Snowy Catch-Up Pace

Hey, everybody,

I'm back after a few slow, snowy, icy days of radar watching,finger crossing, hot chocolate making, and scarf and earmuff wearing. East Tennessee did get some snow and freezing rain over the weekend, and we've been out enjoying it as much as we can with Ava. She has another fever so we're back inside today catching up on photos and laundry- both of which never end! Our little family was hoping for a good sledding snow down our big hill, but it didn't come this time. We settled for a wagon ride and a few ice snowballs. :)

I thought I'd go back into the 2009 picture archives and reflect on what Ava was doing this time last year and see how much she's grown and changed! I'll post a few comparison pictures today for fun. These are a few from this time last January/February. She was content to just look at Saki last January. Not so anymore!













Today is the last day of January, and I'm quietly observing her today as she goes about her 17-month old activities. I marvel at how quickly she's learning new things and how quickly time has flown by. She keeps us guessing with what she'll try next.

Last night, I was cutting a raw red pepper to put in our omelets and I wondered what Ava would do if I gave her a tiny piece. She ended up eating 1/4 of the pepper and kept saying, "more." She loves them! I just started eating them in whatever form at 35. The two veggies she doesn't like right now that we've tried are green beans and broccoli. I keep re-introducing them and disguising them, but she can pick them out even under things, in things and covered with cheese.

Here are a few recent pics.










I have really enjoyed sharing this blog with everyone, and it is my hope that I'll continue to be diligent in sharing life with Ava and the journey to Maia with you. There's never a dull moment around here!

On another note, I really need a word from the Lord today. I feel off-kilter, and I know why. I haven't spent time with Him today or the last few days to be completely honest. I sense Him calling, so I'm going to go.

No where in the Bible does it say to seek first doing loads of laundry and organizing my photos, but somehow I end up there. UGH.

Blessings, rest and peace to everyone,

Emily

Welcoming 2010!

Ava laid down for a long winter's nap today, and I told her that when she woke up, it would likely be snowing! Blount County is waiting to see how much we get, and I've been checking radar every hour or so. All I can see is blue! We're crossing our fingers for a good sledding snow! A Radio Flyer kind!

I realize that it's almost February, but I wanted to go back into January and catch up on what we've been up to. I'm really behind because of illnesses! When we got home from spending Christmas in Maryland, we headed to my Aunt Jill and Uncle Rick's house for our annual family tradition of celebrating New Year's Day with an awesome meal! Black-eyed peas are a traditon for us as with many families, and we all get our fill. This meal is especially delicious because it's different from the holiday casseroles and turkey and dressing. We have a delicious ham, Mexican cornbread, maccaroni and cheese, asian slaw, black-eyed peas and banana pudding. We all say that we love this meal as much or more than all the other holiday meals.

Here are a few pictures from our time together. My cousin, Lacy, wasn't able to be there, and my cousin, Wes, had to leave early for a wedding. We had a great time ushering in 2010! It still seems so strange to write that!

Enjoying the meal - Mom, Aunt Syd, cousin, Katie, and Aunt Jill. The men-folk were in anothe room while we ladies had girl time. This kitchen holds so many family memories. It remains one of our most special gathering places. This house was originally built by my great-grandparents long ago. You can imagine how much cooking has taken place here!



Someone gave Ava a cell phone to play with much to her delight!



Hello?



Happy New Year, Mimi and Papa!



Hugs with Aunt Syd and Aunt Jill



Fun with Uncle Lonnie and Aunt Syd



Uncle Rick, Aunt Jill and Katie time



We were there, too, but didn't get pictures of us with our camera! I'll have to get those from Mom.

Here comes the snow! Whoohoo!

Simplicity

Hey, everyone,

I've been absent from the blog for a few days trying to catch up on a few things after Ava and I were both sick. We're both feeling much better, and I hope to be blogging again very soon. We're expecting some severe winter weather towards the end of the week, so I'll keep you out-of-towners posted. For you in-towners, do you have bread and milk? ha. It's going fast!

I'm trying my best to simplify some more this new year - unburden myself with heavy loads that I don't need to carry. I had to skip the opening lesson of my bible study on simplicity today because of my business! Ugh. They were doctor and dental appointments, but still. I'm going to go read a Lee Brothers cookbook right now, and simply enjoy the moment of reading about radish butter. A Sabbath moment just to be still and enjoy something I love - cooking and good food!

Trying to have more Sabbath moments of just reflecting, enjoying, simplifying, looking around me, taking it all in, and being grateful. Today I noticed how the sunshine hit the tops of the long grass, er, weeds that surround our property. That was a Sabbath moment for me. Thank you, God, for sunshine! I don't want to be too busy to notice sunshine, you know?

