We Have a Committee Date!!

(drum roll please)...January 10th at 1pm! It's a Thursday. A Thursday that I'll spend wringing my hands and gulping peppermint tea to easy my nervous stomach.

Sheesh, it's like taking a pregnancy test. Except the stupid thing takes 6 weeks to give a result. And instead of peeing on a stick you put a complex family scrapbook together to be judged by a panel of caseworkers. But other than that it's just like taking a pregnancy test.

Also new news is that DHS decided to have Committee for both boys (Tristian and his brother, Eligah. And, yes, that is actually how their names are spelled). So, we would be getting 2 new sons! Our children would be aged 5, 4, 3 and 2. But, as you can see, I tend to get ahead of myself. There are 2 other families that were chosen, as well. Probably really great folks who are just as excited as we are. It so sucks that 2 families have to come away disappointed. That's the worst thing about adopting through foster care, I think. 3 great families are chosen for each case. Only 1 will win adoption rights. The other 2 either write DHS off forever or keep applying for children and get to Committee again. Our worker says that she's never seen a family go to more than 3 Committees before getting placed. I really don't want to go through this twice more but I know we won't give up. We have kids out there who need to come home to us. We will find them.

Belated Thanksgiving Pics

It's been a bit crazy around here (I'll explain next post), I'm admittedly late with posting my favorite Turkey Day moments and even later with wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving.


But they say, "Better late than never!", so here are some of faces that truly made me thankful on Thanksgiving day:

A boy and his puppy.

Lexx watching the annual dog show that comes on after the parade. He was very concerned about what this groomer was doing to his fellow dog. And, yes, he actually did watch amazing long portions of this competition with ears perked up and eyes wide. He also made funny noises throughout which cracked us up.

These next 2 shots are my boys watching Home Alone. Remember that movie? I had forgotten how ridiculously funny it is to the under-6 population. They laughed their little heads off and I got just as much entertainment by watching them giggle.

The Name Game

We've been playing the name game around here. With the impending Committee date (which our worker assures us is soon) it's beginning to sink in that we may soon have another son (or 2). Now, the question: Tristian is 3 years old. Do we change his name? Our first line of business is to assess if we like the name itself and if it goes well with our other children's'. Nope. Then we move on to the meaning of the name. Do we like it's meaning? "Cry of sorrow". Absolutely not.

So, we've now established that the name is going. I was considering leaving it in, but the whole, "cry of sorrow" thing has me anxious to get it off him.
Now, to The List. The List has been around for ages (the first names on the list were put there by our teen aged selves). The List holds some of the coolest names on the planet, if I do say so myself. Names laying in wait for our children to claim, giving them one of the aforementioned coolest names on the planet. These names are carefully chosen not only for the name itself but for symbolism and meaning. Most are Hebrew.

So! To The List, then! We hold his picture next to The List and begin.
We eventually reach the end of The List. Our potential son still smiling back at us from his spot on the Waiting Children Bulletin. He's not on The List. None of the coolest names on the planet are his. I can't understand this! Surely one of these must suit him! Can we make one fit?
Nope.
None of them are this child.

After days of consternation a few arguments we came across a name that we had never considered before. We hadn't even really liked the name until now, but...it seems right. It sounds different than it ever did before. I went to get his picture and was surprised at the rightness of it. How can you argue with who your (potential) child is? We just looked at his smiling face and said, "Well, look at that. That's him, alright. That's who he is. Huh."

It's a good name and it continues to grow on us as we look up it's meaning.....Yes, that's who he is! It's perfect. Absolutely perfect. That's his name....
one of the coolest names on the planet.

Lexx Gets a Buz

From Mommy: My dog is so strange. He'll be quietly watching the boys play in their room, just laying on the bed. Suddenly something catches hold of him, we don't know what, and he'll explode off the bed and grab one of the boys' favorite possessions. The targeted boy will pop up and pursue the dog who usually takes several laps around the house flying off furniture and skidding across the laminate floors before bursting out the dog door. At this point the boy runs to the sliding door and stares at Lexx, eyebrows knitted together. Lexx stares right back with with the stolen treasure wedged in his mouth. And they stare at one another. The boy may laugh, or in the case of torrential rain, boy may grumble. Finally the boy will find his boots and run outside to reclaim what's rightfully his. By this time the remaining members of the family are there at the door, cheering them both on. Finally Lexx tires and the boy takes his item back into the house. The dog trails after, finds a comfy spot to lay and resumes passively watching both boys play.

Pomeranians are weird.

Another Gold Start Moment...

