And We Are....

...done.

With swimming.
For the summer.
{Enter sigh of relief}.

After 2 long
(and crowded)
(and VERY warm)
days at the UNC natotorium watching the kids compete in their league's end of the year championship meet,
we
are
done.

But even though it was long
(and crowded)
(and VERY warm),
it was so fun to see how the kids had progressed this summer.
Lily, who started swimming on the swim team after a total of 2 whole swim lessons, finished 1st in her heat.
She swam her little heart out and we were all SO proud of her.
(Grandma and Nana....these videos are for you).
WARNING:  Possible obnoxious parent cheering for daughter during clip.....

(Only had my camera phone for this one.  She's second from top.)

And then there was Alex.
Who had a very "Alex-like" end to his season.
He finished his heat in 2nd place.
We saw it from the stands.
We saw it on the score board.
And yet....
From way down on the pool deck, as he is walking back to his teams' spot...
He turns.
Flashes that golden boy smile of his.
And waves a ribbon given to those who finish first in their heat.
Hmmm....

After the meet, I asked him.
So how did you get a ribbon?
And in typical Alex fashion he responded...
"There was a hand."
"Sticking out from the crowd."
"With a ribbon."
He had no idea what place he finished.
All he knew was somebody was handing him a ribbon.
Carpe ribbon.
It's just how he rolls.

So.
Very.
Alex.

My only hope is that the little guy who actually did win the heat was compensated for the mix-up by getting a ribbon of his own.

And then today after sitting through 1,235 various heats of 9-12 year olds, we were able to watch Caroline swim.
Just me and Scott.
Alone.
Well, almost alone.
We were still surrounded by 700+ other folks.
But since none of them were our children, we call that a date.

Anyway, Caroline had worked so hard this summer to improve on her time.
She made every morning practice (and sometimes evening practices too).
She'd even work on her own sometimes while everyone else was having fun at the pool.
So when it came time for her events, we were so happy to cheer her on.
'Cause she'd worked so hard.
And 'cause she's really cute.

And in her butterfly heat, when she had to come from behind, she gave it her all.

She's second from the bottom. 
The cute one in purple.
Just sayin'   :)




So proud of her and all of them.
And so ready for a shower and a nap.

Opportunity

I took this picture of Lily on May 24.
May 24.

It was her first trip to the pool.
Ever.

Floaties on each arm.
Blow-up ring secured tightly around her waist.
That's how it was on May 24.
Four weeks ago.

But last night, at our local swim meet, she showed us all just what can be accomplished in four short weeks...

...when you have the drive to pursue a goal.
...when you have the determination to work hard.
..and when you have the opportunity to make it happen.

I love that girl's drive.
I love her determination.
And I love the fact that because of His great love, she now has every opportunity to be all that He created her to be.

The Swim

After a long week of waiting, Lily had her first official swim lesson yesterday.

Pretty standard.
30 minutes.
Learning to kick.
And stroke.
And breathe.
Simultaneously.

So if you are beginning to know my Lily like I am beginning to know my Lily...
Well then you know that of course she was going to attempt to swim the length of the pool.
Today.

'Cause she's got one whole swim lesson under her belt.
And she's been acquainted with this thing called a pool for oh, I don't know, a couple of weeks now.
For the first time in her life.
Ever.
Naturally it's time to swim the length of it.
If you're Lily, that is.

She tried over and over and over.
And she ended up being able to make it a little more than half way across with her "coaches" cheering her on.
And I was duly impressed.

I am constantly amazed at her determination.
And what she has already accomplished in the short time she has been home.

And I have a feeling that if we make it back down to the pool tomorrow...
She's going to find her way from one end to the other before it's time to head home.

Lesson Learned

Swim season is upon us.
Lots of practicing.
Lots and lots of time spent at the pool.
Lots and lots and lots of pictures of cute kids enjoying 90 degree weather by splashing the day away.

