Pictures

We just had Ada Grace and Ethan's pictures done again, however this time Ada Grace was not cooperating so we have one of them together and one of Ethan by himself. None the less, the ones we did get are pretty cute!

Maria Sue Chapman

I had to share this with everyone, I was only going to put up the link but then thought that only a few of you would actually go there. Not to say that having it here is going to cause more of you to read it, but I do ask you to. Not many of us have gone through a tragedy like loosing a child. We have had 4 miscarriages, but it isn't the same as knowing, loving, and caring for a child that you have had the privilege of meeting. No one knows what tomorrow will hold, but I can only pray that if I face a tragedy like this I will be able to be as faithful to God as the Chapman family has been.


Maria's Memorial Service
For those who couldn't be here, I thought I'd share a rundown, the best I can remember it as I was a bit emotional. It was a beautiful and moving celebration of this little girl's life. And in typical Chapman fashion... God was honored, the Gospel was presented, and... It went long. : )
Throughout the service, pictures of Maria were shown on screens above the platform. There were about 2000 people present and the program was just over 2 hours.
Michael W Smith provided a beautiful prelude and then sang "Still" to open the service. Then a prayer of invocation was offered, and a Pastor at Christ Community Church, the family's home church, Scotty Smith called us to worship with a congregation responsive reading of a portion of The Heidelberg Catechism and the question What is your only comfort in life and in death?
Matt Redman, who was in the airport in Atlanta preparing to fly back to his home in the UK when he heard the news of Maria's death, left the airport rather than board his flight and drove to Nashville to serve the family anyway he could. The Chapmans not knowing Matt was in the country had discussed him being a part and we're overwhelmed to hear he was able to be there. Matt led worship along with Christy Nockels singing several songs including two that Redman has written out of his own loss and sorrows, "Blessed Be Your Name," and "You Never Let Go," as well as the hymn "It Is Well."
Then Matt explained that Steven and he had penned a song "Close To Your Heart" a few months ago for a close family friend of the Chapmans just after the loss of their child. Little did Steven know it would bring comfort to him and his own family on this day, as Matt shared it at Maria's service.
One of Shaohannah's Hope's orphan care partners in China, Robin Hill flew in for the service and he offered a prayer.
Then family and friends stood just feet away from Maria's tiny coffin and shared stories about the spunky, adorable little girl. A few here...
Family friend Karen sharing how Maria loved to wash dishes butt naked, and loved when her family "was altogether,"
The unpredictable Mary Beth with a few stories including how Maria loved her nicknames and running the sweet list down,
Family friend Melissa challenging us to live like Maria and love others like she did, not holding back!;
Caleb sharing how he had prayed for God to heal Maria after the accident, and how God did it in a way that he didn't like very much (taking her to heaven) but that he has never been more convinced that Jesus is real,
Miss Meagan, Maria's pre-school teacher, commenting on her love of art, drawing flowers, her classmates and her family,
Emily telling the story of how when she told Maria that Tanner had asked her to marry him that Maria asked her "whacha say?" and Emily went on to challenge us with the picture God gives of how the groom Jesus has asked his bride, us, to marry Him with a relationship through the cross, "whacha say?"
lastly, Steven sharing that Maria had professed Jesus as her Savior and those moments; as well as a moving story from him about how he had asked God to help him see that Maria was safe, and how God showed up. (I'll let him tell it soon)
Next, children in the service brought flowers to Maria's casket as SCC's best friend Geoff Moore sang "With Hope," a song Steven wrote 10 years ago for a family that lost a child, that same family the Mullicans are now walking he and Mary Beth through this now shared tragic experience.
Scotty Smith then took a few precious minutes to challenge us on the Gospel, that Maria's story is our story and we can be adopted into God's family and see Him and Maria at the end of our lives. (I'm not able to do Scotty's words justice)
Tammy Jensen then sang "Jesus I Am Resting, Resting," close family friends mentioned above the Mullicans prayed to close our time. And then the video of "Dishwashin Daddy and "Bellyflop" that has gone around the world was played.
Friends, it was such a difficult, yet sweet time. I urge you now to pray for this family. Be intentional. Set an alarm to go off on the 21st of every month, or anytime you see an SUV let it be a reminder, or whenever you hear a Steven song... whatever you feel is best. As someone who has experienced a difficult loss, some days ahead will be difficult for this family because the rest of the world moves on and forgets. It's very understandable of course. If you can though, remember to keep them in your prayers.
I too echo Caleb and his wise beyond his years comment, after having the privilege to walk with so many of their family and friends next to the Chapmans through this time, I have never been more convinced that Jesus is real, that the Gospel is true. Despite this tragedy that could seem to contradict He is a good and sovereign God, we know the truth that is on the front of Maria's Memorial Service program! That He has plans for us "plans for peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Sorry Blog Readers!

I have really been slack on my blog updates this week, here it is Friday night and I haven't posted anything since Wednesday and haven't even typed in my Bible Verses for the week, I promise...next week will be better, we have just had too much DRAMA this week!

