five on friday.

1.  I started my Thanksgiving week with a fabulous night at a local hotel with the girls!  As if the great food, unlimited hot water showers, and soft fluffy bed weren't enough, my sweet friends gave me a surprise baby shower!  I am not usually surprised, but I had NO IDEA this was coming!  These babies actually have diapers, some clothes, and I get to do a little online shopping of my own, thanks to their graciousness.  So thankful for the sweet girls I've had the pleasure of doing life with in India.  Beth, Danielle, Emily, Katie, Sarah C., Brandy, Shanee, Christy, Bonnie, and Amy---- You are awesome!

2.  Thanksgiving is over.  This is our third holiday season to spend out of America.  Of course, we miss time with family, but we do what we can to make it special!  This year, we gathered together with our team of 13 at our house for a full spread.  It was complete with turkey rotisserie chicken, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, carrot soufflé, deviled eggs and what seemed like a million other dishes!  I couldn't even bear to visit the dessert table after my second helping of food, but I'm sure they were equally as great!  We are so thankful for friends that double as family and opportunities to get together!











(Few photos courtesy of our teammate, Katie.)

3.  I forget sometimes some of the things our kids miss out on living outside of America, but holidays seem to bring out the most confusion for them!  Yesterday while finishing up some Thanksgiving crafts with the boys, Max asked if I'd help him with his "peacock."  While the peacock IS the national bird of India, we were actually going for a turkey!  I have so many things to teach that boy about America!



4.  And roughly one day after consuming all that food, our family has moved on to Christmas.  We won't actually be staying at home this Christmas, so we had to get a head start on all things merry and bright.  That means decorations, christmas music, and advent lessons are in full swing.  The decorations are limited because I don't want to clean up a million things.  The music includes some old favorites, as well as some new ones like Duck Dynasty's "Duck the Halls!"  And the advent lessons- I'll tell you more about what we are doing later, but we are using the Jesus Storybook Bible.  If you don't own this and have never read through it with your kids, DO IT!  I'll just bet you'll get something out of it as well.  And it makes a great Christmas gift!

(Click on the picture to be directed to Amazon.com and read more.)



5.  Have you seen this new Bible App for kids?

(Click on the picture to be redirected to the iTunes store for more information.)



Jason downloaded it for our kids a few nights ago, and they fought over it from the beginning.  It narrates a story, shows some fun interactive pictures, and even gives quizzes.  It's still very new and doesn't have many stories at this time, but it's been added to all our devices.  If you are looking for a new app to fill that time spent traveling during the holidays, I'd suggest you add this one!

Hope your Christmas is off to a wonderful start!

his words.

Our evening routine.  It's one of my favorites.  I swoon over clean little boys with pruned hands, damp, just-out-of-the-bath skin, and the sweet smell of shampoo and soap on their bodies.  They usually crawl in their cozy beds willingly-- maybe because  they get 30 minutes of uninterrupted television to wind down.  But as soon as the television timer shuts down their favorite movie, the best part begins.

We spend the next few minutes reading books together, traveling to places with our minds that only books can take us.  My boys may never have a love for reading alone, but they plead to have just one more chapter each night.  And as we close the cover, we sing a song together... an old hymn, a long-lost children's classic, or something crazy that requires me to start the calming process all over again! And then comes the highlight, the encore, the best part of my day...

They pray.  It's simple.  Sometimes routine.  Funny at times.  Short for some, long for others.  But they are their words.  Max has a bad habit of forgetting just one special thing, and he's faithful to interrupt any person that is praying when it hits him, just to be sure he doesn't forget again.  Some days they roll through familiar sentences of thanks, and other days, they offer thanks for unique gifts they saw the Lord grant throughout their day.  But sometimes, they say something that takes me totally off-guard.

A few night's ago, Jack's simple statement of thankfulness resonated in my heart long after I closed their door and climbed into my own bed.  In his sweet, boyish voice, he simply said,

"God, thank you for GIVING me a family."

I know the beauty of adoption.  I've dreamed about it, prayed about it, lived it, celebrated it, been awed by it, and a million other things.  I KNOW how much it changed his life (and ours.)  He was an orphan.  No mother.  No father.  No hope.  No joy.  The family he was born into just didn't play out like it does for most of us.  It was torn out from under him before he had completed two years of life. And as the 8-year anniversary of the first day I saw those big brown eyes draws near, those words couldn't be sweeter to hear.  I couldn't help but say my own heartfelt prayers to the Lord as I laid in the bed that evening for giving him not just any family, but OUR FAMILY. 

But those words reminded me of so much more.  They brought back memories of my own adoption.  Not an earthly adoption, as I was raised by my biological parents.  But I couldn't help but recall my spiritual adoption.  The one that I too often forget to be grateful for.  I, too, was once an orphan.  One that was lost, lacking hope, and joy.  But God gave me a family.  For free.  No strings-attached.  The most beautiful gift I've ever received, and I walk through so many days without ever stopping to utter those simple words, "God, thank you for GIVING me an [eternal] family."

