{"id":12232,"date":"2019-06-13T15:00:46","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T20:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/?p=12232"},"modified":"2019-06-13T15:00:46","modified_gmt":"2019-06-13T20:00:46","slug":"emma-and-eli-may-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/?p=12232","title":{"rendered":"Emma and Eli: May 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>May 2
\nMy handsome boy! We love cheering for our favorite\u00a0#AcworthAstro<\/a>!\u00a0#7000days<\/a><\/p>\n

May 3<\/div>\n
Field Day\u00a0@NCCSEagles<\/a>\u00a0for my favorite two little Eagles. What a fun day!\u00a0#GoEagles<\/a>#WeAreNCCS<\/a>\u00a0#NCCSFamily<\/a>#7000days<\/a><\/div>\n
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May 5<\/div>\n
5.5.14 5 years ago today the Strange kids met for the first time. In Emma\u2019s eyes, it was love at first sight for the brother she had prayed so diligently for over the course of three and a half years. For Eli, it took a few minutes to warm up…but he\u2019s been enjoying giving Emma the side eye ever since!\u00a0@clintstrange32<\/a>\u00a0and I prayed for that moment and are so grateful for the way the Lord IMMEDIATELY knit their hearts together. Tomorrow is the actual day of Eli\u2019s adoption. Today is the celebration of a sister and brother who are God\u2019s treasured gifts to us and to each other.\u00a0#StrangeStripesForTheFirstFamilyPic<\/a>#Adoption<\/a>#TheGospelSaysWeAreAllChosen<\/a>#7000days<\/a><\/div>\n
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May 6<\/div>\n
5 Years Ago Today: We woke up early Tuesday morning and were all super excited about going to pick up Eli. Tuesday, May 6, 2014 was Eli\u2019s official GOTCHA DAY! When we arrived at the Hilawe Children\u2019s home, you could definitely tell that it was a big day. There was a film crew and a photographer taking pictures of us exiting the van and they continued videoing and shooting photos the entire time we were there. The farewell ceremony at the children\u2019s home was truly a treasure. The people at Hilawe were so happy for Eli and they pulled out all the stops for the celebration. One of the social workers was so thoughtful to video the whole thing with our camera so we will be able to show Eli what a special ceremony this was.<\/div>\n
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They started by having a time of prayer over all of us. The director of the children\u2019s home prayed in Amaric and then Clint prayed in English. They put some fingerprint on Eli\u2019s right hand to make a handprint so that people at the children\u2019s home could remember him and pray for him. After that, they presented us a huge loaf of bread for us to cut together. It was similar to cutting a wedding cake and everyone was served a piece. The next item was a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony complete with popcorn. They also served us cokes and brought little chocolates\u2026which totally thrilled Emma! Emma was wonderful throughout the ceremony as she realized this was a very special time for her brother. She kept herself busy giving Eli kisses and making sure he was having a good time.<\/div>\n
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After the Embassy that afternoon we headed back to the hotel and got ready for naps. Emma insisted on climbing in the crib to sleep by Eli so he wouldn\u2019t be scared. We got some precious pictures of the two of them snuggling together. We pray that they will always be very close and that Emma will always look out for her baby brother. Once naps were over, we played on the playground at the hotel and then ate dinner at the gazebo restaurant by the pool. Eli ate a ton of rice and some chicken. He is a great eater and did a great job at dinner! Emma could hardly eat anything she was so excited to finally have her brother!\u00a0#7000days<\/a>#Adoption<\/a>\u00a0#Grace<\/a><\/div>\n
\nMay 8<\/div>\n
I had the best time today on the\u00a0@NCCSEagles<\/a>\u00a04th grade field trip to the\u00a0@tellusmuseum<\/a>! The NCCS Class of 2027 and their teachers are an awesome group and we learned a lot! What a privilege to spend the day with my girl and her friends on their last Lower School field trip! ??\u00a0#7000days<\/a><\/div>\n
\nMay 10<\/div>\n
I had the honor of attending Eli\u2019s Mother\u2019s Day Tea\u00a0@NCCSEagles<\/a>\u00a0this afternoon. What a treat to have that precious time with my son! If he only remembers me always saying \u201cI love you\u201d, I\u2019m good with that. I was a little worried that part might say \u201cMy Mom always says…did you brush your teeth?\u201d ?? Grateful for these moments! What a gift!\u00a0#7000days<\/a>#GoEagles<\/a>\u00a0#WeAreNCCS<\/a>\u00a0#NCCSFamily<\/a><\/div>\n
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May 12<\/div>\n
\u201cHer children rise up and call her blessed\u201d- Proverbs 31:28 Happy Mother\u2019s Day to the best there is! My mom was a single mom starting when I was 4 and my siblings were 2 and 6 months old. Somehow she managed to meet all of our needs and most of our wants. She is the epitome of sacrifice while instilling in us an appreciation for being committed to excellence in all things. Mom, you are a blessing to all who know you. I can\u2019t wait to celebrate at the beach in just a few weeks. I love you and am so blessed that God chose you to be my mom!<\/div>\n
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May 12<\/div>\n
My people. Our church. So grateful for the privilege of being Emma and Eli\u2019s mom. Such a treasure! I\u2019m mindful today of Eli\u2019s first mom as well. So grateful for the choice she made to have him and to put him in a Christian children\u2019s home when she was unable to take care of him. Each night when I kiss him goodnight and rub his hair, I think of her and her deep love and courage. God has special plans for Emma and Eli and it\u2019s such a treasure to get to be a part of pointing them towards His perfect plans!\u00a0#Grateful<\/a>\u00a0#7000days<\/a>\u00a0?\u00a0@taylorsphotographyyy<\/a>\u00a0(our favorite family photographer)<\/div>\n