Unfortunately, all those pictures are being held hostage by my Smart phone.
Which makes me feel really stupid.  Not smart.

Anyway...
I was very interested to see how Lily would do at the pool.
Before it opened we would ask her if she'd ever been swimming before.
Had she been in a pool?
Had she ever seen a pool?

At the time we had that conversation, all we got from her were gestures that simulated drowning.
Not good.

But these first few days have been great.
She's all over that pool, looking adorable with floaties on each arm, goggles, and a swim ring around her waist.
And silly me, I thought she'd be happy with that for the duration of the summer.
Just to get her acclimated and all.
And then next summer....

Oh no.
No, no, no.
This is Lily we're talking about.

She's watched Caroline and Michael have tune up lessons for swim team.
She's watched Alex do lessons with his age group...the pre-swim team swim team.
And in her mind she's ready.
So she asks me.

But I've gone down this road before.
If certain skills aren't in place, lessons are like throwing your money away aren't very effective.
And as of 6:00 this evening, she wasn't going under the water.
Until...

Until I told her that once she was able to go underwater..
without holding her nose...
then we'd see about lessons.

And by 6:15, the child was diving for rings on the bottom of the pool.

Swim lessons start June 6.

Parenting lessons, on the other hand, are ongoing.

Wordless Wednesday {Pool Time}

The Recital

Five months ago, I only knew her through pictures. 
But even then I could see in her a confidence and a joy.

Four months ago today, we met for the first time.
The confidence was for real.
As was the joy.
To this day, she's one of the bravest people I know.

Two months ago, after a couple of times observing her siblings take piano lessons, she decided she was ready to try it herself.
And her very gracious, very talented teacher found her a spot in the schedule.

One month ago, it was decided that she was ready to perform in the upcoming spring recital.
Not just one song, but two.

And just last Saturday, confidence and joy overflowed as she waltzed across the stage, took her seat at the piano and played her songs beautifully.

 

Confident.
Joyful.
Beautiful.
Lily.

How I eagerly await to see what He has in store for her future.

Trip to the OT

Took Lily to see the occupational therapist last week for an evaluation.

She had a blast.

Games.
Coloring.
Handwriting.
Stickers.

If only every doctor's visit could be this fun.

My favorite moment of the appointment came when the therapist asked Lily to string several beads onto a shoelace.
Not usually a big deal, but this particular test was timed.
And the time was so limited that she forewarned Lily, "It's a lot harder than it seems."

"Most kids," she told her, "only get 2 or 3 beads strung before time runs out."

Mmmm hmmm I thought to myself.
It's on now.

And it certainly was.

When all was said and done she had strung 5 beads and scored a fine motor age equivalency of 19 years.

19 years.

If you ask me, kids like her bring a whole new meaning to the term "special" needs.

Learning to Love

Lately, there are some days when I feel like my wardrobe should primarily consist of black and white vertical stripes accessorized by a whistle around my neck.

And the phrase, "Can't we all just get along?" echoes in the recesses of my mind.

And then there are days like today.

Days where I see them sacrifice for one another.
Help one another.
Love one another.

Today Caroline spent the better part of her free time teaching Lily how to ripstick.
And both were eager to show me her progress.

So out came the camera.
For them and for me.
Because when we're facing another day where the whistle continually blows and time outs abound, these are the kinds of moments I want to remember.
.

Another First

A few weeks back, we took Lily to a park for the first time.
While there we discovered that she had never been on a swing before.

Eight years old.
Without ever having had the chance to enjoy one of the greatest joys of childhood.

With a bit of coaching from her sisters, she learned to pump on her own.
And now?
I think it's safe to say the sky's the limit.

Lily and Jesus...the rest of the story

Over the past few days, I've started, quit, and then restarted posts about Lily's journey with Jesus.

I'd love to sit and write down everything I've seen Him do since bringing her home, but the words just don't come easily and the time to sit and think just isn't there.

