Total Drama Island...

My oldest boys are loving this cartoon. It is an adaptation of the "reality" shows that have taken over television land. Just like the "real" reality shows, it is basically a competition between the characters and at the end of the show, one of the characters gets kicked off the island. Well, we aren't cartoon characters, cause if we were, I would 're-draw' a few details, but we seem to be living on Total Drama Island!

If you have been following Elli's blog, then you are well aware of our family dramas. If not, you can feel a lot better about your day by reading about our crazy life right now ;-) I am well aware of how blessed I am....I have four beautiful, healthy children and a great husband - money can't buy what I have, BUT, my plate does seem a little full right now with everything going on right now.

I promise I will post pictures of my sweet Anna soon. Since we have moved, I honestly don't even know where my camera is right now and I haven't downloaded any pictures since mid-July...I know, that's bad! But, Anna is doing great. She is just as beautiful as ever. Her hair is growing, getting thicker and is actually attempting to use more words now. They are still very hard to understand if you aren't around Anna constantly, but she is making progress and we are proud of her.

She is definitely a soon-to-be 3 year old! She can throw a "fit" with the best of them. She has a temper and knows how to use it. When she isn't getting her way, she does the rottenly sweet thing where she is crying, mouth opened, and she takes her hand to cover her opened mouth. It is just like she is saying, "I am so shocked and disappointed that this is all happening." It really is a pitiful site, unless you have seen it about 10 times in one day - then it doesn't really bother you at all.

Anna is scheduled for her next surgery on the 23rd. It is suppose to be the closure of her soft palate and placement of tubes in her ears. I am not really excited about the recovery period of the palate surgery, but I am excited to see the difference tubes may make in her language.

Please continue to keep Anna in your prayers as she is facing another surgery. She needs to be healthy prior to, during and afterwards. No colds, no allergies, no nothing! As well, please keep our adoption proceedings with Elli in your prayers. It has been a long hard road and it seems to be getting longer. May God give us wisdom to help us bring Elli home as quickly as possible. We are praying that he intervenes on our behalf and settle all of this mess very soon.

Sending hugs and love to Elli,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

Happy 4th of July...

Fireworks, cookouts, lots of red, white & blue, the Fourth of July has always been a fun, hot holiday. When in the process of adopting Anna, one of the big things that I most looked forward to, other than the actual meeting of our daughter, was when we entered the United States and she became a citizen entitled to all the freedoms and rights we have in America.

Now, I know this nation isn't perfect...programs, policies, leaders, they are flawed, BUT, I can take my children outside, to the grocery, to church without the fear of being shot down by our military because I disagree with the above mentioned. Even with all the current issues, there is no where else I had rather live. At times, I do wonder about our future as a nation, I sometimes am concerned about what lies ahead, but I am thankful to be an American. Countless men and women served and died to form, protect and defend this country. Our freedoms that we so often throw around without thought did not come cheap.

So shoot some fireworks, eat a hot dog and wear the colors of "Old Glory" today...but remember take time to remember those who have fought and died so that you could do just that and give thanks for the freedoms that still exist in America.

Happy Independence Day,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

Anna Sees the Atlantic...

What a funny site we must have been...three boys, one man and one woman, walking onto the beach with all our attention directed at one little girl. Taking pictures and video while we oooohhhh and ahhhhh at every little bit of excitement Anna displayed.

She liked the water, but not in her face. She likes the sand, as long as you get it washed off quickly, but her favorite....chasing the birds! There were sea gulls walking on the beach and Anna would squeal and take off. I think she would have ran all the way down the beach after a couple of birds if I would have let her. They were flying low and she just knew she could get them....I don't know what she thought she was going to do with them, but she wanted to do something.

The little pools of water that catch when the tide goes out are great "kiddie pools" for the little ones. Anna stood for a long time trying to get her footing on the sand. She walked so stiff legged, it was funny. She finally gained some confidence and starting walking "normal".

Even though it wasn't their first trip to the ocean, I don't know that the boys could have been more excited. We had to pick up somethings this morning and it was pure torture for Carter & Jacob knowing that Grandma & Pa were at the beach and they were at TJ Maxx!!

Finally!!!

Before we got to the beach, we stopped off at Metcalf Bottoms around Townsend, TN in the Smokey Mountains to meet up with a couple of families from our adoption agency. The kids had tons of fun playing in a mountain stream. It was great to finally see people that I have read soooo much about! We had a great time with the families. They were all just beautiful children. Savannah, Jack, Will, Thomas, Leah & Alanna (forgive me if I misspelled names)....such sweet kids. All the kids played good together and Jack - you can baby sit my boys ANYTIME! Carter and Jacob thought Jack was soooo cool.

Anna trying to get "kisses" from Alanna

Anna had a ball jumping with Leah

Water, rocks, critters - perfection!

Can we arrange a marriage between Anna & Thomas? He stole my heart!

Perfectly content just standing in the water watching the boys

We have really ran full speed for the last 2 days. Got to Gatlinburg around 1:00 am on Saturday morning. Anna did not go to sleep until after 5:00 am. Therefore, I did not go to sleep until after 5:00 am. We got up early Saturday morning, went to the picnic and the kids played hard the entire time we were there. They slept a little yesterday in the car, but they were awake for the majority of the 7 hour drive yesterday. They stayed up late last night, Anna crawled all over me all night last night, busy, busy all day today and after we got back from the beach, went to the pool, got baths, they literally passed out! Hopefully Anna will sleep good tonight - Momma needs it!

