If you've read my last post you'll have a better understanding of the significance of this one. God is definitely working out the kinks for me!
The last month has been pretty intense with change. About a month ago, I began praying about what to do with Kojo and Nyenna for school. We love homeschooling, but what I began to realize is that I just do not have the resources, energy, and knowledge to teach them right now. I really felt they needed some very specific English as a second language stuff(because they are older). Liberians do speak a 'form' of English...but in reality they have no foundation in American English, what so ever. I felt like this would be key for their future in life over all and in education. We are SO blessed that just blocks away is an IB World school with an incredible international program (which means diversity!). I think they have about 70 international kids, and are staffed to handle kids just like N & K. When first contacting them over a month ago...I wasn't aware of the huge blessing and favor that God had waiting for us.
A week before school started, we had ELA teachers come to our house and spend a couple of hours getting to know us. They then spent time with N & K at the school the week before it started just to get them introduced to everything. I've been working hard advocating on their behalf. Mainly because they are international students, but they are also children that have NEVER had 1 day of schooling their whole life(and they come with some unique adoption issues to be sensitive to). I am shocked at the hearts of the staff and school district over all. Many, if not almost all of my meetings with staff, have included very real and open conversations with lots of tears flowing(from everyone) for Nyenna and Kojo. Both are doing beautifully! They are exhausted...but slowly adjusting to the stimulation of even simple things like, remembering where your classroom is. I have a meeting next week with all the ELA people, Nyenna's teacher and the head school district people, to start narrowing down a modified learning schedule for her. I'm so grateful for this community that is totally favoring us and reaching out in love, to invest in these little lives. We are feeling really loved by it all.
2nd Kink getting ironed out...I'm getting help from my own personal chef! Christin(known to many as Boots, or by our children,Auntie Booty:) She has so generously offered to help me with feeding my family. She is an amazing chef. Her gift and job is to cook good food for lots of people and she does it well! Basically she is putting together a month-ish long menu...that we will work on and then we'll be breaking it all down into shopping and then she's offered to help me cook all the yummy things that my family will consume. We've known her now for years, and she's well aware of what she is getting into and basically is giving herself to me in this way for as long as it takes for me to "get it together".
These 2 things are BIG for me...in fact they may just save my life!
In some others areas...it's safe to say I'm still reeling and just making it through another day. Mostly, I'm happy my kids are learning in a loving environment and my people will EAT.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Friday, September 05, 2008
Confessions of an Adoptive Mom:
That just may, someday, be the title of a collaborative adoption book!
In this house there is stack of books, close to a mile high(we live just N. of Denver...the mile high city:) Anyway, those books are full of advice, expectations, issues, joys, and heart aches pertaining to adoption process and adoption. I think I have read close to ever word in that stack. First off, all these books DO NOT contain those topics in relation to adopting African children. For sure, most DO NOT pertain
to adoption of multiple children at one time.(or spread over 10 mn. in our case) Lucky for me, I've got women close to me that are on this same road, and we can hash it all out, in love.
Disclaimer: Those of you that know me personally, KNOW I have no time or room...to "beat around the bush". I love honesty and I'm an open heart. I have a hard time being in situations where I can't be real in an honest and loving way.Needless to say, I've learned there are some people that know what to do with me. Then there's those that glaze over...because I put myself out there pretty easily. This is just "my" journey. My heart has no intention of dishonoring our children, adoption, or you. I'm only putting this out there because I've thought...I wish someone would have been raw and real with me and told me these things. Everyone has a different story. But I've talked with many of you and with others "out there"...that have said,"I'm in the same place, and I wish I knew others were too or I wish I would of known this was a possibility." I felt totally prepared to meet the needs of my adjusting adopted children. I was totally unprepared in knowing what my adjustment needs would look like? So I'll try to keep it short and save the rest of the words for 'The Book'.
Short back round of our story. We worked hard, fought the fight, fund raised, fought, fought, and fought for our children and the money to bring them home, for almost 3 years. We hit just about every hurdle and snag and then some...that you can encounter with International Adoptions. We lived and breathed these children in their absence. We were usually seconds from tears at any given moment and we grew to know ourselves and God in way we wouldn't know other wise. The battle was real and intense. I'm feeling it again, as we have families close to us that are now in that place. I'm watching them, praying for them, truly bearing the pain of their hearts, and crying out on their behalf and their children's behalf. Having them so close to us, has brought upon much of my revelation. Those labor pains have not left me.
