Why adopt?

 I pulled this off another blog who is adopting a child with special needs. Adoption is a beautiful thing, both for the child who is welcomed into the family but also for the family. We have been so blessed by our little man and have learned so much more about our relationship with God and are humbled & awe-filled to have received this precious gift, our son. These Scriptures biblically affirm adoption and give us a glimpse into God's heart for His children....

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, "Give them up!" and to the south, "Do not hold them back." Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth"  Isaiah 43:5-6

"He defends the cause of the fatherless"  (Deuteronomy 10:18)

"In you the fatherless find mercy." (Hosea 14:4)

"You are the helpers of the fatherless." (Psalm 10:14)

"It is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should perish." (Matthew 18:14)

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress." (James 1:27)

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Luke 18:16)

  "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:18)

 "Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." (Matthew 18:5)

 "And Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them." (Mark 10:16)

 "Remember those…who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3)

 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us…let us not love with word or tongue, but with action and in truth." (I John 3:16-18)

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." (Matthew 25:35)

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…defend the rights of the needy." (Proverbs 31:8,9)

 "He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me, declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 22:16)

And one that has much meaning for us....

A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
God sets the lonely in families!!
(Psalms 68:5-6)

I love it! I added the exclamation mark though...

Coming soon...I Will fill you in our first Christmas with little man- it was amazing! But for now, have a wonderful evening! 

And...if you ever want to chat about adoption, you know where to find me! I would love to encourage you, pray for you and be available for whatever else I can to help you along your adventure!!! 

Blessings, 

Candra

Joy, Joy, Joy!!!

These things brought me joy this week......

It's gingerbread time!

my very own monkey 

beef tagine...yum!
And my bunny chow today was also wonderful.
Riley told me it was almost the same as what we had in SA-just needed to be a bit spicier!

18 months old

little man and my big girl

waiting for Christmas gifts from great friends....don't peek!

reading his very own book

perspective from a 2 year old!

Have a great Tuesday! G & me get to go on a date to a concert tonite featuring a Jazz vocalist from our church! Super excited...

Please check out my last post to a tell me what you thought of the link....

Joy to you & blessings,

Candra

Perspective

I found this link on another website -  Together for Adoption- and I thought it was an interesting read. I don't fully understand extended family in this way so for someone to share their experiences was very thought provoking. Thoughts?

Smiles

It is so good to smile...even when I don't feel like it. Here are a few things that made me smile this past week:

1. We were watching a cartoon Christmas movies a couple of nights ago and one of the character's was writing with a feather dipped in ink...
G: What is that?
Me: That is a feather dipped in ink. that is what they used as a pen in the olden days.
G: Did you use that whe you were in school?
Me: ...stifled laugh...No, it was even before Great grandma and great grandpa.
G: phew! That would be hard work!
I guess I am relatively old in her eyes!!

2. Being able to watch my son at his first school Christmas concert. He did so well and is quite the little performer!

3. Cooking with my little girl. She loves helping me make meals and it is so fun to teach her!

4. This little man - he makes me smile most of the time! He is getting goofier, loves to make people laugh has more words and it truly the best fourth child ever!!!! WE love him to pieces! (notice the barefeet again...never want to wear socks!!)

5. Watching Christmas Vacation with my husband and eating cheeseball, bretons and Coke. So good to watch, cuddle and fall asleep! OK, so the movie doesn't always keep my attention but the good company does!

6. Having the kids dressed up in their Christmas clothes...I love that my girls wanted to match this year! Better pictures to come but here is a sneak peak!

have a great Saturday!

Blessings,
Candra

A few of my favorite things!

