Grimes Party of Five

Happy New Year!!!!

2012-01-03T12:50:00.001-05:00

Watching Rudolph with Barbie(s) and Roo

Merry Christmas!!!

I was a VERY good girl!!!

Laughter truly is the best medicine!!!

Party Animals!!!! Made it to midnight!

Round Robin Tournement!!!

Dani's Nail Salon was a Fav!!!

StinkerBell LOVES her MiMi!!

Lots Of Catching Up To Do!!!!!

2011-11-10T21:44:00.000-05:00

The Big Oaks Church of God Easter Parade 2011

We added a new family member....Barbie

Rapunzell is her new favorite Princess

Emilie catching some Zzzzzz's!

Love my girlie girl!!!!!!

Good Luck kisses for Roo Roo!!

Moving into Medlin Hall

Our 1968 Fixer Upper!

Backyard summer fun!!!

We are shamefully behind on updating our blog....
Much has been happening at the Grimes home and there is simply no way to possibly squeeze 8 months of life into one post! The short version is... In March we began house hunting, and closed on our fixer upper at the end of April. In May Andrew graduated from Jeff-Davis H.S , we said good-bye to Nanny Rae in July, and moved the boys to Lee University in August. I also started back to work full-time in August meaning Lydia is now in 3 yr Pre-K! Now toss in everyday life with this brief synopsis and you've got yourself a very BUSY family!!!!
So very blessed and happy and healthy! God is good!
~Cindy

Guess Who's Turning Three???

2011-02-21T19:52:00.000-05:00

Our first look....she captured our hearts!

Roll Tide!!!

I love glasses!!

Jekyll Island 2010

Destin October 2010

Cheeeezin!

Lydia Joy will be 3, yes, count them 3 (fingers) years old Sunday February 27th!! It's our 2nd birthday with her and we are so excited!! I remember 2 years ago this time I was looking around trying to picture a baby in the house again and I just couldn't imagine it! Now... we can't remember what it was like before Lydia joined our family! She has bravely made leaps and bounds of progress developmentally as well as emotionally. Her sweet little heart has learned to trust and love us. It's impossible to put into words just how thankful we are to our Heavenly Father for gifting us with such a treasure! Her birthday and Forever Family day are only 10 days apart, so stay tuned for those updates!
Ephesians 1:17-19

Lord, give our children the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, and the knowledge of You. That the
eyes of their hearts be enlightened that they will know the hope to which you have called them, the
riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints and His Incomparably great power for us who believe.

Snakes and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails-All grown up!

2011-02-08T12:39:00.006-05:00

Just when I was getting used to the idea of Jason graduating and growing up... it's Andrew's turn to do the same....*sigh* Why do they have to grow up? I would love to have one of those days back from when they were Lydia's age and just enjoy them being little again! Now... it's cars, tennis, and college! This mama couldn't be more proud! I'm thankful for the tender heart that Andrew has for the Lord and his desire to follow Him wherever that may be.
Jeremiah 29:11 becomes more real than ever to us as we release Andrew into the plans of the one who created him and gifted us with him!
"For I know the plans I have for you," Declares the Lord! "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future!"
And we all say... AMEN!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2010-12-08T17:53:00.000-05:00

Dream Weaver

2010-12-02T10:15:00.006-05:00

I'm missing this sweet face more than I realized I would. She was a constant source of JOY. You could always count on Granny for a good laugh, or at a minimum, a smile. She had a gift for leaving you with a "full" heart! Always building you up, never, ever tearing you down....

I miss opening her trailer door during the holidays and seeing all of her decorations.... She was actually a Martha Stewart before we knew who Martha Stewart was. My absolute favorite decoration she made was the "Merry Christmas" string of cat food lids painted red and green! A close second would be the life size poster of an Angel she had stapled to her ceiling.

Since her Home Going in June, I have been gifted with a very special realization. When I'm missing her the most, I simply need to find the presence of God, because that is where I know she is!! Whenever we are having an especially beautiful time of worship at church, I know she is right there with me... with BOTH of her sweet hands lifted to the one she loved and served! I can almost her her cackle/giggle as the blessings rain from heaven! There was nothing she enjoyed more than being in the presence of her Lord! She would would say... "Glory, Glory, Glory..." Striaght from her heart!

She and Gramps are together for Christmas this year, so I hope you all find the presence of God this season to be especially joyous as you celebrate the one who has given us the blessing of knowing them on this side, and seeing them again on the otherside!

Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the Death of his saints....

Merry CHRISTmas everyone! ~Cindy

All About Lydia

2010-10-22T17:43:00.002-04:00

Our little Princess has finally made friends with the
camera!

Chillaxin in Destin...eating Canayope.

Trying out my new jacket in the rain!

I still can't believe she is ours!!!

What a precious gift from God!!

I love my hats... just like Granny!

The Good Life!

2010-08-11T13:59:00.004-04:00

General Assembly 2010 Orlando, FL

VBS Skit

Hmmmmm, where's my limo???

There it is!! Hey, I'm over here!!!

Where's the beach???

Just some random summer pics before we change gears into the fall. Lydia loved Sea World... "Mamu" was her favorite!!! She attended her first General Assembly as well. It was much to loud with too many people for her to enjoy! Hoping 2 years will change that for next time!!!

Our BOCOG VBS was lots of fun!! Jason and Andrew helped with the skits and the water day!

We are feeling especially blessed to have the life God has given us! Its a good life!! Jason moves into the dorm this week and Andrew returns from Guatemala to his Senior year.... Not sure where the years have gone. We press on working together and know that God is a faithful and good God....

Jekyll Island 2010

2010-07-13T11:21:00.003-04:00

Ice Cream with the girls!

Waiting on the girls...

Nap time for Papaw

Lydia loves her Me Me's!

Bay Watch Babe!

Beauty Shop fun!

Tea Time on Island time!

Beautiful Josieanne

Jekyll Sunset

Sweet cheeks!

Everyday is a GREAT day!

2010-06-14T10:58:00.002-04:00

Ming Ming Lydia!

First Carousel Ride

Choo-Choo watching with Mamaw

Papaw's little helper...

Lazy days of summer...

Lot's of catching up.....

2010-05-10T21:06:00.002-04:00

Ready to hit the pool!!!

Watching "Bruber" at State!

Jeff Davis Boys Tennis Team 2010

Focused.....

Playing against TOUGH competition!

The perfect prom date....

Wooo Hoooo!!!! $1,000. Thank you REA!

Some pics may say a thousand words, this one says two... Daddy's Girl!!!!

Rainy days don't stop me!!!!

I love my Daddy!!!

After months of silence on the blog.... I'm making a feeble attempt to catch up a little. We moved in February to Hazlehurst, Ga to pastor the Big Oaks Church of God. Andrew transfered to Jeff Davis High and Jason remained at Bacon County to complete his Senior year. We are eternally thankful to the Lord for His perfect plan. Big Oaks has wrapped their arms around us and in many ways it feels as though we have always been there.

Jason graduates on May 21, and has plans to attend Georgia Southern. We are very proud of him for his hard work and accomplishments. He was recognized by REA (electric co-op) with a $1,000 scholarship. Way to go Jay Jay!!!!

Andrew made it to JD in time to play tennis on a much stronger team and with his contribution to the team, they were able to make it to the GHSA Final Four!!!! They didn't make it past the first round, but enjoyed the experience of a lifetime. As his Junior year comes to a close he is preparing to go to Guatemala on a missions trip. Please remember him in this ministry endeavor.

Lydia has been very busy cheering her "Brubers" on and getting used to her new surroundings. She has settled into Big Oaks and now LOVES to make rounds after church shaking hands and passing out kisses!
I Corinthians 12:9-10

God Is Faithful

2009-12-16T04:40:00.006-05:00

Making cane syryp.

Hard work.... and messy!

Forever friends!

A new fasion statement!