Mommy: "Solomon, here's your worksheet. The directions say, 'Billy is at the park! Color the things in the picture that rhyme with rat. Then think of another word which rhymes with rat and draw it into the picture.'"

A few minutes later...

Solomon: "Here, Mom, I'm done."

Mommy: "OK, let's see. I see you colored a mat, a cat, a hat and a bat. Real nice! Now, I don't see what you drew, though. Remember, you were supposed to add something into the picture that rhymes with rat, as well?"

Solomon: "Right there - on the boy's arm!"

Mommy: "Oh, uh.... what is that?"

Solomon: "A tat."

Same day, different kid:

Mommy: "E says eh, eh, eh! Like..."

Malachi: "eh-eh-elephant!!"

Mommy: "Good! Can you think of anything else that has the 'eh' sound?"

Malachi: "What the... h-eh-eh-eck!"

Oh, Happy Day!!

While unloading groceries from the van this morning I noticed my eldest open the door and proceed to heave a rather large bag out and into the house. I was proud. I noted to myself what a big boy I had. How quickly he was growing.

Later on, having finished school time, I moved through the house taking care of the unappreciated little things that need done. As I was putting up a new toilet paper ("how hard is it to do this, my men? Seriously! It's like they would rather wipe with their hand than put up a new roll.") I noticed that the trash needed taken out. Again. Sigh ("where does all this garbage come from, anyway? It, like, accumulates exponentially out of nowhere. Nowhere!"). Now, of all the irksome household chores, garbage duty is waaaay high on my list. I just don't like doing it. It's not time consuming or horribly messy or strenuous. I just don't like it. I'd rather do almost any other chore. Now, as I was standing there I suddenly had an epiphany: Ohmigosh! Solomon! I can make Solomon do it!! Oh. This was just way too sweet. I called my kiddo into the bathroom and, in one of those moments a parent will never forget, joyfully explained to my son that he was inheriting garbage duty.

I'm rid of the thing for a good 14 years to come.

And after that we'll just have to have more kids.

Solomon: "Sure smells bad."

(Evil) Mommy: "Yeah? Wait 'till Thursday. This bag will smell like roses compared to the ones with Brielle's diapers in them."

Solomon: "Ugh!"

(Evil) Mommy: Insert diabolical laugh.

Another Call for Committee!!

Well, our adoption worker called to let us know that our family was 1 of 3 chosen to go to Committee for a little guy named Tristian!! Also, Tristian's little brother may be placed with the "winning" family. He isn't quite legally free at this time, though. A high-risk placement may be needed for him so he can stay with Tristian until all the legal stuff going on with his case is resolved. At that time he may be adoptable and able to stay permanently with Tristain in the adoptive home, or he may be moved to another resource within his biological family. Our worker said that Committee will be held around December.

Please pray for guidance for the Committee who will decide the fate of these 2 darling boys. Again we find ourselves in the place of wanting God's will, but we're feeling our will pushing in. They're just really cute kiddos. We have their pictures here, and it would be nice to see those smiles in person! We'll keep y'all posted...

Oh, and we still haven't heard when we go to Committee for little Michael. After a family wins Committee for a child, they must withdraw their name for any other children they applied for. So, if we win Committee for Tristian, we're ineligible for Michael, and vise-verse. It will be interesting to see whose Committee date comes up first, eh?

I'd just assume have both of them, but I guess that wouldn't be fair to the other waiting families.

Bummer ;)

Maybe we've been watching too many Jet Li movies?

SUBTITLES: I am Ninja! I run crazy through village and yell to bring fears to my hidden adversaries! My enemies shall now cry with tears of defeat and shame! All will know me! I will bring honor for my father with my skill and cunning!


SUBTITLES: Behold my hidden weapon! It holds power of life and of death! It holds many victory for me! Brings many annoyance to brother who is older but less skilled!

Cousins

Happy Birthday, Ava!

From Solomon: Yesterday we celebrated our friend Ava Lily's second birthday at Bauman Farms!

Ava opened a new winter hat and matching gloves and put them on straight away. Then she opened our package, a stroller and a baby, and immediately set off toward the gardens sporting her new accessories and pushing her new charge through the scenery. It was very cute. Mommy fixed the picture to look like an oil painting: After the pinata and cake, us big boys and our daddies went off to tackle the 4 acre corn maze. Half way through, a corn battle spontaniously broke out between the boys and the daddies who had taken different routs within the maze. Ears were flying back and forth overtop of the field and smacking not only members of our group but some unsuspecting teenagers completely unknown to us. The lot of us hid close to the ground and stifled laughes as we heard the surprised grunts, gasps and groans of perplexed victims who had intercepted our ammo. Things eventually evolved into a full-scale corn war as the teenagers took their revenge. By the time we emerged, out of breath from laughing, some of us (namely poor Ocean) were bruised and a bit bloody but the war had been won.