Oh, and thank you so much to those of you who've recently left me comments. It's great to hear from you, Suzette!!! Treva, I need your new phone number. :)

I'll post more pictures very soon. Ava is a bundle of energy and is learning things so quickly! Today, she said, "I love you." It's more like I wuuvub ewww, but it's so sweet! She's now 17 months old. One word would describe much of her day right now.

Climbing.

I seriously think she could climb a tree.

Let the ropes courses and rapelling begin.

Have a great end of the week, everybody! Stay warm.

Special Visitors

In the late summer of 1999, I accepted a position to teach sixth grade mathematics at Maryville Middle School. This particular class of students became so dear to me, and there are many that have become not just former students, but friends. Many are finishing college now and are engaged, and it has been so special to watch these guys and gals grow up. I have a deep love for each of them and wish them all the very best.

On New Year's Eve day, I opened the front door to a very special visit. This next group of photos is of a family that has become so precious to me because of a student I had that 1999 school year who had just moved here with her family from Nagoya, Japan. My relationship with Manami Yamanaka and her family has grown throughout the years, and I would travel the ocean to tell them how much they mean to me. Manami and her Dad are in Michigan, working and studying, her brother Satoshi is at Elon and her Mom, Kumiko, and little brother, Yusuke, are here in Maryville.

Kumiko, Manami, Ava and Takanosuke



At a very young age, probably middle school, the Lord planted a fierce love for Japanese people in my heart. My journey so far has been dotted with encounters with Japanese people. I can see the Lord's hand in so many of the encounters, and I know it's not just coincidence.

Jesus living in my heart and changing me from the inside out means many things - salvation, peace, trust, freedom, and also His love for other people. I've always felt that He gave me a special love for the nation of Japan for a reason. I honestly think He's given me a taste of how passionately He feels about them.

Some time in the fall or spring of early 2000, Ben and I attended a missions weekend at our church and we sat in on a talk from two missionaries to Japan that our church supports. They showed a video about the people of Japan that night, and I remember something very strange but wonderful happening to me. I began weeping, but it wasn't a weeping that was normal. I couldn't stop the tears from streaming down my face. I remember how warm they were and how constant they were. I've always thought it was a spiritual cry- almost as if the Lord was breaking my heart for that nation and its people.

Thus began a series of encounters with Japanese people throughout the years that continues to this day. I pursue this family and many others and my dear friend, Junko, with earnest prayer. I can't speak their language very well- I've learned quite a bit, but I'm not fluent - but the Holy Spirit can speak on their behalf and make intercession for these precious friends of mine. I'm trusting that He's setting up opportunities for them to hear the gospel in His timing. I've tried by utmost at times to present it to them, but one thing I've learned, is that it's not me that saves. It's the Holy Spirit, and oh, how I rely on Him and trust Him!

I often tell the Lord. "Lord, you KNOW how much they MEAN to me."

I pray that He'll continue to break my heart for this great nation and gracious people and that I'll continue to have divine encounters, be them in a classroom or on my sophomore hall in college, or on aisle 5 of Wal-Mart or in Jazzercise.

Accepting Christ into my heart long ago included Him developing a love in me that I don't fully understand and never knew was possible - a love for the people of Japan.

Kokoro wo komete - from the heart.

This is Tyler-san. His real Japanese name is Takanosuke. He and Ava had a ball together. Ava was very taken with him!



Us girls



Me and sweet Manami. She's not a sixth grader anymore!



This is a New Years Tradition in Japan and was their gift to Ava. Her name is Fuji and it means spring blossoms.

Break and Refreshment

Boy. These last few days have been a whirlwind. Ava had a stomach bug/cold last week, and I later deveolped what the doctors called a flu-like virus. I was extremely fatigued and even though I don't have any other symptoms, I'm still fatigued. Better, but not a whole lot of energy.

What's comical is that the doctor said that they were going to run two tests. A flu test and a pregnancy test. They said, "It'll be about 15 minutes. Just wait right here."

So, I picked up my Seed Savers Exchange catalog I'd brought to "entertain" me, and tried to read about spinach and lima beans for 15 minutes! I don't really remember a single thing I read about vegetables. I just kept thinking, flu or pregnant? So, flu-like virus. Ok.

Ava now has another fever, as of last night, but I think it might be a teething fever. Her canines are coming in quickly.

