2 Birthdays, A Day of Thanks and a Homecoming!

Okay--I'm not even going to apologize anymore.

I have officially earned the title of "Worst Blogger of the Year!"

I'm actually not all that sad about it either. 

Cause that means I've been too busy to even sit down at the computer for several combined moments.

But today--I'm delaying my gym workout for one hour.

So here we go . . .

We celebrated my 43rd birthday on the 14th!  Yes--I am not even scared to put that out there.  I love birthdays--they give us another year to do more with the time we've been given.

Sara's birthday was the 19th. She turned 15!!  Of course the subject of driving came up. AND we gladly made a deal with her.  When she can pass the written test required by Georgia--she can get her permit.  That seems fair and it comes with a little more inspiration to learn more English.

Next came Our Day of Thanks.  We have had much to be thankful for this past year.  We had a lovely dinner with friends and family.  We were missing one however--Austin was still in Chicago.  AND sorry Vicky and Brook--I don't think yall had arrived when I was running around taking pics.

Next came a very sweet homecoming.  Austin came home on Monday the 26th.  Oh my was it GREAT to give my oldest child a hug. I must admit I've called him a couple of times since then just to hear him answer the phone because I couldn't for so many months.  Seeing him walk down the hallway towards our family was just a very precious reunion.  Loved that!  (It also made me just that much more appreciative of all the men and women who do this year in and year out.  The sacrifice is amazing.  Thank you to those of you who defend our nation.)

 

 

Finally, We now have another 18 year old in the house!!

Yep--our Jordan Ross Agee turned 18 on the 28th.  He helped grill the steaks with Ben.  He gave specific marinating instructions--Jordan's special recipe.  And this year he asked for strawberry cheesecake for dessert--great choice.

Sure am amazed that 18 years have passed since this sweet boy turned man entered into our lives.

 

And if you are still reading this really long blog that should have been written on 4 separate days--well then, you are truly a good friend. 

Hugs to all,

Julie

Beautiful Things

We have been home a year today!

I can hardly believe it--so much can happen in a year.

Change occurs.  Some by our choice and some forced upon us.

But none the less--it happens.

I put together this video because I wanted to look back and "see" the visible differences in Sara and Hannah. 

When you look at the beginning pictures--note the uncertainty in their faces.  You can almost feel the anguish of embracing this new normal in their lives.  A move that affected every aspect of their lives.  There was a cultural shift, a food shift, and heaven knows there was the dynamics of their new place in a family.

Then watch closely as their facial expressions begin to slowly gain confidence and acceptance.  You begin to get a sense that they are comfortable in their skin. They have found their "place" and have settled in.

AND

It Is A Beautiful Thing!!!

This is Forever!!

This is the face of Adoption. 

This is a Family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working Out!

Okay--I'm putting this out in bloggy land.

I've been working out for about 13 weeks. 

Trying to lose weight and tone up.

Apparently--my attempts to push myself have not been tough enough.

I have lost some weight, and I have begun to see a difference in my clothes.

But not to the degree I am content to stay at.

AND THEN . . .

Last night I joined a group of teens and college kids from church for their workout.

Lord help me now!!!

I ran/walked 1 1/2 miles and then attempted this workout that just about made me think they were touture techniques.

Apparently it was a shock to my system--I do not have the body of a 20 year old!!!

But afterwards when it was finished--on the ride home and when the pain eased up, I actually started feeling pretty good about the attempt.

I'm thinking about going back on Thursday night--I guess I need some more torture, pain, training!

Julie

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Our first ever Birthday with Hannah!

We missed her birthday by 10 days last year.  I almost couldn't stand the thought last year--but now I can look back and see that God orchestrated everyday of this child's life for his purpose.  For whatever reason that He has--he arranged for this year--her 9th--to be the first one for us to rejoice over and to spend together.

I love that this girl loves life and is full of energy.  She is curious and loves to laugh.  Her personality is cheerful and she is one big question waiting to be answered. 

AND . . . deep inside, in her secret place is some unfinished grief.  She is the child that you learn about in the adoption classes that you take before you can complete an adoption.  The child that grieves with every life milestone.  You never know exactly what it's going to look like, but at some point it shows up and you realize--Oh, She's grieving for what was. 

I'm trying to be REAL here.  For those future parents of older adopted children, this may just be a part of your child's life.   Hannah was out of sorts for part of the day on Saturday.  She was irritable, and grumpy.  That by itself is not necessarily a grieving symptom, but then she started telling me that she wanted to go back to China and be with her Foster mom.  A light bulb went off and I realized- she is missing her life in China and that's why she had been so moody.

For some of you, you might be thinking, doesn't that hurt your feelings, or how could you take her away from her China Mom?
As her mother, I realize that these are real feelings, and they are healthy because she had a healthy attachment with her foster family.  The second question is harder to answer.  Unfortunately, we don't know what her future would have been like had she remained in China, but we do know that the foster family she was with could not have ever adopted her and she eventually would have been placed back in the orphanage.  I also know that even though her birth parents were not able to parent her, that God took a situation and turned it into a wonderful plan.  A plan for her to join our family.  To become our daughter--loved forever.

