Santa

We are not going to to the whole Santa thing with our children.  This was an area of debate for us for some time.  Dave grew up believing in Santa and had fun doing so.  As he often mentions to me - it didn't hurt him at all.  I did not grow up believing in Santa.  My parents wanted to include Santa in Christmas at first, but my older brother wouldn't fall for it.  We knew our gifts came from our parents as a response of their love for us and in gratitude for the blessings Christ had given them.  We had years of plenty and years with few presents, but we always knew we were loved.  Other traditions, like decorating, baking, spending time with family, caroling at the nursing home, and preparing the Christmas program at church were the traditions I remember most. 
Dave and I finally agreed not to include Santa in our family Christmas plans.  We think each family can make their own decision and do not think un-fondly of those who decide to add this tradition.  It can be a fun addition to Christmas plans.  Like Dave mentions, many families have done the Santa thing.  We decided to keep Christ's birth the at the forefront of our Christmas.  I believe Saint Nicholas was a great role model.  What most people don't know is that he didn't want people to know he was giving to others.  He did his giving in secret.  The Santa that has developed in our culture is one who seeks glory and fame.  I don't want our children focusing on a mortal man that will disappoint them and can not bring them the gift that matters.  I am not comfortable teaching our children about works righteousness either.  I want my children to be well behaved, but not because they will earn anything in return.  Our faith teaches us that our acts of service are in response to our love for God, not in an effort to earn redemption.  We are sinners and can not earn favor with God apart from Christ.  Only Christ's death on the cross can earn a place for us in heaven.  Aside from Easter, Christmas is the most important day of the year, and it should get all the attention it deserves.  What a miracle it was to have Christ with us!  It gives meaning to everything else.  
Liam recognizes Santa.  It's hard to miss him this time of year.  As he asks questions about the fables of Santa, we will be sure to tell him the truth of Saint Nicholas and point him back to the true meaning of Christmas.  I don't think our family traditions and preparations will suffer from the lack of Santa in our home.

Getting Ready for Christmas

We are anticipating Christmas and making preparations.  Liam is so excited about Christmas this year.  He loves Christmas trees and decorations.  Every time he looks at our tree in the living room he says, "Aw, it's perfect."  Amazing and perfect are his two favorite words right now.  Liam has his own tree in his room.  He picked out the red ornaments at the store and helped decorate the tree.  He is very proud.

We have some family traditions.  Every night after dinner we do our advent devotions.  Liam is in charge of putting an ornament on our advent tree banner.  Each ornament goes with the devotion for the evening.  He also puts a character on the nativity banner.  He blows out the candles on the advent wreath.  We keep explaining to him that he will have to share these responsibilities with his sister next Christmas.

I do almost all my Christmas baking with my mom and sister-in-law, Anna.  However, this year I decided that Liam was old enough to help with sugar cookies.  He loves to help me bake, so I knew he would do great.  He was such a big helper!  I think the cookies turned out really well. We cut out and baked the cookies in the morning, took a break for lunch and to play in the snow, and then decorated them in the afternoon.

Today, we had our first snowfall of the season.  It was a light dusting, but Liam has been anxious to try out his new snow gear.  We had fun playing in the little bit of snow that was in our yard.  Daisy was not amused with the weather.

I love witnessing the awe of Christmas through the eyes of a two year old.  Everything is so magical for him.  My favorite part is hearing Liam say, "On Christmas we have a birthday party for Jesus."  My prayer is that we always keep that the center of our Christmas season.

Goodbye Facebook

The Hermans are going to step away from Facebook for a while.  The other day we were talking about ways to strengthen our marriage.  Don't be alarmed.  Our marriage is not in jeopardy and we are not worried about it failing.  However, we want to be sure we are investing completely in our marriage, especially since the dynamic will be changing soon as we add a little girl to the picture.  Someone told us that a strong marriage is the best thing to bring with us to China.  Our lives have been busy!  Dave and I pour a great deal of energy into work and Liam.  Lately, we have been giving each other whatever is left.  The other night, after putting Liam to bed, we decided to play a board game.  We used to do that all the time as newlyweds.  We couldn't afford cable and didn't have internet, so we often played card or board games.  It was so much fun to sit and talk and just be together.  Most nights, we turn on the TV, use the IPad or laptop, and zone out.  Technology consumes way too much of our lives.  In an effort to feel connected with all those around us, we have become disconnected with each other.  I would rather check on the status of Dave's day before going to bed than the status of others.  We will most likely be back on Facebook sometime in the near future.  We want to keep our friends and family updated on what's going on with us, especially when we make our trip to China.  We are by no means anti-Facebook people.  For now, this blog will be our method of communication.  Our hope is that this time un-plugged will give us the strength we need for the next couple months.  I guess you could compare it to a runner getting ready for a race.  You can't just wake up one morning and decide to run a marathon.  You have to prepare.  In the same way, we are preparing our marriage for the changes ahead.  We have to be a strong team.  So, goodbye for now Facebook.  We will miss you, but know it's for the best.  

