Service for Sofi

Dear Life,

Monday I was a broken down mess.  With Sofi's upcoming birthday, and the lack of any progress of any sort towards a referral for the last two months, my heart was breaking.  I wept, I prayed, and I felt like I could literally feel my heart breaking.  

I thought of my other kids birthdays over the years....
Birthday Breakfasts...
Disney Birthdays....
Birthday Cakes....
Birthday Beach Parties...
Birthday overload.

For Sofi....she got...

Another day.
Like no other.
Not a special all about me day.
Just another day in an orphanage.

My arms were aching to hold her, to whisper Happy Birthday for the first time, to sing to her and smile while she blows out the candles.

When the day actually came around, something happened.
I offered to do a little driving errand for my friend.
It was so wonderful to give back.
And then we went to Target and picked up a couple of toys for another friend who is having a toy drive in honor of her sweet boy who went to live with Jesus last year...in honor of Sofi.
We gave service for Sofi today.
And our hearts were lighter.

What a lesson learned. 
I am so grateful to my friend who called me yesterday asking me if I could run that little errand. 
My day was much lighter.

We ate cupcakes in honor of Sofi.
Next year...we'll eat cake....with Sofi.
She'll be in a princess dress.
With sparkles in her hair. 

Celebrating a birth from afar

Normally I would write Dear Life...but today is Sofi's birthday so I am writing to her.

Dear Sofi,

On July 3rd, 2009, a beautiful little girl was born. 

She was born without excitement.

She was born without celebration.

She was born and then given up.

She endured surgeries alone.

She had no one to hold her, and tell her she would be ok.

She had no one to hold her close and sing her to sleep.

She simply had no one.

For three years there was no one who enquired after her.

She lived in an orphanage...and never spoke.

She didn't play with other children.

She didn't leave her crib.

A little more than a year ago a family saw her picture.

And fell in love.

And started moving heaven and earth to bring her to live in a forever family. 

With them.

That little girl is you.

That family is us.

We are an ocean apart.

But we are celebrating your birth in our hearts.

We cry because we can't hold you, and tell you how much we love you.

But we smile through the tears because we know this will be the last year you will be alone.

We are waiting to visit you.

To tell you all about our journey to you.

To hold you and kiss you and tell you to hold on.

We are coming to bring you home.

Don't give up.

Don't you dare.

We are never giving up on you.

We love you so much Sofi.

Happy Birthday

It will be your last one alone.

Love, Mommy

For those of you wanting to know how you can help...here is what we are doing RIGHT NOW.

We made a puzzle with a picture of one of Sofi's brother's, Kekoa.   The puzzle has 252 pieces.  We are selling each piece for $3.00 each.  Kekoa chose the giveaway prize which is "Hurley Phantom Create" boardshorts.  These boardshorts are listed at $125.00.  You design them and then they will be shipped directly to you! Please consider purchasing a puzzle piece of two in honor of Sofi's birthday!  When you purchase a piece we will write your family's name on the back so she can she all of the people who helped her on her journey home.  Contact me privately and I will tell you how you can purchase pieces!    

Warrior Moms

Dear Life, 

My mom always said you can judge someone by the company they keep. 

When we took this picture in Long Beach today, I wonder what the bystanders thought as they walked past us. 

Most of them smiled, and slowed down to watch the spectacle (and trust me when I tell you it was something to see).

A few were a little impatient because there were wheelchairs and little people all around getting in the way.

A surprised man got a hug from an amazing young boy who loves everyone! (that was adorable Jet)

But did any of those people know what this group means to me?

5 warrior moms.

4 warrior children.

1 warrior angel.

2 warrior siblings.


(not pictured...warrior dads and other siblings)

This is a VERY small group of a larger whole.

We get each other.

We cry with each other.

We laugh with each other.

We ask questions.

We pray for each other.

We strengthen each other.

How blessed am I to have these women in my life?

How blessed are our children to have these amazing lifelong friends?

We share knowledge, love, acceptance, strength, and kindness.

Without these friendships, I'm not sure how I would fare on this path.

I'm glad I don't have to think about that.

Thanks for another year...

Dear Life,

I have to say I wasn't ready for last week.  I turned the big 4-0.  Forty.  Part of me wanted a crown to shout my birthday to the world.

http://pinterest.com/pin/273701473/

Of course, I didn't.  That was probably because I live in a house of boys...and no one thought to get one for me.  But that's ok.  It's strange to think about being forty because in my head I'm still twenty something.  I'm funny...in my head....(cause you know my kids think I have NO sense of humor whatsoever) and I love girly fun things and I enjoy hanging out with my son's friends (much to his chagrin).

And of course in my head I still look like I'm in my twenties....until I go shopping....and realize I'm not.  Let's just say these hips don't lie....five kids changed all kinds of things. But I also have some wisdom that I didn't have in my twenties.  I realize the importance of faith, and forgiveness. I have learned that life isn't a magical fairytale...and that's OK.  Life can throw some really interesting curveballs, but we can grow from every experience, good or bad.  It's OK to be sad but it's a waste of time to dwell on difficulties.  It's much more productive and satisfying to come up with solutions to life's problems than it is to complain about them.  I've learned to love always and a lot, and to pray always and a lot.

http://pinterest.com/pin/204839390/

Thanks life, I guess forty isn't so bad....and I'm always younger in my head anyway!