But I do want to share the highlights.

Since our first conversation with her a few weeks back she has been completely captivated by Him.

We've read story after story after story of His miracles.
We've talked about how only He can heal the hurts that she carries in her heart.
And we've prayed that she would come understand just how much He loves her and what He's accomplished for her on the cross.

Though our conversations were daily and her English was growing by leaps and bounds, I still wondered how much of the gospel she was actually able to understand.

Until in a moment of pure brilliance, my husband asked,  "I wonder if they make a JESUS film in Mandarin?"

Ahhh...
I didn't know the answer but I did know how to find out.
I emailed a friend who knew a thing or two about that movie and discovered that they did indeed make a version in Mandarin!  (Thanks Janna!)

So we ordered it and we watched it together, listening in Mandarin while reading English subtitles.

She "ooohed" at some of the scenes while uttering an occasional "wow"  at the miracles and "that's cool"  when He appeared to His disciples after the resurrection.
(My personal favorite was when she said that Jesus had nice teeth.)


And that night when tucking her into bed, instead of Lily asking for Scott and I to pray, like she normally does, for the first time she said she wanted to pray...

"What do you want to tell Him?"  I asked her.

(Are you ready for this?)

"That I love Him,"  she said.

And I knew she meant it.

She's been home with us for less than 2 months so I don't even have a "before" to contrast with an "after" but honestly, she's a different child than the one we first met.  Her countenance, her spirit, it's just different.

And we are amazed.

It's been a few nights since that all took place but even tonight when we put her to bed, once again, she said she wanted to pray.

Unsolicited, unprompted, completely on her own, the little girl who 2 months ago had never heard the name of Jesus prayed, "Thank You, Jesus,  for coming into my heart."

Lily and Jesus

If I read the Joshua Project data correctly, there are over 2.8 billion unreached people in the world today. 

Over 2.8 billion people who have never heard the gospel. 

2.8 billion people who have
never
heard
His
name.

Not over the past x number of years.
Today.
Right now.
This very minute.

While that number is staggering in and of itself, it became even more weighty when, having recently returned from China, I realized that one of those precious people, created in the very image of God but having never heard the story of His redeeming love, was
my
own
daughter.

In time, I will try to recount what has transpired in the life of my little girl over the past 2 months.

But for now, pray for the 2.8 billion who have never heard.

And rejoice with me because tonight, there is one less.

Ouch!

Today I had to take Lily in to have some lab work done.

Except for the TB test they did in China, this was my first experience with her and a needle.

She climbed up in the chair, took one look at the needle and attached tubing and started to wave her hand and shake her head "no."  Big tears welled up in her eyes and dropped onto her lap. 

Oh goodness.  What to say?

I tried to explain that it was only going to be one stick and that was all.  She just needed to keep still and it would be over before she knew it.

And then I played the Mom card.

"Ice cream.  You name it.  Strawberry milkshake?  M&M? Peanut butter fudge?  When we're all done we are heading straight for ice cream."

She nodded, wiped her tears, and then said, "I want BIG one."

You got it girl.  After 8 vials of blood, you can have whatever you want.

When we arrived home, it turns out there was a little surprise waiting for her in the mailbox, too.

Her "Panda Bear, Panda Bear" book had arrived.

And by the end of the milkshake she was back to true "Lily" form.

I really wish she would learn to loosen up a bit. 

They're Heeeeere....

After 5 long days of waiting...

...and 5 days of asking "today? today?"...

...and 5 days of checking and rechecking the mail...

...Bitty Baby 1 and Bitty Baby 2 have finally arrived...

...and this little mommy couldn't be happier!

Tears From A Broken Heart (Part 2)

It was Monday night.  It was bedtime.  And it was obvious she wanted to sleep with Lauren again.

Lauren was willing though I had my doubts about letting this become a pattern.

About 10 or 15 minutes after tucking them in for the night, Lauren appears at my bedroom door.

