Journey to Jia

Spiderman Sandals

2012-01-28T17:17:00.001-06:00

I don't know what it is about today....

Maybe it's because my sweet little gurla has been sick the last 2 days and she's so darn adorable with flushed cheeks, sleeping on the couch.

But today, she's doing better and we have been reminiscing about China.

Jia: When I was in China I had Spiderman shoes

Me: Yes you did!

Jia: I picked them out.

Me: You did??? (thinking we are actally having a memory)

Jia: I don't know. I don't remember.

*sigh*

She did indeed have Spiderman sandals! She come to us in a dress many sizes too big and yellow Spiderman sandals! She loves to hear about those shoes!

So momma surprised her and dug them out of the closet for her to see!

Man did her eyes light up!

What a sweet sweet memory of the girl in the Spiderman shoes!

2011 in Review Jan-June

2012-01-06T21:42:00.002-06:00

January - found us celebrating Jia's 5th Birthday!

February - dumped 9 inches of snow on us.

March - was Jia's first attempt to spend the night with a friend.

(I picked her up about 1 AM, but she made it all night later in the year!)

April - I chaperoned Jory's class field trip

We decorated Easter Eggs and Cupcakes to

May - Things start to pick up!

Jory wins the 4th Quarter Achiement Award at his school

Me, my Mom and Brother - Mothers Day

Shootin' Guns on Mothers Day

Jia had surgery on her eyelids.

Her way of coping is to get totally goofy and ridiculous! She took my cell phone and was making Jack and I pose for crazy pictures.

Like Mother like Daughter....

Right after surgery.... so sad!

Whoooo Hoooooo!!!! Jacen wacked off that long hair of his!

Look at Jacen's hair and you can tell these pictures are out of order! Lol!

This is my MUCH LOVED Mommy N Me pictures taken by my friend Renea!

My most favorite picture of all!

This was just Renea and Jia messing around while I left Jia to go get Renea some food!

Love this picture!!

Jia graduated from Preschool and let us all know she wants to be a Doctor!

(she still does)

June - Baseball, T-Ball, Soccer and VACATION!!

Well there is our first 6 months of 2011.

God has been so good to us and we have much to be thankful for!

I'll post the 2nd half of the year in a few days!

4 Wheelin'

2011-10-29T22:14:00.001-05:00

It was a great day for a ride through the timber! As you can see, Jory is getting too brave and trying to do everything Jacen does. Ei Yi Yi!!

Jia spent her first all night with a friend last night, so she was a little grumpy and ready to go home.... (you'll see at the end.)

Family Fun Day

2011-10-10T21:33:00.001-05:00

Our daughter-in-law took family picture Saturay! She took her family (Jeff and Steph) and Jill and Justin out Saturday morning, but Jack had to work. So she was kind enough to take us around town Saturday evening and get some shots of us.

Jeff, Jill and Jaydon tagged along, so it made for a real fun time! Jill helped to get all the kids to smile and tell her dad how to pose!

Thanks girls! I think the pictures are great and we had a lot of fun to!

Celebrating Jory Today

2011-10-09T17:38:00.001-05:00

Today Jory turned 9!!

Last night Jory, Jerrick and Jia painted signs for the party.

Jia made hers 'rainbow'!!

I'm a little embarrassed to show this next picture! We made 'dirt desert' and the icing did not want to stick to the cookie crumbs. But it did want to stick to the foil covering it!

The boys liked it anyway and a couple of them found worms is their dish!

Opening presents....

As you can tell, money is always good!

Jory's favorite hobby stock driver from Winston Speedway is Bruce Fair!

He was thrilled to get an autographed shirt!

We bobbed for apples and somehow the boys ended up with shirts off and in the tub.

Ugh. Boys.

Then an egg toss....

Our gorgeous egg hander outer....

Jack even played to even up teams.

The boys had no idea what was up next....

Cow Pie throwing contest!!!

Ready. Set. Throw!

I think Jory had a great time celebrating his birthday!

Happy Birthday Son! We sure love you!

Baby Be Blessed Free Friday

2011-09-23T22:39:00.001-05:00

Yayyyy!!!

It's Free Friday over at Baby Be Blessed!

Check out how you can enter to win!!

Wedding Cake

2011-09-23T22:22:00.001-05:00

Here's why I haven't had time to blog lately!

I was busy making a wedding cake and cupcakes for friends of ours!

Me with my creation!

My super hubby made the cake stand! I loved it! Makes me want to have another wedding!

First Day of School 2011

2011-08-18T08:37:00.001-05:00

The first day of school went smoothly for the Stotts family!

As you can see we were all smiles!

Jacen is now a Freshman in High School. He's playing football this year and is so athletic.

I had a story I meant to post a few weeks ago about our church softball game and never got around to it... so I"m posting it now so I don't ever forget that day!

Church softball is co-ed... and honestly, pretty competitive! Our church plays just for fun, but it feels good to win on occasion to. But we let everyone who wants to play have a turn at playing.

We were down by 4 when the last inning started. Jacen was playing catcher. The entire game was very tight. 3 up, 3 down for both teams. We were evenly matched and nothing was getting by either team.

Thanks to me, Jacen has developed a love for Mocha Java Chillers from Sonic. This summer he was on a serious Sonic kick and the night of this game, he had Sonic the night before and for lunch earlier this day.

He walked by me and asked if we could have Sonic after the game... it's going on 10 PM already!

I told him if he caught a pop fly I would take him to Sonic for a Mocha Java Chiller.

Well, 3 up and 3 down, but no pop fly's for Jacen.

I told him as they come in to bat that if he hit a home run I'd buy him a Mocha Java Chiller.

Jacen certainly has the potential to hit a home run. Some of the bigger guys hit it to the fence. I"m always in 'awe' of how hard some of the guys hit. But remember tonight... both teams were catching everything. A homerun was a long shot.

As he comes up to bat with 2 outs... a girl a year older than him on first.... I reminded him of our deal. Jacen had told everyone in the dug out about it as well, so they were all cheering him on.

He gets up to the plate... totally laid back. Acting like he's not even trying. The first pitch.... (it's slow pitch... so it has that arch to it).... he upper cuts it and sends it sailing to the fence.

And this kid can RUN! Fast. He was yelling at Beckah in front of him, "I'm not stopping!" Poor girl! Jacen was rounding 3rd before the other team had the ball picked up and was throwing it in! Everyone was screaming and this momma was so proud! He came over and gave me a high five through the fence. It was so fabulous that I told him I was gonna buy him a MJC every night that week!

He just shrugged and acted like it was no big deal. All a day in the life of being "Racin' Jacen"

Man I love this kid! I can't wait to see what he does in football!

Jory is going into 3rd Grade. He is so easy going and generally happy. Not much gets him down. Let him play outside and he's good to go! It hasn't been easy on him getting booted out of the baby spot of the family. But he has taken it all in stride and most times is a really good big brother. He has his moments of tormenting, but he was taught well by his big brothers.

This summer he has become quite brave on his 4 wheeler, figured out why his momma doesn't eat much meat, and was quite a little baseball/soccer star himself. Oh, and most importantly... this summer he went forward at a Strength Team event on his own and asked Jesus into his heart.

He sure knows how to make a girl happy!

Jia began Kindergarten this year. She has been such a joy to have in our lives. She is so completely prissy and girly, but also independent. The first day of school was no problem for her! No hanging on my leg, no tears...

Today when I walked her to the door... her Elementary Principal, Elementary Counselor and the district Superintendent were all outside welcoming students as they entered. When we walked up, her principal said "Oh I remember you from Preschool Graduation. You want to be a doctor when you grow up!"

Yep, that our girl!

She is beginning dance next week and is growing up too quickly!

We love her so much and can't imagine our lives without her.

This is the door into Jia's classroom.

I would say we're all off to a good start this year! I pray it continues!

Hair Cut and Sewing

2011-08-12T19:41:00.000-05:00

"SOMEONE" is gearing up for Kindergarten...

and that means a BIG GIRL haircut!

I love this picture!

I think she likes it.

She has to go to Kindergarten in style...

Here she is picking out her feather!

The finished result!

We all love the new 'do'!

Here's some of the latest sewing project.

Renea and I are having a booth at Art in the Park the last weekend of August...