Bacon County Student of the Month

Thinking back to last year this time.... no referral, no hope of a referral! Dec. 11, 2008, I posted on our blogsspot the story of how the matching room works, and even posted a photo! I was depressed. I never dreamed that our file was actually in that very room! Mark, being the good husband he is saw the desperation of my situation and made a command decision to take the family to Aunt Cheryl's for Christmas. After that we flew to Ohio for a week to be with family. I tried to enjoy it, it was a great visit... but something, (someone) was missing. Referrals came on December 27th and I once again tortured myself with all the photos posted of adorable babies who had just been matched to a forever family. I happened to notice that they were all from the same Province... Jaingxi.
We returned home and quickly found our groove. School was started back as well as Basketball season. January 6, 2009 we were at an out of county game. The moment I will NEVER forget! It was 8:09 p.m. when I heard my cell ring. Noticing it was the Adoption Agency I made my way down the bleachers to take the call. Still, in NO WAY thinking it was a referral, I assumed it was some information that needed updating. The voice on the other end of the phone said, "Congratulations Cindy! I'm holding a photo of your beautiful new daughter!" I literally felt my heart in my throat! I quickly went back to get Mark and we were in the parking lot on speaker phone to gather every detail available about our new daughter. I will never forget Mark jokingly asking the social worker if she (Lydia) looked like him! (and now we all know that she actually does!)
Truly it was a "match made in heaven." The following day when we received our official paperwork from China Mark noticed the date our paperwork was signed and official in China... CHRISTMAS DAY! It was a wink form God letting us know that after 3 long years of waiting, our faith was coming to sight. A gift from Him!
You may be reading this and you've been waiting on answers from God for a long time. I encourage you today to keep your self focused on Him and the promises He has given you. He is a faithful God who loves His children and He is still on the throne!

Cindy

I'll Fly Away

2009-12-14T08:57:00.003-05:00

Lydia and I flew to Ohio for a vist in November. She was born to travel! We stayed at Mamaw and Papaw's so Lydia could spend as much time as possible with them. She did a pretty good job letting them get close. A highlight of the trip was seeing Granny.

Joy Unspeakable!!

2009-10-21T01:37:00.002-04:00

So comfortable... She has fit into our family like a hand in a glove!

She loves wearing my glasses. She puts them on the dog.

At a hotel in Cleveland, TN. She had no problem making herself at home.

The Tennessee Aquarium... Lydia loved it! What a smile!

The days are quickly passing... Jason's Senior year and Andrew's Junior year is flying by. Jason just turned 18... we are feeling a mixture of happy, sad, proud... and yes, relief! Now to get him focused on college choices and future plans while he is focused on basketball and experiencing Senioritis! Say a prayer for us...

~Much love,

Cindy (for Mark, Jason, Andrew, and Lydia Joy)

Yu Xin Fang is Lydia Joy Grimes!

2009-08-23T17:03:00.011-04:00

The best babysitter ever!

Sporting my "wild woman" look.

Lots of hugs for the babysitter!

"I don't do mornings."

It just looks like I'm not having fun.... I LOVE to help mama clean.

How does one merit such favor with God to have such a sweet little soul to look after??? This is a question Mark and I have been asking ourselves lately. If China had only known what a smart, sweet daughter they were giving away, they would have never let her leave the country! But she is all our now! And... on Oct. 5, 2009 she will officially go before a judge here in Bacon County for her "U.S. Adoption," and will then be able to have a U.S. Certificate of Foreign Birth. This allows her to use her American name on official documents such a Birth Certificate and Passport as well as insure her rights as our daughter. We will share her Chinese name/meaning with her when she is older.

Lydia's adoption has given us much to reflect on as we consider our own adoption in Christ Jesus. The moment they placed her in our arms she was given a new lease on life. One with lots of opportunities and freedoms she would never have had in China. Now, simply because she is the daughter of Mark and Cindy Grimes, she gets to go to Church and raise her little voice to the Lord in song. She lifts her hands in worship to a God who loved her so much He gave His life for her. (OK, she imitates mama and daddy), but that it how learning begins.) ;-)

Last month we were visiting grandparents who happen to have a set of perilous brick steps in the den. Lydia had just learned to climb stairs and would NOT stay off of them. It worried me to death. Then Mark decided to let her "play" on the steps... helping her go up and down them over and over. Later Mark reflected on the event and he insightfully shared with our church this truth... That Just as he was watching over Lydia, how much more does our Heavenly Father watch over us. We may be having the time of our life, completely unaware of the dangers surrounding us, and God is faithfully keeping watch over us all. He sends Angels to take "charge" over us! Such love is amazing to me!

Our heats fill as we watch this beautiful creation blossom with each new day and opportunity. May it remind us all to continue to thirst and hunger for the things of God, ever growing in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Much Love,

Cindy (for Mark, Jason, Andrew and Lydia Joy)

We took the video below in Valdosta as we were waiting for Jason to get in from Peru. She loves to splash in mud puddles... some things are universal!

Jason in Lima, Peru 2009

2009-08-01T12:31:00.003-04:00

Literally moving a mountain! The rocks they were moving were to fill in the terrain. The next step will be to pour concrete and smooth the field for a soccer field and playground.

Women from the community preparing a special meal for the team. It was cooked underground. It cost the families a months wages to feed the team this precious meal.

The kids will forever hold a special place in Jason's heart. He ended up leaving his visor with the one on the left. Saying goodbye to these kids was one of the most heartbreaking moments of the trip. Jason told us that a piece of his heart will always be in Peru!

Typical "mountain" housing in Los Limas, Peru.

Jason with Jeff and Carol Morgan, the missionaries who helped make this experience life changing!

Daddy's Girl

2009-07-06T00:24:00.004-04:00

Lydia's new hot tub.

I'm mama's girl too!

" "I love my Andrew!"

Cool girl glasses!

Look what I can do!

Have I told you we have a serious problem at our house??? It's the problem of a mother who very much wanted a daughter... got one... who happens to be a major "daddy's girl!" Lydia is head over heels in love with her daddy and truly I couldn't be happier about that. ;-)

It was wonderful to enjoy her first 4th of July celebrating her new found freedom. The video is from the family night service at church. Lydia loves music and daddy was in rare form! For many of our members it was the first time they have ever seen him just as "daddy." He took his pastors hat off to have some fun with Lydia!

Our summer is flying by very quickly. Andrew still has 2 weeks of camp to work, and Jason is preparing for his missions trip to Peru. Please remember our family when you pray.

The joy of the Lord is our strength!

Much love,

Cindy

Look Who's Walking!

2009-06-29T10:02:00.004-04:00

In Ohio with Mamaw and Papaw and Granny

Chillaxin on Daddy

Aunt Fer-Fer and Lydia

I love the beach!

Cutting teeth at the beach!

We've had a very busy month, so we are late posting. Lots and lots of firsts to tell about! Since June 1st Lydia has cut 6 teeth, attended her first Kid's Crusade, first S. Ga campmeeting, first beach trip to Jekyll Island, had her first Father's Day with a Father, first trip to the ER (more on that later) and her first Mommy and me trip to Ohio. And to top it all off... she's walking!

We have come a very long way since March 9th! She loves going to church, especially the music. Poor Mark is expected to preach the Word while his entire congregation is being entertained by Lyida. She puts on quite a show! Jason and Andrew are equally smitten with her. She will search the pews until she spots them and blows rapid fire kisses with cute little waves.

Jason is getting ready for his missions trip to Peru. He leaves July 22, so please remember him in prayer. I'm going to exercise my parental perogative to tell on him... he was driving to campmeeting for youth night and aquired 2 tickets! One for speeding, the other for talking on the phone while speeding. We almost fainted! If you happen to drive by the parsonage anytime soon you may notice that the yard looks particularly immaculate! :-)

Andrew went to tennis camp while we were on Jekyll and is leaving to work youth camps . We may see him in time for the school year to start.

Now, for the ER trip... Lydia waited until we were in-flight to Ohio to bust a raging fever! She was at the ER within hours of landing with a nasty virus. (Hand, Foot, Mouth) Our entire visit to Mamaw and Papaw's was spent crying... not eating... overall just plain miserable. She has since recovered and is back to her sweet, bossy self.

We also had to tell Aunt Cheryl and family good-bye as they move to their new job in Texas. We will miss them very, very much!

God is in control of it all!

~Cindy

Day 6

2009-06-11T17:30:00.006-04:00

Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives

Garden of Gesthemane - Olive trees are tested to possibly be over 2000 years old

Traditional crusifixion site

Via Dolorosa

Lion's Gate

Hippodrome - Ben Hur - Horse races

The Band in the Mediterranean

Promontory palace on left - Hippodrome on right

Theatre - 4500 capacity

This will be short and sweet - it's 12:30 and I only got 5 hours of sleep 4 days in a row not including tonight which will be the same!

