No Naps

Today was a bit more challenging...no naps for Malachi and only 2 short 30 minutes naps for Isaac.  In addition, Malachi has taken to Brian very well...great in terms of bonding....terrible because he will not let me hold him.  Isaac is the same way but his parent of choice is me!  So, it was an interesting day.  Bedtime also was a bit challenging...Malachi threw quite a fit for Brian.  We had to end up walking him until he fell asleep.

Despite this, we had some great moments....Malachi was laughing today like crazy.  This is very exciting because in all the pictures we saw before coming he never even cracked a smile.  Isaac is crawling all around and pulling up.  He has the cutest dimples!

I heard there were some problems viewing our pictures yesterday so hopefully these will show up

Meeting the Little Boys

 

Today, after 1 1/2 years of waiting, we finally got to hold our little boys. They arrived at 10:00 am just like promised.  They were brought to us by their foster mother, Marie Claire, and her son.   It was very difficult to speak with them as they only spoke French and Lingala.  However, with some exaggerated hand motions and some props, we were able to learn some information about their eating and sleeping habits.  

The boys went to us without much hoopla.  However, they were a bit cautious at first!  I mean we look totally different than the common person around here.  By lunch, they had warmed up well and by dinner they had picked their favorite parent...Malachi picked Brian and Isaac picked me.  

 

The remainder of the day we took walks around our guest house compound, ate dinner at a restaurant, and gave baths.  

Enjoy the pictures...

 

 

 

Flying, flying, and more flying

We finally arrived in Africa!  We left at 4:30 pm on Monday and arrived at 6:30 pm today.  In over 40 hours from start to finish, we have gotten 3 hours of interrupted sleep.  We collectively watched some many in flight movies that we won't need to watch TV for quite some time.   Thank the Lord the flights went smoothly except for the run way delays on the flight from Paris to Africa.
Upon arrival, everything went very smooth.  In fact, at customs there was an official waiting for us (and asked for us by name) who helped us through the line and got us to baggage claim.  The airport is 2 rooms...no air conditioning and it was hot and crowded!
We were then taken to a small SUV which they thought would fit 7 people and all our luggage.  They quickly figured out that was not going to work.  So, another car was flagged down.  As we started driving, I was stunned by the poor condition of the roads (mostly dirt) and the sheer amount of people everywhere.  The ride proved to be an experience to say the least!
Due to the fact, that it was dark when we arrived at the hotel, our boys will arrive with their foster mom tomorrow morning.  So for now, I will crawl in my mosquito net and get some sleep.  Tomorrow I get to meet my boys...the day I have waited for!

Hallucinations, Diarrhea, and Fairy Tales

We are 3 days from taking a 17+ hour flight to Africa to pick up our boys.  We are vaccinated, medicated for malaria, and filled with anxiety.  Despite the ominous warnings, we have started our malaria medicine.  Apparently, normal side effects are diarrhea, hallucinations, and heightened feelings of sadness/fear/anxiety.  Sounds fun, huh?

But, even more troubling is something Brian said the other night.  He stated, "Please pray for us...the fairy tale is about to end."  Since he said that, I have been thinking about how this is so true.  For over a year and half, we have prayed for, planned for, and talked about bringing our boys home.  Now, in just a few short days, they will be home.  How will our lives change?  Will the transition go smoothly?  It is one of those moments when you are standing on the precipice of a huge life change and you really have no idea how the next few steps are going to go.  So, for now, I am looking at the faces of my boys and trusting in God's goodness...and hanging on for the ride!!!

Isaac
 

Malachi

   

Giving Thanks

This summer, I started reading a book One Thousand Gifts.  In this book, Ann Voskamp challenges the reader to follow Christ's example and "give thanks" by counting our daily blessings.  She even states that a grateful, thankful heart (eucharisteo) always precedes a miracle...and inevitable leads to joy

Luke 9:16  Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them.
Matthew 26:27  Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you".