Happy Gotcha Day Liam!

Two years ago today we went to the courthouse and legally made Liam our son.  We were blessed with no legal complications with his adoption and for that we are so thankful.  We celebrate this special day every year.  Today we will celebrate with a special meal, cupcakes, and a few presents.  This year is the first year that Liam realizes today is a special day.  Our prayer is that Liam will always know how very much we love him and how much joy he has added to our lives.  He was meant to be our son all along.  Happy Gotcha Day Liam!

November 19th, 2010

Happy DTC Day!

Today is a milestone in the adoption of our daughter!  I think the best way to explain the stage we're in is through the e-mail we received today...

Dear David and Tiffany,

 

I am delighted to tell you that I sent your dossier to China today!  Hooray!  Now all the activity is over, and we sit back and wait.  Your PA is complete, and we will get back to you if we have any questions about it.

 

Today’s date is your DTC (dossier to China) date.  The dossier will be logged into the CCCWA system in about a week.  The date this is done will be your log-in date, or LID, but we might not be informed what that date is until a month or so later.

 

Your dossier will be translated into Chinese, and then the reviewed by CCCWA personnel.  If they have any questions, they will let us know at that time.  While this doesn’t happen often, it is our experience that most questions can be answered with a minimum of new documentation. 

 

Once we have your LID, we will start trying to match you with one of the children whose file is entered into the on-line system.  Because CHSFS is closed Thursday and Friday of next week, it may not be possible to try to match you in November.  As a practical matter, you will probably be able to be matched at the end of December.  In the week or so before that, our matching staff will contact you to discuss your medical checklist, gender preference, etc.

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with further questions, and congratulations on  passing this milestone!

Dear Children

Dear Liam & Lilly,
There are politicians that believe your life was not worth living.  They think you are not a human being, but a choice.  I am sorry that you will encounter that evil in your lifetime.  You, my dear ones, where chosen by your birth parents to be our most precious gift and we are so thankful they were brave and compassionate and thought of only one choice - who will love and raise this child?
Lilly, there are politicians who are also trying to make our journey to you even harder by getting rid of the adoption tax credit.  We will persevere through this challenge and pray that God will open their eyes to the importance this tax credit plays for so many parents trying to bring home their children to their forever families.
Children, there are politicians that want to saddle you with debt that you will not be able to repay.  You have not earned this burden and I am sorry that the mistakes of previous generations will be your mess to clean up.  I know that the stress of debt and the consequences that will result will bring you heart ache and stress.  I wish things were different for you.
There are those who do not value parochial education and will do their best to close those schools.  Be encouraged, that we will make every sacrifice possible to allow you to learn in an environment with Christ at the center.  Our prayer is that this will give you the foundation you need to make a difference.
Although life seems like a challenge and the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness seems like an empty dream at times, you can rest in the comfort that God will never leave you (Romans 8:38-39).  Nothing happens without first passing through His hands.  There are people who intend to do evil, but God can change all things for the good (Genesis 50:20).  Your hope does not rest in the government, but in the one who governs the universe.  He is mightier than any man, political party, or agenda.  Your father and I love you very much and we hope you know that as a family, we will always strive to serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
Love,
Your Mother 

Romans 8:38-39

New International Version (NIV)

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither the present nor the future,^(A) nor any powers,^(B) 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God^(C) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.^(D)

Genesis 50:20
New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ You intended to harm me,^(A) but God intended^(B) it for good^(C) to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.^(D)

Joshua 24:15
New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites,^(A) in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household,^(B) we will serve theLord.”^(C)

Astronaut Liam

Liam is getting very good at counting backwards!  He loves rockets and everything to do with space at the moment.  This clip was taken at Science Central.  Dave had a Thrivent event there, so Liam got to play around for a little bit.  The exhibit he was at was not a space themed exhibit, but Liam turns everything into a rocket these days.