Went to Caesarea (Maritime, Pontius Pilot) on the Meditteranean Sea - Very beautiful - the hippodrome is huge!

Visited the traditional Via Dolorosa, crucifixion, and burial site

Visited the church of all nations built on the garden of gesthemane

Went to a park on the Mt. of Olives with an incredible panoramic view of Jerusalem - watched the band take camel rides

Had a great Arabic Bedouin dinner at the Shepherd's Valley Village Tent Restaurant - they performed a traditional Dabkah dance for us too. The food was GREAT! Best yet.

Day 5

2009-06-10T16:08:00.006-04:00

Riding on the Sea of Gallilee - We listened to a couple of traditional upbeat Arabic songs at the beginning of the voyage - but in the middle they played "Blessed Be The Name" The wind was blowing and the waves were high enough to hit the side of the boat and spray water on your face. Looking around at same mountanous view around the Sea of Gallilee that Jesus looked at turned into a very powerful experience - "Blessed Be The Name" will never be the same song for me ever !!! - I cried like a baby...again - Guess which song we will probably do Sunday Morning!!

Flags on the boat

Peter's house

Shores of the Sea of Gallilee

Church of Primacy - Peter's calling to ministry

Church of Multiplication - The rock is where jesus placed the baskets - notice the fish in the tile

Steps and path where Jesus walked in the temple of pan - yea cried here

Synagog like the one Jesus taught in

Church of Annunciation - Where Gabriel appeared to Mary

Yaku Faruc

Skipped breakfast to get a case study interview this morning with a nice old man named Yaku Faruk that owns a souvenir shop next to the hotel.
Walked to the church of the annunciation - the church is built on/around Joseph's family home.
Went to a Synagog like Jesus teached in

Visited Caesarea Philipi where the people worshipped the god pan - Jesus asked "who do you think I am?"
Visited the church of multiplication - feeding of the 5,000
Visited the mt. of beattitudes and the Church of the Primacy of Peter - where Peter was called
Visited Caphernaum and Peter's home
Took a boat across the sea of Gallilee

Day 4 in Israel

2009-06-09T16:29:00.003-04:00

Nazareth tonight out my window!

The Dead Sea

The Lee University Symphonic Band - we spent over $100,000 to be here! and this is what we get into!

Masada Ruins - Food storage rooms

Cable car to Masada

Dome of the rock - the little gazebo is a replica of the one inside - only muslims are allowed inside

Had a scary checkpoint leaving Bethlehem today - it''s odd watching a soldier walk through the bus with a machine gun looking at passports.
Visited the temple mount and got to spend about 20 minutes on the top beside the dome of the rock. Grabbed some rocks for Granny and Jordan.
We then traveled to Yad Vasheem to the Holocaust Museum. We had only 1 1/2 hours there and I only made it slowly through about 45% of it, but what I did see was heart-wrenching. At the end of the exhibit trail is a very large domed room called the Hall of Names. You can't be moved by seeing the thousands upon thousands of books filled with names of murdereed Jews.
We drove through the wilderness by the dead sea to Masada to see where Jewish rebels took their own lives and their families live to escape being enslaved by the Romans. Very fun cable car ride to the top of the mountain.
Afterwards it was on to the dead see to float like a bobber! It was a lot of fun. If you go out to the deeper water you can float "standing up" without having to tread water! We did a great group photo of all of us covered in mud! It felt relly nice.
We finally drove two hours to Nazareth where will will be for two nights.

Day 3 in Israel

2009-06-08T17:04:00.006-04:00

Bethlehem Bible College choir with us at the Bethlehem Peace center

Jesus' birthplace

The Shepherd's Church - where we sang

The Shepherd's field - if you look closely there are sheep with a shepherd (above closely)

Another beautiful day in the Holy Land! We saw the shepherd's fields and church, church of the nativity, Jesus, birthplace, and did a fantastic concert with the Bethlehem Bible College Choir at the Bethlehem Peace Center right beside the birthplace of Christ. They sang 4 songs with us in Arabic, 2 of them were traditional middle eastern sounding songs and the others were You Are Good and Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone. The room was packed out and people were standing in the doorways and out into the halls. We also sang with our vocal team like we do in the states and played a couple of concert pieces. I don't know how to explain how it feels to have had the opportunity to minister to citizens of Bethlehem within sight of Jesus' birthplace, it's almost surreal!

I added this for a bonus - 35 music majors singing in the Shepherd's church - it had amazing accoustics - it sounded like 200!

Day 2 In Israel

2009-06-07T14:53:00.004-04:00

Jerusalem Nazarene church where we played Sunday night

The Damascus gate - now the entrance to the Suk outdoor market in Jerusalem

Illegal ladies from Bethlehem rolling grape leaves to sell - they boil them and put rice,meat,and spices in them to eat.

The Jerusalem Baptist church - probably the smallest building we've ever set up in - but very memorable worship service.

The security entrance gate into Bethlehem from Jerusalem

We had two services today - this morning at East Jerusalem Baptist and this evening at Jerusalem Church of the Nazarene. It was very fulfilling to look into the eyes and faces of people that still resemble what Jesus looks like and watch them worship. There is an instant powerful annointing here. We shopped in the open market of Suk in Jerusalem today between services - our group meeting place and entrance into the market was the Damascus Gate.

Dan in Israel

2009-06-06T15:29:00.003-04:00

Our hotel in Bethlehem - the nicest in town

Jerusalem on the right - mount of Olives on the left - Kidron Valley separates the two

Another view of Jerusalem from the opposite side

Life with Lydia

2009-05-30T12:01:00.004-04:00

The girl can trash a clean room in 10 minutes!
This is a page from Emilie's Kind. class book. They were so sweet to keep up with our adoption through the blog. Lydia got to visit them last week.

Em pushing chunky monkey around in her baby doll stroller.
Lydia LOVED it!!

Aunt Von came to see us at Aunt Cheryl's.

What a great day!!! Thanks for coming down Von!!!

It takes a village....

Lydia LOVES her extended family! She is always blowing kisses and waving at them to let them know she loves them. (Allowing them to hold her is another story) She took her first road trip to visit in South Carolina. She traveled pretty good... but I wouldn't want to head out alone with her just yet. :-) Our first night was rough... she cried like she did in China and I was sure I had made a huge mistake. Thankfully by morning she re-booted and was happy as a clam for the rest of the visit.

She even began to cry for Uncle David when she thought he was leaving. There's an old saying that "kids spell "love" "t-i-m-e." If you want our girl to give you the time of day, you had better have LOTS of time!

School is out and as usual we busier than we want. June is the busiest. We have a Kid's Crusade, Camp Meeting, Tennis Camp/Vacation, Youth Camp (for the boys) and summer basketball for Jason. July is not much better as we really hope to visit grandparents and Jason has a mission trip to Peru. Not to mention Cheryl's move to Texas! (insert heavy sigh)

School starts Aug 3... how in the world am I supposed to leave such a sweet baby with someone else all day while I go to work?

Remember us when you pray....

~Cindy

Oh... almost forgot to tell you Lydia has 4 new teeth coming in. ALL AT ONCE!!!! Still not walking... but close!

Disco Inferno 2009

2009-05-21T23:44:00.002-04:00

Dancing lessons from Reed

Winning the dance contest!

Oooops!

Before the fall!

Kissing in the back row..... solo

This show was so much fun for Andrew. He sang a couple of solo's! He didn't tell us that he dies in the play... the good news is that he did resurect long enough to sing one more time! :-)

The plaid bell-bottoms were found on e-bay. Gotta love it! Bravo Andrew!!!!

Now You're Talking!!!!

2009-05-14T21:24:00.005-04:00

This smile can make your day!

Chillaxin with Daddy

I like to have a toy in each hand just like Andrew did when he was a baby!

Look out Paula Deen...

We have had a very busy week! Lydia has began to say a few words. She is learning her facial parts and can say "eye, nose... (ohhh), and (ou )for mouth. She is walking all over the house with her rock-n-roll toy. has worn a path around the downstairs loop. She also loves to cook and serve anyone within arms reach. She'll say... Mmmmmm. It never gets old... we love watching her play and learn. She is such a smart girl. (yes, we are a little proud)

We are getting ready for a visit with Josie and Emilie. They are coming to watch Andrew in his on-stage debut in "Disco Inferno." Look for those pics next week. He is ready for his solo's... yes, I said solo's! School is down to 5 days... can you believe it?

