First Family of 5 Weekend Getaway!

   

The kids had Spring Break this past week, so we decided that we would take them out of town for the weekend - just a short little trip.  I prepared "G" ahead of time explaining what a hotel was, what all we were going to do, and that after 2 nights sleep, we would be coming back home.  He did great.  He slept beside the girls bed and did great.

We headed to the local children's museum.

Our first stop was the water area.  "G" loved this area.  The girls have been several times, so they enjoyed being able to show him how everything worked.  We were here for a long time.

Next stop was the art area.  This is "B" favorite spot.

"A" favorite area is the music area.

After about the first half of the museum, we left for lunch.  When we returned, we headed to the science area.  All of the kids loved the hands-on activities.

 

While dad and the girls built a house, "G" figured out how to line-up the tubes to get a ball to go through them.

Next, we were off to our hotel pool.  It was awesome, because as we were headed into the pool, we ran into some good friends of ours.  We were able to hang out by the pool and visit and later do dinner and ice cream together.  They pick up their daughter from ET this week.

At first "G" was a little unsure of the pool and decided to stick to the hot tub.

After putting on some floaties, he decided to jump in.

He's a pool fan now :)

The next day, we headed to the local aquarium.

The kids discuss the "game plan".  I go over the rules of how we stick together, and what to do if you get lost.

After the aquarium and ice cream, it was such a beautiful day, we decide to do some walking.  We did a LOT of walking!!

"G" on his first carousel ride.  He loved it! 

I love this picture.  It sums up our weekend.  We had a great time!

 

God Bless America & Children Around the World

   

The kiddos have all had their school programs and have done fabulous.  I LOVE going to watch them!!!  I am so proud of them!

 

God Bless America

 

A's school did a patroitic 2nd grade music program.  It was refreshing to see the ol' red, white and blue being celebrated. 

  

".....different...different..., but we are all American - American through and through."  (I can't remember all of "A" lines.)

Children Around the World

Next, "B" and "G" had their spring program.  The theme this year was Children Around the World.  They rotate themes every 4 years, so it was fun watching and remembering when "A" first participated as a Spainish Dancer.  They did add a finale this year, and it was AWESOME!

King of the Jungle

First up was "G".  I had no idea how he would do in the program, but I was not nervous at all.  If he participated, then great.  If he froze, then I would be right there to get him, and it would be no big deal.  He did great!!  I was so proud of him, and he was so proud.  He had spotted us as he was walking in; "B" was sitting with her group really close; and he could see "A" sitting in the front with all the kiddos, so I think all of that really comforted him.

He was a little unsure as he walked up front for his turn - but smiling the whole time.  Luckily, we were in the front, so we were right there to give him the thumbs up and encourage him.

By the end, he was KING OF THE JUNGLE!!

It's been fun to see him yelling this periodically around the house.

Can Can Dancers

Their little costumes and routine were too cute.  "B" was super excited to show us her routine.  (The boys in her class did a separate routine.)

The Finale

Given the fact that our family has been blessed by international adoption and given the current situation for orphaned Ethiopia children, I "see/feel" children around the world much differently than I did just a couple of short years ago.  It was really hard not to get emotional during the finale. 

"B" class came back out together and walked around with their letters to "We Are The World". 

Then, they lined up to spell...

Then, the children started singing "Let There be Peace" on earth and let it begin with me.

With God as our Father

Brothers all are we.

Let me walk with my brother

in perfect harmony.

Then, everyone sang "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands". 

I have to say it was the BEST preschool show!!!  The staff, teachers and children did an outstanding job!!



God's Faithfulness - Looking Back - One Year Ago

 

It's around 3:30, and the phone is ringing.  Is this the call that we have been waiting for dreaming about?  A small group of friends just left, and we've all been just gitty about me getting the call any time now.   As I rush to the phone, I just know that it is AGCI - "The Call", and I feel the Holy Spirit telling me no - this is not the one. 

 

"Hi, "V".  This is Julie from AGCI.  I want to talk with you about your parameters."  She goes on to talk with me about what all we are "open" to in a child.  Then, she says that she has a little boy that she wants to talk with me about.  I get "S" on the phone, and as she lists all of the medical conditions that this little boy has, I just kinda fade out.  I just know that this is not our child.  I feel it in every sense. We decide that Julie is just going to email his information over without a picture, and then we will call her back once we have a chance to look over everything.

