Thought I should show you that Hannah and Caleb really do play well together.
He will even play polly pockets with her. What a good brother. He did want me to tell you that he will ONLY play the boys and with the jet skis!! :)

Not a ton going on today at our house. We are going to have a babysitter tonight and we will be going to some friends house for a Christmas get together. We always have lots of fun, laughs and food!! Just my kind of night!! :)

Turkeys

Nate took these pictures a week ago Saturday.
It is lots of fun to watch the turkeys hanging out!!

Happy Birthday, Nikolas!!!

Happy 11th birthday Nikolas!!!!!!!!

Ten years ago today!!!

December 16Th marks a big day in our house!!! Ten years ago today Judge Bogdonava granted our petition to adopt Vasily Nikoleavitch Nadeleav!!

This picture is of our court house!!!

This is a picture of us just after our court hearing. Next to me in the middle is Judge Bogdonova. She s such a sweet woman. on the lower hand corner next to Nate is our translator Andrei (we still keep in touch with him) and then of course our facilitator Alex on the other side of Nate. We were able to have lunch with Mrs. Bogdonova when we traveled back in 2002 to adopt Katie and she was so happy to see us and to hear about Nikolas.

This is Nik's last time in the baby home. He fell asleep on my lap and woke up in our apartment. Its hard to believe how little he was at that time!!!

This is where Nikolas slept. We had no crib for him then. He fit so nice in the suitcase!!!

This is on our way home from Russia!! our first family picture!!

We were gone for 3 weeks and we arrived home on New Years Eve!!

It was so awesome to start the Brand new year in our home with our new son!!!

Here is Nikolas today!! On December 19Th he will turn 11 years old. It brings tears to my eyes how he as grown into such a sweet young man. He has a heart of Gold and would do anything for anybody.

Nothing is perfect but watching him mature into a young man who loves the Lord just makes my heart so happy!!!

Nikolas we were so blessed to day you were placed into our arms and we thank the Lord for you ever day!!!!!

School Christmas program 2007

Last night we went to the kids Christmas program and their school. It was such a fun
Night!!! The kids did such a great job.
In this first picture is Hannah 2nd row back 3 child in. Caleb is about 7th in the row. They looked so cute!!!

Heather had a small speaking part and did a wonderful job!!!

Here are the girls with their 3rd grade class
They have an awesome music teacher!!!

This is also Nikolas's last year at his elementery school. He was a little sad but he went out
big!! This is the first time he auditioned and got a special singing part with 4 other kids. They sounded
so good. Nate tried to capture it on video so I hope it sounds as good here as it did last night!!!

Nik is in the red sweather in case you didn't know!! :)

Frederic Meijer gardens

Our bank was kind enough to give our whole family a pass to see the Christmas trees last night at Meijer gardens. They were so beautiful! You will love to know that I forgot my camera. Sad isn't it. Sigh. I just don't know what to do with myself.

I found a few pictures on the internet but they will not show up for me so I have this one lone picture. It was so pretty!! It would be have been expensive if we had to pay for it ourselves but if you ever have the chance to go for free it is really beautiful. It has trees from all the different countries and the kid love finding the trees from Russia and the US. Unfortunately China does not do Christmas trees but they did have little display of things for the Hannah to look at.

JIB JAB Snowball fight

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJab

You Are a Gingerbread House

A little spicy and a little sweet, anyone would like to be lost in the woods with you.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatholidayfoodareyouquiz/">What Holiday Food Are You?

Not much new!

I know its been awhile since I posted anything. I just haven't had much of a chance.

We did get a nice email from Sandi Sheldon.

I know you have all prayed for her so I thought I would share it.