My days are busy.  I wake up thinking about to-do lists, homeschooling, meals, and laundry.  I can easily make it to bed in the evening without "my adoption" in Christ making it to the surface of my heart.  But it's WHO I am.  It's the cornerstone of my life.  It's my eternal hope and joy.  And it took the words of a sleepy ten-year old boy to remind me of the beauty of that gift I was given so many years ago.  

I often stress over the overwhelming task of leading my boys spiritually.  It's daunting to think how influential my words, actions, and decisions will be along the way.  I pray that those slow, laid-back evening routines will someday lead to God-fearing men who passionately seek after Christ.  But tonight, I'm thankful for simple prayers of thanksgiving, times with my boys, and how his words change my heart for the better.

five on friday.

Well, as long as I'm back posting on the old blog, I thought I'd throw in a little five on friday!

1.  Christmas will arrive in India in 39 days.  That panicked me a little last week when I realized we had not purchased ONE gift for our boys.  Thankfully, some sweet, sweet friends helped us out.  I did a little online investigating, sent them a list, and they delivered all the gifts during a recent trip to India.  We currently have an entire basket full of gifts hidden under the bed for our boys.  They are going to be so excited!!!  Thank you again, Christy and Chad!



2. And speaking of being excited about goodies... another American friend was visiting our city last week and came armed with possibly one of my favorite things ever... Hellman's!



I was completely OUT, prior to his visit.  And Hellman's for me is equivalent to oxygen for others.  Maybe this jar will get me through a few weeks!

3.  The weather is changing in Bhopal.  I've tried to explain our seasons, or lack there of, before in this post, but we are now entering what I'd refer to as our Fall/Winter.  Our temps are hitting the highs in the upper 70's/lower 80's.  That's a far-cry from the warm temperatures we experience most of the year.  This week, I actually voluntarily turned off the AC in our room, and we are currently sleeping under only the fan.  This is definitely my favorite  time of year in India!

4.  With changing weather comes a slight change in our wardrobe.  Last week, my boys sported their first pair of blue jeans of the season.  What is it about a few yards of denim that can add years to the look of a little boy?  It's almost too much for me every year.  There's a small possibility that my boys are actually growing up, but I'm refusing to believe that and blaming it all on those pants they are wearing!

5.  Thank you so much for all the sweet comments and congratulations on our fun news of expecting twins!  We are thrilled, and I promise to throw in more details in the coming months!

coming soon.

13 years ago, we pledged our lives to each other.



And after many years of prayer, tears, and heartache, the Lord blessed us through the gift of adoption.



The void we once felt has been replaced with full days of love and laughter.



And just when we thought it couldn't get any better...



Our family is about to grow again.



But this time, we are getting two for the price of one.



Coming soon:  TWINS!
March 2014

Cruise Ship Fun

Cruises.  I think you either love 'em or you hate 'em.  We have NEVER had a bad experience... never found ourselves stranded in the ocean without working sewage systems, never been sea sick, and never found the ship boring or confining.  But, everyone has an opinion about them, so I'd definitely suggest people experience it for themselves before completely turning down the idea.

One of the reason that we chose to see the Mediterranean by cruise ship is because it was the most economical way for us to take two children and see so many wonderful places.  The food is inclusive, and we made sure to take snacks from the boat when we got off to keep us from buying lots of expensive snacks off the boat (although this may or may not actually be allowed! :) )  We  worked hard to plan out our time at each port so that we avoided paying expensive fees for tours and other things.  Jason was awesome at navigating the buses, metros, and train systems, which saved us so much money on taxis and such.




Different cruises have different purposes.  Some are designed just for fun and relaxation, but this one was definitely centered around the ports of call.  Our cruise was 12 days long, and we stopped in 10 different ports along the way!  That meant lots of getting up early, full days of sightseeing, and rushing to get back on board the ship each evening to avoid being left!  We were definitely worn out each evening, but our kids seemed to have this stash of energy that they saved up each day.

If you ask them their favorite part, they'd, without hesitation, tell you it was the children's department and activities that the cruise ship offered.  Most nights they were willing to forgo dinner, especially if it meant they might miss some activity that was scheduled.  Living in India doesn't afford them lots of opportunities to do organized activities with other children, so they soak it up whenever it's offered.

Face painting seemed to be a part of each night's events.  We were never sure what they'd look like when we picked them up.



Eat your heart out, ladies!














They had bear night, pirate night, Nickelodeon night, and many others, but all week, they spent time working on a special event that would take place at the end of the cruise... their very own circus.  I didn't know if my boys would really get into it.  Both are a little shy on a stage, but I was SOOO wrong!

They practiced tricks all week until they perfected "an act."  Jack's first role was starring as a clown, which I must say he played well.  He hammed it up with the best of them!









But his best moment came with his diablo performance.  He can often lack confidence and get frustrated with something new, but he fell in love with those sticks, string, and funnel shaped object.









