Followers, checkout the big news. . .

In case there's a few of you who haven't "moved" with me. . .now's the time to go!  Wonderful news and a "Give Away" coming up over at www.dawsonmakes9.blogspot.com

MOVING!

What? Our blog - no more room!
Oh, how can it be?

We have lots to share - pictures and news,
Want to know more? Follow us and see!

www.dawsonmakes9.blogspot.com

We Have a Published Author in the House!

Diamonte

Start

Fast, Fresh

Running, Driving, Racing

Alpha, Stamina, Sweat, Omega

Coming, Tiring, Cramping

Slow, Breathless

Finish

 

 

A Truly Spectacular Place

 

In immensely dark caves,

Over lightly shaded gray clouds,

With amazing spooky waters in the background,

Winter cools the earth

 

From highly held cliffs,

Beneath steeply carved peaks,

Around undiscovered corners

I hear the mountains calling me.

Yes, our Fulton is now a published author.  I have known for a while that he had a special gift in this area.  During our homeschool years, I was amazed at his use of symbolism and abstract thinking in his writing.  A talent he did not get from me!  His 6th grade English teacher has really praised and encouraged Fulton in this area.  After writing the above 2 poems, she sent them to her sister who has an online site for gifted student authors. 
www.teachgoodwriting.blogspot.com
David and I are so proud! 

It's Fall Ya'll

I do realize it has been "fall" for a while now and that winter is fastly approaching, but I need to catch up on some posts so let's just pretend . . . 

 

Fall means apple picking!

 

 

 

Another 1st for Leiney Grace

Apple picking tip - store your fresh apples in gallon ziplock bags in your fridge's fruit/ veggie bin.  They last for months.  We are still eating apples we picked on this day in September!

Leiney Grace and Aunt Lulu have such a bond since Aunt Lulu has been there since Day 1.  She travelled with me to China to adopt Leiney Grace. 

These 2 boys have such a sweet relationship.  I hear Fulton tell Hudson often "Buddy, I can't play with you right now.  I have to do my homework.  You don't want Fulton to get in trouble, do you?"  Hudson adores Fulton - until he gets body slammed on the sofa : )

 

 

My crew plus some cousins - John Parker, Gabe and Kylene - my cousins' children.  Our apple picking trip is a tradition now and since Lulu and Sheri live in "Apple Country", we always do it together.  Making memories is a wonderful treasure!

 

The whole gang!

 

Fall means Happy Gotcha Day to Ellie.  Back in September 2008, we travelled to Kunming, China to meet our sweet little Ellie.  It is so hard to belive that Ellie joined our family 4 years ago.  Wow!  Those 4 years have flown by.

 

 

Fall means Halloween.  This year we had a skateboader/ Rip stick guy, Rapunzel, Ariel, a Ninja, Tinkerbell, and an adorable little monkey!    And 2 teens who refused to be anybody but themselves.  Might have regretted that a bit when it was time to eat candy : )  Their little siblings did share some of their loot!

 

 

Fall means it's hunting season.  Hudson was quite proud of the buck his Daddy brought home in the back of the truck!

 

 

And fall means football!

 

With 8 kiddos, only a few go at a time.  On this day, Shelby, Fulton, and Ethan accompanied David to cheer the Gamecocks on!

Supporting Adopting Families is EASY

 

you probably already know that reading adoption - related blogs is a favorite pasttime of mine.  another favorite pasttime is advocating for orphans - oh yeah, you knew that too.  another one is supporting famlies who are adopting. here's another way you, too, can support a family who has stepped out in faith to adopt!  and these shirts are awesome!  i own 3 and looove them.  buy a great shirt with an awesome verse on it and support an adopting family. these tees will make super christmas gifts too.  just saying!   another win - win situation. 

 

wildolivetees.com

 

Are you ready?

The Family Code is WHITNEY407.

Got it? Goooood

 

and to meet this wonderful family, check out their family blog -

whitneygang.blogspot.com

 

 

A Fighter!