Hi Everyone, We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of the prayers that are being said for us. Words can not begin to express the gratefulness I feel for your efforts to bring us home. Without your rallying for help it probably would not have happened so soon or at all. The last couple of weeks have been a little overwhelming and I apologize for not doing this sooner. We had Dennis's memorial service on Friday and it was a beautiful service. It was so wonderful to see so many people come and pay their respects to a wonderful man. God bless you all!!
Sandi & Hannah

Answers to a few of the Random facts

It has been a strange day today. My kids have the day off from school yet. They haven't been so bad but its just been different having them home on a Monday. Tomorrow will seem so easy with only 2 home!

I also thought I would give those of you who do not know me so well the answers to two of my Random facts.

I was adopted when I was 7 weeks old so I was born as the oldest to my birthmother, who I have had the blessings to meet! I have 1 half sister that is just 1 year younger than me. Mybirthfather also has 4 children all younger than me!

I was raised as a youngest and I have one brother that is 5 years older than me!!

I bet Physciatrists would love to figure that one out!!

I was born with the name. Sandra Lynn McDowell When I was adopted it was changed to Brenda Joy!

I have to laugh someone the other day at biolife (where I donate plasma) said goodbye to me but she called me Sandy. I didn't even realize it at the time. The next time I saw her she apologized to me and then it dawned on me that I was that name at one time in my life!! LOL

I told her that and we got a good laugh out of it!!

8 random facts

Cheri tagged me to do this meme.

You list 8 random facts and then tag 8 people.

It's an easy one so thought I'd do it!

1. I was born the oldest and was raised the youngest

2. I have been to China, Russia (3 times), Haiti (2 times), Japan, Switzerland, Canada

3. I have 5 children

4. I was born with a different name than I have now. (I do not mean married name)

5. I have been married for 17 years (got married at age 19)

6. I am left handed

7. I love being a missionary

8. I love Chinese food.

-

I'm tagging the following people:

Tara, Kimberly, Kathy, Tory, Anna, Dawn S, Karla, Tiffany

Thankfullness

Okay, I am going to try blogging once. I just felt the nudge......
Have you ever dreamed of having all your debt wiped out at once? Ever wonder what it would be like to live without the burden of having to pay for things long gone? Have you ever stopped and thanked God for wiping out our debt of sin which we could never pay off ourselves. Our God is an awesome God and I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and His payment of my debt. Not only that but He is always there for me, no matter what I am going through, I know He is right there carrying me.
Watch this video and try not to cry, then stop and say a prayer thanking God for His son and what He has done for us. Happy Thanksgiving you all. We love you all and thank God for each and every one of you!!

EAT BEEF!!


Happy Thanksgiving!!

We would just like to wish you all a very happy Thankgsiving!

We have been so blessed with our family and all the wonderful
friends that the Lord has given us over the years! You know who
you are and I cannot thank you enough for putting up with me and
my sarcasm!!!

I cannot thank the Lord enough for the blessings he has given us!

Woo-Hoo- there's a great give away here for bloggers who enjoy Michael W. Smithhttp://www.reunionrecords.com/mwschristmas/blogformusicThey're giving away 150 free copies of his Christmas CD. It's very easy to sign up for and if you qualify you get a free CD.Merry Christmas to us all!!

Karla tagged me, on her blog, to answer some adoption questions. I will do my best! I will be answering for Russia and China.

What are the first 3 things you bought for your new child?
Nikolas (12 months at the time)
1. Bottles
2. Clothes
3. Formula

Katie (4 at the time)
1. clothes
2. build a bear

Hannah (6 at the time)
1. Clothes
2. Build a bear

Who laid the first big kiss smack dab on the face of your new child?
Nik and Katie
1. Nate and myself.

Hannah
1. Nate, myself and Heather

What was one of the first phrases you learned in your child's native language?

1. Stasvitya (hello) Russian Die roo koo (take my hand) Ya la Te Blu ( I love you)
2. knee how (chinese) Wha ah knee (I love you)

What was your favorite food in country?
Russia
1. Cabbage and Pototoes. I also loved this spread for bread called Viola! Yum

China
1. I LOVED all of it!!
What was your least favorite food?
Russia
1. Borscht
china
1. I don't remember what I didn't like.