But I seem to make everything in Jia's size. Hmmmm....

Here are new keychains.

They can be personalized anyway you want.

A baby size peasant. My neice wanted this for a friend with a new baby girl!

Jia's Oh Jackie dress!

Stay tuned... I still have Minnesota Vacation Part II and more Lake of the Ozarks pictures to add.

Together Again!

2011-08-07T20:37:00.003-05:00

I received an email a couple of weeks ago from Jen letting me know they were going to be at Lake of the Ozarks, and wondering if that was anywhere close to us.

Well. CLOSE. ENOUGH.

We were all with the same agency and just met each other in China the morning of getting our girls!

June 22, 2009

Something like that just sorta bonds you, ya know?

This is June 23rd, when we went back to finalize everything.

(Horrible picture of me, but sharing it anyway)

We spent a lot of time with Jeff, Jen, Matthew and Megan after that.

Both girls are from MaoMing in Guangdong.

But different orphanages.

Jeff and Jen's Red Couch photo

Our Red Couch photo

Jia and Megan!

And this was taken last night!

Just a few day's past 2 years....

Together again!

Megan is 3.5 and Jia is 5.5

Megan is going into preschool.

Jia is going into Kindergarten.

Both girls are sassy, bossy, dramatic, tattle tales, love Strawberry Shortcake....

The list goes on and on!

By the end of our dinner, they were holding hands saying they were best friends!

Megan even told her mom she was coming to our house!

It was so great to get together with this family again!

We loved to see the girls together and got such a kick out of them!

Matthew and Jory got a long great to!

I hope that all these friendships continue to grow and bless both families!

I can't wait to see them again!

2011-08-05T13:24:00.001-05:00

We are headed to Lake of the Ozarks for a quick weekend trip.

We are meeting Megan and her family from Wisconsin.

We met them in China the morning of our 'Gotcha Day'.

We got our girls together, then spent much of the rest of our trip together.

Jia and Megan are both from MaoMing.

Megan from MaoNan.

Jia from MaoGang.

Here is the last time the girls seen eachother!

I. CAN'T. WAIT.

Grand Marias Vacation (part 1)

2011-07-31T17:58:00.001-05:00

The end of June we took a vacation to Grand Marias Minnesota.

We drove to Duluth and spent the night. Then got up the next morning to continue our trip North along the shore of Lake Superior. It was a gorgeous drive!

We stopped at Gooseberry Falls State Park for some hiking and photo's.

It's a breathtaking place to go!

The kids all made me a nervous wreck though! I was so afraid they were going to get swept away.

When we got to our cabin, the first thing we did was head to the lake!

The water was 36 degree's!

Even though we warned the kids, it was not at all what they were expecting!

The evenings were in the low fifties, perfect for roasting marshmallows!

Jia is using her stick for a microphone!

We headed South a bit to Lutzen - Caribou Highlands Resort for some Alpine Sliding!

I hate the ride up, but the ride down is so worth it!

Here's the kids with their sleds, fixing to ride down the mountain.

You can hardly tell where the water ends and the sky begins!

Of course one of the first things I noticed when we arrived in Grand Marias was this!

Just today I made Jia a dress from the gorgeous hand painted fabric I bought here!

View of town from the Quilt Shop.

We played in town at the harbor for a while one afternoon.

We also drove up to the Canadian border just to show the kids. We seen this bear close to Grand Portage.

Our Cabin on the lake!

One Reason...

2011-07-19T23:05:00.003-05:00

One of the MANY reasons I am SEW BLESSED:

When we received Jia's file to review, it included a report from a well known, well respected American Cardiologist who had reviewed her medical file. Her diagnosis? A 4mm VSD, Pulmonary Stenosis and enlarged Ventricle Side of her heart.

When we arrived in the US with Jia, one of our first appoinments was with our cardiologist at Childrens Mercy, who confirmed the diagnosis. He told us not to worry, no surgery was needed, the VSD was small, there was no reason to limit activity and to just moniter her yearly.

Last year, I took her alone for her annual check up and was told ( this is what I gleaned from the all the big words Dr. G used ) that the VSD allowed the blood to flow through more quickly, and the Pulmonary Stenosis (narrow valve leading from the heart to the lungs) kept it from exiting as quickly as it should. Dr. G said if there was no change in the VSD and no change in the enlargement of one side of her heart, he would consider surgery the next year. This momma was like... "Say WHAAAAAAA??????"

Well, today was 'next year'. Jack took off work to go with us and we were both a little anxious. But I gotta tell you, this momma has been praying to Jesus for a year now to heal her heart because I do NOT want heart surgery for my mini me!

Our report? Her hole is measuring a bit smaller, 3.5mm (1/2 a mm, but we'll take it!), she's basically 'grown into' her enlarged side of the heart (meaning it's still enlarged, but she's grown and so the percentile is not outside of normal now, the very 'HIGH' end of normal (95%) but still w/i normal) and that Pulmonary Stenosis she was diagnosed with..... G.O.N.E.

Now tell me God isn't still in the miracle business. Our wonderful doctor had some medical jargon to explain that, but we're going with this: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" James 5:16

So praise God with us and testify to His lovingkindness! We go back in a year and we'll keep on praying for that hole to shrink up! We are surely feeling SEW BLESSED!!!

Look among the nations and watch-
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you!
(Habakkuk 1:5)

But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!
(Psalm 66:19)

North

2011-06-27T14:57:00.000-05:00

We are headed North on I35... On our way to Grand Marais Minnesota for a much needed vacation! We got us a cabin right on Lake Superior, blue skies and a DVD player! Ahhhhh.....life is good!
If you follow JHAM on Facebook, then you already know we've been asked to advocate for waiting children through our ministry. So be watching for precious little faces to make their appearance soon! We appreciate your prayers and your help spreading the word about these children who are waiting for their forever family to find them! If Our agency had not advocated for Jia via Internet, we would not have found her. God has....can...and will continue to use the Internet to bring these children home and we are thrilled to be asked to be a part of it!
First off though, a little rest from all of our craziness lately. A little time to reconnect spiritually and bond together! We are stopping at Mall of America on our way back home. Pictures will be next week!
Joy

June 22, 2011 - 2nd Anniversary of Gotcha Day!

2011-06-23T10:33:00.000-05:00

In celebration of Jia's 2nd Gotcha Day, I'm sharing a video I made to share with our church for National Adoption Month in November.

Also Celebrating Megan's 2nd Forever Family Day

and Emma's first year home with her family!

God is GOOD!

The little girl with the spiderman sandals...

2011-06-21T23:08:00.000-05:00

2 years in review!

Referral Photo

(love at first sight)

First Family Photo

"Gotcha"

Meeting Jory at the airport

1 month home

September 2009

Meeting Caiya - her MaoGang sister that now lives in North Carolina

1st Forever Family Day - 6/22/10

Family Portrait

6?22/10

2011

We've discovered rollers!

Miss Attitude!

Playing TBall

A COOL TREAT FOR A GOOD CAUSE

2011-06-17T14:47:00.000-05:00

A NOTE FROM WENDY'S... JUST IN TIME FOR FATHERS DAY!!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

6/17/11
A cool treat for a great cause
Dear friends,

On Sunday, I’m taking my 84-year-old dad to Wendy’s to buy him a chocolate Frosty for Father’s Day. I’m celebrating him and all that he has done for me – for bringing me up and never letting me down. Will you join us?

Stop by any Wendy’s this Saturday and Sunday and support the work of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption -- for every Frosty product sold, 50 cents will be donated to the Foundation in support of foster care adoption. There are 115,000 children looking for families, and a dad like mine, to call their own.

It’s simple. When you go to Wendy’s, you help find families for children. A Frosty is a cool treat for a great cause.

Happy Father’s Day!

Rita
Rita Soronen

President & CEO

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Busy

2011-06-15T06:56:00.000-05:00

I know I've yet to fill in April and May pictures... and here's why! These are June pictures and it's only 1/2 way through the month!

Jory and Jia are both playing baseball and Jory is playing soccer too.

We have 4 baseball games and 1 soccer game per week! This week we have 5 baseball games because we're making up a rain out.

It makes it really crazy for supper... so any quick and easy ideas would be welcome!

