Breakfast in a Cookie

Here is a recipe that people have been asking me for.  I was looking for something that was fast and easy in the morning and good for you too.  I hope you like it.   My family does!!!

Breakfast_in_a_Cookie

My Three Princesses

On Saturday my oldest son got married.  My husband Jim did the ceremony.  It was an amazing day.  One of my favorite things about the day was getting ready for the wedding.  I had hired a girl from our church who does hair to come and help us get ready.  It was wonderful.  She showed up early in the morning and got to work.  The girls loved it.  They watched every little thing she did.  They were so interested in everything.  It was cute.  It was just a great time of mother daughter bonding.  I loved it!!!!!!!

Ian is a Married Man

It is Sunday morning and I am tired.  Yesterday was Ian and Ariana’s wedding.  Such a beautiful, God glorifying evening.  Words cannot express how special it was. 

Luke Dallas Vanderburg

My second son Luke has had many exciting things happen to him lately.   A couple of months ago he got his pilot’s license.  We have always known since he was a little boy he would be a pilot like his dad.  He is fascinated by anything that has to do with aviation.  I even went up with him on his first flight after he got his license.  He is a very good pilot.  I am so proud of him.  He wants to use his pilot skills for the Lord.

Luke just recently got his black belt in karate.  This is something that he has been working on and off for the last eight years.    As a family we have moved around a lot so it was hard to stay focused but he finally found a good dojo here in the Temecula area and got to work.  He has even influenced his little brother and my sister, Amy, to join the same dojo and they are on their way to being black belts too.

Last but now least, Luke turned 18 on May 29th.  We had a big party for him to celebrate.  We all had a good time.  His new sisters joined in on the fun.  It was a big success!!  Luke works part time at Sky Dive Elsinore.  He helps around with whatever they need for him to do.  He fuels the plane and he puts jumpers on the plane.  He has never been able to jump because you have to be 18.  Well, for his 18th birthday they let him jump.  He already knew who he was going to jump with and everything.  My husband Jim sometimes flies the planes out there so on this special jump Jim flew the plane.  My mom rode in the right seat and Luke was in the back ready to jump out.  I was on the ground with the camera!  My sister, Jennifer, and my dad were with me.  What a day!!!!   Of course, Luke loved it and he is ready to go again.  What a life!!!  I am so happy and thankful that I get to be the mother of all of these amazing kids.  God is good!!!!  Well, what is next….  Oh yeah, Ian is getting married on Saturday!!!!

Ian Graduates From College

On May 23, 2009 my oldest son, Ian, graduated from Biola University. He graduated with a degree in Cultural Anthropology. The graduation ceremony was a wonderful representation of God and how He is actively working in the hearts of these graduates. Jim and I are so proud of and so thankful for Ian. Oh baby, this is just the beginning of an amazing life. We love you so much!!!!

It Has Been A Long Time

I am amazed at how long it has been since I posted my last blog entry.  I guess I have been a little busy!!!   I don’t even know where to begin to tell how things have been going since the girls have been home.   I know what I thought would happen.  I know I had certain expectations but I didn’t know how I would really feel or what would really happen.  How can you know?  You just have to live it.

I am so thankful that God allowed us to adopt three of the sweetest girls you could ever meet.  They are so beautiful, caring, loving girls.  They are simply a delight.  One thing that hasn’t changed since they have gotten home is how thankful they are when I give them their clean laundry.  It is so cute.  They always let out a little gasp and thank me for giving them their clothes back.  I was surprised at their reaction at first and now I love it.  It is certainly different from when I give my boys their laundry.    They also love going to church.  At first they were shy because so many people wanted to greet them and hug them but now they love all of the attention.  I am so thankful that they enjoy church.  I even hear them try to sing the worship songs and it brings tears to my eyes.  Our hope is that they will truly come to know Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him.

Some of the things that I didn’t expect were how I would react to certain situations.  When these girls came into our home they completely made themselves at home.   I know that sounds like a great thing but I wasn’t ready for my reaction to it … Like, ” that’s my chair and this is my house and who do you think you are? “  I was totally not ready for my reaction.  It surprised me and I didn’t like it at all.  I felt I was in my home with strangers walking around.  At first it was so hard!!!!!  I would go in my room and ask God what was wrong with me?  Where did these feelings come from.  I felt terrible.  Thankfully, I have other friends who have adopted older kids and they were able to tell me that my reaction was normal.  They had felt the same way.  I have to say, time does make it better.  I just have to get to know them and I am.  It is wonderful.

