Jul 27, 2012
5 little ones
Grateful this morning for running water, our sweet babysitter teammate accountability friend, the Word, and these 5 precious little ones across the way-
Jul 25, 2012
Undeserving
Often feel overwhelmed to be a recipient of such grace- mostly, of course- in my justification through the blood of Jesus and being adopted into God's family. But also many other sweet answers to prayer- to your prayers- that are sacrificially prayed for us. That people would strive together with us in prayer is so humbling sweet!
Craig and I just finished a month of a new budget system that we've loved, thankful! And had thought about different things, just again felt like we were totally on the same page about everything, which is often the case in our (8 years today!) marriage. Both of our response was, people must be praying, God has been gracious. Not to mention the long list of things we've written down recently of other instances of these things, feel so silly...of course there are many heartaches too. Littler ones like wanting to be at Conference Point with our family this year! And what do we do when Abraham has a fever in the middle of China? And why can't we play on the nice grass- being told we're killing it if we play on it... Or bigger ones- for the little orphans, loneliness of friends and myself, missing loved ones, unmet hopes, messy relationships, neglected children, perishing millions...
But I am thankful this morning...
For cleaned windows
For a happy marriage with a happy husband
For healthy kids
For sweet visits and late night talks with 2 sweet girls
For fun family nights
For yummy cupcakes
For a growing in compassion and thoughtfulness- helper Hudson (asked me if we could take one of the orphans home- a little 6 mo old girl- who was really laughing at Hudson)
For our hard working Spring Girl on the piano! Oh I'd quit in frustration before she does when she's not getting the rhythm right, but she perseveres!
For our sensitive 3 yr old- and his sweet sweet smiles for mama.
For a healthy 10 mo old- fever is gone, spots all over, but he's feeling better
For surprises from my kids- (a cleaned room!)
For generous packages sent!
For new sisters met
For a lunch that only Craig and Hudson went to- and that they both did a good job eating clams, snails, shrimp, squid and flowers among other strange things!
For a stinker 10 year old who comes daily to our apt and reminds me of the love my Father showed me in my even worse stinkerness
Craig and I just finished a month of a new budget system that we've loved, thankful! And had thought about different things, just again felt like we were totally on the same page about everything, which is often the case in our (8 years today!) marriage. Both of our response was, people must be praying, God has been gracious. Not to mention the long list of things we've written down recently of other instances of these things, feel so silly...of course there are many heartaches too. Littler ones like wanting to be at Conference Point with our family this year! And what do we do when Abraham has a fever in the middle of China? And why can't we play on the nice grass- being told we're killing it if we play on it... Or bigger ones- for the little orphans, loneliness of friends and myself, missing loved ones, unmet hopes, messy relationships, neglected children, perishing millions...
But I am thankful this morning...
For cleaned windows
For a happy marriage with a happy husband
For healthy kids
For sweet visits and late night talks with 2 sweet girls
For fun family nights
For yummy cupcakes
For a growing in compassion and thoughtfulness- helper Hudson (asked me if we could take one of the orphans home- a little 6 mo old girl- who was really laughing at Hudson)
For our hard working Spring Girl on the piano! Oh I'd quit in frustration before she does when she's not getting the rhythm right, but she perseveres!
For our sensitive 3 yr old- and his sweet sweet smiles for mama.
For a healthy 10 mo old- fever is gone, spots all over, but he's feeling better
For surprises from my kids- (a cleaned room!)
For generous packages sent!
For new sisters met
For a lunch that only Craig and Hudson went to- and that they both did a good job eating clams, snails, shrimp, squid and flowers among other strange things!
For a stinker 10 year old who comes daily to our apt and reminds me of the love my Father showed me in my even worse stinkerness
Jun 20, 2012
Recent happenings
Oh my…poor neglected blog!
Much grace over the last few weeks- thankful-
- for good Skype connections
- for new work visas!
- for our adoption in Christ
- for good work going on in fighting abortion
- for a smily 9 mo old
- for a great eater 3 yr old
- for a super helper 5 yr old
- for a responsible 6 yr old
- for remembering
- for dust storms, and thunder storms! and no humidity!