At the end of the performance, the MC challenged them to throw the diablo one more time, but this time to do it as high as they could.  I wasn't sure how this would play out, but that boy rocked it!!!


Jack's Performance from Sarah Marlin on Vimeo.

I love his face at the end of the performance.  I don't think he could believe that he caught such a high toss!

We knew prior to the show that Jack was going to perform the diablo, but we weren't real sure what Max would specialize in.  He's our "wild-card kid" and we aren't ever sure what to expect when he is allowed to be on stage.  But I think they found the perfect role for him.  He was the "ferocious, intimidating, adorable tiger," because you can't have a circus without a tiger!











His solo performance was perfect... a great demonstration of his personality and why he keeps us on our toes!


Max at the Circus from Sarah Marlin on Vimeo.

Our boys loved all the sights we saw, food we ate, and experiences we experienced on this trip, but nothing excites kids like fun that has been especially designed just for them!

Living far away from friends, family, and all things that are normal to us can often take a toll on our boys.  They mourn the things we left behind, the people they don't see often enough, and the culture they are slowly forgetting.  But we are beyond grateful for the new things they get to do, see, and appreciate along this new journey in life!  And this trip was just one of the many experiences that are moulding these two precious boys into the men they will become!  

if I knew then.

These days life looks a little different.  I can't say I ever envisioned it like this.



The days of waking up sleeping boys to  hurry to school and daycare are replaced with boys that wake up when they've had enough sleep.  The mornings where I didn't have time to feed anyone breakfast have been taken over by mornings where a "cheese toast break" is always possible.  The days of chasing 25 children from all walks of life around a kindergarten classroom have been taken over by days of teaching my own boys to read, multiply, create works of art, and study the Word.  The days of rushing around to make it to after school obligations and other functions have been replaced with dirt-stained little boys that only come inside after the sun is setting and when they are forced to.  The nights of eating out for every evening meal have been replaced with home cooked meals where we gather as a family and eat.  And the bedtime routines of rushing to take baths, brush teeth, and fall asleep have been succeeded by long soaks that leave little boys with pruned hands, time to build one last Lego creation, and a story, a song, and a prayer just before we close our eyes.



But ten years ago when we began thinking about being parents, my job was my life.  I was a teacher, first and foremost.  And I loved it.  I couldn't imagine life without it.  More importantly, I couldn't  imagine life without the monetary benefits that my profession provided.  And even though I hated the mornings when I dropped my baby off at daycare crying, I couldn't seem to walk away from the comfort I had always known... being a working mom.



Two and half years ago, I walked into that job for the last time.  That day was surreal.  I wasn't sure what my "tomorrow" would look like.  Would I wake up early like always or sleep late?  Would I feel remorse for walking away from a job I loved and beg to have it back?  Would I hate the long days of being a "mom" and lose my own identity in dishes, homeschooling, and laundry?



The answers to all of those questions are yes and no.  The first day of "staying home" didn't leave me feeling like Martha Stewart.  And the first day of homeschooling left me wondering if I had ever in fact taught anyone in my life.  The first ten meals I put on the table were inedible, the laundry wasn't any more enjoyable, despite not having duties outside my home, and I still get the itch to corral children onto a carpet and sing the "Days of the Week" song and go over the morning calendar!



But if I knew then what I know now....



I would have walked away from that job the first day I saw Jack Marlin in that orphanage.  I would have never left him with a babysitter (although she loved him like her own.)  I would have been the one to wake them every morning without a rush and the one to put them to sleep every night without a fight.  I would have given up the big two-story house, the new car, and all the spur of the moment shopping trips for things I didn't need.



These days life isn't as full or busy as it used to be.  We live in a third world country, run our AC only at night, eat made-from-scratch food, homeschool our boys, have one vehicle, and make homemade decorations for each holiday!  Our days are less dramatic and chaotic.  But somehow, they are SWEETER, MORE PRECIOUS, SIMPLER, and MORE BLESSED than I could have ever imagined.



I love to think back on all the different places the Lord has brought me as a mom... a mother-in-waiting, a barren mother, an adoptive mother, a working mother, a stay-at home mom.  They've all shaped me into the messy, overwhelmingly thankful, undeserving mother that I am today... a mother who is not only thankful for the the "todays" but one who is grateful for the journey I took to get here.      If I knew then what I know now, I'd of missed all the stops along the way, and what a tragedy that would have been!



Our roles as mothers are each so unique and special.  Some of the greatest mothers I know balance 9-5 jobs and motherhood more gracefully than a tightrope walker, while others I know were clearly destined to be modern-day "June Cleavers," giving up business attire for aprons and changing diapers instead of changing the corporate world for the better.  We've all found ourselves in different places at different times, sometimes content in our journey and other times longing for "the greener grass" that we just know is on the other side.  My story is just one of a billion.  But if you are reading this and find yourself toiling with the idea of staying at home, pray over it, think through it, and trust your heart.  It's a huge decision, not to be handled lightly, and staying home ISN'T for everyone! But if I knew then what I knew now, I'd give up my job a million times over!