This last week, we are now officially on the mend from all of our sickness...thankfully, Riley & I were able to stay relatively healthy through it all! So I thought I would write about a few of my favorite things that were a part of my week this week:


**I definitely like a tidy house and I have to admit I get a little anxious when playdough, paints, and loads of craft supplies come out to be played with. I am learning though and getting better @ going with the flow! So this week, the kids decorated cookies...a friend of ours had given us  a spectacular gift! Se had already made sugar cookies in all different shapes - with them there was 4 different colors of icing and an array of sprinkles to choose from! It was awesome. So I set up the plastic tablecloth and let them go at it. I loved watching them decorate, and eat, and decorate! I I didn't clean up til they were all done! So fun...


**Visiting with good friends that we have met along our adoption journey! We were blessed to have friends over who are in the process of adoption. It is so good and necessary to encourage, share stories and just be able to support  them as they wait for their child! I have to say that our kids were VERY disappointed that they had to go to bed before they came. We have been incredibly blessed by friends that love our kids and so I take it as a good thing when our kids really want to hang out with our friends!


**I really really like budgeting. I like knowing where our money is going. I like to know how much I have left! It reminds me of when I was little counting all my change....I like balancing budgets (on a small scale...). I spent about an hour doing it tonite and it is quite relaxing. Weird  - I know but for me....very rewarding!


**My 2 little ones spent today at daycare as a trial run and they did A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! We have an incredible daycare provider but I was a little anxious about leaving little man. When I came to pick him up, he still had his sparkle in his eye and was super happy and content. Eve plainly put...didn't want to come home! She had sooo much fun! So, an answer to prayer. Just over 2 weeks to go...


**Cooking is one of my favorite things. Tonite on the menu was Creamy Chicken Peanut soup. SOOOO good and a hit with the kids (even with sweet potatoes, red pepper and black beans)! Success. This week, I am looking forward to trying some SA recipes that we had while we were there- we will see how they turn out!


**One of my newer favorite things is raising awareness about adoption and the global orphan crisis. I am passionate about it. I am excited when people share that they are considering adoption. I get excited when others want to support organizations/projects that assist orphans. Stay tuned for a couple of stories & opportunite related to this....

As I continue to write, I am in awe & humbled to see that many people are checking this blog and staying a while to read my sometimes very random thoughts. Thank you. I hope that my words continue to be encouraging & maybe even thought provoking (at times!) and that somehow my/our story will be  of some assistance to you in living out your very unique story.

I guess I have just been reflecting at all the amazing people God has placed in my life. I would be honored if you would give me an update on your life or introduce yourself if you are new to my blog ... Share a prayer request or update me on your adoption journey.... 

Prayer & blessings to each of you,

Candra

Certainty & uncertainty

These 2 word have been floating around in my head for the last few days & I knew I wanted to write about it but wasn't sure what to say. I am still not completely sure how this post will turn out but know that it is important to consider. So much of my life is lived amidst uncertainty... health, finances, transitions,work, the well being of my kids, God's call in my life - these are all categories that fall into the umbrella category of uncertainty. I am not saying that uncertainty is bad. In fact, I think it is necessary & good in my life to realize that I can not control many outcomes that occur and that ultimately, my faith in God needs to be at the forefront of how I live my life.


In the Bible (The Message translation) there is a verse that says "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. "
...it makes life worth living. 


I love that! I often get caught in the trap that I wish I knew how everything would turn out. I wish things would happen faster. I wish I had a say. But I can not & do not. My faith gives me a handle on what "we can't see". The uncertainty in my life. I felt this incredibly as we began our adoption with our little man. The whole process meant placing our trust in other people & in God. It meant trusting even though I couldn't see who or when the outcome would occur. Beautifully and in God's timing it happened!! But it was through the times of uncertainty that I learned more about trust and faith and resting in the truth and that truly all things are in His hands. 

And we are forever thankful.

Now...fast forward to today. You think I would learn my lesson amidst uncertainty. But there is always another thing. Or two. Or three. For me these days, there are a few things that again...I am trying to lay down my control and listen. What is best for our family? What is best for me? For right now, I don't want to share all of them but one that is at the forefront happens in 24 days. The countdown is on. 


