28 February 2007

Making headway

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5

I feel pregnant.

Without the constant vomiting 24/7/9 months.

Now that we're getting paperwork completed and starting on this path for real, it feels like we've seen the little blue line on a pregnancy test... It's happening... For real! I remember this feeling so well when we were waiting for Jackie during his birth mother's pregnancy. It's a mixture of excitement, wonder, empathy for Baby's birth mother, and anxiety that something will go horribly wrong. Waking up in the middle of the night with thoughts of Baby on the way, feeling anxious about the birth mother's health and emotional well-being, feeling strangely bonded to and grateful for her feels so familiar.

After all this time waiting for the Lord's Green Light, He said GO! and it's really going to happen this time. Wow! It's like when we were waiting for Evangeline. Years of prayer and knowing that the Lord had another birth child in His hands for us and then nothing happened. Finally, after enduring loss and seemingly endless waiting, that little blue line showed up. Praise Jesus for His enduring promises that He never fails to keep!

Who would have guessed the path that God had chosen for us? Two birth children, one adopted, one more birth child, and so much loss and agony at times in between waiting for our family to be complete. Just as we knew that the Lord had another birth child for us, we knew in our "knowers" that He had another adopted child in His plans for us. How thrilling that His blueprints are being rolled out and we are finally seeing the beginnings of the fulfillment of His beautiful design!

This month we watched the Superbowl at Uncle John & Auntie Marilyn's, celebrated our adored Mother's birthday at our home, did a lot of kissing on Valentine's Day, went on a couple of fun field trips, celebrated Ricker's 11th! birthday. Throughout all of this fun, though, our family has been deep in prayer for Granddaddy (Ray Ortlund), Grandmother (Anne Ortlund), and Papa (John McClure II) as they are all very ill. Please pray with us for their healing in Jesus name. Our grandparents our so precious to us. We feel blessed beyond measure for their sweet presence in our lives. Praise God for such models in our lives!

Marg & Auntie Becky going on a date to the Salon


At the Dahlberg's unbelievable Indiana Jones themed Superbowl Party where they had a white tiger swimming in the pool, monkeys, a black bear, chimps, fire-eaters, sword-swallowers, belly dancers, henna face and hand painters, and all manner of wildness!


Golf with Gary, Glen and Trent


Nana & Marg celebrating our dear Mother's 59th birthday!


Valentine's Day



Marg riding Snickers


That's US on the Jumbo-tron at the Harlem Globetrotter's basketball game


The girls playing and giggling during a break from schoolwork


Celebrating Ricker's birthday at the Star Wars exhibit at the California Science Center in LA and then dinner at Ruth's Chris



Our nephew Johnny feeding the dragon a dollar at the Chinese New Year Parade in LA. We had such a wonderful time with Buddy, Becky, J5 and Lincoln. It's amazing to realize that hopefully next year we'll be back here with our little daughter from China!!!


My baby brother, Buddy, is one of the people I admire most in the world. I'm so glad we're friends. I hope some day I grow up to be just like him!

31 January 2007

Getting started on our Chinese adoption

"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will - to the praise of His glorious grace which He has freely given us in the One He loves." Ephesians 1:4-6

Welcome to our journey to our little Chinese daughter,
Mei Mei to Margie, Ricker, Jackie & Evangeline!



We are so thrilled to finally be started on this adoption after years of waiting on the Lord for His perfect plan to unfold. We are immeasurably grateful to our amazing family and friends who have been 100% supportive, excited, and encouraging. What would we do without you wonderful people?!? We are so blessed to have such a great group of people who've got our backs no matter what, love us unconditionally, and are plain ol' fun to be with, and we love you all dearly!

A little background for those of you who haven't prayed us through this decision from the beginning:

Several people have asked us, "Why are you adopting a baby when Evangeline is still so young?" Well, because the Lord planted the desire in our hearts for a daughter from the other side of the Earth a long time ago. Then He said, "Wait." After years of wondering if we heard Him right, He promised us another birth child.

What?!? TWO babies?!?

And then the Lord allowed more waiting, loss and suffering, and then more waiting. Isn't is an inexplicable challenge when the Lord makes a big, fat promise or two and then is quiet (at least to our ears)??? Finally, we took the bull by the horns and started working on adoption paperwork and the Lord laughed at our impatience. That very month I became pregnant and we rejoiced with tears and laughter! Our plans for adoption were then delayed until after our little rosebud, Evangeline, was born.

And what a joy to us Evangeline is! She truly is a gift from Heaven.



We expected that Evangeline would be the baby sister, but it turns out she'll be the older sister to our daughter from China! Margie, Ricker, and Jackie are all very excited about the prospect of Mei Mei on the way! Thank you, Jesus, for Your abundant blessing!

This month we did a lot of playing. We celebrated New Years Day with our traditional Swedish breakfast at the folks, and then a walk on the beach, rode a thousand rides at Knott's, took our folks to California Adventure, dedicated our beautiful baby to Jesus, and took a field trip up to see Uncle Nels' at the Monrovia Police Department and visit the Norton Simon Museum of Art in Pasadena. We are so blessed to have such a great life. God is so good! In the rough times, or happy seasons, He's always there. Praise Jesus!

Our little Boo Boo Bunny & Mama


Our traditional first beach trip of the New Year, January 1, 2007

Johnny & Jackie


Marg & Ricker at Knott's


Disney's California Adventure with our favorite people, Poppy & Nana


Marg, Poppy, Ricker & Michael on California Screamin'


Jackie loves how having his two front teeth gone makes him look fierce!


Poppy & Ricker


Poppy, Grams, Papa & Nana


Evangeline's dedication


Tennis lessons


Kids with Uncle Nels


with Nels, Captain Stotter, and Lou Ferrigno (remember "The Hulk"?)


At the Norton Simon