What part of the adoption process has been the most sentimental to you apart from meeting your child?

1. BRINGING THEM HOME and them meeting their new siblings!!!!!

I am now tagging anyone else who has adopted to answer these on your blog!!

Brenda

This morning!

Thank you, Lord!! How we are praising you at this moment!!!!

Dear Bethany Family & friends, I just thought I would let you all know that Sandi & Hannah were present for the swearing in ceremony this afternoon. They will be leaving tomorrow morning as the adoption is FINAL!!!! Sandi and her family (and her China travel family) are extremely grateful for all you have done on her behalf during this stressful and difficult time. Your actions and God's abundant grace have moved mountains for Sandi and her family half way around the world. We are giving thanks to our Heavenly Father for His FAITHFULNESS and His love! Sandi thanks you from the bottom of her heart. Please do not forget her and Hannah in the coming weeks and months, as they will need our continued love and support! Thanks again for everything! Eva, Patrick, and the China travel family

Update on Sheldon Family

I am part of Sandi's travel group. I spoke to her this morning.She had a meeting at the consulate this morning and was told with 95%certainty that she will come home with Hannah as scheduled onSaturday. I also should've made clear from the beginning that therehas been absolutely fantastic and dedicated bi-lingual agencyrepresentative here with Sandi the entire time who is helping herthrough this process. Thanks to all who helped with the effort tobring her home. Our agency representative said all the phone callsdid make a difference.Rebecca Persick

Thank you!!

Thank you to everyone that made phone calls. We hear that that they are swamped with calls and we have been asked now to stop! LOL they get the picture! We want them home! The last I heard they are working on it. Thank you to everyone who has been praying!!! I will update again when I know more.

Please also remember to keep Tammy and Chad B and family in your prayers and she is having her surgery right now!!!

Urgent request

Please Pray for Sandi and Hannah to both come home!

The US Consulate in Guangzhou has denied Sandi Sheldon permission to proceed with the adoption of Hannah. They want her to fill out a new I-171 and are making no guarantees after that. Sandi, of course does not want to leave China and leave Hannah here because she has no where to go. Sandi needs our help desparately! Please start a massive campaign of calling to her US Congressman and US Senator and urge them to intervene on Sandi's behalf. We have discussed this with Sandi and she wants our help. Please pressure these elected officials to contact the State Department and straighten this out.

Sandi should not be denied Hannah's adoption because her husband passed away unexpectedly. The adoption has been finalized here in China.

Sandi's congressman is Mike Rogers.
His Washington office number is 202 225 4872.
His Michigan office number is 517 702 8000,
he also has a toll free number 1-877-33 3-MIKE.
Sandi's US Senator is Debbie Stabenow.
Her Washington DC number is 202 224 4822 and her Michigan office number is 517 203 1760. Everyone should try to help and call these people until we get final approval. We should continue to pray that her adoption is finalized quickly and that Sandi can return home to Michigan with Hannah. Thanks from everyone here in China. Patrick & Eva

When you contact these offices you can either send an email or call.

This is what you can tell them:

Sandra Sheldon is in China to adopt her daughter Hannah. While on the trip with her, her husband died. The adoption had been finalized before Dennis died. The US Consulate in Guangzhou has denied Sandi Sheldon permission to proceed with the adoption of Hannah. They want her to fill out a new I-171 and are making no guarantees after that. Sandi, of course does not want to leave China and leave Hannah here because she has no where to go. Sandi needs your help desperately! Please contact the State Department and straighten this out. Sandi should not be denied Hannah's adoption because her husband passed away unexpectedly. I know you care deeply about children. Anything you can do to help this family would be appreciated by all of us who have traveled like this to get our children.

Update on Sheldon Family

I just received an update from the Sheldon Family.

Sandi is doing as well as can be expected but the wonderful news is that Sandi and her new beautiful daughter will BOTH be able to fly home as scheduled on Saturday!! Thanks be to God!!
Thank you to all of you out there that prayed!! I know that it will have meant a ton to her!!!