I get to go back to work!
I love my job. I am super excited. I miss the kids & families I work with. I miss my coworkers. But it means transition....like not being able to wear my Lululemon pants everyday! It means uncertainty. Will the older 2 do OK at after school program? Will the younger 2 do OK at daycare? Am I doing what is right for our family? Is little man ready for this? Did we give him enough time to bond, attach and be home with us? And the spiral of worry could continue. But this time (as this is now the 4th time I have transitioned back to work...) I have decided that it is what it is. I need to be disciplined with my thoughts. I can't answer all the questions...I have no idea. What I do know is that they are precious in his sight...and that I need to trust in that . Even with all the uncertainty.


So in a nutshell...I like to be in control. I know I can't be. I am learning not to be. I don't mind uncertainty. I have been blessed to realize how it has helped me grow as a person. I have learned a lot about my faith in God & trusting in Him at all times. I am truly excited about this next year & all the adventures it will bring!

Of that I am certain.


Blessings,
Candra

Part 2...life as I know it.

As promised, the rest of my week included several more events. In no particular order....

**I was privileged to be able to speak to a group of about 25-30 moms up in PA about our adoption story. I took these little cuties along for the ride!

 Off the top, I emphasized that each of our stories of how our children came into our families is unique and that each are important (whether by birth or adoption). And that families can be built through birth and or adoption and that they are both first best! As most of you know, our story was unique in both timing and how God orchestrated many things to culminate in meeting our son. So it was fun to have a platform to talk about my family and hopefully encourage others to gain awareness of the orphan crisis in our world and to consider adoption!
On thing that I didn't have time to share, given the make up of the group, was how it has changed me, particularly in my understanding of my adoption in Christ. I have come to understand that my adoption in Christ is how I have become part of the family of God BUT then we are family. that is it...family. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. The adoption does not define us. I am a child of God not I am an adopted child of God. This is an important differentiation in my mind because it brings clarity to and understanding to my relationship with Christ and other followers of Christ. Just as I consider Jude my son, Gabriella my daughter, Malachi my son and Eve my daughter - so to am I God's daughter. He loves me for who I am, not how I became part of the family. He loves me unconditionally with unmeasurable grace. I understand this better because of our adoption of our son. I love him unconditionally and am blessed and humbled to have him as my son.

**Next in the week was our very anticipated (at least by us) 5th annual Christmas party!

introducing...the hosts!

On the first friday of December, we always get to host a bunch of our friends for a party. Good food and lots of it, great conversation, lots of laughter and catching up - and in lieu of bringing food, we ask  people to consider giving a donation to a cause that is chosen. In the past, we have given to World Vision, a veterinary mission in Mongolia, Living water international  & KIVA. This year, we chose to support a baby home start up in Africa...we raised about 250$ which is awesome! It was a great night and even with all my worry, we were no where near going to run out of food!

lots of food...tarts made by Eve & I

love cheese platters!

I love hosting people and even in our new home everyone fit, for which I was very thankful.

**And Saturday marked my 32nd birthday! It was a great day, starting off with a kids Christmas party at my work...so fun and good to catch with everyone. I am so grateful to work with the people that I do. They are amazing. Lunch out was a mistake with kids who were getting sick and also very tired...oh well, live and learn! I got the best birthday gift ever in the form of a nap in the sun in the afternoon....so lovely. And then a date with Riley to end off the day. absolutely wonderful. Every year brings with it something new and this year, we are looking forward to hopefully being in our new house before my 33rd birthday!  Looking forward to living life this year with a great husbandand a 7,5,3 and 1 year old! So crazy and so fun.

*last but not least - Sunday I got to watch (with a whole lotta of pride!) my oldest daughter...

love her!

...read the advent reading and scripture at our church! It is super awesome that kids & their contribution to the life of the church is valued!

at our very amazing church (Journeys)

**And to end part 2 of 2, 2 pictures of my boys. 

Brotherly love. enough said.

I love this pic! He is so proud of his hats and we think he looks adorable.

