Another mass update

Anna without her 2 front teeth.

The Critter Barn a couple of weeks ago. We love this place. The kids were able to hold the cats, bunnies, ducks... and this time even run with the new baby goats. It was so cute to watch! Rachel did not want anything to do with the curious and playful kids but Anna and Elijah loved it.

We enjoy any opportunity to enjoy the nice spring weather. This is at Hemlock Crossing on a beautiful day.

Our fearless leader.

Rachel's first haircut. I fought it for a long time but finally had to give up--she needed it!

Love and blessings to you! Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Elijah's February Birthday

Here are the long awaited Elijah bday pictures. I can't believe that he is 4 years old!!!! We love you, Elijah!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Aimee and I rented a documentary of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer last night. Coincidentally, yesterday was the 64th anniversary of his hanging by the Nazi's for plotting in the assassination of Hitler. I look forward to meeting him one day. What a tremendous witness for Christ amongst one of the worst storms ever known.

A quote from him that I found on John Piper's blog today:

"The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world. It is that dying of the old man which is the result of his encounter with Christ. As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death—we give over our lives to death. Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. It may be a death like that of the first disciples who had to leave home and work to follow him, or it may be a death like Luther’s, who had to leave the monastery and go out into the world. But it is the same death every time—death in Jesus Christ, the death of the old man at his call. (The Cost of Discipleship, 99) "

I find the challenge convicting on this Good Friday. Remembering the God-Man, Jesus, that perfectly avoided every attachment of this world and yet, still died a criminal's death. Amazing Grace, isn't it?

Mexico.

Quick and easy. Here is a handful of pictures of our trip to Mexico, celebrating 10 years of marriage. Had a great time despite some abnormally cool weather.

Biking in Shanghai

My biking friend, Evart, posted a great video of a recent bike ride in Shanghai. I saw a lot of unique scenery when riding in Shanghai, including sights similar to those in the video. Lots of memories. Thanks Evart for posting it.

"Oh My Word"

Yes,

I fully predicted the words that would come out of your mouth when you looked upon the Bowman Blog today. Call me gifted. I think that's why my kindergarten teacher called me "special". She knew.

We just haven't updated because we've been flat out staying out of trouble. You know, the whole China thing completely scrambled our lives. Reading our blog was like reading the headlines of your national newspaper...."Trains collide in Scranton" "Ryan is running of deodorant" "Sully lands in the Hudson" "Anna successfully pee'd in a chinese toilet" and the headlines go on.

There is one update...our adoption continues to progress. Aimee is the leader of this process for our family so if you want specifics, talk to her. If you ask me, you're going to get something like, "Uh, yeah, we are going to submit our 'dossey hey' this year. And then we'll probably wait about 12 to 48 months, give or take, before we can pick her up."

In reality, I just tend to take it one month at a time. If I get too worked up about timelines, the months will start to feel like weeks. I don’t need that.

For the adoption, the Chinese government wants to see our family with others. Here are pics that have been taken with that in mind, though not all of these will make the final cut. Some of you look too deranged. If you have the time and a camera, snap photos with us soon. Photoshop also works too.

And Happy Birthday Ryan Krauss.




My sister Megan, her husband Derek, and son Evan

Our friends Ryan, Missy, and Joshua.

My grandparents.

The Bowman clan.

Aimee's sisters Joy and Heather.

Aimee's parents.

Aimee's sister Heather and husband Dave.

The Underwear Girl

I finally thought to get the camera to get proof of Rachel's love for underwear as a hat or necklace. She doesn't care if they are clean or dirty, race cars or flowers--anything works for her. Thankfully, this pair is clean.

Great Wolf Lodge

This weekend, we were blessed to be able to go to the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City. We had a blast. It has been a very busy year so it was fun to get away and enjoy some down time together.

The kids are listening to the bed time story in the lobby.

Christmas

The kids and I had a lot of fun doing holiday baking together. Elijah had fun crashing his peanut butter cars in a big pile up.

The Kids Praise Christmas concert was so beautifully done. Anna had fun getting her makeup done and then singing her heart out. Notice the bright lips in the picture with Nana and Papa. :)

Rachel now sits on the bar stools with "the big kids". She LOVES it!