Needless to say, I'm taking a little break. I've been on a scheduling roll with the blog, but I'm zapped right now. I have some really fun pictures coming up to load, so keep checking back. They'll be up here toward the end of the week. Throw in getting an impression made of my lower teeth yesterday only to have it break sometime late yesterday afternoon and having to go back in today to get another one made, and I'm pooped. Was that a run on sentence?

I'm going to drink some green tea now and soak up some Psalms. I need some refreshment that's not in the form of Icebreakers breath mints or an open window warm breeze. Ah.. yesterday was so nice.

Today, I'm dry and feel Him calling.

Come.

Sit down with me.

Let's have a chat.

It's so amazing to me that I serve a living God that is present in Haiti and present with me here - in this place of green tea and seeking.

How awesome is He! Stunningly awesome!

Ok.

Love to everyone.

Sweet Celebrations!

Off to Sweet Celebrations...

When we got home and unpacked and became somewhat settled, my dear friend, Patty Boss, called me and said that she and her daughter, Jennifer, were in town from Tyrone, GA and that they'd like to get together. These are always VERY special visits. Patty was the person I had a divine appointment with in the spring of 2008 at Sweet Celebrations Bakery, who God used to lead us to Ava. We decided to meet there to remember and rejoice!

Leyanne and her girls came, too! Leyanne and her husband, Kenny, owned the bakery that year and sold it soon after Ben and I had decided to pursue the adoption of Ava. We all just marvel at how God orchestrated the whole thing! They'll always be very special extended family in our family. I had Leyanne and Kenny's daughter, Lauren, in sixth grade in 1999/2000. Boy, if I could have seen what that relationship would become in 2008! Lauren was very dear to me, and now her whole family is!

Some sweet pictures...

Patty, Jennifer and Leyanne's girls all gather around Ava to open her Christmas presents.



Patty, me and Ava in front of the baked goods area. Such a familiar place!! Josh still makes the most amazing mini cream pies.



Peering in at the cupcakes. Famous for the red velvet ones.



I snapped this picture and didn't think much about it, but there's a little story here. As part of my job, I would wipe down tables very frequently. Baked goods are always so messy! Anyway, I remember this table as it was one of the last ones I would wipe down. I remember fighting back tears one day after some friends left with their children. This was before the divine appointment. I looked down at that dirty little paper towel, wiping the mess left behind and wiping tears away, still wondering why in the world I was in this place - still waiting.

When I looked at this picture today, I realized that Ava is sitting underneath that same table where my tears were "falling." So, you know me, I started thinking about this. Sometimes, the richest blessings lie hidden beneath the "dirty paper towels and tears" of this life. Some we get to realize here on Earth, and some will only be seen under the tables in Heaven.

Open our eyes, Lord, so that we may see you and catch a glimpse of you along this journey home!



This turned out a little fuzzy, but from left to right are Patty, me, Ava and Leyanne.



Patty and Ava



The girls doting on Ava



We had such a great time visiting and catching up with each other. Here's to sweet celebrations!

Nibali Christmas Gathering

Our final day before heading home was spent relaxing with family in the morning at home and preparing to celebrate Christmas with the Nibali side of the family later that afternoon. The Ravens were playing, so most folks went over to Jenn and Chuck's house early to catch the game, and Ben, Ava, Uncle Vince and I came later to celebrate with everyone.

We had a delicious meal and enjoyed catching up with this side of the family who we really miss seeing. It seems like I never have enough quality time to talk with everyone I want to talk to! I love one on ones, and it was fun to be with some very special relatives we love.

Here... are... some... more... pictures! Can you tell we had a marathon Christmas weekend? We had a grand time! I even managed to bring a dip this year! An accomplishment for me with all the craziness. :) Thank you for hosting this get together, Jenn!


Ava opens a shopping buggy from Aunt Barb. She climbed on top, and we went for a ride!



I am bummed I didn't get a picture of Ava with Aunt Diane and Uncle Bob! I just named Ava's star in the international star registry. That was their gift to Ava with a really cute stuffed frog. I named it Faith, and it's in the Cassiopeia constellation somewhere north of the Equator. We'll have fun looking for that!

Playing ball in the foyer. Auntie Jenn had the perfect spot for Ava to sit and play ball with several members of the family.



The Nibali crowd exchanging gifts.



Where I spent most of my time this evening - on the stairs! Cousin Chase is so good with Ava and came to chat with us.



Eating cherry pie with Uncle Jeff



Hanging out in the kitchen with Uncle Rich, Auntie Jenn, Aunt Barb and Uncle Vince



Feeding Grandma a tangelo. She fed a lot of people!



