Last Fall we decided to update our kitchen. We wanted to do it without tearing out the cabinets–simply because it would cost a fortune to do that–and we aren’t planning on staying in this house forever (still dreaming of farm life;). In our old house, I painted our cabinets myself–BUT that was when I just had ONE little one. I knew painting them myself this time would be dangerous and crazy with 4 littles. I did some research and called Kristen Davis who is an amazing artist here in Atlanta–and in about a week she took our boring white factory grade cabinets to a rustic warm blue/grey new look.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
To change the look up a bit–we did get Brad from Brad’s Woodworks to come in–and he was super patient with my idea although I’m sure he is mostly used to folks wanting to rip out old and put in new. I asked him to add some height and new molding–and his crew had that done in just a few days. Then Kristen came in and painted everything–and lightly distressed it a bit (thanks to my Facebook friends voting to lightly distress when I was indecisive;). Where the top of the current cabinets meet the new raised addition–we just added a tiny trim to cover the break line. Then we added new larger moulding up top.
We also ripped out our teeny island with a stove top that didn’t work without turning the knobs on and off constantly. We had European Pine Warehouse make us a new much bigger island that the kids could all sit around for breakfast. We ordered stools to go under it–still waiting on those but he gave us these chairs to use until they come in (still patiently waiting for those–and they are SPIN stools–just like my grandmother has at her house…such fun memories spinning while eating cereal. I know–sounds nauseating BUT I loved it as a kid and wanted my kids to have spin races like we did too:)
ALL of this was booked and decided BEFORE we decided to grow again through adoption–so had we known we’d be adopting again we would have waited on an update. NOW we’ll just be spinning on stools and eating our Wheaties in faith! HA! Thankfully–the Lord does continue to take care of us so we are thankful for His provision in so many ways!!! You wouldn’t believe how much we saved doing these little update tricks instead of starting from scratch! And I don’t fret if someone nicks a cabinet. I just take a Q-tip and fix it myself with a dabble of paint:)
Okay–so that was an update we did over 7 months ago and finally got around to sharing! Kristen inspired me to paint my bathroom cabinets myself–much smaller and fewer cabinets to tackle! I’ll have to share those pics later in the week and the “how to” steps to get ‘er done!
What a beautiful kitchen! I bet you love cooking in it! 🙂 I can’t remember how I found your blog but we’re in the Article 5 process for our little girl from China, so I’m loving following along with your process! I hope you are able to travel in May!
After working the fancy off the last few months getting ready for our mommy retreats–we planned a fun little family get away to see extended family and have a little fun in Park City. Minus mommy being out of shape and needing Tylenol after just a few runs–we’ve had a blast. We’ve squeezed in ski school, lots of hot chocolate, a cousin’s birthday party and lots of laughter together. My kiddos are way braver than I was I’m afraid at their age. Here are a few pictures from our fun…
Frankie baby and daddy getting ready to show daddy what he learned in ski school…
Frankie baby…so proud of him and how well he is doing!
Loo bear finishing up with her instructor…
Loo bear practicing on the bunny slope…
Cousin Jason with his crew and Rico with Frankie baby…
Then we headed in for to celebrate one of Jason’s boy’s birthdays! A little pool, bingo and ping pong to finish off our day!
Alright! So that’s a wrap because tomorrow is another full day! LOVE getting to see Rico Suave in his element–and watching him laugh with a cousin that he grew up coming to visit every winter to have this same fun. So thankful for Rich’s family that takes such good care of us while we are here–and truly goes over the top to care for our family. And thankful they are so patient with this momma that did NOT grow up skiing so I’m quite the site to ski with I’m afraid as I shout down the greens “WATCH OUT”…”DANGEROUS LADY COMING”…and other phrases to help protect children or innocent skiers in my path.
Today I survived and even managed to laugh through it…and seriously had some fun–although I’ll admit my most favorite part of today was the hot chocolate and turkey chili:) At heart–this momma isn’t a skier I’m afraid but going to sip my hot chocolate and let Rico Suave give them the same sweet memories he had as a child and try not to shout too many “be carefuls” and such while I sit back and enjoy our family time…on a much needed time away together. We have lots of changes ahead that will mean lots of hunkering down to help a new one heal and connect with our crazy crew–and I’m so thankful for this time together just to unwind and have a little fun while connecting with extended family that we love dearly!
