Our Colombian Journey with Silas...

I have been wanting to write about our journey with Silas and some of his birth family.  It's been so emotional for me, therefore, difficult to put my thoughts into words.  So, I'll give it a shot.  I share because my prayer is that if you have an adopted child who has this heart thing for their birth family, then I hope our story encourages you to move forward with your child...no matter how  overwhelming it may be...

During 2006, most families who put their name in for an infant from Colombia would receive their child by 3 months.  When we received Silas' referal he was already 8 1/2 months.  My initial reaction was one of feeling jipped.  All the families around us were receiving real little ones and why in there world did it take so long for Silas to be referred to us...so much time at the adoption house...

Then we traveled, and received this gift that was an instant ball of joy.  I couldn't wait to go to Pisingos and learn more about his story...after 3 weeks in to our journey, we listened and learned...his mama loved him.  Her decision to make an adoption plan was the most courageous and selfless act of love.  Although her story was terribly difficult to here, I connected with it...heartwrenching gut connect...the love of a woman who couldn't bring herself to sign him off, and kept visiting him in hopes that something could change in her life, but, by 8 months, she said her last good-bye and prayed to God he would have a good family, opportunity, a hope and a future...

That's where his Colombian story ends...but, not really...because, his heart, always has had a piece of Colombia in it.  He's always been curious, and as young as 2-3 he learned that my tummy was broken and that he grew in another mami's tummy...we used to giggle and he had some funny comments over that when he was little, but, as he grew, it was evident that his curious nature wanted to know more...  

When Isabel was 7, I joined Facebook.  Found her birth mom right away (I'll save her story for later)...so, since then, I'd periodiclaly check.  Realizing that given Silas' story, there is no way on this earth would we have a connection.  One night I prayed and asked God if it be His will to make it happen for Silas, almost laughing at that prayer.  Little did I know that in a land far far a way, this woman named Blanca was praying the same prayer.  

On Izzy's 10th birthday I prnted off the message her birth mom sent her.  After we giggled in bed, and cried happy tears over that message, I went back to my computer...mumbling in my mind, "C'mon God, Isabel has a piece, Caroline and Marta have eachother, but, Silas, he's got nothing but, this heart that needs it!"  Went back to my computer, typed her name in...and there she was...I wept...

On the other side, there is this little boy who encouraged his mom to join FB, she didn't really have any intentions of going on, but, Juan Diego wanted her to...and within 2 months of being on, she receives a note and a message from me with a picture of Silas...and like myself...wept...

Since then, we have been communicating, sharing photos, sharing thoughts...Silas having a few "chats" with both Blanca and Juan Diego.  We knew when he hit 10 it was time to turn this "fantasy" family into a reality.  

Reality it is.  Last Saturday the door knocked on our guest house.  John opened it, and their was this kid in complete disbelief on the other side with his mom...I have Isabel and Silas trailing behind me.  The initial moment was intense...we all were crying (accept Silas, he was taking it in-and determined not to show Blanca any emotion)...we shared hugs, and a meal, we gave gifts, and talked about life,..but, most of the night was spent watching the 2 boys together...oh my word...brothers together for the first time!! Thank you Jesus!

I was so impressed with Juan Deigo's respect and gentleness.  When Silas went to push Isabel, Juan Diego said, "Silas, you don't hit girls!: )"  I like this kid.  Silas looks at me and shrugs his shoulders because he knew Juan was right.  

Yesterday was our 2nd day together. More of the true colors come out....I loved that.  We hiked up a mountain.  Blanca was in front of me most of the time.  I couldn't help but think about all the mountains in life she has climbed, and yet her body oozed warmth, strength, and contentment in the moment... 

Today we were invited into her home.  She prepared and served us an incredible meal.  We shared thougths and learned more about Silas' bio family.  The best was going to the place that changed her life.  It changed her life, not just because she had a roof over her head, but, she grew in her faith and walk with God.  She was given opprortunity to raise her other son in a safe and nurturing environment...this place came to her only 2 months after Silas was born...