Here's Jory! He is really becoming a great little player this year! Hit's consitantly and has had a homerun the last 2 games. It's Pee Wee ball, so he's postitioned around the coach pitcher and he gets a lot of balls and throws them out at first. It's so fun to watch! They really got a good thing going and our coach this year is wonderful with the boys!

Jia is sort of figuring Tball out. She's enjoying it, but it doesn't really hold her attention.

She'd rather stomp on the coaches toes, play in the dirt or twirl with her friend!

She does a lot of this!

This is Jory's second year of summer soccer and he does so well that I think we will sign him up for a regular fall/spring season. He really hustles on the field and always scores. We gotta work on sharing the ball and passing though!

Here's his team planning their strategy..(figuring out which goal to kick it in!)

Jia is always the adorable cheerleader at soccer...

Switching gears.... I made this awesome ruffled dress for Jia la last week.

She loves it! It was very time consuming, but so worth it!

My mom, Jia and I went to my friends Mary Kay Makeover / Open House last weekend.

It was fun to spend the afternoon with the girls and put on makeup and have our picture taken!

Jacen spent two weeks in Lawrence KS with Jadeth and came back and Jayhawks fan!

Aunt Ake spoiled him terribly and let him bring back on of her guitars to practice with.

As you can see, Jia thinks she might want to learn!

Jacen has been making up for lost time with his friends since getting home, so no pictures of him! This is his first year with no baseball. They didn't have enough boys his age sign up for a team. It's really been very sad for us because he is SOOOOOO good and Jack and I love to watch him play!

I promise to get some skateboarding pics of him soon and maybe some video of him playing the guitar!

I'm creating a summer bucket list and promise to take pictures along the way... so keep comin' back!

Sewing Projects

2011-05-27T14:47:00.000-05:00

Well, I have so many things to add. I've been such a bad blogger and I'm afraid it's only gonna get worse before it gets better.

You see, summer has hit and that means baseball, T-ball and soccer.

I plan on doing just a MAY post and upload all my pictures from May.

It has been a busy month... Jia's Preschool Graduation, Jory's acheivement award, Jadeth's birthday, Mothers Day, Jia's eye surgery, Baseball and soccer pictures.... you get the idea!

But first, I wanted to get you up to date with all the latest sewing projects! It's been fun!

As you know, there's a new baby in our family, Jaxton.

So we've done a little sewing for him!

Here's an adorable little pirate outfit sewn on a onsie and matching pants.

These little Tie Onsies have been a big hit and Jax looks so handsome in his!

I bought this new pattern for Jia and she loves it!

We used it for her Easter dress.

It twirls fabulously!

Here's the same dress in different fabric.

Another Tie Onsie and Bib for a gift.

Baby Andersen's last name is Burd... so the bib has a Baby Burd on it!

Another Birdie Onsie for a friend who had twin girls!

I made Jaxtons bedding and tried a new 'Faux Chenille' Blanket.

It takes a lot of sewing, but the end result if really neat!

You stack your front piece of fabric and then 3-4 colors for the back.

I stacked a John Deere panel, Green, Red & Yellow.

Then sew diagonally every 1/2" across the entire thing.

Did I mention it was SEW time consuming??

After you sew all those lines, you cut through them.

Here's my front panel

After cutting all the lines, you bind the edges and wash it a few times.

It rags up and gets very soft like Chenille!

Jia got a new patchwork skirt

And this dress is made from a Jelly Roll and sewn onto a white t-shirt.

This Ruffle Shirt drives me a bit bonkers because the back ruffle doesn't line up.

I think I'll try it again without the lower ruffle and just do a solid back.

A new reversible shirt with ribbon sewn around 'too-short' jeans to match.

(can you tell she's getting good at posing?)

The other side of the reversible shirt

And a dress made from an old shirt of mine.

It was difficult to line up all those ruffles but well worth it.

This looked like a really expensive dress!

And finally a little PillowCase dress for Graduation!

Stay Tuned....

Mommy N Me

2011-05-08T22:29:00.000-05:00

My friend Renea of Look at Me Photography did Mommy N Me pictures this Saturday.

My kids weren't too happy about being drug out of bed early on Saturday... but it was so worth it!

Here is Lil' Miss 'Tude!

I went to get Renea some breakfast and Jory and Jia stayed with her.

She killed the time by snapping pictures!

(Renea, Jia loves you! LOL!)

Me and my kiddo's.

We are missing Jadeth. Maybe next year he'll make it home for Mothers Day.

Praying for gas prices to go down!

And in Black N White.

I love the 'DANGER' sign above Jacen's head.

Priceless.

I do have some great Easter pics and some Mothers Day pictures to share soon.

And tomorrow is Jia's Preschool Graduation, so pics of that coming soon to!

Hope you all had a blessed Mothers Day!

Happy Easter from the JCrew

2011-04-23T19:48:00.000-05:00

So I missed my BFF Renea's Easter picture day.

She done it on the 1st Saturday of April,

a BEAUTIFUL SUNNY day.

But being the BFF that she is....

she took some shots for me another day.

A WINDY day!

But cute kids anyway!!!

Jory

Jia

Jory & Jia

Renea was also doing a favor for another BFF who missed picture day!

This is Jory and Jia with Kristi.

She is adopted from Haiti and I love how Renea put the lyrics around this picture!

I had on my "Whatever" shirt that Renea made, so she wanted to snap a shot of me in one of her creations. I sure hope she doesn't use it on her website. Did I mention how WINDY it was this day??

And Jacen, being the 14 year old that he is, did not want any part of Easter pictures.

But just so you know he's alive and well...

Here's Jacen with his new nephew Jaxton.

Jacen adores his nephew and is often at Jills holding the baby!

Jaxton Ray Thomas

April 11, 2011

Jory also adores his new nephew! He loves to hold him and rub his forehead!

Jia.... well, she could care less. She did hold him finally after several visits. But it was more to please us.

I think she'll feel differently when he's a little older and more playful!

Happy Easter from Jax...

Don't forget.... The tomb is empty.

He is no longer there.

He has risen!

Happy Easter!

Wednesday...

2011-04-06T00:00:00.004-05:00

Wednesdays with Beth (Moore)

What I love Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Those are just a few of things that happen on Wednesday.

Something new is fixin' to happen around here on Wednesday.

You see, last year I started a blog to journal a bible study my friend and I were doing.

But life happened.

We took the summer off and have yet to start back!

And let's face it... blogging takes time.

Something I don't have a lot extra of.

But I really want to get back to journaling what God is showing me through bible study, devotions, life....

So without further ado....

I introduce to you....

Wednesdays at the WELL.

I hope you'll journey there with me on Wednesdays and share what God is showing you in your life.

And like I said.... blogging takes time.

So if you'd like to help me sometime and guest post, I would love that!

See you at the WELL!

I'm ALIVE!!!

2011-03-18T12:51:00.002-05:00

I'm so sorry for not updating!

You see... my laptop used to look like this...

But still usable, right??

Well, now it looks like this...

Yes, the power cord is broken.

And, well honestly, that's just not a priority right now.

I do still have the ipad, but it's hard to peck out a blogpost, and I can't download the pictures from my camera on it. And, OH.... do I have some cute ones to share!

So keep checking back! I think Jack is missing the computer more than me, so we'll break down and buy one soon!

Then I'll get you caught up on the happenings with the JCrew!

Joy

Love Demonstrated...

2011-02-14T12:45:00.000-06:00

Our Sunday School class volunteered to host our church Valentine banquet this year. It was a way for us to serve our church family and to demonstrate to them how much we love and appreicate them.

Our theme.... wasn't about couples. Nor marriage.

It was about our OneTrueLove.

Christ.

1 John 4:19

We love because He first loved us.

So everyone was welcome and we celebrated our One True Love with those others we love.

In talking about love, I want to remind you that LOVE, must be demonstrated.

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I like how the Amplified Bible puts it:

But God shows and CLEARLY PROVES...

We can say LOVE LOVE LOVE all the time, but until we demonstate it, show and clearly prove it... it can be doubted.

Now.

That all being said.

I want to tell you all about some CRAZY LOVE my friend Renea is demonstrating!

Her sister bet her $100 that she wouldn't eat 5 live crickets.

What do you think?

Hmmm.... not for a $100 for myself.

No WAY!!!

But.

For $100 to give to impoverished children in Bugaboo Africa?

