Grace on Display

December 1st Prayer

2011-12-01T22:10:00.000-05:00

Sophie's bedtime prayer tonight~

" Dear Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins; please help me obey you better tomorrow. Thank you for my family and friends; please heal Mommy and Ellie of Lyme disee ( how she says disease) Please forgive me for sinning against You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Today during school, we were reviewing our time line. Magna Carta, St. Thomas Aquines, Marco Polo, The Hundred Years War, The Black Death and Joan of Arc and we came to The Great Papal Schism......

I have to continually remember that Sophie has NO pegs with which to hang any of this information on. I have to literally teach her how to even pronounce each word. ( "Con - stan - tin - o - ple" ....."Okay, now...Constan-tin-o-ple.....Constantin-o-ple" ....Constantinople"....You get the picture!)

So we continued playing this game with the time line cards and I realized that instead of saying "The Great Papal Schism" she was saying, " The Great Papa Skittles!" Too funny!

How Much I Wanted You

2011-11-29T22:18:00.000-05:00

It's been so long since I've written.

Many days Lyme disease seems to have overrun our family; it's been a hard season, but God is using it for His purpose and glory.

Sophie Chats.....

Bedtime tonight consisted of snack of a Pina Colada Slurpee, a Christmas bedtime story, lots of snuggling and singing and of course, our nightly "chats."

"Tell me about how much you wanted me, Mama."~ Sophie

I reviewed the amazing story from the beginning to the end, reminding her that daddy and I were somewhat like Mary and Joseph minus the angel appearances. ( God put her on my heart first, then daddy later.)

Mom~ "We waited 3 long years until God thought it was time for us to come to China for you."

"You wanted me really bad, didn't you, Mom?"~ Sophie

"How do you know that Soph," ~ Mom

She jumped out of the sheets and proceeded to wave her arms wildly about....."Because of the way those people stuffed me in that car with you the first day... I knew you really must have wanted me!"

We rolled on the bed with great laughter, sang our songs and she is sleeping soundly as I type.

Oh, how I love that sweet girl!

Reflecting on our first year together

2011-09-11T00:26:00.001-04:00

My Mamma's heart is so encouraged tonight ~ encouraged at God's faithfulness to our family, encouraged and reminded daily that His love is everlasting, steadfast and true, and encouraged that I can have a new 8 year old at 46 and can keep up with her most days!!!!

Last year tonight, Sept. 10, 2010, we were flying home to the USA with our new daughter!

The 3 long years we waited have melted into the past and my days are consumed with love, joy and teaching this very smart Missy how to love the Lord with all her heart, soul, and mind.

We celebrated our Family Day~ the day we met Sophie Rose for the first time!

What a wild cat she was that day!

She told me that she only found out that she was going to get a family the night before.

I understand why they do that~ they are protecting the munchkins in case something happened that we didn't come...but there was NOTHING gonna hold this mamma from FINALLY getting her girlie.

Below is her account about that life changing day, August 25, 2010, written independently at school last week:

"Today is Family Day. The nannies told me I was going to have a family, but I didn't know what that meant. I saw my mother, but I didn't know she was my mommy. I was scared and cried when we got in the car to leave.

In one year I've learned how to speak English, write in cursive

( "Beautifully, I might add!" said Mom.), jump rope, ride a scooter and a 2 wheeler. But the best thing I learned about was Jesus dying on the cross. I'm glad we're a family. I love you all."

Sophie Rose chose to eat at China Garden for Family Day followed by a trip to downtown Baker Park in Frederick and then home for dessert.

She read the above story to our family later that evening.

So many people, when we tell them our story say, "Wow, she is so lucky!"

But God, in his rich mercy, planned for her to be with us from the foundation of time.

We are the blessed ones.

Sophie has enriched our lives daily with her lighthearted, infectious laughter, her silly pranks to her brother, and her curiosity about the Gospel!

I'm grateful to have bore 2 children from my womb and one in my heart~ my little dancing princess~ Sophie Rose.

" I'm so glad I'm your Mamma!"

Happy Family Day ...What a Difference a Year Makes!

2011-09-10T23:55:00.001-04:00

My very first glance at my new daughter! We KNEW she was a Bentzel!


Lil' Rosie and her Hero!


Happy Family Day! August 25!

"And They Were Swimmin'!"

2011-07-28T18:02:00.001-04:00

Lil Rosie in her tube!

Buddy the dog is obsessed with the ball! He even jumps in the water to get it!

"On your mark, get set...."

"Chicken fight!!!"

Love em'!

They all told me this pose was from High School Musical.,,,I don't get it, but maybe you will.

Play day with 'Romey', 'Dukey', 'Jon Jon' and 'Sammy'

2011-07-28T16:50:00.001-04:00

The afternoon began by playing Wacky Wigglers on the floor with Shane.

And there in the right corner is the boy's beautiful mom, Bec! She is an excellent mom to these active, sweet, very polite boys!

Check out Jon Jon's gorgeous eyes!!! Blue as the crystal sea! Like his Uncle Jim's!

Precious Sammie and Ellie

This is 'Ducula'- Luke~ what an excellent vocabulary at only two years old!

Roman is making a sword!

Cooling off with a snowman on a hot summer day!

Lukey was glad Shane cleaned his bedroom and gave him some toys from under his bed!

What a goof!

Packing up and ready to head home!

Great buddies! Roman said that Sophie has the most beautiful face he's ever seen! ....Next to yours, sweet Romey!

Garden Tomatos and Nightime Chatter

2011-07-28T16:00:00.054-04:00

First harvest from our garden!

Sophie's favorite time is bed time and most nights she starts out~

"Can we talk??"

The following is a peek into our conversations: (Individual conversations are marked by different colored font.)

Sophie~ "When we're in heaven, does Jesus make us a new house and do we get our own room or do we share it with Jesus?

Mom~ "Well, I'm not sure." But I know it will be the best house for us because Jesus made it!"

Sophie~ "Will Jesus watch us sleep?"

Mom~ "Well, I'm not sure. ( See a pattern here? Ha!) We may not need to sleep."

Sophie~ "That's weird.....(new topic) What can I take to heaven?

Mom~ "Nothing, God will give you everything you need there."

Sophie~ "Can I take my Barbie's?"

Mom~ " No, you can't take anything with you, but if God thinks you need Barbie's, they'll be there!

Sophie~ "I'm taking this with me (pulling out her brother's laser pointer from under the covers) and I'm going to stick it in my mouth and sneak into heaven......(new topic).....Who takes us to heaven?

Mom~ "Well, I'm not sure...but I know that your body stays here." ( I DO KNOW that for sure!)

Sophie~ "Why does your body stay here and only your soul go to heaven?"

Mom~ " ...Cuz God said so!" ( Good grief! LOL) Okay, any last questions?"

Sophie~ "Yea, just one....why didn't God die on the cross....why did it have to be Jesus?"

Mom~ "Because God is the Father and Jesus is the Son...we'll talk more about that another night."

Prayers, and routine exit elongated good-byes~ "Night!... Love you! ....Special!" ( blowing kisses, catching kisses, holding kisses to our hearts, sign language "I love you."...okay, I can still multi task at bed time...thank you, Lord.)

