LOOKING BACK-MOVING FORWARD .....Summer Reflections

These two share each others clothes and shoes!  Fun Fun!!

I feel like I must say a big apology to those who like to see pictures and hear what's going on our lives.  To sum it up--6 children in the summer---we are beyond busy.  Not so much with outside activities, but just with usual chaos around the house.  There is movement around the house and yard at all times.  But in a good way.  No one has ever complained of being bored this summer.  There is always a new friend to play with when the last one made you mad, and the great thing is we have a big yard to play in and lots to do!  If anything I feel we run out of time each day to do everything we wanted to do that day.  And the summer is quickly coming to an end! :(   We have spent many afternoon splashing in the community pool with Huahua and James (yes, Feng Nianjie likes to be James now) jumping off the diving board by themselves now!  Feng Yu is a little more reserved believe it or not- but would probably like to have his own dirt bike it his heart health would support it.  The little guy is running out of breath quickly these days!  I'll touch on that in a minute.

James started a get ready for Kindergarten program for a few week this summer.  The first few days he had a few melt downs, but is starting to get the routine of "school" and is very proud of himself.  Really he is taking on a lot of NEW!  Language and structure in a classroom with people he doesn't know or trust can be overwhelming.  So proud of him taking on this big step.  He really wants just to ride the big bus soon!

                                      This little girl is always the sassy of the party!

Jackson racing at the fair race in Portage.  He was shining high and hitting the big spectator jump (in the picture below) when a less than favorable landing won him a trip to the ER.  But it would not be  an Oehlhof summer without a few trips to the ER!  Nothing major, just a few pulled tendons in the hand and big heart break.  Proud of his great attitude!

Justin at camp Fairwood.  Both Jackson and Justin went separate weeks this year.  The little boys kept asking where their ge ge (brothers) were?  There were lots of hugs and kisses upon their arrival home.  Glad to have the boys get away and focus on learning about God and their relationship with Christ.  Both of them are turning into such incredible young men.

                        How do you get a family photo of eight to ever turn out?

                                                  Jordan turning into a princess before our eyes!

Yes, he does know which way is up, but he seems to prefer to be upside down and can be found doing flips and flops a good part of the day!  He is such a "Funny Yu"

The little boys though they should try out Justin's bike first.   Notice the little one making the dirt bike sounds---all day long!!!!!

Justin getting some practice laps in around the track.  His little brothers usually line the sideline cheering him on!  So sweet their enthusiasm for each other.  Love the bond these boys have with each other.

We have been camping along with the boys races quite a bit this summer.  It makes a great time for everyone to hang out together.  James talked Daddy into buying him a new four wheeler at this race.  His face just lights up when he has something of his own, but the most wonderful thing is he is always the one most willing to share with others.    His heart is so kind and generous.

Feng Yu has become so a cuddler.  I am so thankful for his foster grandparents who loved him and taught him how to be loved.  Many times orphans do not even know how to receive/give love.  Not this little guy.  Every night before bed, he tells you how many kisses and hugs he needs.  So precious --and we are so thankful to be chosen as his parents.  We pray for his foster grandparents as they truly must be grieving his absence.

                                                   {{{{{{{{{{  My sweet baby girl   }}}}}}}}

Racing is a family sport and here is the junior mechanic giving his last minute race support to the riders!  James loves to get right up there with his brothers!

Riding in the RV.........  Sweet          memories are made.........

HAS ANYONE SEEN THE KIDDOS?????

                                           

OH THERE THEY ARE!!!!

                         I adore this face.................makes me melt!

                                                           Yes. He is catching AIR.

Adoption is messy and hard!  We have been physically and emotionally exhausted with appointments and demands of three special needs children.  But it is not in our own strength we carry on.  Not long ago as I was travelling from one appointment to the next wondering it I was going to make it through the day I heard Plumb's song "Exhale" and the words resonated with me.

Oh God We breathe in your grace
We breathe in your grace
And exhale
Oh God we do not exist for us
But to share Your grace and love
And exhale

Just let go let His love wrap around you
And hold you close
Get lost in the surrender
Breathe it in until your heart breaks
Then exhale

And so I ask myself why am I doing all this?  Am I serving God in everything I do?  My hope is that through his grace and love I can surrender all to Him and serve for his glory.  These days have been long and hard, so I need to breathe in God's grace.

Adoption is really hard.... when my six year asks me Mommy why didn't you come and get me sooner?"  It's really hard!

Adoption is painful...My littlest wants to look at pictures of his foster parents during a blood draw for his comfort, while sitting on my lap.  Torn between two loves.

Adoption is confusing...A little girl asks "When can I go see my China mommy?"  Parenting becomes creative and with no real answers.  We have no concrete answers.  We really cannot even confirm their birth date or names.  But we can parent through God's grace and love.  And give them Hope and a future.

In honor of the women and families that lost their most treasured ones-their children --we planted this tree in our yard.  It represents those we have loved and lost in China.  The birth mothers and fathers we may never know, but gave a sacrifice, so that our sons and daughter may have HOPE.  So to answer that question o a six year old boy........."Mommy and Daddy came as fast as we could!"  But I challenge you, if you have been on the fence of adoption or think adoption may be in your future, please don't make your child wait one extra day.  Take that step of faith and give your child HOPE today!

                 We eat alot of ice cream in the summer.  What else do you do when it's so hot out?

 

I love finding them loving each other.  These bonds have just formed naturally.  God is SOOOO Good!

Born worlds away almost seven years--Twins forever!

Medical updates:  Huahua is doing really well.  Her O2 is running around 98% and she feels she great.  She can be found running around and jumping on the trampoline, or riding her bike!  She will start 4K this fall.

James:  He will have a series of hand surgeries as he grows to separate his fingers.  The first on is scheduled for Aug 20.  The recovery should be short and he should be ready to get right into school when it starts.  His club foot and another head procedure will be done later this year.  That will be more time intensive.

Feng YU:  Surgery is set for Sept 15.  We have had thorough discussions with his cardiac team as well as consultations with surgeons around the nation.  He is complex and has a unique heart (situs inversus) with great potential and all agree we should go ahead with the bi ventricle repair.  It is a risky, long, complicated surgery, but the results will be incredible with a fully four chambered functioning heart.  His internal pressures are great and he is a great candidate for the surgery.  Please pray us through these next few months as recovery will be tough for him as well as the rest of the family, as we parent the other 5 with one of us at the hospital with Feng Yu for weeks.