Simple pleasures...

Our first time in a swimming pool!! These 2 loved it!!!

All set to go!! Even a pink bathing cap :)

Warming up after our refreshing swim...note all the boys' matching swim shirts...we looked high and low to find matching shirts last summer thinking Mercy and Odesco would be home any day. Thankfully they still fit :)

What handsome fellows...finally able to wear the shirts we received at the shower given last May anticipating Odesco's homecoming ~

Carrying bananas Liberian style!!

Our "twin girlies" wearing matching dresses (given at the shower )that hung in the closet for close to a year awaiting Mercy's arrival and then the warm weather!!

Our "twin boys"!

Taking a refreshing 'bath' in the hose on a hot & humid day...

Riding the tricycle with shoes on the wrong feet...and 'ungreased' legs and arms~

Riding the bicycle with training wheels and a helmet that fits over beads :) (And it's purple!!!)

He who promised is faithful...

These 2 do everything with such zest !! Our neighbor went away and asked if we would water his plants... Mercy and Odesco were very excited to oblige!! Moments after taking this picture, the watering can became a bit too heavy for their little arms and crashed to the ground springing a leak...they thought this was just hysterical and quickly seized the opportunity to 'take a bath' in the remaining water ...which was quite refreshing on this hot day!
Another milestone!! G lost her very first tooth...Odesco helped the process along~ last week he was pulling G in a wagon and before she sat down, he inadvertantly took off sending her to the ground- mouth first...another tooth is soon to follow
Mercy and Felicia K...setting a new fashion statement in their purple specs and colorful clicky/clacky -'paco-yocos' (beads)....
I try to do a devotional with the little ones to start our day off on the right foot...typically there is much fidgeting, running around and it has become a training ground in teaching self control to our 2 newest family members(and Mommy, too!!) Yesterday, when we got ready to pray, there was lots of scrambling and I expected at least 2 kiddos to be running off when they all surprised me to do this!! Of course, my camera is never far from me so I was able to catch this kodak moment :)
The many faces of our little man L...he was feeling pretty grown up as he 'skateboarded' with his older friend Isaac who was visiting for the evening~
L in his Karate stance....wish you could hear the spirited "HI-YA" yelled as he strikes this pose.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

At church on Sunday, this verse was read and I was reminded of how the Lord used this to keep me anchored during the ups and downs of waiting for Mercy and Odesco to come home. It was a timely reminder for me to anchor my hope in Him alone as circumstances can sometimes cause my hope to waver...yet when my hope is stayed on Him, I am where He wants me to be. Last week was probably one of the most challenging since those first days of transition. I was reminded afresh that our family is not on this journey alone....last Wednesday, in a very public setting, our dear Mercy had a major meltdown. The storm clouds were brewing all week with many squalls each day but this was the biggie!! By God's grace, because this occurred at a public park and in the midst of our annual homeschool planning meeting, I was surrounded by people who love me and our precious daughter. Immediately, the agenda of the meeting changed gears so that prayers were lifted up on our behalf , others went into action helping me gather my belongings so I could remove Mercy from the situation and get her home-QUICKLY!! ....other friends coordinated rides home for the remaining 5 children and helped me remove their carseats from the van...it is amazing to consider how the Lord provided for our every need in the midst of a very challenging time. He is a God of the details!! By God's grace, Odesco, L and G transitioned well to the shift in plans and had a wonderful time at my gracious friend's home all afternoon...the big boys went home with another family, so for the other 5 kiddos this was a wonderful day....they were even fed dinner before being returned home. What a huge blessing to have so much uninteruppted time with Mercy alone...I prayed in the car on the way home after this major incident as I was desperate for God's wisdom to direct our afternoon. I was physically and emotionally spent...selfishly, I wanted to go off by myself and get recharged.Truthfully, I also admit I wanted to withdraw from the issues at hand...I honestly did not want to spend the afternoon alone with my emotionally charged daughter (a sad but honest confession). My heart was not thinking in terms of 'restoration' but God is a God who restores and redeems. He had other plans....I sensed that I was to spend 1:1 time with Mercy bathing her, reading to her and doing her hair. I kept thinking of the verse, 'It's your kindness that leads to repentance'... As she soaked in the tub, I read her a few books and we talked about what was going on in her heart. Basically , Mercy admitted that she wants to be back in Liberia...specifically at Acres of Hope. I am so grateful that Mercy's memories of her time at AOH are so positive and that she holds the nannies and 'aunties' there in such high regard. But, this does pose a dilemma in her little confused heart. I spoke about several of her special caregivers by name (since she mentions them often) and assured her that each one of these people would want her right here with us...that AOH was a 'stopping place' on her way to her forever family. I also reminded her that most of her AOH friends were no longer in Liberia but now with their new families. One of the books I was reading to her spoke of 'blooming where you are planted' and God kindly dropped a picture into my mind to share with Mercy. I told her that God in His wisdom and kindness chose to dig up Mercy's roots in Liberia and to transplant her here with us. I told her that we( and her siblings, extended family, and the many others who regularly show love and acceptance to her) are like the water... used by God to nurture, instruct, love, protect and train her in the ways of the Lord. Then I reminded Mercy of our thirsty pansies when we have not watered them well...they wilt and look as if they will die but perk back up as soon as the roots are able to soak up the water. We spoke of her heart being like those roots and that in order for her to soak up the water of the soil she is now planted in, she will need to start believing that God knows best and has lovingly placed her here in our family. We talked about the anger and sadness she is feeling and that these emotions need to be expressed through talking...not through out of control behavior. I spent close to 3 hours twisiting and beading her hair so there was plenty of time for talking. She grew angry again later when she learned that one of the consequences for her unwise choices was to go to bed before one of our beloved babysitters arrived so that my hubby and I could go to caregroup. We considered cancelling our evening plans but decided that this consequence would be appropriate and we (me especially) needed to be there! So, after dinner and prayers, it was bedtime for our little girl. She was not a happy camper and she knew she was not to get out of bed for any reason other than using the 'commode', as she calls it ... we expected a phone call at caregroup informing us that storm clouds were brewing once again but thankfully, Miss Mercy obeyed and eventually fell asleep. This was a major victory!

