Tradition

It's becoming tradition to celebrate Christmas with three friends who grew up in the orphanage, and another college girl who was my student and babysitter when Mike was 3 months old. That college girl slept over at our house last night, fun, and a first time for a former student to sleepover, I think.

This year we were also joined by an auntie (our first friend when we arrived here four years ago!), a high school sweetheart pair who were recently introduced to us by a mutual friend, and Drew's friend/kids' Uncle Li.

The three who grew up in the orphanage are honorary family members. The other day I was perusing adoption advocacy sites and read about a thirteen year-old Changsha girl who is currently waiting and wanting a family to adopt her. My first instinct was to email the writer and ask, "Connect us!? She can be a part of our family any time she likes." (I didn't email him yet, still considering this.) And my thoughts turned to these three who were here again over the weekend. They were never adopted. But we love them; I believe they feel loved and at home here.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

snowfall

watching a grandpa grin when he bought a toy for his grandson

meeting the mysterious grandpa who always throws candy to kids from his 4th floor window

Titus nurturing Michael, feeding him lunch with chopsticks

glass-like pieces of ice, a new wonder for the boys

waking up with a guest in the house

singing and playing guitar to chinese hymn with auntie

sick kid sweetness

thoughtful letter written to me in Chinese

stack of loving Christmas cards from Hutchinson, MN