We now know reality.  We know the love of a mami.  We know what it's like to see our son with his big brother.  Blanca and I have the language road block.  Yesterday Juan Diego told me he wished he spoke English, and I said, I wish I spoke Spanish.  We have so much to say to each other, but, little to understand so, we look into each others eyes, and speak love with our eyes...speak family with our eyes...speak gratitude with our eyes....Silas doesn't have this barrier.  This is a gift.  It is beautiful to hear him communicate in his native language (which he didn't learn until he was 4 )...

This gift of famly is a gift.  God created family.  Why do we shy away from birth family?  Why do we shy away from our kids stories? Why do we think they can't handle it?  Some don't want to handle it.  Some don't want to walk through it. I need to clarify something.  Silas has a birth mom that loves him.  Not all kids who are relinquished for adoption can say that. There is abuse and neglect and lots of hard for so many kids... But the little one, who's birth mom made an adoption plan...truth is...they loved their child...I believe it with my heart...

So, we walk through this...tonight we checked into one of the nicest hotels we've stayed at (not intentionally- Expedia deal :)...I got to sit in a hot bath and just ponder...ponder why I was given this child from a woman who might have a warm shower once a week. From a woman who has to hand wash all her clothes when I can quick throw them in a wash machine, a woman who has no dish washer, and a home that is smaller than our hotel room...a boy who has very little to do at his house, not many friends at school because he was at the Safe house most of his life...and if I am pondering these things, what is our 10 year old son thinking...

A lot to take in my friends.  If you see Silas act all "machito" give him some grace.  He likes to put his wall up.  But, he realizes how good he has life.  Being around orphans put an urgency in his heart to adopt again.  Giving blessing bags to the poor was so easy for him. Our team leaders gave each one of us a word for the week that described us...his was courage!  He could seek them out and find them.  I have a picture of him walking over to a tree waking up a homeless man to give him his bag...walking through pee and the stink of it...he's the kid who engages with the youth pastor who even the local recycling kids don't think is very cool...he loves the underdog...before we left he looks at his birth mom with a little smile and his eyes twinkling as if saying, "thank you for giving me this life!"  Silas is one brave boy.  Blanca is one loving courageous woman.  Juan Diego is one great big brother.  Our family is a little bigger in size and heart now...and we wouldn't have it any other way!  

Thank you God for orchestrating something we never could have dreamed up.  Even the hard...we see your love and greatness in all of it! Guide these new relationships...continue to heal the broken hearts...for Your glory and Your fame!

   

The Value of Living in Community

Taking a family of 4 to a foreign land for 2 weeks is kind of a big deal. It's more than just the cost, which, that alone is big, considering 8 days of mission and 4 flights will come at a minimum of $6,500.  Our team working with Project Hope desires to help in bigger ways...like coming up with items for blessing bags, to arts and crafts for the VBS, to helping them with items for their new hotel for missionaries and adoptive families to stay, to helping adoptive famlies pay for their adoptions...and even more important than all of that is ADVOCATING for these kids...making people AWARE...bringing the HOPE of the GOSPEL to those who do not know...

Taking a family whose kiddos were born in this land also has many heart issues to deal with...our kids are going to see some very hard, and parts of some of  their roots are going to be revealed in an eye opening way, so, we need to be prepared to walk them through this...we don't take this lightly...we covet your prayers!

This past weekend, along with the last few months, it's like God is saying, "I've got this."  And HE so does...

Before our yard sale, our kids sent out letters to very specific people that they new would want to partner with them through donations and prayer, it's a humbling process to see how family and friends jumped on that...we are grateful!

We, along with our friends traveling still needed to do more for this trip.  We went back and forth, do we do a fundraising dinner (I don't like those-but was willing: ) or a Yard Sale.  The door kept closing/never felt right for the dinner, so we put it out there and the items of donations kept rolling in...so much that friends donated $1,450 worth of items!  Praise the Lord!

Here's a little glimpse into what we experienced through our yard sale...  

  

I have known my friend Becky to be a servant, but, WOW, did God show me more about this gem and fellow adoptive mom that I get to spend 8 days with in Bogota! She SHINES for the kingdom of God, she is a worker, persistant, she is humble, she is gracious...she is passionate about adoption and sharing the good news of Christ not just with words, but, with actions! Her heart is so pure and full of Christ.  God has blessed us with INCREDIBLE families to serve with on this trip!!!   