After 2 years of adoption process we were so blessed to bring home Kojo. However, we were still fighting for his cousins, Nyenna & Titus. Adjustment with Kojo, required adjusting for sure, BUT it was doable. There was just one of him, and much of our energy could focus on and meet his needs. Even in the midst of focusing intensely on the adoptions of N & T. Me, as a mom, could still home school, manage our finances, keep up on the house, be a taxi, prepare 3 good meals a day, feel like I had enough of myself and my love to go around and have my time and keep my mind. See, doable. I'm not knocking anyone here when I say...It is totally different when you adopt more than one child and bring them all into your family at once(especially with adopting older children). Whether it be 2 or 12 kids...it's just different. I can only say this, because it's my experience. By NO means am I saying those of you that have adopted one younger child are exempt from what I've been in...or that you're not doing enough. I commend you and you are a hero!
I've had the unique opportunity to do both. Adopt one child and then 10 months later experience bringing home 2 children(one considered older when it comes to adoption) and being able to compare the 2 situations.
Things looked a little like this...Laurie in survival mode. Crawling, fighting, bleeding, broken, and willing to do anything to get these kids where I knew they were supposed to be. With us. Then, they came home. Things looked a little like this...Laurie elated, but still just surviving each day.
Things I didn't know I would have to deal with...
Kojo regressing basically back, 9 ish months. He went back in language...grieving again more regularly, his eating habits regressed and on top of it, problems with him giving up his status as Kojo "King", in the literal sense. This surprised us all.
The noise level. OK I'm not a complete idiot and I realize that more children equals more noise. I think most of you that have more than 1 Liberian child, can relate pretty closely to this. There is normal child noise levels(i'm around many other large families)...and then there's the noise level of children that have come from an orphanage, probably where at lot of the time they have to interact loudly, just because there was so many of them. Honestly, the noise became unbearable for me. Example...Titus and Nyenna 6 inches from each other(in the kitchen) and you can hear every word he's saying if you were are on the opposite side of the house on another level. I'm not kidding. ALL and any communication was at level 10. yes we've had their ears checked...and Kojo is the only one that has questionable hearing issues.
Food issues: I wasn't sure what to expect with this...these issues are waaay evident with Nyenna(to some degree exist with K & T too). She could be anywhere between the age of 7 or 9? So, she has lived the longest, with little to no food. I came to the place where I literally could not have them in the kitchen with me when I was preparing food. The minute I turned my back any food within reach would be consumed. I couldn't cut or chop food in a place where little hands could reach, because they would appear from nowhere to get to the food and I have literally almost cut fingers.(non-intentionally of course). Meals were consisting of at least 2 adult size portions and them wanting more. N was very sweet, carrying all of our plates to the sink at dinner's end. When I watched more closely, I realized she would secretly shove any food left on the plates into her mouth.(on top of what she had eaten at dinner). After each meal she would ask specifically what we were eating for the next meal. I would tell her...then she would ask to see the food (all ingredients) and wanted to know when it would happen, exactly. OK, with this being an isolated thing, it's no big deal...BUT remember I was in survival mode. In my mind(my- we have plenty of food, American, never been without -mind) I found it exhausting! Trying to have my meals(3) planned so specifically for her those first few weeks and on top of it showing her the next meal when I hadn't even cleaned up 'that' meal. But I felt like it was important for her to be reassured of that and obviously it was a part of her adjustment...AND apparently MINE. Things have changed. But it only has happened over time (6 months) and with consistency.
I can do nothing well. This creates big internal stress for me. Somewhere in life, I have believed the lie...If you can't do something well, you shouldn't be doing it at all. By letting this marinate in my heart over the years, the result is usually... me being totally paralyzed in fear of failure. I've dealt with this in the past, but clearly it has popped up again.
What things can't I do well?
