Team Narwhales

Mason had the opportunity to play for a new (to us) basketball league on a team with ALL boys from his school. This has never happened before and it certainly made the season more fun. His age allows for more "real" rules and the games get more interesting from here on out.

I enjoy watching him play. He gets the game and his head stays in the game. For him, it's not just about getting the ball and shooting, he sets up plays. He is a team player. That makes his momma proud :)

He is also fast, and his energy abounds. 

I am not sure if he is technically supposed to play the WHOLE court, but he does.

 And his years of defending himself to his big brother is paying off. Ha!

Well played, Mason! We are proud of you!

In the Lead

It is always fun to cheer for my kids and even more when they win :) Mason is slowly losing interest in cub scouts. This became very obvious in the decorating of his pinewood derby car. He did however make a fast car. Both EJ and he are not sure their secret, but 3 years in a row now, seems less of a coincidence. 

 See Mason's head peeking over the fans to watch his car ;)

The proud winner of 2 trophies.

Final Week and Goodbye

While Yangcai was staying with us he worked on a model airplane. It was something he told us he liked to do. We had no experience purchasing one and honestly I think it was too difficult. He and I worked on it together for small amounts of time and then one Saturday, EJ and him did the bulk of the body. After that Yangcai felt comfortable working on it by himself. There were so many moments that I wished with all my heart I could understand Mandarin. The constant charades was exhausting for both of us, although I am amazed at how well we learned to read each other. That's very important to me as a mom. Ideally I like to read their minds ;)

He only wanted to do things perfectly and I wanted him just to try his best. Hopefully we both learned from each other.

By the 4th week, YC was ready to step onto the "court." Our oldest is not the most approachable and sports are his love language, so it was difficult for YC to build a relationship. They both put forth effort occasionally and I was proud of them for doing so.

He loves to vacuum, or use any electronic device. Ha! So I put him to good use. We both were disgusted by the van's condition.

One of his favorite routines was riding our electric scooter or a borrowed bike to the bus stop for Mason and Ryan. On this day he pulled out of his pockets packs of fruit snacks we had just bought at the grocery store. One for each of them :)

Will wonders ever cease. These two worked along side each other to help make Zucchini quiche for dinner. These two weren't the easiest dynamic, but I saw amazing changes in both of them over the 4 weeks.

Our family was gifted circus tickets and it was the perfect ending to our 5-ring circus, of a month.

He and I went to at least 6 different playgrounds. Praise the Lord for such beautiful spring weather!

He helped me pick out photos to have printed and we put together an album for him to take back. I didn't realize how special he considered it until we got to the hotel lobby and he immediately showed it to the chaperones and his friends.

Saying goodbye to friends after an intense 4 weeks was SAD.

Ryan wears his heart on his sleeve and YC accepted his love. Precious!

Right before he and I departed for the airport hotel.

He and I rode with other host parents and Ji Te to a hotel near their airport. I was thankful for the company bc both YC and I were pretty solemn. When we arrived to the hotel we were able to spend time with several other host kids and families. It was fun hearing YC talke nonstop in Mandarin. They were all eager to share about their experiences and probably make fun of their host families.

We needed to be at the airport the next morning by 4:30 AM. UGH! YC was up raring to go at 3 AM. I don't think he trusted my 2 alarm clocks. I embraced the last minutes we would share and rose (literally) to the occasion. We stared at each other while he slurped his cup of noodles and then we joined his traveling companions.

He is such a brave boy. At the airport he immediately stepped in to help whether it was with luggage, or herding children. I wish I could have known him longer and have no real plan for future communication. 

Behind those big brown eyes, I saw love and sadness as we said our final goodbyes, eventhough he has learned (likely through neglect) to suppress his emotions. So painful to witness and yet a privilege to know this boy. He will be missed! Please pray his forever family finds him SOON!

