A Rainbow!

Something you miss out on when you add an older child to the family is being there for their {firsts}. Well God showed me that I have many, many firsts with Thomas.  We spotted this beautiful rainbow and I talked to the kids about God's promise. Thomas had never heard of Noah.

How lucky was I to be able to share it with him

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A little over a week!

Wow this week! Wow! Busy, Busy but oh so perfect. Lots of baseball, soccer, swimming, shopping, having friends over, going to friends. And finally feeling settled.  Jackson and Thomas are like full on brother's already. The honeymoon period didn't last long. They get jealous and competitive of each other yet love each other at the same time.  It really feels like Thomas was just meant to be here.  Hearing the three of them playing together melts me.  To think we would have almost missed him if we had gotten licensed one month later. Our age group was 3-8 and he is turning 9 next month.  I am really starting to like the idea of an older child.  He likes to do everything for himself, he is so helpful yet likes to be babied.  So those of you thinking of adopting and just wanting babies these older kids are incredible also. I am so in love and this transition has been so much easier then expected. 

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I melted

I can't say many details about this new little man in my life. I love taking pictures so this part will be hard but until a child is legally ours I cannot share pictures or personal information that would allow anyone out there to identify him.  So I will just call him "Thomas".  He happens to look just like my kids (not that this matters) to us in any way.  I just think it will help him feel like he fits in more.  Today was as perfect as a first day could go.  Lots of balancing. I had to be really careful with Jackson he is probably going to have the biggest adjustment besides Thomas.  Jackson is used to being the oldest and now Thomas is.  Jackson is sooo excited to have a brother but scared for him to get to much attention and as you can imagine Thomas was getting lots of attention.  This is the same reaction that Jackson had when Ayla came home from the hospital so I know we can work through that. There is plenty of love for everyone here.  So after I tucked this new little man in tonight he handed me a folded piece of paper and said I have something for you. I opened it and saw this...

Then he wanted me to write something back to him.  It was a beautiful moment that I will always remember as our first little bonding moment.  Also I am not used to an 8 year old since my oldest is 5. He moved in and started folding and organizing his own clothes. I could definitely get used to that.  So we will see what our future holds. I am sure there is a lot of fear, hurt and disappointment inside this precious boy.  One thing I am so happy about is that he believes in God. He immediately set out his bible and he made sure we prayed before dinner.  So for now everything is perfect.

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Tomorrow!

I am so excited! We are having a precious boy move in with us tomorrow. Doing all the last minute things to feel ready. It will be so different from bringing a baby home from the hospital.  I hope that he feels at home with us and that we can be just what he needs and wants. I don't know how long he will be in our lives but I know it will be God's timing. I already know he is smart and beautiful and we are lucky to have him. The peace I feel is indescribable and I hope that he feels it to.  He has an extended family here ready to embrace him. Here are some goofy pictures of the kids and my Dad on Memorial Day. They crack me up. I would have to say my Dad is definitely ready for more grand-kids.  He is so great at showing God's love.

Jackson changed out of his clothes and into his [2 ] sizes to small pajamas for this "battle"

I think the kids won

Lots and lots of other children are out there that I am praying for.  Some others that look like adoption placements. I have been praying and talking with my husband a lot this week about moving to a house that has a better layout with more space for more kids. Ready to change our lives. Our lives are not our own to live, they are God's.  We are here....ready!

But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus- the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love. Act 20:24

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