Determined to get some pictures of Parker skiing tomorrow too. He has come out with his dad to ski before so his lessons today were on the side of the mountain that this momma doesn’t dare to go:) Determined to get some pictures of him tomorrow to document his fun too.
Now…off to find some Tylenol. I’m getting old. Either that–or I need to workout;).
We have just wrapped up the 2nd retreat of the year–and now we will spend the rest of 2013 seeking direction and making plans for the heart of 2014. We just do 2 retreats each year–back to back (in January and in March)–simply so we can serve more moms without spreading out the crazy of planning and what it requires to host retreats. 450 moms attend each retreat–and we also know if we spread them out TOO far that really…most would probably want to come to both because…well you’d need another one by then! Having them back to back allows us to also have some rest and to plan the next year while still getting let our families be first.
This year our theme was LOVE BIG! We based our theme on 1 Corinthians 13:13 “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Step out in faith. Wait with hope. And LOVE BIG.
Truly. It is an honor and joy to volunteer planning these retreats each year. When you think about the moms in the room…the beautiful stories that each one represents…the journey behind and ahead of each of them–truly to stand in a room with 450 foster care and adoption moms with a similar heartbeat and love for the Lord in worship—is truly amazing…
We always begin our weekend together with a slideshow of the pictures the ladies sent in of their family prior to the retreat. (We do a separate one for each retreat. This is the MARCH slideshow. We are unable to post the JANUARY slideshow because the January slideshow has lots of pictures sent in of foster babies so that one can’t be shared online.) After our welcome on Friday night, we use the slideshow to start us off before worship–with the slideshow being our first act of worship for the weekend–remembering what He has ALREADY done–what He is doing–and trusting Him in faith for what He will do. I ask the ladies to pray for the families as they see them and to remember how each one represents quite an amazing journey. By the end of it…every retreat…I’m speechless. And thankful. And just in awe of how big our God is and how He cares for each family so tenderly and powerfully.
Amazing.
Okay.
So that wasn’t the VERY beginning of the March Friday night agenda. Before we got serious–I actually opened us up in silly. I don’t have the full video to show you–but I do have the “practice” that happened at my house the night before. This was kinda on a whim. We are always SO CRAZY planning the January retreat as it’s right after the holidays. But for March–doing a repeat…we have a little extra time…not much–but just enough time to make a few trips to Party City for some crazy. I actually welcomed everyone in the beginning by shutting off all the lights. Turning on a solo spot light. And coming out as Napoleon. The actual performance welcome was much longer–the full deal…but this was my practice the night before. Not right I know. But retreats can some times be so serious–that we want to bring in the silly too. Cause although life can be serious–the stuff surrounding it hard…you have to bring the silly with you and learn to laugh too.
Here’s an out-take wig malfunction that made us laugh. Learned for the actual performance I needed bobby pins. Glad I rehearsed I guess;)
Ole Rico Suave and I laugh a lot around here. He and the kids thought this was a great way to open up the weekend…not sure what all the moms thought–but I have no shame when it comes to attempting to make people who need to laugh – laugh:)
Then on Saturday morning, Carissa Woodwyk shared a letter she had written called “Listen”. Carissa is a Korean-born adoptee–and a counselor, mommy, wife and most precious friend. She shared her heart–and really spoke on behalf of the adoptee’s heart. Powerful. Moving. Sacred. Tender. She makes me want to really listen as a mom to the hearts of my children.
On Saturday night we got to hear from her again–right after Amy Monroe from Empowered to Connect/Tapestry Ministry shared the heart of an adoption mom. Then the two tag-teamed an amazing session where they dug deep into the heart–and shared theirs along with sharing pre-recorded clips of other adoptees. Powerful–and so good.
Carissa–well, she is also a nut. In good company. Definitely part of our crazy team. She sent me this following the retreat with the message “Napolean meets Created for Care.” Hilarious. You’re on the right track Pedro. You’re on the right track;)
ALSO on Saturday night–mommas had the option to attend a fun time led by Meghan Dempster and Mary Ostyn about thriving as a big family. We called this “Extreme Home Edition” and they shared everything from tips on multi-tasking, grocery shopping on a budget, homeschooling, etc. Mary has the most dear, tender spirit about her. So thankful she was able to join us this March!
It was truly an AMAZING weekend. And I had such fun tag-teaming the MC responsibilities with one of the C4C trio mommas Christy Elphick. We decided to dress up for every main session announcement time–and we rocked Debbie Gibson like no man’s business on Saturday night.