(From my reading in The Joy of Fearing God, by Jerry Bridges to answer why Jesus died instead of God:)

"It was the Father who sent the Son. We must not overlook the love of God the Son, however. John said, " This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us" ( 1John 3:16) Though the Father sent the Son, the Son came willingly, voluntarily. though He is indeed God, the second person of the Trinity, He took upon Himself our nature and suffered in our place on the cross because of His love for us."

Just recently, as we snuggled while watching a movie, she kissed me, and said~ " I love you mom."

I kissed her back and she gently whispered, " I'll keep your kiss forever in my heart. I'm so glad I'm your daughter."

I have always said to her, " I'm so glad I'm your mommy and this was the first time she echoed the sentiment!

Forty-six Birthday Kisses

2011-07-21T17:00:00.006-04:00

Tuesday was my 46th birthday.

After her shower, I asked Sophie if we could put a big bow in her hair?

"Of course!" she said, "You can do whatever you want; it's your birthday. If you wanted to kiss me all day, you could!"

I said, "Well, I wished I would have known that this morning, we'd have spent the day in the rocking chair just kissing!"

"Mom!" she said, "We can start now!"

So off we went...to the rocking chair for forty-six birthday kisses!

Man, I love that little girl!

Handpicked flowers from our garden for my b-day

Birthday cards and flowers

SEEing the world in a new way

2011-07-20T16:06:00.000-04:00

The Bentzel's just got back from vacationing in Chincoteague w/ Todd's family last week.

There were many firsts for lil' Rosie~ riding in a boat, baiting a hook, catching her first Croaker, playing in the ocean waves, boogie boarding, seeing a live shark caught on the beach, building a sand castle, eating lunch on the beach, riding on Grandpa's scooter...you get the picture!

Every summer, I pick a new book to read as I sit on the beach.

This year, I chose~ Choosing to SEE~ Mary Beth Chapman's story of victory in Christ after losing her precious 5 year old, Maria Sue in a tragic accident.

For the last three years, I've sat on the beach yearning to hold my sweet Sophie Rose~ for her to experience the salty ocean air, to snuggle w/ her after she comes out of the water, teeth chattering.

It's been almost year since we traveled to China to adopt her, so the honeymoon is over and life is a new normal.

I chose my book, determined to read it in it's entirety in 4 days.

Todd and I will often challenge each other when we see each being selfish and not engaging w/ one of the kids. At the beach is where I'm usually challenged. I find myself pretty entitled, after a year of homeschooling three kids, (and organizing El's graduation this year) to sit and just have "some time for myself."

I opened up the pages of Choosing to SEE and immediately found myself lost in Mary Beth's world.

We must be twins separated at birth!!!

I felt such a draw and kinship w/ her.

I read excerpts from her life that read like my own~ good girl growing up always wanting to do the right thing, rededicating my life to the Lord every so often, wanting to be a wife and mom living in a perfectly controlled (mine) environment, raising kids and living for God.

I woke up the entire house at 1:00am on Thursday night~ laughing hysterically as I read the excerpts of rafting on the Nile River and putting out their house fire.

I won't spoil it for you, you simply MUSSSSST read it for yourself.

I wondered if it was just me that thought it was funny b/c I'm so much like her, but it really is... as I've read it while sitting w/ my g-friends over a glass of wine.

All ladies will CACKLE!!!!

I knew when I bought the book what it would entail, but what I didn't realize was the conviction I would receive as I read of her background, suffering, pain, gut wrenching heart ache and finally SEEing Christ in the middle of it all.

I read of God's sovereignty and realized again, but as if for the first time, that all of our days are numbers by God's own hand.

I must not take any time for granted w/ our new daughter.

We've been going to Chincoteague for 26 years and most years, I'm on the beach reading my books and going knee deep in the water while the rest of the fam is boogie boarding in the waves.

I blame this on Todd's brother, who tortured/teased me, relentlessly, about the bottom dwelling crabs; I also saw all family members get stung by jelly fish and heard shark eating human stories...again from Todd's younger bro!(Love you, M!)

Hey, I trust God, but if I can control any piece of my life, it'll be this one, thank you very much! :D

Our first beach day brought a strong rip tide; Todd, Ellie and Shane, who are very strong swimmers, said it would be too hard for them to bring Sophie out to ride waves. The water was way too cold for me and Sophie was content to experience the newness of knee deep water on her own....I continued to reading.

I was angry when Todd mentioned my selfishness to me ("This is MY time!") and snapped at him after he kindly reminded me of all the time I waited for Sophie to get here and now I was reading!

It was then that I was at the end of the book and read MB's words: (I'm paraphrasing since I gave my book to a friend to read.)

"I wish I would have gotten in the water, even if it was cold."

Knife in my heart; pain in my chest.

Here is my sister in Christ continuing to reel from burying her 5 year old child and I have a healthy, active, beautiful, darling 8 year old Asian Princess who would like her mommy to get in the ocean w/ her!

I spent holy time w/ my Lord, repenting for my selfishness.... and got into the water.....and made a zillion memories.

Hope you enjoy our memorable vacation pics from 2011!

Sophie's Rock Face ( AKA Maria)

"And I will dance with Cinderella...."

My favorite!

Man, are they good looking!

Another favorite~

"Whoa, that's cold, Girlie!"

Closeth your moutheth!

She has so many heroes!

Hey!!! No wonder Sophie's mouth was open!! Monkey see, monkey do!

Add caption

Our master piece is complete!

Annual Brandt Bear Photo

Love all her faces!

Purple rules the day!

2011-05-07T23:43:00.000-04:00

I'm playing with my first editing program~ Lightroom 3 and absolutely love it~ Enjoy the Purple Photo Shoot with my sweet Sophie Rose
(and Nittany)

I made the purple iris's pink..hmmmm

I made this one black and white, then enhanced the greens...interesting...

Getting tired....just a couple more, Missy!

Love her mouth!

What a "Little Miss"

Goofy Beauty!

Royal Wedding and High Tea

2011-04-29T17:21:00.000-04:00

The royal table is set for high tea to honor Prince William and Duchess Kate. We learned proper tea and table etiquette.

I read The Princess and the Kiss to Ari and Sophie Rose.

They colored as the scones baked.

Princess Ari

Princess Sophie

Love those eyes!

Princess Ari tickling the ivories!

Beautiful princesses!

Cherry chocolate chip scones, blueberry muffins, apples and grapes

Sophie praying before our tea party.

Such a sweetie!

Ari, the new bride

My favorite of the day!

Easter

2011-04-29T16:01:00.000-04:00

My pretty girl by the tulips at Mom's.

Where oh where is my Sophie girl?

There are those pretty eyes!

The Easter gifts are ready to hide!

The kids wait together for " I spy a treasure" game~ an 18 year old tradition.

Sophie, aka~ Tinker Bell, can now fly!

Coloring the Easter eggs!

Another Bentzel tradition~ we hit the eggs together end to end until a winner has been determined!Dad won this year!

Sophie's first Easter Egg Hunt at Grammy's house.

The fam minus Matt, Susan and Kristi!

Our fam~ love them!!

