Six

I'm a little late writing this, but a few weeks ago, our big boy turned 6. 6 years ago, we welcomed our first son into this world, kicking and screaming. And he hasn't slowed down since. On some levels, I can hardly believe that he is already six, but then again, I can hardly remember not being a mom. This boy is the one who welcomed me into the beautiful role of motherhood...he and I will always have a special bond because of that.

At six, our Brody is as energetic, hard-headed, and fun as he's always been. He never stops talking and asks 7,989 questions a day. He is so smart and wants to know exactly how and why everything works the way it does. He pouts and whines and argues like every other six year old, but this boy...oh this boy. He loves with his whole heart. His best friend is his mommy. He teaches me so much every day. He loves those brothers of his, and he has embraced the adoption of his baby brother more than anyone else. He sees it through innocent eyes...without judgement, without complication. He speaks with me about Lennox every day. And I can't wait to see their relationship when we bring Lennox home.

At six, he loves baseball. He loves climbing trees and taking walks. He loves cowboys and superheroes. He loves to wear his camo and target shoot with his grandfathers. He loves to play golf. He loves to snuggle on the couch and watch tv. And I love everything about him at six.

Happy birthday to my little buddy! Our Brody man. We love you so much, little dude! I can't wait to see what six brings!!

Catch Up ~ Part 2

Catch Up ~ Part 1

Trying to get caught up on pictures! Of course, they are all from my iPhone, but these are our everyday moments!

Adoption Update - One of those downhill moments...

When we started this process, everyone told us that there would be lots of ups and downs along the way. When The Lord began to impress upon our hearts that our fourth child was waiting for us on the other side of the world, He never promised that the journey to get to him would be easy. But He did promise that He would walk with us every step of that journey. I will admit that I was very naive and brushed the thought aside when others tried to prepare us for those downs that would come. The Korean program was moving along smoothly when we turned in our application, and I just knew we'd sail right along and bring our little one home without much of a hitch. I assumed the long wait would be the only downfall we faced.

Well, this week our roller coaster took its first big downhill ascend. I really can't go into detail...our agency has asked us to share as little as possible until we have more clear answers. But the Korean government is making more (and even bigger) changes to the program. In the past, families traveling to get their child only had to stay in Korea for about 5-7 days. We were informed this week that our stay will now either be 2 separate trips to Korea or one really long trip (they are estimating 3-4 weeks). Either option adds tremendous cost...and if its one long trip...well I have no idea how I will leave my boys for that long. Brent would be able to leave and return to work after a certain amount of time, but I would be required to stay. We will find out more specifically how this is going to work in the coming weeks.

We are also expecting that all of these changes will drastically increase our wait time. While we had hoped to have Lennox home by the end of the year, we are now just praying that we can go get him by Summer 2014, when he turns 2.

As difficult as it was for us to receive this news, we know it didn't take God by surprise. This is the verse that keeps coming to mind this week as I try to process my emotions over all of these changes.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6

Brent and I talked last night, and even though these new travel requirements are much different than what we had anticipated, we will figure it out. If Lennox is supposed to be part of our family, God will provide a way. For us to give up would be so much more than us not able to get this child we've waited so long for. It would be this child not getting a family that he's waited so long for.

While these changes may stretch us and cause a bit of of discomfort, please know how grateful we are that they are manageable changes. They won't be easy, but in the end, still manageable. I think so often of those children in Russia who were still waiting for their families when adoption to the US were banned. And I'm thankful that, for now, that's not the case with Korea. We've fallen in love the picture and the story of this little boy. We just want him home with us.

We hope to get more answers in the coming weeks and months, but until then, please join me in storming the gates of heaven with prayers for these little ones to be united with their families. For families to be provided a way to make these new travel requirements to work. For any decisions that are made, that they would be in the best interest of these children.

I've been humming this old hymn a lot this week! We are truly just resting in his promises.

"Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God!"

The latest on Lennox

We are coming up on the 3 month mark of being matched with Lennox. Really and truly, so far we've handled the wait ok. We knew going in that this part of the wait would be the hardest and the longest, and we are trying not to let it consume us. Yet. I know those feelings will come as the wait extends, so right now I'm just really trying to focus on the positive things - he's healthy, he seems happy and loved, we get to see his face and send him goodies regularly, and we know The Lord is working on his behalf! I know that as these months turn into a year or longer, and we see him go from baby to toddler, and we're still waiting...that the wait is going to get a lot more difficult, that I'm going to become a lot more desperate to bring him home, and that I won't feel the calmness I'm feeling now. But presently, I'm just thankful for this overwhelming sense of peace God has given me. Not that I'm content with how long this process takes when he has a family just waiting to bring him home, but that I know it's out of my control.

