First Family Road Trip!

Right now Anthony is dancing to country music.

David is bobbing his head as he finishes his dinner.

Lee is playing songs on his computer as he makes our 2015 Road Trip Sound Track:). 
 
My dear friend just came by with a road trip bag full of snacks, games, and chocolate (in case the adults need it). Is she awesome or what?? She also made us a conversation jar with 48 conversation starters!

I'm sitting here smirking....this road trip could either be really really awesome or it could be really really horrible.

12+ hours in the car....Nashville, TN here we come!

Why Nashville, you ask?



This is why : Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit. The boys even have their own kids' summit!

We are praying that God uses this time together as a family to bring us closer to Him and that our passion for serving "the least of these" is reignited.

Slowing Down & Saying "Yes"

Sometimes it is just easier to say 'no.' If I am tired or in a rush....my boys are pretty good at accepting 'no' and so it is easier for me to just stick with that.

Sometimes it is just easier to let the boys play together on their own. They have fun together and get along quite well so it is just easier for me to let them be. 

We've been learning about the importance of connecting with our children.  Connection happens through laughter, fun, and actually playing together.  One suggestion we were given was to say 'yes' more often than 'no' - when safe, of course!

"Can I pick those dandelions mommy?" asks Anthony as we are walking to store. I would normally tell him that he could wait until we were home, but it was just us so why not, right? YES.

"Can I have a piece of gum please, mommy?" inquires David when we get home from school. He had seen me take out a piece for myself. I would normally tell him to wait until after dinner (since we consider gum a treat), but he had already eaten a healthy snack and I hear that chewing helps kids concentrate on their homework so why not, right? YES.

"Can you tickle me please?" begs Anthony. I might normally resist this for fear it might overstimulate him, but he's learning regulation strategies and it will be a good opportunity to practice, right? YES.

"Can we pop the bubble wrap please?" David pleads. I would normally tell him we have to wait until the following day because we are finishing up dinner and winding down for the night. Instead, we line it up and all four of us (daddy included) jump on the bubble wrap and enjoy the laughter. YES.

Saying 'yes' takes up more time than saying 'no,' but it has been nice to slow down and take advantage of moments to connect with my boys.

Little C and Little D

Little C turned two this week! Can you believe it? I can't. Where does time go? I got to see his mommy at a conference these past two days and she was so kind to show me pictures of him.


We saw Little D this morning!! Oh, it was wonderful. This was first time we visited him that I left feeling at peace rather than feeling like my heart was broken again.  It was such a gift. 

Wanna See?

We drove up to NY to celebrate Easter with family. We all had a wonderful time. My cousin from CA was visiting and it was SO nice to see her after just about two years of separation. The cousins played for hours together without much help from us adults and that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. My sweet nephew let me hold and squish and kiss him. It was wonderful.

The boys wanted to stay. Anthony tried to convince us that he should live with Grandma and Grandpa and that we could come visit him. Nice try! I would have wanted to stay too if that cat had not kept me up all night with its crazy loud meowing.

Here are some photos to document our time together:).

 

Community

We are truly so blessed to live in a place with such an incredible community. The families we live near are wonderful and every time we've welcomed an addition into our foster family, they have been our biggest supporters - bringing meals and sharing toys with us.

While the boys spent most of their time this winter playing indoors:



It was so nice to get out this afternoon to see our friends for an Easter Egg Hunt:





Of course, it felt cold enough today to still be winter, but soon enough the weather will warm up and these kiddos will be outdoors hanging out with each other until parents have to drag them inside for dinner:). 

Stroller

It would be wrong of me to post this photo without clarifying that we are not adding to our family. We have the privilege of caring for my friend's sweet girl twice a week starting next month. I can't wait!

She was visiting this week with her mommy and Lee called before heading home from work. He heard her little voice and thought that I had said 'yes' to a placement without his knowledge:).

I can't imagine why he would be concerned that I would do something like that.....

Oh, and guess what? God provided this stroller for FREE off Craigslist! Is that awesome or what?

We don't technically need a double stroller, but you know...it is always good to have the option for a second seat "just in case."

Extra Tiles

Ok...one short post before I remind David that he can't stay in the shower all night and direct Anthony to the couch for our devotional.

Here is a quick look at what I did with some extra tiles we had stored away. The boys picked out favorite Bible verses, I found creative ways to write them from pinterest, and then I had fun with the sharpies!