Now we're talking!

You can read all about it below, but here's the jist of the idea...

Renea is leaving no doubt of her love for those in Africa.

She is showing... and clearly PROVING that they are dear to her!

By chipping in, you can not only make Renea eat MORE crickets...

but also demonstrate your LOVE for the least of these!

BTW...I'm glad I don't have a sister!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Here's CHIP IN information!

FEAR FACTOR

It's On! My sister has decided she will pay me $100 to eat 6 crickets. We watched Fear Factor reruns one afternoon and somehow ended up in a challenge that she would pay me to eat live, squishy crickets. I told her I would! Thinking she wouldn't pay me.......
Then she said, I have $100. Do you have your crickets? Uh oh. What had I gotten myself into? Then I realized, with that $100 I could sponsor another child from Bugabo Village, Uganda where my friend Christie Cotney is living and serving the Lord by serving the people of Bugabo.
So...it's on!! I have FINALLY found live crickets. Hard to do in a rural area in the middle of winter. My friend Robert has a small pet business that he runs online and from his home and has graciously offered me crickets (how nice Robert).
So I got to thinking. If it was this easy to get my sister to pay me to eat crickets, I wonder if others would pay me to be that crazy. After all, it was a popular show! ;) So, I'm taking pledges. Once I reach $100 in addition to my sister's donation I will double my cricket count and chuck down 12 of those little suckers. :P Gross...
But, that 5 minutes of misery for me equals two children being sponsored for ONE year. Being able to attend school, have medical and dental check ups, and a guaranteed meal at least once a day when they are attending school. That's worth 12 crickets to me.
Join with me! I'm taking pledges until February 21st! And then it's chow time! Video footage will follow. My sister said she wanted to see and hear the crunch (since she lives in another state it was the only way to guarantee I was keeping my end of the deal).
So.....who's with me? Support Bugabo and watch this crazy redneck girl from nowhere, USA eat crickets (and most likely gag), all to serve HIS people. God is good! All the time. ;)

1st Responder

2011-02-04T18:31:00.000-06:00

Jory = First Responder

About 2AM this morning I heard Jia crying and getting 'sick'.

I jumped out of bed and dashed to her bedroom.

Jory was already on the scene!

Jia was throwing up and while I had my 'hands full' Jory went after a bowl.

Then he took over holding the bowl for Jia while I washed my hands and got a washcloth.

When I got back to her room Jory was holding her hair back and getting a barrette to hold her bangs back.

Then he decided that was enough and asked if he could go back to bed!

It's nice to know that as much as Jory torments Jia during the day, he truly does love her and watches out for her!

BTW, Jack and Jacen slept through the whole thing!

Thanks Jory for being a helper in the middle of the night!

I love you!

Mom

Where'd my Christmas present go???

2011-02-03T20:48:00.000-06:00

Momma got an Ipad for Christmas!

But I very seldom get to use it!

Miss SmartyPants has taken it over!

It wasn't even noon yet, Christmas Day and she knew how to run it better than me!

She always comes up to me with this adorable little face and says, "Can I play on your Ipad"??

How could I refuse?

One Saturday she spent the morning snuggled in our bed wearing her tutu dress and playing on mom's Ipad.

So, if you have an Ipad.... What apps do you love??

Party Pics!!!

2011-01-22T18:22:00.002-06:00

Jia's Birthday is Jan 7th, but we couldn't get a party time at the skating rink until the 16th. The wait for the party was excruciating for Jia!

On her actual birthday we made Bakarella's cakeball cupcakes to share with her friends.

She came home with a Birthday Crown and had a really special day!

That night we took her to Applebee's for Mac N Chz (her request).

I do have mobile a mobile upload from that night I'll have to add.

We made Jia's birthday cake and of course she had to sample the batter...

and the frosting

I was horrified to see her squirting the frosting straight into her mouth.

Her big brother Jacen showed her how, but he turned away before I could get his picture!

Here's the cake!

Jia wanted Mermaids.

I think it's a bit, well.... much.

Jia would've had it to be much muchier!

She loves the 'stuff'!

We had to get every mermaid on there.

And lots of sparkles!

Party table at Roll A Rama

Birthday girl and her cake

Trying to roller skate with Daddy

Jia's BFF's!

I wish this pic of Jia and Daddy was clearer

New earrings and necklace from Grandma and Grandpa!

Red Butterlies!

Jia's favorite color and her birthstone

I love Cambree's face in this picture!

She is such a sweet little girl and always excited!

More 'bling' from Uncle Rob!

This girl can never get enough jewels!

At one point in China, I actually wondered if there was more wrong with Jia's mouth as she didn't seem to open it very wide.

As you can see.... those were unfounded fears!

Helping carry out her presents, not happy about leaving the skating rink!

Jory had a great time also!

Jacen didn't want to go because he didn't think he'd want to spend the afternoon surrounded by all the little girls!

Jory has gotten really good on the roller blades!

He had a great time!

I forgot to show you the 'ladybug' hidden on the cake. I bought a bunch of these at a cake store in the city before we travelled to get Jia. I love sticking them on cakes I make and seeing if people spot them. I only have 2 left, so I'm gonna need to make a trip to Overland Park and hope that little store is still there!

Jia had a great birthday! She felt so special, just like a princess!

Thanks everyone for the wishes and helping us celebrate!

Jory's School Christmas Program

2011-01-21T18:15:00.001-06:00

Let's travel back to December. Jory had a Christmas program at school.

He's always so thrilled to participate in these....not

Can you spot him?

How about now?

He definately enjoys running around on the bleachers after the program is over.

It is always mass chaos trying to get everyone out of the gym, so we always seem to stand around visiting and avoided the rush of people exiting.

I did get Jory and Jia to stop running around long enough to catch a photo.

And a close up....

Snow Day

2011-01-20T18:03:00.000-06:00

So, you would think that when school is cancelled for a snow day, you would find us all nestled in our warm clothes, snuggled up on the couch under blankets....

But no.

Jia spent the day in her tutu dress.

She would have been freezin'

if she had stood still long enough.

However, she danced the day away and played princess and never slowed down long enough to get cold!

(i love how her blue undies are sticking out below her dance suit)

She spend the entire day just being adorable!

Tiltin' Milton

2011-01-17T07:30:00.000-06:00

While you wait for me to get Birthday pictures of Jia edited and uploaded....

Here's a few of Jory to enjoy!

Jack and I got him this game for Christmas called Tiltin' Milton.

He lays in a hammock and has holes all over him that you stick toys in like a plate that you can then add a sandwich or cup to. A branch that has birds that will set in it. There's a hat that you can put a feather in, a fishin pole that you can hang a fish from...

Anyway you try and get Milton to 'tilt' towards the other player!

This is Milton tiltin' towards Jory! Almost to fall over!

(ignore that Dr. Pepper bottle on the living room floor Jack!)

But, alas, as usual..... Jory wins and Milton falls towards me!

Jory gets a kick out of this redneck game and we enjoyed playing it Saturday while Jia was at a friends birthday party.

I still have some Christmas pictures to put up, including Jory's school program. And I'll get Jia's Birthday pictures up ASAP too!

Happy Monday to ya'll!!!

Some good WORD...

2011-01-11T07:14:00.000-06:00

So the other day I was catching up on Annie's blog and she was talking about having a bittersweet Christmas.

Oh, the holiday's were wonderful, but when you're waiting for your child to get home... well bittersweet is the word.

I remember waiting for Jia around Christmas time and I would listen to Merry Christmas by Third Day over and over and over.... I know, I tortured myself!

Anyway, I am reading Jesus Calling this year and Sunday's devotional is definately one worth sharing.

Annie... and other waiting mom's, this ones for you!

January 9th

I AM WITH YOU AND FOR YOU.

When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you. You may encounter many obstacles as you move towad your goal, but don't be discouraged - never give up! With My help, you can overcome any obstacle. Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very-present Helper, am omnipotent.

Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come. One of the main ways I assert My sovereignty is in the timing of events. If you want to stay close to Me and do things My way, ask Me to show you the path forward moment by moment. Instead of dashing headlong toward your goal, let Me set the pace. Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence.

Romans 8:31 Psalm 46:1-3 Luke 1:37

And this verse is not listed in the devotional. No, this one is just from me! It was one I clung to for those many years of waiting!