Mom, Pap and the kids!

A very happy Pappy and Grammy with their sweet Sophie!

I still can't get over how beautiful she is!

My favorite of the day!

Cousin pics, sentences and stories

2011-03-25T14:05:00.000-04:00

A photo shoot of my two favorite girlies!

Kristi and Sophie are like long lost sisters!

My new sis in law showing her new engagement ring to Grammy!

News on the Sohie Front:

OnWednesday of this week, I introduced Sophie to the concept of sentences~ subjects and verbs. I continued to be amazed at how fast she is picking up the English language. She wrote the following sentences on her own from her spelling list words.

I like to play with Katya in the back yard on the swing.
Sophie loves Cocoa and Nittany. ( our dogs)
I jump on the trampoline.
The puff is fuzzy.
The cat is bad.

On Thursday, she excitedly shared that she wanted to write her own story. She sat diligently at the kitchen table for 3 hours while I spelled words on the board that she requested. Below is her story about Cindrelli.

Cinderelli 3
Cinderelli is sad because the step mother is mean to her. Because the slipper fits Anastasia, the stepmother said that she can not go go the ball. The stepmother made Cinderelli clean the floors and she was tired. All the mice helped Cinderelli. Gus and Jack watched the Prince love Anastasia and Prince gave her a ring. Gus Gus and Jack Jack Gus went up to the little, dark, yucky room and told Cinderelli. The Fairy God Mother threw the magic wand on the floor and Anastasia picked it up. She told step mother it was real, but the step mother said it was a stick. The End

Mama's first photo shoot of her stomping grounds in C-burg

2011-03-05T22:12:00.001-05:00

I added my favorite shot of the day first!

The girls in front of my dad's birth home.

Love that adorable smile....

Another one of my beautiful first born...

Peek-a-boo!

The entrance to my development.

This eagle and I spent many a cold morning waiting together for the school bus!

The Igloo was the "go to" ice cream shop when I was a little girl. It's getting renovated and will soon reopen; I can't wait to take the kids there!

I spent many Friday nights and Saturday afternoons at the Red Bridge Roller Rink!!!

I worked at the Olympia Ice Cream Parlor, which is now closed. We visited the Candy Kitchen instead and had equal amounts of fun with less calories!!!

So many choices!

My sweets begging for free treats!!!

The lady actually gave them a sample after the photo shoot!

My daddy worked for F & M Trust Company. It was so weird to have the girls take this picture....so many memories!

Tickling the ivories in front of the piano studio where I took lessons every Saturday morning at 9am for 9 years!

My home church growing up~ I played tag at this spot every Wednesday night after choir practice. Todd and I were married here, too.

So cute....

My second favorite shot of the day...

I love the sunshine on Ellie's hair here.

My brother broke his leg here one Christmas Eve when the cable used to hold the log at the entrance broke and crushed his foot. It was later replaced by the metal gate, but the girls have given it an unequivocal 'thumbs down' in honor of their beloved Uncle Matt!

My third favorite of the day. Again, love the way the sun caught the curls in El's hair.

Birthday, Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year

2011-02-27T21:12:00.001-05:00

Daddy's 50th Birthday Party Surprise at work!!

Sophie has finished all three books by the middle of January. What a great reader! (Notice the p.j's. She LOVES when we can have "jammie" day!)

Ellie was cleaning her room and Sophie fell asleep on her chair!

The entirety of Play Off Season was spent w/ the Uncle Cole and Aunt Gina! We had a blast watching the Steelers get to the Super Bowl!

This is probably one of my favorite shots as the kids prepared to lead worship for our care group birthday party for Todd and our dear friend, Pam.

What a great group of kids~ Our Tapestry of Grace Unit 2 Celebration complete w/ Budda and a 3 sweet ancient Chinese princesses!

Sophie was sick during a snow storm; Shane shoveled then built her a snowman~ What a great brother!

Sophie and some of her buddies at co-op!

Sophie and her neighborhood buddies after a makeover and dress up party!

"Here We Go!"

Sophie got lots of special Valentines! This was a 5 Princess Valentine's Day card and a fuzzy blue journal from the fam!

Sophie and "IE Elizabeth" after the Chinese New Year Celebration at the local mall!

The Beginning of Christmas 2010

2011-01-26T23:03:00.004-05:00

My dear hubby, Todd, bought me a Nikon 3100 camera for Christmas b/c he knows how much I love to blog.

Thanks, Hun!

I think I took over 2,000 pics over the holiday.:D

Tonight, I tried downloading 86 Christmas pics and lost them after 2 hours of planning!

Alas, I'm going to add them in installments.

Here are the first six.

Decorating for the holidays! Piano room and dining room~ check!

Above the entertainment center~ check!

We've been waiting for 3 years for Sophie to hang this ornament!!!!

Ellie, Shane and Sophie daily read Scripture when they added another ornament to the advent tree.

Family Night~ in jammies with hot chocolate in hand, we traveled the greater Frederick area in search of Christmas lights!

School continued and Sophie finished her first book! Incredible!!!

"Squish" ,Salads and Sisters

2010-12-15T17:09:00.004-05:00

Ellie asked Sophie the other day if she wanted a nickname.

Sophie said she did and Ellie proceeded to ask her what her favorite thing was.

Sophie replied, " Squid."

Ellie didn't think she wanted to call her "Squid," but "Squish" was close.

So I will be referring to her from now on, affectionately, as "Squish."

Squish has continued to soar academically. She read through her first little reading book and LOVED it. She begged to read it from cover to cover and start her "e" book. I have introduced cursive writing and spelling this week; she did well and loved both. Man, is she easy to teach!!!

Squish is continuously asking about spiritual things. I hope I can remember each of the following inspiring conversations:

"Where is Big Gram?" she asked.

"In heaven," I answered.

" Why heaven you get to see Jesus," inquired Sophie.

"Because that's where He lives," I answered.

"That where God is, too?" she asked.

I proceeded to talk about the very hard concept of the Trinity, explaining the roles of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit in the simplest terms.

After pondering...

"So, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit all one and different," she finally responded.

"Yep, you got it!"

The other day while in the kitchen she asked why she should want to go to heaven.

We explained that we disobey God and Jesus took our punishment.We're so grateful to him and know we need/want him to obey. Heaven is for people who have Jesus as their Savior.

"Where you go if not to heaven?" Sophie asked.

"To a place where God isn't...called hell," I said.

"What you do there?" She asked.

"Cry and hurt all the time, like the ulcer you have on your tongue." Shane said.

"Eat what???" she pondered, ".....this salad?" ( pointing to the tossed salad sitting in front of her on the bar)

"Yep, all green veggies!!!!" we all laughed, hysterically!!!

"Sophie no like hell!"

Today we were praying for a friend while in the bathroom brushing my teeth.

She took my hand, pulling me to my love seat in the bedroom.

"Come here, Mama. I need to talk to you."

I sat down and she leaned intently into my face and said, "Why did Jesus die on the cross and why can't I kahn ( see in Chinese) him?!!"

"Can you see Grammy right now?" I asked her.

"No."

