Foster care update!

It's been awhile since I've done an update! I guess after our adoption finalized with Lexi, I've just been so relieved and thankful, that thinking about the other cases I have just didn't cross my mind.

Let's start with baby Riah! He's been home two months and is 7 mos. old now! At his last hearing they postponed it for 2 weeks, so I will be attending that in the next week. At that hearing the plan is to change his case to adoption, which is what they have said all along, they just need to get into court, and get it officially changed with the judge. His court appointed guardian stopped by last week, and said that he,  in fact, was NOT going to be recommending the relative placement that wants him. They have this little ones older brother, and he is not sure how, since they cannot pass a background check. The SW also states that they will not ever recommend that relative placement. So, as of now, the recommendation is for him to stay with us. Baby Riah is a very intense baby. He is super anxious in his attachment to me, which means he can be very calm in a room but if I walk in he immediately starts whining and his entire body becomes anxious. I am attempting to "wear" him as much as I can to help him feel more secure. He is happy and content in my arms. He also has a lot of high muscle tone, which I am working with and he will most likely be going in for a physical therapy evaluation in the near future. Due to his anxiousness-screaming when being put down, he is not working through his developmental milestones very well! We will continue to work on this!

Laney's bio parents have a termination of parental rights trial coming up next week. At that time she will become legally free. Due to the fact that the father fights all the way, he will most likely appeal, but with nothing to base it on, it shouldn't drag things out too much further. As soon as we have the word, we will begin the adoption process with her and her brother. And that's it! It seems like we are finally winding down on her case, which will be a relief!

On one other note, we went to the first visit for Lexi's open adoption agreement yesterday.. The written agreement states that she gets one visit a year. She wrote us a letter back saying she is dying to see her, and name the place and time and she would be there. She did not show up. So, our little pumpkin had a fun afternoon out with just mommy and daddy! :) It will be interesting to see if she contacts us with any type of excuse. We will probably give her another chance, but not for awhile.

Merry CHRISTmas-from our home to yours!!!

Christmas Countdown...photo 5!!!

Another beautiful gift this Christmas! The adoption of our little sweetheart, Lexi Joy! We are humbled and amazed at God's grace and gifts this Christmas! 

Countdown to Christmas...photo 4!!!

What a surprise we got right before Christmas this year---a son!! Amazing. What a gift God has given. He has such a sweet spirit, and is a wonderful little boy. I am amazed and humbled that this situation came our way, and so glad we embraced it. God is so good.

God has given us all the gift of His son this Christmas as well. What a simple message it is. A baby who came to take away the sins of the world. Our sins. So that we may live forever with Him. All we have to do is embrace the gift. And, what an amazing gift it is!

Countdown to Christmas...photo 3!!!

Miss Miranda, you are growing up! This year they all wanted an individual photo in front of the Christmas tree. This week Miranda has been spending tons of time being creative...making most of her Christmas gifts. She has a strong desire to sew and create every day, and I love to see what she comes up with next. She is a blessing, and has been such good big sister to all of her siblings.

Countdown to Christmas...photo 2!!!

Lily loves this little guy so much!! She took him for show and tell at our homeschool co-op. She thinks he's the best! She is such a loving and giving little girl, what a blessing she is! Baby Riah has been a bit difficult. He came with so many issues, but they are slowly resolving, praise God! Currently, he is happiest in my arms, and craves attention. When he is the center of attention, that sweet smile never leaves his face. Tomorrow is his court hearing, I will find out if he stays or goes at that time. I am leaving it all up to God and will be at peace with any outcome.

Countdown to Christmas...photo 1!!!

Love my tiny little cutie pie!!! She is so adorable and one of my precious gifts this Christmas. Love you, Laney!!! We are hoping to adopt her and her brother in the new year...he is legally free, her termination trial is in two weeks. I think it will be great to adopt them both together on the same day.

Boys are blessings!

Here's our precious 6 month old bundle of joy--baby Riah!! He has been with us going on 2 months now. There is a hearing coming up where there is a small possibility he may go to relatives that the state will not approve, (but the judge could), so we are waiting for the outcome right before Christmas.