Don't stop checking in with us!

Some good news...maybe

I have just finished having our home visit with our new social worker Amanda...and she may have given us a little good news. I have a call in to our lawyer, just to see if he can shed some light on the subject. BUT, she said that they are going to redo how the state files adoptions and it is going to lay in the hands of our attorney, not on the desk of Pierre and waiting for when they have time. This could mean that the journey that started about 3:30 pm on January 2nd of 2007, could maybe have an end in sight! Would cannot wait for him to officially become our Sunshine, and any hope we are given with this subject is very welcomed. Will keep you posted!

By the way, this is a picture of Sunshine on January 2nd, the day he came into our home! Just for those of you that might wonder. He is also sleeping in the cradle that my Grandpa made. All of his grandchildren, and so far all of 4 his great grandchildren (Plus our foster daughter Oct 07 ~ January 08.) I also think that some other babies have had their time somewhere along the line!

*Edit* Have talked with both our lawyer and Sunshine's lawyer and everything is still sounding very good. I will know some more on Friday morning, but should know alot more next Wednesday...please pray! Of course we could get started right away if our lawyer wasn't going to be in Hawaii next week...just kidding Eric, hope you guys have a great time!

Sunday evening pictures!

My babies listening to Daddy play piano.
Ada Grace's new outfit.
This has to be one of my favorite pictures of the two of them ever!!! It is just too precious...
The kids love helping Daddy play piano.
The three loves of my life!

He is turing into such a handsome little man. He just needs to add some length to his legs so short outfits do not go to his ankles!
He is telling me that he loves me in this one.
Helping Daddy again.
Singing along with Daddy's music.
Just sooo handsome!

Because Grami Pami wouldn't wait until tomorrow!

This is what I was going to post tomorrow. Pictures of our pool time on Sunday afternoon. I am going to make her wait for the church pictures though!!!


He has a tummy now! Yeah!

Ada Grace and Daddy having a heart to heart.

Have you noticed there are no pictures of my children IN the pool?
Ethan not obeying us telling him to "sit down"

Beautiful Saturday Morning...

It was so nice on Saturday that the kids were able to play in the pool by 10 am!!
Ada Grace has a new pair of sunglasses, she is loving them! (I am sure Grami Pami is also!)
Double trouble!
Ethan is starting to enjoy his time outside more.

Chasing each other...
Growing up too fast!
This picture just cracks me up!
Ethan is actually dancing here..

ADORABLE Sophie Autumn

Sophie Autumn eating her 1st Birthday Cake!
I love her bib...
Isn't she just too cute

Seriously, too cute!

Last weekend

Last weekend we went East to be with Jason's mom in the hospital. The kids did pretty well on the trip, as you can see in the background it is at the start of our trip.

Uncle Zachie watching Signing Time with the kids...he liked it!!!
Uncle Zachie was trying to get Ada Grace to give him a hug, so he was bribing her with fruit snacks! (She takes a while to warm up to people.)
My little Angels 8-) heehe
They just woke up and were coming downstairs for breakfast.

He looks a little lost~

It's Your Birthday

I thought about this yesterday, I just didn't get a chance to do it.

Happy 1st Birthday Katia Heidi (May 16th)

Uncle Jason, Aunt Ashley, Ada Grace, and Ethan all love you very much!

It's Your Anniversary

Happy 7th Anniversary Eric & Melissa

We love you guys SOOOOOOO much!

Weekend when Grandpa & Grandma were here

Saturday after the snowstorm we went to Rapid City and Ada Grace just HAD to wear her sun glasses...she loves those things!

While the boys were looking at cars, us girls went to Bear Factory to make Ada Grace a Puppy we named Cookie, Ethan a giraffe we named Buddy, and Grandma Pam a bear she named Storm!
Ada Grace was very helpful with stuffing the animals (more like spreading the stuffing all over and on Mama!)
She had fun though.
Before zipping them up Ada Grace was able to color little angels for each animal and pick a colored star to put inside them.
Ada Grace still loves her puppy named Cookie....although when talking about him she always gets hungry!

I also have to share that last Saturday I wanted to make a post but I wasn't going to ever go there on Mom's computer! Anyway, Saturday was May 10th and we are very excited becaume one month from that date (June 10th) is our date that we are flying to Chicago to visit my Aunt Wendy and Uncle Laural. We cannot wait to see them! While I was at college in Crown Point, Wendy & Laural were my parents away from home. They would take me for a weekend away since they only lived about an hour from the school...maybe a little more. Anyway, they also played a very important part in Jason and my dating, when he would come visit they would be our shaperons and such. They knew him better than any of my other family when we were married. We have many things we would like to do while we are there.

#1 ~ Meet their wonderful Pastor and church family who have all been huge encouragements to us while going through some difficult times.

#2 ~ Cheesecake Factory

#3 ~ Navy Pier

#4 ~ Shopping!!!

We get to go to a baseball game for the Christian school while we are there and spend lots of time with my Aunt & Uncle. Cannot wait!