Tao Tao as a 3month old

Tao Tao as a malnourished 18 month old

After we returned home from China with Leiney Grace, my aunt told me not to look at waiting children's photos.  I love my aunt dearly and respect her greatly, but I think we all know that I have not complied with her request.  God has used the orphan crisis to Break. My. Heart. I never knew back in 2006 that this was God's plan.  Adoption at that point had just as much to do with me as with the child I was adopting.  David and I signed up to adopt one child and truly thought our family would be complete. I never suspected that I would return from China in 2007 and  be a completely different person.  But I did.  Never did I think I would return to China in 2008.  And 2010.  And 2012.  But I did.  Never did I think I would have 8 kids.  But I do.  Never did I think I would tell God after 8 children that  "Here I am. If you will equip me, Lord, I will go.  I will love and care for another."  But I have and I do.  As long as I am able and God calls and is willing to equip me, I will go.  (Yes, I know He has to call David too!)
The above pictures are of just one child of many whom my heart has recently been broken for.  This little fellow was found abandoned at 3 months old with a repaired cleft lip.  That says a lot about his birth family and his beginning in life.  Yet, Tao Tao also has a complex heart defect.  Tetralogy of Fallot.  The same as Leiney Grace had.  Apparently that diagnosis proved to be too much for his birth parents.  As you can see from the baby picture, Tao Tao had bright eyes and good color.  That was when he was found.  Then 15 months later, this precious little one was suffering from severe malnutrition and living in an orphanage.  In fact, he only weighed 5.4 kg at 19 months.  That's 11 pounds, 8 ounces.  Lilly, who also suffered from malnutrition when we adopted her, weighed 17 pounds at the same age.  Some of you remember how frail, thin, and sickly she was.  He weighs 5 to 6 pounds less than she did.  That breaks my heart. And I hope it breaks yours.
We are not adopting this little one although we thought and prayed about it for weeks.  However, God has still called me to help this child, one of the least of these.  And I am.  I am doing all I can to get him the medical help he so desperately needs.  Love Without Boundaries has contacted his orphanage who is very receptive of outside help for Tao Tao. The last email I received stated that Tao Tao's ECHO would be sent to a cardiologist in Shanghai to determine what medical intervention he needs first - a heart cath or surgery.  LWB will send him to Shanghai for the procedure.  Please join me in praying for this little one who is indeed a "Fighter"!  He needs surgery to repair his heart, and he needs a forever family.  His file is available from the shared list so any agency can pull it.  I also have it so please email me with any questions! 

 

Another great idea to help orphans - support a fundraising family!  Adeye at "No Greater Joy Mom" is focusing on helping fundraising families bring home their precious kiddos from all over the world.  There are some great items for sale, auction, etc.  Take a peek.  Christmas is right around the corner!  Get a great gift, support a fundraising family, and help a child come home!  That's a WIN WIN situation folks!

http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2012/10/online-fundraisers-happening-now.html

In Case You Need A Laugh

It has been another busy week.  I should be asleep yet I just have to share - mainly so I won't forget. 
 
After David returned from his trek to the nearby town where all of our kids' activities are (still asking myself why we don't move there?) to take 2 kiddos to their school's last football game, one of those 2 kids (who shall remain nameless) tells us he has to "type something".  It's 9:00 by now.  His bed time is 9:30.  Well  "type something" actually means a 3 page paper. . . due TOMORROW.  Did I mention that "Nameless" doesn't type.  He pecks.  "Nameless" didn't bother to do this assignment, which he has known about for 3 days, while he sat around for 90 minutes after school waiting to go to above mentioned football game.  Let's just say, after a good lecture, a coveted privelege removed, and a few tears, he went to bed. "Nameless" did not "type something" and will be starting from a possible 90 points rather than 100 when he turns his assignment in on Monday.
10 minutes later, son #2 walks downstairs and proceeds to tell me for the 200th 20th time that he does NOT want to go to the parent teacher conference before I take he and his friends to a fun place to celebrate his birthday, and after I calmly tell him it is NOT an option as said conference and said party are in above mentioned nearby town 30 minutes from home, my husband said something that made me laugh and find joy when I had very little left. . . As we were discussing our not so serene evening with our precious sons, I humbly stated "I didn't even raise my voice."  My witty husband replied "I might have lost my mind, but I didn't raise my voice either." 

Maybe that's not funny.  But to this tired mom on a Thursday night, it was hysterical!

Helping Mama Kong Help Orphans in China

Please take a moment to check out Kim's latest post about how we can help Mama Kong as she cares for 30 special needs orphans in a rural, severely polluted, impoverished area of China.  It's a simple idea really.  And I can't wait to see how God uses a woman in SC with a heart for orphans, a pearl necklace, and  a blog to raise money for a selfless woman in China caring for 30 or more children with special needs!  Who ever said being a Christian is boring?  His miracles are fascinating, inspiring, and exciting!  Let's all be a part of this one: )  Go now: www.catecomeshome.blogspot.com
And to see the documentary about Mama Kong go to You Tube and search for "Lost Children of the Coal".  You will be inspired!

Advocating for Max

 

Isn't Max adorable?  This little cutie has been waiting over a year for a family.  He is 4 years old and is diagnosed with hemophilia.  That sounds like a scary diagnosis, but he is doing very well in the orphanage and is in the Half the Sky Little Sister's preschool program.  Of course he does bruise easily and has to be careful when playing outside.  He is described as extroverted, outgoing and social.  Little Max is fond of listening to music and pretend playing.  Curious Max is also described as being one who can be impatient and stubborn at times - sounds like most little 4 year old boys!  Please spread the word about Max.  And email with any questions: dfbjhb@windstream.net