Movin~n~Groovin

2009-05-07T13:50:00.006-04:00

She knows how to hold a pen!

"I just love sharing Jason's milkshake!"

Prom 2009~ Our little Roo-Roo has grown up... sniff, sniff...

Our little girl has been growing and developing at warp speed! She has began to wave bye-bye, blow kisses, says mama, and dada, crawls all over the house, can pull herself up on furniture, and has 1 new tooth and another just about in. She has began to walk behind her push toy and that is ALL she wants to do. She can pitch a fit like a champion to get it out and start rolling. Our sweet, innocent looking angel has a temper accompanied by a very strong will. :-) I'm guessing that's how she survived and thrived in China. Fortunatly we have a little experience with a strong willed child (a-hemmm Jason), and we are enjoying every aspect of parenting again. She has a great sense of humor and knows how to use it to avoid nap-time. She adjusting to life in a parsonage and has learned that while we are at church, there are going to be people looking at her. She is pulling at her hair less and less. One of the bigger challenges we face for now is still food. She will eat "Cheerios, animal crackers, etc... but doesn't receive baby food. She has tasted food from our plate and occasionally will show interest, but not consistently. She has began to drink juice from a sippy cup this week!

Jason and Andrew are just the best big brothers ever! She adores both of them and has squeels and smiles for them when they come in from school. We can hardly wait for next weekend as Andrew will be playing in "Disco Inferno" at our local theater. Jason has made plans to go on a missions trip to Lima, Peru this summer. Please begin to pray for him and this incredible opportunity.

~Cindy

Life is good!

2009-04-18T12:53:00.004-04:00

Roll Tide!!!

Father-Son face off in the Belly Bowl.

Three sisters... great friends!

Fast friends waiting on another!

Lydia's room that is not being used.

Thought I would post some fun stuff (to us at least) that will soon go to the archives. Lydia is sleeping in the master BDR in her crib for now, but praise the Lord it is through the night! She is a little cranky in the mornings and we have learned to give her some "alone time" in her crib before getting her. It is actually quite funny, if we go to the crib too soon, she shakes her head no. When she is ready to meet the world, she lets us know and her day begins. She is eating much better and has the waistline to proove it! She basically wants to eat whatever we are eating. She is adorable with her little spoons and measureing cups, she pretends they are pots and pans. She stirs and cooks up a storm, then feeds us. We are thinking she spent alot of time in the kitchen with her foster mother.

The photo of the Belly Bowl was from our first Saturday home. The Bellies team was made up of my brothers, Mark, and my brother-in-law. The Brawn was all the cousins. What fun! The house still smells like Bengay from that game! Needless to say... the Brawn won. ;-)

The photo of the Three Sisters is my twin Cheryl, and a friend from college. We all have daughters from China and we are forever bonded by this blessing. Allyson is truly like a sister to me and I am sooo thankful the Lord put her in my dorm at Lee all those years ago. It's uncanny how the Lord weaves our lives together. She and Frank drove up for the baby shower from our church and spent 2 days getting to know Lydia. What a treasure to watch Molly, Josie, Emilie, and Lydia all together.

As I type this blog I am watching Lydia plunder through her toy basket singing her little heart out. She has a very sweet gentle voice while she sings. Mark and I can hardly believe she belongs to us! The stress of all those years of waiting, and the aggrivation of the adoption agency flip/flop all fade into the past as we watch our daugher blossom with the rest of the Spring flowers.

Psalms 103:1-5
1 Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's

Easter 2009

2009-04-12T16:09:00.007-04:00

What a wonderful day! I love Easter! One of the neatest traditions at 10th St. is the Easter Parade. For the last 3 years I would watch the little ones march around the church to the tune of "Easter Parade." I would try to imagine our sweetie in the mix, and today we finally got to experience the dream. Lydia has enjoyed having her cousins Josie and Emilie this week for their Spring Break. They have gotten her to crawl (such as it is) by scooting along the floor on her bottom. She is doing her best to keep up with them. We have also enjoyed having cousin Nathaniel here as well. He was sweet enough to help me get her dressed. Church is sweeter when you have kinfolk to sit with.

I have especially enjoyed this Easter season as I look at our growing family with a heart full of thanks. Thankful for our Salvation, our Healing, the Love Christ has given us to share. During Mark's message this morning he held Lydia for a while as he prepared the church for the alter call. What a perfect picture of "adoption" and the gift of salvation Christ brings to us through the Cross. It was very moving. Mark made the statement to the church that we are often seen as "hero's" for opening our hearts and home to Lydia. We're constantly told how "lucky" Lydia is... but the truth is we are the "lucky" (blessed as we see it) ones. We have been given far more than we gave. Adopting Lydia has refocused us all to what is really important in life.

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

The New Norm

2009-04-01T09:45:00.006-04:00

We are slowly falling into a routine and can safely say "jetlag" is a thing of the past. Lydia is sleeping through the night most of the time and is in her crib next to our bed. She has come so very far!! She sits up, is beginning to use her arms and feed herself, (Cheerios) and has even fed me a few. :-) It is wonderful to hear her in the morning talking and playing in her crib. She usually wakes up happy. We have had some sad somber moments, but our love seems to be working its magic. She is readily making eye contact, and reaches for us to be held. Her smiles for each of us let us know that she knows we are her forever family. She has become a parrot and especially loves playing "battle of the noises" with Andrew. Her brothers are a big help around the house. Jason is her favorite person to play "roll the ball" with. So the new norm is being established. Rocky (our Lab) is eternally grateful to Lydia for his new favorite spot...under her highchair! We cannot thank you all enough for the prayers that have gone up on Lydia's behalf. God is answering each and every one of them!

(FYI ~ the Mt. Dew can is a prop only)

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." Mark 9:37

First Look

2009-03-25T21:55:00.007-04:00

Last week this time we were preparing to land in Jax and see our boys. I couldn't wait to wrap my arms around both of them. Over the last 3 years we have flown occasionally, and each time we came back home I would say, "one day we're gonna come around this cornor with our little girl!" That day finally came! As you might imagine, it was quite emotional. My sweet Jason tenderly cried on his daddy's shoulder before greeting his sister with a sweet kiss. Andrew was running late due to an out of town tennnis match. His Aunt Cheryl was not gonna allow this moment to slip away from him, so she rallied our youth pastor to rendevous with the team and Andrew made it to the airport while we were in luggage claim. He was adorable as he ran through the airport to meet his sister. My heart was so full in that moment! They are so loving and patient with their sister. She is blessed to have them!

We're Home!!

2009-03-20T13:28:00.004-04:00

Thank goodness we're home. Lydia was an excellent traveler and will fit into this family like a hand in a glove. She loves her brothers and the feeling is mutual. She is slowly getting her days and nights turned around. It helps that there are lots of cousins to play with. We are ready to begin our new norm.

We had quite the welcoming comittee at the airport which made Lydia's homecoming so very special. It was 11:45 p.m.!! It was wonderful to see Frank, Allyson, and Molly too! It was equally appreciated to have a spread of food delivered from the church. It smelled like "Homecoming" in the house. Uncle Mave and Mamaw had the house all clean and cut the grass an shrubs, and hung a banner out front. Aunt Cheryl had lumineries lining the drive for a special arrival! It was wonderful! Thanks to Simon for driving at the speed of light to have Andrew at the airport! You rock! (thanks to Cheryl for enduring the ride)

Lydia is sitting up independntly, rolling over and no longer has spaghetti neck. She stands with help and I can feel the muscle tone in her legs hardening. Her diet is slowly improving to include rice, congee, (thanks for the recipe Lori) Cherrios and potato chips. (thanks to daddy)

Our hearts are full as we arrive home and feel the love of family and friends. We are so blessed. We will dedicate our precious daughter to the Lord her very first Sunday. Being in China was an unforgettable experience, but there truly is no place like home!

Guangzhou Day 3

2009-03-16T06:01:00.004-04:00

One week ago today a very sweet, but sad little girl was placed into our arms. Her life, as well as ours will never be the same. She has blossomed into a much stronger, happier baby than I could have ever imagined possible. We know it is because of all of the prayers you have all been covering her with. She can sit up, roll over, try to stand holding on to someone, and smiles the most heartwarming toothy grin the Lord ever made. When we answered the call to adopt from China we were prepared for whatever the Lord had for us. What the Lord has given us is a loving, funny, very laid back baby. Adopting Lydia has revealed to me a deep look into myself as I reflect on what God did for me when He claimed me as His own. The good people of China are very happy to see Lydia with American parents. The often give us the thumbs up, and say "lucky baby." Mark and I respond... "blessed parents." Where would any of us be with out God? One more Day!!!