We wrapped up the weekend with the story of Hagar and Tona Ottinger reminding us that the Lord SEES us too. Right where we are. He sees us. He has a plan. And He will never leave us. Not only does HE hear US. But He hears our children. He will care for them. He is ENOUGH.
Truly, it was such a sweet weekend.
A time to connect with other adoption mommas…
Here’s a picture from the January retreat of AGCI Ethiopia mommas…had to throw this in there as I reflect remember also the sweet connections made in January
The Lord does so much in our stories–and even SO MUCH in just this weekend! I’ve already begun to get so many emails of how the Lord worked in individual hearts and how so many moms heard from Him in specific, amazing ways.
Thank you ladies so much for coming. For coming to rest. To be refreshed. And to just open your hearts to receive whatever His purpose was for you for this sweet weekend together.
We can’t wait to begin planning for 2014…and to see each of you again!
And I can’t BELIEVE that I came home to find out on Monday morning–that while we were serving at the retreat that our LOA was delivered from China! I asked the ladies to pray for this…and on Monday morning–it came. CRAZY. And on Tuesday (yesterday)…well–we celebrated in true Young fashion:)
Pulling out the blanket that Megan Boltes made for me and gave me this weekend today and getting ready to DECORATE a nursery with it! How precious is this?? (Thank you Megan!)
Megan is making these to help fund their adoption travel AND 10% goes to Ubuntu in Africa! You can visit Megan’s Etsy shop here.
I had an amazing time (at both retreats!!) and am so thankful for your heart to serve us mamas!!! it was an honor to be able to serve in a small way with you this year!! love you friend!!
Megan Boltes -March 13, 2013 - 2:17 pm
C4C was amazing. Thank you for this ministry!
Amber Prevo -March 13, 2013 - 5:03 pm
Loved the weekends and loved getting to be with you. Your heart to pour out on others is such a blessing and I feel blessed to be even a small part! Thankful for you!
Those are the words that I heard this morning on the other end of my phone when our agency called us!
We are so excited to share that in just 49 days we received our LOA approval! This means–our sweet boy is officially our sweet boy…a YOUNG…and I am officially a mommy again! China recognizes us as his parents–and now we just jump through another hoop or two and we’ll be on our way!
Our agency is overnighting our LOA/LSC letter–and then we’ll copy it and send off for I800 approval specifically for our child. Because we already have obtained I800A approval–it will only take about 2 weeks to get back from the US government. THEN we will have that sent off to China and wait for what’s called Article 5. After that–we’ll wait for TRAVEL APPROVAL!!! Then we’ll be off!!! There’s STILL a wait ahead–but we are getting so close!!! I think it’s possible for us to travel in MAY–but JUNE is also a possibility too. We are hopeful and so excited it will be soon!!!
Getting our LOA/LSC also means we can officially share his picture publicly because he is our son!! Some agencies allow you to share before hand but ours asks you not to share it before LOA.
Are you ready to see the cutest Asian love you have ever set eyes on???
Here he is!
Proudly introducing Ezekiel “Zeke” Young…
Melt my heart.
Can’t WAIT to have our sweet boy in our arms!!!
These are the pictures we have been staring at for months! We have video footage from Fall and also lots of video taken in January. I’ll have to share some of that sweetness later! Right now, we are celebrating with our children who are so excited as they totally understand this adoption process and what this day means! Even Isaac is jumping for joy and asked me, “Oh mommy! I just love Zeke! Do you think he will love me??” We have loved him for many months–so it will take him some time to get to know us and love us back…but oh my–I can’t wait to start the process of a relationship with our sweet boy!!
I’m going to start working on his nursery this weekend! And I’m just so taken back by God’s plans. To THINK that THIS month is the month we were due…that March was our due date month–and this March although we had to experience loss to get here…the Lord still allowed me to hear the words today, “You are officially a mommy again! Congratulations.” To get to where we are–loss happened…both for our son in China…and had we remained pregnant–we probably wouldn’t be where we are in this adoption process either. Yet God used that to make me long for another…yet when our doctor said we could try again–we decided to try “online” on Rainbow Kids Waiting Child list instead of the traditional way;). Through difficult, hard loss–God can write such beautiful. And although I wouldn’t want to go through that again…and although I would never want my son to experience loss or life in an orphanage–I would not change anything if it meant not being where we are NOW. God’s plans really are perfect, pleasing and good. Perfect doesn’t mean without pain. Jesus was perfect–but He was not without pain. Does a perfect God allow pain? Ask Jesus. I do not know why hard happens…but I do know that through it with Jesus–comes beautiful.