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;

But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

Though it tarries, wait for it;

Because it will surely come,

It will not tarry.

Habakkuk 2:3

Hang in there momma's!

Jacen's Band Concert

2011-01-10T20:48:00.000-06:00

Well, back to our busy week before Christmas!

Jacen had a band concert... and really... how many pictures can one take of him playing the trumpet in a poorly lit gymnasium??

So, here's one picture of Jacen playing his trumpet!

I won't bore you with more.

This is the first year the band and choir combine their concerts.

It was really nice and for the last song they played/sang together!

Enjoy!

Happy 5th Birthday Jia!!

2011-01-06T22:42:00.000-06:00

Today our beautiful daughter turns 5

This is the last picture we seen of you before taking off to China

You were so heartbroken and distraught.

And less than a year later you were full of joy and trust.

You thoroughly enjoyed your first ever birthday party when you turned 4...

but now you are full of opinions and, well.... sass!

This year, it's killing you to wait for your birthday party!

You have asked everyday for a while now when it's your turn for a birthday party.

You knew your turn was next after Jacen's!

You're are such a gorgeous girl!

And so girly!

I love you so much baby girl!

I love that you're so girly and want to wear dresses all the time.

I love sharing my makeup with you everymorning.

I love watching you grow and learn.

I love watching you stick up for yourself.

I love everything about you, including your sass and all of your opinions!

Party pictures coming soon....

Change of Plans

2011-01-04T21:53:00.000-06:00

2:30 Change Of Plans Trailer from Moms4FamilyTV.com on Vimeo.

You don't want to miss this! January 8th on FOX

Check out the FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT website for more details!

Christmas Eve

2010-12-27T12:52:00.000-06:00

Christmas Eve has been at my Grandma Mona's for as long as I can remember!

I did take my camera... but was so busy passing out gifts and opening toys that I didn't get pictures.

We ALWAYS read the Christmas story at Grandma's and this year we also began a new tradition...

We lit candles for the men and women serving our country that are not able to be home with their families, so that you and I can be free and enjoy Christmas.

We also lit a candle for the families who have lost loved ones while serving and will spend Christmas without them.

I loved the moments spent reflecting on how blessed we are and praying for others that are fighting for our freedom.

No.... freedom is not free, indeed.

Christmas Program

2010-12-27T12:45:00.000-06:00

Our Christmas program at Church was the 19th.

Uhhmmm... The Sunday after Thanksgiving, our Pastor approached my friend Renea and I and told us we were in charge of it!

Little did he know that we had already planned on it!

The little ones sang

"Jesus Loves Me"

and did the actions to it!

(they also all tried to grab the microphone, and thus... steal the show!)

The Children and Youth worked together to present

The Nativity.

The old youth read the Christmas scriptures from Matthew and Luke.

Here is Jacen reading some of his lines...

Enter Mary and Joseph and Baby Carson, umm... I mean Baby Jesus!

Sam was gracious enough to let us use baby Carson in our Nativity.

If this picture was of a wider view, you'd see the new momma standing by nervously!

Enter the Wise Men from the East....

The Shepherds and the Angel of the Lord...

The Nativity scene...

Everyone thought it was all over, but we had a surprise for them!

Santa entered and explained how Christmas had become all about him,

but it was really about the baby that died for you and me!

Santa kneeled down at the manger and shared a wonderful prayer!

I got a shot of the youth at the end... they did a great job reading their parts!

Merry Christmas, and may you know the Reason for the Season!

Christmas at Mom and Dad's

2010-12-27T12:44:00.000-06:00

We always celebrate Christmas with my family

the weekend before Christmas.

Jia got the most adorable baby doll from Uncle Rob!

I have never seen a doll quite like this;

it's face scrunches up and her eye's open and close just like a real baby.

Jia loved it!

Everyone else was..... intrigued....(freaked out) by it!

No one could leave it alone!

Jacen couldn't resist checking it out...

even at the risk of being caught on camera with it!

Jia just kept coming back to check on it and make it quit crying!

Jory kept trying to pry it's eyes open!

Gifts of new shoes were given...

Jia loved her high heels!

Jia got a Disney Princess 'Look & Find' book...

Jacen and Derek played with it all night!

Jacen is into Fox Racing this year...

and funky mis-matched socks!

Jory was thrilled with a little lock box for his money!

He is a little hoarder and everyone knows where to go when we need cash!

Those days are gone....

Uncle Rob brought RC Helicopters!

They were a BIG hit!

When we went on vacation this year, the boys taught Jia the 'slug bug' game...

So this Barbie Slug Bug brought a big smile to her face!

After seeing Tangled on Thanksgiving night,

Jia wanted all things Rapunzel!

Jadeth and Derek...

MU & KU fans!

North face for those cold days in Lawrence

A quick pic on Momma and Jia!

This year the adults decided to for-go the gifts and adopt a family through our local DFS.

I wish I had taken a picture of the goodies we sent to our family.

We had a single mom with a 1 year old daughter.

They requested diapers, wipes and educational toys.

Clothes as well, and used ones were okay as long as the baby girl was warm.

Say WHAAAAA???

Well they, got what they wanted and then some.

Educational toys?? Every little girl deserves dolly's and tea sets that talk!

It was sooooo much fun shopping for this family and we spoiled them ridiculously!

I don't have clue who they are, but I am sure they were as glad to receive as we were to give!

I see a new tradition here and I love it!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T22:48:00.000-06:00

Wishing you and yours, a very....

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!

The JCrew

Please Help a Fellow Adoptive Family...

2010-12-08T06:57:00.000-06:00

Meet Myah....

I remember the day Myah showed up on the special needs list way back before we found Jia.

I have followed their journey ever since, and become friends with Myah's mom, Rina.

I don't know Myah's diagnosis exactly, but she is very familiar with the hospital.

Her mom is such a fighter and an advocate for Myah.

I got an email from Rina a few days ago, begging for help.

Myah needs to travel to New York to meet with her surgeon.

And as you can imagine, their medical bills are already piling up.

Recently Rina submitted a story on potty training to a Disney contest and has become a finalist.

The prize?

Round trip to New York!

Where is Myahs surgeon?

You guessed it, New York!

Can you see our opportunity to be His hands and feet in this??

It will take our votes to help Rina and her family win these tickets.

With medical bills are piling up, winning the trip would be such a blessing to them and help offset some expenses.

So, won't you take a few minutes each day to go vote for Rina's story?

http://family.go.com/toilet-tale-contest/finalists-toilet/wait--wait--not-there--41962/

It does require a Disney account to vote, but signing up is free.

Please repost this if you feel led and lets win this prize for Myah's family!

To learn more about Myah... Visit Rina's blog.

Bringing Home Myah

Thank You Friends!

On bended knee for Myah....

Orphan Sunday Recap

2010-11-09T22:20:00.000-06:00

Finally!

Orphan Sunday!

Beginning of Revival!

It worked out that revival began on Orphan Sunday.

God worked it out that revival began on Orphan Sunday.

It was a wonderful day! We had a full house and although we only had a few minutes to share, everything about it was wonderful.

What did I say?

I don't know!

If anyone was there, please tell me!

I always get up there and act like a blubbering idiot!

Renea and I had made a video and our plan was to speak for a few minutes and then have them play the video. Well they started the video as we were making our way to the front, so we just sat on the front pew while it played. This video shared some personal moments of our adoption.

We shared Jia's referral photo ( I call it my 'love at first sight' picture), a clip of her still living in the orphanage and the actual first moment we saw her!

We sat there, both of us sobbing, sniffing with contrite hearts. And we still had to get up in front of everyone and speak!

It's so hard to put into words what adoption does to you. It changes you.

You are never the same after that. You can't go where we've gone, see what we've seen, experience in your heart what we've experienced and ever be the same again.

You come out on the other end of an adoption changed. Crushed.

I shared this verse:

Don’t excuse yourself by saying,

“Look, we didn’t know.”

For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.

He who guards your soul knows you knew.

He will repay all people as their actions deserve.

Proverbs 24:12

As it turns out, our Sunday School lesson and morning sermon were all about service. And to me, Joint Heirs Adoption Ministry is my service.

God has shown me His heart for the Orphan.

I have read His Word.