Blessings, 

Candra

Part 1...life as I know it

What  whirlwind of a week and a half! I love living life this way, with new experiences around every corner, but it doesn't leave me a lot of time to post. So I admit I am behind and that this may be a rather long post...so bear with me!

My trip to Baltimore to visit my (other ) best friend was incredibly wonderful with a good balance of relax time (I actually got to sit through a while movie and eat supper at 7:00pm!) and fun times out. I do miss Kate a tonne here is Saskatoon but it was so good to catch up with her (and her husband!) and hear how well things are going for them on their new adventure. Riley did amazing at home with the kids, even though they were all sick (go figure...). I missed the kids but not in a way that made me want to jump on the next flight home- it was very different but good to get some girl time (complete with pedicures, starbuck & shopping!)..So Wednesday I flew in and got to have crabs my very first night - yum! When I showed my kids this picture, they said yuck!

I was blessed to experience my first american thanksgiving, complete with all the trimmings...as you can tell, I did a lot of eating! I did get time to skype with the kids though, which we all loved....

We didn't do Black Friday,which I was very thankful for -all the craziness, consumerism & craziness!!!! Saturday, K & R took me out on the town and I got to see some of Baltimore! We went to a great Tapas bar...so good. I had never had tapas due to the fact that we have kids and they would never get filled up so it was a great first experience! 

And then....insert drum roll....we went to THE most amazing pie place ever with THE most amazing cherry pie. All they serve is pie which I though was a fabulous concept...so fun!

(savoring the moment)

Sunday was my last full day in warm weather Baltimore and I got to go to my very first NFL game! I have to admit that I am not a football fan but I do know enough to get by (thanks to football games on CBC growing up). The experience was fantastic with great seats and by the end, I was even cheering at the right times! 

(getting ready...love that they even had a jersey for me!)

(the most amazing friend...good times!)

(with great hosts!)

(some guy offered to take our picture, obviously we weren't ready!)

(I cannot...repeat...cannot be in the States without eating a soft pretzel!!!)

Monday came...and in the quietest international terminal I have every been in I was able to relax and reflect a little on the goodness I had just been able to experience! And I was reminded of the many blessings that I have in my life. An amazing husband who would willingly choose to give his wife a vacation away by herself. 4 wonderful kids who love me unconditionally, even when i don't deserve it. Great friends who love & support me. Daily bread. The ability to give and bless others. And the list goes on.....

And this - our Christmas tradition. 2 days after I got home, we were able to spend some time the six of us putting up our tree, enjoying Chinese food together, getting the kids into PJ's and heading to the Enchanted forest. it was a magical night...I love that the kids delight in it all!

(with their stockings on...or to quote Malachi"Hey mom, I've got my Jesus sock on!"...oh, I love him!)

(enjoying watching the festivities!!)

And off to the Enchanted forest we went...

they loved it....notice the no boot on little man -he still prefers bare feet!

(the most excited of the bunch was our girl..."look it, look it, look at that" - Repeat!)

(so blessed that we have him home for these memories....)

So there is half of my last few days in a nutshell! Also on the menu was speaking at a mom's group in PA about our adoption, our 5th annual Christmas party and my birthday! Will be for my next post! A good week, even amongst some difficult times...And to come home to this - a sparkling tree in a cozy living room. It makes me smile every time.

I am truly blessed to be living this life and hope that for whoever is reading...that you would be reminded these days of the blessings in your life! thanks for reading.

Blessings, 

Candra

more to come...

I have been home since Monday... a wonderful time away! And I got to spend it with a amazing friend!

More to come on that as well as the privilege I had of speaking about our adoption story and what is about to happen tonite - Our Christmas Party! Should be a great time!

just a few of the yummy treats....

Blessings,
Candra

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS day....Check out this post from another blog I read. It is a fantastic video giving education and awareness to HIV/AIDS. Just FYI, Project Hopeful is also featured in People magazine this week if you want to check it out. Have a great Monday!
Blessings, Candra