Adoption Day

On this date in 2007, the most beautiful little girl in the world joined our life. Today is the day Lydia found her forever family :)

Three years later, I couldn't imagine my life without her. She loves life and is joyful beyond measure. She has more intrigue and energy than all of our boys put together and she is exactly what I needed to make my Mommy life complete.

Tonight I sang her little song about how we went around the world to find her, and this is what is on her mind at age 4.

Lydia: "What does my China Mommy do now...because I'm here with you?"
Me: "She misses you very much.....Your China Mommy loved you so much. She knew she would have a hard time taking care of you, so she helped us find you."

Eeek! These bedtime conversations happen more often as Lydia gets older. It gets tougher with every question, making sure that I say exactly what she needs to hear at this point in her life. It is so very hard. Heavy stuff for a little person. Praying that I'm giving her the answers that will help heal her heart and make her stronger and confident in who she is and how God designed her life. Most importantly, I want her to see how God has the power and will to take a tough situation and, in His perfection, make it all right and exactly as it should be.

November 2010 Highlights



a devoted football fan



2 other devoted fans

Lydia with her Fuling sisters at dance class

Ben brings home the Kindergarten class mascot

Aunt Anika and Uncle Bryant at the Christmas Parade

Halloween 2010



Sam



Jack



Ben



Lydia

Lydia's Golden Birthday: 10/10/10

Age 4

Sweet, sweet girl...

a jade bracelet from China

September 2010 Highlights

Lydia's first day of preschool

Jack's first football game

Jack turns 8!



a box of cash is always nice



Lydia and Grandma watching the boys play football

The Youngest Kemper Sister Gets Married

 A few highlights from our trip to Minnesota to see Jason's baby sister get married.  Congratulations Ashley and Jay!  Twas a beautiful and fun weekend....

The hotel pool and hot tub are always a hit

Jason serves as the quiet, brotherly groomsman. 

Pretty flower girl!

The bribes were in full force to get this little man to participate in the wedding.  A ring bearer can be bribed with a Wii game almost anytime!

Complete exhaustion.  After a couple of hours getting her groove on, we found this little
peach sprawled out on a sofa :)

Football and Dance



Let the dance performances begin!  Lydia's Chinese dance group performing at the Ethnic Festival in KC



Pop Warner football this year for both of the boys.  Practice for each of them 2-3 nights
a week and games on Saturday.  Don't know if I will survive.  Sam's team is large and
already well established (meaning he doesn't get much playing time) BUT, his
coach does appreciate his catching abilities, speed, and strange skill at knowing where the
gaps will be.  He's a head shorter than the other boys and gets smashed all over the place
but he's tough!  Don't know if he'll play next year.....

Sam's mouthpiece is almost bigger than his head!

Dad's backyard football drills are tough!

Benjamin trying to keep up with the older boys



Graceful Butterfly



Sam and I attend a summer camp designed for kids on the autism spectrum, where he camps alongside the kids as a peer model.  He is so compassionate and accepts people just as they are, so he make is a great support for these kids.  He is nervous there, but has found growth in his own life as he works to try new things and learn independence alongside the campers.  As our little scientist, here he examines "owl pellets" and found tiny bones, etc. 

Sam and a camper friend learn from a juggler on the carvinal night.

Dad and the boys found a funny video on YouTube.

Lydia in her new (bigger) room....a girl needs more space for all of her treasures!

Pyros and Kittens

What a strange 4th of July combination...pyromanics and kittens? Luckily for grandma's new kitties, they have learned how to climb trees to avoid explosions!

Summer Fun

Water Therapy