Keeping up with the house. Think, if 7 people leave out just 1 pair of shoes...yep 14 shoes, out. If an area is clean, that's where everyone moves to, when you have to clean a different area. Then your left with chasing the last mess, and NEVER having things where they should be. A simple thing like never having boys before. Um why didn't anyone tell me they miss the toilet? That they pee on the walls, around the toilet, on the toilet, through the toilet(when you make them sit down). MY GOSH, what in the world? More than doubling the amount of children you have, will more than double the amount of laundry you do.DUH right. Well who considers this when they are up all night for weeks, trying to just speak to a Consular at the US Embassy in Liberia. Yeah I wasn't thinking...wow, Laurie you better be prepared to have your ears bleed from kid volume, or you should have 3 meals a day in mind and ready to be prepared, because this is very important to your Liberian daughter. Or Laurie you should be prepared to do 45 loads of laundry a day(slight exaggeration). And in the midst of that, you'll need to be on top of your game, because you'll be comforting 3 very precious and confused children, that are with strangers and in a strange place and are having to be told NO, and learn boundaries and test boundaries etc. All the while...you continue doing your "other life". Health Insurance, your own business, doctor appointments, health issues, paying your bills(yeah believe it or not, this has even become challenging), maintaining your bio-kids(who in the midst of this became teenagers, and you have NO idea how to parent them) managing your home, having a plan for just the next day...Oh and Laurie you need to be prepared to not be able to DO ANYTHING WELL...ANYTHING! Yep I just didn't go there in the midst of the fight and so I found myself reeling a bit over it all once I started living there.
There's more but I think I'll save it.
My advice...for what it's worth?
Any of you adopting children, especially those of you adopting more than one child, older children, and even just African children(not that they are harder or worse, there just isn't anything 'out there' really yet, preparing us parents for those specific kids)...surround yourself with people that you KNOW love you, NO MATTER WHAT. I don't mean masses of people. I mean one or preferably two people that you can be completely honest with and show who you really are at your worst and it be OK with them. And they still love you, and they don't try to give you answers or advice or fix you...but they are willing to walk through it with you and go to God with you, on your behalf. If I didn't have those 2 people...I'm not sure where I'd be...but it would not be a good place, I know that much. Maybe some people can go through things like this and maintain themselves with out these types of relationships. Me personally, NO WAY. I believe God designed us to truly carry one another's burdens, and to do it in love without judging each other, and do it to the end. Affirming the truth of who we are to each other and calling that potential out of the people that are this close to us. I would also suggest having these people 'in place' so to speak, before your children come home. If you don't already have them, be praying that God will bring them and that He will show you who they are.
Being honest here. My "2 people" have watched me "lose it" over and over and over again. They tell me they still love me...they even 'still' tell me, that they see Jesus in me. Even at my worst places. Because of their faithfulness to me I'm starting to believe them;)
What would I change?
NOTHING. period. Well.... except, maybe a book that I could of read...giving me practical advice on what to expect after bringing home more than 1 African child...not just covering their adjustments...but also what I might have been facing myself.
The truth:
Nyenna, Kojo, and Titus are unbelievable children. They are wonderful and lovely. I am not worthy to be their mother. I truly mean that. I ask God daily why He has chosen me for such a great and honoring place in their lives. I am overwhelmed and moved every time I think of the incredible responsibility I have over them. I pray that in spite of who I am and my sin that they will know Jesus' love and that they will know HIM. They (like Kiah & Cierra) are a powerful testimony to God's glory and His undying goodness and love. I wouldn't want life any other way.
I'm just a girl that in every one of my days, usually more than once...
I'm lost then found...only because of Amazing Grace.
In this house there is stack of books, close to a mile high(we live just N. of Denver...the mile high city:) Anyway, those books are full of advice, expectations, issues, joys, and heart aches pertaining to adoption process and adoption. I think I have read close to ever word in that stack. First off, all these books DO NOT contain those topics in relation to adopting African children. For sure, most DO NOT pertain
to adoption of multiple children at one time.(or spread over 10 mn. in our case) Lucky for me, I've got women close to me that are on this same road, and we can hash it all out, in love.
Disclaimer: Those of you that know me personally, KNOW I have no time or room...to "beat around the bush". I love honesty and I'm an open heart. I have a hard time being in situations where I can't be real in an honest and loving way.Needless to say, I've learned there are some people that know what to do with me. Then there's those that glaze over...because I put myself out there pretty easily. This is just "my" journey. My heart has no intention of dishonoring our children, adoption, or you. I'm only putting this out there because I've thought...I wish someone would have been raw and real with me and told me these things. Everyone has a different story. But I've talked with many of you and with others "out there"...that have said,"I'm in the same place, and I wish I knew others were too or I wish I would of known this was a possibility." I felt totally prepared to meet the needs of my adjusting adopted children. I was totally unprepared in knowing what my adjustment needs would look like? So I'll try to keep it short and save the rest of the words for 'The Book'.
