For this child we prayed

1 Samuel 1:27

For this child I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him

We had a very sweet baby dedication at our church on January 20th. It was our Sanctity of Life Sunday;which truly blessed my heart. I was reminded again that Tatumn's birthmother chose life. I am sure it was not an easy decision just because of the situation in China right now and the fact that she did something even harder and walked away on an October morning. We are the ones who God chose to entrust this precious life too. So on Sunday we stood as a family of 6 and promised the Father that we would love her always and teach her about the One who loves her most.
Tatumn wore a green Chinese dress with new black shoes. I only add the new because Tatumn was so excited to be wearing "new" shoes. (when the boys went back to school after their Christmas break, they asked Tatumn if she liked wearing shoes and she told them "I like NEW shoes!") So when our Pastor was complimenting her dress and pigtails, Tatumn was so pleased to tell him she was wearing NEW shoes and asked for a blessing on them as well! She is so totally my girl! The Lord is very specific when He answers our prayers!

Just this morning............

our morning alarm went off and the first thing I heard was Nicole C. Mullen singing "My Redeemer Lives"my foggy mind immeadiately went to a room filled with amazing ladies. I could see your faces as my minds eye went around the room. My heart was overfilled with admiration for two girls sitting by the windows who felt secure enough to pour out their hearts and be vulnerable. And then my mind remebered our new mommies in the "cry room". I remeber being that new mommy loaded up with a baby carrier, diaper bag, and bible study. And a big shout out to that sweet little momma who even brought a yummy snack! You girls rock! I am truly so thankful to the ladies who felt led to lead our small groups! I was blessed by how God confirmed that each group was His design. I love how He does that! And I couldn't help but smile as I remembered all of our quirkinesses! You guys are so much fun! But what makes my heart about bust out of my chest, is your desire to want to go the distance with our Savior. That you are not okay with the status-guo. I am asking Him to pour out more of his spirit over you this week as we tackle homework and book study. You can do it!

As the snooze button was pushed, I continued to pray God's Redeeming Love to pour over this group. I thank you Pam for the example you are to us. Let me say "It is my pleasure to walk this walk with you!" Ladies hold your Shield of Faith up high and may you walk in Victory this week! I love you.

Eph 6:10-18 NKJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. {11} Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {12} For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. {13} Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. {14} Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, {15} and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; {16} above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. {17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; {18} praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;

Tatumn's BFF

Trying to get 2 toddlers to smile at the same time is nearly impossible- so when Ally snapped this picture at our New Year Celebration and it came out good it just did my heart good! These sweet little Asian darlings share such a special story and an even stronger bond. They love each other deeply. To catch a glimpse of their beginning please check out http://www.carepages.com/, and then type in MYER for the care page journal. And to read Tatumn's story please check out http://www.journeytome.com/-journey to Tatumn Hope. It truly is a story of Gods faithfulness and His continued goodness in our daily living.

**The first picture was taken in August in Guangzhou, China. The girls first (of many!) lunch date!** The second was the famous Red Couch.

Tea for 2

We got to spend the entire afternoon at the Massey house yesterday. Because it was a holiday we were not governed by the clock or bus schedules! Times like this are few and far between so when we get an opportunity like this we just had to seize it! And I will tell you we loved every minute of it!

The girls were so excited to see each other. And Myer and Tatumn were pretty excited to see each other too! Although I am sure a little embarrassed at how their mothers were giggling and carrying on! :)

I think every toy that the Massey's own was used yesterday! Tatumn thought every new toy was the greatest treasure ever found and "politely" decided it was going home with her.

Then Ally brought out the tea set and we had an impromptu tea party. It was Tatumn's very first one! By this time, however, her pigtails were history and the Chinese peacock look had taken over but it didn't stop her from pouring and drinking gallons of sweet tea. How do I know it was "Sweet tea' you ask? Well because their mothers are raising them right! As our two pint sized party goers were pouring and drinking and fighting over the pitcher, two delighted mommies got to laugh and savor such a sweet moment handed down from the Hand of a most gracious God.

Look and See!

For a couple of months now, we have asked Tatumn off and on if she would like to use the potty. She would mostly say no and not show any interest in it but occasionally she would try it out. Her tiny, little hiney made it almost impossible for her to get comfortable enough to even try. I have been meaning to pick her up a potty chair but I would remember as soon as I would drive out of the Target parking lot and was out of the shopping mood to go back.
Well, enter Grandma, who is constantly making a list and on one of her many trips to Wal-Mart she saw on her list a potty seat for Tatumn! Gotta love Grandma's!!!!
Well any time there is something new at our house it is the GREATEST contraption EVER! So, as I was opening the box, the atmosphere was as electric as Christmas morning! Everyone knew it was a potty seat, the box was not wrapped, and it still brought with it great anticipation!
So, after much coaxing and celebrating Tatumn Hope decided to give it a try. Tucker gave her a book to read and that made her very happy. This seat has a lid, so that alone brought a lot of entertainment. Up and Down for about 3 hours. We finally got to take a break when we had to leave and take Taylor to wrestling practice. But as soon as we came back into the living room, she insisted that she sit on it again. I know the living room doesn't seem like a decent place for a potty chair but in all honesty I thought it would be more like a toy for a while.
I WAS WRONG!!!!!!
Tatumn sat her little, tiny, hiney down and was still for about 10 minutes (which brought great relief to my day!) She then stood up , looked down into the little bowl, and proclaimed "Look what is in there!" (She has the sweetest little accent when she talks-it is a cross between a Southern Belle and a Chinese grandmother!
Well, Tatumn made one good deposit, if you get my drift! I was totally shocked! She was totally proud! And the boys, her cheering section was beside themselves! Well after we journeyed back out to pick Taylor up (in a snow Storm!) we tried it again....................and she did it again!
So, much to the relief of my husband and my mother, we have know moved the infamous potty chair to the downstairs bathroom! Every time we have put her on it she has gone. I am not pushing her to go every time right now, a busy schedule right now makes it almost impossible! But I think she is getting the hang of it because last night after dinner she ran into the kitchen and yelled "I need to go potty! Hurry! Hurry! " Add the little accent and it is so dang cute!
Does anyone have any ideas of where I can find tiny, hiney panties? I think I may be in the market for some soon!

First Post!

I have been anticipating moving my journal from journey to me (journeytome.com) to blogger for a while now and finally decided today was the day. I have been reading other blogs for a while and honestly I was very intimidated to start one.........................there are some amazing blogs out there! The templates are fantastic, the writing makes me laugh out loud, there are actual blog giveaways with prizes, and what surprised me even more is that there are AWARDS for blogs! Now, I am not trying to compete in a blog competition or anything, it is just that there is a very high standard out there in the blog world and well I felt a little overwhelmed!
So today is the day................my first step over into the blog world.
I have pondered a blog name for weeks.......seriously.
I also planned out a blog template......................in my spare time!
I make blog posts in my thoughts all the time....................crazy, I know!
So, please feel free to stop by and visit.
One thing that I can promise you is that life here is not boring. We have found when you agree to go with God on the Great Adventure........He doesn't disappoint.