Thankful Thursday

Good morning~

It seems like there is always lots to do and I can easily get side tracked from doing what I need to do and replace it with what I want to do. I passed a sign on a church the other day that said, "God answers knee mail." Sure, the pun is a bit corny but the message is powerful. Sadly, I spend far more time thinking about emails, blogging, and surfing the net than I do spending time on my knees in prayer. I'm trying to change that and incorporate more balance in my life.

As I consider my blessings, I am thankful for:

The little cutie at the top of the page, my niece Brooke. She is SIX years old today. Brooke was my first niece and I remember how excited I was when she was born because there was finally a girl in the family. Happy birthday, Brooke Anne!

The opportunity to be a resource to people about adoption. Every once in a while someone will ask some in depth questions about the process and our experiences because he/she is considering adoption. Recently, I have been "helping" a friend of mine from college whom I had lost contact with for years. Somehow she found me last year and we've been in touch on and off. She and her husband are looking into adoption and I count it as a privilege and honor to share our story and be a resource. You just never know...

A super smooth first dentist appointment for Lindy. Phew...

Lindy's bible class teachers this past year. Sunday she gets promoted to the 3s. Thanks Ms. Sharon, Ms. Debbie, Ms. Ashley, Ms. Sherry, Ms. Anne, Ms. Kathy and anyone else who has helped with the 2s. These super teachers have been such an amazing part of her development this past year. She loves bible class and is really trying to obey God's rules.

A hard-workin' hubby who takes care of his girls.

Naptime! Not mine, Lindy's. My sweet child can wear me out and I am not ashamed to admit I look forward to the time she is asleep (or having semi-quiet time).

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

"Oh, Lord, who lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness." William Shakespeare

Today I return to a random list of some of the things for which I am thankful...

I chose a quote from William Shakespeare because tonight I am thankful to be meeting up with several girlfriends for dinner at La Madeleine and Shakespeare in the Park at the botanical gardens. I am doubtful I will understand much of The Tempest but think it should be a nice night out, nonetheless. I am thankful Don willingly adjusts his schedule to allow me time to be with friends.

I am thankful for my wonderful friend, Suzy, who celebrated her birthday on Monday.

I am thankful Don had a safe trip to Florida and back this past weekend.

I am thankful and proud that Don was installed as a deacon in our congregation this past Sunday.

I am thankful I got to watch two "chick flicks" in his absence--P.S. I Love You and Becoming Jane. In his defense, I can watch chick flicks whenever I want but I LOVE the feeling of being able to do it by myself without the twinge of guilt that he is bored beyond words.

I am thankful for air conditioning when it is pushing 100 degrees outside. YUCK!

I am thankful the Spurs advanced to the next round of the NBA playoffs. Go SPURS go!!!

As Memorial Day approaches, I am extra thankful for the many brave men and women who have died defending our country and freedom. I am not thankful they have died but I am thankful for their service and sacrifice.

I am thankful for Memorial Day weekend 1991 because that is when I met Don. It was a very memorable Memorial Day weekend, indeed.

I am thankful for our niece, Sadie, who celebrates her FIRST birthday on Sunday.

I am thankful for moments of quietness to be able to reflect on life's simple pleasures.

What are you thankful for today?

Please pray for this family

I just heard terrible news. Five year old Maria Chapman, the youngest daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, died in a tragic accident today.

The details are in this story.

The Chinese adoption community is very closeknit and no doubt hundreds have been inspired to adopt or have been given the privilege to adopt because of the Chapman family's story and their extreme generosity. We also talk about a red thread a lot in this community. I was never much of a fan of contemporary Christian music but my friend and maid of honor, Pamela, turned me on to Steven's music in the late 80s and early 90s. When Don and I were looking for a song for our wedding, Don recommended "I Will Be Here." It was his perfect contribution to our wedding and that song has meant more to me with each year of marriage. Never did I think we'd have additional "red threads" with Steven Curtis Chapman and share the gift of Chinese adoption.

It breaks my heart to think of the enormous grief that hit this dear family today. I am really without words. It gives me peace knowing Maria's broken little body is now perfect and that she's in the arms of our Lord, a place we should all want to be.

Please join me in praying for them...

Six Word Memoir

My friend Jill tasked me with a meme a few weeks ago...The object was to write a six word memoir and include a visual illustration if I wanted. Easy, right???? Think again! It took me forever to come up with anything. Here's what I am sending to press...

"I don't know where I'm from."

Not a very exciting memoir, I know. I just never know what to say when people ask me where I am from or where I grew up.

I guess the answer could be...

Cumulatively, I have lived in California over 11 years.

Afterall, it's where:
I was born

I started elementary school
I finished my last two years of college
I met my husband
I got married

Many of my relatives (not my parents, though) live

I know I'm not from here...I moved to Hawaii when I was four months old and lived there about 18 months. I have no memories and have never had the chance to go back-YET.

I also know I am not from here...
I lived in northern Virginia for a little over three years. It is a beautiful state and I really loved it but I know I'm not from there.