Short back round of our story. We worked hard, fought the fight, fund raised, fought, fought, and fought for our children and the money to bring them home, for almost 3 years. We hit just about every hurdle and snag and then some...that you can encounter with International Adoptions. We lived and breathed these children in their absence. We were usually seconds from tears at any given moment and we grew to know ourselves and God in way we wouldn't know other wise. The battle was real and intense. I'm feeling it again, as we have families close to us that are now in that place. I'm watching them, praying for them, truly bearing the pain of their hearts, and crying out on their behalf and their children's behalf. Having them so close to us, has brought upon much of my revelation. Those labor pains have not left me.
After 2 years of adoption process we were so blessed to bring home Kojo. However, we were still fighting for his cousins, Nyenna & Titus. Adjustment with Kojo, required adjusting for sure, BUT it was doable. There was just one of him, and much of our energy could focus on and meet his needs. Even in the midst of focusing intensely on the adoptions of N & T. Me, as a mom, could still home school, manage our finances, keep up on the house, be a taxi, prepare 3 good meals a day, feel like I had enough of myself and my love to go around and have my time and keep my mind. See, doable. I'm not knocking anyone here when I say...It is totally different when you adopt more than one child and bring them all into your family at once(especially with adopting older children). Whether it be 2 or 12 kids...it's just different. I can only say this, because it's my experience. By NO means am I saying those of you that have adopted one younger child are exempt from what I've been in...or that you're not doing enough. I commend you and you are a hero!
I've had the unique opportunity to do both. Adopt one child and then 10 months later experience bringing home 2 children(one considered older when it comes to adoption) and being able to compare the 2 situations.
Things looked a little like this...Laurie in survival mode. Crawling, fighting, bleeding, broken, and willing to do anything to get these kids where I knew they were supposed to be. With us. Then, they came home. Things looked a little like this...Laurie elated, but still just surviving each day.
Things I didn't know I would have to deal with...
Kojo regressing basically back, 9 ish months. He went back in language...grieving again more regularly, his eating habits regressed and on top of it, problems with him giving up his status as Kojo "King", in the literal sense. This surprised us all.
The noise level. OK I'm not a complete idiot and I realize that more children equals more noise. I think most of you that have more than 1 Liberian child, can relate pretty closely to this. There is normal child noise levels(i'm around many other large families)...and then there's the noise level of children that have come from an orphanage, probably where at lot of the time they have to interact loudly, just because there was so many of them. Honestly, the noise became unbearable for me. Example...Titus and Nyenna 6 inches from each other(in the kitchen) and you can hear every word he's saying if you were are on the opposite side of the house on another level. I'm not kidding. ALL and any communication was at level 10. yes we've had their ears checked...and Kojo is the only one that has questionable hearing issues.
Food issues: I wasn't sure what to expect with this...these issues are waaay evident with Nyenna(to some degree exist with K & T too). She could be anywhere between the age of 7 or 9? So, she has lived the longest, with little to no food. I came to the place where I literally could not have them in the kitchen with me when I was preparing food. The minute I turned my back any food within reach would be consumed. I couldn't cut or chop food in a place where little hands could reach, because they would appear from nowhere to get to the food and I have literally almost cut fingers.(non-intentionally of course). Meals were consisting of at least 2 adult size portions and them wanting more. N was very sweet, carrying all of our plates to the sink at dinner's end. When I watched more closely, I realized she would secretly shove any food left on the plates into her mouth.(on top of what she had eaten at dinner). After each meal she would ask specifically what we were eating for the next meal. I would tell her...then she would ask to see the food (all ingredients) and wanted to know when it would happen, exactly. OK, with this being an isolated thing, it's no big deal...BUT remember I was in survival mode. In my mind(my- we have plenty of food, American, never been without -mind) I found it exhausting! Trying to have my meals(3) planned so specifically for her those first few weeks and on top of it showing her the next meal when I hadn't even cleaned up 'that' meal. But I felt like it was important for her to be reassured of that and obviously it was a part of her adjustment...AND apparently MINE. Things have changed. But it only has happened over time (6 months) and with consistency.
I can do nothing well. This creates big internal stress for me. Somewhere in life, I have believed the lie...If you can't do something well, you shouldn't be doing it at all. By letting this marinate in my heart over the years, the result is usually... me being totally paralyzed in fear of failure. I've dealt with this in the past, but clearly it has popped up again.
What things can't I do well?