I know what it says about caring for the least of these.

I believe it.

I can no longer say "Look, I didn't know."

I do know.

He knows I know.

And I can't shut up about it.

It's sort of like sharing the Gospel message, if it causes just one sinner to repent, it was all worth it.

Well, if all my blabbering about adoption causes just one more child to find a home, then it was all worth it!

I felt convicted to share the most personal moments of our adoption with our church family because they all see Jia as she is now. She is a wild woman at church. She loves to go to church! She says "everybody loves me!" She knows it and she's right!

They see this vivacious, onery little girl running up the isle for childrens message, shaking hands, hitting her brother... etc. But they hadn't seen the lonely, stoic, sad little girl in the orphanage with an expressionless face, waiting for a family to come for her.

We see the images on TV and I don't think we believe that they're real. Until we've seen it with our own eyes, we think they're made up or that they're embellished. When if fact, they're toned down. They don't show you the really bad stuff.

Something very important to Renea and I is to be real. To be honest. The truth doesn't need to be embellished. We aren't out to tell sad stories and pull on people's heart strings. We're out to share the TRUTH and convict them with God's word:

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this:

to visit orphans and widows in their trouble,

and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

James 1:27

'Nuff said!

Next post will be about the childrens message we shared. The worship leader said it's a good day in church with the children's message convicts you!

Renea designed our very own JHAM Orphan Sunday shirts and everyone was so excited to wear them! Even our Pastor and his wife had one on!

Trying to hold it together and still get across some important points.

JHAM with Sassy Pants

Jory sneaked his new camera into church and I guess I"m kinda glad he did or we wouldn't have these pictures to remember the day!

He wanted to wear his shirt so bad! It was all I could do to keep it off of him until Sunday so it would be clean! I love you Jory!

Jia giving us her 'Grandma smile'!

My beautiful daughter. I can't believe I"m so blessed to call her mine and see her smiling face everyday!

Orphan Sunday

2010-11-06T21:41:00.002-05:00

True Religion from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

Notice Something New???

2010-11-05T13:59:00.000-05:00

Okay, look to the right of my blog.... now look to the left.

See 'em??

2 ways to support orphans this November... or anytime!

On the right is the order form to order your JHAM shirts... designed by Renea, inspired by Joy!
On the left is the link to Adoption Bug. You can order a shirt from there and we get a portion of the sales from there as well!

All profits will go toward Orphan relief in some form or another. We will donate to a larger cause, or we would LOVE to donate to a family who is ready to step out and adopt a child of their own!

What are you waiting for? November is National Adoption Month and a great time to show support for the fatherless. However, orphans are orphans all year round. Anytime is a GREAT time to show your support!

And don't EVEN make me remind you of how many days there are until Christmas. Oh no. We're not going there at all. But any of these shirts would make a great gift!

Need Your Help...

2010-11-05T11:44:00.002-05:00

I'm working on a video for National Adoption Month to show during our presentation at Church. I'm using Matthew West - One Less.
I would love to have some other adoptive kiddo's in this as well. If you're willing to share a couple of before/after photo's and of couse that precious 'gotcha moment' picture, please contact me to send me your photo's.
You can rest assured that they will only be used for the video.
Thanks everyone!
Joy

Worship in Guangzhou

2010-11-04T21:19:00.000-05:00

I was looking for something else and ran across this video

from our time in China.

We attended Church on Shamian Island

and I was amazed at the feeling I had there.

I thought it would be strange, uncomfortable.

But instead, it was amazing.

Goosebump giving.

Everyone was worshipping together.

The One True God.

Awesome.

At the time, I was a bit overwhelmed to really let it sink in.

But watching this video now and reading the words

we sang that day....

My hearts desire is to be holy,

set apart for You Lord.

I choose to be holy,

set apart for You my Master,

READY TO DO YOUR WILL.

November....

2010-11-03T20:59:00.000-05:00

November is National Adoption Month

With 147 Million Orphans in the world,

what is your response?

Will you Pray??

That is certainly doable.

When you lay your head down on your comfy pillow,

snuggle in your nice soft bed under those plush warm blankets...

after reading your children a bed time story

and lovingly tucking them in at night...

Will you pray??

For those that have spent the day the exact same way

they've spent every day before.

For those that have barely enough to eat and go to bed hungry.

For those that lay on the dirt under the bed of their parents because that's the safest place to be?

For those laying on a piece of plywood because that's easiest to clean?

For the ones who have cried or rocked themselves to sleep?

Can you give?

Can you take some of the money you spend at Starbucks...

or McDonalds?

Can you give up buying that new shirt?

Do we really need a minimum of 12 pairs of shoes?

Not sure where to give?

Contact me.

There are tons of ways to support orphans.

I can give you a dozen charities to give to...

that work in any country you want to support.

OR WILL YOU BE ONE TO GO?????

Who! Hoo!

Will you say YES??!!

Will you choose to follow God's example and adopt a child of your own?

Will you choose a changing the life of a child over...

a bigger house? that new car?? your dream vacation???

Will you chose radical over the American Dream?

I can assure you, you won't ever be sorry!

Joint Heirs Adoption Ministry is selling T-shirts for

National Adoption Month.

Decide what you will do and order your T today!

Shirts are $20

All profits go to support orphans.

Contact me and put NAM shirt in the subject line.

Losing Hope

2010-11-02T17:34:00.001-05:00

Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

Score!!!

2010-10-29T11:15:00.000-05:00

No I'm not talking about soccer!

But Jory did make a goal...

and he scored!

He started collecting pop cans at Grandma's house.

He wrote this note a while back asking for

pop can donations.

(I'll translate at the bottom of the picture!)

"keep your pop cans, I dont kare if it is dokbperer or pepsee, I don't kare wut it is."

And here he is with his pop can tower!

Sew Busy.....

2010-10-23T21:19:00.000-05:00

Joint Heirs Adoption Ministry was in the Missouri Day 2010 Parade again this year!

And just like last year we had so much applause from the crowd,

cheers and even some screams!

It's so awesome and even emotional to see the support.

This was my first year to be a vendor at Missouri Days.

Renea and I sold unique toddler clothing,

both new and 'up'cycled.

I have a few things left for sale.

If you have any 12M-4T girls check out the little peasant dresses!

I also have aprons, some adorable little coasters and baskets that will make

AWESOME teacher gifts, secret sister gifts, hostess gifts.... you name it!

I'll post photo's of those soon!

I plan on using the baskets to put a jar of homemade caramel sauce and apples in for my kids teachers!

SEW cool!

If you see anything you'd like to purchase,

send me an email at

jcrew5@sbcglobal.net

Please spread the word!

Joy

SEW Blessed!

Jory turns 8!!

2010-10-11T12:58:00.000-05:00

My sweet baby boy turned 8 on Saturday!

We celebrated with family at the park and it was a BEAUTIFUL day!

He got a lot of Remote Control toys, 4 wheelers, airplanes, hover crafts... so the park turned out to be a great idea! The 'big boys' enjoyed the toys as much as the kids!

Mom and Dad got Jory a new electric scooter.

He had bought one with his summer school money, but the electric module went out way too soon.

We tried all summer to order just the piece, but it was always out of stock.

In the end, we just replaced it.

He was thrilled.

This little plane really flew!

In fact, it took off and went across the road and into one of those tree's behind Jory.

Needless to say, it needs some repairs!

Just a soldering iron... quick fix!

Jia and her nephew Jaydon.

He is 6 months younger than her.

The cake!

I love this picture, the way all the kids are looking at Jory.

And he seems to be saying "all mine"!!

Uncle Rob's present was so pretty we had to take a picture BEFORE he opened it!

Happy 8th Birthday sweet boy!

We love you so much!

Dear Orphan

2010-10-03T13:27:00.000-05:00

Dear Orphan~

I saw your photo today. You are so adorable!

Your eyes are so deep and full of hope.

I love your little smile.

I know it must be hard some days to find

the strength to smile.

I have heard how little food you have,

but you are still willing to share with your friends.

What a sweet little person you are!

But, I am writing this letter to tell you that I will

not be able to help you.

You see, my family is happy with the life we are living.

I know that we could get bunk beds

and you could share a room with one of our bio kids,

but really, that is no life for either of you.

We have so much going on around here and

life would just be too chaotic.

