Growing Together :)))

I'm so thankful for Jesus being our Guide and sending His Holy Spirit to help us! I confess there were a couple days there where Brod and I just would look at each other like, "How in the world are we going to do this?"  LOL! Every time we felt overwhelmed we'd get in the Word and let Jesus' truth wash over us and we'd feel better. The main thing I keep feeling as I pray for wisdom and strength is that HE WILL give us all we need moment by moment. The first 3-4 days went so smoothly, the next couple were a little nutty  :-/.  Little Brother & Kaylee would have simultaneous melt downs where it was hard to calm either one of them. Baby Sister would be crying because Mommy had to put her down. We felt like rookie parents for sure!  I think a lot of it was our language barrier with Little Brother. He knows a lot of English but still gets confused at times.  I also think he is testing us a bit...when we'd try to tell him no (don't touch, don't pull Kaylees hair, don't throw) he wouldn't know how to act so he'd laugh and just keep doing whatever it was. We'd remove him from the situation and he'd sense our disappointment and just cry and cry...we couldn't communicate well enough to tell him that we aren't mad we just need him to obey. 

With the help from the nannies here we are learning better ways to communicate in those times and it has made a huge difference! He really is a very good boy~ super silly, laughs a lot, likes to be wild, and loves to cuddle and snuggle. He LOVES to be with just our family away from all the busyness inside the crechè. 

Little Brother getting some snuggle time with Mommy :)

Our big kids started a game that has really helped Kaylee and Little brother to bond~ they tie their arms together and take them to "jail" and either Daddy or Mommy have to free them. We also act like we are crying when they are being taken away and Kaylee and Little Brother just laugh and laugh~ it has helped them to work as a team and learn that they don't have to compete or fight :)

Baby Sister is really funny. She is spunky and almost always happy (unless you take her food~ then she will claw your eyes out to get it back!) She and Kaylee bonded so quickly because Kaylee would really rather not eat so she spends most of her time feeding Baby Sister. Baby Sister is used to most of her friends here taking food from her so at first when Kaylee would touch her food she'd scratch her and hit. But as soon as she learned that Kaylee was giving the food to her and not taking it they became best buds ;) 

Every day at nap time Baby Sister makes us laugh~ as soon as we lay the little ones down she gets wild and starts chatting up a storm (probably some creole and some just baby talk). But Little Brother taught us how to say "lay down!" in creole~ and you command it 

loudly ~ and as soon as she hears it she slams herself down on the couch and pops her thumb into her mouth. The problem is that we all strarted laughing at how quickly she threw herself to a laying down position the first time that it became a game for her. She sits up, waits for us to say it, then slams herself down and gets the deepest belly laugh :))) 

Baby Sister with her snacks :)

Even sharing with Kaylee since she knows she can trust her ;)

Kaylee Grace has done FAR better than we imagined she would~ we are very proud of what a great big sister she is! She is always helping with Baby Sister (even with her dirty diapers!) and always encouraging Little Brother. Today a few of us went down to check out the new vegetable garden they are getting ready for here at the crechè and Kennady and Little Brother were waving to us from the window. Kaylee yelled up to them, "Hi guys! We love ya, Little Brother!!!" She also keeps telling him, "I'm sorry we can't take you home this time, Little Brother". He doesn't understand what she is saying but regardless says, "yes, Kaylee" which makes her feel like she is helping him :)

She also shares Mommy very nicely (most of the time)~ each of her little siblings want mommy to hold them most of the time and she will ask for a turn every now and then and completely understands if I ask her to wait a little bit. She's doing great! 

Sitting next to Little Brother eating suckers :)

We are being spoiled at the Chances For Children guesthouse. We have the BEST food served for breakfasts and dinners. (Our New Harvest team that we shared the first week here with knows what I'm talking about! Lasagna again tonight, Jami... I'll eat a piece for you!) We also bought food at a very nice grocery store here to make lunches (PB&J, granola bars, apples, etc). We have actulally gone to the store 3 times ~ once on our way in, once with Julienne who had to do the weekly shopping for the guesthouse and once after our embassy meeting since we were passing by. And honestly we need to go again...I'm telling you, these two kids eat more than you could ever imagine! Literally all day long....so we keep running out! They also eat 

all of their regular meals at the crechè so they must be just stuffed ~ but they are loving all the new foods (maybe too much!). ;)

Baby Sister is very proud of her big tummy~ if you even say the word tummy she proudly pulls up her shirt to show you her belly with a huge smile across her face :)))

Thank you all for praying~ I can already tell you we will need prayer for our departure next week (we leave here Tuesday am but will need to say goodbye to them on Monday afternoon) ;(

It will be hard on all 3 littles (and of course us too, but at least we know & understand that we will be back soon) so please pray for all of the littles :)

Just Another Day in Haiti....