Keeping up with the house. Think, if 7 people leave out just 1 pair of shoes...yep 14 shoes, out. If an area is clean, that's where everyone moves to, when you have to clean a different area. Then your left with chasing the last mess, and NEVER having things where they should be. A simple thing like never having boys before. Um why didn't anyone tell me they miss the toilet? That they pee on the walls, around the toilet, on the toilet, through the toilet(when you make them sit down). MY GOSH, what in the world? More than doubling the amount of children you have, will more than double the amount of laundry you do.DUH right. Well who considers this when they are up all night for weeks, trying to just speak to a Consular at the US Embassy in Liberia. Yeah I wasn't thinking...wow, Laurie you better be prepared to have your ears bleed from kid volume, or you should have 3 meals a day in mind and ready to be prepared, because this is very important to your Liberian daughter. Or Laurie you should be prepared to do 45 loads of laundry a day(slight exaggeration). And in the midst of that, you'll need to be on top of your game, because you'll be comforting 3 very precious and confused children, that are with strangers and in a strange place and are having to be told NO, and learn boundaries and test boundaries etc. All the while...you continue doing your "other life". Health Insurance, your own business, doctor appointments, health issues, paying your bills(yeah believe it or not, this has even become challenging), maintaining your bio-kids(who in the midst of this became teenagers, and you have NO idea how to parent them) managing your home, having a plan for just the next day...Oh and Laurie you need to be prepared to not be able to DO ANYTHING WELL...ANYTHING! Yep I just didn't go there in the midst of the fight and so I found myself reeling a bit over it all once I started living there.
There's more but I think I'll save it.
My advice...for what it's worth?
Any of you adopting children, especially those of you adopting more than one child, older children, and even just African children(not that they are harder or worse, there just isn't anything 'out there' really yet, preparing us parents for those specific kids)...surround yourself with people that you KNOW love you, NO MATTER WHAT. I don't mean masses of people. I mean one or preferably two people that you can be completely honest with and show who you really are at your worst and it be OK with them. And they still love you, and they don't try to give you answers or advice or fix you...but they are willing to walk through it with you and go to God with you, on your behalf. If I didn't have those 2 people...I'm not sure where I'd be...but it would not be a good place, I know that much. Maybe some people can go through things like this and maintain themselves with out these types of relationships. Me personally, NO WAY. I believe God designed us to truly carry one another's burdens, and to do it in love without judging each other, and do it to the end. Affirming the truth of who we are to each other and calling that potential out of the people that are this close to us. I would also suggest having these people 'in place' so to speak, before your children come home. If you don't already have them, be praying that God will bring them and that He will show you who they are.
Being honest here. My "2 people" have watched me "lose it" over and over and over again. They tell me they still love me...they even 'still' tell me, that they see Jesus in me. Even at my worst places. Because of their faithfulness to me I'm starting to believe them;)
What would I change?
NOTHING. period. Well.... except, maybe a book that I could of read...giving me practical advice on what to expect after bringing home more than 1 African child...not just covering their adjustments...but also what I might have been facing myself.
The truth:
Nyenna, Kojo, and Titus are unbelievable children. They are wonderful and lovely. I am not worthy to be their mother. I truly mean that. I ask God daily why He has chosen me for such a great and honoring place in their lives. I am overwhelmed and moved every time I think of the incredible responsibility I have over them. I pray that in spite of who I am and my sin that they will know Jesus' love and that they will know HIM. They (like Kiah & Cierra) are a powerful testimony to God's glory and His undying goodness and love. I wouldn't want life any other way.
I'm just a girl that in every one of my days, usually more than once...
I'm lost then found...only because of Amazing Grace.
Monday, August 25, 2008
good nights:
Our 'good nights' consist of books, prayers, what we're most thankful for from the day, and each 'little' gets their own secret(from mom). I know, sounds like an ordeal. But it can happen pretty smoothly now a days.
Kojo's prayer tonight: " God help all the people that don't have brown children, to get them."
So all you people who are thinking about adopting "brown children, as Kojo says"
Kojo is praying for you!
And if you aren't thinking about it, Kojo is praying for you!
Nyenna gave me the sweetest treat tonight...
My secret from her "Mama I love you, you're so beautiful, thank you for sending for me"
Awwwwww....yes sweaty eyes.
Kojo's prayer tonight: " God help all the people that don't have brown children, to get them."
So all you people who are thinking about adopting "brown children, as Kojo says"
Kojo is praying for you!
