Beach fun with Gaga and Papaw

I have not been a faithful blogger lately...please forgive my silence :) Maybe the extra videos and pictures in this post will make up for my 3 week sabbatical!

Lily got her first taste of the beach about three weeks ago when she and I went to visit my parents. We took her out to the beach around 5 pm the first night we arrived and she was mesmerized for the next several hours. Here are some of her first experiences with the sand and water having fun with her "gaga" and "papaw"!

Lily and Gaga building a drip castle together...it brought back fun memories of doing this with my mom when I was little.



After Lily explored in the sand we look her down to the water.  Needless to say...she loved it!




Soon there was a tide pool that formed which was a perfect spot for Lily to play with all the toys Gaga and Papaw bought her for the beach. 




This is one of my favorite pictures...Lily was about to give Gaga one of her famous sloppy kisses. Love the way she is looking up at my mom...pure love. 



My parents thought of everything...they had beach toys and a fun wagon for Lily to ride in to the beach! It was a perfect spot for toting all our gear...I'm not sure why we never thought of having one of these prior to grand kids!  My mom should get some kickbacks from Costco for all the people who wanted to know where they could buy one for their family. 



Here she is having fun in her wagon after one of our photo shoots on the beach.   She went swimming in her dress in a little "beach pool" with some friends we met who also had a little girl from China.



They even bought Lily her own little alligator chair for the beach…she loved eating her lunch and snacks in her “big girl” chair. 





They bought Lily her own "computer" which has been a great source of entertainment for her and laughter for all of us, especially when she gets fixated on the same button over and over (kangaroo...kangaroo...kangaroo!).



I love Lily's spirit of adventure and exploration...each day she wanted to go further into the water.  What a gift it was to see the beach through her eyes. 








The first day on the beach we met a family who had 3 girls...two were adopted from Guatemala and one from China.  When Lily saw their little girl from China she immediately lit up and wanted to play with her.  She also had a cleft lip...maybe another reason she felt an instant connection to her. 

My Mom invited a group of her friends over for a “meet and greet” to see Lily while we were there.  I am so grateful their group of friends who have prayed for Lily throughout our adoption journey.  

Right before everyone arrived Lily decided to have a nice little crying fit on the floor…a combination of being tired and hungry!  Fortunately when the first guest arrived she pulled herself together and was a happy little girl again. 

As I was visiting with everyone I noticed that she was walking around to everyone’s lap and eating off their plate!  It dawned on me that I never finished feeding her lunch...our little resourceful girl.  She loved all of the attention and put on quite a show making everyone laugh.   She was completely at ease with over 25 new people she had never seen..I am in awe of her social personality. 

Being a little tease with her "auntie" Gaye


Getting some sweet kisses from Marilyn



Even my dad decided to join in on the fun...



Getting some laughs from Paula



Lily loving on her Gaga as if to say thank you for my day of fun!



It was a beautiful week and the weather was perfect. My dad was the official "babysitter" so I could go out on the beach with my mom while Lily napped.  It was such a treat to be with my parents for a week and watch them love on Lily (and be so good to me too!). 

It was a week filled with great memories and lots of fun...the only thing missing was Michael and Spencer.  Lily loved it so much that she cried more the two days after coming home than the entire week we were at the beach!  Hummm...could it be she was missing all the added attention she received???












My parents even endured a very hot, muggy morning going with me to take pictures of Lily at an old castle nearby. If you know my dad...this is a huge sacrifice because he does not do muggy! I got a few good shots but the heat made all of us pretty miserable...especially Lily.





Resorting to bribery with some snacks...still not doing the trick to bring many smiles!  My mom said she didn't blame her...three change of outfits + unbearable heat= one unhappy little girl. 


We even went back that afternoon to try and get some better pictures but again...not much success.  I'll probably get written out of the will for showing this one of my mom...she was so hot she actually wore shorts for the first time all summer! 


I finally got a few fun pictures one night when my parents were at church. I loaded Lily up in her wagon and headed to the beach at sunset.







The morning we left God painted a beautiful sunrise so I captured a few shots while Lily was still sleeping...a perfect end to a week filled with great memories.  I am so grateful for the love of family...thank you Mom and Dad for sharing your home and treating us to a wonderful week! 

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.  Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.  In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.  Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat."  Psalm 19:1, 4-6

There’s something about the water…

Lily is a water girl…she must have known this goes along with being a Rankin.  So thankful that God gave us a little girl who loves the water as much as we do.  

I started with a brown tub on the back porch…she was content with her “pool” and playing with plastic tubs in the water. 

Even Spencer had fun taking a dip in the “pool”.

Then we bought some “liquidator” soakers and had some more family fun one night…of course I was off limits because of the camera!

On Father’s Day Michael upgraded her pool status to a “real” pool and blew it up for her to enjoy!  You can see her beaming with joy as she explored the water. 

