I have been a terrible blogger.  We have been busy watching the boys play baseball


and keeping up with this cutie

and getting ready to celebrate this guys 4th birthday! Can NOT believe it. FOUR!!!!

and the rest of the team are doing great! More soon.

²³ Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it. 1 Thess 5:23-24


I love sleep.  Who doesn't really?  Does anyone remember my main reason for not wanting an infant referral way back in the beginning??? Sleep. Seems ridiculous now that I think about it.  Wee bit selfish.  We thought we would adopt older siblings.  One adoption, move on with life.  I LOVE how He sees the BIG picture and we only get a glimpse. We got a referral for siblings, then lost it.  Then got a single referral, of.an.infant.  A 2 month old baby!

We brought Abe home, found out he had profound neurological issues and guess what.......he didn't sleep.  Like barely any for 2 years.  You know what else?  God met me there.  In the middle of the night.  When I literally thought I couldn't do it for one more minute, He was there.  He gave me exactly what I needed for that minute, and the minute after that.

The next day, exhausted, He met me again.  Allowed me to do my job: care for my kids, be present for therapy, attend kids activities, cook, clean, etc....He was there.  By His grace alone, we managed to survive on very little sleep.

Abe sleeps SO much better, though does wake up occasionally still.  We are thankful for the progress he has made. :)

We are now home with Gigi.  In so many ways, I can't imagine her not being here......and then I find her halfway up the stairs or pulling things out of cabinets and I'm reminded that it has been a LONG time since I've had a toddler.  (Eyasu came home at 3 and Abe isn't mobile)  Poor baby has basically been battling some form of illness since we got her.  She has been a champ through it all.  It has made her not want to sleep as much as normal.......so back to the sanctification process that takes place in the wee hours over here.

Last night Gigi wasn't sleeping AT ALL, screaming (new ear infections) and was just harder than normal to soothe.  I got her back down and I'm not kidding, Abe immediately started in on the monitor.  These are the moments that I try to make deals.  I beg and plead with the Lord. I say ridiculous things about "needing" sleep and sound all "entitled"...........Gigi woke back up, Abe came in our bed with Moody and I moved to the couch with the Princess.......

We did sleep off and on for a few hours before Eyasu was up and ready to roll.  And again, He met me.  He has poured grace and mercy to me in big ole heaps.  So I may have dark circles under my eyes and forget what I walked into a particular room for......but I am thankful for this adventure He called us to!

I have several posts about half way done......this is what is keeping me busy!  Loving every moment of it! Abe is simply in love with his sister.  Thinks everything she does is hysterical.  She enjoys pushing him around and being each one of his therapists "helpers"! :)

We get asked frequently what our older kids think of each adoption.  I love the question because it allows me to share the incredible love they all have for each other and how our older crew actually encouraged Moody and I to begin the adoption process from the start.

Each new arrival, just as bringing a baby home from the hospital, brings change to the dynamics of the family.

Abe came home and 6 weeks later we discovered that our world would never be the same.  Abe teaches my kids on a daily basis what it means to work really hard, he teaches them about perspective, what REALLY matters.  They each adore him.  Delight in him and are fiercely protective and proud of him.




Eyasu came home at 3 and was ready to play.  He immediately gave the older kids a playmate.  They taught him many new things: as evidence.


Now Miss Gigi is home and it has been pure joy to watch each child connect with her and she with them.  The big boys literally fight over her.  Nothing makes my heart swell like watching big teenage boys playing with their baby sister.  Avery and Izzy got to bond with her in country and they are each very motherly towards her.  She loves them.  Eyasu has a little sibling that he can play with and teach her things.  He has enjoyed both.  And Abe.......well it makes me cry.  Somehow she just knows.  She knows he is special.

Gigi will playfully hit and try to knock over the other 6 kids.  She is nothing but tender with Abe.  Strokes his face.  Pats him gently.  Gives big smiles to him!  And Abe thinks she is the most hilarious human on the planet.  He is currently fighting a bad cold and is short on smiles (hard to believe right?).  They were just in their high chairs and she was throwing food off of hers.  He could hardly breath he was laughing so hard.

So I typically answer the question of what they think of adding to our family something along the lines of "it is hands down the best thing we have done!" I love how they all relate to and love one another in their special ways.  I love adoption and the gift it is to Hill, Wick, Avery, Izzy, Eyasu, Abe and Gelila.  LOVE IT.

Sweet Kristin captured our homecoming! So thankful for the role she has played in each of our children's lives. You are a gift friend. Thank you.

 

Thank you Grace for putting this together for us!  What joy it was to have your mom on the trip.