"No, because she lives in another house. Jesus lives in another house up in heaven and He's making us a house so we can live w/ Him when we die,. But we can talk to Him just like we talk to Grammy. When we talk to Jesus, it's called praying" I said.

"I want to live in this house in heaven," she said.

I told her that I understood that she liked this house, but that she would like the house that Jesus is making her.

I told her that once she was at her new house, she wouldn't want to come back to this house.

Sad, pouty face. "But I really like me (still working on pronouns)house."

I then asked her if she wanted to go back to her China house and she exclaimed, "No."

"It's the same thing. Once you came here, you liked this house better."

"Oh, okay."

She was quiet for a moment......then....."What about my friends in China who don't know Jesus? Can they come here to me house?"

"Well," I said, "Ellie began praying for you to come home about 6 years ago."

She exclaimed, " Why you not come get me then?!!!!"

"I didn't know about you till this past February. And then we had to fill out papers and your "i-e's" ( nannies in Chinese) had to fill out papers. I got there as fast as I could to get you!"

I said, "But if you want another brother or sister to come home so she can learn about Jesus, you can start to pray for him/her now and God will hear you!"

Todd will be glad to hear about this conversation!!!! LOL

What a difference 3 months makes!!!

2010-12-06T17:54:00.002-05:00

Wow! Have I grown??

I can't believe it's been almost 3 months since we've welcomed our sweet Sophie Rose into our family! What pure joy she has brought into our midst; I awake daily to new questions as she continues to explore her new world.

Most days are filled with many crafts, wrestling on the floor, playing the piano, singing in English and Chinese and mounds of laughter. I've learned that she is extremely smart, can laugh at herself, and act completely goofy all the while she is examining every nuance around her.

She watches how I brush my teeth, walk, drive, cook, sing, play the piano; she asks why about every single situation and eventually we get back to..."Because God is God and we are not." She wants to know why Jesus is God yet He is the Son. ( At first, she thought Jesus was the sun...."Why is Jesus warm, Mommy?" We have had LOTS of discussions about homonyms~ sun, son, break, brake, etc.)

She is speaking in complete sentences, is starting to read and loves math addition and subtraction drills! She has grown about 2 inches since her arrival and is working on mastering a two wheeler and a scooter. She loves playing "Mommy", carefully arranging the furniture in her doll house, any beaded craft and PEOPLE.

She continues to be a celebrity at church; after she's picked up from children's church, she runs to find a new person to chat with, shares her snack of dried squid or hangs out with the nearest group of teenagers or singles. Her smile lights up any room upon her entrance.

When we began this journey 4 years, there were no little girls in our cul-de-sac; since then, God has brought 4 families w/ girls 5-8 years old. What a joy it has been to have tea parties, make cookies, ride bikes, read and get to know these families. Sophie is especially close with Katya, Emma and Caroline. Each young lady ( and parents) has been so incredibly kind and generous with Sophie. They share their scooters, ride- on cars and toys. Sophie has been invited to birthday parties and play dates almost weekly. We're so grateful for our neighbors who have welcomed her with open arms.

God has gifted our sweet gal in so many ways; she is athletic~ The coaches at the gym really were impressed w/ her when I took her for a free class! She is has an ear for music; she listens and repeats almost every song she hears and has learned to play the piano by ear. I've taught her some Chinese nursery rhymes and Joy to the World. This past Saturday, she excitedly played one her songs. I complimented her on playing it an octave lower only to find that she had transposed it to another key! She then proceeded to do it to the rest of the songs right before my eyes. To say that I was dumbfounded is an understatement.....Today, I started formally introducing her to the names of the notes and some basic theory!!!

"When asked what she loves about America, Sophie said, "Hot dogs, pizza, stromboli, Christmas trees, tomatoes, grapes, shopping, piano, coloring, family nights, school, reading books, puzzles, trampoline, staying in my jammies all day, playing with friends and my cash register."

When asked what she doesn't like, she said, "Desserts, English is hard, fighting with Shane, ( which is her antagonizing Shane) and going to the doctor."

I'd say that the good outweigh the bad!!!

The first question most people have for us is~ "How is it adopting an older child?"

For Todd, Ellie, Shane and I, it's been easier than we read, researched, discussed or ever imagined!

The biggest suggestion I have for folks in any stage of the adoption journey is~

Trust God!

Pray!

Get Godly counsel!

It's sounds simple and cliche', but is truly how we made it through the long 3 year wait for Sophie Rose to come home. I pray the next trial I face that I can say that I trusted God more after it's over.

We're told, mostly by local Chinese folks, that she is a lucky girl to have an American family.

We are humbled by God's grace to allow us to raise this amazingly bright, beautiful young lady.

From a Mama's heart~ Shari

Library Day

2010-12-06T16:53:00.000-05:00

Signing on the dotted line...

"I'm getting my very own library card!"

Looking at books

Getting hugs from Miss Linda, our favorite librarian!!!


It took us 5 trips to the library because Miss Linda wasn't working; she has been waiting to meet Sophie and be the one to assist her in getting her own library card!!! It's now official!!!

Fun with Chloe and Carly

2010-12-01T15:30:00.000-05:00

"Yum, cookies and crafts!"

Green tongues were had by all!

Marshmallow Holly Wreath No Bake Cookies

From cat form to Kitty Kat Extraordinaire!

Plain dog to adorable " Spot"

Carly, her cookie and her turtle. ( She worked VERY hard on this turtle!!)

The three girls playing "grocery store." What a fun afternoon!

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-01T15:18:00.000-05:00

Sophie and Mama making stuffing on Wednesday as we listen to Christmas music. Love it!!!!

Playing Wii after dinner and naps!

I forgot to take dinner pictures, but this is dessert!!!

Homemade pumpkin roll by 12 year old, Emily Toth! Delicious!!!

Sophie and Grammy playing Triple Yahtzee!

The crazy game of Curses!!!! Perfect for our crew!

Every time Matt spoke, he had to give himself "bunny ears."

Courtney had to pretend her arms were only 2 inches long. We laughed until we cried!

Andy accepting his Tony Award in his best Dracula voice as he waved away mosquitoes.

The annual Father/Son Football game

Sophie's First Christmas Tree Decorating Family Night

2010-12-01T14:22:00.001-05:00

The piano room before Christmas decorating begins

Boxes everywhere!!!

We always have a special, fun food for family night~ homemade stromboli!!!

Enjoying a break from the action. We cleaned the entire basement before tackling the decorating! Poor daddy was sick and on the couch most of the day.

Our wobbly tree~ Every year we say, "This is the last year for this tree." We'll see!

Sophie found the picture of Jesus' crucifixion in her Bible as we discussed the meaning of Christmas.

Sophie got to arrange all the Christmas books and the nativity scene by the fireplace!

"Rudolph!"

About half of the ornaments we own....too many!!! We lay them all out and remember who gave them to us! It's always fun to walk down memory lane!

Traditionally, we watch the Miracle on 34th Street!

Todd and I put on the first ornament~ "Our First Christmas"

Ellie adds her favorite.

Shane adding his favorite.

Sophie found her "Sophie" ornament and hung it with great care saying, " My favorite from my new family."