And if you aren't thinking about it, Kojo is praying for you!
Nyenna gave me the sweetest treat tonight...
My secret from her "Mama I love you, you're so beautiful, thank you for sending for me"
Awwwwww....yes sweaty eyes.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Yeah-
The fog is lifting...seein' more clear...a new rhythm has almost been established. I see can the light that is coming! For now our family will be relaxing in a nice big hotel suite...
Friday, July 25, 2008
Just some summer fun....
Days are melting together...we're enjoying summer...and each other. Kids are playing hard...Dono's working his behindy off...Laurie's needing and receiving lots of amazin' grace.
Plan to do some writing. I've had a few fellow and potential adoptive parents request that I write more about "the adoption adjustment stuff". I've got lots in my head and heart, but can't find the time. Been writing follow up stuff for each of the grants we received. Which translates into a lot of computer time, already.
Soooo, just throwin' out some pictures. in no particular order.
Nyenna July 4th
N & Titus first time to the pool
Kiah Cierra, and our "other children"
href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_fUWtW6i_V_E/SIntfu1DSrI/AAAAAAAAAok/Su34Gx2vJCA/s1600-h/teenagers.JPG">
Laurie and her favorite 15 yr. old and favorite almost 13 yr. old
This was exciting...neighbors house on fire, N T K were in AWE over the fire truck and personally meeting the firemen
Pool time with Grammy Poppie
href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_fUWtW6i_V_E/SInsQniaN-I/AAAAAAAAAoE/qSe2v1GKIvQ/s1600-h/poppie+Grammypool.JPG">
Kojo's transformer Birthday
T's first train ride
Lee Martinez Farm
Historical Museum
Goodbye love to Grammy
Goodbye love to Poppie
Time with Cousins
Plan to do some writing. I've had a few fellow and potential adoptive parents request that I write more about "the adoption adjustment stuff". I've got lots in my head and heart, but can't find the time. Been writing follow up stuff for each of the grants we received. Which translates into a lot of computer time, already.
Soooo, just throwin' out some pictures. in no particular order.
Nyenna July 4th
N & Titus first time to the pool
Kiah Cierra, and our "other children"
href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_fUWtW6i_V_E/SIntfu1DSrI/AAAAAAAAAok/Su34Gx2vJCA/s1600-h/teenagers.JPG">
Laurie and her favorite 15 yr. old and favorite almost 13 yr. old
This was exciting...neighbors house on fire, N T K were in AWE over the fire truck and personally meeting the firemen
Pool time with Grammy Poppie
href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_fUWtW6i_V_E/SInsQniaN-I/AAAAAAAAAoE/qSe2v1GKIvQ/s1600-h/poppie+Grammypool.JPG">
Kojo's transformer Birthday
T's first train ride
Lee Martinez Farm
Historical Museum
Goodbye love to Grammy
Goodbye love to Poppie
Time with Cousins
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Yesterday's words...
The best things I heard yesterday...
TITUS: While having my face gripped in both of his little hands...gazing into my eyes, as they glaze over...lips puckered in expectation he says
"I LOVE YOU, MY SWEET WOMAN"...then kiss.
This is not an unusual statement made by this 3 year old 'OOZING' with love and affections. If Dono is present it typically begins the debate of 'who's sweet woman I really am'. Then it will end with Titus whispering in my ear..."I will marry you!"
(big sigh)
NYENNA: Lights out...said our prayers, and now each of us pick the best thing from our day, so we can thank God for that.
N says, "Thank you God, for my Grammy and Popie...that you gave them plenty of money so they could visit and stay with us." This was followed by, "please provide for us to go and visit them on Your birthday." (um- yeah Christmas;)
KOJO: Kojo rarely goes here but when he does I literally feel joy raise up in my heart. He can laugh, but when he "REALLY" laughs it's the best. Yesterday, I got the laugh. His full, perfect lips split so far apart in the form of a smile that they appear to be on the verge of taring. Then those little, pearly, baby teeth make a full and unashamed appearance...then GUMS...followed up by a laugh that could I listen to over and over again. When he's at his peak...it's almost like you expect his little "inter being" to pop out of his mouth and say, "HEY it's me, Kojo's inter being...let me outta here!"
TITUS: While having my face gripped in both of his little hands...gazing into my eyes, as they glaze over...lips puckered in expectation he says
"I LOVE YOU, MY SWEET WOMAN"...then kiss.