"Mommy!  You need to come here.  Lily was telling me something in bed and I don't know what to do!"

We went back upstairs where the four of us (Lauren, Caroline, Lily and I) each found a spot on Lauren's increasingly popular bed and Lily explained to me through gestures and broken English what she had told Lauren.

When she was little and was out in public, people would point at her.
They would point at her hands.
They would laugh.
They were mean.
And it hurt.

As she lay in bed, she stretched out her arms as far as she could and said:

"I want...I want...I want...hands."  

Deep breath in.  And exhale.

I never expected her to be this open this soon.  I wondered how to tell her everything I wanted her to know with the limited communication we had.

So I prayed silently and then began.

I told her about a place where no one was ever sick or hurting.  No one was mean or angry.  A place where our bodies were new and lacked nothing.  A place called heaven.

I told her about a man, who was God, who came from heaven.  He never did anything wrong.  Only good.  And He was punished for all the wrong things we do, things we deserve to be punished for.  He took that punishment for us because He loves us.  His name is Jesus.

I told her that those who love Him and believe He is true get to go to that special place and be with Him forever.

And I told her that He knew her in China, that He's always known her and that He is the One who told us in our hearts to go and bring her here to be in our family.

I watched her face as her little mind stretched to find the words to ask questions or make comments.  I had never seen her try so earnestly to communicate with us.

And then she asked me something that I will never forget:

"No eyes, no ears, no hands, too?"
(The other children at the orphanage.  The blind.  The deaf.  Those missing limbs.  Does He know them?  Does He love them too?)

Another deep breath.

"So, so much.  He knows each and every one and loves them so much." 


 Because of the language barrier I felt like my responses were so inadequate for the need.  Like the boy who only had 5 loaves and 2 fishes to feed the 5,000.

But in His hands the food was multiplied.
And it satisfied.
And there was more than enough for all who hungered.

And I pray the same thing for my sweet girl.

That her hunger for love would be satisfied in Him.
That her hurting heart would find healing in Him.

And that I would be faithful to point her to Him with every chance I'm given.



"A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."  Psalm 51:17

.

Tears From a Broken Heart

"A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."  Psalm 51:17

A couple of nights ago there were more tears.

It started earlier in the evening but culminated at bedtime.

She had asked to sleep with Lauren in Lauren's bed. We've done that before and depending on the night would consider doing it again. But that day we had been outside all afternoon, everyone was tired, and the next day was a very busy Monday. A good night's sleep for everyone was of the utmost importance.

Or so I thought.

She had positioned herself in Lauren's bed and shook her head "no" every time I motioned for her to come to her own bed.

Finally, with a little stomp in her step and pout on her face she made her way back to her own bed.

And then they started to fall.

But it was different this time.

No anger or defiance.
No temper or tantrum.
Just tears. Tears that came from somewhere deep inside.

From the loss of what she left behind? Or from what she never knew?

I don't know.


She hid herself completely under the bedsheets and refused to come out despite my coaxing.

Eventually, though, she dropped the covers enough that I could converse with the two little eyes that peeped out at me between the sheets.

As tears fell, I asked her some questions.  She nodded or shook her head depending on the answer but I'm learning that doesn't always means she understands what I'm saying.

Needless to say, at this point, I didn't see her sleeping with her big sister as an issue of the will.  It was a means of comfort and in that moment that's what she seemed to need the most.

After a few minutes, I was able to get a giggle or two out of her and told her it was OK with me if she slept with Lauren.  And Lauren, the ever-sensitive one, was willing to go to bed earlier than usual.

For the second time that night, I tucked her in, said goodnight, and turned to walk away.

It was at that moment that Lily grabbed my hand, then Lauren's, and then squeezed her eyes until they were shut tight.

She wanted to pray.

She wanted to pray.

She wanted to pray.

She wanted to pray.

