Preschool Ends

First Day                                                        Last Day

 Ryan "graduated" in a ceremony Wednesday evening.

First Day                                             Last Day

They have both had a wonderful year at preschool. I am thankful for their little school. Avery will go two mornings in the fall and it will be strange not taking Ryan too.

Cherished

This will be hard for some to read. I have debated writing it, but I must, because I might need to look back on this one day, to be reminded of the good stuff. I know their are strained marriages, broken marriages and women longing to be married or widowed. Not to mention the heartache Mother's day can bring to those who long to be mothers, lost their mothers, lost children, the list goes on.

 

Ephesians 5:28-30 "In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, ³⁰ because we are members of his body."

EJ loves me well. Truly. I am not suggesting he is perfect or loves me perfectly, but I honestly see effort every day and this is amazing and humbling all at the same time. I do think some of his personality traits assist him ;) but overall, he chooses wisely, with the Lord guiding him.

On Mother's day, we had a plan. Not a huge, detailed one, just that he would fix dinner and I would be free from that daily routine. He involved the kids in the menu making- he is teaching them to learn about and know the lady of the house ;) Their future wives have my husband to thank.
Saturday evening he took the older 2 to get the needed items. Shrimp and Crab cakes two of my favorite, plus asparagus and key lime pie. Yum!

Plans changed. We had a houseful of guests from 12-4 on Sunday. We couldn't have been more thrilled. We met a baby cousin (4 weeks old) for the first time and saw cousins we haven't seen in awhile, all while giving thanks to the Lord that our newest baby cousin (1 week old) arrived safely despite his 6 week-early appearance.

We rolled with it. I have come a long way. 3 years ago I wouldn't have rolled with it with near as much flexibility. 4 kids will do that for a person, at least for me ;)

Despite our busy afternoon and extra eating ;) my hubby got to work and prepared a fabulous dinner for all of us. Owen lucked out with leftover bbq b/c he doesn't like most seafood.

During dinner, EJ took the opportunity to ask the kids what they like most about me. He didn't have to do that. He had been on his feet most of the day serving my extended family and now the 6 of us. But he did and after a little coaxing they each shared. The first round of compliments weren't very deep, "my cooking" "playing" etc. But then they kept offering more and more. Wow! What a blessed momma. Just when you think no one notices the million things you do every day, they really do. But it did take practice and time and reflection for them to say it out loud. I am thankful my husband is teaching our children these things because I am not the only one who will be blessed.

My most favorite compliment was just what I mentioned above, about being flexible. EJ noticed how stress-free I seemed with our change of plans and house full. The fact that he noticed and took the time to say something really encouraged my heart. I am grateful that the Lord is changing me and that he has given me a spouse who is nourishing my heart and cherishing me. I do not want to take these things for granted. To Him be the Glory.

Mother's Day

Some girls dream of being a mom. I dreamed of never growing up. Never in a million years, did I imagine myself a mom of 4. Now I can't think of anything else I'd rather be. And since Ryan guessed my age to be 89, on his preschool mother's day card to me, I suppose I really have grown up ;)

Ryan Plays Ball

Between lots of rain cancellations and his unexplainable anxiety, pictures of Ryan playing Tball this spring have not happened until this weekend. Finally 7 weeks into the season, Ryan stepped onto the field and didn't look back, with no tears, either. It was AWESOME and a huge relief for this easily heart-broken momma. The best I can guess is stage fright, which seems hard to believe because in all other walks of life he is an outgoing talkative-goofy kid.

He is the one closest to the coach, doing "jumping jacks".

 Running home

He really only likes to bat, the rest is "boring." 

I can't say I blame him, the only play they make each hit is to throw to first base.

 

We are SO proud of you Ryan, for giving it your all and being so brave today.

All 3 boys had games at 9 AM on Sat. on 3 different fields. 

She never complains, although I do have to bring a lot of snacks ;) 

On Stage

If you've been on this blog for awhile, you know our girl has always been a silly-face maker. This collage is pictures of Avery while we were still in China. In the beginning, they were a defense mechanism used mostly when nervous which was pretty much all the time. Now, I rarely see a funny face (which is huge) but it's still almost always her tactic when she is nervous.

 

Last week, the nursery class that she is in while I attend a women's bible study each week, sang a few songs up front. She was uncomfortable the moment she walked in the room. So as you can imagine her face making was at it's best!

Our girl is continuing to make huge strides. I was gone for the weekend, two weeks ago with my AMAZING adoptive mama's group (if you need one or want to start one (anywhere) go here.You'll be glad you did). We sat and talked and talked and talked. And now that so many of us have almost 2 years under our belt, we talked less about our adoptive kids and more about being moms to all of the kids with whom God has blessed us.
When I returned from my weekend away, I was not sure how Avery was going to react. She responded beautifully. She was so glad I was home but was also able to continue on with her day. In the past she would have clung to me out of fear that I would leave again.
She ALWAYS says, "you came back" and it KILLS my heart every time. But now when she says this, it seems more like out of habit than a surprise.
Since my weekend away, she has spontaneously told me, "I love you" almost every day and sometimes more than once. It may have taken 20 months since coming home, but it was SO worth the wait.