Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Gracie

My Gracie is one of the sweetest joys in my life.  She is my child that tells it like it is and has yet to find her filter.  At the same time she is amazingly loving and compassionate.  She loves to swim, dance, and play with the boys.  Just a short 3 months ago Gracie was the baby and she played  the role very well.  I am just amazed how she has matured and is now "the big sister".  Gracie has been keeping us quite busy the last few weeks and we have the pictures to show it. 

Gracie and Addie hanging out.

Gracie's Last Day of Pre-K

Gracie and Mommy at Dance Recital.

And soon there will be Kindergarten......sigh....but for now there is plenty of summer fun.

Poke 1999-2011

The BEST friend our kids have ever had.
We miss you terribly....
Mom & Dad

Our Adoption Story...

A Daddy's Love

Happy Easter!!!

He is Risen....He is Risen Indeed. 

I can't think of a better reason to celebrate than the gift of eternal life.  Jesus paid it ALL!!

Our little ladies ready for church on Easter morning.

Miss Maggie looking so grown up.

A little mommy and Addie time.

Addie checking out the Easter bunny who came to visit the neighborhood this morning.

McCombs' girls and the Easter Bunny!

A lesson in Love...........

You know that you have taught your children a lesson about love when:

1.  Your 5 year old is playing barbies and all of a sudden all the barbies are adopted.

2.  Your 9 year old tells you that she wants to adopt someday.

3.  The 5 and 9 year olds don't mind sharing mommy and daddy with their new little sister.

Speaking of Love......Happy Easter, Everyone!!!!  This is a time of renewal and restoration!!!  We will be celebrating the HOPE that He has brought and continues to bring.  I encourage you all to take the time to reflect on what Easter means to you.  We would like to invite anyone who doesn't have a church home to LABC for Good Friday Services at 6pm on Friday evening and to Sonrise Services at 7:00 am on Easter Sunday.  If that is too early for you regular service starts at 10:30 am on Sunday.  Many Blessings to you all!!!!

Addie J learning to "gently" pet the bunny and not pull on his ears!!

Our beautiful little ladies all ready for church!!

Addie J trying to eat the egg that she found at Eggstravaganza!!

Big sister Gracie pushing Addie in her new swing for the first time!!

Summer Hosting Program for Orphans

Please read the below information from In His Hands Orphans Outreach closely with an open mind and an open heart.  This is a wonderful ministry from Rochester, IL who's mission is to help orphans all over the world. 

There are two sibling groups:  8, 9 & 10 year old sisters

                                                      13 yr old girl and her 9 yr old brother

These children are still needing a family to host them from July 25th - August 15th in order to come to the US.  Due to their ages and the fact that they are part of a sibling group, this could be their last chance to find a forever family.  Before making any decisions, I ask that you prayerfully consider your answer. 
                                              

There are over two million orphaned children in the Philippines alone. Once a child turns 16 years old, he/she

is no longer available for adoption. These children live the rest of their lives with no family to love and care for

them. Some children end up living on the streets, deprived of the basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter

and medical care. Proper intervention techniques will help these children find safe and loving families so they do not end up on the streets fighting to survive.

The purpose of our Summer Hosting Program is to find loving adoptive homes for all of the children. Applications must be submitted to determine eligibility. Priority will be given to those considering adoption. For people interested in hosting but not adopting, they must be strongly committed to finding an adoptive family for the child they host.

Once orphans turn 5, they only have a 5% chance of ever being adopted. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to at least help change the lives of 10 children who would likely never have a family if they didn’t get the chance to be part of the hosting program. Before the children come, all host parents will be provided with training, so that they will know what to expect. 

In August, 2010, we had eight children from the Philippines come stay with host families in the central IL area for three weeks. The program included several fun activities including picnics, water park, zoo, and boat ride. If you are interested in participating in future hosting programs, please look over our Hosting Brochure for eligibility requirements and Contact Us.

2011 5K Run/Walk for Orphans

Help Fight the Good Fight and come out to support orphans on Saturday, June 4th, 2011 from 8-11 am at the Rochester Park by participating in the 5K Run/Walk for Orphans.  The money will be used to help provide needs for orphaned children worldwide.  For more information  and to register visit http://www.inhishandsorphans.org/.  Hope to see you there!!!!

April 12th....a VERY special day!!

One year ago today, our precious Addison was found in a park.  She was hungry, cold and crying when she was found but she was not alone during this time....God was right there with her...giving her life and supplying her with her every need.  Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the decision that her birth mother made that day...I cannot pretend to know how she felt that day but I pray that she may find peace.  I sometimes look back and cannot believe the journey that we have been on and how God has been with us every step of the way...I know that sometimes we get glimpses but this past year has been so much more than glimpses.