And her son, Dante, a positive, happy, super contentable, willing kid!  He has leadership skills, and a contagious personality!  Our kids will really benefit from serving alongside him! 

Did I say that so many people donated from this community!?!  Oh my word...below, Silas' friend Skylar gave a bunch of water bottles and gatorades with his own money to help the kids of Project Hope!  Teachers, neighbors, friends, classmates were coming out and filled their lemonade    container with $210 in 3 days!

Love our kid's friends!

And it wasn't always in the giving and the donating of stuff...this little picture of Marta and her friend is such a picture of the gift of time.  Taking Marta out of this chaotic sale day was so helpful to myself and Marta, on a holiday weekend!  

I've learned that when we have these ideas and dreams, and open our hearts to being obedient to God's calling, God just comes through, He is in all the details and He makes things happen. It doesn't mean we don't have to work hard to get there, and some times it will cost us (adoption, traveling, loving on broken bundles - it's costly)... The value of living in community, loving others, being invested in people's lives...it's God's way!  He loves people!  He wants us to love people! We are going with families passionate about adopiton, love their kids so big it hurts...and more importantly, we are going to love the poor, love the orphaned, love the broken hearted, love each other...and my friends, when we Go in the name of Christ, whether it's in our front yard or across the ocean God just does crazy things! THANK YOU ZEELAND COMMUNITY and FAMILY for showing us your love..the prayers, donations, time...it brought me to tears this weekend, and this BIG LOVE you all shared is going to travel over the ocean to another land...and it's going to keep on giving and spreading...and that my friends, is the value of living in community!  It does take a village!  I hope this encourages you to do life with families that share your passions...there is no telling what God will do next...

The Colombian Journey Always begins in the Heart...and then Chicago...

I knew the moment we adopted Isabel, that when she was 10-14, we would return back to Bogota...not just to sight see, but, to give back to this land that has given so much!  Little did I know then, that not only would we have been given a little bundle of tenacious, persistant love...but 3 more bundles that have changed our lives and found a place so deep within our hearts, that there is a longing to return to this place...

  A lot has happended since this little 9 week old preemie entered into our lives...not only will we be going and giving back with just Isabel, but, our 10 year old Silas will be joining us on this adventure...

So we have been preparing...praying...meeting with our team...talking and sharing with all of our kids...contacting their birth mom's to make sure they are able to meet (more on this later)...it is going to be quite the adventure...and one we aren't alone in. God is going before us, making a way, not only opening doors, but. using others in the process (more on this later, too: )...

We started off in Chicago

at the Colombian Embassy, and of course, Gino's East - enjoying Chicago Style Pizza!

Part of the preparing is making sure not just their US passports are updated, but their Colombian passports, too. Our kids will always have a duo citizenship.  Thankfully, Silas' does not expire until next year!  Isabel and I had such a fun day with our friends, Becky and Dante!

Above, a photo of Dante and Isabel at the Colombian Embassy in Chicago.  Fun to return to this place, as it is where John and I would receive our visas to travel before each adoption.  Thankfully, this time I had some Spanish speakers with me, so the process went super easy!

More forms...and 2 1/2 hours in the Embassy and we were on our way!  Let the adventure begin!!!

15 East - Just a House

I know many of you have wanted to see before and afters of our 2nd home we renovated on Central Ave.  I wasn't the best at documenting the process.  I know, as a builder's wife/designer you'd think we would have had play by play photos coming in for marketing purposes...but, truth be told, it's just a house.  An old home, that probably should have been burned to the ground.  We bought a 2 family rental.  We weren't looking to sell our previous home.  We were super comfortable.  It had so much curb appeal, and the best neighbors in town.  But, there was no denying that God had another family planned for that space...we needed to let it go.  Honestly, we've moved enough, letting it go was not difficult. It too was just a house.  But, Central was our home, it was where we were planted.  We looked all over Zeeland for property.  Nothing felt right...so, we ended up purchasing the most delapidated home on the block...it was the only one on the street for sale at the time...

Yah, pretty nasty, right?  I was more focused on where God had landed us during this process and was way more excited about taking pictures of this...