The next morning I was bracing myself for another challenging day filled with 'aftershocks' and much to my delight, I was greeted by an affectionate, much more peaceful little girl.
After our morning routine, Mercy and I drew out the story(picture primitive stick figures...but, she got it!) described above and put it in page protectors for her to look at often. I only did this because on Tuesday of the same week I was speaking with another adoptive mom who suggested 'storyboarding' as a means to help Mercy work out some of the issues she has been facing. Again, God's timing is perfect...this never would have even been a thought had that conversation not taken place. Since then, this idea of 'blooming where God plants you" has come up many times. Today in "Leading Little Ones to God", the lesson was about Joseph and how God always works things for our good (and ultimately, His glory!)... and we spoke again about how this relates to her life.In the past week, we have also transplanted azaleas and repotted pansies...another great living picture of God transplanting her here.
In His timely kindness, the Lord has reminded me of numerous promises I believe He spoke to my heart while we were in the waiting stages last fall. Also, I finally found a journal I was searching for from May 2005..before we even began the official adoption process but knew God was directing us to Liberia. At that time I wrote down a few of the promises I believe He had in store for our 'to be adopted' children. Reading this again infused my heart with faith -it was no coincidence that I finally found this journal at this time...this is by no means an easy road and yet His grace is paving the way.... truly He is about transforming broken hearts and reflecting His image in the lives of His children. As my friend Kim reminded me...the very fact that so many were there to witness "that day" will make the days when God's glory is shining through Mercy , that much more glorious. It is a tricky time for us...knowing that there is definate grieving and anger resulting from all Mercy and Odesco have lived through and yet there need to be boundaries regarding approriate expressions of these mixed emotions . June 2nd will mark the kids' 6th month anniversary since their homecoming...it truly is no surprise that there are still huge issues to work through and yet, there are so many evidences of His amazing grace in their lives already.
Odesco is doing well... he also has bouts of anger here and there but nothing like we experienced his first days home. Often throughout the day, he runs up behind me to give me a spontaneous squeeze...he is a snuggle boy and I love it! He also does the 'Boo-Boo' (aka: Monkey) trick where he wraps his arms around my neck and totally supports his weight without any help from me...comes in handy when my hands are full!! He , L and C had 'buddy' time this morning for over an hour...it does my mommy heart such good to see their brother bonds continuing to blossom!!
Homeschool is winding down although we still try to do some work every day...now I am in planning mode for next fall...I'll be teaching 2 kindergarteners, 1 2nd grader, 1 5th grader, 1 7th grader and a preschooler ...thankfully, the big boys are almost independent with most of their work so I can focus a bit more on the little ones as they learn the 3 R's :)!! The kids are all looking forward to pool days (ought to be interesting-I have never seen Mercy and Odesco around water except in the bathtub!!) and fun visiting Mimi and Pop- Pop at their trailer in Indiana.I am looking forward to the change in routine that the summer brings and trust that the Lord will give me everything I need to begin schooling 2 more kiddos in the fall...I'm grateful to have all summer to work out the details :)!!
Thanks for stopping by,
Remembering again, that He who promised is faithful,
Mama B.

