keepin' It Cool!

Elijah and his new buddy

keepin' it cool

at a loooooong Texas 

soccer tournament!

A name that fits

We have been calling "Gus"
 "Gus" 

for a while,

our agency listed him as "Gus" 

and we went with it -

I kinda liked it - we have a Grandpa and Uncle who had been
nickname "Gus"
but...

Dad -
well,
he had a dog named Gus,
a beloved dog,
with well,
a story that still hurts Dad...

so "Gus" is not a good name for our precious son!

So,
with a lot of thought
and 9 opinions on every other name -
our family has decided on
the perfect name for our little man.

Allow me to introduce you to

Griggs Everett!

(I need new updated photos!)

Days like these!

Thank you sweet friends for helping me 

through the last few weeks! 

I think we will send "Gus" a cake for his 

birthday in August - 

so that all his friends can join in the fun!

And y'all made  me feel much better about my summer plans

with my kiddo's! 

Now hear's to sticking with the plans! 

Of course,

the kiddo's are always happy if there is a lot of this!

and this!

We love summer 

and

splash pads! 

la la la la laaaaaa!

Last Choir concert of the year!

I love middle school choir concerts! 

And our boys choir is soooo good!

(and cute too! -

that's Conner - in the middle!)

Infact, 

this is the trophy they won at their

competition last week!

BEST IN SHOW!

Let's hear it for the boys!

Way to go Cowboys!

9 days!

9 days!

I can't believe our summer begins in 9 days!

I'm super excited,

yet super nervous!

It's been a while since I have had all 

the kids home 

ALL Day,

just me and Conner -

I think we are out numbered! 

I know we will have a great time -

enjoying splash parks,

and the neighborhood pool!

I am also trying to get together 

daily school work for the little kids,

and some what of a schedule -

so that there is not total chaos!

We have a few kids who need to keep 

their academic learning going -

so that they don't forget and 

fall back!

Any ideas from any teachers,

home schoolers,

moms in my situation, 

I'd love to hear what y'all do with your kids

 during the summer!

Thanks for your help!

Count down

 In 2 weeks and 1 day 

my big baby 

will no longer be a high school student!

I admit I have been in denial ALL year!

And now -

I just can't hide from it any longer!

My loud, crazy, larger then life boy 

is a young man.

Ohhh - that's hard to say!

But we are soooo proud of the man he is becoming!

He doesn't want a Graduation party -

rather he just wants to go out to dinner with the family.

So we took the opportunity to surprise him

and take him on one of his favorite outings.

An FC Dallas Soccer game!

We had a nice evening -

even though Jailyn began the evening screaming 

at the fireworks during the National Anthem,

(guess we're not over that fear yet.

This is why we don't do 4th of July events) 

and 

Jorja asking questions about e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. ,

and 

Elijah all of a sudden realized he was over stimulated

and 

well...

had to share it with everyone with in ear shot -

once again, 

I am very sorry for the lady a few rows ahead of us,

for the flying sock and shoe.

But, the cotton candy was entertaining -

and so were our sticky fingers!

The box of wipes was great too -

and the seats that we occupied were 

sparkly clean when we left!

unfortunately our team didn't win -

but we still had fun

and I think Brady appreciated that we did 

something for him -

just want he wanted!

Love you son! 

Care Package... HELP!

Okay, sweet friends,

 I need your help! 

We have been okay'd to send our sweet boy 

a care package for a while now,

but we haven't -

and it's killing me! 

But, I don't know what to do!

Here is my dilemma:

1.) We sent Jorja a care package as soon as we could,

which in hindsight was way to early.

She held on to our photos for many long months -

and though I'm sure it gave her a little hope,

it also hindered her trust in us - 

thinking we would never come to rescue her. 

(We didn't send Jailyn a package,

and

we didn't have he option to send the boys 

a care package -

 it wasn't allowed.)

2.)  What does it do to the other kids who don't receive 

a special care package?

I know that I can send some little candies or toys for the

other kids - 

but I hate that any of these precious kids 

feel sad and feel left out. 

OHHHHHH what to do!

I want to send him something so bad -

but...

We still have months before we will be LID

(Log In Date - 

which means all of our paperwork is in China -

waiting for the next step)

I'm feeling that it is my selfishness that wants 

to send something. 

What do y'all think?

Please help!

SOOOO Blessed!

This is what my kiddo's did for me 

for Mother's Day!

They framed each one of the photos
and delivered them 

one by one.

Yes, 

tears were flowin'! 

I am sooooo Truly Blessed!

"Are all Christians called to adopt?"

I've been asked more and more recently 

if I believe that ALL Christians are called to adopt children of the world.

This is a hard question.

I would love to say -

"yep!" 

and see 8% of christians listen 

and move forward and adopt 

so that every adoptable child world wide would 

have a home. 

But, 

that is not truly how I feel. 

I don't believe every one is asked to adopt. 

I do believe that every Christian is asked to 

"care" 

for the orphan. 

What does that mean? 

I believe it means that everyone is asked to do something -

1) pray for them Matthew 7:7-8

2) speak up for them Proverbs 31:8-9

3) provide for their needs James 2:15-16

4) support those who support them Hebrews 10:24

5) protect them from harm Psalms 146:9

6) visit them where they are James 1:27

7) give sacrificially to them 2 Corinthians 9:7

8) encourage them to press on I Thessalonians 5:14

9) adopt them into your family Psalms 68:5-6a

10) mobilize your church for them. Matthew 28: 18-20

Also with that...

I believe that we use excuses like...