Guangzhou Day 2

2009-03-15T08:41:00.004-04:00

Another great day! Today we attempted to go to church, however our laundry delivery came too late, and Lydia was napping. After the nap we went to the Chen Museum and shopping. Lydia loves being outside and took a great nap in her stroller so mommy could shop for pearls. She has relaxed and finally feels safe enough that we don't have hlod her 24/7. She is content to sit on the bed and play with her toys from time to time. Have I mentioned what a great daddy Mark is? He is so good with Lydia and actually more patient than I am.

The photos are from our walk around the hotel, and the bed in the photo is from the museum. The bed has large white porcelean blocks that were the pillows! I especially love the bamboo scaffolding that construction workers were using.

Tomorrow is our Consulate appointment, and we must be in our room to answer any questions that may arise. Then on Tuesday afternoon we go for our ceremony. Lydia continues to blossom each day and is sitting up and rolling over! She especially loves to stand while we hold her. She also ate some congee and potato soup today. Still no fruit or juice. We are looking forward to spending much of tomorrow on Shamain Island. We love reading the encouraging words. We are having her dedicated this Sunday so we hope everyone than can will be there to help us celebrate this incredible gift. ~ Cindy

Guanzhou!!!

2009-03-14T06:19:00.006-04:00

Wow, what a difference a flight makes!! We are so happy to be in Guangzhou. Today we took Lydia for her physical and we are very pleased to say that other than allergies, she is very healthy. We even saw the same doctor that diagnosed Emilie's VSD. I just wanted to hug him! Next we did our paper work and finally had some free time to walk over to Shamain Island. It is less than 1 mile walk. The walk happens to be through a street market that sold everything from things for your aquarium, spices, dogs,(for pets) to dried sea animals of all manner. It was a palooza of smells! The walk also carried us past 2 mothers begging on behalf of their infirmed children. It caught me off guard. I've been to China before and seen the beggers, as well as others places I've been priveledged to visit. But this time I was holding my perfectly healthy baby in my arms as I walked by these 2 moms who obviously loved their child very much. They could have abandoned them to an orphanage, but instead chose to keep them and provide the best care they could. We are above and beyond blessed to have the means to be here in China adopting our Lydia. It may take a while to pay her off, but well worth it!

We made our way to Lucy's for a delicious lunch, then off to Jennifers for some shopping. It was a wonderful afternoon. Lydia is such a good baby. The video was filmed on SI while we waited for Daddy to scope out the Christian Church. Lydia loves to sing and be sung to. Weather permitting we hope to attend in the morning. This journey on China side is quickly coming to an end, and soon we will finally be "Grimes party of five." I can't wait to hear that the next time we eat at Cracker Barell. We are missing our boys, but I know they're having the time of their life at Winterfest. Much love to you all!

Mark, Cindy and Lydia

Nanchang Day 5

2009-03-13T01:32:00.005-04:00

Today we fly to Guangzhou. We ahve spent the morning gathering, packing, and weighing. Lydia has been so sweet. Her congestion continues to improve, thank you all for the much needed prayer. It's a vulnerable feeling to have a sick child in a foreign country. She has been laughing and smiling. Just plain ole sweet! She readily makes eye contact and initiates interaction from both of us. Although she has a preference for Mark, she has learned that I'm not so bad either. She sits up for longer and longer periods of time. She has attempted to roll over, I feel she actually could, but does not want to end up on her tummy. She hates it! I forgot to mention that Mark got to visit a flea market yesterday. He said it was unreal... ducks tiedtogether, frogs in baskets, snakes in baskets, every internal organ you can imagine from all manner of animals ...etc. You get the picture. There was also dog on the menu in the hotel resteraunt, I kid you not! We are beginning to get a little homesick. I am looking forward to not having to boil water for everything. We have a very busy first day in GZ, but we will try to post as soon as we can. We are not going to be at the White Swan. :-( Instead we are at the Holiday Inn Shifu. I'm tod that the rooms are much bigger and accomodating. Don't stop praying now... we're almost home! The photos of the newspaper is actually Lydia's finding add the govt. places to search for her family. The doctor is taking blood pressure and pulse for free at a park. I tried to upload a video of Lydia but it would not go through. I'll try again later tonight.

Nanchung Day 4

2009-03-12T02:53:00.003-04:00

Today was a very rainy day. Lydia and I spent the day in the room. She is beginning to "wake up." She has a sweet disposition and has yet to actually cry when she is hungry. She just waits on me to pad around the room getting things together and mix her bottle. We are left to guess that she has learned in the past that crying didn't help, so a quiet patience was learned. She is such a sweetheart! Daddy got to visit the Ten Wang Pavilion in the rain! Then he was taken by our guide to a "reputable" masage salon. He got the 1 hour work over and has returned refreshed. All for the bargain price of about $12. Lydia continues to have congestion in her head and chest and Sally (guide) was able to obtain American antibiotics for us. We love her very much. She speaks excellent English and has seen to our every need. Although most of todays photos speak for themselves, the photo of the clothes is what she was wearing when we got her. It was not all that cold, but she was bundled like an Eskimo. The pants are split pants. The city photo is the view from our window. As I type this post Lydia is playing on the floor with Daddy. She is sitting up for longer periods of time and is scooting across the floor laying on her back and pushing herself with her feet. We feel so blessed have this sweet baby girl. At nearly 44 for both of us it has taken some getting used to, but we wouldn't change it for anything in the world. Tomorrow we are off to Guangzhou, the las leg of this journey on this side of the world. Thanks again for the the e-mails, posts...etc. It means so much to hear from you while we are so far from home. Pray for us as we travel tomorrow. We are praying for all of you.

Nanchang Day 3

2009-03-11T01:32:00.005-04:00

Today was another wonderful day. Lydia is doing terrific. As you can see from the video, she love, love, loves her daddy!!! They were playing with toilet paper. She is a very laid back baby, and just rolls with the flow. She is making good eye contact and now cries when we put her down. Today we went to to the country side to see a typical foster home such as the one Lydia was in. We were also able to photopraph the seperate kitchen. As you can see it is very humble means, but the people in the community were quite happy. There is also a photo of a school that we were permitted to briefly tour. The classroom through the window was a 1st grade class. The little boy at the gate of the school was in trouble for not taking his studies seriously. China no longer uses corporal punishment. As we were driving down the street there came many buffalo being driven by a man with a stick. They appeared to know where to go. The sights, smells, and sounds are unforgettable. Our last stop was on "Pottery Street." Jiangxi is known for it's fine porcelean production. We were able to purchase a meaningful gift for Lydia from her home province. We are having a blast, but our hearts are hungry for home. we have what we came here for! Again, thank you so much for the e-mails, and blog comments, and facebook messages! Proverbs 25:25 says "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." We can't wait to be home with all 3 of our children on our arms!

Nanchang Day 2

2009-03-10T04:31:00.003-04:00

We have had a very busy past 24 hours! Not only was March 9th Lydia's gotcha day, it was also her adoption day. Provincial rules usually require the adoptive family to spend one night with the baby, but for some reason we were allowed to do both. So we promised to never abuse or abandon her and signed many many papers and poof! We're paerents again! We could not be happier! She is such a sweet baby. She has 4 teeth, weighs 21lbs, and LOVES her daddy. She has been smiling a little for us, but mostly she is content to look around and be held. She does not want to be put down. I had to put her in my bed last night and today Mark held her for her nap when she fussed about being put down. We learned through our guide that the Chinese language has 4 tones, and tone is everything. This afternoon Mark sat Lydia on the bed and she began to fuss. Mark jokingly said to her in a fatherly tone "you're not gonna start that little girl," and she squalled her head off. Lesson learned, tone is everything. We have been to the city center park today and Wal-Mart. I have heard about the magnetic carts on escalators, but seeing it was unreal. I have a photo of it to post later. Tomorrow we are going out to the country and we can hardly wait. Thank you all so much for the e-mails and blog comments. It is wonderful to hear from you while we are so far away. We are overwhelmed to be a part of this wonderful journey charted by God. We continue to ask for your prayers, Lydia has a bit of congestion in her head and chest, but no fever. :-) She is not rolling over yet and only sits up for short periods. We have much ground to cover! Much love to you all!

