Family Day 2008

We decided to spend Stephen's very first family day doing fun things together. The day started with a few photos on the beach and then lunch at a local Dave and Buster's type place. As soon as naps are over, we are off to bake a festive cake for our celebration and finish decorating for the Christmas season. The kids really enjoyed this little photos shoot of sorts..probably because it lasted all of ten minutes and they were off frolicking.

If I could freeze time in a bottle....

Four little pieces of my heart...just walking around.

Team Lucas

(Whose the lame-o that forgot to take off the shades in their haste?)

Happy Family Day, Stephen!!

Broadway comes to the 'Hood

Places everyone!

The Camel and the Owl

Over the past few weeks our girls have worked very hard preparing for a neighborhood Christmas play. Tonight was opening night and my, what a fantastic performance! Each of the children represented some type of animal that was learning about the birth of a king who was sure to not reject anyone who came to him...even the stinky pig (Dickie did an amazing job with this role). The Christmas story was spoken so powerfully. Cute,cute. It sure helped to kick off the holiday season with the spreading of Christmas cheer. Bravo kiddos!

Thanks Cathy for working with the kids so very diligently and Leslie, thank you for opening your home each day.

Our legacy

One day last week I went into our daughter's (she wishes to remain anonymous) room to put something away and happened to notice this chart. She has always amazed me with her organizational skills and her need to plan, but this was just a bit over the top:

It just happens to be a full list of each one of her children (my future grandchildren) and where they will sleep in her "Jon and Kate Plus 8" style home. So, I am thrilled to think that one day I will get to finally meet all of them :-) Sarah, Lexy, Cole, Nate, Myly, Amanda, Laryn, Rose, Mady, Becca, Lily, Maia, Marin and Gracy. Aren't they just perfect already? It gets better. Her family will also be composed of children of her womb and children brought to her family through the miracle of adoption. So far, that will include daughters and sons from China, Vietnam and the Phillipines. Woohooo! I wonder if I will get to travel with her family or if I will stay behind to care for the other dumplins?!!

My mind is already racing ahead with her to thoughts of our holiday celebrations and family gatherings. What a wonderful memory we already have to look forward to....

I keep thinking of Exodus 20:6 where God says he will bless those who love Him to a thousand generations. WOW! With at least 14 grandchildren...think of the legacy we could leave behind?!

Plenty of motivation to press on when the going gets tough, huh?

GRANDCHILDREN? Who'd a thunk it?

Educational Roadtrip

A few nights ago, the girls and I piled into the car with the Murray's and headed to ECU to attend a campaign rally that featured the Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

The "Pro-life hockey mom" addressing the Republican crowds

Read my lipstick: It was one of the most educational experiences of my life (don't laugh, I know that is not saying much!) . Amazingly, on some level, this seemed to open both Austyn and Landon's eyes as to exactly what was going on in our country's future. It is one thing to study about the presidential election, but a whole new story when those become living, breathing, speaking people right before your young eyes.

Young Republicans :-) Landon, Austyn, Helen and Joey

The next morning before Landon left for the 5th grade, she stopped me in the kitchen with the strangest look on her face. When pressed, she admitted that she had watched the news and was worried because John McCain's opponent was reported 4% ahead in the polls. I had to laugh. I assured her that one candidate will certainly be elected as president and we will just go on with life as usual no matter the outcome. Ack! Too much pressure for a ten year old, huh?

Random moments in time..

Landon and Stephen getting ready to eat daddy's birthday dinner: shrimp boil.

Stephen loves going to "my cool" (school).

Whoa. His coordination has really improved.

Why does this poor Black Drum's face remind me of the Tide-to-go commercial and the talking stain?? Wha-wha-wha-whawa wha..

Life is great when you have a buddy! Christian and Stephen try to make time to roam the roads each afternoon..thick as thieves they are.

You would think she would know by now not to play on a wet playground, especially with her sister and cousin who were looking for an opportunity to soak her. Lesson learned?

Mullet Over

A Good Day at Sea

Landon shares her father's knack for hooking 'em. She made the "Catch of the Week" at the pier a few days ago. Is that what the song "I Want My Mullet Back" is referring to?

There was a time when I aspired to be the next Jacques Cousteau. One good semester in Marine Biology sent me scurrying to the Humanities department. Perhaps Landon shares this...I just keep hoping one of my children will let me live vicariously through their endeavors. Can't just one of them want to dive with the urchins and save the dolphins? Don't think we are not sewing seeds of a love for the outdoors and the wetlands, although we have not gotten as far as placing all the bumper stickers on our vehicles just yet. Is that your car we keep seeing?

Hanbok Handsome

We just got back a few photos of Stephen in his Hanbok (traditional Korean outfits that are worn on special occasions). He was so proud to be in his "special clothes". Although this photo says "4", he will not actually be four until February.

Is he a cutie or what?

The flag and the hanbok were special items that were given to him as a gift from those that cared for him while in Korea..just one more reminder of how much he was loved during his first years of life. We will always treasure them.

The Haircut

We ventured out to get the boys hair trimmed. It was way past time. Stephen was not too sure about the trim, but wanted to sit in the tiny yellow car. He likes yellow, we have learned.

When he found out he was a wee bit too big for the yellow and had to settle for the red one..he was none too pleased. I wish I could say he really enjoyed his first hair style as a Lucas..NOT! He did not like anything about it and made this known. Poor guy...he was terrified of the man trimming his hair and of the clippers.

Nothing a little trip to the park can't fix. I sure do love seeing those eyes once again.

Wilson giving the over the shoulder "do not try this at home" look.

I sure do love seeing these eyes again, too.

Children of the World

Lighthouse Family Church

January 29, 2006

My dear friends, their families and the babes from India,Uganda, Philippines and Brazil

So many of you have to hear me talk about my precious babes that sing in the Children of the World choir all over the US. I am posting a link of them singing at the Crystal Cathderal on the West Coast. Most of these Indian children live in the Gilgal children's home where we visited in the NE corner of India. They come to the US to raise awareness for the plight of the orphan and to promote sponsorship of these children. They have 3 teams that travel throughout the US over a 10 month span. If you are interested in seeing them you can go to the link in the sidebar and click on "view schedule" and see when they will be in your area next. If you have small children it is an awesome opportunity to show them how blessed they really are to have all of their needs met and a great way to teach about other cultures.

They are an absolute blessing to watch and to get to know.

Here is the Link:

http://www.worldhelp.net/MusicOutreach.aspx?pageid=37053

Matthew 28:19 tells us to go into all the nations and tell them them about Jesus, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Child sponsorship is an excellent way to fulfill this commandment without having to board a plane. These children are introduced to the GOOD NEWS from an early age and will have access to education and shelter that would not be possible without an American family sponsoring them.

Now, I have manipulated my way to introducing our precious Tingneitling

We call her our "daughter in India" and have been sponsoring her for over two years. Through the COTW choir we were able to spend a great deal of time with her and have her spend the night in our home. She is a treasure and I am sure God had a perfect plan when he wove her into our lives. Ask anyone who met her...she is a jewel with a bright future. Her sister Tingneignak is here in the US right now touring with the Central team of children. She clung to my side while we were in India and was affectionately named "Nga-Nga" (Nya sound). I was later told by the children from Uganda, this means tomatoe in Ugandan. OOPs!

Happy Birthday! We were able to visit the children last year on November 26, which Ting and I happen to share as the day we were born. Isn't God good?

All of these ladies are touring in the US right now. Left to right: Elise and Nga-Nga (Central) and Deborah (West). This is Deborah's second tour in the US. It seems she was very homesick for the US when she returned last year and they allowed her the opportunity once again.