Addison continues to amaze us every day and has come out of her shell so much in the last couple of days.  She is jabbering non-stop and always has a ready smile and sometimes a giggle for her two big sisters.  Maggie and Gracie just adore her.  I am so proud of the two big sisters and the way they have blossomed into their roles since we have been home.  I will leave you today with some pics of Addie because I know that's what you are all waiting for:)

A belated birthday celebration at home!!!

Playing in the cake with my sisters.

Opening some birthday presents.

Waiting on ice cream!!!!!

Children of God

God speaks volumes to me thru this very song.  I heard this for the first time yesterday, thanks to Mike.  How soon we forget that we too are the adopted sons and daughters of Christ, if we choose to have a relationship.

WE ARE HOME!!!

There is no place like home and Addie thinks so too!  We were greeted last Thursday at the airport by numerous family and friends!  It was amazing to see my girls all together for the first time.  I have to say after a rough 12 hour and 45 minute flight it was just what my heart needed. 

Life as a family of 5 has been much easier than expected.  The first couple of days after we arrived home were filled with adjusting to the new time and visitors.  Here it is Tuesday and I think we are finally straightened out:)  Addie slept 11 hours last night and is eating like a champ.  She looks at all of us with such love and simply adores her two big sisters!!  I have two little helpers...just like I knew that I would.  I already cannot imagine our lives without her....God places the lonely in families!!!!

                                                        Together for the first time!!!!!

Playing dolls with my sisters for the first time!

Coming Home

I can't believe that I am already typing my last entry from China.  Tomorrow
night at 7:00 pm (our time) after picking up Addison's Visa we will leave
Guangzhou and head for Beijing where we will catch an early 6:55 am flight
straight to Chicago.  Please pray for us as we are not looking forward to that
long flight home with a baby:)  Mike and I cannot wait to see our precious girls
Maggie and Gracie.  The look on their faces as they see their sister for the
first time will be priceless.  It will be so good for Addie to be around the
girls.  This afternoon I turned on a TV show that had Chinese children on it and
she was jabbering Chinese and waving her arms a mile a minute.  I have a feeling
that she will adore her sisters as much as they already adore her. 

As I type this email Steve and Lisa should be safely arriving in Chicago within
a few hours.  We have been praying them home safely.  We can't begin to tell
everyone how awesome it was having them here with us in China. 

While in Guangzhou we have spent most of our time walking around visiting with
the locals and shop owners.  We have also met some incredible American families
who are here adopting as well.  Last night we were able to visit with some of
them at dinner and hear some of their God stories.  Today we went to the
consulate to apply for Addie's Visa, while there we took our oath and got to
watch many families celebrate as they took the last step of becoming a forever
family.  Most of the families we meet have other children at home and have even
adopted from other countries besides China.  I love hearing all of their stories
and how they got to where they are.  I have to say that there are alot of
Americans here being radical for God.  

Yesterday we did visit the local 3 story McDonalds, Mike and I did agree that
the cheeseburgers were better than home!  I never thought that I would say that
in China!   Tonight we are going to introduce Addie to KFC for some mash
potatoes and gravy....welcome to America! 

I had better go and resume my packing but before I do.....I want to thank you
all for your thoughts and prayers.  She is the right one for our family and is
already loved more than she can imagine.  It is incredible to think that in the
grand scheme of life....Addie's only needs are to be loved, cared for and to
know Jesus.  

Jeremiah 29:11  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I want to EMBRACE each moment as we become a family of five.......this is our
"new kind of normal" and we wouldn't have it any other way!!!!

Good-bye Kunming....Hello Guangzhou

Friday started out like all of our other mornings in Kunming....back to the
orphanage for medicine or as the Chinese call it "drops".  As we were waiting in
the "time-out" room for Addie my emotions hit me like a ton of bricks.  I hadn't
really had time to sit and process all that God had done and was still doing to
help bring Addie home.  As I sat in that room I looked around at the four walls
that had held my baby girl for the first year of her life and the tears just
came streaming down my face.  I think I scared Mike a little bit but I had
warned him that this may happen:)  I had 5 months for this to all build up and
now I was seeing it all unfold before my very eyes.  As we drove thru the gates
of the orphanage one last time, I whispered to Addie "You are going home baby
girl".  We are forever grateful to the people at Kunming City Children's Welfare
Institute for taking care of our Addie J.  Thank you God for opening their
hearts to our daughter....we can SEE every day that she has been well cared
for. 

Friday afternoon we headed for the airport and said good-bye to a dear friend
and guide named Jack.  Jack made sure we all got checked in and our luggage was
where it needed to go.  After all of this was done we headed to security where
we had to say our good-byes to Jack.  We told Jack that we loved him and would
be praying for he and his church.  When we got to the other side of the security
check point we looked back thru the doorway and there was Jack with tears in his
eyes.  Thank you Jack for letting God's light shine thru you in a sea of
darkness.  Please pray for Jack......hopefully we will see him at LABC in the
future!!! 

