I was sitting in the lobby of a neuropsych office, waiting on the boys, when I had one of those crazy deja vu moments. Normally, I just wonder if I experienced the moment in a dream or perhaps in an alternate reality, but this time I knew exactly where it was from. A year and a half ago, we were in the process of adopting twin toddlers from Ethiopia. After almost a decade [...] 
As I sat next to him, holding his hand while he struggled to fall asleep, my mind could only imagine the thoughts swirling around in his head. It has been a hard summer for these boys; after years of equally difficult seasons. At night, as they will their brains to rest, they toss and turn, leaning toward their hopes of trust and safety, and flinching from bedbugs: memories of disappointment, loneliness, anger, [...] 
When we found her she was a scared little thing, hungry and lonely. After time, her fear gave way to peace and she began loving us unreservedly. Today, she is still dreadfully timid, but quick to welcome and smother us with licks and wags of her tail. They were all much the same. There were six of them, from all over the neighborhood. Each happened to be equally broken: two were abused, [...] 
Learning to love isn’t as easy as one would expect; certainly after years of waiting and expectation. Every morning, as I greet these gorgeous boys who have entered my life, I am overwhelmed by instinctive affection for them. I’m drawn to their hearts and life, like the desert to the rain. At times, it is all I can do to keep from sweeping their skinny frames up into my arms and [...] 
Scrambling. Jamming. Climbing. Scampering. Skittering. Bouldering. Scaling. Living, faith and mountaineering are much the same. Taking in the view from the top begins with braving and mastering the rocks gathered below. Often under the watch of the olderlings. One step at a time. All the way to the summit.
I’m learned something recently… again. I am not the boss. Not of me. Not of my life. Certainly not in control. I know. Big shocker. I’ve also learned something else: me not being the boss – that’s a good thing. I truly do not know what is best for me. For years, I’ve attempted to assist God by orchestrating the promises that he has given us. Gratefully, God just smirks and continues on doing what he knows is right for me… in spite of myself. Needless to say, again he has woven a new thread into our hearts, and our lives have gone from one extreme in January to another by June. Continue reading meet the boys  “Expect the unexpected.” That’s what we’ve always said about adoption. Twists, turns, unexpected events. It’s the norm. Good, bad, and ugly. As most of you know, our path to growing a family has been a bit adventuresome to say the least. We’ve gone through several adoption venues and most recently have been in the process of adopting twin toddler boys from Ethiopia. Through all of the ups and downs, we’ve had an extraordinary [...] 
I was praying in the living room. Ladybug, my foster daughter, was careening off the walls in her room. Welcoming the rare moments of privacy, I began to push forward in prayer; face buried in the carpet I became consumed, lost in seeking God. After a little while, I sensed that I was being watched. I opened my eyes and saw Ladybug squatting on the steps, watching me with [...] 
Why is it… when a gorgeous, blue skied, sunny day finally arrives, the family is packed warm for a hike on windy terrain, and the elements align perfectly for a beautiful, breathtaking photo opps, that Ladybug decides to entertain us with her extraordinary psycho-face skills? Toby & Ladybug climbing Beluga Point Exploring a snow cave on Flat Top Mountain Sledding, right before Toby fell and busted his butt… [...] |
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