This same little girl who looked at us like we were koo-koo for Coco-Puffs the first time we prayed in China was now initiating praying with us.

And so we did.

A few minutes later, as I walked down the stairs I marveled at what had just taken place, what He was doing, and what was to come in the life of this little girl.

And how thankful I was to be able to witness it.

And the next night, He showed me even more....

...to be continued...

Looking Up

Things have been looking up again since yesterday's post. 

But whew!  I'm still recovering from that one in some ways.

Tonight I did get a hug before bedtime and I haven't gotten one of those for a long, long time.

And so it goes...one step forward, two steps back, one step forward...

So thankful His mercies are new every morning!
~~~~~~~~~~
And on a lighter note...

...she was in the foyer the other night impressing her sisters with her gymnasitcs skills.  She called me over to take a look and pretty much wowed me with her ability to do the splits while wearing footed pajamas.  (Totally not taking her on in a game of Twister anytime soon...)

Anyway, she looks at me, points to the mat and says "You?  you?"  (I'm sure it was because of my striking resemblance to Mary Lou Retton that made her think it was even a possibility).

I smiled, politely declined, and then went to pop a couple of ibuprofen just at the thought of trying anything crazy like that.

A Rough Day...

It started over having to pay $32 for landing on someone else's property in Monopoly.

That's how it started.  But then it progressed.

To pouting.
Then crying.
Then screaming.
Then yelling.
Banging.
Throwing.
Kicking.

45 minutes of the worst tantrum I've seen yet.

It started with Monopoly but really, I don't think it had anything to do with Monopoly by the time it was over.

I'm not surprised by it.  In fact, I'm more surprised that these episodes haven't occurred more frequently considering all that she's been through.

But that doesn't make it any easier to experience.

When He called us to join Him on this journey, He never once promised that it would be easy.

But He did promise something even better than the easy road.

His presence.

He gave us (and all that follow Him) the assurance that He would always, always, be with us.  And today, through the worst of it,  I know He was present. Pouring out the wisdom, grace, compassion, and nerves of steel that I so desperately needed but severely lacked.

For 45 minutes I prayed without ceasing and for 45 minutes I had inexplicable, indescribable peace.

I'm sure I didn't do everything right.  In fact I know I didn't.

But His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in weakness.


And if in my weakness, she catches a glimpse of the grace that can heal her heart, then weak I will gladly be.

Calcium Conundrum

Just like the other Asian beauty that resides in our house, Lily does not care for milk products.

Thus making a diet "rich in calcium" well.... a bit poor.

We've tried milk in the cereal.  No thanks.
Yogurt with sprinkles.  Mmmm not so much.
Orange juice with calcium.  A sip here.  A sip there.
Cheese.  Blech. 


I was beginning to think that all hope was lost until this weekend.

That's when Lily discovered the 8th natural wonder of the world.

Milkshakes from Cook-Out.

Now that's what I'm talkin' about.

With almost 40 selections to choose from, we should be more than able to get that calcium intake up.

Her choice on Sunday was strawberry.

Fruit and calcium?  Have mercy.

I think that officially qualifies as a health shake.

Surprise, surprise...

Went to Walmart yesterday for the usual stuff.

Got a notion to head down a certain aisle "just to see" what they had.

And there it was.

Right size.

Right color.

Right price.

And we managed to keep it under wraps until this afternoon when we had our "big reveal."

Not sure, but I think she liked it.  :)

It's Official...

Spring...

...has...

...sprung!

Unfortunately, my newest photographic subject is in a "No pichurs" phase so all I can do is sneak around the window (and when I say sneak I mean on my hands and knees) and snap some of her royal cuteness while she's outside.  

What does she think I'm going to do with the pictures anyway?  Post them on my blog for the whole world to see?  

Perhaps it's time to invest in one of those fancy, shmancy zoom lenses.  Looks like that's the only way I'm going to get pictures of anyone around here...