Promised Pictures...

P turned 12 on the day of the play.... just look at how our firstborn is growing up!! This summer he will go to youth camp with Daddy... hard to believe!! We are so proud of the young man he is becoming and we so appreciate all of his hard work around the house...he and C are learning to become servants...especially in these last 5+ months!
Happy 5th Birthday to our little man!! Is this little guy just so scrumptious?! He continues to amuse us with his goofy antics and we so enjoy his lively chats when he talks out of the corner of his mouth...reminds us of a pirate...how fitting this bday gift/ Pirate hat from Mimi is! He is hugging the catapult we bought him ... "Awesome, I've always wanted one of these" was his enthusiatic response to this gift.
Wondering what these 2 little guys are doing on the hard floor of their closet? Why, they are hunkering down for the night...yep- Daddy told them about an event (Celebration conferences) we used to go to where the kids used to sleep in the closet and it put the idea in these little brains... so, they lasted several hours and at about 3 am Daddy heard Odesco crying out and moved both boys back into their comfy bed!
Nic at Nite' Musical
P is in the middle , playing the part of Nicodemus and C is to the right in green, playing the part of "Phrank Pharisee"...P had many lines to memorize and even a solo to sing which was quite a stretch for him but he did so well. C was a very convincing indignant Pharisee and made us laugh with the forceful delivery of his lines!!
This was L's (far left- holding Act I sign) stage debut...he took his role quite seriously , as you can see by this picture. These 3 boys were just adorable as they paraded across the stage with their signs at just the right moment in the song being sung...it was precious to watch!!
Mercy , G, C (didn't quite get him in this picture) , and a few others sang a verse in one of the songs together....Miss Mercy did so well having self control and keeping up with the others ...she was off with the timing on some of the hand motions but she made us all proud!!
G had to memorize and recite a long Bible verse during one song interlude in the musical...she did a great job and was right on cue !!

Well, I didn't need to worry about Odesco trying to get up on the stage to join his older siblings under the lights......he slept in Mimi's arms through the entire performance and woke up just in time for FOOD!! Surprise, surprise!!


Well, again a very busy time in our family...the boys are taking standardized tests this week and today is L's 5th birthday....so hard to believe our little man is 5! The play went so well...it is truly the highlight of our homeschool year and I always stand amazed at how the Lord graciously pulls the details together in the 11th hour. It really is wonderful to see how older 12 year olds perform next to the 5 year olds...everyone has an 'important' part to play and they all work so well together! The 2 directors do such an incredible job casting and preparing our kiddos ...the hours at home prior to the performance were a bit 'punchy'...both sets of grandparents joined us for a rushed meal and let's just say it was not very peaceful ~ there were many antics going on that made us all wonder how one little girl was going to do up on stage....thankfully, by God's grace, Mercy was able to pull it together and did so well following instructions and performing. All of our 5 made us very proud :)!! So did the rest of the cast...it was a wonderful evening together!!

Never A Dull Moment...

In the midst of the chaos, my friend, Sheila, realizing this was a 'bloggable' moment we would laugh about later , got my camera and snapped a picture of a few of our displaced friends due to the "fire drill'. The kids sure didn't mind...more time for football, frisbee, and skateboarding in the parking lot!!


Well, yesterday was the last day of Homeschooler's Day Out...it went so quickly this semester and we survived :) I'm so grateful for all of the support we have in our homeschooling...lots of eager, talented moms willing to share their gifts with our children. It was a gorgeous spring day.... many of the moms were treated to a 'teatime' by our sneaky friend, Kim. She also happens to be the writing instructor for some of our kiddos and when class began, she dismissed the moms to a lovely outdoor tea complete with yummy delectables made by some of the other children in cooking class- a coordinated effort!! Surprisingly, I was even able to enjoy/gulp a cup down myself in between 'opportunities' for conflict resolution a few feet away in the gym where our 4 youngest were playing with their many little friends. I had just come back into the play area for one of these 'opportunities' and turned my back to take a drink from my water bottle.

