"Let’s do this together"

“Maria, yook-it!”

Maria watched me airplane feed Elijah and tried it with Finley, who always happily obliges, even if he has just finished eating his own meal.  “Mmmmm, fank you, ‘Aria!”  She knows the key to his heart 😉

“Ok Finley, say ahhhhh!”

‘No prob, sis, my most bff!’  Flippin cuties

We are in such a sweet spot in our adoption, where our children have reached a place for the first time in their lives where they are healthy, happy and joyful.  They no longer live in survival mode, but are filled up with safety, love and fun, knowing their needs will be met.

It’s exhausting for orphans to be so small, yet constantly be on alert to try to care for themselves.  We saw a gradual relaxing in their hearts in those first few weeks we cared for them, which gave way to a sharp increase in their physical and mental growth.  They were free to be kids, relying on parents for the first time.  What was once fear and pain, is now happiness, where they splash their new found joy onto others as they continue to grow.

If I’m convinced of anything, it’s that children are resilient, and grow with love, even if they had been denied it their whole lives prior.

 Andrew and I just can’t even believe it, we can’t put into words just how thankful and happy we are, it feels very abundant.  But, at many moments throughout the day, as I look at my children, I sometimes can’t believe that there are ‘waiting children.’  That children wait, and wait and hope and long for families, and that families miss out on it all.  I can’t believe our children waited as long as they did.  I know many people looked at each of our children, but to many they weren’t ‘perfect enough.’  Man, can you even imagine how much those people are missing out?  Or, I suppose how close we came to missing out ourselves.

Sweet moments that fill our hearts.

It’s funny how big and invincible kids feel when they bounce on a trampoline. 

I recently started baking healthy muffins with vegetables and such in them and not adding sugar, my kids think it’s the biggest treat, and I’m all, “I know, riiiiight guys?”

Turns out, he loves to dance a bit

 We are reading Genesis in bsf, and it’s kind of changing my life, and parenting for the better, learning from others mistakes, hah!

Maria and Andrew are so into catching lizards recently,  and there must have been a lizard mating fest because they are everywhere.

What the freaking heck is that long tail!?

 The boys were kind of iffy on the whole thing, but Papa and Maria’s joy for these tiny guys is contagious while I smile and nod and encourage, while making sure I don’t touch them myself.

My boys are blessed to have such a wonderful big sister.  Constantly noticing and pointing out the passing firetrucks to Finley, obliging to play trucks with them….yet again, and again, “Ok, buddy.”  Kind and gentle.

 If you were wondering why Finley’s speech has suddenly blossomed, as well as his sharing and play skills, well, now you know why, oh my gosh, this picture is so cute with their little dolls.  Addie and ‘Safina.’

She is always willing to play with an eager toddler, even if it means sharing her most precious toys.

My kids are cooler than me

Shopping trips with my cute crazies.

 I love when this little guy falls asleep on me.  When people meet him, I almost want to warn them not to guess his age, because they will be so far off and then get embarrassed that no, he’s not 10 months old, but this little one has a spark in his heart now, and is catching up each day, and we love him no matter what, no matter how fast or slow, we know we are better people now that he’s here.  In fact, sometimes I feel like except for the One who sent us to get him, he may be our greatest teacher of true sacrificial love.

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” ― E.E. Cummings

I started making the boys protein/green smoothies when they get up from their long afternoon naps, and it has been huge for them, I think boys just need a lil’ extra protein in their lives.  Banana/Protein powder/Spinach/water keeps the afternoon weepies at bay.

We make many efforts to get our kids in nature each day.  Venturing away from the man made play structures, finding leaves, sticks, rocks to climb where they can explore, hike and imagine.  My kids thrive out here, and chomp on ‘sour grass.’

I feel like they eat and nap better after a day of exploring nature, and it bonds them together.

Our kids love church, they don’t even say goodbye to us as they run in to play, except Elijah, who still cries each time we leave him, which is sad, but I am secretly happy at such a tangible view of his attachment.  I kiss him on his crying lips and tell him I’ll be back soon, while secretly celebrating-I know, kind of mean/awesome.

 Psssst, hey Putin, I think we found out your secret….You’re just mad that you don’t have Chipotle so you banned all your orphans from being able to have any.  #we’reontoyou