http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/07/26/met_542140.shtml
My guys were looking really great on the front page of the paper this morning! WOW! We are very grateful to have had this opportunity to share our story as part of the Chronicle's report on faith-based adoption. The video they ran with the online version of the story is very nice, too. I love that the videographer captured some fun and funny brother/sister stuff. Classic. I also love that she edited the piece so well. We had a hard time speaking with the camera there, so she had a lot of very rough edges to smooth out!
This weekend was wonderful also because so many sweet friends and family turned out to celebrate "Davis Day" at Rooster Ridge - my Aunt Molly and Uncle Steve's home. Everyone loved on Davis until he was sufficiently welcomed into the family--and he reciprocated with plenty of grins and giggles. We appreciate everyone's love and support so much - pictures will follow soon!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Career Planning Faith Style
Yesterday: "When I grow up I'm gonna play golf while my husband takes care of my kids and Daddy can be my golf club carrier."
Earlier in the week: "I think that when I am a grown up you will listen to me singing on the radio when you are driving around in the car."
Earlier in the week: "I think that when I am a grown up you will listen to me singing on the radio when you are driving around in the car."
Monday, July 13, 2009
Faith is FOUR!
My baby is officially a big girl. And she is ready to move out. Here's the conversation we had Tuesday morning:
Faith: Me and my kids are going to live in Atlanta.
Me: Well, maybe I will move to Atlanta, too.
Faith: Why?
Me: So I can live near you guys.
Faith: Then I'm going to move to Lizella.
Me: Well, then I guess I'll move to Lizella.
Faith: Then I'm going to live in North Carolina.
Me: OK, I'll move to North Carolina, too.
Faith: Well then I'm going to move to GROVETOWN!
All I could do was sigh.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Video from Gotcha Day
Finally, some video! We arrived in Ethiopia on Sunday, met Davis for the first time on Monday, and went back to the transitional home to GET him and take him with us on Tuesday.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Is Ethiopia Close to Heaven?
Faith asked that question as we were looking at videos of Ethiopia on this blog this morning. I was glad she was sitting in my lap facing the screen because I could not stop the tears. It was such a tender moment. And according to our family's map - the answer is yes. Here's why:
Heaven is where God's glory shines so brightly there is no need for the sun, and where all is made right. We couldn't help but see the glory of God all over our adoption, and I cannot describe the rightness that began for us the very moment they placed Davis in our arms. The beauty-for-ashes was blinding as we were blessed to see a tragic situation being turned into hope for him, as he gained a future with a family; joy for us, as we had had such a desire for this little one; and in some unknowable way comfort for his birthmother and her family, who undoubtedly wanted a good life for their boy. And though this miracle was first seen by us in Ethiopia in May 2009, it began before the beginning of the world when all of our days were ordained by our adopted Father in heaven. So we do see an intersection between Heaven and earth in the city of Addis Ababa. I don't think I can overstate this.
Of course the glory of the kingdom of God is not completely visible (yet) from our earthly point of view. For example, we saw the people of Ethiopia suffering the injustice of poverty which leads to there being so many orphans there as in many other destitute places, but we also saw small(?) pockets of love reaching out - in the giving of these children by their original families, the caring for them by men and women who spend their days working in orphanages and places like our agency's transition home, and in their adoption into new families - seems like the kingdom of heaven to me. A kingdom that begins as a mustard seed. Or a hidden treasure. And in kingdom economy - blessed are the poor - Ethiopia is a mighty rich nation.
And then there's also the altitude of Addis to consider. And the halo-ish light of sunlight trapped in smoke. And if heaven is full of beautiful, gracious people we're getting even closer. . .
Heaven is where God's glory shines so brightly there is no need for the sun, and where all is made right. We couldn't help but see the glory of God all over our adoption, and I cannot describe the rightness that began for us the very moment they placed Davis in our arms. The beauty-for-ashes was blinding as we were blessed to see a tragic situation being turned into hope for him, as he gained a future with a family; joy for us, as we had had such a desire for this little one; and in some unknowable way comfort for his birthmother and her family, who undoubtedly wanted a good life for their boy. And though this miracle was first seen by us in Ethiopia in May 2009, it began before the beginning of the world when all of our days were ordained by our adopted Father in heaven. So we do see an intersection between Heaven and earth in the city of Addis Ababa. I don't think I can overstate this.
Of course the glory of the kingdom of God is not completely visible (yet) from our earthly point of view. For example, we saw the people of Ethiopia suffering the injustice of poverty which leads to there being so many orphans there as in many other destitute places, but we also saw small(?) pockets of love reaching out - in the giving of these children by their original families, the caring for them by men and women who spend their days working in orphanages and places like our agency's transition home, and in their adoption into new families - seems like the kingdom of heaven to me. A kingdom that begins as a mustard seed. Or a hidden treasure. And in kingdom economy - blessed are the poor - Ethiopia is a mighty rich nation.
And then there's also the altitude of Addis to consider. And the halo-ish light of sunlight trapped in smoke. And if heaven is full of beautiful, gracious people we're getting even closer. . .
Of course, the answer I gave Faith was a bit more simplified.
On a much lighter note, David and I took Faith to play putt-putt tonight and I would like to report that while I wore Davis in the bjorn the entire time we played, I still had a respectable score. David did very well, as always, and Faith had several really awesome shots. She is too funny to play with because if she doesn't get the ball in within a few tries, she picks it up and sets it about 4 inches from the hole and announces "This time I'm going to try to get a hole in one!" I must have heard that sentence 15 times this evening. . .
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Faithful
Owlhaven is a blog I read fairly often. It is a great resource on adoption and raising a large family. Mary, the author, has 10 kids - 4 adopted from Ethiopia. This week she wrote a beautiful post about her sorrow for the orphans of the world and referenced as one of her favorite songs a song I've relied on a great deal for encouragement in the past - Sara Groves "He's Always Been Faithful." (It is playing here if you are current on your blog reading and have the volume turned up.)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Where are the Bullingtons?
And why aren't they posting anything on the Board?
Well, I don't have any excuses. Only reasons:
1. I am a rookie at managing family life with two kids.
2. I'm kind of lazy. And it is really hot outside. Somehow that affects everything.
3. I'm still too overwhelmed by our whole trip/adoption experience-so-far to put things into words coherently. Believe me, I have tried. We will all appreciate it if I spend more time in thoughtful contemplation. Of course, thoughtful contemplation is a bit hard to come by these days (see reasons 1-2.)
Oh, and we are starting paperwork on adoption #3 RIGHT NOW. Our homestudy is expiring, along with our visa application for our daughter from China, so we are in the process of renewing those. And there is post-placement work to be done for Davis that needs to be scheduled and/or completed.
And we did go to the beach - those photos and some from today's All-American celebration at our church are in the online album. Click here and type in the name of our city to see them
Well, I don't have any excuses. Only reasons:
1. I am a rookie at managing family life with two kids.
2. I'm kind of lazy. And it is really hot outside. Somehow that affects everything.
3. I'm still too overwhelmed by our whole trip/adoption experience-so-far to put things into words coherently. Believe me, I have tried. We will all appreciate it if I spend more time in thoughtful contemplation. Of course, thoughtful contemplation is a bit hard to come by these days (see reasons 1-2.)
Oh, and we are starting paperwork on adoption #3 RIGHT NOW. Our homestudy is expiring, along with our visa application for our daughter from China, so we are in the process of renewing those. And there is post-placement work to be done for Davis that needs to be scheduled and/or completed.
And we did go to the beach - those photos and some from today's All-American celebration at our church are in the online album. Click here and type in the name of our city to see them
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