Mark, Cindy, and Lydia

We're Speechless!!

2009-03-09T00:24:00.002-04:00

Nanchang

2009-03-08T18:43:00.003-04:00

We are in Nanchang!!!! We loved the Great Wall, but it was time to move on to our girls home!! We are staying at the Gloria Grand feel very comfortable here. The beds are Fred and Wilma beds, but we were so exhausted we slept "like rocks." Our guide told us that we are getting her at 11:30 a.m. We were able to Skype so I have arranged to talk to the boys at 10:00 for a trial run. We should have photo's of Lydia soon!!

Beijing

2009-03-07T15:59:00.006-05:00

We went to the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Tianamen Square, a pearl market, and the Acrobat Show. It's really nice to NOT be in charge and just sit back and relax. The traffic is just as I remembered... terrifying! Our food has been delicious. Yoshi took us to a resteraunt he thought we would all enjoy and he was right. I saw the braised duck tounge and beef tripe, but there were also many other less adventerous choices. We settled for a chicken/peanut dish with rice.

Today we go to the Great Wall and then straight to the airport. I can't believe we will be in Lydia's province today! There is a chance we will get her tonight, but we won't know until we get there. We saw some of the most beautiful children yesterday, and I especially got a kick out of the split pants!

Had my first run in with a squat pot, surprisingly it was not so bad. Just have to remember to get the TP BEFORE you close the door. (the TP is at the front entrance on one big communal roll)

I miss the boys, everytime we turn around we are talking about them. Thank you for your prayers, we need them.

If all goes well there should be some photos!

We made it!

2009-03-06T06:09:00.002-05:00

Whew... we have made it to Beijing. The time change is killing us. We sat at dinner tonight nodding off. We ordered what we thought was a pesto pasta dish with grilled chicken. We got the pasta, no chicken. Hmmm ?? Not really crazy about the hotel (River View) There is no view! Only very old buildings that look very dirty. I guess bars on windows is universal.
We feel safe in the hotel. :-)
Tomorrow is a full day of sightseeing. We'll have more to post after tomorrow.
Jason and "Andrew... I miss you guys!
Love,
Cindy and Mark

And We're Off!!!!!

2009-03-04T23:33:00.002-05:00

It's only 11:33 p.m. and we are finally all packed and ready to go. Since we have to be leaving for the airport at 4:00 a.m. it leaves us a few hours to spare! I have double checked and triple checked the luggage, paperwork, passports, etc. Mark says this is our trial run to see if we could make it on the Amazing Race. I'll have to keep you posted on that.
I had fully intended to post photo's of the nursery, but now I'm just to exhausted. We appreciate the e-mails and phone calls. More than anything else, we appreciate the prayer cover. Please pray for our safety, our health, and quick return. Hang on Lydia... We're coming!

Showers of Blessings!!

2009-02-26T17:57:00.006-05:00

This day has been full of emotion! My peers at BCPS gave Lydia a shower and I was very humbled by the thoughtfulness and care that went into the event. I have to say I am so very blessed to work with such a great group of educators.

The gorgeous white dress is from the family of the student that I Para. I know God gave him to me for this point and time. I will miss him dearly.

Another photo is Mark showing off his "favorite" items of the shower. Having him in attendance was "dinner and a show!" He made certain that with each gift opened that he roared out an exagerated AWWWWWE. (Note to self... no husband at next shower) :-)

The two cuties who studied every gift I opened are my Pre-K friends. The one on the right gave me all of the church shoes she has outgrown. Thank you Olivia, Lydia is gonna love all those shoes! They also picked out an adorable outfit!

I can't end the post without thinking of my beautiful daughter who will be one year old tomorrow. My heart hurts as I think about her birthmother who will also be thinking about her in a completely different way. I pray for the Lord to bring peace to her. I pray for the Lord to give her a reassurance that the little baby she lovingly placed where she knew she would be found quickly, was indeed found safe and sound.

Pray for us.... pray for her....

Cindy

Time to Travel!!!

2009-02-23T18:26:00.003-05:00

We got the official word today to purchase our tickets. We fly out of Jacksonville on 3/5/09 and return 3/18/09. Our official "Gotcha Day" is indeed March 9th!
How great is our God??
We are very happy to have Mamaw coming to keep the boys. I have absolutely no worries. My boys will be in good hands, the church will be in good hands, and my sweet student Justin will be in good hands.
Packing is coming along, I have managed to organize various stacks for each of us. Thank the Lord I am done Thursday! I will not return until the fall. You gotta love the sound of that! My school is throwing a shower for Lydia this Thursday. I can't express how wonderful it is to pastor in such a caring community. Both of our local newspapers have contacted us to do our story.
We are blessed beyond measure!
Don't quit praying now... we need you now more than ever.

Cindy (for Mark,Jason, Andrew, and Lydia Joy)

China Here We Come!!!!

2009-02-19T18:28:00.004-05:00

We got our call for travel approval this afternoon. The wait is almost over!!! Looks like we will be leaving in 2 weeks, and guess what??????????? Our very possible gotcha day is that inescapable date of March 9! (reference post from early January) If it is not our gotcha it will likely be the day her adoption is finalized. Don't you just love how God weaves it all together??

Also, Andrew was playing in a tennis match today and his opponent happens to have 2 sisters adopted from China. They were at the match and I was so ADD from the good news and having those sweet little faces to look at it was hard to focus on the game. (Sorry Andrew) Andrew pulled out his first win of the season!

Stayed tuned for exact dates to come!

We thank you for your prayers!

Cindy

Still Waiting....

2009-02-14T23:22:00.002-05:00

We are on pins and needles this long weekend! I have heard from our agency that our TA is on the way!! I worked up the courage to ask how soon would we travel after receiving the TA and she said... usually about 3 weeks!!! Wooo Hoooo!!! Now I really don't know what has been more difficult, waiting for 3 years without a picture, or 5 weeks looking at one!
There are a few things to ground us back into reality. Jason has gone to see his girlfriend who lives over an hour away for the day. It was excruciating watching him pull out and drive off-alone! It is one of the hardest things I've had to do as a mother. Why do they have to grow up??? Andrew has began his Tennis season and is loving every minute of it. Mark and I celebrated our anniversary watching him play his first match of the season. He played hard, but lost.
As usual... we ask for your prayers,

Ephesians 1:5,7
God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Christ Jesus...and it gave him great pleasure... he is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son.
Love,
Cindy (for Mark, Jason, Andrew and Lydia Joy) :-)

Hurry up and wait!

2009-01-27T22:22:00.004-05:00

Today is Lydia's 11 month birthday! We were hoping for our Travel Approval before the Spring Festival... that doesn't look like it's going to happen. Oddly though, I find myself unwilling to give up as so much of our process has not followed the normal channels.

We have had some very special help getting our nursery ready. We are very thankful to Aunt cheryl and Uncle David along with Josie and Emilie as well as friends Frank, Allyson and Molly. We could not have done it without you guys! As you may have guessed by now... purple is our new favorite color. Her nursery is lilac and light green.

I found this map online, it reflects our upcoming journey. The closer we get to our TA the more butterflies I have about leaving Jason and Andrew here. For the record... Jason has never wanted to go to China with us. He is my old man in a 17 year olds body. Andrew was initially open to going, however, as tennis season has arrived and he holds the #1 boys single slot he has become unwilling to compromise his hard work. He also feels an allegience to his team. So we are left to ralley friends, family and church family to assist with their supervision in our absence. Please pray for me as I am increasingly unhappy about the boys not going. It's just not natural to leave your flesh and blood behind as you travel halfway around the world!

As you may have concluded by viewing the photo of the toilet, there are a few things besides the boys to be missed. Mark and I ate Chinese last night in honor of the Chinese New Year and I helped myself to some steamed white rice. This is what kept me alive while in China the last time. As soon as I smelled it I felt like I was sitting at the Holiday Inn Crown Plaza in Chengdu!

Please know that we have read and treasure all of your kind words of encouragement and congratulations! We love and appreciate you all very much.

Remember us when you pray,

Cindy (for Mark, Jason, Andrew, and Lydia)

We finally have agreed on a name!!!