We landed in Guangzhou late last night, so I apologize from being absent from
the blog for the past couple of days.  We want to take in as much of the culture
as possible,so we do not stop during the day.  I have a pouch that we put Addie
in during the day and she sleeps when she needs to and takes in the sites the
rest of the time.  We had her medical exam today with all of the other children
who are currently being adopted.  She passed everything with flying colors and
has been given the green light.  Our last paperwork will be Tuesday when we have
our appt. at the consulate.  I am telling you that she is an AMAZING
baby.  She looks at us with such love....I can't describe it and I don't think I
have ever seen anything like it! 

Mike and I have been so blessed to have Steve and Lisa with us.  They have
showered Addie with love and have helped show her what it is like to have a
family.  Plus it's kind of fun to tell everyone you brought your
own Pediatrician and nurse!!!  All joking aside..having them here has made
a HUGE difference and we are extremely grateful. 

I can't stop here.  I have to tell everyone out there what amazing mothers Mike
and I have.  Thank you Grandma Burger and Grandma Glenda for showering Maggie
and Gracie with love while mom and dad are away!  I know that there are others
out there too keeping an eye on our precious girls.  Thank you from the bottom
of our hearts!

Okay, I have to get some rest but I will leave you with some pictures and Psalm
139:13  For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's
womb.

Picture 1:  Our last meal at Mama Fu's in Kunming

Picture2:  Saying good-bye to Jack

Picture 3:  Addie showing off for the camera

Picture 4:  Dr. Steve listening to Addie

Picture 5:  Addie sporting her new look

Picture 6:  Addie getting checked out at the medical clinic

Humble Beginnings

Our day started out by going back to the orphanage for more "drops" as the
Chinese like to call it.  Please do not think that Addie is sick because that is

not the case at all.....she is doing amazing but the orphanage feels the need to

carry out their traditional ways of treating what we would call a common cold. 
Addie's little friend and her family were also there with us this morning. 
Since Dr. Lillpop kindly gave suggestions and asked questions yesterday, we were

told today that we would need to wait in the "waiting room"  during today's
procedure. 

So we were laughing this morning because the Americans got put
in time out and had to wait in a separate room.  Whatever...it's all good!!! 

Some of you are probably wondering why Addie has so many clothes on....well the
Chinese strongly believe in wearing layers upon layers of clothes.  They want
the babies to have 4 layers on top and at least 2 layers on the bottom.  We are
learning this the hard way and if we do not layer her up when going out the
older Chinese ladies will stop and point.  We have no idea what they are saying
but it I am sure it sounds something like "Put some clothes on that baby...you
crazy people."  That is why you will often see Addie with a blanket wrapped
around her.  This morning the orphanage director told the guide to tell me that
the "baby needs more clothes"...we just smile and nod our heads.

After we left the orphanage we set off to find Addie's finding spot.  Jack and
our driver took us to the exact town approx. 30 min outside of Kunming.  We were

able to find the exact park and the exact location according to what had been
written in the ad.  We got out of the van and found the restrooms in the park. 
According to her ad she was left right outside of the restrooms next to the
wall.  It was a very emotional, yet peaceful time for us and we were able to
take

lots of pictures and video.  We walked around for about a 1/2 hour just taking
it all in

and by that time it was getting close to lunch.  There was an open steamed bun
shop across the street where our guide Jack had gotten something a little
earlier to eat, so the 4 of us and Addie decided to cross the street and get
some steamed buns w/pork.  We stood on the sidewalk eating our buns and taking
in some more of the sites when Jack our guide walked next door to get a drink. 
We all decided that we were thirsty as well and followed Jack in the store. 
Just so you know....we were showstoppers in this area because it is more rural
and they do not see alot of white people.  While we were in the store the lady
at the checkout asked Jack "Why are these Americans here?"  Jack explained to
her about our adoption and that we were here to see the finding spot of our
baby.  The lady then became very excited and said, "This baby....I know
her....she was found right over there (pointing to the park) next to the
restrooms...she was found in a box on a cold morning at 8am.  She was very very
hungry and very angry when she was found.  She was left with formula sitting
next to her and some older lady in the park got some water and mixed it with the
formula so

that she could eat before taking her to the police station."  That is all the
lady knew but it was just enough and she seemed so please that Addison had
been adopted and she kept looking and feeling her chubby thighs.  Today just
gives me chills and lets me know that God is walking every step of this journey
with us....He has not left out any detail and He keeps showing himself in
various ways.  We are so blessed to have gotten to SEE where our beautiful
daughter so bravely took some of her first breaths.  Remember she was about 3
1/2 lbs when she was found and her finding ad has a picture that reflects the
conditon she was in at that time.  God is good all the time!!!!!!!  Giving
thanks for Addie today

and the decision that her birth mom made.
 