A family needs prayer today!

I am a member of a yahoo group for families that adopted on of the children of Promise through Bethany. We have become quite a close knit group because we really focus on prayer and following the Lord's leading in all of our lives. Today I want to ask for Prayers for a woman named Sandi. She is actually fron Lansing, Mi (which for those not in Michigan is about 1 1/2 hours from where I live). Sandi and her husband are in China now adopting their little girl. This is their first child. We just found out a little while ago that Sandi's husband, Dennis, whent into a diabetic shock and passed away at one of the local hospitals. They have 6 days to go in China. Please pray for Sandi and Hannah. I cannot imagine what she is going through over there. Please also pray that our own INS does not give her a hard time about bringing this child home. The adoption has been approved but we never know what our own INS will do in this situation.

Also I found ou that Sandi's mother and brother are trying to get emergency visas to go and help. Please pray that these come through very quickly.

My heart is so hurting for this family. Thank you Lord that they are Christians.

Happy 9th birthday Heather!!

November 9, 1998!
Happy Birthday Heather!! I am so happy that 9 years ago today
God gave you to us! You are were one of the biggest surprises I ever
had and I am so greatful that you became our daughter!!!

May God continue to bless you!

We love you so much!!!!!!!!!!

Brenda's supposed Look-a-likes

How funny is this!!! LOL

Nate's look-a-likes

Pastor paul is home!!!!

Pastor Paul is home finally from a year's stint in Germany! He was there with the Navy Reserves as an
Navy Chaplain in Landsthul, Germany.
We decided to venture out late last night to welcome him home!! Joy really wanted us to come and we really didn't want to stay home!!:)

These are just some pictures of us waiting!!!

Joy, have I told you how wonderful you are and how much
I have enjoyed getting to know you!!!!

More pictures to follow!! They had the gate locked and
when he appeared they had to still get the gate unlocked!
I seriouly believe that either Nancy or Paul was going to either go
under the gate or break it down!! It was too cute!!!

Pastor Paul continued!!

I just love these two pictures!! Pastor Steve and Pastor Paul!!
for those of you who do not know they are both of our pastors a lighthouse and we
just love them!!!!

This was so touching!!!! Again for those of you who do not know this is Pastor
Paul's daughter. They hadn't seen each other in over a year!!!!

Pastor Paul continued!

Fundraisers

I know that it is 8 months away before my next mission trip to Haiti but I really need to start thinking about it and raising money.

Does anyone have any good fundraising ideas??!! I would love to hear from those out there that may have done this or really anyone. I will have to send out some letters but I really do not want to send one to someone that has already very graciously donated to me. I would love to do my own Avon fundraiser but not sure how that would work out.

These are the last of the pictures. I know you are are reading this backwards but it was easier for me!!! LOL

The kids slept most of the way home. They were so good on the way home.

Diane and Tori!!!

We feel so blessed that we were able to go on this trip to visit
the Livesays and meet some new friends. I am so sad that I did not get pictures of a wonderful
woman named Karla that we met. She is from Illinois and it was fun hanging out with her too. She has
two beautiful daughters from Haiti and we were blessed to get to meet her!!! Thank you to the Livesays
for letting us crash their party!!!! Diane and Tori we had a ton of fun with you guys and are so glad you
could go with us!!!!

Troy holding his "scabies Cake"

Nate and Lydia

Brenda and Lydia

Okay Troy hung himself with this picture. We actually left our Camera at
the church and Troy kindly brought it back for us. However as a lot of people know
I love trying to get goofy pictures of Troy. Well he took this himself thinking he would
be funny. However it kind of backfired on him because he then realized that I would indeed
post this picture!!! Here ya go Troy!!!

Britt and Britt's Grandma! This is Tara's mom!
Britt came back to our hotel and opened up her cards and gifts with us! It was a fun time!!