Spreading Christmas Cheer

Merry Christmas from my fun family to yours! 

We hope the coming year is full of laughter, love, and joy for you and your family! 

Linking up with Emily to spread more Christmas cheer. 

A Brief Look

I have much to share about my trip to China with Esther, but please don't get your hopes up with this post. Today is Embrace the Camera day and I have a super cool photo to post, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

Is that cool or what?  Esther and I on the Great Wall of China.  It was a super foggy, rainy day so it was beautiful and mysterious.  It seemed as if one could almost hear the Chinese Erhu playing in the background. We had a lovely time taking in the beauty, climbing huge steps, and listening to all the languages being spoken from tourists from around the world.  

Sharing more from our trip will gradually happen, but now I'm going to rest my weary jetlagged body because we got in late last night.  I will say that it was a wonderful trip full of quality time with Esther, great conversation with my friend Jamie, and personal processing for me. 

Traveling with My China Doll

Almost eight years ago, Esther and I took a trip to China. She was in first grade. We traveled with our good friend, Susan. We were on a journey to visit our dear family friend, Jamie, as well as some former students from Kansas, Ambre, Michael, and Brandon. 

This Saturday we have the privilege of traveling together to China again. 

I have been thinking about our coming trip non-stop. One of the goals I have for this trip is to continue to be discerning and very open with Esther about her thoughts about being adopted. Chad and I were blessed with Esther coming into our lives when she was 18 months old. We've been very, very open with her about our living in China for two years, talking with her about her birth mom, what it means to be adopted, and how God views adoption. Through the years she has had many questions, but continually has a very level-headed perspective through her thought process and emotions. That's really just the kind of kid she is. Level-headed in every way.

Experiencing this trip with Esther is a precious gift and I plan on treasuring every second of it.  Here are a few pictures from our first trip together. I will definitely share some photos when we return! 

She loved the buses, especially when they were empty and she could just enjoy the ride without being poked or grabbed. When we were on crowded buses, someone would usually put her in their lap to keep her safe. It's a great concept, but a little creepy for an American kid.  

 Jamie and Esther have had a special connection from the first day they met. Jamie called her Esther Rosalina. Esther called Jamie "my Jamie." Because of jet lag and culture stress, Esther was pretty tired and often wanted to be carried. Jamie usually obliged her. She would just bury her head in Jamie's shoulder and enjoy some reprieve from the cultural chaos she was enduring. I don't think Jamie will be able to carry Esther around this time, but maybe she can ride on the back of Jamie's bike! 

These were some of Jamie's local friends that owned a clock store. Esther was remarkably receptive to the older people that wanted to talk to her and hold her hand. I really love this photo! 

Let me just tell you that Esther could put the food away! Some things never change! Isn't her cute little haircut so adorable?  

There is no way I can really explain the significance of this picture. Esther and I are sitting in the garden where Chad and I first prayed that God would allow us to adopt a Chinese little girl. We prayed for her the summer before she was born. Esther and I sat in the garden and talked through the answer to prayer that she is in the actual place we prayed for her. It was overwhelming. I still get a lump in my throat when I look at this picture and take in the memory! 

This is my sweet girl seven years later. She is so beautiful and I don't just mean her looks.  This young lady continues to learn what it means to be clothed with strength and dignity. I pray our coming journey continues to bring her clarity in who she is in Christ, who she is as a Haynes family member, who she is as a Chinese-American young women, and who she is as a friend to people who love her deeply. I pray God teaches us both great and unsearchable things that we do not know! Thanks for praying for/with us! 

Embracing the camera because it's a great idea!  Linking up with Emily. 

Summertime

I know it's cliche, but posting about the summer in the Haynes' house just needs to be done.

First of all, it was noon when these pictures were taken.  Everyone was still in their pajamas, except me, but I was still in my gross work-out clothes from my morning spin class, so that's just as bad.  Our philosophy is "Why get dressed when you're just going to put your swim suit on later?" Another summer philosophy is "Why take a shower when you can just go swimming?" Chad doesn't particularly care for the second philosophy. He's a clean freak in every sense of the word.

Here is a typical summer day for my summer-lovin' family:

Chad is rearranging his office as he thoroughly cleans every nook and cranny.  Last week he offered to dust and vacuum the living room which of course I accepted. It took him a couple of hours because he dusted everything and moved all the furniture around.  It looks great, opened up the room, and gave us a nice change.  He's a worker. I like it.

Esther is going to High School in the fall.  She's usually asleep, texting, right by my side, or on her iPod touch.  She only gets dressed and brushes her hair when I tell her it's time.  

Because Chad was rearranging his office, all the photo albums were on the floor. Kyle and Carah took the opportunity to look.  You should know, they are always this happy and cuddly together.  Always.  Except when they are wrestling, bugging, or yelling at each other.

Morgan is my little artist. She is often found creating something. I think she is making a collage of some sort on the back of a round piece of cardboard she scavenged from who knows where.  So artistic...and cute.  

I was trying to make a blueberry/strawberry bowl for lunch, but these nerds kept bugging me.  Esther took a few shots.  In most of them, we all look really weird because we are weird.  This one captures us pretty well.  

One of my favorite things about summer is the fruit. We eat so many colorful, healthy, juicy, delicious fruits. I feel like such a great mom when I feed them foods like this. But, my very favorite thing about summer is having my kids home to spend time with. They are fun and make me laugh regularly.  

I hope you all are having a fabulous summer! What is your favorite season and why?

 I'm linking up to Emily because it's Embrace the Camera day! 

The Splash Zone

People, including my four crazy kids, were jumping of the roof into our pool this Saturday. The daring men were canon balling off the roof! The splashes were HUGE! We soaked it up.

For some strange reason I felt like I was adding safety to the situation by sitting on the side, you know, adding some cushion in case someone over-jumped. Always lookin' out for my friends!

I love this candid shot of me and my kiddos! Thanks for the great pic, John D! 

Happy summer! Wear sunscreen! Be safe! Have fun!! 

Welcome back to ETC, Emily! Hope you are feeling better! 

Embrace My Mom

Let's just say I was probably a difficult kid to raise.  I was pretty rebellious, very opinionated, and extremely independent.  I had moments of extreme joy and incredible despair. My mom walked with me through so much. I'm so grateful for my mom!  Happy Mother's Day!!

P.S. Mom, you don't need to reply with a mushy comment.  If you absolutely need to, just send me a text.  ;)