When Spencer came over and saw the new addition he decided to join in the fun with Lily. 

We “upgraded” again to a bigger pool…the LAKE…which she is crazy about.  Michael’s family has a lake house about an hour away and we all enjoy getting away from life as we know it to enjoy the serenity and beauty that awaits us on the water. 



Lily with "Granda"



On July 4^th weekend my brother-in-law invested in the “WAM” (a.k.a. waste of money) for his kiddos and I must admit...it brought out the kid in all of us.  We all had fun doing flips and the kids enjoyed their tube ride behind the boat. 

There is something about the water that refreshes the soul...that washes over us to make all things new…that quenches our thirst. 

I wake up every morning to see the sun’s reflection on the water in our back yard and I am reminded of the beauty of our amazing Father who pursues us…who ties us with knots of love…and leads us with cords of human kindness. 

I love to get up early and run in the mornings. 

The past few weeks God has been teaching me some lessons about the water. 

Jesus said…”whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  (John 4:14)

I love to be drenched in the water when I’m up at the lake but what about my day to day life?…do I just take  “dip” into God’s word each day or do I desire to be soaking in His truth so that it overflows in every part of me?

Sometimes I desire the natural water more than the living water that Christ has to offer. 

When I only put my finger into God’s word I miss out on the abundant blessings He has for me.  

Oh…that I would be drenching with the word of God and thirst for Him more than any other thing this world has to offer. 

Lord…open the eyes of my heart to see you and drink from the only source that will never leave me thirsty.    



Questions...

Oh, how I want to be more like Noah. 

God instructed him to build an ark but he never questioned WHY?? 

Scripture says, “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.” 

He waited over a 100 years for God to send the rain and yet he never doubted…he never questioned...he chose to walk in obedience to God’s calling. 

Noah was a man who found favor in the eyes of the Lord. 

Oh, how I want to be more like Noah. 

I have a lot of unanswered questions this week that I don’t understand.  For over a year now, Michael and I have been seeking God’s direction about something and trying to walk in obedience to the doors we have seen Him open along the way.    

This week we received an answer that is difficult to understand and I find myself asking, WHY? 

Oh, how I want to be more like Noah. 

It will be hard…it will require sacrifices…it is not what we had planned.  And yet…the LORD is sovereign and my God is in control.  His ways are better than my own and I must learn to trust…just like Noah. 

I am learning more about dependence and surrender…more about letting go. 

I fall short so often and find myself filled with fear, anger, and bitterness…not at God, but at the things of this world that are broken. 

God is writing a bigger story…just as he was in the life of Noah.  I don’t understand today, but in time the lens will sharpen and my heart will soften and I will understand more about how God is using this to shape me. 

Oh, how I want to be more like Noah and walk in obedience to God’s calling…trusting Him enough not to question WHY?

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.  And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’, when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”  Isaiah 30:20-21

I have read this verse over and over the past year and prayed that we would hear a word behind us saying…this is the way, walk in it. 

The answer we heard this week is clear yet the road ahead feels so uncertain. 

Lord, give me the strength to walk upstream knowing you will meet me there.

So grateful that I have an amazing husband who walks by my side through the disappointments and joys of this life. 

My Sunshine

Today I honor my amazing husband.

He is my gift from God…my soul mate…my best friend and the most incredible father to Lily and Spencer. 



my favorite day...our wedding...January 9, 2004

Our pastor recently said…never fall in love with your children more than you love your spouse.  I would add to that…never fall in love with your spouse or anything of this world more than you love Christ.    

I believe one of the greatest gifts as parents that we can give our children-outside of teaching them about the truth of Christ- is to love each other well. 

Without a doubt, I have a husband who loves me well.  

last "date night" (without the need for a baby sitter) 
before we left for China to bring home Lily

I am so thankful that Lily and Spencer get to see a dad who…

…prays with us together and leads us toward Christ 

…builds me up in front of them

…makes coffee for me every morning

…models integrity and has a strong work ethic

…works diligently during the week so he can play hard with us as a family when he is home

…makes sacrifices to do what is best for our family (i.e. he is out pulling weeds and cleaning windows so I could write this post while Lily sleeps :)

…encourages me to go to my favorite barre class on Saturdays while he plays with Spencer and Lily

…makes us all laugh, loves to have fun and engages with us when he is home

...who makes our relationship a priority and still plans date nights for us! 

…does what he says he will do and is someone they can trust

...gives me the gift of being able to stay at home with Lily and Spencer

Michael is my sunshine…my voice of reason when I am weary…my handsome man that I have the joy of waking up to every morning! 

Lily wakes up every morning signing “daddy” wanting to know where he is.  Her face lights up when he walks through the door every night and her arms open wide to give him a big hug.  In just 3 months their relationship has transformed because of LOVE. 