Who gets the opportunity to live on Lake Michigan during one of the snowiest winters!?  It was amazing!  The view, the snow days, the fire in the fireplace, the sunsets, having the kids and really no one else around...why in the world would I want to be over documenting the process of our house...this was an incredibly restful place to land for 6 monhts...I barely thought about the new house, and just enjoyed the kids, the hikes, walks...it was heavenly.  it felt like a sanctuary...I found great rest...

The kids and I would make periodic stops to the home, but John was the one really working away...for someone who likes the design process, I was having a really hard time getting into this one...John would ask me what about this, what about that, I really didn't care inside, I just gave ideas and hoped it all worked out.  It had to be frustrating for him...but, how in the world could I focus on this?!...

...when the kids and I were enjoying this!?

It became a really long winter...the kids and I super content.  John becoming wrestless with the mountain that was before him...but, as with any "breaking" point in our lives, God has a way of allowing us to get to the edge, but, never fall of the cliff... we press in to Him, He always has us, always!  Slowly the snow began to melt and the sun began to shine...

And this old home that was falling apart slowly began looking like a home again...

With the long rough winter, and John having to maintain his other clients and keep them happy, we didn't meet our own deadline, this too, was God, as we had the opportunity to live on Mona Lake this summer and enjoy some special time with my parents and good friends, Glenn, Tanya, Evan, and Ava...this was a treat for each one of us!  

And some sweat friendships grew between the V and Z kids...

And with John working so much, Grandma and Grandpa were just the encouragement and influence our kids needed as they were missing their daddy's presence...

Little Marta and Silas really blossomed in their home...

...and I am very grateful for the 8 weeks we shared...memories that will go with the kids for a lifetime....

So, back to our house.. this experience will go with us for a lifetime.  The lakehouse experience let me sit quietly at the feet of Jesus, no interuptions, no distractions...I know my kids better...Central is a fun place to raise a family, but, it is a location that has a revolving door of excitement and activity, constantly...it's truly Central in our community, and therefore, it should be a place of hospitality and friendship!  John was stretched further than he would have liked.  He is a builder, a better builder today.  He cares about the end product and satisfied customers...he really does have the tools to get there, no matter how difficult the project!  And some how God gave me the mind to create (I had lost it out on the lake, literally, I think He took it from me for a period so I could really engage as a mom)...

So, now we are settled in...we didn't use the most expensive products on this home (yes, we even put vinyl siding on it).  We were about function and praticality-I love this about Zeeland, families are simple...as a small business builder, we knew we needed some curve appeal, but, it couldn't be everything...going simpler, a little more space, and still having high quality craftsmanship was our goal.  

A few ways we cut cost, for those who don't want to break the bank...we did not sod, we just threw grass seed down, save hundreds...takes patience, but, it is peaking through the dirt!: )...

Recovering a chair with soft and cozy fabric and wrapping it in a stripe adds a unique punch to a room, and is surpisingly cheaper if you find the right fabric.  Finding solid fabric for curtains and color blocking it is an inexpensive way to add color, too...

I love a colorful front door...one of the very few things we could save on this old home...remember if you add color to a door, glaze it so it's not so shocking...

Marta really does well sharing a room with her big sis...Dirk, one of our subs built this great stair of drawers and bunk bed...building up is a great idea when you need floor space...

As long as there are legos and American girl dolls in the house, it's really nice to build up and have the clutter out of the way...so instead of putting trusses up, stick build the rafters, this saved us money up front, but, was probably a wash once we had to finish the space, this was not a savings in the end, but, I love not having to worry about stepping a piece of legos or having to put away their toys...

I love bold high contrast colors...don't be afaid to use them...but, you need to tie it together with accessories/art/frames or it may feel a bit like a circus...

If you love a color, even if others tell you your crazy to use it...go for it, if you love it, you will always love it...this peri blue is the one color that has been with me since I've been married...if it's too intense, white wash the walls...this gave it a denim look...still going to have a friend stripe it to tie all the colors together...

If stuck...a nuetral wall always is best...

Oh, and friends, this is my favorite room...do not be afraid of wallpaper!  I wish all our clients would use it in their homes at least on 1 wall...and when my brain was on "shut-off" thank you Alison for telling me to keep the old vintage sink...the best save in the house!