I have so much to share about what the Lord did this past weekend at Created for Care! I also have craziness to share with you from it (I got a little O.O.C. with dress up fun. God indeed did a beautiful work throughout the weekend…so my heart is BURSTING right now with thanksgiving for all He has done and continues to do! More on that tomorrow! Okay–so maybe on Wednesday cause tomorrow we are sending off lots of paperwork to USCIS and I might be crazy!)
Much dancing at our house today and thanking the Lord for the story He is writing!!!
I’ve been waiting for this post because I knew it would come. We prayed big for a court date before the rainy season last summer for our son waiting in Ethiopia when it looked impossible. To God’s great glory, we passed court just 2 days before closures and our sweet boy, our seventh, came home just before Thanksgiving- we had prayed he’d be home before Christmas-God did one holiday better! His ways are always higher.I was so blessed by c4c this weekend and encouraged to love big and pray big. God is awesome! So happy for you.
Meggan -March 11, 2013 - 6:37 pm
Gods way is so much better than ours…through the pain His glory will be shown!!
I know I just met you this weekend…but I’m just plumb dumb excited for you. The Lord is so faithful. We experienced loss on our journey as well…not in the same way, but devastating too. Our son, Seth, died in China before he could come home. He DID make it HOME though! Home to heaven and Jesus’ presence. We stepped out in faith to bring a very sick little boy into our family and the Lord answered our prayers perfectly…by healing his heart in death rather than in life. I don’t know that I’ll ever fully get over it. But through grief and pain, our Gabe came to us last September. Both of our sons are exactly where they are supposed to be…Seth with the Lord and Gabe with us. He is so faithful.
I’m amazed at how small the world is…Lisa Dykstra is a good friend of ours from church. {My hubby is a staff pastor} We’ve prayed and begged and wept with them this year as they struggled to bring Daniel {Lesha} home! I wondered if you guys knew each other when you mentioned New Horizons and June in your talk {which was incredible btw!}…and when I saw T in the green teeshirt, I knew you must know them! I’m also a friend of Becky Passons…we have several friends in common. God is good.
Anyway, just wanted to pop over and say congrats again. So very happy for your family and for Zeke! Hang on, China mama, it’s about to go sooooo FAST! Much love and many hugs…
For His fame~
Kam
Oh yea! We got our LOA today, too! So did a lot of families in our facebook group. Are you a part of that group? It’s called DTC or Travel Spring/Summer 2013. Lots of families there who have adopted from China before so lots of great info! Congratulations to you!
Cara -March 11, 2013 - 9:28 pm
So sweet! I loved seeing this post. 🙂 Congratulations!!!
Jennifer Pighini -March 12, 2013 - 5:35 am
So very happy for you! Praise the Lord! Congratulations.
I wrote you several months ago after checking in on your family. I watched your gotcha day video when we decided to adopt and then I learned that you were adopting again from China this time. that led me to read your “miscarriage” post and healing began there for me.I shared my heart about the lose of our baby (then two wks ago)in the middle of our adoption process and even though you never may have received that I wanted to try again. you really prepared me for the unexpected triggers that surly DID come. I shared that we sent our adoption off the same day and my hopes that God would cross our paths. I am so excited to tell you that we too received our LOA on March 11th. God is good. Hope to hear from you. Zeke is beautiful!! God bless.
Oh, Andrea! Zeke is precious! Congratulations! I’m catching up & SO thrilled to see your sweet son is officially a YOUNG. Our God will cradle this sweet boy until (and after!) he’s in his Mama’s arms.
Love,
Carrie
As I sit here this morning listening to Chris Rice’s version of “It is Well” I am overwhelmed with His goodness…His plans…His purposes–even when they don’t make sense.
Right now–in my heart so many things stir.
But it is well.
As March approaches…I think about the baby we lost in September. She would have been welcomed in our arms this March. I see expecting mommies in the grocery or at a meeting out and about…or in a store…and I think about her. Our little angel girl.
A deep breath.
But I know–that His plans are perfect.
It is well with my soul.
I don’t understand why hard things happen–but I do know they are for His glory.