Suddenly, there was a deafening clanging...the fire alarm went off and in my ignorant bliss, I assumed it was a planned drill until I heard my observant friend holler above the clanging bells," IT WAS ODESCO!!" ...huh? I turn around and sure enough he is standing there, like the proverbial deer in the headlights, (eyes open really wide!! ) next to the fire alram with the handle in the down position. Calls by efficient friends were made to stop the firetrucks from being dispatched but in the meantime, classes were emptying out into the parking lot~ the children were certainly grateful for this forced break in their day!! Word spread like wildfire and everyone knew who the culprit was...by the time we got outside , my little man crumbled in my arms and went into his 'shut down' mode. It took about 5 minutes for the alarm to be turned off and the bells to silence. Mercy was terrified from the noise and quickly grabbed the hand of another friend who lovingly comforted her while I took care of Odesco....Truly, it wasn't his fault...I had never instructed him NOT to pull down that tempting little handle on that interesting red box placed just at his height on the gymnasium wall... we later talked about the purpose of the fire alarm and when it would be appropriate to pull it...I showed him an extinguisher and explained that those were off limits as well. I am learning that I need to instruct in areas I never would have to think about with our other kiddos...hmm wonder how many other adventures await as our curious children explore their new world!!

Thankfully, Odesco recovered by the time his next class met and he was back to his old self. I am grateful there was no fee for the false alarm (for some reason I had it in my mind that there was a hefty fine for this sort of thing!) So, never a dull moment around here :) One thing is for sure, I trust that no member of the B family will EVER pull that tempting little lever again!!

Tonight the kiddos (the 5 oldest) will perform in our Spring musical called "Nic at night" about Nicodemus. It will be Mercy and L's stage debut ...be sure to check back for pics...ought to be another fun memory. Mimi and Pop-pop and Mom and Dad B will be coming as well...oh and today is P's 12th birthday!! Such excitement around here :)...
Thanks for checking in!!
Blessings,
Mama B

Our little "Belongers"....

Sweet Sisters in a loving moment!!!
Since we are in birthday mode in our house (5 birthdays in 32 days!!), the kids are all talking about what they would like for their birthday meals. Mercy has been pondering this( she has plenty of time to decide since her bday is in November!!) and has requested jollof rice, an African dish, for her special meal. Imagine our surprise when last week at Homeschooler's Day Out, the cooking class prepared jollof rice...and the cooking teacher Mrs. V graciously shared the yummy dish with a delighted Mercy!!!
Hard to believe that C has just turned 10!! Yep we're in the double digits...he is such a great big brother to L and Odesco and as I type this, he is 'shooting hoops' in front of the house with Odesco...they have been at it for quite a while. He really has such a tender heart for his little brothers :) (We're working on the same for his sisters :)!!
Just look at these cool dudes! These 2 make quite a pair!! Odesco complained the other nite' at bedtime because of the 'sleeping noises'(snoring!) L makes ...they are slowly becoming little buddies~

Every Sunday at church it is quite amusing to watch our 2 little Liberians as they 'work the crowd'... they have found their little niche and it definately seems that they feel like they belong now! It amazes me to step back and consider how far they have come and it causes me to give praise to the One who is in the business of changing hearts and lives~ Just 5 months ago, these 2 were frightened and insecure as we came to church...they avoided eye contact at all cost and certainly did not reuturn greetings in a gracious manner. Yesterday, as I was chatting with a friend before church, I glanced over to see Mercy and Odesco approaching one of our elderly church members and engaging in lively conversation with her for quite a few minutes. It was precious to watch....then of course there are the weekly running hug/jumps into the arms of our beloved babysitters, the warm hellos to many of Mommy and Daddy's special friends and the special comraderie between these 2 and Jenkins and Felicia. In Sunday school too, Odesco especially is showing his silly side, engaging in conversation, and even answering questions related to the teaching of the day. He has come quite a long way from the days of just tolerating class and basically living in his own little world for those 60 minutes. It is easy to feel loved and welcomed in the midst of our wonderfully supportive church and families...I am reminded again of the verse which declares that God sets the lonely in families...truly, He has done that and my heart is touched once again by His faithfulness. It is a miracle to consider how the Lord worked out all the timing and details as He sovereignly chose these 2 from across the globe, to be added to our family~and conversely, He chose us to be Mercy and Odesco's family. During our challenging moments ( and there still are many :), this bedrock truth of His sovereignty literally carries me. He makes no mistakes....the issues being exposed are no surprise to our Maker and the Creator of all things...this is for the good of all of us and ultimately I trust that God's glory will shine through in the midst of our imperfect family.
Thanks for checking in :)
So grateful that he has brought these "Little Belongers" into our home!!
MamaB

Mom's Musings...