We were all in tears and again she's wondering what all the crying is about! Another successful family night~ Christmas tree decorating 2010

Samaritan's Purse

2010-12-01T13:52:00.000-05:00

Sophie shopped for a little girl who has no home, food or maybe even a mommy and daddy. It was a great experience for her; although, she had an extremely hard time giving up the pink ball. A video was shown in church on Sunday morning and she got to see first hand how poor these children are; it was helpful for her to see their poverty and she was more willing to part with the ball.

Smiles after tears of not wanting to give away the pretty pink ball! ( See how it is missing in this picture; it was hidden in her shirt!)

Leaf Walk

2010-11-15T21:51:00.001-05:00

Our leaf walk started after only one cup of java....at 7:30am!! !( I wouldn't have it any other way! wink wink ;) )

Sophie has a great eye for detail!

She found a total of 6 varieties of leaves just in our back yard.

These are some of her painted modeling clay creations she did later in the day.

The night has FINALLY arrived!!!!

2010-11-15T21:46:00.001-05:00

"Wow! That's a big stick of butter, Cami!"

Creaming the butter

Huh... Mom???

Hannah cracking her egg

Cami working on hers

How sweet are they? Hannah and Cami's parents have been praying for us from day one of our adoption journey! This night was a culmination of 3 years of waiting! We're so grateful for the Ryan's!

Last, but not least~ the chocolate chips!

" Just keep stirring."

Don't forget eating the batter is half the fun!

Look at those cute, tiny hineys as they wait for the cookies to bake!

Woh-la! Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!

All three of these goofy girls would rather eat a plum!!!


Not Ellie and I!!!

Anabelle and Aunt Joyce

2010-11-15T21:31:00.001-05:00

Sophie and sweet Anabelle

Playing the Princess Computer

Playing in the fort

Mustache Mania

" You must pay the rent."

Sophie, Mama and Great Aunt Joyce

We ate and played Go Fish and Bingo after lunch

Sweet!

Sophie's first birthday party!

2010-11-15T19:36:00.001-05:00

Waiting for everyone to show up for Grammy's party

Grammy loved Sophie's many handmade birthday cards

The girls gave her a I Love You, Grandma book

"Can I please help you open your gifts, Grammy?"

Sweet picture of Grammy and Sophie Rose

Our first time hostess, Courtney, Grammy and the girls

Sweet Ellie, Grammy and the adorable grandbabies

Grammy gets a smooch from El Bell

Love this one!

Mamma, Grammy and the girlies

The crew minus the great photographer, Todd

A Busy Saturday

2010-11-15T19:20:00.000-05:00

"I learned how to ride a scooter today!!!"

"I can even do it on the winding sidewalk!"

Saturday morning girl's quiet time~ banana bread, pumpkin bread and apple muffins compliments of Kathy Lyons

Sophie dressed up as a princess and ate Chinese noodles sent by Dad's friend at work, Kahn.

Sophie LOVES orange tea!!

She made a face ( hard to see) out of paper towels over a cup

Mr. Tim came over to talk "cameras." Sophie took a pic of them together!

Our Sweet Ellie is 18!!!

2010-11-12T17:00:00.000-05:00

Ellie's own set of car keys

Ellie's first time driving friends in a car

There they go~ off shopping!


Some one was NOT very happy to be left behind

I interrupt adoption pics and blogging to bring a very special announcement~
                     Ellie turned 18 on Oct. 28th.

She was very sick w/ mono on her birthday, so all her friends came by to serenade her in the yard. She was feeling better that particular day and made it out to greet them on the front porch.

Many left well wishes of encouragement on a basket on the porch which she just poured over, rejoicing in the gift of friendship!

Ellie has brought so much joy and love into our lives! No words can express my particular love for my first born daughter!

                              Happy Birthday Ellie Marisa!!

Babies and Mamas

2010-10-31T23:25:00.003-04:00

All, except Todd, were sick this past week.

Sophie started w/ a fever, sore throat, headache and body aches.

Ellie followed w/ mono and Shane and I picked up the slack w/ a nasty virus.

We had lots of snuggle time~ 7-Up and Saltines along w/ Yatzee and Chutes and Ladders in Mama's water bed.

Many memories were made.

One fun thing we did was to watch the video of the day Ellie, age 3, first visited Shane in the hospital 15 years ago after his birth.

It was the first home video Sophie has seen of the two big kids.

She was glued to the TV taking in all the sights and sounds.

During the same week, she watched a short kid's video where Mary gave birth to Jesus ( not graphic) and she also played w/ a pregnant Barbie. ( She has a magnetic tummy holding a baby inside and can give birth via taking off the tummy....)

All this proceeded to get the wheels in Sophie's mind turning about babies and Mamas.

Saturday morning, Todd and I lay in bed trying to sleep in when "Little Miss" slipped into bed beside me and headed under the covers.

She put her head under my night shirt and lay there.

She whispered, "Mama, say 'EEEEEhhhh!"

I could see where this was heading! :)

I pretended a quick birth ( nothing like my own!) and out popped baby Sophie.

She lay curled up beside me, sucking her thumb and whimpered softly as she has seen Shane do in the hospital video.

I scrambled to remember the exact words I had said because she doesn't miss ANY details!

"Oh, look at him ( her)!

Isn't he ( she) beautiful!

Ten little fingers and ten little perfect toes.

Look at his ( her) beautifully shaped head and blonde ( black) hair.

My precious little boy, Shane Allen ( girl, Sophie Rose) whom I love so much!"

Our 'game' continued w/ Sophie being "born" in my tummy a half dozen times and then me being born from Sophie's tummy a time or two....What a new mama will do!

After awhile, she commented that Ellie wasn't born from my tummy ( b/c she didn't see our baby Ellie video, I guess); I cautiously said that she was and she pondered that for a couple minutes.

Then she said, "Sophie not born from Mama's tummy."

I said, "No, you were born in your China mommy's tummy ( our very first introduction to China mommy) and God brought you from China to here to Mama and Baba."

Silence....

"Sophie eat."

I guess her little brain had enough to contemplate for one Saturday morning.

To be continued.....

"The Wizard of Oz"

2010-10-31T22:53:00.001-04:00

While we were all recuperating from a virus last week, Ellie had the opportunity to retell the Wizard of Oz story to Sophie minus witches and incorporating God~

In Ellie's version, Dorothy was renamed Sophie, Toto was Nittany ( our dog), Scarecrow was GeGe ( means brother) Dave (Thompson- like a brother to Sophie), the scarecrow was GeGe Ben (also a Thompson), Auntie Em was Mama and Glinda was Christy ( Somerville, another dear friend).

Ellie kept the "Tap your heals together three times" and "There's no place like home."

For three days the story was told and retold as Sophie poured over the elaborate pictures in book.

Then Ellie remembered that stashed away in the basement were her original Wizard of Oz "Barbie" dolls. She quickly retrieved them.

Because Sophie doesn't know the original story, she couldn't BELIEVE that we had Sophie, Nittany, GeGe Dave, GeGe Ben, and Christy dolls!

She couldn't believe that the dolls said the same thing ( push the button on their backs)~ "Tap your heals together three times." and "There's no place like home." Her little eyes were as wide as saucers when Ellie presented her w/ the dolls.