I love it when homes feel personal...you can't see it, because it's not done, but, adding a huge wall of chalk board, cork, and magentic will let you display all those favorite art pieces your kids come home with, Bible verses or inspirational quotes, etc...

Just a house...but it's where God wants us today.  He wanted us to have this experience.  It was another hard one, not for me, but, for John.  So, why did we do it?  Because God told us to...He made a way...guided and directed...we didn't know what we would run in to with every wall that we tore down.  I had no idea my creative juices would shut off for a few months so I could experience a sweeter time with Jesus, and enjoy my kids in a way I have never enjoyed them...it's good to be back into "normal" but, this really is just a house...there are things way more eternal brewing on my heart...stay tuned...

Grateful

My heart is full as I ponder celebrating our 2 little girls tomorrow and their special adoption day! 

I'd love to tell you this has been the easiest year of our lives!  That would not be accurate!  It has been a year of experiencing the fullness of His grace, drinking in the Living Water!  Yup, that's way more accurate! So my heart is grateful as I sit and reflect on all that God has done and is doing among us!

It would be fair to say that I have stopped blogging because so much of my thoughts are what we experience day to day, and what we experience day to day, and the relational and spiritual growth of our family comes from the mess and "hard" of what was, and to share that would be to share some of my kids stories, and they are their stories...for them to share...but, I do have some things to share, coming off of Adoption Awareness month, knowing so many of you are in the "what if we adopted?" thought process...here's just a glimpse into what we've encountered in the last 3 months of yet another refining, exhausting, rich, full, amazingly beautiful year! 

I don't want to forget the details of what Caroline and I shared tonight, so, I will share a glimpse into her heart...she is so very tender...my pleaser and joy filled almost 6 year old!  Tonight I was reading to her, she began to cry, and had a "flash back" moment of her first familia in Colombia, her first casa...this is painful, obviously, she has lost her familia, her culture, thankfully not her first language, and even though it was "hard" there...she still grieves it...it's a loss...and I am so grateful that she is now safe and secure enough in our home to share her little heart with me!  She expresses herself sooo good!  So, after a minute of weeping, yes not just tears, she starts singing, and her face begins to glow "Here I am to Worship" and joy over took her, and she said, "Mommy, it's time! Time to ask Jesus into my heart...well, I know He's with me...I love Him so much!"  This is my bundle that wept over the cross the first time we read the story to her!  YES!  Give me "hard" Jesus!  If it draws my family closer to you, give us "hard!" Sometimes she still feels darkness, memories are too painful, but, praise God, she has entered in to the Kingdom of Light! My prayer is for her to "be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you wherever you go!"  John and her continue to grow...it takes time with an older child who is so tender...and in John's testimony he has shared, "God knew I needed her more than she needed me!"  You see, when you encounter darkness, your own sin is revealed, and it's ugly and you want nothing more than to fall before the throne of Grace...and this little bundle has brought our family to our knees...and He is so gracious!  And I am so grateful...

Marta, let's see, in the last year I have encountered being hit several times through out the day, spit on, shoes thrown at me while I'm driving, yelling "owie!" like I'm hurting her when we are grocery shopping...yes, I know, a caseworker would be the first to say, "oh...yah, you are dealing with attachment issues!"  Really?!!!! I can't begin to tell you how much I love her, she has a huge part of my heart...it aches in knowing the causes of this...but, God is so good!  I have some amazing sisters in Christ who have prayed over her, I am giving her to God first thing in the morning praying scripture over her...and yes, God is dazzling me through my baby girl!  Her speech is delayed and she processes words slow...but, not prayers, not scripture...the power of speaking scripture is unbelievable...I encounter it every day, and she is now, in the middle of her rages, saying "Mama, pray, pray Mama...I need God!"  Yes, this is the longest sentence she speaks, and God hears...life is getting much easier now that prayer is such a big part of my little 3 1/2 year olds life!  Another victory...give me "hard" Jesus, give me "hard!"  Oh I am grateful...