2009-01-07T21:17:00.006-05:00

Lydia Joy Grimes

After much thought, prayer, and deliberation we have finally agreed on our china doll's name. Its both true to her origins(meaning from an ancient land in Asia) and encompasses our hopes and prayers for her Godly future. In Acts 16, Lydia was a worshiper of God, with a heart opened by Jesus to the Gospel that Paul preached (v.14), obedient in baptism, persuasive and compelling in personality, and given to hospitality and discipleship(v.40) - Hey! that'll Preach! Sorry! Anyway, she was a seller of purple before she met Jesus which implies that Lydia was wealthy(Lk 16:19) because purple was associated with wealth. Because of the costly dye involved, purple was a sort of status symbol.Its interesting that purple can also be associated in Scriptures with our sinfulness (Jn. 19:5, Rev.17:4). Interestingly, we don't know anything else about Lydia of the Scriptures; however, our prayer already is that the life giving transformation of Christ "in the heart" that the Bibles' Lydia experienced will be our own child's experience at an early age. We covet your prayers.

Mark (for Cindy, Jason, Andrew, and Lydia) :-)

Our stork has landed!!!

2009-01-07T14:15:00.007-05:00

Oh my goodness!!!! We were out of county last night watching Jason play basketball when my phone rang. It was 8:09 p.m.!! My guess was that they needed more last minute info ... but instead she said "I have great news for you guys... I'm holding a photo your daughter!" I nearly hit the floor. I scooted back in the gym and waived Mark down from the stands and we listened in stunned shock to the following details.

She is from the Jiangxi province, and is from the Xinyu Social Welfare Institute. She was born on February 27, 2008 and was admitted to the orphange on the 28th. She entered into foster care at 1 week of age. Her most recent physical was back in August and it has her weighing 13 lbs, and 24 inches long. It also informed us that she is a mod. to light sleeper and can be restless. Hmmm..... It states she enjoys music, and laughs aloud. It also said she has a ready smile and knows strangers from aquaintences. We hope to get more updated info asap.

Our boys are beyond excited! We feel like we are in a dream because nothing has gone the way referrals "normally" go. The date on the official red seal on our Letter of Acceptence is December 25, 2008!!!!!

Yesterdays scripture on myPower of a Praying Parent calendar reads...

Isaiah 65:23

They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be descendants of the blessed of the Lord, And their offspring with them.

Our hearts are full... we love you you all very much! Continue to remember us when you pray.

And by the way... Jason sunk the winning basket of the game in very last second!!!

Love,

Mark, Cindy, Jason, Andrew and Delaney??? Sarah??? Rebecca??? Lydia??? Leah??? Jenna???

Dream Weaver

2009-01-03T14:22:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!!

We have just returned home from a great week with family in Ohio. While we were there, referrals came! It is completely likely that we will have a referral in Feb. or most likely March. It is a "twin" thing that makes me believe it will be March...Cheryl came home with Josie on March 9th, she got Emilie's referral on March 9th, and my paper work was logged in at the CCAA on March 9th. I thought the March 9th connection was complete until I realized that March 9th 2009 is on a Monday... a very likely day for referrals to arrive for the March batch. TBC......
During the past 3+ years of waiting I have had a few dreams along the way. Now before you jump to conclusions that I have leaped off the deep end, let me reassure you that I come from a family of dreamers. God himself used dreams numerous times in the Bible to reveal Himself.
So, I have decided to post a few of my dreams that I feel were from the Lord to bring comfort to us as well as reveal Himself in this process.
In September 2005...
I dreamed we were in China getting our girl and she was sitting in the box she was found in. There was a date written in pencil on the flap of the box with her birthdate. It read November 17, 2007 ( or 2008.) I remember noticing that the year was much farther out than what it was supposed to be, and this is why the year is a fuzzy detail. I was so busy telling the Lord he got the year wrong I couldn't see that He was trying to show me that the wait was going to be much longer than I expected. I noticed that when they were handing her to Mark that there was a wooden chair in the box that was sitting in a thin aluminum pan. I immediately thought to myself that she must have come from a family that cooked for living and that they did not want her to get wet (or dirty) while she was waiting to be found. The guide asked Mark what her name was and he told her "Caroline."
On December 15, 2007...
I deamed of a beautiful park in China. I noticed a young couple who was sitting in the grass crying and comforting one another. In this dream I remember having the awareness that they were grieving the abandonment of their daughter. The father kept referring to her as "Po-Po."
(There were some very personal details in this dream I have chosen to keep private, but should she arrive and there be a connection to those details, I will certainly post them as a testimony to the Lord.)
January 12, 2008
I dreamed about being led with Mark through a side entrance into an orphanage. There were babies everywhere on the floor... not in cribs. You could hardly move without stepping on them. I began to cry. Mark reached down and picked up a tiny one. I saw 2 women asleep in the far left cornor of the room. One of them woke up and I was struck by the sheer exhaustion on her face. I picked up a beautiful girl playing on the floor and she threw up on me. I remember being alarmed that it had worms in it!! I thought to myself..."as soon as we get her home we are all getting wormed!"
August 27, 2008
Not exactly a dream...
As I was in that in-between time of awake and asleep I saw a georgous baby girl sitting in a plain room with white walls. She was in a high-chair of sorts being fed a bottle. She was wearing a pink outfit with a cute pink headband.
I got out of bed thinking "was that a dream or a vision?" Later as I was getting ready it hit me like a ton of bricks! We were leaving that morning for Atlanta to complete or 3rd (yes... 3rd) round of federal fingerprints. I firmly believe that the Lord was encouraging me to remember that "she" is what this day was really about.
Now there you have it. Call me crazy or call me blessed. I know I am blessed!
Pray for us often..
Mark, Cindy, Jason, and Andrew

Joel 2:28

Peace Speaker

2008-12-11T20:01:00.003-05:00

This is the matching room where our "dossier" sits
and waits to be pulled. A dossier is apacket of all of
our blood sweat and tears, not to mention our
life story documented and notarized...
certified... and authenticated!
When God's perfect timing is complete, someone
from the matching department will reachfor our file and begin to read over it thoroughly. She will look through the profiles of available "paper ready babies" and match a baby to our dossier based on everything they have learned looking through our file. This is where all of our prayers meet the heart and mind of sweet Chinese social worker. She/he may not even know what is guiding them to this particular photo, that photo.... but Mark, Jason, Andrew and I know that this is the moment where an all knowing God literally creates a match made in heaven.

As some of you already know, our chosen adoption agency was Hope for Children out of Atlana. A few weeks ago we were abruptly notified that due to the failing economy, Hope was closing their doors effective immediately. An agency partner would be taking over our adoption process if we so choose. This offer came at an unexpected, significant fee increase. I don't have words to describe the fear and mistrust that began to consume my thoughts. Here we are so close to a referral and we are forced into the unknown. Then to add insult to injury came the news that the CCAA was increasing the orphanage fee donation from $3000 to $5000! Again... unexpected unforseen fees.
We have been brought to our knees (literally) by this flurry of unexpected events.
But God... that same all knowing God that will guide our daughters photo to our profile, is not shocked or caught off guard. He has used many caring family members and friends to intercede on our behalf. Peace comes like a soothing balm over a raw wound.
I'll close with Psalms 40:1-4a
I waited patiently for the Lord:
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear and
put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the man who
makes the Lord his trust.
Our family is blessed beyond measure this Christmas Season!
We love you ,
Cindy (for Mark, Jason, and Andrew)

Time flies when your're having fun!

2008-11-15T14:12:00.007-05:00

I know... It's been a long time. I'll try to catch us all up to speed. Our summer was awsome, we traveled some, sent the boys to church camps and sports camps, and before we knew it the o8 school year had began. Jason is a Junior, and Andew is a Sophomore. Sniff sniff... where has the time gone. They are both having a good semester, Jason was inducted into the Beta Club in September, and voted onto the Junior class Homecoming court in October. Andrew is busy keeping his tennis skills sharp. They are both enjoying being on the praise team for the youth group. Jason has been playing the drums, (rock on) and Andrew is singing and recently began to learn the acoustic guitar.

Our parsonage has undergone a $40,000. renovation, and yes... we were foolish enough to remain in it throught the entire ordeal. Never again!!! The results are fantastic and make the "in-house camping" experience a distant memory.