- for a sweet visit with family
- for good books
- Wonderland - a fun arcade near our house :)
- we hear the speech that is being poured out day to day in the heavens (Ps 19) here in our new home
- easy to find oats
- and much more…
And some quotes heard around the apt:
From our 6 year old- truth loving- boy, who doesn't often say funny things…
On marriage- telling Gracie she can't marry one of their friends, "Gracie you can't marry your friends or relations!" (We've been reading lots of Pooh lately :))
And on living in the deep hole we saw outside, "If you're going to live you will need a phone, water and food." He KNOWS it- gotta check those scores ;)
And Tito…much to say these days-
"Jesus has super power. And a cape…"
"We should go in the bathy and put soap on our chins and be like Jesus"
(while alone in his room, into the fan) "I love you Daddy Adam Coady, I love you Huddy John Coady, I love you Aber Harwood Coady, I love you Titus Jay Coady, I love you Gracie Joanie Coady…" :)
Some recent pics- (a few instagram repeats)
Clouds! and blue skies :)
with Mimi and Papa at the Yellow River
a neighbor friend who is often at our house (a fun new b'ball buddy for Huddy)
on our Hong Kong visa run
the baber (doing what he does- being sweet) with Mimi
at home on the subway in Hong Kong
power out!
little rascal
visit from our sweet friends!!
picnic :)
new bath! our first in China
May 11, 2012
Our fall boy and summer baby
We recently realized we've got a child born in each season...
Huddy, our fall boy- just turned 6 and a half! I don't know why it seems SO old! Just lost his 8th tooth...Not sure what I think about this :) And his little buddy (who has a special affection for his oldest brother) is now 8 months! The last month was a big one for Abey...getting his first tooth, starting to wave at us (gave Hudson his first big wave when he woke up a week or so ago), he's cruising around everywhere, is already liking the computer and phone more than other toys (where did our innocent little baby go?), and got through his first stomach bug in China. (So thankful he is 8 months and not 1 month and needing to go to the ER like we did in IL!)
A few recent pics:
Huddy, our fall boy- just turned 6 and a half! I don't know why it seems SO old! Just lost his 8th tooth...Not sure what I think about this :) And his little buddy (who has a special affection for his oldest brother) is now 8 months! The last month was a big one for Abey...getting his first tooth, starting to wave at us (gave Hudson his first big wave when he woke up a week or so ago), he's cruising around everywhere, is already liking the computer and phone more than other toys (where did our innocent little baby go?), and got through his first stomach bug in China. (So thankful he is 8 months and not 1 month and needing to go to the ER like we did in IL!)
A few recent pics:
May 4, 2012
Our middle 2
Many of you have been especially remembering our sensitive little 3rd born over the past few months of transition. We are thankful and thankful for evidence of greater peace in his heart and joy. He has even picked up his old habit of telling us that he is happy and asking if we are too. :)
among other funny things:
He likes his "ANGRY hair" (Spiky hair)- which I ended up cutting with scissors (the buzzer is traumatizing for him)- I'm having haircut regret now...
When asked if he likes living in China a couple days ago he said, "yes living in china and our new home in china and eating cereal." (which ironically we do waaaay less here :))
When craig was out shooting off fireworks with our neighbor and a friend of his (who gave them to Gracie for her birthday (seriously)), the kids were discussing who was who out the window- titus looked at me with his trademark one eyebrow up and said "is that you out there?" "or is that you?" pointing to me...:)
He's winking (blinking) lots - often after eating something and with a thumbs up telling me "it's pretty good"
He's also often asking to go to friends and family's homes back in the states, this is sad for both him and me- he does seem to be our most sensitive...but is doing really well- we are so thankful.
Here he is with his usual many layers (sometimes 5 short sleeve shirts!):
And Gracie...the other poor, neglected middle child...ha!...she is also full of interesting things to say...
(While peeling carrots) "Hudson, did you know carrots make you glow?" You can imagine what our oldest, truth-loving Hudson said...Gracie apparently learned this from an older friend :)
Craig yesterday asked all the kids at the table if they could be one animal, what they would be- GJ (immediately)- "A Unicorn!" :) and then Titus, "A Bug! A SSSCCOOORRRPPIIOONN!" (scorpion)- to which everyone responded, "But Tony (a friend who arrives on the train this afternoon for a visit from Beijing, who also informed the kids of his eating adventures in Wang Fu Jing when we saw him last) might eat you!!" ha...