And this is "A", Laney's full brother. He has now been here with us for two weeks. He seems to fit right in with the bunch. He is very sweet, and loves to help.

Having six kids is a huge adjustment, especially because they are all so close in age. We are all learning together, and doing our best to make it all work. I will say this is the hardest job I have ever had. Working 40 hrs. a week as a professional in the medical field was a piece of cake in comparison--however I never felt I was right where I was supposed to be when out in the work force. Now I do. I am here, at home, learning and growing with my children, and leaning on the Lord more every day. Leading my little ones to Christ is my daily goal. I have so far to go, and so much more to learn. I pray I will grow in wisdom, faith and trust in the Lord as I raise up these amazing kids for HIM!

Pure & Simple Christmas

The tree is up, the lights are lit,
there's so much more to do...but instead of focusing on all there is to do this Christmas and becoming overwhelmed and getting sucked into the consumerism that is everywhere, I am choosing to keep it simple.

Most importantly, my goal is to keep my eyes on Jesus, and lead my little lambs to Him.

Yes, there are parties to attend, meals to plan, presents to wrap and more festivities than I can count, but my focus has to remain on Him. If it didn't, why celebrate Christmas at all? It's not about all of that, but about Christ, and that is the best gift of all. It's just so easy, even for christians to fall away from what Christmas really is about. We have to be intentional about staying focused on more of Him, not more of the junk that is out there that the world is trying to sell us this time of year.

And ya know what? It is freeing to know I don't have to do it all, buy it all, and attend every function that is out there. I am going to be so content just sitting around the Christmas tree, sipping egg nog with my little ones gathered around as we read the true Christmas story. Pure and simple, the way Christmas should be.

Reality

Reality has hit...I am now parenting SIX kids...and five of them are age 5 and under. I currently have a 10 yr. old, 5 yr. old, 3 yr. old, 2 yr. old. 21 mo. old, and 6 mo. old. Insane? Maybe. Blessed? Definately.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have pictured myself with this many kids, or for that matter, this many children so close in age. Only God could have designed this scenario, this family, this life.

Stay tuned for an update...

Another post we should read...

Another important post-sickening, but so glad it is being revealed, and that we are becoming more and more aware of this horrifying issue. Thank God there are some people out there fighting this and working to expose these sick individuals. Go HERE

Blessings!!!

Wow. I have been so blessed over the last few days and weeks that I have to blog about it. Let's take today for example. In the midst of the chaos and mess of our home at the moment, a friend calls and prays with me. Another friend comes over to visit and help as I attempt to make sense of the mess and disorganized state my home is in as I attempt to shuffle all the kids around making room for our newest addition. Another friend then stops by bringing us a full dinner for our evening meal, and she even threw in a chai tea and magazine (which I will be enjoying both right after this post! :) She also leaves her older son here who helped tremendously with yard work, and later helped watch the little ones as I prepared dinner. You would think that was the end of my blessings today, but another friend sent over two loaves of zucchini bread this evening, and plans on sending a meal over next week, and then one other friend called and offered to come over and do dishes or laundry!!

Yesterday I was telling a friend that I will not be able to participate in our homeschool co-ops cookie exchange this year, as I won't have time to make dozens of cookies this year. Unbelievably, a few hours later, I got a message from two other friends telling me they are going to be getting together to make tons of cookies and that they are also going to make mine for me!

I am overwhelmed by the kindness and blessings that are overflowing from friends and people all around us. We have had an outpouring of love from so many. This little guy has had a bed donated by friends, bedding, and a toddler bed was donated for Lexi who has now graduated out of her crib!! She loves her new big girl bed! We have had clothes and toys, and meals and more coming our way. I cannot express our gratitude and thankfulness enough. Another friend came over the other day bringing two meals, one to eat, and one to freeze for later, and she refused to leave until I had time to put some of the children to bed. She held and fed the baby while I got some of the others ready for bed. I do not deserve this! I am seeing Jesus in all of these friends and I am humbled and so very thankful for such beautiful, wonderful, sweet friends and I thank the Lord for all of them. You know who you are!!! Love you guys!!!