Isabel and Silas are seem to be thriving!  But, best of all...the bond between siblings is getting stronger and stronger day by day!  I am so proud of Silas, his rages are over, he, too, is a tender hearted bundle of personality, and continues to love life and people!  Sometimes the conversations I have with him are way over my head...he's a deep thinker and articulates whatever is on his mind so well!  It warms my heart when I hear that he and Caroline "look out" and help each other out on the playground if there is ever an issue...they have come sooo far!  Isabel, although a little "peanut" is maturing, and acting more like a "tween" than a little girl...it's such a fun age!!!  So grateful....

I have found myself in a sincere place of contentment in the last year.  From our home (have I said before living downtown Zeeland is amazing?!  I could see us tackling another "fixer upper" but, Central Ave. is our home,) to feeling that our family is complete.  I get asked all the time...so, when are you adopting again...seriously, the first thing that goes through my mind is "do people know how crazy expensive it is?!"  And then I get this whisper in my head, "I've done it before, why wouldn't I take care of you again!") I said to John..."we are done!"  He is in full agreement...I don't know why I say these things, because it seems like everytime I do, God rocks our world...let's just say, Silas wants a little brother in the worst way, my heart will always be in 2 places (yes, Colombia has a piece of it and always will)...and this mama could give in real quick to that desire...but, John leads...and I trust him with my life...I did tell him I'm praying about it...he said I am supposed to discuss these things with him first, I said "yup, discussing it right now!" :)  On paper it seems impossible...but, we both know if God was calling us to that, He would move mountains to make it happen...

2 years ago...our world was rocked...in an amazingly beautiful "hard" kind of a way...today my arms are wide open...one day at a time...so so very grateful...

Remembering...

Love these little bundles...

Today, 2 years later...

It's been a Year...We love you Caroline and Martita!!

I haven't been much of a blogger since we've arrived home from Colombia last February, life has been so full!  Tomorrow we are celebrating 1 year that our little girls joined our family...my mind and heart have been going back to our time in Colombia ( l love that land and people), and all that God has done since then...it really is overwhelming when I slow down and let my mind go back...

Adoption can be full of surprises...it's funny what goes through your mind when you receive pictures of your children before you meet them.  I can remember feeling so much joy when Tia Isabel emailed me the below pictures, days before we left to travel.  I would look at them and remind myself not to set expectations...but, still thought, aww...Caroline looks so sweet.  She must be a little chubby 3 1/2 year old, quiet, gentle, and shy. It's easy to put an image in your mind and assume that is how it is going to be...and Marta, poor baby, I need to get to you...being "institutionalized" really appears to have affected you!  Reality is Caroline is not the shy, chubby  little girl...although, very cute and gentle, she is outgoing, happy, and as petite as they come...I was correct with Marta.  Living in an institution has really effected her.  I soon learned that her arm up in the picture shows that she was very stressed out just having her picure taken...but, it did not take long and we discovered a very expressive (even though she has few words) stubborn, strong-willed baby girl...and has a personality that catches more attention everywhere we go...she is such a fun lover, and I did not see that in the pictures.  Some surprises with adoption are incredible...others can be painful...

Marta at 19 months

Caroline in November 2009

These below photos of Caroline were taken random at her orphanage...had I seen these before we adopted her...I would have seen a totally different girl...

Funny, what a little stinker and social butterfly she was there, and during our time with her in Colombia...

I've said it over and over, Los Pisingos is an amazing foundation...but, it is not a home.  Just the other night Caroline said to me..."Mommy, I didn't like bath time at Pisingos.  The Tias pushed me into a freezing cold bath and I cried and cried."   It wasn't the Tias fault...they had to push 30 little kids through the baths, and of course, warm water was not afforded at the orphanage.  Amazing how flashback memories come up periodically throughout a typical day...