Mark and I are beginning to feel the pinch of the up-coming life change with the baby. We are so very close... it looks like a possible February/March referral. That will make it a full 3 year wait since login... 3 1/2 all together. We continue to wait watch and pray. In the in-between time it's just great to be the parents of 2 of the sweetest boys I know... a priveledge to serve the Lord at the 10th st. Church of God... and loving every second of it all.

Remember our family when you pray...

Love,

Cindy (for Mark, Jason, and Andrew and Jenna??? Caroline??? Sarah??? Rebeckah???

Pslam 62:1,2

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Summer at last!!

2008-06-14T22:37:00.000-04:00

Hello,

Summer has finally arrived down here in South Georgia. So what is the first thing we do? Head up to Ohio for a family visit! My brother Dan has the perfect set-up for a family of massive proportions. As we celebrated my neice Dani's highschool graduation, we found some time to relax. I especailly love how Jason's smile is as big as Emilie's. Sorry for the awkward view of the photo's, most of you know I'm seriously electronically challenged.

This is Andrew with my Granny and Aunt. She'll soon turn 94 and has a tremendous heart for worship. It was wonderful for be in church with her. Amazingly she was able to standfor much of the praise & worship, and yes... she still actively participates!! I am very thankful that Jason and Andrew will have solid memories of her. She leaves a tremendous heritage of the faithfulness of God. Her ability to love unconditionally is uncanny. Just a week after this photo was taken Granny was hospitalized suffering symptoms of a stroke. It appears she has suffered a series of mini strokes. Please keep her in your prayers.

Now for the latest on our girl.....Referrals came in this week and we are inching ever closer to our 3/9/06 LID. It appears that the CCAA has placed children through January 20, 2006. We are Patiently awaiting our turn. We are hopeful to have a photo of her by the end of the year.

Please remember her as well as the entire Grimes family as we continue to wait... watch... and pray.

Much love,

Cindy

Basketball...Tennis...Baseball

2008-04-06T22:41:00.000-04:00

I can hardly believe it...how does time go by so fast, yet we still have no referral?Our original intentions were to post once a month until we got closer to our referral.We have been attending basketball games through February, and now tennis for Andrew and baseball for Jason. I find myself doing double takes to be sure that these handsome, smart men are my sons. For those of you who know me, you know that there is not an atheletic bone in my body. I have become the epitome of "sports mom." Now for those of you who know Mark, realize these athletic abilities are soley from his gene pool. His favorite pastime is to coach the boys from the bench... fence... or bleachers and do so loudly!! We are having a great time, but I'm painfully aware that the clock is ticking. The longer we wait for a referral, the less time we have to spend as a family of five. This thought has really been weighing heavily on my heart lately. Jason will soon be a Junior, and Andrew a Sophomore.
As I "sit, soak, and sour," I realize a powerful truth. I know with all of my heart that the footsteps of my boys are ordered by the Lord. I pray for it daily and speak it over them. So this morning in church, it occured to me that our daughters footsteps are ordered by the Lord as well. By faith I know that soon those little footsteps will lead her straight to us!
Please remember to call out our names in prayer.
With much love,
Cindy (for mark, Jason & Andrew)

Happy New Year

2007-12-31T20:54:00.000-05:00

Have we ever got some catching up to do! It seems that once the school year got going, we have been traveling at warp speed. Mark and I are great, the boys are doing great! The church is doing great, the adoption process.... not so much. Things continue to slow down. I am trying my best to leave this with the Lord. Some extra prayer cover regarding this matter would be greatly appreciated. I received a letter from my agency letting us know that they (China) have no intention of speeding up the referral process as stated earlier in the year the CCAA. (China Center of Adoption Affairs) There are also rumors that China may suspend referrals altogether for a few months to prepare for the Olympics.
The good news is that since we were staring at yet another Christmas without our daughter, we decided to take a vacation that would not be done as easily with a baby/toddler. So, Mark got busy with Denise at our travel agency and cooked up a sweet 7 day cruise of the Hawaiian Islands. Wow!!! It was beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Jason and Andrew saw Pearl Harbor, Wiamea Canyon, Kilowea (sp) the volcano, and the Nepali Coast. We also learned to snorkel and saw countless fish that we had only ever seen in aquariums. The guys ended the trip with a zip-line tour on Kauai.
We have only been home for a week, and Mark has already had to preach 2 funerals. These were both dear sweet women who served the Lord for most of their lives at 10Th Street. They will be missed.
Now we are back to school, back to basket-ball season and all is well in the Grimes house. We give the Lord this New Year to use us as He pleases. Our time is His time, our work is His work. Please think about us often and say a prayer for us as we wait for little girl.
We love you all,
Cindy (for Mark, Jason, Andrew and baby girl)

Waiting, Watching, and Praying

2007-09-04T20:34:00.000-04:00

Hello again.

Waiting.... It seems very hard to post when there is no hope of a referral in sight. This past month China only psoted 3 days of referrals. It's like being in the worst traffic jam imaginable, only on paper.

Please over look the obvious frustration in my tone. I know it is all in God's time, but as I stated in our original post, patience is not a virtue of mine. I'm trying very hard. We are certain she will be worth the wait, it just seems so far out of reach.

Watching.... I have read so many new referral posts that my bottom is stuck to the chiar! I cry and sniffle, then cry some more.

Praying.... Now a resovle takes over from deep within. I'm reminded once again that this day as well as the ones to come belong to the Lord. I pray for forgivness for not trusting in His all knowing grace. I give it all back to Him and sheepishly lay it at His feet. He knows me so well, He readily lifts the burden and dries my tears. I'm so undeserving of such mercy.

Looking ahead... Our family traveled over the Labor Day weekend to dedicate Mark's best friends son. Jason and Andrew were smitten with him. Andrew actually asked if it was too late for us to get a boy instead of a girl!!! (Issac is Korean, and his sister is Chinese)

Yes Andrew, it's a little late for that! :-)

Summer Fun

2007-07-18T00:18:00.000-04:00

What ever happened to the "lazy days of summer?" We have been on the go since the last day of school. We have been purposeful with our time this summer to visit reletives and old friends, with some relaxation along the the way. Jason and Andrew got to vacation with cousins Josie and Emilie, who did a fine job preping them to be big brothers. As usual, they made me proud! I am less and less concerned with the age difference between the boys and their soon-to-be- sister. Everytime the girls are down for a visit, the boys are more excited to be getting a sister of thier own. (sister...chick magnet... it's all in one's own perspective)

School begins for me in less than 2 weeks, and only 3 for the boys. I'm praying that once the year gets started time will fly by! We are updating some paper work this summer and it only serves to remind me of how sloooow things have drug on. But... as sure as there is a God in heaven, we are certain He has brought us to this moment in our lives. I'll close this post with Hebrews 11:1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. NLT

One day, and not so very far away, our faith will become sight and we will have our little girl.

Until next time.....

Welcome to our journey!!

2007-06-12T23:20:00.000-04:00

Hi and welcome to our blog.
As our site's name suggests we are eagerly awaiting a grand addition to our lives. As of this date, we hope to have our referral before the end of the year.I've already learned alot through this adoption process and one of them is that I'm easily distracted and inpatient. When Cindy and I discuss things I get excited and want our girl "right now". Then, the realities and responsibilities of life kick in and I become consumed with them and forget much of what Cindy has discussed with me. We've had several conversations about the same thing and it seems to frustrate her because I appear to be uninterested. But I'm not!!! I wish it was today. Meanwhile, Cindy keeps everything in mind and is really on top of things. I thank God for her. Our two boys are also excited and on board as well as our church that we pastor. So, again welcome to our journey and please pray for us.
Cindy's turn,
As Mark has already stated,we are ready for our girl!!!
When our paperwork was sent I received an e-mail from our agency that said...Congratulations, your approx. 10 month wait begins today! That was 2/1/06!!! That 6 letter word "approx" has drawn this out much farther than even the CCAA expected. So we are left to the perfect timing
of a very loving Heavenly Father, who is very aquainted with the impatience of 4 faithful servants in Alma, Georgia!
While I wait I'm left to wonder... could this be the day that she was abandoned by a heartbroken mother?... Is she warm, healthy and loved? As with my own two boys, I entrust her to the Lord daily. I ask the Lord to give her favor with her caregivers, and to protect her from any harm that would work against her. I pray for the Lord to reveal our faces to her so that when our faith becomes sight and she is finally in our arms, she will not be fearful, but experience peace and a sound mind. God can do anything!
So until next month....