This is not an unusual statement made by this 3 year old 'OOZING' with love and affections. If Dono is present it typically begins the debate of 'who's sweet woman I really am'. Then it will end with Titus whispering in my ear..."I will marry you!"
(big sigh)
NYENNA: Lights out...said our prayers, and now each of us pick the best thing from our day, so we can thank God for that.
N says, "Thank you God, for my Grammy and Popie...that you gave them plenty of money so they could visit and stay with us." This was followed by, "please provide for us to go and visit them on Your birthday." (um- yeah Christmas;)
KOJO: Kojo rarely goes here but when he does I literally feel joy raise up in my heart. He can laugh, but when he "REALLY" laughs it's the best. Yesterday, I got the laugh. His full, perfect lips split so far apart in the form of a smile that they appear to be on the verge of taring. Then those little, pearly, baby teeth make a full and unashamed appearance...then GUMS...followed up by a laugh that could I listen to over and over again. When he's at his peak...it's almost like you expect his little "inter being" to pop out of his mouth and say, "HEY it's me, Kojo's inter being...let me outta here!"
Monday, June 16, 2008
BEEN AWHILE.....
I haven't posted in a long time. Summer must be in full swing. This is the season I desperately wait for, here in Colorado. We have about 5 1/2 months of beautiful weather...the rest of the year I'm not overly fond of, but I can deal. So once spring kicks in we pretty much don't mess around, just get right down to living out those 5 1/2 months to there very fullest!
We've done too much to post about, so I'll just add some pictures here and a couple little things...once everything slows down for us, I'll post an update on how the kids are adjusting. I also have a list of people I'll still be highlighting, you know in our "world changers" series;)
Last week....
In this picture there are 4 moms. Jennifer, Katie, myself, and Amanda. 1 1/2 years ago these 4 moms met at a park...with them totaled 8 biological children and 1 Liberian(Jennifer's daughter had come home).
This time the scene was a little different! Because a total of 8 MORE children have now been added to the mix! 7 from Liberia and 1 from Ethiopia. What a beautiful sight we are all together! 4 moms, 17 children...
How do we survive?
Uh-huh....caffeine
ALL of our children enjoyed the afternoon together...I love these moms and I love these kids...it's sooo great to look at each one of them, and remember the endless prayers and cries for them to come home to their families. GOD IS GOOD!
This weekend we built this beautiful bamboo fence. If you've never seen this before, it's a great alternative to killing more trees;) Bamboo can grow at an amazing rate and it's very durable...building a fence- go green, hug a tree.(little inside joke here)
Not only did I marry handsome, but I also married "handy"
Couple random pics.
Daisy stops to smell the flowers:
Little cutie pie
Well for now...I'll be going back to....
Cleaning things that are dirty-
Feeding people that are hungry-
Planting things that are beautiful-
Loving and enjoying those around me-
And intermittently picking up a guitar or a book.
Peace and love to you all!
Happy Summer
We've done too much to post about, so I'll just add some pictures here and a couple little things...once everything slows down for us, I'll post an update on how the kids are adjusting. I also have a list of people I'll still be highlighting, you know in our "world changers" series;)
Last week....
In this picture there are 4 moms. Jennifer, Katie, myself, and Amanda. 1 1/2 years ago these 4 moms met at a park...with them totaled 8 biological children and 1 Liberian(Jennifer's daughter had come home).
This time the scene was a little different! Because a total of 8 MORE children have now been added to the mix! 7 from Liberia and 1 from Ethiopia. What a beautiful sight we are all together! 4 moms, 17 children...
How do we survive?
Uh-huh....caffeine
ALL of our children enjoyed the afternoon together...I love these moms and I love these kids...it's sooo great to look at each one of them, and remember the endless prayers and cries for them to come home to their families. GOD IS GOOD!
This weekend we built this beautiful bamboo fence. If you've never seen this before, it's a great alternative to killing more trees;) Bamboo can grow at an amazing rate and it's very durable...building a fence- go green, hug a tree.(little inside joke here)
Not only did I marry handsome, but I also married "handy"
Couple random pics.
Daisy stops to smell the flowers:
Little cutie pie
Well for now...I'll be going back to....
Cleaning things that are dirty-
Feeding people that are hungry-
Planting things that are beautiful-
Loving and enjoying those around me-
And intermittently picking up a guitar or a book.
Peace and love to you all!
Happy Summer
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