Lennox turned eight months old on Valentine's Day, and we were blessed with new pictures that morning and a progress report a few days later! He is just as cute as ever with those chubby cheeks, and he was sporting a brand new haircut! He was surrounded by the items from our latest care package, and I can't tell you how great it feels to have that little connection. We just love this little guy so much already.

His progress report says:
-He takes 6 oz of formula every 4 hours, and is eating rice, rice gruel (similar to our rice cereal), and soft bread.
-He takes 2 naps a day, ranging from 20 min to 2 hours, and sleeps soundly, not being disturbed by light or sounds (good thing!). He sleeps from 9pm-8am, waking up once for a feeding.
-He does not say "Omma" yet (Mama in Korean), but he says "Om".
-He shows his temper if he doesn't get his way (sounds like his brother Levi), but his foster mother holds him and pats him, and he is calm soon.
-He weighs 18 pounds and is 26 1/2 inches tall. He also has two bottom teeth.
-He takes 4 baths a week, which he likes!
-He responds to his name, rolls over, crawls, can get to sitting from crawling, pulls up to standing on furniture, gets to sitting from standing, plays peekaboo, and responds to No.
-They describe him as a good natured and loving baby boy who is doing well in his foster family's abundant love.

Sounds like our little 8 month old Korean cutie is doing just great! Our agency, Dillon International, has staff traveling to Korea in March, and they are hoping to be able to visit with each of the babies. We've been given the opportunity to prepare a gallon sized ziplock bag with gifts for our child, along with a little something for the foster mom. They will present Lennox and his foster mom with the bag, and take video and pictures of him opening it! We've been told to expect video footage, pics, and a short written update by late March! We can't wait to see our little dude in action.

I know I sound like a broken record, but please keep Korean adoptions in your prayers. There has been little to no movement since the beginning of the year, and we are praying things pick up soon. There are so many families waiting to bring their babies home...some have been waiting as long as 15-16 months. These long wait times only make the transition more difficult for these children. We are praying that they realize this soon and get the ball rolling. I'll keep you updated as best I can!

The pictures below are of the items we included in our gift bag that the staff will take over next month (minus the wooden puzzle board at the bottom right...it wouldn't fit and will be included in our next package). I made the tie shirts, Brent bought him his first baseball and glove (we thought it would be so special to get to see him open this!), the boys picked out a few toys, and we also included a baby toothbrush and gel. The scarf, bracelet, and Burt's Bees is for his sweet foster mother. I've also included his precious little pictures!

Mama said there'd be days like this...

Oh. What. A. Week. I really try not to let little sicknesses and things get me down, but this never-ending virus was one for the books. It all started last Monday night when Levi started throwing up while we were eating dinner at my dad's. I've never had one that little get a virus, and it was pitiful watching him be so sick. Thankfully, about 6 hours in, it finally eased up, and he was able to rest. Tuesday he was a little clingy and didn't really want to eat, but by Wednesday morning, I felt like we were finally in the clear.

Then my dad messaged me, and he was sick. I felt terrible. Then, not long after lunch that day, Brody's school called and said he was sick. I immediately grabbed the other two boys out of their beds and flew to the school to get him. Poor guy - he was so sick. And he was throwing up every 45 minutes or so. Even phenergan wasn't really helping. Then, lo and behold, about 8:00 that night, it hit Beckett. Hard. They were getting sick one right after the other. I wouldn't get one cleaned up good, and I would hear the other one starting again. It was awful. Just awful. Thankfully, Brent took over with Levi, I got the other boys both set up in the living room, trashcans and towels everywhere, and by about 3:00 am, it all finally calmed down. I kept Brody home from school on Thursday, but goodness, kids are so resilient. I felt like I had been run over by a truck, but they were pretty much back to their normal selves by mid-morning.

I was really hoping I could somehow avoid getting it, but of course, I wasn't so lucky. It hit me Friday morning, and by the afternoon I was down for the count. Our parents helped out with the boys, for which I am sooo grateful. It's such a huge help to have someone take over the kids when you are sick like that. While I was home sick, more bad news came. They were admitting my dad to the hospital for intestinal problems. They weren't exactly sure what the problem was, but he was in a lot of pain. I was much better by Saturday morning, the boys came home, and then...Brent got sick during the night. His was short-lived, and we thought we could finally put this whole virus behind us, and focus on my dad.