To put this challenge into practice, she asks the reader to start a journal counting blessings...all the way to one thousand and beyond.  I have taken the challenge and I am up to #44.  I must admit that slowing down, looking at the blessings/gifts God has given has led me to be grateful for my life, my children, nature, everything.  On the days when being thankful is in the forefront of my mind, I am more relaxed...I enjoy time with my children...I enjoy the beauty of nature.  On the days when I am rushing through life, too busy to stop and see "His gifts", I am on edge. 

So, here are some of my blessings...
~Porch swing moments with my girls
~Pink clouds in a blue sky
~Morning snuggles with Noah
~Naps on the couch
~Sunflowers from the garden
~12 years of marriage
~Summer lunches on the patio
~Brown chicken eggs

What are your blessings?  Will you take the time to slow down and count your blessings?  Henry Warch Beecher said, "Pride slays thanksgiving...A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves."

Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened

A Human Pin Cushion

A little over a week ago, we discovered that despite our plans we will now travel to pick up Malachi and Isaac.  They will not be escorted here as we had planned on throughout the whole adoption process.  So, the week has been filled with reading up on travel itineraries, needed items, and necessary vaccinations.  Today, I visited two different doctors in order to receive the vaccines I need to travel.  So, tonight, I sit here with tender arms and a very nervous heart.  I have been vaccinated for yellow fever, typhoid fever, Hepatitis A and B, and given anti-malaria medicine.  Physically, I am ready to "go"!  Emotionally, I am really quite nervous!

As I was getting my shots and my nerves were high, I thought about the end result...holding my sons and bringing them home to be part of their forever family.  I would have endured more shots, more medicine...if that is what it took to bring them home.  And, then it hit me, my Saviour endured beatings, ridicule, and death so that He could bring me home to be part of His forever family...WOW!!!

That's Not for Me!

Let me warn you before you even start reading...this post may offend some of you!  This topic is something I am passionate about...therefore, I have strong words to say.  I have been living adoption and the responses it gets for some time now...and here is my venting :)

Ever since we started the adoption journey back in 2004, we have gotten a variety of responses to our endeavors.  Lately, I have repeatedly heard the same response and it is beginning to annoy me!  "That is great of you guys but adoption is just not for me."  Being that I avoid conflict at all cost, I smile, nod, and move the conversation on.  However, what I wish is could say is "WHY?  Why is adoption not for you?  Are you afraid of having a child that looks or acts different than you?  Are you afraid  you won't be able to love someone who isn't your blood?  Are you afraid it will be hard/uncomfortable?  Are you afraid to give up your luxurious lifestyle?  Is giving a child love and a home not for you?  Why is it that adoption is not for you?" 

In A Mother for Choco, a children's book about adoption, the adoptive mother asks "If you had a mommy, what would she do?"  The orphan bird responds," She would hold me.  She would kiss me.  She would sing and dance with me to cheer me up."  In some ways it is that simple!  Now, don't think I am saying that there are not hard days, extremely hard days.  Don't think I am downplaying the ignorant comments you get because your family looks different.  Don't think I am saying it is always "a walk in the park" but what I am saying is...uncomfortable, hard places are where we truly experience God and see God's heart. 

So, I am jumping out of the boat like Peter.  We are going to become of family of 7 with 3 adopted children.  We will enjoy the hugs, kisses, dancing, and singing.  And, with God's help, we will endure the hard days when we get ignorant comments or wonder why our birth mothers couldn't keep us.  However, I know on the good days and the bad days, my Heavenly Father will be with me.  I pray that I keep my eyes focused on Him and not on this world.  

I will leave you with one last quote from Kisses from Katie.  "The truth is that the 143 million orphaned children and the 11 million who starve to death or die from preventable diseases and the 8.5 million who work as child slaves, prostitutes, or under other horrific condition and the 2.3 million who live with HIV add up to 164.8 million needy children.  And though at first glance that looks like a big number, 2.1 billion people on this earth proclaim to be Christians.  The truth is that if only 8 percent of the Christians would care for one more child, there would not be any statistics left.  The truth is that He loves these children just as much as He loves me and now that I know, I am responsible."