She'll quickly learn that life doesn't revolve around her, but until the newness of western life wears off, it sure is precious to see her naivety expressed in wonder and delight.

What a joy~ I'm in heaven! I love her so very, very much!

"Pick or Peat"

2010-10-31T22:28:00.001-04:00

Sophie was so excited for "Trick or Treat" and kept practicing what she would say when she run the door bells. Tonight she practiced with Ellie and said, "Pick or Peet"...then looked at me funny. She knew it was wrong, but didn't know how to correct it! Ellie and I were in hysterics!

Our "Hippy Girl" playing the piano before the big night!

I just can't get enough of that beautiful face!!!!

'Panda bag' ( compliments of Aunt Lisa)~check! 'Mom"~ check! Oops... can't go w/o Dad!

Now, we're READY!!!!

Artichoke dip, black bean and garlic chips, hot decaf and brownies await devouring upon our return!

Our sweet neighbor girls~ Hannah and Haley

Finally at home and ready for candy inspection!

'Hey! Who's hand is in my candy already???'

Meeting "Little Kristy"

2010-10-31T22:07:00.001-04:00

Sophie and Kristy after meeting~ fast friends in five minutes! So grateful!

Playing at Pappy and Grammy's house

So adorable!

Pappy had a blast listening to the girls chatter and play! The girls were in hysterics watching Pappy try to get up from that position!!!!

We surprised Kristy at school the next day!

Kristy, Aunt Courtney, Uncle Andy and Sophie Rose at school

Uncle Andy and Sophie switched head gear!

The day ended with a surprise visit to Grammy and Pappy's house!

New Faces!

2010-10-31T21:58:00.001-04:00

Sophie, Mama, Erin and Eva

Uncle Jeff and Sophie

Hello Kitty and Snow White~ Can this child put puzzles together!!!

Great Aunt Peggy watching Sophie play w/ her baby doll~ so sweet

Great Aunt Peggy and Sophie looking at picture albums

Strawberry Shortcake water color~ A gift from the Strites!

While sick, Shane raked leaves for Sophie to 'jump' in~ she didn't get it...I think she thought they should feel like a trampoline!

But she can always pose for a great photo! What a little Miss!

"Jesus blue?"

2010-10-26T21:47:00.003-04:00

We've been talking to Sophie every day about Jesus and the other day, she and Ellie saw the children's version of the Jesus film.

Excitedly, she and ran to me following the movie and said incredulously, "Jesus died....3 days (holding up 3 fingers) and up!"( pointing toward heaven.) "Yes!" I replied!

Tonight after praying at bedtime, she said, "Jesus" and slitted her neck as if to die.

I said, "Yes, Jesus died, but after 3 days He came alive again and lives in heaven."

She said, "No see Jesus."

"That's right," I said, "we can't see him right now b/c he lives in heaven."

........pause......

"What color is Jesus?"

I smiled, in the dark. "Well, we really don't know."

"Is he white?" she said as she touched my face.

"Probably not," I said.

" He could be yellow, like you," I said as I stroked her face.

"Actually, he's probably black or dark brown."

....Pause.....

"Is Jesus blue?" she whispered.

I burst in to hysterics as she covered my mouth and laughed beside me!

"Ssshhhhh Mama! Listen to Jesus."

"Jesus hear Sophie?"she asked.

"Oh, yes, honey!"

So we lay quietly, listening, and she drifted off to dreamland.

"Dear Jesus~ Thank you for my inquisitive ,precious, little girl who is curious about You.

Pumpkin Carving Family Night

2010-10-21T21:45:00.003-04:00

Thai chicken lettuce wraps start off family night

Getting ready to carve her first pumpkin

Men against women. Let the carving contest begin!

My pretty team mates!

The boys first glance at their pumpkin goo!

Sophie's first touch of pumpkin goo!

Everyone needs a Jie Jie ( big sis) to show you how to make boogers from pumpkin goo!

Mama and her sweet gal carving away!

Which do you think is best~ the left jack-o-lantern or the right? Sophie helped carve the one on the left one!

Sophie's First Fall Festival

2010-10-21T21:21:00.001-04:00

Hannah, Ariana and Sophie head to the party!

Instead of wanting to play games, Sophie just wanted to ride bikes!

Eating hot dogs and beloved cucs..

Love her!

Hanging w/ Baba

Sophie sitting and singing w/ sweet Michelle!

I love black and whites! Isn't she just beautiful!

Grandma's Beach House

2010-10-21T21:03:00.001-04:00

Sophie driving the boat....in the garage.

Grandma and Sophie on a cold Saturday in Oct.

We visited Grandpa and Grandma Bentzel's beach house before we went to the Outer banks for vacation. It was Sophie's first time to see the ocean; cold weather prevailed and we couldn't swim, but we videoed the whole thing. I can't wait to see it. Grandma and Grandpa just loved our new little Missy. In fact, we arrived at 10:30pm on Friday night and had to be up at 6:30am to greet the local men who have coffee w/ Grandpa. It was a sleepy awakening that turned into a wonderful time of fellowship w/ a yummy breakfast to boot!

It was nice enough to play putt putt golf and see the ocean, but not warm enough to take the boat out for a spin so Sophie enjoyed hopping in it in the garage. Grandma made delicious homemade chicken pot pie, a family favorite and we played lots of Go Fish!

Grandpa and Sophie playing

Riding on Grandpa's scooter

Still cold on the docks w/ Grandpa

Sophie and Grandpa playing on the computer.

Ellie and Sophie in Fred Flintstone's car

Sophie sporting her shades

Family Putt Putt

Mama helping Sophie putt

Shane and Sophie

Playing at the Chincoteague park

Todd and Mom in front of their house

2010 Beach Pictures

2010-10-16T22:09:00.001-04:00

My precious three

Give me some sugar, Shane!

Mama and Baba enjoying the beach

On your mark! Get set! Go!

Sophie LOVED playing in the sand.

There is always a beach 'find.' This year it was a purple fuzzy bath mat!

Little Mermaid

Little Miss LOVED the water, too!

She loved being "thrown" in by Uncle Tom

Tea Parties and Physicals

2010-09-30T17:03:00.000-04:00

Tuesday was tea party day. Sophie made "tea" for her two friends, Gwe-Gwe and Nittany, and I. Before we started, she reached out for both of my hands and looked at me, bowed her head and waited. I was a little confused, then I realized that she wanted me to pray. I tearfully said a short prayer, thanking my Amazing Savior for this wonderful girl and the excellent tea in the pot. Afterward, a huge " AMEN" resonated from Sophie's lips. Priceless!!!!

"Dr.'s visits aren't too bad, mom!"

Tuesday afternoon brought Sophie to the Dr. office for a full physical. She is such an amazingly resilient young girl. China's immunization schedule is different from ours, so she had to have a chicken pox booster and a Hep. A shot. Again, no tears, no flinching! What has this Little Miss been through in the last 7 years? Dr. Tam, her Dr. spoke in her native tongue, but lately, she hasn't really wanted to "go back." I'm told this is normal, but a little strange for me. We don't want her to lose her Chinese, because she speaks it so fluently, but we'll let her set the pace for continued Chinese training. The office staff has been so wonderful and were ecstatic to finally meet Sophie Rose, as you can see below!