I used to say I was from here...

I lived in Pennsylvania for eight years. It is the most beautiful state and I truly never wanted to leave. I was there for all of junior high, high school, and two years of college. In my mind, those are years where a lot of "growing" takes place, so I feel like this is where I grew up.

I also know I am not from here...

I lived in Maine for almost three years after I got married. To be a true "Mainer" I think you are required to be born there, so I definitely am NOT from there. I lived in Maine for almost three years after we were married. Much of that time I was living alone because Don was deployed out of the country or on short-term detachments. I loved living in Maine and experiencing that amazing part of the country, as well as parts of Canada. I don't really miss shoveling snow from Halloween to Mother's Day, though.

I once had someone ask me if I needed special shots to live in Maine. It's remote and all but NOT that remote...

Am I from here?

As strange as it sounds, when I do the math I have lived here longer than anywhere else (at one time and collectively)--coming up on 12.5 years. We bought our first home here. We brought home Lindy here. We have wonderful friends here. Still, I don't really feel like I am from here or consider myself a Texan. I don't say, "fixin'," and I don't think I have an accent. I don't like the Dallas Cowboys AT ALL and even after half a dozen or more times of going to the Alamo, I can't give you the full story or remember who did what.

I guess in some ways it doesn't really matter where I'm from but more where I hope to go.

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ..." Philippians 3:20

I am supposed to tag several people but am not going to tag anyone specifically. If you are reading and what to try to sum up something about you in six words, go for it and have fun!

Happy Birthday, Heather!

Today is Heather's birthday. Heather is the dearest person I've never met (with the exception of Jesus). Heather and I "met" last year through the vast online Chinese adoption community and we immediately clicked--in fact, we felt like we'd known each other forever. Through a chance encounter via a computer, I met an amazing woman and gained someone I know will be a special friend for life.

Kind. Thoughtful. Encouraging. Loving. Compassionate. Sincere. Devoted. Honest. Genuine. These are just a few words that come to mind when I think of this beautiful friend. She motivates me to be a better person in all areas of my life. I am so thankful God brought this incredible person into my world.

Happy Birthday, Heather! I love you lots!

Thankful Thursday

I don't normally watch TV in the morning but Monday I did for a few moments--long enough to learn about the terrible earthquake which had rocked the Sichuan Province of China. It is safe to say a few years ago I would've watched, felt momentarily sad, and not given it too much consideration after a few hours or days. As a mother of a daughter from China and another one for whom I wait, my perspective has significantly changed when it comes to what is taking place in China. My heart breaks for these people.

I admit, there are days where I just don't know what to say or how to be thankful. This week it is China, loads of deadly storms throughout the midwest and southeast, and fires in Florida. Next week it will be something else. I find it is always good to go to the psalms during these times...

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Today I am thankful for a powerful and mighty God who is ready to provide refuge for those who seek Him. Please pray that more people in China will one day know Him.

Happy Mother's Day 2008

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." Washington Irving

I have been blessed with this kind of mother and hope someday

my girls will say the same about me.

Happy Mother's Day!

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thankful Thursday! I know it seems like this has turned into the birthday blog lately but TODAY is Lindy Li-Xiao's 3rd birthday! I really can't believe it. This weekend I held a baby that was exactly the same age as Lindy when she was placed into my arms the first time (five days shy of 11 months). As I carefully (and kind of nervously) held Briggs, I had a hard time remembering that I ever held Lindy when she was that little. This morning, I am sitting here pondering where time has gone and feeling thankful for so many things:

I am thankful for God who heard my prayers, watched me cry, knew my pain, and after many years answered me with a, "yes, you are meant to be a mother" when He pointed us to the road of adoption.

I am very thankful for my beautiful little girl. Lindy lights up my life with her beautiful smile, her contagious laugh, her dark eyes, and her vivacious personality. She is truly filled with joy most of the time and I just marvel at how she flits to and fro with so much energy and spirit. When she wakes up in the morning or after her nap she says in the cutest voice, "I made some more sugars for you. Do you want some?" When I tuck her in and close the door behind me she yells (yes, yells), "I love you soooo much!" It is hard not to be thankful after that. Money just can't buy the kind of happiness that brings me. I am also so thankful she's so healthy. We've really been so blessed in this area. I am so proud of what she has learned and accomplished in two years and can't wait to see what this new year brings for her.

I am thankful for the unknown man and woman in China who are Lindy's birth parents. There are over 1.3 billion people in China and out of all of them, I consider these two the most special. I am grateful for their courage and love and pray in some way they know the daughter they gave life to is loved and treasured more than words can say.

I am thankful for the foster family who took Lindy into their home at two months and lovingly cared for her until she was placed with us. I feel certain it was more than a paid job for them. It gives me such peace knowing our Lindy was in good hands.