This last year has definitely been the most challenging and rewarding all at the same time for me.  Don't get me wrong, Isabel and Silas' journey's bring back so much "warm fuzzy" wonderful times...they were so easy, and the love and joy they brought in to our home is indescribable!  We just had our post-placement visit with our caseworker, and I told her I could do this again.  (I don't know...we are not pursuing it anytime in the near future...it will always be on my heart...) I told her if I ever were to do this again, I would not pursue a little baby, but, an older child.  There is just something about having Jesus meet you in the "mess" of these little bundles past...and slowly watch His redeeming love break through, bringing light and hope where there was once darkness and pain.  It is real stuff, and it comes with a cost. We have been pruned, refined, tested, exhausted...overwhelmed...and yet, I still continue to be dazzled by God's goodness in my life!  Everyone always hears my perspective (simply because John doesn't enjoy being on the computer)...but, he would be the first to tell you this has been one of the most difficult years he has ever been through-much harder on him than myself...but, our God is so good and pursues us in a way that we need to pursue each other...Caroline and Marta are His kids, a gift from our Makers hand!  God has used them to keep our gaze on Him, to abide in Him each day...and to experience first hand the power of His love! How could we not experience all of this?!  His heart is for the orphan, and I am continually amazed that He chose me to have a front row seat into their lives! We (John, Isabel, Silas, and I) are all better because Caroline and Marta are a part of our family! 

"Oh Happy Adoption Day!"

Back to School

Summer was ...a much needed time be together and grow together as a family!  It was not always easy...some days were really difficult.  But, by the end of August it felt like we had turned a huge corner and our family life feels much more natural (or normal-if there is a normal) than it did in days previous! 

We did not anticipate sending all 4 kids off to school this fall, but, after a few evaluations on little Marta, and realizing how much Caroline thrives in the classroom environment...we are in full swing...and it could not be going better!!

Below, Isabel's first day of 2nd grade with Maestra Koop!  She is off to a wonderful year...loving being immersed back in the Spanish language, reading like crazy, and enjoying her friends at school and being a big sis at home! Wow...has she grown up in the last 10 month! 

 

Silas was very happy to start Kindergarten with Maestra Zondervan!  He is so social and has turned a huge corner since school started! His teacher is a gift in setting a godly example, having strong expecations, and encouraging him to be the best he can be!  He is thriving and has come so far since this past spring!  He loves hanging out with other little boys, and has informed me that he has begun talking to God about having a little brother!  Ay!

Caroline continues to amaze me!  She has adapted and bonded to us so well!  She is such a joyful little girl with an eagerness towards life!  The big question was do we send her to an English or Spanish preschool.  Given the fact that as of June, she has lost all of her Spanish, we decided to enroll her back into the El Puente program as she has picked up English so quickly.  Her English comprehension is still not there, but, it's just preschool, so, we think having both is a win for her eagerness to learn!  She is blessed to have Maestra Schrotenboer and Rodriguez.  The 2 teachers compliment eachother so well...and Caroline is thrilled to be going 3 afternoons a week to the same school that big sis and big brother go!

And Martita! Out baby!  2 and half and still one strong willed baby girl!  We met with Early On and have been so blessed.  We had a speech therapist, occupational therapist, and physical therapist visit a few times this summer...and it had become clear that Marta is definitely delayed in all 3 areas, specifically her speech...so, she too, is off to Early On 2 mornings a week!  This program is a gift, and already we have seen Marta grow in so many areas!  Her speech is still a big frustration for her...so, we anticipate this being a year of making great strides with her language...we are hopeful anyways!



Having 4 kids under the age of 7 is a big undertaking!  But, for me, it has brought nothing but great joy, total exhaustion, and lots of blessings in the last 10 months!  God continues to show me that His mercies are new each day, there is no other way to live than surrendering each day to Him, and when the Spirit gives me that nudge, I better move, because I would never want to miss out on all that He has planned for my life!

Obviously, our 4 kids are a result of listening to that "nudge"...even when it just didn't seem to make sense...and so is El Puente at ZCS!  And God continues to provide and confirm the His ways are perfect even if they don't always make sense! It really has been amazing to experience!  So, being back into the swing of homework, routines, field trips, carpooling...and all that goes along with having our kids in school...it has been wonderful!  I think I was meant to be a "mom on the go!"  Not that I don't enjoy a quiet Saturday afternoon at home, I just appreciate it more now that our weeks are so full!  It's good to be back in school!  I have great anticipation to see what God has in store for this year! 

It's not going to be one of those big years where we are pursuing an adoption or selling a house...nope...our plate is full...and we are very content to just "be" for this period in our life! After almost 12 years of pursuing our family, having to look ahead... we finally feel complete!  But, I've learned long ago...never say never...so we continue on...not looking to far ahead, but, taking one day at a time!