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So Loved: The End

So Loved: The End

I can’t even begin this post without being overwhelmed by tears. Happy tears. Sad tears. But mostly the tears that come when I think long on my Esther. And yet, this post needs to be written and this season needs to get buttoned up and tucked away as a sweet memory of all God has done on behalf of little… Read More

07.12.16 · Esther, Morning Star Foster Home, so loved

it’s my birthday and I want to do something wonderful. join me.

it’s my birthday and I want to do something wonderful. join me.

I love it when it’s my birthday, because I get to do special stuff. Ask for special stuff. And usually, because I’m the birthday girl, I get what I ask for. Last year I asked y’all to join us in celebrating a new little one who would be joining our family. (Can you believe it’s just been a year?) And… Read More

07.03.15 · Clementine, Esther, love others, Morning Star Foster Home, so loved

more than just a few pictures.

more than just a few pictures.

When I asked my girls who wanted to go outside with me and my camera, wearing their So Loved shirt, Lula was the first to shout (and jump, with both hands in the air), “Me! Me!” The promise of a pack of Skittles might have helped. I can’t be sure. My hope was to just get a few new pictures… Read More

03.01.15 · Esther, Morning Star Foster Home, so loved, Tallula

a life worth remembering

a life worth remembering

This was the first picture I ever saw of her. And still, even 3 years later, she takes my breath away. Those pixie ears. That raven hair. Those crimson lips. It didn’t take long for me to fall helplessly in love with her. As most of y’all know, we watched as the Lord moved mountains to help us bring Esther… Read More

07.31.14 · Esther, so loved 15

he knew

he knew

It’s been three years. Three years since the phone rang, that Monday after Mother’s Day, and the voice on the other end asked me if I was sitting down. Our precious Esther, for whom we had just received LOA, had suddenly passed away. We were absolutely shocked. Horrified. Silenced. But God was not surprised. He knew the exact number of… Read More

05.09.14 · Esther, so loved 30

happy birthday, sweet one

happy birthday, sweet one

Today we celebrate a most bittersweet day. Today would have been Esther’s 4th birthday. We will make a cake today. We will think of her. Miss her. But no candles will be blown out. No presents opened. No squeals of delight. Instead, we grieve the loss of a beloved daughter and a cherished sister. But it is impossible to stay… Read More

07.31.13 · Esther, my faith, so loved 10

the answer

the answer

Today marks two years since we got the call about Esther’s death. And my heart still aches for her. So much has happened since in those two years. So much I could have never anticipated nor imagined. At the time I simply couldn’t see past my grief. I didn’t want to see past my grief. Not a year. Not a… Read More

05.09.13 · Esther, my faith, Poppy, Tallula, Vivienne 10

a very special day

a very special day

On December 12, 2010, I saw a face that would change our lives forever. We spent the next few months praying furiously and working tirelessly to make her a part of our family. On April 7th, we shared her sweet picture, and very-much-wrestled-over middle name, here on the blog for the first time. And the next day we launched So… Read More

07.31.12 · Esther, so loved, wild olive 37

one year ago…

one year ago…

we got a phone call that would change us forever. Esther had passed away. My goodness, I miss her so. God has done much in our lives since then, to bring us comfort. To bring us joy. He has been so very good to us. Shortly after we accepted Esther’s referral, He encouraged me to create a t-shirt, as a… Read More

05.09.12 · Esther, so loved 22

timeline to Tallula

Some of y’all have wondered about our timeline to Miss Tallula. And mentioned that it seemed that we’d had the fastest and easiest paperchase in history. It wasn’t exactly the fastest. Or the easiest. But the question did get me to thinking: when did we ‘start’ for Tallula? How long has it been? And the answer stung this mama’s heart… Read More

03.21.12 · Esther, my faith, Tallula 13

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I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
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our china journeys

magnolia - 2016
clementine - 2014
tallula - 2012
penelope - 2011
vivienne - 2010
shepherd - 2008
jude - 2007
sophie - 2006
isabelle - 2005

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there's no such thing as an easy adoption
if I can, you can.
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gawsh. the series.
crazy
affording adoption
God and me.
Vivi's diagnosis
the ugly, beautiful truth
special needs: my .02
my testimony
dear anonymous
my chinese son

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