While we are waiting on the email, I tell "S" that I don't need to look at his information that I just feel the Holy Spirit telling me no.  "S" says okay and makes the heartbreaking call to Julie telling her that we have decided not to proceed.

I'm crying and do what I do when I don't know what to do.  I get my Bible and head to the livingroom.  I need confirmation from the LORD that we are following His will and not turning away this child based on fear.  As I read, I am washed in God's peace and his scriptures speak to me - Stand Firm, Wait upon the LORD.  

 

Later that night, I email Julie asking her to let me know when this little boy gets a family.  S and I have been talking about financially supporting him until he does.  The next day she lets me know that another family is thrilled to pursue him.

So now, we sit and
Wait upon the LORD.

Two weeks later, as I open up a waiting children email from AGCI, I see the most precious 3 1/2 year old boy - "G".  He's the one!

As our 1st court appointment turns into a 2nd, and our 2nd turns into a 3rd, I started to doubt whether or not I had missed God's will.  Was I wrong?  Was the first little boy the boy God intended to be part of our family?  Then, I read a blog where the blog reader went back to see what was going on in her life the day that her son arrived at the transition home.  

Of course, I do the same.

 

The day that "G" arrived at the transition home was the same day that we got the call from Julie about the other little boy.  It was the same day that I felt God so strongly telling me that the other little boy wasn't the one.  It was the same day that God gave me the words to Stand Firm and Wait Upon the LORD.  Words that had comforted me during the disappointments.

Here we are a year later, and I am in awe of God's faithfulness.  I am in awe of His blessings when we Stand Firm and Wait upon Him.

A year ago today, a tiny 23lb 3 1/2 year old boy half-way across the world walked into Hannah's Hope scared and alone.  Today, he is thriving!  He is vibrant, full of life, full of potential, free to be who God has called him to be. 

 

He is our blessing!

 

How Great is Thy Faithfulness Lord Unto Me!

karenhalbertphotography.com

Thank you to Karen, an amazing friend and photographer, who squeezed us into her busy schedule to capture this day of God's faithfulness.

    

Father / Daughter Dance

   

There's only one thing that is sweeter than a little girl who thinks her daddy hung the moon - TWO little girls who think their daddy is the best!

This was "B" first time to attend our church's father/daughter dance.  She was so excited.  The night before I overheard big sister telling her all the details about the dance and telling her that she was just going to love it.

  

A little chuckle

   
We live in the best country!  But, I do have to chuckle that today in the mail, we got 3 separate letters from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services - a Permanent Resident Card, a notice for a biometric appointment for a permanent resident card, and a welcome to the country notice.  Just a little adoption humor...

Dreams of a California King & First Prayers...

Dreams of a California King...
       
For the past 4 months, I have had the bed all to myself.  Sure, I would get a little lonely sometimes, but I got used to sleeping in the middle and having everything be just perfect for my sleeping conditions :)  Well, last week, we decided that "G" was doing great and that "S" no longer needed to sleep with him.  So, now I found myself with about 1/4 of a queen size bed.  No, not 1/2.  You see I have this cute little guy crawl into bed with me sometime between 4 and 5ish every morning now.  And, we must share a pillow :)  And, of course, there are mornings like today, where I was between 2 cute little ones on my half of a queen size bed.  Yes, I was basically on 1/6 of a queen size bed.  Of course, I am LOVING the attachment and cuddles, but I do find myself daydreaming of a California King  :)

First Bedtime Prayers...
 
Tonight we didn't have our usual - everyone sit in a circle in someone's room and say bedtime prayers.  It was a little rushed, so everyone was off to be tucked in individually.  Well, as I was laying with Sam, and we were talking.  He reminded me that it was prayer time.  Now, he usually prays with us with some promptings from me.  But, tonight he totally did it on his own.

"Dear God, I pray for school.  Thank you for family, for B, for A, for Mommy, for Daddy.  Amen"

O...I just wonder what all God has in store for him!

In Observance of Martin Luther King Jr.

      

 

In God's Kingdom, we are one in Christ.

...There is neither Jew or Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ...Galatians 3:28

"Take the first step in faith.  You don't have to see the whole staircase." 
Martin Luther King Jr.