We had an ADVENTUROUS day as we had our Embassy appointment today in Port-Au-Prince. We got down the hill in plenty of time however there was a HUGE riot about 3/4 of a mile in front of the embassy so all roads were blocked. Every other car turned around and headed AWAY from the riot. We however headed INTO the riot and when we couldn't drive anymore, the Haitian director of our crechè walked down to check it out and make sure it was "safe" for us to walk through. He felt that it was so into the riot we walked. When they have big riots here they burn tires in order to block the roads and not let traffic through. So we headed into the black smoke and screaming crowds and literally walked through the thick of it. We were told to keep our heads down and just walk...so that's what we did. We didn't look at anyone but they were for sure upset that we Americans thought we could just walk through their protesting because they were yelling angrily at us ~ it was an adventure to say the least ;). 

Here we are still about a 1/2 of a mile from the chaos. 

We had a great embassy appointment which went fairly quickly. When we came out of our appointment we were glad to see all the black smoke gone and the people dissipating. But as we walked to our car & got closer to where the riot had been we all immediately couldn't see or breathe and everyone around us began running the opposite direction. The police were putting some type of gas to get the last of the protestors away and we walked right into it. We heard someone mention poisonous gas and we all ran back toward the embassy and waited for our driver there ~ when we got back safely in the car our driver said, "Welcome to Haiti!" And he and our crechè director just laughed ~ they let us know that we were the first family this has ever happened to ;). 

We are thankful to have that over with~ one more appointment to go and the rest of the time we will just be hanging out bonding :)

Bonding is going well over all ~ the first few days went really smooth. The last few have been more challenging ;). Kaylee and her newest brother have each had the wheels fall completely off more than a time or two ;). So we are learning how to manage each of their melt downs and helping them learn to share ;). Thankfully our baby girl is as easy as they come so by God's grace we are managing the times of chaos well!  

We are definitely making progress with bonding with the two of them ~ we got to see first hand how far we've come yesterday when we had to leave them at the crechè for our embassy appointment and they both LOST it (which was so hard and sad but at least we were able to promise them we'd come back). When we got back to the crechè today our boy was sleeping in the "movie room" and we walked in and as we started to get closer to pick him up, he heard our voices and literally jumped up reaching for us (still 1/2 asleep) with a HUGE smile :). We are thankful that they (well, mostly brother) is learning that we are his family and we will always come back for him :))). At first he would only go to Brodie as he remembered him, but he has definitely warmed up to me and loves to let me cuddle him :). We still are letting Brodie be the one to teach him and calm him when he needs it as he just seems to calm better with him. And baby sister just wants me to hold her and feed her all day :)  Kaylee has had to become quite independent this last week and is really doing pretty well considering all the change that's happening around her. Wish we could show you their adorable faces but hopefully soon! 

We are thankful that Jesus is more than enough and He who calls His people is FAITHFUL!!! We really can't wait to bring them home but we do know that it will likely be a while ~ we are trusting Jesus to continue knitting us all as a family even once we leave! 

We're Here!

 It's been a great first few days! We are LOVING our bonding time with our kiddos! We aren't allowed to post pictures of our little ones faces yet but here's a glimpse of what we've been up to~ 

Movie time  :)

Nap time :))) There is a little one on each chair if you look closely ;)

As usual, our three bigs are being AWESOME helpers! Kaylee Grace is really trying to help a lot too :). She is very patient and sweet to her new siblings and loves being a big sister ;). Little brother isn't so sure what to think about someone his own size "helping" him but they are getting along well :)

It's so great being here with the NH team~ fun to have friends here at the guesthouse with us for this first week! 

Today is another day of bonding at the crechè. Some of our crew may go with the NH team to visit the orphanage up the hill to do VBS and feed them 

a meal. It's so awesome to see all of the amazing work Jesus has begun here at Chances for Children ~ New Harvest has been supporting this awesome organization for a little over a couple years now and being here firsthand to see how Jesus is changing this community is a blessing!! 

We appreciate all the prayer coverage while we are here ~ please pray for Kaylee as we've had a hard time keeping her malaria pills down :-/

"Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; His love endures forever!" 

We're Here!

 It's been a great first few days! We are LOVING our bonding time with our kiddos! We aren't allowed to post pictures of our little ones faces yet but here's a glimpse of what we've been up to~ 

Movie time  :)

Nap time :))) There is a little one on each chair if you look closely ;)

As usual, our three bigs are being AWESOME helpers! Kaylee Grace is really trying to help a lot too :). She is very patient and sweet to her new siblings and loves being a big sister ;). Little brother isn't so sure what to think about someone his own size "helping" him but they are getting along well :)

It's so great being here with the NH team~ fun to have friends here at the guesthouse with us for this first week! 

Today is another day of bonding at the crechè. Some of our crew may go with the NH team to visit the orphanage up the hill to do VBS and feed them 

a meal. It's so awesome to see all of the amazing work Jesus has begun here at Chances for Children ~ New Harvest has been supporting this awesome organization for a little over a couple years now and being here firsthand to see how Jesus is changing this community is a blessing!! 

We appreciate all the prayer coverage while we are here ~ please pray for Kaylee as we've had a hard time keeping her malaria pills down :-/

"Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; His love endures forever!" 

And We're Off!!!