And while I refrain from running up to expecting moms to ask them when they are due to see how close their due date is to mine…to try to relish in some of their excitement…and to even be careful not to day dream this is where we would have been.
I do know that we would be readying for a little newborn today–and instead…today (and almost every morning lately) I’m impatiently checking my inbox in hopes there will be an email that we have received our LOA (Letter of Approval) to bring home our son who is waiting for us across the world in China–and whom we are desperately waiting for on this side of the world. My heart longs for him no differently…no less desperately…and in the most miraculous, beautiful way…a beautiful that only He could have weaved–it is well with my soul.
And this morning–I raise my hands to my King.
My heart still hurts for her…when I think of the baby we saw kicking around on the ultrasound–yet even in the hurt–my heart…it is healed. Just because we hurt or just because we are sad some days for what will not be…for the loss we might have experienced…just being there is hurt doesn’t mean He has not healed us or that His plans for us aren’t perfect. It is okay to feel the hurt–and it doesn’t make you less or mean you aren’t trusting.
And even in the moments of taking a breath when I remember–even when I’m a little sad…it is still well with my soul.
Some times I even have to say it out loud…and this is the sweetest worship to Him of all.
Jesus–even in the hard and the hurt and the changes in our stories…from our plans to embracing yours…IT IS WELL! It is well with my soul.
I don’t have to have an explanation–or to have our stories tied with a pretty bow…or to ever fully understand the complete masterpiece He is weaving in my life. It doesn’t have to make sense on this Earth…and for all of us it probably won’t…because this isn’t heaven…and to us–many things will never make sense.
Yet–when He is ours…when we have trusted Him…when we have seen Him work through the hurt and when we have felt His Holy Spirit restore our hearts and whisper to us that He loves us–that He hurts with us–and that He will be here…no matter what–we are free to raise our hands as some things are taken away and others so beautifully given. His children sense His presence and know His goodness through the storms and dust and days that are so beautiful…and it is well…ALL OF IT.
With all my soul–I raise my hands.
It is well.
It is well.
With my soul.
His plans…His purposes…they are good and although some times painful–they are good and glorious. We know this. If you are His–YOU KNOW THIS.
He can be trusted.
It’s okay to have our wheels stop and remember the loss. When we are His–it is even good to do this…not to forget–and to see parts of the beauty from the pain.
And I don’t know how long it will catch my heart…when I see a little pink baby carrier in the grocery–my wheels will might stop for a moment…and I’ll glance at her and smile…and I will be unable to not think of the one we lost. And then–His glory. I will look (or rather probably be chasing) my other littles…and my breath will be taken away as I look at our most precious Zeke and how it was HER story that led us to HIM. Her wings abled us to open our hands and say–boy or girl–or whatever you will…and this we saw him–and we knew…we KNEW…this was our son. His story also one of loss–of great loss…but with God’s beautiful hands and plans and purposes–He brings together–for His glory…for His ultimate plan. And I know with great joy and fatigue from chasing another most precious child I will say…It is well with my soul.
I can’t wait to have this son in my arms. And it is because of His power that I can go day to day with across the world while we wait. I know His timing is perfect–and I can’t wait for the day we board a plane and have this little love in our arms. It is because of His faithfulness we can continue to say even while longing…it is well with my soul. Truly a miracle.
Thankful for His plans and purposes. Thankful He is my God and can be trusted.
Thank you for sharing your heart. Your daughter was a gift from God and she should be remembered and God should be given the glory no matter how short her little life was. Praying for you as march approaches.
Mindy -February 27, 2013 - 3:20 pm
Oh friend, how I needed this today. Thank you for sharing.
Your offering of God’s grace and love touched me deeply. A week ago, as I was driving through the mountains of my beautiful state, processing a difficult situation at work, ahead of me was snow covered mountains with sun shining so brightly I knew it was God’s hand. and the words of the song “it is well, it is well with my soul” came out of my mouth, and I was touched and knew that the difficult stuff at work, and in my personal life, was part of a plan by the Creator that was responsible for the beauty in front of me! And, it is well with my soul.
by admin
What a beautiful kitchen! I bet you love cooking in it! 🙂 I can’t remember how I found your blog but we’re in the Article 5 process for our little girl from China, so I’m loving following along with your process! I hope you are able to travel in May!
i love it andrea!!! Thanks for sharing! the island looks fantastico!!