I asked GJ a couple days ago to fold some laundry for her chore (hadn't asked her to do that before)- she picked up my phone, tried to look up "How to fold clothes" ha! Craig ended up helping her find an article and she followed the photo directions and folded the whole basket- (and was upset that I folded the other 3 baskets while she was sleeping!)...I like the outlook here :)
Thankful for these guys...and much more grace here...
among other funny things:
He likes his "ANGRY hair" (Spiky hair)- which I ended up cutting with scissors (the buzzer is traumatizing for him)- I'm having haircut regret now...
When asked if he likes living in China a couple days ago he said, "yes living in china and our new home in china and eating cereal." (which ironically we do waaaay less here :))
When craig was out shooting off fireworks with our neighbor and a friend of his (who gave them to Gracie for her birthday (seriously)), the kids were discussing who was who out the window- titus looked at me with his trademark one eyebrow up and said "is that you out there?" "or is that you?" pointing to me...:)
He's winking (blinking) lots - often after eating something and with a thumbs up telling me "it's pretty good"
He's also often asking to go to friends and family's homes back in the states, this is sad for both him and me- he does seem to be our most sensitive...but is doing really well- we are so thankful.
Here he is with his usual many layers (sometimes 5 short sleeve shirts!):
And Gracie...the other poor, neglected middle child...ha!...she is also full of interesting things to say...
(While peeling carrots) "Hudson, did you know carrots make you glow?" You can imagine what our oldest, truth-loving Hudson said...Gracie apparently learned this from an older friend :)
Craig yesterday asked all the kids at the table if they could be one animal, what they would be- GJ (immediately)- "A Unicorn!" :) and then Titus, "A Bug! A SSSCCOOORRRPPIIOONN!" (scorpion)- to which everyone responded, "But Tony (a friend who arrives on the train this afternoon for a visit from Beijing, who also informed the kids of his eating adventures in Wang Fu Jing when we saw him last) might eat you!!" ha...
I asked GJ a couple days ago to fold some laundry for her chore (hadn't asked her to do that before)- she picked up my phone, tried to look up "How to fold clothes" ha! Craig ended up helping her find an article and she followed the photo directions and folded the whole basket- (and was upset that I folded the other 3 baskets while she was sleeping!)...I like the outlook here :)
Thankful for these guys...and much more grace here...
Apr 17, 2012
Can our little princess really be 5?
So so thankful for Gracie Jo and 5 years with my girl...
thankful for her helpfulness- often asking how she can help, how she loves serving our guests
her compassion- always jumping at the chance to calm a crying brother
her love of reading- when the boys were telling me what they wanted to do tonight (a pillow pile made into stairs, combined with hide and seek and freeze tag- thank you Bryn! :))- GJ said, "I just want to relax and read books" :)
her style the way she rides her bike through our complex with 8 princess dolls in the front, one princess bear tied with a ribbon to the back, a silver helmet, heart jacket, flower tights, poofy skirt, gym shoes and a backpack (and sometimes swimming goggles)
her growing love for Jesus a few weeks after moving into our new home sweet Grace in a moment of clarity asked about what it meant to be a Christian...we talked and since then she's been very thankful that she is now "a Christian"
a few pics from the big day- (including her biggest gift- from a neighbor- a huge box of fireworks that him and craig later shot off for our viewing pleasure! :))
thankful for her helpfulness- often asking how she can help, how she loves serving our guests
her compassion- always jumping at the chance to calm a crying brother
her love of reading- when the boys were telling me what they wanted to do tonight (a pillow pile made into stairs, combined with hide and seek and freeze tag- thank you Bryn! :))- GJ said, "I just want to relax and read books" :)
her style the way she rides her bike through our complex with 8 princess dolls in the front, one princess bear tied with a ribbon to the back, a silver helmet, heart jacket, flower tights, poofy skirt, gym shoes and a backpack (and sometimes swimming goggles)
her growing love for Jesus a few weeks after moving into our new home sweet Grace in a moment of clarity asked about what it meant to be a Christian...we talked and since then she's been very thankful that she is now "a Christian"
a few pics from the big day- (including her biggest gift- from a neighbor- a huge box of fireworks that him and craig later shot off for our viewing pleasure! :))
Apr 16, 2012
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