Barb and Rich stayed a little while longer and Barb and Ava got to play in the kitchen together!

Helping the People of Haiti

Tonight, I just sat down after putting Ava to bed and saw the images that many of you have seen as well, and I wept. I wept for the people of the poorest country in the Western Hemishphere, where the majority survive on less than a dollar a day.

I just ordered a bookshelf today.

I often wonder why I've been so blessed and others are struggling for even basic nessecities - clean water, food, medicine, shelter.

I don't know the answer the that question. I really don't.

But I know God is there. He's in the hearts and hands of feet of the hundreds of thousands that are trying to help in some way to provide some kind of relief. The body of Christ.

Each victim is the least of these. Giving to them is giving to Jesus. Here are some ways you can really help if you're wondering what to do.

This is from a good friend of mine in Oklahoma that is a fellow China adoption Mom.

"We have a friend in Ohio who is in the process of adopting a little boy, Rob, from Haiti. His orphanage has been greatly affected by the earthquake, but the children are safe. They need food, water and supplies. If you go to the Pioneer Woman's blog and make a comment, she will donate 10cents for each comment (there are almost 14,000 already). http://thepioneerwoman.com/confessions/ In your comment, if you will mention Rob's orphanage, it will be in a drawing for one of two $500 donations to be given on Friday also. The orphanages site is http://www.forhisgloryoutreach.org/home Thanks for taking the time to help little Rob and the other orphans in this orphanage!!!"


Compassion International is an organization much like World Vision that I fully trust. I've seen first hand what a little bit can do in the lives of people in a poor and desperate foreign country. They have gathered a list of basic needs and the dollar amounts for each. Click on this link. The word link is not highlighting for some reason so just click on the word link. I'll leave this up for a few days and then the regularly scheduled posts will appear.

There is great need.

A Day of Rest and Special Time with the May Family!

After breakfast on the 26th, Ava got into some mischief in the pantry!



Ahhh.

We always look forward to the inbetween extended family gatherings day with Uncle Chuck, Auntie Jenn, Chase and Evan. We get to celebrate Christmas, relax and just hang out and catch up since we don't see each other all that often. Of course, Jenn and I DO have marathon phone conversations every once in awhile! :) Ben and Chuck marvel that we could have stuff to talk about for that long! Girl stuff.

They came over about 3:30 to eat dinner with us and hang out. Here are some fun celebratory photos of our time together.


Eating a relaxing dinner together



Cousin Evan, me and Ava sharing a special moment with Ava's new musical toys. Things are about to get louder!



Daddy reads Ava the Christmas book from Chuck, Jenn, Chase and Evan. She loves the jingle bell sounds it makes!



Cousin Chase is having fun with a snack and his book.




Auntie Jenn made a really cute beach book for Ava that she loves. Cousin Evan actually took the picture on the front cover. Budding photographer?



Grandma and Ava play with matroshka dolls together.



Granddaddy and Uncle Chase reading Tin Tin together.

Christmas Day Celebrations!

Later Christmas morning, Granddaddy, Ben and Uncle Vince went outside to shovel the driveway so the Cook side of the family could arrive safely. One vehicle already slid off the side of the driveway the night before into the snow, and here are the guys trying to shove it over the rest of the way. Heave, ho!



Hi ho, hi ho...



Around four o'clock, Grandma Cook, Aunt Marg and Uncle Russ and Uncle John showed up with lots of cousins, and the festivities began. We took a few family pictures, and we hung out and caught up with relatives we haven't seen in a long while. Next, we ate a delicious meal as a family and then headed downstairs to do the cousin gift exchange. We were all to bring a present around $20 and draw numbers to choose gifts. A few steals are always part of the game! We all had a great time! We ended up fittingly, with a MagnaDoodle for Ava. Thanks, Nate!

A few formal shots! The Nibali siblings, Jenn, Ben and Vince.



Uncle Chuck, Auntie Jenn, Chase and Evan



Cousin Evan and Ava



Our family photo. Merry Christmas 2009!



Cousin Chase and cousin Evan enjoying their Christmas gifts away from the hustle and bustle upstairs.



Ava loved playing peekaboo with Auntie Jenn while Grandma Cook watched the fun.



A shot of the craziness of the cousin gift exchange. We never know what's going to show up. A VERY large bar of chocolate was stolen from Brent!



Evan opens a Snuggie during the gift exchange!



Oh, no. Evan's snuggie is stolen by Becca much to his dismay. :)



Uncle Chuck and Maxi share a peaceful moment.



All this craziness is a little much for me.



Ah, and at last, a visual of Becca in the Snuggie!