Our neighbors just got a new TV and game system,

we really think we need to have one too.

I have a 'ladies night out' next week and

I have nothing to wear.

I really need to purchase a new outfit.

I guess I could sponsor you... but,

it will have to wait til next month,

I really need that new outfit

and my kids are dying for some fast food tonight.
Good luck to you!

I found this on a blog, that found it on a blog... I think it originally come from here.
What a powerful post. How many times a day do we say this??? Oh, maybe we don't actually say the words out loud, but actions speak louder than words anyway, don't they??
I look at my daughter now and the changes in her. What would her life be like if we had chose new furniture or vehicles or whatever the 'thing' is, over choosing her?
I wonder if God has another daughter picked for us and what happens if we're not obedient and choose the comfortable American Dream over her?
I will....

Been Busy....

2010-09-15T17:41:00.000-05:00

I've been a little busy with the sewing! Sorry I haven't been keeping up the Sew Blessed blog, but I've been putting new stuff on Facebook.

Anyway, my friend and I have a booth reserved for Missouri Days so I gotta get stuff stocked up!

Enjoy the new stuff...

Baby Booties

I made a new fall jacket for Jia... or for sale, whichever!

She's a great little model!

A dress for my hairdressers daughter!

A 'Junie Doll' for Jocelyn...

Baby gown, burp rag and booties for Kims new niece.

(they have a thing against pink)

Deliveries for Baby Charli and Beautiful Emma!

Back to School 2010

2010-09-04T23:18:00.000-05:00

The kids started school August 18th. So far, so good!

Jory is now a 2nd grader! He is always up early and ready to go!

Every other week, Jack goes to work at 5:00 and Jory wants Jack to wake him up before he leaves. He is loving this year! I hope he keeps it up!

Jacen is an 8th grader!

His last year before High School - YIKES!!!!

He's loving school and doing great to!

Jia is in preschool!

The first day she literally weaved her way in between the other parents legs that were in line ahead of us!

I got a wave and off she went!

She's thriving!

I thought this was a cute pic.

Jory is ready to head out the door and Jia is just waking up!

CRAFTING FOR A CAUSE!!!!

2010-09-03T14:13:00.000-05:00

Help by doing something you love... crafting! Jo-Ann stores is hosting a sweepstakes called Crafting for a Cause. The intent is to encourage Jo-Ann customers to make and donate a handmade item directly to their favorite charity.

You must be 14 or older to enter. Each person enters their craft on behalf of their favorite charity. You are then eligible yourself to win one of five $1,500.00 gift cards from Jo-Ann. The three non-profits who receive the most craft items submitted on their behalf are then eligible to receive a portion of a $90,000.00 donation from Jo-Ann and it's partner organizations!

Wow! Do something you enjoy and help your favorite charity at the same time - what could be better!

Go here to learn more and be sure to forward this invitation on to your crafty friends!

So, how does it work?

•Register at Craft for a Cause

•You must submit your entry by October 30, 2010

•You must be 14 or older to participate. This could be a great mom-daughter-granddaughter-girl scout troop-youth group project.

•When you register you are asked to provide the name of the non-profit for which you are making the craft.

•Please review the sweepstakes rules.

•You must buy the majority of the supplies for your project from Jo-Ann and provide a scanned copy of your sales receipt as a part of your registration/submission.

If you happen to be a crafter without a favorite charity on the list, then I would reccomend crafting for this one...

Nightlight may not appear in the drop-down menu provided, but you may still enter it as an option.

Blankets - Beads - Books - Booties - Bonnets - Bags - your imagination is the limit. Jo-Ann wants you to send your finished creation directly to Nightlight. What will Nightlight use them for?

October 2010. A mission team will travel to Uganda to serve in our new Tender Hearts Babies Home. Craft items which have a use in the orphanage will be carried over in team luggage.

November 2010 is Adoption Awareness Month. Nightlight is planning an online auction during the month and some of your items will be made available for auction.

Spring 2011. Nightlight will be hosting its annual Gala event. Exceptional craft items will be made available in our silent auction.

Summer 2011. Craft items that may be helpful to our Summer Tour groups will be given to children and chaperons. Last year, small memory photo albums (4x6), were appreciated by tour children.

Orphanages. Frequently when families travel to complete their international adoptions they take gifts for the residents. Perhaps some of your crafts could travel to foreign lands.

Suggestions: Lightweight baby blankets, toys, crocheted baby hats, crib bumpers (we have 30 cribs), cloth baby books (Jo-Ann has fabric patterns for these), quilts would make excellent auction items, small memory books, cloth dolls, scarves and hats for older children. These are suggestions only - craft what you enjoy.

Vacation....

2010-08-23T19:58:00.000-05:00

We had a quick trip to Branson before School started. It was an awesome & HOT time!

My parents camped at TableRock that week and my Aunt and Uncle live nearby, so it was great to visit with family and relax.

Since I last blogged the photo uploader has changed... yikes!

So these are in no paticilar order, sorry!

This is Jia and I waiting for the boys to finish riding the go-karts

We rode the bumper boats and the boy that took our tickets pointed out to me which boat had the best sprayer. Obviously it didn't do me much good!

This was a down & dirty fun vacation.

We got wet.

We had icky hair days.

We had a ball!

This is Jack and Jacen at the Branson Landing watching the fountians.

Jacen on the waterslide

The JCrew at the Landing

Jia and Jory at the Landing

Miss Jia LOVED the go karts.

She rode with me the first time and she giggled through the entire ride!

She just kept smiling at me and was so adorable!

She was trying to wave at me as she went by, but I think daddy went faster than me!

Jia outside the Chinese Acrobat show

Jia on the waterslide - brave girl loved it!

Jia outside the Chinese Acrobat building

Jory and Jia... Jia was being uncooperative!

Jory love the C.A. They made his list of favorite things about vacation!

Jory enjoyed the rookie karts so he could ride alone.

The little guy shows great potential... he was keeping the inside line and not letting anyone by!

Jory on the waterslide! We all loved the water.

Jory with a couple of the acrobats - AMAZING show!

Jory outside the Chinese Acrobat show.

My Aunt and Uncle live nearby so they took us out on TableRock lake on their pontoon boat.

This was a favorite for everyone! I think we could spend the entire trip on the lake!

This is my Aunt Mary...

This is a large cliff on Table Rock lake... you climb up & jump off.

Jacen is just at the top in the plaid trunks.

He was on his 2nd jump.

I was on over to the right (past the trees)....

trying to get my knees to stop knocking together to do my first jump!

Uncle Denny and Jack

The daredevil. Yes, I'm holding on to the string of her lifevest.

She has no fear.

Jack, Jia and I

Jacen and Jack battling it out on the karts.

If you knew the racing history in our family...

Jacen was not gonna let his dad past!

Jacen tried his best to kill me on vacation.

Besides jumping on the cliff, we rode the ripcord together.

We did a little school shopping,

seen some shows,

played in the water,

had a fabulous time!

Inside MaoGang

2010-07-31T22:39:00.001-05:00

Edited to add: I just watched the video to make sure it worked. I haven't watched it for quite some time. I just can't believe that's my daughter. I can't believe that she lived there for 3 1/2 years before becoming my daughter. I can't believe I missed out on so much. The little girl in the video doesn't even resemble my daugher now. For the first time, this video was hard to watch. She has changed so much.

God really is the God of second chances.

This short video was in Jia's referral information. Parents waiting to travel and get their MaoGang girls wonder what kind of conditions their daughters are in while waiting on their Mama and Baba to come.

I doubt I leave this up for very long since it's sort of personal. But it's too large to load on the MaoGang Yahoo group and I wanted to share.

So here's a peek inside MaoGang from about July 2008. Jia was about 2.5 years old here.

For those of you that know Jia now... watch the little boy shove her at the end. Can you believe that she was ever so complacent??

I'm going to try and get back to blogging soon! My computer was down, then we had vacation bible school. I did the music and working all day then going to VBS really kicked my butt!

You just get out of blogging mode too easily!

Soon we're headed to Branson for vacation, then school starts! YIPPEE!!!!

So, I'll be back!