We spent Sunday visiting my dad in the hospital (they were talking surgery at this point), and we even got out for a bit and did a little shopping at the Boardwalk. Brent got up Monday morning (Brody's birthday!), went for a run, then went to work. By 10:00 am he was home with round 2 of the stomach virus. And it was really bad this time. He was probably a little dehydrated to start with because of his run, but by 1:30 his whole body was cramping, he was short of breath, could hardly walk, and we knew he needed fluids. We headed to the ER. My dad and stepmom, who were still in the hospital, a few floors up, watched the boys while I stayed with Brent. My poor dad. In the hospital facing surgery...and babysitting. But that's just what our week had come to. I felt so terrible because it was Brody's birthday, and I wasn't able to celebrate with him like I wanted. My mom had picked him up from school, and he was perfectly happy with her and Brooke, but I just wanted to be with him so badly. Once Brent was finally resting, my mother in law came to the ER and sat with him so that I could go eat out with Brody for his birthday dinner.

They finally released Brent about 7:00 last night, and he is on the mend. We visited my dad a lot today, and he didn't get to come home until this evening. He still isn't out of the woods yet, and is on a liquids only diet for now, but he's glad to be home resting. We will see how he is tomorrow.

I'm just laying down for the evening, and it's all finally hitting me how tired I am. But I'm so very thankful to have all my family home, safe and healthy, under the same roof. I am so ready to get everyone's regular routine back down. Brody had a bit of a rough day at school today, and I truly think we are all just "off". It's been almost 10 days of this nonsense, and I am going to desperately try to get the kids back to a sense of normalcy for the rest of the week. Those sweet boys are obviously as ready as I am for the craziness to leave!

I went to their rooms tonight, and just watched them each sleep for a bit. One of my favorite things to do. Thank you Lord for their health tonight! Thank you for healing us and giving us strength!

I pray that we all stay well for a really long while! ;)

Our Little Happies

This time of year it is so easy to get into a winter funk. Not that it's been incredibly cold here...it's just been warm then cold, warm then cold, and so so dreary. There has been no movement since the first of January regarding Korean adoptions, and my sweet boys have just been alternating fighting the sickies. So, we have just been trying to find joy in the little things that make us happy every day, while we await Spring and all of its newness.

Some recent happies:

These two sweet smiling silly cousins. I mean, is this not just the perfect picture of happiness?! I wish we could bottle that up!

Sending Lennox more goodies! Lennox will turn 8 months old on Valentines Day, so Beckett and I mailed him a fun care package in hopes that he will receive it when he goes in for his monthly visit. We included a couple outfits (one super cute one courtesy of Aunt Tara!), a fleece pullover, some pajamas, a bath toy, a package of socks, some puffs and yogurt melts, diaper cream, and a translated letter and some cute gloves for his precious foster mom! Being able to send our boy a few things each month is definitely a source of happiness! We also received word this weekend that some of the Dillon (our agency) staff will travel to South Korea next month, and that we should receive video footage of our cutie by the end of March! Woohoo!

Watching Brody-man play basketball. Dude is rocking it out there on the court. He is stealing the ball, scoring, pulling out spin moves, and loving every minute of it! He scored 10 points this Saturday! I am so proud of him!

Getting good reports from the asthma doctor! Okay, Okay. So, going to the doctor isn't one of our happies, but finding out that these asthma meds are working and Brody's lung funtion is improving is great news!

And little busy body here was such a trooper for the trip to Monroe to get Brother all checked out. Beck stayed home and worked with Pawpaw, but Levi hung with us and was so good! That always makes us happy :)

FroYo with Aunt Tara. Oh yes, this certainly made a little 5 year old boy's day. And I won't lie - mine too!

Mid-day brother loves. Brody was home sick on Thursday, and Beck was thrilled to have him home during the day. I love to see them getting along!

Giving the sewing machine a whirl. I made a few shirts for the boys this week, including a few to send to Lennox next month, and I was oh-so-happy with how they turned out!

Even Brody asked for a bit of a sewing lesson. So thankful for special moments like this with each of them.

Levi's girafffe shirt that I made him turned out pretty cute, too!

Feeding BoDiddly. Brody was feeling better Thursday afternoon, and the weather was nice, so we went for a walk down our street. BoDiddly is at the farm at the end of the road, and the boys get such a kick out of feeding and petting him. As Spring approaches, I am sure BoDiddly will be seeing lots of us!

Little boys on red tricycles. 'Nuf said.

Sleeping babes.

Introducing the potty! We are no where near ready to potty train yet, but he sure thinks it's fun to sit on the toilet and giggle and pretend like he is one of the big boys. That's as far as we've gotten so far, but right now I mainly want him to be familiar with and unafraid of the potty! Success! ;)

Celebrating Brent's 32 years. Yesterday was Brent's birthday, and it certainly made us happy to be able to celebrate the man that we love so much!