\nMay 15<\/div>\n
Last night: Mom, can we lay down with you for a few minutes just to talk? 3 minutes later…precious moments!\u00a0@clintstrange32<\/a>\u00a0and I are so blessed by these two. They are growing up way too fast. Treasuring these days!\u00a0#7000days<\/a><\/div>\n
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May 15<\/div>\n
In the midst of the crazy, I am SO GRATEFUL to work with some of the most fun and joy-filled people on the planet! Well done! Note to Self: Close the sunroof. My kids LOVED this!\u00a0#GoEagles<\/a>\u00a0#WeAreNCCS<\/a>#NCCSFamily<\/a><\/div>\n
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May 18<\/div>\n
Last night\u00a0@clintstrange32<\/a>\u00a0walked back in the door after a week away on a business trip. I don\u2019t know how people do it who have a spouse that travels all the time. We need our man home. Our family works much better with him here! We are grateful he usually only travels twice a year for work, but these times he is away remind us of how much God blessed our family with Clint. The special time with Emma and Eli is always a treasure. The Strange party of four is back together again and more grateful than ever!\u00a0#7000days<\/a><\/div>\n
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May 20<\/div>\n
Lots of fun at Emma\u2019s piano recital yesterday. I\u2019m so grateful for Mr. Brink and the way he invests in all of his students. Emma always looks forward to her lesson! She spent Saturday on the softball field all day and then Sunday afternoon on the piano. I hope she always loves learning a variety of things!<\/div>\n
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This spring when it was time to select her piece for recital, Emma asked Mr. Brink if she could play \u201cSummer Breeze\u201d because it\u2019s a song that she and her Dad love to listen to. She has worked very hard these last several weeks to learn this song and keep it a surprise from\u00a0@clintstrange32<\/a>. She\u2019s practiced while he was not home or with headphones when he was home. She played this piece yesterday and it sounded great! Clint was so touched that he seemed to have something in his eyes. Such a treasure!\u00a0#7000days<\/a>#WeLoveOurGirl<\/a><\/div>\n
\nMay 21<\/div>\n
When our\u00a0@NCCSEagles<\/a>\u00a0Upper School Team and their families get together just to hang out….I feel like I get a glimpse of what heaven will be like. We definitely missed those that couldn\u2019t join us this evening…it\u2019s always the most fun when everyone is there…but tonight was a blessing. What an absolute joy to be able to serve with these brothers and sisters in Christ and their precious families as we live out our calling to invest in students for the sake of the kingdom. God is faithful! And we had a blast surprising\u00a0@alyson.epp<\/a>\u00a0to celebrate her graduation! I think we got her ? Happy Summer!\u00a0#GoEagles<\/a>#WeAreNCCS<\/a>\u00a0#NCCSFamily<\/a><\/div>\n
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May 23<\/div>\n
Tonight our precious son graduates from Kindergarten\u00a0@NCCSEagles<\/a>. Being the Upper School Principal gives me a glimpse of how fast the days are between kindergarten graduation and high school graduation and college graduation. Today we dedicate Eli again to God\u2019s plan and purpose for his life. Eli is such a joy to our family and the Lord has gifted him in many ways. I am so thankful for the teachers Eli has had at NCCS these past three years who have partnered with\u00a0@clintstrange32<\/a>\u00a0and me to invest in his heart and mind. God is faithful! This has been a year of lots of growth that has brought encouragement and enthusiasm for the days ahead. We love you Eli! God truly blessed us when he chose us to be your family! These pictures simultaneously bring smiles and tears…what a treat to see his personality in all of them! Thanks to our friend\u00a0@karen.rainwater7<\/a>\u00a0for taking them!\u00a0#7000days<\/a>\u00a0#GoEagles<\/a>#WeAreNCCS<\/a>\u00a0#NCCSFamily<\/a>\u00a0Colossians 1:17<\/div>\n
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May 23<\/div>\n
Congratulations Eli and the\u00a0@NCCSEagles<\/a>\u00a0Class of 2031 on your Kindergarten Graduation! What a special celebration!\u00a0#GoEagles<\/a>#WeAreNCCS<\/a>\u00a0#NCCSFamily<\/a>#7000days<\/a><\/div>\n
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May 27<\/div>\n
A weekend away with my people. Perfection!\u00a0#Grateful<\/a>#7000days<\/a><\/div>\n
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May 28<\/div>\n
First night of summer vacation proved to be a great night for us to cheer on\u00a0@clintstrange32<\/a>\u00a0and the Acworth Red Team as they brought home the Cobb County softball championship in their division. Way to go guys! End of an era with both Jim Croft and Joe Croft retiring after the game. Clint\u2019s been on the team for almost 20 years. Lots of long balls! Tonight it was a series of base hits and RBI\u2019s that did the job for these guys. We love\u00a0#32<\/a>!\u00a0#VisitAcworth<\/a>\u00a0#RedTeam<\/a>#Champs<\/a><\/div>\n
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May 2 My handsome boy! We love cheering for our favorite\u00a0#AcworthAstro!\u00a0#7000days May 3 Field Day\u00a0@NCCSEagles\u00a0for my favorite two little Eagles. What a fun day!\u00a0#GoEagles#WeAreNCCS\u00a0#NCCSFamily#7000days May 5 5.5.14 5 years ago today the Strange kids met for the first time. In Emma\u2019s eyes, it was love at first sight for the brother she had prayed so […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31,21,22,25,37,12,16,19,23,28,17,18,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adoption","category-bible-study","category-cedarcrest-church","category-education","category-eli","category-emma","category-family","category-funny","category-generosity","category-integrity","category-leadership","category-north-cobb-christian","category-travel"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12232"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12232\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}