Urgent Prayer Request

2010-06-22T22:26:00.000-05:00

Our sweet friends from Texas are in China now! They just got precious Emma on Monday and she is having some health problems and had to go to the hospital. I know it is difficult enough to be in a foreign country when all is well, so I can only imagine what they're going through.
They are entirely comforted knowing that God loves little Emma even more than they do. Please pray for Emma to get the medical attention she needs to thrive and for the Smith family as they endure this so far from family and friends.
Here's a bit from the latest email update I got from them....They don't see signs of lung infection, but said she has such severe malnutrition. They are giving her an IV as we speak and we are to go back each day for another IV until we leave Kunming, the city we are in now. Thank you for praying........and please continue to pray that the IV will help her, and that she will also be able to eat and drink what she needs to keep thriving. She is such an angel.......so precious......continue to pray her home to the US where she can get everything she needs. I do say, however, that the only ONE she needs......she has right here, right now....and I do trust Him to be her everything. Thank you, Jesus, for taking care of sweet Emma........

Our 1st Forever Family Day Celebration!

2010-06-21T20:38:00.000-05:00

A year ago you were an orphan.

Now you are a beloved daughter, sister, grand-daughter, niece, aunt, cousin and friend.

Because God sets the lonely in families!

This is the first photo we seen of you!

It was love at first sight!

You didn't even have a name, you were a number.

As we moved along in the process, you went from being #208-11 to Qiu Wen...

And from Qiu Wen to Jiana Ellan...

but still there was something missing.

A smile.

A light in your eyes.

Your family.

Our first glimpse of you in person...

You were running late! It was a good indication that you'd make a fine member of the Stotts family!

Your dress was 3 sizes too big and you were wearing yellow Spiderman shoes!

I tenatively reached out to touch you, you were terrified.

I can't imagine what that day was like for you.

It was one of the most joyous days of my life, but I know it was probably your worst.

Eventually, you decided to take a chance on us.

It was so rough for you the first few days.

I can't blame you for being afraid.

You were so sober.

I will NEVER forget those first smiles you trusted us with!

And eventually, you decided that we were all right and you could trust us with more smiles!
I watched you everyday give in a little bit more.

Your first day home.

Your first day as an American Citizen.

Your first Independence Day!

In just a few short days your personality really emerged!

We found out what a Diva you are!

And what a ham you are!

I'm already imagining you in school!

You're bound to be the class clown.

Oh, all those calls from the principals office...

Now your smile lights up the room.

And you are so happy.

I don't know if you'll remember any of your time in China.

You've chose to leave that life behind and embrace your new life.

But the time we had there with you is priceless.

We will always remember with joy the journey that God took us on to you!

We will always be glad we stepped out of the boat.

You have brought us so much joy.

And love.

Gone is the sober, stoic orphan with just an assigned number and name.

In her place is the greatest treasure from God...

A demonstration of His Grace...

In one little face.

Jiana (God's Grace) Ellan Qiu Wen Stotts

Thank you Jia.

For your courage.

For taking a chance on us.

For letting us be your Baba and Mama.

For trusting us and letting us in your heart.

And for making your way into ours.

We love you sweet girl!

Happy 1st Forever Family Day!

Mama & Baba

Revisiting our last post before Forever Family Day

2010-06-21T16:05:00.000-05:00

Boy, do I remember the tug-of-war going on in our hearts the night before getting Jia. Are we being selfish taking her from everything she knows? Is this really what's best for her? I knew all along how much I wanted her, but had I stopped to think of what she would want? I remember going to bed that night just a bundle of nerves.
Even more, I remember waking up the next morning and reaching for my bible. As we sat in bed and re-read some scriptures that had become favorites over the years, a peace began to settle in. Then, as I was looking for a scripture in Psalms, I ran across another one I had read often. Psalms 68:5 - A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. I remember reading that one several times before, but I had never continued on. Vs 6 says "God sets the lonely in families."
I remember the joy that came over me as I realized that that day, God was placing Jia in a family, because that's what He does. He sets the lonely in families. I just knew that all was well and as it should be! From then on, things went so smoothly and perfectly!
You can re-visit our last post before getting Jia here.
Also, don't forget about the GIVE AWAY!!!! Go here for details and to enter!

Hong Kong

2010-06-19T21:46:00.000-05:00

A year ago we fell in love with Hong Kong.

Of course we were to nervous and excited to really enjoy it when we were there, and our time was too short. But it didn't feel like it at the time because all we wanted to do was get on to China!

But looking back, HK was so easy to get around and so beautiful. I would love to go back there and explore it some more!

We're celebrating our first year home with Jia!!!

Don't forget to enter for the GIVE AWAY! Go to this post and see how to get entered to win a SEW YUMMY apron or a gift certificate to PISH POSH TOTS!!!!

Side note: our new friends, Danny and Angie are in China NOW!!!! They'll be getting their precious Emma on Monday, day after Fathers Day.... just like us! So keep 'em in your prayers and little Emma to. I know it was all the prayers that paved the way before us and made everything go so smooth!

Celebrating with a GIVE-AWAY!!!!

2010-06-17T16:46:00.000-05:00

One year ago today, we boarded a plane in KC and begun our Journey to Jia!

You can read all about that here.

And because we are SEW BLESSED,

we want to bless someone else who celebrates with us!

Here's the give-away contest:

From now until our 1 year 'Gotcha Day' anniversary which is June 22nd, you may enter to win a Sew Yummy Apron and a gift certificate from Pish Posh Tots.

Here's what ya gotta do:

Become a follower of JouneytoJia (if you already are, leave a comment saying that)

Become a fan of Sew Blessed on Facebook

Become a fan of Pish Posh Tots on Facebook

Share the giveaway news on your own blog or Facebook.

And finally, leave a comment with your own fundraising ideas

so everyone can be inspired to acheive their goal of adoption, missions or whatever!

Now, for each thing you do, come back and leave a seperate comment on this blog post for each.

For instance "I just became a follower"

"I just became a fan of PPT or SW on FB"

"I just shared about your giveaway on my blog/FB"

"Here's my fundraising idea"

I'll be sure and link to this post daily, so be sure and leave on your comments on the "Celebrating with a GIVE-AWAY" post!

Winners:

The contest will end June 22nd. We'll be out celebrating our 1st Anniversary as a Forever Family, so winners won't be picked until Wednesday the 23rd.

I'll use a random generator to select 2 WINNERS.

One will get a Sew Yummy Apron...made by Joy

And the other will receive a Pish Posh Tots gift certificate.

Now go share the news!

Flag Day 2010

2010-06-14T08:07:00.000-05:00

Flag Day, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans.

Many people have died protecting it.

It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon.

As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag.

So raise the flag today and every day with pride!

Properly Display Our Flag

There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying the American flag:

The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.

In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.

The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.

The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.

After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's called "half staff" on land ,and "half mast" on a ship.

When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).

The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.

The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.

Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.

Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.

When your flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.

Newest Sewing Projects

2010-06-12T21:24:00.001-05:00

Sweet Dreams toddler girls nightgown

Sew Sweet in Multi Colored Flowers with polka dot sleeves

Sew Lovely in Pink Flowers and Zebra

Sew Lovely in Purple Flower Power!

Jia and her Junie Doll

Renea and I just reserved our booth for Missouri Day's in October.

I'm gonna be stocking up on Aprons and all things Sweet Dreams!

I just made little boys boxers and they are SEW cute!

Mothers Day

2010-06-12T21:06:00.000-05:00

Lucky Momma

The JCrew

My mom (mELLANie) and my brother Rob

Rob, Me and our MOM

Rob Me Mom & Dad

My Great Aunt (literally) Bonnie

My Grandma Mona

Me and my Mom

Jia played hopscotch on Grandma and Grandpa's patio

I love her ponytail in the shadow!

Shew! Hop Scotch wears a girl out!

Posin' with some of Grandma's flowers

Swinging with Daddy

Jory at the party....

2010-06-10T20:55:00.001-05:00

Jory had so much fun and Jia's Spring Fling I thought I'd give him his very own post.

Especially since I got so many cute pictures of him, which is pretty hard to do!

He had a lot of fun at limbo and made it to the last 3 or 4

A couple of his friends from church were there...

You can tell the dentist is our friend! :-)

Jory and his friends!

It's not a party without a little bit of air guitar!

He loved the fishtank.

Even had time to pose with mom for a picture!

More limbo.