Two More

This last week has been just a blur.  We had no intentions of taking in any more children.  We thought we had enough; that we were done; that our family was complete.  But God, He thought differently and we said yes.

They are familiar to us.  They were in our home before.  We couldn't say no.

We are now working to get our foster care license up to date.  You know, mountains of paperwork, meetings, appointments and how could I forget, training.

But, we said yes and we are so glad that we did.  They have transitioned so well.  They may be with us only for a moment but we are thrilled for this opportunity to help these children along in life.

So we have 6 kids at home now, 7th grade, 4th grade, 2nd grade and 3 in 1st grade.  We are so blessed!

~Tina

Pure Joy

Yesterday, 2 years ago, my kids were freed from a life no child deserves.  That day didn't start off too well. (You can look back at my post on Oct. 8, 2012) Then my wonderful husband reminded me that I shouldn't let others steal my joy!  Was he ever right!  So many times we just have to change our mind set to see the joy in all things.  My sweet kids were just about to teach me the joy of -

• New clothes
• Walking through a gate 
• Riding in a car
• Meeting new people
• Being able to choose what to eat
• A bottle of coke
• A warm bath
• Clean sheets
• Light switches
• Elevators and Escalators

All the day to day things that just get taken for granted.

But above all those things,  the joy of -

• Belonging

They were finally wanted and they were “home.”  They never looked back.  That… was pure joy!

~Tina

Two Years Ago

Two years ago a judge in Ukraine said yes we were approved to adopt Peyton and Caleb.  How can two years pass so quickly?

Caleb is doing well in school and I think he will eventually catch up.  He can be quite ornery and stubborn but he is such a sweetie as well.  He loves to color and he loooves stickers. He still prefers to be outside although he has to be watched because he doesn't quite understand the danger of things. He always has some sort of injury on his body, a cut or scrape, usually because he doesn't always listen when he is told no.  Ha, typical kid right! : )  He will eat just about anything and was in heaven this summer with all the fresh vegetables we had.  His teeth are looking much healthier now and his breathing issues are doing so much better.  We took him off his daily medication and are giving him all organic products that he is just thriving with.  He has come such a long way and we are so proud that we get to be his parents.

Peyton has a happy-go-lucky attitude.  She is just so happy having food to eat, a warm bed with clean blankets, clean clothes and playing freely outside with her brothers.  That is great in so many ways but when it comes to school.  It seems to not matter to her whether she learns anything or not, just someone help me so I can get it over with.  This attitude is difficult for me because I don't like to do anything just half way.  The school is working with her the best they can since we have a small school with few resources.  Math is VERY difficult for her and she says she does not remember ever being taught Science or Social Studies.  Oh my goodness do we struggle with homework.  She does have someone working with her at school on her homework which helps with the time spent at home. I was finally able to impress upon the school that Peyton needed to be pulled out of the 7th grade math class as she only tests at a 3rd to 4th grade level at this point.  The math teacher, bless his heart, thought he could catch her up, no problem. He is an awesome teacher but my girl was falling behind and just in a daze when it came to doing math at that level.  We work at home with flash cards and her multiplication and division is getting better.  She is now working 1 on 1 with someone at school during the math hour using the Khan Academy online. She seems to like this.  Although we struggle with school, Peyton has also come so far.  She loves to clean house and help with cooking and laundry. She has such a sweet demeanor that everyone just loves. I still get the "I can't believe she is not your biological daughter because she looks so much like you" statement.  I just smile and say yes, yes she does and God surely blessed me.  We just love our sweet Peyton.

What a change 2 years of love, care and being part of a family can make.  Please consider adopting or hosting an orphan.  Your life will be changed and what a blessing you will receive!

~Tina

      

7 Today

My sweet Carson is 7 today.  Oh how the time has passed since we first got the call about he and his brother when he was just 3 months old.  That poor little baby that I brought home was just screaming and screaming because his belly hurt so bad and he couldn't even lift his head.  He never would sleep in his crib. He had to be held or be in his car seat to sleep.  Poor daddy slept in the chair so many nights holding him. But time and love have changed that some although Carson is still fearful of us leaving him.  He still asks about when he went back to his family at 2 years old and why we had to leave him.  Sweet, sweet boy, we had no choice and our hearts just broke that day.

But all that has changed now and you are our son forever.

We love you "Sabastian Boy."   Happy Birthday!

Time, Where Have You Gone? Peyton is 13.

Time passes so quickly when life is happening.  So many things since the last post.

The kids are doing great.  Learning is slow.  They are out of school now for the summer and I am going to try to work with them some so they won't get too far behind.  They really have come such a long way and I am very proud of them.  

So, I have a rant.  I am always amazed when people assume that just because my kid is 6, 7, 9 or 12, whatever the age, that they know how to do xyz.  And even after I have written it down and even after I explained it by talking, that my child grew up in an orphanage and they were not exposed to things like that, it still takes me explaining that 2 or 3 times before the light bulb comes on if it even does.  Even then, well, for those of us that have been inside the orphanages, that can never be explained to the strength and magnitude of what we have seen.  And you see, that is why my heart breaks for the orphans.  Because most people don't get it!  They see my beautiful children and outside appearances are deceiving.  They have no idea about what goes on inside them.  I am mostly referring to Caleb here as Peyton has really just adapted sooo well.  Yes, he is smiling and shaking his head yes but he may not have a clue what you just said.  Yes, I know, you told him not to do that but you will have to tell him day after day and be consistent and mean it.  And, when he smiles at you with that sweet smile and gorgeous green eyes when you are scolding him please don't smile back at him because guess what, it just became a game and he won.  You have to be strong and determined with him so that he can learn what he was not taught those first critical years of his life.  So people, pleeeease, listen to what I am saying, he is not like a "typical" child his age. And, please don't refer to him as "is he your child that has the problems."  Really!! Rant over.

The kids are having such a great summer, black eyes, teeth falling out (but the tooth fairy is having a hard time finding our house : ), baseball, Summer Day Camp, which means swimming every day and yes, Peyton is 13 today.  She likes to tell people she is going to be a "teenager."  She is blossoming in to a beautiful young lady and I am so very proud of her. She is a far cry from the girl we first met in that Ukrainian hospital that had her hair cut short with a somber face but oh how her eyes showed the hope that her heart knew.

Peyton often talks about Ukraine and the friends we left behind, wondering what they are doing.  We follow a blog,   http://bibleorphanministry.blogspot.com/,  that goes to minister at the orphanage my children were at. I do get to see pictures of her friends and that is very hard for me. They are growing up and I can't believe it has been almost 2 years since we were there.  Two years has really changed them from innocent children in to young adults that realize the reality that is going to meet them in a couple more years.  I see it on their faces.  I really thought when I left there that I would go back and bring a couple of her friends home but I guess God has other plans or it just is not His timing yet.  I am willing when it is.  I often have people say to me aren't you glad that you are not in Ukraine right now.  My answer,  actually no, I wish I were there bringing more kids home.

Hope everyone has a great Summer and I will try and post more often.

~Tina  

Kindergarten graduation

Carson's black eye - tough guy

Carson is the only one playing baseball this Summer.

Peyton is 13.

Do you see the difference that almost 2 years can make in the life

of an orphan?  I just cried when I saw my kiddos. Breaks. My. Heart!

Sept. 2012

April 2014