Picture 1:  Addie chillin in her PJ's
 
Picture 2:  Playful Addie
 
Picture 3:  Addie learning to explore food
 
Picture 4:  Outside of the orphanage with some of the staff.  (Lady on the far
right is the director)
 
Picture 5:  Addie's food at the orphanage....rice porridge with eggs.
 
Picture6:  Our family picture at her finding spot.
 
Picture 7:  Her finding spot outside the restroom in the park.
 
Picture 8:  At the park with our guide Jack.
 
Picture 9:  The store where the lady knew all about Addie.
 
Picture10:  The park where she was found with Uncle Steve and Auntie Lisa

Kunming Cutie

Wow I am not sure where to even start......there is not enough time to get this
all out.  After spending a couple of days in Beijing and seeing no signs of
Christianity...I was beginning to wonder how anyone would ever be able to break
into this culture and explain true salvation.  I was feeling very sad and
discouraged for the people of China until we met Jack.  Jack (is not his real
name but easier for us) is our Baptist tour guide....YES a Baptist in Kunming
China.  When Jack picked us up from the airport yesterday he asked us in the van
if we were Christians...and we responded yes...and he then asked what
denomination.....and we answered Baptist.  Jack's face lit up and he responded
me too!  After much conversation with Jack we were able to find out that he does
not usually do adoption guide work but had gotten this job at the last
minute...Is that a God moment or what......we also learned that he was born and
raised in Kunming and has never really left the city.  He has been a Christian
for 2 years and cannot speak publicly about the truth that has set him free.  In
a city of 4 million...Jack belongs to a church of 50 which meets privately on
Tuesday nights and Sundays.  How Radical is that for those who have read the
book????   We can't wait for Jack to come visit us in the states and attend
church with us.  He is hungry for God's word and is a remarkable young man to be
able to carry out the Christian life in south western China!!  Please pray for
Jack and others like him!!

Okay back to Addie J as we like to call her.  Overall she had a good first
nights sleep...she has a cold that is making it a little difficult to breath
when lying down but she is a good baby.  She is a self-soother and loves to suck
her thumb.  That is how she puts herself to sleep which just breaks my heart in
a way because I know that some nights that is all she had.  We are trying to
learn what she likes to eat because their food is so different.  She is not
overly fond of the baby formula that we bought yesterday at Wal-mart but she
will drink it.  She does love rice porridge with eggs mixed in....thank goodness
the hotel has it on the breakfast buffet.  We also met a sweet family from
Indiana who got their daughter yesterday with us.  She and Addie were friends
from the Orphanage and we are hoping to be able to keep in touch once we get
home.  Both babies had to go back to the orphanage today for some medicine to
treat their colds.  When you are here you just shake your heads and agree with
what the people tell you to do.  The fact that we have a pediatrician and nurse
with us doesn't seem to matter...the orphanage insists on giving the babies
Penicillin for their colds thru an IV....it is the worse thing in the world to
watch but necessary at this time.  Dr. Lillpop and nurse Lisa are overseeing the
process with our guide so I know that she is in good hands.  

While Addie was getting her medicine we were able to take a tour of the
orphanage.  Rows and rows of precious babies are what we saw as we walked in and
out of the rooms.  The orphanage did show us the room that Addie was in but we
were not allowed to take pictures.  Our hearts just broke as we walked by and
tried to touch them or talk sweetly to them.  I would hate to think of what
would have happened if the orphanage was not there so it is bitter sweet. 
Someone out there reading this has to be thinking about adoption....I am begging
you to pray about it and SEE if it is what God has willed for you.  It is so
obtainable and I would be more than happy to help walk anyone thru it.  Excuses
do not work.....all God needs is willingness and He will provide the rest. 

Picture 1:  Stylin Addie

Picture 2:  Going to sleep sucking her thumb

Picture 3:  Playful Addie

Picture 4:  At the orphanage getting her medicine

Picture 5:  Our 2nd trip to the Wal-mart....so much cheaper than home.

A Forever Family

She is here with us and she is perfect!!!!  She is much smaller than we thought
so there will be shopping in order once we get home.  She has the best giggle
and toothless grin.  She is not walking yet and we are excited that we won't
miss some of those firsts!!!  I don't want the computer to take me away from her
right now so I will keep this short.  I can tell you that God has prepared her
for us because she didn't cry once when Mike and I held her for the first time
and she has been nothing but giggles all afternoon in the hotel room.  I can't
wait for Maggie and Gracie to meet their sister.....they are just going to be in
love;)  I am so ready for ALL of us to be together!!!

Get ready to fall in love.......