FINALLY heading to Haiti and couldn't be more excited to have our "official" Referral of our two sweeties that will soon (although, not soon enough!) join our family :)))

We will have 2 big appointments there and mostly just BOND with our sweeties! 

After that we fly home and start the 2nd round of our "waiting". But we couldn't be happier to have this huge milestone finally be here :)))

We can't wait to get there and LOVE on them! 

We had a rough week here with sickness of all kinds and Kaylee JUST woke up yesterday with a yucky head cold & cough so prayers for her are GREATLY APPRECIATED😉

We will post as often as we can! Thanks for holding us up in prayer!!

"One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your Majesty - and I will meditate on Your wonderful works" Psalm 145:4-5

Forever Family Day ~ 2 Years!!!

Two years ago today we got to hold our sweet Kaylee Grace for the first time!

I'll never forget how excited we were to finally have her in our arms!

And how sad/confused she must have been

 SO thankful that Jesus caused her to snuggle into her Mama's arms right from the get-go! This was SUCH a blessing in helping her bond!!!

Leaving the only life she knew up until that point

 And beginning a life of LOVE!!!

And JOY and LAUGHTER :)))

 She struggled SO much her first year and a half home

 But little by little she learned to love

 Many surgeries early on

 SO thankful for awesome, super-star big brothers and sister who made even the hardest of days FUN for her :)))))

 She learned to swim

 Re-Adoption Day

 First Christmas

 First time to the ocean

 First haircut

 First time to the snow

 Dedicated to Jesus for all her life

Oh Sweet Girl we are BLESSED by YOU!!!

Getting glasses...if only we could get her to wear them!

Her sweet cousin and dear friend, Anna :)))  

 Girl time!

 Another sweet cousin and playmate...Claire :)

 Friends!

Learning to eat (a HUGE hurdle that we still work on everyday!!)

Disneyland

Look how you've grown.....BEAUTIFUL inside and out! 

Forever Family

Kaylee Grace, it is a JOY watching Jesus grow strong in you!! He has made you for a purpose...He created you so perfectly and we are so thankful that He has allowed us the privilege of being your forever family to LOVE you forever! What a blessing to see you learn what LOVE is and learn to both receive love and give love :)))  Through you we have truly learned how to love as Jesus loves. We love because He first loved us! May you fall head over heals in LOVE with our Savior and may the Joy of the Lord be your strength all of your days! We love you "1 million much"!!!!

Our Weekend Away

Brodie and I went away for a night for the FIRST time since Kaylee Grace came home almost 2 years ago! We headed over to the coast and enjoyed some beautiful coastal weather :)

It was so nice to get to have quality time and pour into our relationship! 

The kids all stayed at my parents house (per Kaylee's request) and of course had a great time! Nana spoils them all and apparently cooks the best eggs ever cause our kids are still talking about them ;). Papa has every electronic gadget available which adds to the fun they have there :))

Our big kids are SUPERSTAR helpers with Kaylee. She did well overall....Sissy said they had a hard time getting her to eat and sleep... But once she was asleep she slept all night (this was so gracious of Jesus to help her sleep all night because she still struggles so much at night and I was worried about Sis missing so much sleep). Kaylee was excited that she made it all night at Nana & Papas and was brave...but I could tell it was hard on her having us away for a night because these last couple days she has struggled and been angry with us...but this afternoon she seemed to feel much better and back to herself a bit ;)

She even asked me to take a picture of her smile :))) LOVE that smile!!

At bedtime she mentioned missing her China mommy :(. I could tell she was thinking about her a lot because she also asked me what her name was...we of course have no idea. But it breaks my heart that she has to deal with that pain and sadness! I know prayer is the BEST thing we can do for her as Jesus is the ONLY ONE who can truly understand her pain and sadness...not only that, but He can bring JOY and PURPOSE out of her pain~ and that is exactly what I'm praying for Him to do!!

So as a family we all laid hands on her and prayed...she had a smile on her face the whole time ;). Then we did a "FAMILY!" group hug where we all squeeze each other and yell "FAMILYYYY!!!" 

It's hard because I'm so thankful Jesus gave her to us....she is so a part of us and I can't imagine even 1 second of life without her ~ but my heart breaks for WHY He needed to give her to us. It's a good reminder for me to be even more sensitive and understanding. 

We celebrated Chinese New Year last week by going out to dinner....of course our daughter from China is the only one in our family who goes to a chinese restaurant and orders a Grilled Cheese sandwich! The waiter (who was also chinese) looked at us like "what have you done to this girl??!!"

They of course don't have grilled cheese there, so she ate the turkey sandwich I brought and even a few bites of chicken fried rice :)))

But she does drink lots of lemonade ;)

Awards at School

Big kids had awards at school the last couple of weeks....we are so proud of them for working so hard :)))

Kolson, Kaylee Grace and Kolson's friend Miekhel

Keegan and supportive sister Kaylee :)

Sissy :)

Spring sports are starting at school... Keeg is doing volleyball, Kols will do track and Sis is starting back up with tennis :)

Looking forward to a great spring! We're praying big time that we will get some more rain before it gets too nice! We sure need it!