An amazing week

The theme for VBS was Rome: Paul and the underground church. We took pics one day of the kids dressed in togas so they could take home as a souvenir.

Our church put on a Vacation Bible School in which Will and I were in charge. There was a ton of planning and preperation and each day started very early. After the services on Sunday, we had a 3 hour meeting with all the volunteers and then decorating that took about 3 more hours. Each day we got up early and left the house at 8:30 a.m. to get to the church to prepare for the day. VBS started at 9:45 a.m. and lasted until 12:00 p.m. After VBS ended for the morning, our family stayed around to clean up and prepare for the next day. Most days we did not leave until about 1:30 p.m.

I say all that to say, Kenson and Jes did wonderfully. They were real troopers as were the rest of our children. Not only is that a long day for them, but they did not get to stay on their schedule of eating and rest and were surrounded by, at least, 150 others kids and adults each day. All the kids were split up into groups called families ~ I purposely put Jes in Bella's group and Kenson in Noah's group. Their leader did have a time getting them to stay still and not run around but, overall, they did very well. Jess's leader was her Sunday School teacher who is the only one at church that is allowed to pick her up and take care of her. I was always around so I could take them if needed and could deal with any behavior problems that might have been exhibiting. They never seemed scared or out of control and really seemed to have a good time.

On Friday, one of the volunteers had a pool party at her house for all those who helped. The kids had a great time. The teenage boys started the game where you get on each others shoulders and try to knock someone else off. Well, they let Noah and Kenson play. It was absolutely precious to see these boys carrying around Kenson on their shoulders and helping him even dunk the basketball in a goal that is set up near the pool. He was in heaven!

Doing good

I am so excited that Jesula is starting to really bond. She is calling for me and wants to be with me even if everyone else is swimming. She is starting to initiate kisses which is big for her. She is even randomly telling me that she loves me. This is something all of our other children have always done so it is so nice to hear her say it.
Wilkenson has always been affectionate and thorougly enjoys seeing any of us return home even if it has only been a 5 minute trip to get gas. He does not really like to kiss but has always given huge hugs. He is a bit more exasperating at times and Will and I struggle with getting frustrated with him. We basically just need to view him as a 3 or 4 year old instead of an almost 6 year old. He is super sweet, though.
It is still challenging sometimes with Asher and his jealousy issues but it is getting better. Asher even leaned back at supper tonight and said, "Wilkenson. Wilkenson. I love you." To which Wilkenson responded back with an I love you. Man, am I blessed!!!

Happy Happy 4th!

I am writing this post right now with 4 out of 5 children standing around me. I can hear one child singing at the top of her lungs, "Wilkenson, dance with me!" . . . another child saying firmly but with a smile on his face, "Stop it!" . . . another one saying in an accented voice, " Mama, gade gade," . . . another one is quiet but not for long and the youngest's wearabouts in the house are unknown but you can hear him yelling, "MOMMA!" This is the choas that I am learning to enjoy and embrace. I have a long way to go but I ask the Lord continuously to help me understand what it means to really enjoy my children and not just survive till bedtime. My goal as their parent is not to just teach, protect, take care of and train them but to Love, Honor, Respect, Cherish and Value them as individuals that God created in His image.
I now must go ~ Bella just informed me that Asher was standing on the toilet in order to pee and there was gum stuck to his rear and he has flicked and she is not sure if he is trying to get it back out of the toilet :-)

We left that morning of the 4th to ride our bikes to the donut shop and get Korean made donuts, then we rode over to the park to watch the parade. This is a tradition that we have come to enjoy. Although we missed Daddy very much, we were glad to have Aunt Tina join us.

Waiting patiently for the parade to start.

Celebrating the 4th with my brother and his family. Aunt Tina was here too but left for a bit with Asher to attend another party.

Matching July 4th outfits.

I am not only a proud citizen of America but this holiday was my dad's favorite and it makes me miss him that much more. Knowing that my dad walks with Jesus and sees God's face, I would never want him back but the pains of missing him are still very real. I am so glad that I will see him again one day!

We are so ready for Daddy to come home. The kids and I put together this sign today to welcome him home ~ each child took a letter and decorated it with colors. It was a great way for each of them to get involved!

Pictures

We received their Certificates of Citizenship. Kenson and Sula are officially US citizens.

Went to the Zoo with a group of children from our church. Kenson was excited from the beginning. Sula was not too sure but by the end, she was fully embrassing the experience.

Eating supper with our friends, the Zapatas from Tennesee.

1 month ago . . .

. . .I entered our front door emotional, full of fear, and weak kneed. I could not see or think past what my chaotic mind would allow. Although I knew that one day, the children that I entered that door with would come to understand what being in a family means and we would all blend together, I literally could not envision it. Now, just one month later, it is happening! Kenson and Sula are coming to understand their roll as our children. They want us to comfort them, to hold them, to put them to sleep and to have fun. They are not seeking out others to fill those needs. They are getting along more with Asher, Noah and Bella. Kenson and Sula miss them when they are gone and continue to ask about them until they return home. Thank you, Lord. Only you could have made this all work. You, alone, are the reason those children are here in our home. You deserve the credit for it all. May I commit every day to you . . . the easy days, as well as, the most difficult.

Sickness and Fun

The last few nights have been hard around here. It started with Noah vomiting in the middle of the night at my sister's house. I was on the phone with her several times while Will drove out to her place to get Noah. He was fine the next morning so we thought it was just something he ate. Then, last night Bella started. She threw up about every hour until morning. She was feeling better today and we went bowling for my birthday but then it happened again at bedtime. I am praying she is so much better in the morning. Kenson and Sula have not caught it yet and I truly hope it stays that way.
On the other hand, bowing was a blast. Of course, they had no reference to go by when I explained what we were about to do. They just kind of stood there in the bowling alley when we walked in. They did amazingly well with the safety rules. Kenson had a blast and by the end, he was getting and rolling his ball all by himself. Sula, though, thought it was funny to roll the ball and would walk away like a little goof ball. She is our little court jester!

Language Barrier . . .

. . . thank goodness for translators. Will had to work today for the first time since the kids have been home. Wilkenson came to me later in the day asking me a question about Will but I could not understand what the question was. He kept asking and then Jesula joined in. Bless his heart, I just did not know and he was not giving up. I called our new friend, Norma, at work. (She is so wonderful to stop what she is doing and help us out.) I watched Wilkenson listen to her on the phone with a big grin on his face. Norma let me know that he was asking if his daddy went to Mardi Gras. I have no idea where he would have gotten that idea but, at least, he knows now that his daddy was working and not partying.