Love isn’t love until you give it away…

I am grateful for the gift of an earthly father who loved me well.  My dad was and still is my greatest cheerleader.  He allowed me to understand what it meant to be loved so that I could receive the greatest gift of love there is…the love of a heavenly father.



my dad giving Lily some love

Today we celebrate our fathers…dads who are our leaders…our warriors…our courageous men who impact our children for eternity.

the man I love...the wonderful father to our children

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13

thankful

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  I Thes. 5:18

It has been 4 weeks today since Lily's palate surgery.  A week ago today Lily had her follow up appointment with her doctor.  Yesterday was 12 weeks since Lily was placed in our arms for the first time.  My heart is overflowing with gratitude and thanksgiving for that all God has done and continues to do in her life. 

thankful that Lily's squinty-eyed smile is back!

thankful for a great report from her doctor...

Lily's palate has closed completely and Dr. Buckmiller felt great about her healing.  She said it will be another 3-6 months before she will be able to use her palate correctly as it continues to heal but we are praying that she will break the mold and start sooner! 

at Lily's follow appointment with Dr. Buckmiller and nurse Emily



Made a stop on the drive home from her doctor's appointment
Liy's first "real food" (Baskin Robins counts right??) 





this one says it all...



thankful for real food and family meals together...

Lily got the green light to begin eating soft foods last week.  Starting today we can move into giving her most other foods as well.  Needless to say I was thrilled to put away the blender that had become our friend for 3 weeks (although Lily did enojoy her role of official liquifier by pushing the button everytime!)

We all love our family time together so having Lily join us again for meals is a special treat.  It had been so long that Spencer even said yesterday that it felt strange being able to eat in front

of her.  

eggs are coming her way!

thankful for no more no-no's...

Lily was able to remove her no-no's during the day last week and starting tonight she won't have to wear her football gear to bed!  She has not complined ONE TIME over the past 4 weeks about ever having these on her arms.  I'm sure I would NOT have been so cooperative if I couldn't bend my arms to get what I wanted.  What a blessing it has been not to fight her on this, in fact when she sees them she still points to them and wants me to put them on!  Think they will go in the closet today. 

happy little girl even with her no-no's

getting ready for bed with her football arms...still smiling!

thankful for family and friends...

We are so grateful for the gift of family.  My parents came from SC and Michael's mom traveled with us the long 8 hour drive for Lily's surgery.  My parents stayed a few days after our return home and Dad became our "assistant Sherpa" while Michael was at work.  Let's just say the he knows everyone at Publix better than I do!  My mom rocked our angel so I could get some sleep at night and Michael's mom who has a background in nursing kept me calm during the days after Lily's surgery. 

Our friends Marcus and Katie graciously opened their home to us when we came to town for surgery and our follow up appointment.  Her parents even allowed us to stay in their condo when Lily had her surgery.  It gave us little piece of home while we were away during a difficult time and it was such a blessing...not to mention the added treat of having a little girl time with my friend Katie!  They have 3 adorable little girls who doted on Lily and shared all their toys with her.  What a gift they have been to us. 

my parents are just a LITTLE smitten with Lily!

thankful that Lily loves her big brother...

Lily's eyes light up everytime she sees her big brother!  He makes her laugh and he is a great example of love to her. 

this just make me smile...

at Spencer's promotion...doing the double "squinty-eyed" face

thankful that Lily loves books...

Books have been our friend from the first night in China.  We still read her two favorites every day that we took with us on our trip.  She is learning more about words and recognizing different animals and objects...I love reading to her and watching her grow. We went to the library for the first time yesterday and she couldn't stop pointing and making her happy noises when she saw all of the books! 

Gaga reading Goodnight Moon...a new favorite

thankful for her curious nature and desure to figure things out...

Spencer and his cousin were buidling a  roller-coaster a few weeks ago and Lilygot  right in on the action...she watched everything they did with amazement.  Of course her "help" made their job harder at times but they were a good sport about having her by their side.  I served up some chocolate milksakes during the fun which made everyone happy!

thankful for the whispers of God...

The night before Lily's surgery we were having dinner at my friend Katie's house.  I walked by a little table they have for their girls to do homework and art.  I looked down and noticed some homework that her oldest daughter was working on that day.  I immediately got my camera to take a picture of what I saw...

Joshua 1:9..."Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." 

Tears welled up in my eyes for this was one of those moments when I felt as if God was speaking right to my heart...

the words on this page were one of hope and comfort...peace and promise...

they were a reminder that He would be with me during Lily's surgery...hours away from home...in every moment of every hour...in whatever lies ahead for our little girl. 

This verse is also one of our first family verses that we learned together over two years ago.  Isn't is just like God to choose to speak His truth through the homework of a little girl.

thankful...so VERY thankful

*I have several posts I want to share...hopefully they will come sooner than this one did!  thank you for your prayers...as you can see God has answered in abundance...