And so, on her first ever birthday with us--we kept it all in the family.  Small and full of celebration. We had 2 small parties--one in Georgia and one in Alabama.  She had 2 cakes and lots of ice cream.  Chinese food made by Sara in Georgia and  a lot of good food in Alabama.  Presents in both--I think she made up for missing last year!

Choosing her earrings

Ready ...

ouch!!!

I think this was good . . .

Happy with Nana and Papa

The Gang!

Yummy Chinese Food!

And the gifts begin

2nd Yummy Cake!



Loving time with Bum Bum and Granny Bum




Hardest balloons to blow up!



To my youngest daughter Hannah--I thank God for you and the blessing you are to our family.  Your smile lights up a room and my heart.  I love you to the moon and back!

Julie aka--MOM

Have You Ever Felt . . .

Like God is up to Something --- but you don't know what it is???

Well -- I'm there.

Pondering.

Trying to sit still.

Waiting.

Wondering.

And

Looking for HIM.

I'm not sure what he is up to--but I'm anticipating his next move--I think.

What do you do when you're in that place?

Give me some good ideas.

Hugs to ya,

Julie

A Catch Up Blog!

This week we have been in full.  blast.  moving.  mode!  I started the week with my yearly mammogram--what can I say that was a big joy! But at least the lady doing the procedure had Christian music playing in the background and she had a cheerful disposition!

Then, I gave blood--and lots of it.  Not by choice--doctor's orders.  It's time for some more bloodwork to check my thyroid levels.  8 vials later . . . 

Today was eye doctor appointments for Hannah and Sara--new glasses for both!   I'm so glad that our eye doctor and staff make this event enjoyable--thanks Dr. Thomas and Mike!

Tomorrow is our Women's Ministry Event for the month.  This month is called, "Living the Royal Life."  My childhood friend, Angie Thomas Wainwright from Just More Jesus, is coming to share her heart with our ladies at Victory Baptist Church.  I am so very excited!!!  Angie--if you read this today--I am ready to hear what you have prepared sister--bring it!

Saturday brings a baby shower for a sweet family in our church & a dinner for our Young Married Class. (And no--Ben and I do not qualify for this class--but they are gracious enough to let the teachers come hang out with them.)

Other News . . .

I posted on Facebook last week that we were heartbroken when we didn't get to travel to Chicago to see our Austin.  He was supposed to graduate on Friday the 14th from boot camp. 

This is the last day we saw him on July 18th

Taylor and Austin

Last goodbye!

And then the tears came . . .

He has not passed the running part of boot camp.  So right now he has been moved to the FIT area for recruits who need to pass the run or the swim part of basic.   He gets to retest on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  So please pray for him on these mornings until I post that he has passed.  We are so proud of him for fighting through this battle.  Keep it up Austin!

AND Last but not LEAST AT ALL!

We are going to start home schooling Sara again.  We are so grateful to the teachers who have been working so hard for her, but she is struggling.  She came home one night this week in tears and asked to be home schooled again.  She says there is too much she doesn't understand.  So hopefully, one day next week, after our school material that I MUST ORDER TOMORROW comes in, we will begin phase two of home schooling for Sara. 

I'm glad that we allowed her to attend school even for the few weeks she has been there.  It helped her to see that she needs to get more English behind her, and it helped that she asked to be home schooled.  

Whew!  Makes me tired to write it and now I must get my behind in the bed--the alarm at 5 am is not pleasent without sleep.

Julie

It's A GOOD THING That Our Judge Had Pants On!

We went to Superior Court today for Hannah and Sara's Readoption and Domestication today.

It was a lovely visit with Judge Stephen Kelley.  He was very friendly with our girls and he had much grace throughout the process.  Hannah asked him question after question and he answered them for her.  Then he listened while she told him stories about learning English.

But the icing on the cake occured right after he finalized all of the paperwork and we stood up to get pictures.  That's when Hannah noticed his robe.

Before we knew it, our spunky Hannah bent down, picked up the hem of his robe and peeked underneath, and then asked, "What's under that dress?" 

Judge Kelley was very kind and said, "I have on my suit under my robe."

Hannah's curiosity was satisfied and then we took pictures. 

Ben and I didn't quite know what to say, so we just smiled for the camera.

And It is Official Again--Our girls have been readopted and their foreign adoption has been domesticated.

AND I'm positive Judge Kelley will have something to share when he talks to his other Judge buddies!!!

Here is our picture from today.

It's Official--Again!



We will be doing a little celebrating tonight!  (Judge Kelley asked the girls what kind of food they wanted to eat and it looks like it will be Chinese Food!)

A special shout out to Jason and Joli who told us how to complete the redaoption ourselves and gave us the awesome example to follow.  It worked wonderfully!

Julie