Special Guests

We had the privilege of an even fuller house, with guest from CO. Jess and her son Beck came for a visit. We first met in Ch1na getting our girls. We have remained in touch, although not as much as I wish. It was SO wonderful to catch up with her. And they helped entertain Yangcai too :)

 

EJ and Jess took the older 4 to our YMCA rock wall. Yangcai loved it! I am not going to lie, it was a tough weekend with Yangcai. He did not handle having house guests, well. I don't know why, but he struggled for sure. We went to the Science Museum, thanks to a generous friend who gave us free tickets :)

 

Ryan's favorite part of the museum was the craft room. Big surprise. I didn't mind sneaking off with him.

We opted not to bring Avery to the museum which was a wise decision. Keeping with Yangcai requires a lot of attention. Instead she spent the morning with friends. And boy, did she have the time of her life ;) Thanks Jill!

After a rough weekend with Yangcai, I needed a plan for Monday and once again my parents came to the rescue. I took him and Avery to their house to enjoy the beautiful weather, scenery and get somethings off my chest ;) 

He was so peaceful and calm on the dock. A little irritated that the fish didn't bit a single time. But nonetheless it was just what we all needed! God's gift of beautiful spring weather continued his whole last week and I couldn't have been more grateful.

The best shot I got of just the two of us. Too bad I didn't consider my wardrobe ;) Survival mode, people!

More on Yangcai

http://theresauandaniinukraine.blogspot.com/2016/03/a-family-for-yangcai.html?m=1

http://theresauandaniinukraine.blogspot.com/2016/03/a-family-for-yangcai-part-2.html?m=1

Feel free to share these posts. Get the word out. Our host boy needs a family!!!

Sharing the Love

Last week, my friend Amy graciously agreed to helping me do some Easter activities with the boys.

 

She let the boys help her cook lunch. If you have been in the presence of this combo of boys, you'd appreciate the patience and grace she extended. Much braver than I.

Our hope and prayer was that it would include sharing the Easter story (in Mandarin). She attempted during lunch and while the boys were very eager to talk, the conversation mostly centered around "creation." Thankfully she also explained to the boys why their host families pray, go to church and that their love (for them) is in response to God's love.

Our morning also included a scavenger hunt through the woods to a playground. Oh and running to the nearest potty :0

Amy even prepared eggs for a hunt, which was enthusiastically received.

We ended the FUN filled morning with UNO. 

The first real smile I have caught on camera. It made my week!

I can't tell you how much having Amy's support and help has been to ALL 3 of us host moms. Not to mention how much the boy's adore being with her. I am forever grateful for all the time, love and money she has graciously given. What a blessing! Orphan care has lots of avenues. Find one, please, you won't regret it!

Hosting, Week 3

I have been choosing to LOVE, a lot lately. I wish I could say I do that intentionally all the time. Somehow with an end-date looming, it's easier to set aside other things for the time being. Bills are getting paid, laundry done, cooking and dishes, homework and that's about it. Lot's and lots of time given to 3 very special boys. If you have every desired to do a mission trip with your family. Try hosting. Have the mission trip come to you. The conversations in your home, at school and church, with strangers, friends and even the dentist ;) are well worth it. My friend's advocacy blog is getting hit hard, we had 70 people at a luncheon at our church in honor of these boys, and God is giving (not local) families the courage to inquire about these boys. Keep praying!

It's a honor, friends to love them. Not easy, but an honor.

The bond they are forming with each other is precious. Will they ever see each other again, doubtful.

The experiences, pretty basic, but to them a lot of FIRSTS and very exciting. EJ and I have decided one of our purposes in hosting is to give Yangcai opportunities to increase his confidence. There is little we can "give" him to take back with him, but building his confidence might encourage him to dream a little bigger. Their world is very tiny, ironic in a place as large at Ch1na. If he is on his own at 15, we want him dreaming big.

We take SO much for granted. My eyes have been even more opened to their realities and my heart, well that breaks on an hourly basis.

Good thing Avery is used to 3 older (obnoxious) brothers ;) She doesn't take grief from these 3 either. Ha!

Week 3 ended on a sweet note that I will devote a whole post too. Happy Friday!