I am thankful for all those who love Lindy and the different ways they show love. Even though I'm not a fan of the one who coined this phrase, it truly does "take a village." Whether you are far away, have never met Lindy, or see her all the time, your love for Lindy means a lot. We do our best to let her know how much she is loved and so far she doesn't seem to have a self-esteem problem; self control on the other hand is a completely different story. :o)

On a special day like today, I could go on and on. However, there are presents to wrap and other things waiting to be done before the birthday girl awakes from a long night of manufacturing sugars.

What are you thankful for today?

Birthday boy

It's another birthday!!!

Today is my one and only sibling's birthday. On this day 37 years ago, my beautiful mother gave birth to my brother, Jeff. Actually it's officially Jeffrey Allen Caples. I think I thought she was going to bring home a sister named Karen Elizabeth but I am sooo glad she didn't. I couldn't ask for a better brother. He's always been so good to me. Growing up we usually got along really well, and we've done our best to remain close as adults, despite the miles that separate us. When I think of us as kids, I think I was kind of like Lucy (bossy and loud) and he was kind of like the faithful and sweet Linus just quiet and taking it all in. Poor guy, I didn't mean to dominate.

My little brother (who is a foot taller than I am), is a great husband, father, and Godly man. I am very proud of him and hope he'll have a very happy day today!

Happy Birthday, Jeff! I love you!!!

Tag #2

Okay, here's another one. Amie tagged me as punishment for taking a few blog breaks the past few weeks. Vindictive that one...

The mission of this little meme(that's what these tagging games are called), was to bore you with three random facts about myself. Not a problem!

1. I love the word fuselage. Unfortunately, the only time I hear it used is when there has been an airplane crash. I promise I don't want to hear it that bad.
2. Seeing people spread their toes creeps me out. I think toes are meant to be together and when they put that foam thingy in my toes after a pedicure, my toes protest big time.
3. When I drive next to or behind a truck that has a flamable sign on it my lower legs go kind of numb.

I am supposed to tag five people. If you'd like to join along, go for it and be sure to let me know.

I was tagged...

I have officially been "tagged" three times in the past couple of weeks. I am trying to make good on those tags, so there my be a few of these types of posts during the next couple of days. My cousin, Karen, tagged me with this one.

What I was doing 10 years ago:

• Trying to get pregnant
• For the first time in my life I was listening to country music and therefore crying a lot
• Dreading that I was about to turn 30--ha ha...
• Coming off a busy tax season and working too much
• The rest is kind of a blur...

Five things on my to do list for today:

• Work on preparing my lesson for Ladies Bible Class during Lindy's nap. I teach it on Tuesday.
• Vaccum
• Divide chicken I purchased for $1.99 a pound into smaller packets. YUCK!
• Do laundry
• Make grocery list and menu for next week
  

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

• Give lots of money to my church for local work, as well as support of missionaries.
• Invest. Don't want to be one of those people who carelessly blows through money.
• Take care of various financial obligations, commitments, and worries for family members including college tuition for nephews, nieces, and cousins and paying off my dad's business.
• Treat family and friends to nice things such as vacations, fun gifts, etc.,.
• Hire an architect to design a dream home, hire a reputable builder to build it, hire an interior designer to work with me to help decorate it, and hire a housekeeper to help clean it. I really don't want anything outlandishly huge. I just would like something that is functional, practical, and spacious enough for family and friends to visit and not be on top of each other. I'd probably hire a lawn service/gardener, too, so Don wouldn't have to spend free time working in the yard.
• Travel near and travel far.
• Help people who feel called to adopt but can't afford it.
• Donate money to orphanages in China.
• Practice random acts of kindness on a large scale.

Three of my bad habits:

• Procrastinating
• Impulse buying
• Not putting my shoes away right after I am done wearing them

Five places I have lived:

• San Diego, CA
• Honolulu, HI
• Dale City, VA
• Warrington, PA
• Brunswick, ME
  

Five jobs I have had:

• Sales Assistant
• Library Assistant
• Procedure Writer
• Customer Service Representative
• Corporate Trainer

Five People I Want to Know More About: I want to know more about all of you but understand time can prohibit participating. If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged.

Happy Birthday, Dani

See that blonde? She's my sister-in-law and dear friend, Danielle, and TODAY is her birthday...In a month Dani and I will have been friends for 20 (ouch) years. I love you to all of you who think we must have met when we were in elementary school or junior high. :o) Let's just say it was a little bit later in life than that!

In our 20 years together, Dani and I have been through a lot. We've shared lots of laughter and lots of tears. In 1995 she decided she didn't just want to be friends with me but also my brother. Not long after, they fell in love and got married making her my sister. I am so privileged to call her friend and sister.

Dani always tries to make celebrations special and it is my prayer that she will be blessed with a really fun day and a healthy and happy year.

Happy Birthday, Dani. I love you!

Thankful Thursday

It's a boy!!!

Today I am thankful for our new cousin, Garrett Nicholas, who arrived safely into this world on Monday, April 28th. He is welcomed by his mommy and daddy, Erin and Matt, and big brother, Noah.

What are you thankful for today?