1) I'm too old,

2) I couldn't afford the adoption expenses

3) I couldn't love someone that wasn't my blood -

(may want to re-think this excuse if you are married)
4) I don't want to go there-
my life is comfortable now.
5) I'm single.

It is easy to make excuses -

but it is difficult to truly get on our knees and ask God -

what does HE want us to do.

When we began praying for "Gus" 

we didn't know God's plans for us.
We were at the point that 

we couldn't even imagine beginning another adoption.

We had every excuse in the book -

but God spoke clear and loud!

And we are so thankful that HE did! 

Though it will still be months before we get him home,

I can't imagine our family without him! 

He is in every conversation,

he is missed at the dinner table,

the little kids save a spot for him at story time at night,

and on and on!

Please! 

If you have ever felt God tug at your heart for the orphan -

sit still and
ask HIM,

what does HE want you to do?

I promise HE will tell you 

and HE will provide for you!

On stage!

I know that I'ves said this a million times, 

but I am just so proud of my kids!

I am amazed at our four little kiddos.

To think a short time ago they were the 

"least of these and now -

they are forever siblings.

Siblings who tease each other,

siblings who encourage each other,

siblings who tattle on each other,

siblings who teach each other and 

siblings who learn from each other.

To see Donovan now -

and remember the boy he was 8 months ago -

home for 7 weeks and entering 

a brand new kindergarten class,

with all new faces,

a new language,

new sounds,

new smells,

new rules.

His English was very raw, 

and he wouldn't speak to anyone, besides family.

Making eye contact, especially with adults,

was the most terrifying thing!

Yesterday I went to school to 

see three of the four in a program.

Through teary eyes I watched them all perform,

singing and dancing.

Jailyn and Jorja were in their element! 

But,

Donovan he doesn't like to be the center of attention

(except for Mom and Dad's attention).

I was amazed as he sang and danced with confidence.

I am amazed at what this child has been through -

yet, he doesn't allow the suffering that he has seen 

and experienced define him. 

He has taught me to be patient,

to be thankful,

to chill -

and have fun! 

Don't take life too seriously-

enjoy every moment 

and 

tell those around you 

how much I care about them.

Weighted Blanket

For y'all who are wondering how I made 

a weighted blanket -

I copied! 

This is where I found the info to make a weighted blanket.

Craft Nectar

I also found the idea to use a pillowcase 

somewhere -

but I forget where.

I really wanted the blanket to be portable-

you know,

stroller, carseat... 

so the pillowcase idea was just perfect for us. 

a sweet bouquet!

Kenzie and Jailyn 

made this beautiful 

bouquet!

Jailyn will be riding her bike in style!

Just what the boy ordered!

Look at this happy boy!

Oh yes!!!

Those dimples get me e.v.e.r.y. time!

What is making him so happy today?

I made him a weighted blanket
out of his favorite pillowcase!

He loves it!

I gave it to him yesterday 

and he hasn't put it down.

This morning on the way to school,

I asked him where he left his blanket.

He said,

"No left my blanket.

It's in my backpack!"

Of course, I have six other kids who want one now too!

I apologize.

I feel that I need to apologize.

I apologize to anyone who has read our blog 

and has seen an easy goin' family,

 who plays all day -

and giggles and laughs constantly.

A family where there are no "time outs".

A family who never argues,

or 

gets on each others nerves. 

I want to apologize to y'all who have adopted,

those who are in the process of adopting,

or are thinking of adopting,

and I have allowed you to think -

"hey Jodi and Bryan do this just fine,

no problems.

What are we doing wrong?

What is our problem."

For this, I truly apologize.

Adoption is hard.

Inviting someone in your home,

asking them to be a family member 

can be incredibly difficult.

Expecting a child to give up every characteristic

they have learned in their past

 - so that they could survive - 

may come with a lot of arguments,

and frustrations.

The family unit may not be accepted from

a child. 

They may fight with every fiber of their being -

in fear that they will be hurt again. 

Some children, the only "family" they have know were their nannies

in the orphanage.

People who disciplined with conditional love -

and that is what they expect from their 

mommy and daddy.

A child who never had a pair of shoes to call their own,

may hold on stronger then you could ever imagine 

to the emotional control that they have 

held over others in their past. 

Some days you may long for the days of the past,

you may long for peace in your home,

in your life,

in your heart.

You may be an advocate for orphans,

and then when this hardened child comes to your home -

it is hard to see that same child that you fell in love with

in that photo. 

Can I tell you...

These children long for a quiet spirit too. 

They desire peace in their lives.

But, most have never experienced it -

so they don't even know what it is -

and on the good days that they have allowed their 

emotional wall to come down -

they don't know what to do with this new feeling.

It is unsure, it is uncomfortable -

and they will go back to what it comfortable. 

Some fight emotionally and physically because they 

loved people in their past,

and if they let their new family into their hearts -

this is denying their loved ones back home.

(whether those they loved were good to/for them -

they still loved them,

and that was their stability.) 

Again, 

I want to apologize.

I am so sorry if I have ever made it seem easy.

I am sorry that my kiddos are so adorable in the photos that we post -

I know it's hard to believe there are rough times 

when they look so cute! :) 

But, there are some many days when I have to look at those

 photos and pray -

"Thank you Lord for these precious faces.

They are your children.

You have blessed me with caring, 

loving, 

teaching,

parenting them.

And with your help,

I will do so."

Philippians 4:13

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Also, to you my friends,

if you are struggling 

please, please, please reach out! 

Please!!!!

This is hard! 

But, 

God is always good!