Sophie and John's Hopkin's nurses and office staff

Sophie and Dr. Tam

All Done!!!

Sophie's Church Dedication- Sept. 27th

2010-09-26T21:22:00.001-04:00

praying over our precious new daughter

Shari's parents and Sophie Rose

Grandpa Bentzel and Sophie

All the "Grands" and our Little Miss

Todd's parents and Sophie

We all LOVE our latest family pic

Our sweet Little Missy May

Klondike Bars and Uncle Mark

2010-09-25T23:08:00.000-04:00

Uncle Mark, Aunt Bonnie, Thomas and Eli came for a visit on Saturday night. ( Yes, Saturday was full of activity!) Sophie Rose ran out to their van in the driveway, the first time she's done that! She had seen their pics every day in China and was instantly comfortable w/ them. What is it w/ the men in our family? She immediately took a liking to Uncle Mark, even though Bonnie tried many times to engage her. She just likes men!!! We had a great meal~ Filet Mignon and the most outstanding homemade stromboli any of us have EVER had~ hand crafted my Tricia Roberts, a sweet gal in our care group. ( Our church family has been blessing us w/ meals since we returned home from China; I haven't had to cook once! )

Are they not the most beautiful Strombolis you've EVER seen?

Dinner as a BIG family

Playing Wii w/ Dad and Uncle Mark


Ellie, Aunt Bonnie and Peanut

What would you do for a Klondike Bar?

...Just about anything!

Heritage Day Parade~ Sept. 25

2010-09-25T22:51:00.000-04:00

I forgot to mention that Friday night ended w/ Todd and I having our first date night in over a month. Ellie and Natalia graciously watched the little Miss while we headed off to Mimi's~ on of our favorite new restaurants in Frederick.

Heritage Days were in Middletown this weekend, so the girls and I took Sophie Rose to her first parade. Not being a parade connoisseur, I sat comfortable back from the curb, but forgot to take into account the blessed candy to be thrown from the cars as they passed by. W/o a bag for candy, I wondered what Sophie would do. As the candy got tossed and kids ran for it, she looked back at me several times, smiled and mouthed, " It's okay." Some kind moms saw what was happening and offered her some candy, then offered her a bag for her accumulating stash; lastly, they sweetly invited my Little Missy to sit on the curb so she could get her own candy. Tentatively at first, then w/ crazed fervor, she scooped up her own candy to put in her own bag. After profusely thanking the kind moms and on the way to the car, she said, " Look, Mama! Baba say~ Wow, Sophie!"

The treasured curb side seat

Waiting for the parade to begin

The Bentzel Gals


" I just got my first piece of candy!!"

"Lovin' this parade thing, Mom!"

My two servants!

A Friday of Firsts

2010-09-25T22:26:00.000-04:00

Meeting Uncle Steve~ our vet and friend

First day of co-op~ Noah's Ark

Ella and Sophie Rose

Ari and Ella~ new friends

Off to the Frederick Fair

El, Natatlia, Emmie, Anne

Shane, Kellan, Christian, Gabe, Carlos


"That mama feeds lots of babies!"

A Friday of firsts: Sophie met our dear friend and vet~ Dr. Steve Derrenbacher when she accompanied Nittany to Glade Valley Animal Hospital for an ear infection. Next, Sophie attended her first Tapestry of Grace "Littles" Friday co-op. She LOVED Tracy Machen and her fun activities; she also was thrilled to make new friends. After co-op, a group of us decided to brave the VERY hot day and go to the Frederick Fair. Did I say it was hot....hot and crowded! Anne knows the fair like the back of her hand so we all followed her like puppies to the best food stands for french fries, funnel cakes, homemade icecream and fried Oreos....oh, my~ they were DELICIOUS! Sophie enjoyed seeing the birthing tent w/ baby pigs and calves. She was very surprised to see the cow have 4 breasts ( see earlier post w/ her fascination w/ breasts! :) )


"Hey, you took my sunglasses!"

Cooling off at the hot tub display! What a relief!!

Family Quiet Times, Haircuts and Swingin'

2010-09-23T08:13:00.000-04:00

Our new addition to family Bible Time at 7am

Getting a hair cut from Mimi Nancy

"All done!" Mama yaouh! ( likes in Chinese)

At the park ( the hands by her face are a common Chinese picture gesture)

Lovin' my new life!

Can't get it to stay rotated, but it's a keeper!

PIctures only....

2010-09-22T23:07:00.000-04:00

The World According to Sophie

2010-09-22T22:51:00.001-04:00

Where did the week go?

I know~ in my warm water bed.

If I wasn't sleeping, I spent most of the time wishing it was 7pm so I could go back to bed!

It was hard for us all!

At 3pm every day, Sophie would try to sneak away and sleep. But w/ my creative detective devises, I found her every time~ follow the snoring child; she was found in her bed, car seat, kitchen couch and even at the kitchen bar table. ( Pictures of each later!) Poor lovey!

I'm surprised, after we all got over our jet lag, how the "new normal" has seemed....well, pretty normal!

I have even had a couple of good quiet times w/ the Lord and on Tuesday, we had a family devotion time at 7am.

We compared our adoption into God's kingdom to Sophie's adoption into our family. Sophie awakened and joined us half way through allowing us to marvel again, as a family, at this wonderful, new "girlie" ( as Baba affectionately calls her) He's placed in our midst!

I've found that her grief usually manifests itself as anger usually directed toward me. And she's just not sure how a family works yet. She'll be cuddling w/ Daddy, laughing and then help him lose a couple of pounds by biting his stomach....OR Shane and she will be rough housing and she'll slap or kick him w/ gusto. Talk about needing self control at those times! We've been grateful that those times are few and far between, but to say that they take us by surprise is an understatement!

Sophie's English progresses every day~ she's saying simple sentences and understands more than I originally thought. She listens and repeats almost everything we say, down to our phrases when we leave each other~" Bye! Love you! Special!"

Below are new experiences in Sophie's life during her first 2 weeks in the USA:

1. She went to the dentist to watch Todd; unbeknownst ( is that a PA Dutch word??) to me, the hygienist had a slot opened. Sophie allowed them to count, clean, floss and put fluoride on her teeth. She also sat completely still and they took x-rays! Wow!

2.Sophie had to have blood work done for her upcoming dr. appointment. I wasn't quite sure how she would do, but she went in, plopped on my lap, and put her arm on the table; the phlebotomist put that tight rubber band around her tiny arm and poked away. She got in the first time, but couldn't find the vein, so she rooted around. All the while, not a flinch was made nor a tear shed. We also had a good laugh as we tried to get a urine sample~ a good giggle is more like it! As she buckled herself into the seat belt, she said, "Sophie do good job." I turned and said, "Sophie did a GREAT job." I wonder; I wonder what's all happened in the last 7 years.....

4. She met Grammy, Pappy, Uncle Matt and Aunt Susan last Sunday. After warming up a little, we headed off to the local pumpkin patch to see puppies, pigs, calves, sheep, and horses. She was intrigued w/ each one and did her best to check all pieces and parts!