This adoption has made me strong.  My husband has said to me recently that he is seeing a side of me that he never knew.  I am too.  It is weird.  God is growing me.  I am doing things I never knew I could do.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God wanted us to adopt these girls.   That is how I am able to get through some of the hard days.  This is for His glory.  I know He has some great things in store for all of us.  I am looking forward to seeing what they are.

My Girls are Home!!!!

What a wonderful Valentine’s present.  My husband and girls arrived home.  We had a great group of folks at the airport for their arrival.  Ariana, Ian’s fiance had made a big “Welcome Home” sign.  It was beautiful.  Thanks to everyone who came out and helped us greet them.  They were worn out and tired from the flight but they still managed a smile.  Sunday morning we were even able to go to church for one service.  Everyone wanted to see the girls they had prayed for for so long.  My mom and dad had a great dinner for us in the evening.  We had a wonderful day.

We had lots of Beanie babies left over from my boys when they were little.  The girls found them and placed them all over the house.  They are trying to decorate.  It is so cute.  Their rooms are immaculate and everything is in its place.  I wonder how long that will last!!! Someone even made my bed before I could get to it.

Last night I helped Miranda in the bath.  We have a large tub in our bathroom.  We filled it up with water and lots of bubbles.  I washed and conditioned her hair.  As I was pouring the water over her hair and she was closing her eyes enjoying the warmth I wondered if anyone had ever really done this for her.  Just pampering her and loving her, just spending time alone with her.  We blow dried her hair and washed her face really good. I had so much fun.  I think I am going to like this.  My dream come true.  Some girls to love!!!!!

Jim and the Girls are on their Way!

Our whole family is rejoicing this morning.  We got the news that Jessica’s TB test is negative.  Long story short,  Jim has their visas and he is on his way home with his new daughters tomorrow.   Needless to say, we will be at the airport with bells on!!  Thank you to everyone who prayed for this situation.  Please continue to pray as now our new lives will begin.  Lord, help me be the best mom I can be to these precious daughters.

We are Sad. :(

I talked with Jim this morning. The girls had their medicals done at the US embassy. They found something questionable on Jessica’s X-ray. Jim and the girls were scheduled to come home on Thursday night. Now, because of what they found they have to do some more testing. Jessica has to undergo a three day test to see if she has active TB. They will know the results on Friday afternoon Kiev time. We will know Friday morning. Anyway, we are devastated to say the least. We are hoping that what they found is nothing serious and Jessica can come home and join our family. We don’t even want to think about what will happen if she has an active case of TB. Please pray with us. Poor, poor Jessica. Jim said that she is very sad. They all are. Jim said that when they got back from the Embassy they got in a circle and prayed and hugged and cried together. My dear husband. I can’t even imagine all the emotions he is going through.

On a lighter note Jim told me how nicely the girls are taking care of him. He said that when they arrived at their apartment in Kiev, Karina made up his bed for him and organized all his toiletries. Jessica made a nice dinner with the food they bought at the store. Miranda enjoyed a hot bath and washed and dried her hair. She kept thanking Papa for letting her do it. Jim says they are so sweet. He is enjoying them so much.

We are praying that they will come home on Saturday. I can’t think of a better Valentines Day present.

Happy Valentines Day!!!!!

On the Train to Kiev!

I just talked with Jim. He was at the train station waiting to board the train for Kiev. The girls are now officially with him forever. They left the orphanage this morning. Jim said the goodbyes to their friends went very well. I think he was expecting lots of tears. There were a few but no one was hysterical. They then went to say good bye to Olga, the orphanage director. She gave them a pep talk and encouraged them to keep in touch. He said that they had a wonderful day together before getting on the train. He is enjoying them and how they are enjoying all of their new adventures. When I talked with him they were trying out a coffee machine that was at the train station. Jim’s heart was so full and happy. It brought tears to my eyes as he talked about his new daughters. I think we are going to have to fight over them!!!!! Well, when he is in Dubai I will get them all to myself!!! Thank you so much for your prayers for us and all of your encouragement. This is our new mission field.

Inside the train. Cozy!!!