Today, we received address labels in the mail....and of course, Odesco had to wear them. Looks awfully cute with his " Queen Crown" as he calls it!! These 2 little boys are so yummy, aren't they?! G loves 'mothering ' them!! (when they let her :)

Last week at Homeschooler's Day Out, we found some stickers in the 'free pile'...I gave them to Odesco to keep him busy during play practice and this is what he did!!!


Sticker mania again...I needed to purchase shirts for Odesco since all of the ones we had didn't quite fit comfortably over his still distended gut...I threw these shirt labels in the trash and our little man swiftly rescued them and put them to use!

Just 2 years ago yesterday God implanted in our hearts a desire to adopt from Liberia...I will never forget it as Mama K.(Jenkin's and Felicia's mom) came over on my 40th birthday to bless me with a special dinner and with her she brought the Above Rubies magazine article highlighting the plight of Liberian orphans.Together we pulled up the websites featuring Liberian adoption and my heart was so affected. Our hubbies were conversing and our children were playing in the background but our Mommy eyes were glued to computer images of Liberian children....It is difficult to put it into words. There was a compelling pull ...a drawing to a place we had never even considered (and I admit I did not even know where to find Liberia on the map) yet, God had 2 precious children there for both of our families! My hubby and I were convinced at this time we were to adopt but had no peace or sense of direction regarding where we were to adopt from...until that day~ and then God very clearly began to unfold His plan for us that would change the fabric of our family forever.
Fast forward 2 years...tomorrow will be Mercy and Odesco's 5 month-i-versary since their homecoming ! Wow, how the months have flown. There are so many major evidences of grace in their little lives and yet, I confess, my hubby received a slobbery tear-filled phone call from me yesterday morning as I fell into unbelief regarding the challenges of mothering 6 children, maintaining a household, and getting the schooling done. I cried for a bit as chaos ensued around me...I momentarily felt like I was being swallowed into a pit of despair... BUT
God is so faithful... He provides just what I need, just when I need it. A friend came for a visit with her 3 children and God used her presence in our home as a means of grace to my weary soul.... another friend dropped by unexpectedly to bless me ~ God was providing others to help lift my arms in the battle. Also, another friend , my Mom, and brothers called and I was reminded afresh that we are not in this alone. Truly my flesh is being dealt deathblows everday...my selfishness, my idols of wanting order and peace- these are all being exposed again and again... God is conforming me to His image and the process is painful at times. Just because we believe we have followed the will of God on this path of adoption does not mean it is going to be completely smooth without bumps in the road... honestly, sometimes there are cavernous potholes to negotiate around!!... At times, obedience is hard work...other times obedience is blessed with joys beyond measure. We have had those moments too but most recently, I confess to being affected more by the challenges than the joys. There is a heavenly disparity here: "His yoke is easy and His burden is light" and yet the flip side of this reality is we are to "take up our cross" and follow Him.... The good news in all of this...whether experiencing the joys or the nitty gritty challenges is that He who called us is faithful.....His grace is unending...I have barely tapped into the stores of the wealth of His grace and yet there is more and more and more yet to come. It is easier for Him to grant me grace than for me to even ask for it. It is humbling to see how easily my heart strays from the riches of these truths...reality is, life can get hard...relationships take work...parenting can be exhausting BUT His power is perfected in my weakness and His grace IS sufficient..His grace is sufficient to manage the daily multitude of opportunities for conflict resolution among siblings, His grace is sufficient to deal with wayward, rebellious hearts, His grace is sufficient to maintain laundry/cleaning/cooking etc , His grace is sufficient to direct the homeschooling of 6 children....the list goes on and on. So, while the day to day realities of life in our bustling home may change imperceptibly, I pray that the the changes in my heart would manifest outwardly with tangible evidences of His mighty and abundant grace at work in my weakness -
When I am weak, then He is strong!!
Thanks for checking in...
MamaB