5. Sophie loves church; the first week, she was the celebrity. Everyone was making ALL over her! The second week things died down, but she was thrilled to see her new friends. This week, she's been dedicated. She and I spent the day at the Montgomery Mall in the Narrtjie store~ my new favorite. Check out their website.

6. The biggest new thing in Sophie's life is us. She's just not sure how this "family" works yet, but I have to say that week two is shaping up much better than week one. She and I are still figuring each other out. I found out that she can laugh at herself, sing really loudly and sometimes on key, make her bed like the best nurse, dance like a maniac when no one is watching, and eat us out of house and home~ she ate 2lbs of grape tomatoes and grapes last week. She doesn't like cake and cookies...yet. And she's deciding if I'm going to be able to stay. I let her call the shots when possible w/o being manipulated and carrry her when she asks...mostly from the car into stores. She completely wraps her arms and legs around me, snuggles close into my neck and hums a soft, gentle, "MMMMmmmm." I really think she loves me, but has just never had anyone lady give her such undivided love and attention.

Today I received my first unsolicited kiss on the cheek from my girlie!

I wanted to call the Washington Post and run a full page add, but I just softly whispered for the millionth time how much I loved her.

Stayed tuned for more~

And Life Begins Again....

2010-09-13T09:07:00.002-04:00

It's hard to believe we've been home for 2 days now. We gratefully touched down at Dulles on Friday evening, one hour ahead of schedule. About a dozen family and friends were there to warmly greet us; it was salve for our souls. Sophie took it all in stride as she does w/ most things. She is very laid back and flexible; she fits so beautifully into our family.

We stopped at Burger King on the way home and inhaled a REAL burger...it never tasted so good! We were thrilled to watch Sophie explore the house for the first time; she acted like she was in a castle. Upon entering her room and opening her closet, she incredulously looked at me and pointed to herself, saying, "Sophie's???" With happy tears, I replied, " Yep, this is Sophie's room." How long I've waited to say that to my sweet gal. She slept by herself in her own bed from 11:30pm- 6am. I saw her light on and heard her sniffle, wondering if she was catching a cold, but then heard her softly crying. We quickly scooped her up and tucked her b/w us in the water bed and she fell asleep for another half hour.

She's never been able to play in the grass so the next morning, after awaking and re-exploring the house, she attempted and LOVED the trampoline! She was hesitant to step in the grass and run; b/c Beijing is a huge city, any grass stepping is strictly prohibited. But after seeing Jie Jie and Ge Ge run, she took off!

Sunday brought church; we wondered if we should take her, but decided if it was overwhelming we'd just leave. She asked to wear her purple traditional Chinese dress and I acquiesced. We were enthusiastically greeted by our church family and worshiped as a family. She participated and sat through the whole service like a little lady. She remembered many friends who greeted her at the airport and quickly played w/ them.

Our fourth year anniversary church picnic was after the service. We changed clothes and decided to go for awhile and see how she did! Amazingly, she ate and then went to play w/ new friends till 6pm. I stayed very close by and watched her make new friends, eat ice cream and jump in the moon bounce. She was definitely a celebrity and "Queen Bee" for the day. Her determination is admirable. She watched her friend Summer master the monkey bars and decided to try....after about half hour of help, a little less help, and falling many times, she was able to cross halfway on her own.

She still doesn't cry when she gets hurt. She fell pretty hard on her hiney/back from the bars, but laughed, got up and tried again. If she cuts herself, she sits alone and nurses her wounds. We're going through lots of Dora Bandaids as I offer my mommy care and kisses. It's so weird for me to see this and it's eventually where I want her to be; when my kids were little, I'd say, "If you aren't bleeding, you're fine. Go play." But she's not had anyone care if she's been hurt before, so we're back tracking somewhat in this particular area.

We left the park and she was asleep by the time we buckled her in the car seat. She awoke his morning at 4:30am and we had breakfast at 5 after some snuggle time. She's loving Nittany who will kiss her sweet lips; yucky to me, but a big step for her! I did some "school" w/ her at 6am~ an alphabet puzzle. She can repeat the letters, sing the ABC song, but after the letter D, she's lost. It gave me a good starting point!

She wasn't happy to see Baba leave for work at 6am; he reassured her that he'd be back later today. We'll probably meet him at Costco for groceries around 12pm!

Having trouble loading pics, will do so later

Grateful for each of you~ Shari

Fresh Grace

2010-09-07T09:29:00.000-04:00

Mostly pics to share from the Emperor's Summer Palace in Beijing last week, but wanted you all to know that Sophie is having much better days as she learns to trust me.

Tonight she finally figured out that I'm a "back scratchy" specialist, so at bed time, she pulled off her jammie shirt and asked me to scratch her back. Of course, I did so willingly...and she fell fast alseep! Sweet!!!

She even let me carry her and she held my hand willingly as we walked in Guangzhou city, today!! (That's another post, entirely!)

God's grace is sufficient and evident in Guangzhou!!!

We've resorted to her asking for practically everything (food, drink, TV, activities); I think she was overwhelmed w/ too many choices. In her orphanage, she had no choice about anything. This technique has helped her overall willingness to obey.

It's amazing how much English she understands and is willing to speak. Today, I taught her all the major parts of her body and she easily repeated them.

The Summer Palace pics are from Beijing, but hadn't gotten posted yet; although, Todd may have posted some on Face Book earlier today.

Tomorrow is the official swearing in ceremony for Sophie Rose Xueqin Bentzel to become an American citizen. Thursday we have red couch pictures and Friday we fly home.

We can't wait to see all of you and we think she do fine if you all want to come to the airport on Friday night. Currently, our flight is to arrive at Dulles 7:45pm. We'll try to keep Paul Wilson and The Thompson's abreast of any changes.

We're all feeling better today!

Thanks for your continued prayers for the last leg of this journey till we arrive home on American soil....boy, I can't wait to come HOME!!!

Love you all, Shari for our party of five!

2010-09-07T02:17:00.001-04:00

Today is Tuesday; we've just been into Guangzhou city; it's quite a difference from the peaceful feel of where we are staying. Illegal tiger claws, snakes, geese, and many other exotic animals were on the menu...hanging ready for sale....very interesting smells permeated the environment as we walked the very crowded, narrow streets. They didn't want us taking pics, esp of the tiger claws; the vendors almost took our cameras, but one of the guys in our group got a good shot...we'll be sharing it w/ each other.

We're headed to the pool this afternoon; it's still hot and humid. Shiyan, our guide, did consulate paperwork for us and so far, everything is going smoothly...no cliches! Tomorrow, we have our official swearing in!

Todd and I are on the mend, but Shane is still a little under the weather, but all better than yesterday. We stayed close to the hotel and didn't go to the art museum tour. There was also a dinner cruise last night; we thought our tummys wouldn't appreciate the motion of the river, so we declined and ate a Lucy's again. I had a grilled cheese and fries that settled easily in my tummy.

Off to enjoy the pool. Sophie LOVES the pool, but has NO concept of drowning, running on wet pavement or jumping by herself into the deep water. We are are on guard 24/7..no fear!!! Enjoy the pics.