My Boys

My boys are goofballs. Boy can they make each other laugh. All Anthony has to do is look at David with his mischievous smile and David just cracks up. 

Sometimes it is really cute. Sometimes it is way too loud:).  

My boys don't mind standing out...like the other week when it was Wacky Wednesday at school and Anthony had a dentist appointment. They both wore their bathing suits and had the first letter of their names shaved on the back of their heads (compliments of Daddy). Sorry, we didn't take a picture of it this time, but I wouldn't be surprised if we get another chance later this summer! 

Oh, and this is Anthony at the dentist in his bathing suit before he had his two bottom teeth pulled. He was very brave. Yes, I still need to take a picture of him with his bottom teeth missing. His permanent teeth are really far back and crooked. I'm predicting braces in his future. 

Here we are with a picture from today! Grandma and Grandpa sent David a kit to make a terrarium for his birthday. We are growing carnivorous plants. Here's to hoping something grows because this mommy does NOT have a green thumb. We followed all the directions, though, so I am hopeful. Anthony got to write his first observations in his Science Journal (thank you, Christy-Ann, for the writing journal recommendation!) and David reviewed ordinal numbers as we listed the steps needed to make this thing. It was fun and I am reassured by the fact that I will be homeschooling the one who likes to write:). Just kidding...sort of. 

Summer is almost here....bring it on! 

Trapped

I sat inside my car inside a storage facility with my windows open.

Birds were chirping and as I looked up, I saw a nest in the corner.

Why in the world would they want to be trapped in this place? They are at the mercy of the gate in order to escape and find food. What a tedious process that must be.  Wouldn't they rather be free...flying outside....with easy access to food and their home?

Anthony's birth mom and her sister hopped in my car. They were dropping off some of their things in the storage unit. They took note of the birds too and guessed that they might feel safer here in the storage facility than outside where there might be predators.

Ahhh....fear. How often are we so afraid of the 'unknown' that we refuse to leave our comfort zones?

It looks different for each of us. For some it might mean only spending time with people who are just like them. For others it might mean resisting new experiences and preferring familiar routines.

We are trapped - just like the birds. We are happy with our false sense of security and completely unaware of the amazing experiences that God has waiting for us just outside of those gates.

I smiled as I looked over at my son's mom and thought about how God has gently coaxed Lee and I out of our comfort zones through foster care. He has given us the incredible gift of seeing Him actively at work in each and every relationship and we have been blessed with the constant reminder that He will provide for our family if we put our trust in Him.  

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the are; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown in the fire, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6: 25-34

Risk

Second Placement

The four year old is already on his second placement.

My heart breaks for him and I am praying hard that he won't have to move again.

Outward Appearances

It took me a little while to figure out what to do, but I problem solved. We took our COSTCO dinner and ate it outside of the store while waiting for daddy to arrive.

People walked by and smiled approvingly. I'm sure they were thinking: "What a wonderful mom, doing something fun and different with her kids on this beautiful day."

I laughed to myself. They had no idea that one of my kids didn't make it to the bathroom in time and it was my only solution since I didn't have a change of clothing for him.

Things are not always as they appear:).

SEVEN

Just seven more days until our oldest turns seven years old...CRAZY!

It will be nice to have six months without having to explain that they aren't twins:).

Pictures Galore

Guess who came to visit us all the way from California??

That's right, Lee's parents! David and Anthony had two full weeks with their Abuela and Abuelo. We all loved every minute of it. It was really special and miraculously, all six of us fit quite comfortably in our two bedroom condo:).

Here are some photos from these past two weeks:

Abuelo is now wearing Anthony's old hearing aids! They are both thrilled. 

Trip into DC to see the monuments.

Abuela bought the boys some bubbles. They were thoroughly enjoyed. 

Lee broke out the kite. 

We relaxed....

Spent a ton of time outdoors. 

Found some sprouting seeds. 

Planted them. 

We were sad to say goodbye early on Saturday morning, but are so thankful for the time we were able to spend together. Lee and I and the boys will cherish all the hugs, walks, laughs, talks...and we can't wait to add to those memories whenever we get to visit next!