Anna fell asleep on Grandma's lap

I don't know how or why he was in this position, but Parker fell asleep watching cartoons

Jacob falls out before dinner is finished

Yeah, I know one day Carter will not like me posting a picture with his mouth wide open...at least he isn't drooling!

Having a great family vacation, but wishing there was one more here...

Sending love and hugs to Elli,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

Supporting Elli's Class Through Search Engine...

This is new to me...maybe not to some of you, but I wanted to pass along. There is a fairly new search engine that is owned by Yahoo. When you use the search engine they will donate to a verified charity. If you shop through one of their sponsors, they will donate a percentage of the total purchase!!!

This is an awesome opportunity to support Elli's classroom at her orphanage. I have mentioned Half the Sky numerous times before and the work that they do in China orphanages - including Elli's. They are one of the charities that you can select your "donation" to be given to. As well, Love Without Boundaries is also one of the charities. LWB is the charity that got Elli's palate surgery done. In addition, there is Shaohannah's Hope which gave us a grant for Anna's adoption and we are in process of seeking a grant for Elli's adoption. Shaohannah's Hope not only give grants to adoptive families, but funds foster care and is currently building a 6-story home in China in Luoyang. As well, they educate churches, families, communities on adoption and the need for orphan care across the globe. Autism Speaks is another worthy cause. I have friends whose children have autism and this is a great non-profit that educates, informs and active in research. All are great organizations that could use the financial help. The main thing is - get involved!

So, my request...make Good Search your search engine/home page today! If you are going to be shopping online at one of the sponsor's sites, go through Good Search. There are hundred's of sites, Wal-Mart, iTunes, Target, Children's Place, Chadwicks, Staples, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, eBay, Sephora, JCPenney, Snapfish, Vera Bradley, Netflix, GameStop, Ballard Designs, BestBuy, Nike, elf, Fossil, Gap, GNC, ToysRUs....seriously must I go on?

Sending love and hugs to Elli,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

One Year Anniversary - Gotcha Day!

Yes, I am well aware that I am over 1 week past due on this....BUT, I do have excuses :-)

On June 4th we celebrated, briefly, the 1 year anniversary of Anna's Gotcha Day. The boys were more upset with me than Anna, because she didn't have a clue, that we didn't get to "eat out" for the occasion, but we were getting the yard sale together for Elli. I asked Anna had she rather go celebrate or help bring her sister home...she squealed so I took that as a "let's bring home Elli!!"

We have been so blessed over the last year, actually the last 2 years...okay, our entire lives...Anna has just been an amazing joy and blessing to our family. I cannot imagine her not being here. There are still obstacles and we have to work on constantly to try to catch her up as much as possible, but considering how she was one year ago - she is a totally different child. It is amazing to see the pictures of June 2007 compared to now. We are soooooo proud of her! Truly God has blessed this little girl.

Praying for his continual blessings upon Anna and her life....we love you sweet girl!!
Daddy, Momma, Carter, Jacob & Parker - YOUR FAMILY

In Memory of Maria...

Since the tragic death of Maria Sue Chapman on May 21, 2008, there has been over $100,000 donated in her honor to Shaohannah's Hope. To learn more about how you can help honor this little girl and help orphans around the world please click here.

Tragedy...

I know that I don't personally "know" the Chapman family, but their family's loss has me in tears this morning. I was so moved by the Chapman's story when we went to a concert about 6 years ago. I sat and cried as Steven shared his 2 adoptive daughters' stories. They went on an adopted a third daughter from China, Maria.

The Chapman family has been a huge encouragement for so many adoptive families and changed the life of so many orphans around the world. Not only in the area of adoption, but their dedication to the children still in orphanages and foster care. We were blessed last year with a grant from their charitable organization, Shaohannah's Hope, when bringing home Anna. We have again applied to help with the expenses of Elli's adoption. I may not know them personally, but they have personally touched our family.

Please pray for this family as they are grieving the loss of their 5-year old daughter, Maria Sue. I cannot imagine what they must be feeling or the long road ahead of this family. There is no doubt that they love their children and are truly dedicated parents. Only God knows and only God can bring peace and comfort to this wonderful family.

Sending prayers to the Chapman Family,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

With Hope

By Steven Curtis Chapman

1 Thess. 4:13-14 / Heb. 6:9, 10:23

This is not at all how

We thought it was supposed to be

We had so many plans for you

We had so many dreams

And now you've gone away

And left us with the memories of your smile

And nothing we can say

And nothing we can do

Can take away the pain

The pain of losing you, but ...

We can cry with hope

We can say goodbye with hope

'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no

And we can grieve with hope

'Cause we believe with hope

(There's a place by God's grace)

There's a place where we'll see your face again

We'll see your face again

And never have I known

Anything so hard to understand

And never have I questioned more

The wisdom of God's plan

But through the cloud of tears

I see the Father's smile and say well done

And I imagine you

Where you wanted most to be

Seeing all your dreams come true

'Cause now you're home

And now you're free, and ...

We have this hope as an anchor

'Cause we believe that everything

God promised us is true, so ...

We wait with hope

And we ache with hope

We hold on with hope

We let go with hope