Caspian and me enjoying the battle from atop the bridge.

Kai taking cover.

Zion and me watching the action!

Cayman, Me, Malachi and Zion.

BFF!

Playing in the corn husk!

Amanda and Zion burying Caspian.

"Bombs away!!"

"Gotcha!"

Secrets & mischief...

The handsome daddies.

The beautiful Lunde and Lewis kiddos getting ready to call it a (big) day.

Good times. Good, good times.

Another Solomon on the Other Side of the World

I wanted to share this picture with you, as well as an excerpt from the blog on which I found it:

"...our Solomon was found alone in the city of Addis Ababa. He was extremely sick. In fact one of the ladies at AHOPE (the orphanage) told me that they consider him their biggest miracle because he was so very, very sick when he came in...when he was found he had these 2 necklaces on. We don't know any details about his first family. We only know for sure that Solomon was a very sick little boy that someone loved enough and cared for enough to hope that these symbols of Jesus would help protect him and give him the miracle he needed in a country full of people needing miracles....Every time I see that black string it makes me cry. I cry when I think about all he has gone through and all the losses he and his family have endured. I cry when I think how amazing it is that he will be here soon and can live a long, healthy life, surrounded by the love of a forever family... That black string necklace symbolizes all those things to me; faith, sacrifice, love, hope and miracles."

This entry was written by a Mother of 10 children. They are both biological and adopted from the corners of the world, including from the US. Her beautiful children have medical needs (2 of her children are HIV positive)which this family has taken on with optimism and complete love for their children - just as they are and however they come. They are currently raising money to bring little Solomon home from Africa.

We live in a world of defeated parents. They're everywhere. The "sigh and get by" syndrome absolutely exasperates me as a mother and I long for more mothers like this to grace our communities. She not only loves her children, she likes them. She and her husband listen to the "experts" as they "prepare" them for what they're taking on in adopting these beautiful kids and they step up to the task regardless of the risks. Their children thrive.

As our family continues to seek our adoption path and as we continue to have faith that, someday, our home will be full; this woman who I have never met encourages me. She is a fine example of my goals as a Mother. Her home is full of children of all colors and cultures to enjoy. She is confidant that she's equipped to raise the children that God has blessed her with. She makes herself available to parent whomever needs a mother. And she enjoys it.

Please stop by and offer some financial help and encouragement to this family! We've been in the fund-raising game before and it's amazing how much encouragement $10 will bring a family who's trying to bring their child home. It's a re-affirmation that they're on the right path and that their children's home-coming is a reality. Go visit her?

www.fullhousefullhandsfullhearts.blogspot.com

I'll also put a link on my list to the right so you can check in and see how they're doing...

When NASA Looks at his Resume...

Conversation that could be heard inside our van while at the drive-thru at Taco Bell:

Mommy: Kai, do you want chicken or beef on your soft taco?
Kai: Chicken. (pause) When I grow up, I'm going to work at Taco Bell.
Mommy: Oh, yeah?
Kai: Uh-huh.
Mommy: That's your life-long ambition?
Kai: Yep.
Solomon: I thought you were going to be an astronaut?
Kai: Yeah, but I'll work for Taco Bell first.

News & Decisions

First, the news: Well, caseworker called and said, "The triplets are doing well in their mother's care and will not be returning to foster care at this time." With a slight emphasis on the "at this time" part. So, once again it's time to look forward. We're pretty confidant that we'll see our girls again. We're looking forward to that day. But until then, here's a pic of the little one we're going to committee for. He looks like good times, eh? We've yet to hear a court date, but perhaps around Christmastime.

Now, the decisions: We've decided to sign up for more "high legal risk placements". These placements are not as risky as regular foster placements (we were considering stepping back into regular foster care after the girls left) and not as safe as adoptive placements. Risky refers to the risk of losing the kid(s). Now, the triplets we a high legal risk placement because the State was "90% sure" that their mom would not be able to parent, she was the only placement option within the whole extended family and an adoption plan would most likely be pursued, but it could all fall through and Mom could regain custody. Now, she beat the odds (at least for now) but that may be different with the next case. Or it may not. Our worker is now discussing a new case with us and I'll write more about it if it's decided that the plan would include our family. So, we're keeping it interesting over here! As always, I'll keep y'all posted...

Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum

From Mommy: Well, tomorrow morning we're off to catch our flight home! Before we finish getting packed and off to bed I'll post some pics of our field trip to Pepin, where Little House in the Big Woods was set. The boys and I have read the first 2 books (Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie) that Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote. They're terrific bedtime stories to read together and we're planning to continue the series upon our return home. Seeing as we were here in Wisconsin, we figured we'd make the trip to see Laura's birthplace and take in the little museum honoring her.
Above is Carrie, Laura and Mary Ingalls and below is a pic of Solomon pumping the water spout and Malachi taking advantage of his brother's toil.

...and an antique wagon similar to Pa and Ma's:


Us overlooking the Mississippi. The Ingalls family crossed with their wagon and horses when it froze over. The boys were wide-eyed with suspense when Laura heard the ice crack and groan as Pa drove the wagon across with Jack the brindle bulldog trotting along behind. They made it in time to see the ice breaking apart where they had just been.

Mount Olympus Water & Theme Park!

From Mommy: We certainly saw some interesting architecture on our drive. The Dells is a tourist trap akin to a mini Las Vegas. This place here is a replica of the White House, except up-side-down.


Ooooh, there's our park! Check out the Trojan Horse!


Here's where we stayed for a couple of days. It was a long drive, we were hot, and ready to get out of the car and play!

The water park didn't open until later, so we started with the theme park. Can you make out Micah and the boys at the entrance?

The boys didn't meet the height requirement on most of the big coasters, so Micah and I tag-teamed riding them while the other took the boys on the kiddie stuff. It being the off-season, there were maybe 10 other people in the whole place. Most of the time the roller coasters carried ONLY Micah or me. It was a kind of unsettling feeling being the only one riding. Kinda creepy, really.

We had fun on the Tea Cups, Bumper Cars and Play Structures.


Then it was time to cool off in the indoor water park!

Ooooo! The place was HUGE. The pics don't adequately relate the scale of this stuff.


The pirate ship was very cool....

But Kai wasn't too sure about the slides on the other side. Daddy says, "It's OK! Daddy will catch you!"

After much coaching and prompting....


"I did it!!"
Solomon, the kid who hollers if water gets on his face in the tub, surprised us. At first he was very cautiously checking things out. Then this little girl squeezed past him as he was contemplating using the slide. With a quick, "Excuse me!" she ran past him and dove down the slide on her tummy, face first, giggling all the way down. It wasn't long after that that he was shooting down that slide Superman style. At the end of the ride he even followed the example of the little girl and wiped his face with his hands with a big smile, like water and him had been best buds all along. Gotta love peer pressure.


Emboldened by his success, he decided to go with Daddy down the biggest slide in the place. They climbed and climbed up about 8 stories with their 2-person intertube in tow. You can just barely make out Micah at the very top of the stares, I held my breath as I waited with Kai at the bottom. That's an awfully big slide for such a little guy...


...then there they came! Laughing and wiping their eyes!


"Let's go again, Daddy!!"

Kai did end up trying one of the milder adult slides but was unimpressed by the walls of water you slide under at different intervals along the way. And he was completely unimpressed with the amount of water involved with exiting the slide at the end.
He said, " I liked the part where I slided, but not the part where I drownded." So Daddy and I took turns taking Solly on the big slides and playing on the pirate ship with Kai, who eventually became comfortable with the littler slides, fountains and pools.


My guys and me.


OK. This slide to the left and below is the one. The slide I figured I could handle when I asked the lifeguard, "Which one is the fastest?" He pointed out which one it was with raised eyebrows as I nodded and headed that way. I emerged disoriented, half-drowned and bloody. Seriously. I needed the first-aid station for my gashed baby toe and the chunk missing out of my knee. Micah took stock of his sputtering, bloody wife, made sure she was going to live, then headed off to conquer the offending slide. He fared better than I did and, in fact, went 5 or 6 more times in a row to prove his dominance. I still have painful wounds and band-aids lining my bruised knee..
.
...but we had just the BEST time. The place was gorgeous and filled with little stone critters and beautiful murals. The resort was full of everything Greek and it was all very impressive. We met some real nice folks (a shout out to Terry, a sister in Christ whom we met in the gift shop) and just plain had a great time. If any of y'all are ever in the Wisconsin/Minnesota area....it's worth the trip.


We took our tired selves back to our room at the end of the day and ordered a movie, Evan Almighty, for our TV and munched our TV dinners. It was a great movie and our night wrapped up with 2 wiped-out little guys and 2 happy parents.