those were the main things that I knew.
But now, when I think of Taiwan literally thousands of pictures come to mind...

Memories
Faces
Stories
People

The Home that has facilitated in creating many forever families.

 The majesty and beauty of God's creation found in the
marble at Taroko Gorge.

Singing Amazing Grace together with Ted and The Crowdus
in a cave were a secret church met almost 100 years ago.

The largest Taoist temple in Taiwan that overlooks
The Home of God's Love.
Sometimes during the evening and late night hours
we would hear chanting and worshiping.

The streets of Taipei filled with incense, food, and
paper prayer cards
 all to be given to false gods and deceased ancestors
because it was ghost month.

Oh how my heart now breaks for the lost people of Taiwan.
Will they ever know the Truth?
70% Chinese religions (Buddhism/Taoism/Confucianism)
28% nonreligious
2% Evangelical Christians

I also picture the beautiful children at The Home
that have childhoods so different from my own.
Despite the cultural divide and language barriers we found alternative means to communicate
through hugs, tickles, teasing, and playing games.
My life will forever be changed by these beautiful faces.

The love for two people who have taken James 1:27 to heart;

ministering for 42 years in the country of Taiwan

Thank you Ted and Bev!!!

 

Remembering Bev's prayer over Titus 

before we began our long journey home

still makes me weep.

 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  

I Thessalonians 1:3

Of course, one of the best moments  is when

my aching arms  finally held my baby boy for the first time. 

Oh the joy and love!

Super Bowl and Chinese New Year

Since CNY and Super Bowl fell close to the same time this year, Aunt Kate and I decide to break from the traditional Super Bowl food and make a delicious, made from scratch Chinese cuisine.  It was a LOT of work! We spent several hours cooking in my tiny kitchen, and I think almost every dish, pot and pan I owned was dirty, but it was so worth it!  The food was delicious, and we learned a few things about cooking Chinese food to add to our cooking repertoire next time we attempt this.  And you can be sure there will be a next time!

 Elle helping with dumplings

 All the delicious food:

egg drop soup, dumplings, fried rice, egg rolls, and bok choy

 Aunt Kate and Zane excited to have a 

chocolate coin for dessert

 Titus didn't want to be left out.

Sorry buddy, no chocolate... :(

 Kevin and the infamous Magui that we had in Taiwan.

When I saw it at our Asian market I had to bring some home.

Mini Reunion

This weekend our sweet friends, Mr. and Mrs. Earhart and their precious daughter Ava came to stay with us for the weekend.  It was fun reminiscing about Taiwan, discussing child training methods, encouraging one another, talking about our childrens' milestones, and watching our little ones interact with one another. After the kiddos went to bed we stayed up way too late playing Spades...Strategery.  ;)

The last time we saw Ava was in Taiwan at 2.5 weeks old.

We gave her lots of extra cuddles for her Mommy & Daddy.

It was fun to see how much she has 

grown and changed in 5.5 months!

 "This is way the cowboys ride"

Poor Titus did not feel good this weekend...  :(

He spent a lot of time in tears 

so we spent a lot of extra time cuddling.

Our own little Lucy & Desi

Babalu

Want to see what else I can do?

 

I love how adoption has created  beautiful relationships with sweet friends. Thank you Earhart family for coming to visit.  We hope you can come back soon.

Missing the Outdoors

Please warm up soon out there.

Despite the beautiful blue sky and sunshine
it's a mere 2 degrees.  

Brrr!!!

Welcome February

This was the weather forecast last night;

the meteorologists were correct in their prediction!

 I can't resist going out to walk in the snow.  

There is nothing like walking in fresh snow!

 Awww, love seeing my baby smiling and enjoying the snow!

 Beautiful drifts

 After a fast walk in the snow we enjoyed a nice cup of hot tea

WARNING:

Morning cup of coffee you are no longer safe!  

 

Chinese New Year

We attended Chinese New Year at the Nelson-Atkins Museum with Uncle Eric, Aunt Kate, and Cousins Elle & Zane. Before leaving home we feasted upon a great Chinese meal.  It was Titus' first time to eat Chinese and he loved it. 

Unfortunately my camera died half-way through the evening.  :(  The event was crowded, but we still had a great time.  We caught a glimpse of the traditional Lion Dance, enjoyed a Chinese calligraphy demo, heard some traditional music, made an art project, and watched an amazing Chinese yo-yo demonstration. Titus had not been feeling well earlier that day (possibly due to teeth) but he was a trooper for our late night adventure!

 

 Finished art project

 Titus' calligraphy says "Blessing",

and what a blessing Titus is!

11 months old

In only one month, my sweet baby will be one years old. Sigh. How I'd love to freeze time and savor these sweet baby moments before they vanish.

Titus is still my peanut, weighing in at just 15ish lbs. He is small, but mighty. Titus is still mainly wearing 3-6 month clothes with a few 9 months thrown in here and there. He's still in his size 2 shoes and size 3 diaper. Love these little clothes and shoes!

Some things Titus has been up to this month:

• He's cutting two bottom teeth #7 & #8 simultaneously... F.U.N.
• He's very attached and gets upset when Mama and Dada leave the room.
• He started drinking from a sippy cup.
• He wants to feed himself, regardless of what it is.
• Titus makes lots of funny noises, and likes to hear the sounds he makes
• He waves bye-bye and gives high fives (when he's in the mood).
• Titus will often say "mama" and "dada" on demand.
• Titus has started enjoy bath time more.
• He only eats table food; baby food is now detestable.
• We began baby story time at the library which he loves.

Family, Food, & Football

To quote Uncle Eric so eloquently, "We are thankful for family, food, and football". It was fun to watch our home team play in the playoffs for the Super Bowl. And, even despite them losing we still had a great day together laughing, eating, and even playing in the snow (inside).

My little snow baby lasted less than a couple of minutes

Elle's mini snowman