Bittersweet

Happy Easter!   He is Risen!!  Church was wonderful yesterday.  It was decorated beautifully, everyone looked dapper, and the sermon was inspiring.     Every holiday, every year I try to take a mental snapshot of the goodness, the blessings that we have to celebrate and hope I will always remember these years.   In the joy of the day though, a part of me still felt more like Good Friday than Easter Sunday.   Unfortunately my dad is not doing well and it's been a painful experience to see someone so strong and healthy, deteriorate so quickly.  He is a fighter, and we trust he will bounce back from this recent setback, but in truth, there have been many tear-filled nights lately.  Watching someone suffer is always hard, and it's a helpless feeling at times.    Dad is back in the hospital and is expected to remain there for at least another week or so.   We visit every day (although probably not for a few days with Garrett having a cold).   After church we all piled in the van and did our best to cheer him up and celebrate the Lord's resurrection with him.

Also not far from our hearts is Karolina.  I have to say, I was not adequately prepared for this stage.  I expected it would be very difficult to leave her, but every day has been heartbreaking.  There has not been a night since we left her, that I haven't dreamed about her.  I dream she is crying for me, I dream we can't get to her, and most bizarre, last week I dreamed I rode a big lizard across the sea to her.  Ha ha!   It might sound strange that the bond could be so deep after just a few days together, and I think that's the part that most surprised me.  I never anticipated that the attachment would be so complete, so quickly.   She's not just our adopted daughter we are waiting to pick up, she is my child, and I miss her.   The reassurance I have is that she is in excellent hands and I know she is being well taken care of.  

Over the weekend we colored Easter eggs and made one for my dad, and another for Karolina.   Eggs represent new life, and I couldn't help but think of the significance for both of them.  Karolina's new life will be a few short months away, and she will be introduced to a world of big brothers and a bulldog.   I pray my dad will receive a new lease on life and no matter what happens, we believe the Lord makes all things new.  Hallelujah, thanks be to God.




  

Karolina

I am grateful beyond measure to introduce you to our angel, Karolina (pronounced Karo-leen-a).   Jim and I just returned from our first trip to Poland.   Although we were not able to bring her home yet, we were grateful to be able to spend several days with her.  We bonded, cuddled, giggled, went for walks, and I even got to give her a bath!   The orphanage where she is living is small and loving.  We were very impressed by the tenderness of the nurses, and obvious affection they felt toward the children.   Our lives have been forever changed by this experience.   There are children who need to be adopted all over the world, from Akron to Amsterdam, Green Bay to Guatemala.    Cleveland to Haiti.   What I have learned though, is that just as the Lord knits together a child in the womb, he knits together families in only a way He can, through providence and divine guidance.   I still can't believe we are adopting from Poland, but that alone is a testament to God's amazing ways, HE led us right to Karolina!:)    I have so many thoughts and emotions, but right now I will keep it short and just post a slide show.   We hope/pray to go back in a few months to bring her home for good.  Thank you for your prayers and support!   It means more than you know.

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Saying our temporary goodbye was the hardest part.   Leaving her was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.   Thankfully, I know she is in excellent hands, and we just pray for a speedy return.   Happy Easter Karolina, we love you!

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Latest Book Loves

One of the blessings of our vacation last weekend was the opportunity to catch up on reading.   The gift of quiet time and a good book is precious.    One in particular I was excited to crack open was " A Little Way of Homeschooling:  Thirteen Families Discover Catholic Unschooling"  by Suzie Andres. 

  I heard about it on my friend Jennifer Willit's show and couldn't wait to check it out.  The concept is finding peace and confidence in homeschooling (or unschooling) through Jesus and the insights of St. Therese.   It's exceptional.   I think I would find this book helpful no matter what form of education we chose for our children.   The overall wisdom and experience the moms share could apply to our daily interactions as a family.  It helped me feel motivated to tap into (and keep),  the wonder my kids have for life and learning.    I haven't finished it yet but so far I love it.

The other wonderful read I've been working on is the classic  "A Shepard Looks at Psalm 23" by Phillip Keller.  Wow!  What a great book to remind us of the love Jesus has for us, and tenderness the Good Shepard takes in caring for each of us.
Lastly, the book up on deck next is "Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back," by Todd Burpo.

My mom zipped through this book in 48 hours and has been telling anyone who will listen,  "READ THIS."   Lol.  I love it when a book ignites that much zeal!   Every day my mom has asked if I started it yet.  Sometimes if I read too many books at once I end up not finishing any of them, so I'm hoping to complete the others so I can start this one.   Thanks for the tip mom!:)    

Walking on Sunshine

Our family just returned from a road trip, and although it was a just a weekend getaway, it was worth the long 12 hour drive!   We went back to the place we vacationed last summer:  Tybee Island, Georgia.   Jim traditionally has a hard time with the unrelenting cold climate of the north, and every March I see it set in;  he gets homesick for his home in Georgia and Florida.   So, it was a blessing to be able to pack up, enjoy the beach and stay at my cousin's condo for a few days.   Here are a few of the highlights...

We made it!   It was 75-degrees and a little windy but that didn't stop the boys from dipping their toes in the surf.  They were so excited!

Happy, happy!

Dinner at Fanny's Beachside Restaurant.   Our table was a giant boat!

Soaking up the sun and sand.   Day 2 was much warmer, 85-degrees!

 Our favorite biking destination, and sunset-watching place.   At a dock on the west side of the island

Jim and his mom :)

Peace

 We went home with two new family members.    Hermit crabs named "Crusoe" and "Fry Cook."

Once again, Tybee provided precious memories for our family and offered a sun and serenity for the soul.  It was so nice to escape for just a few days.  Life has been very intense lately, so we really tried to soak up each minute.   If you are ever interested in going there, let me know!  My cousin's condo is similar to this one, and a place that is really designed with total relaxation in mind.   The blessing of a porch, palm trees, and a tropic breeze while reading a book will be a nice mental thought during the dreary days. :)