Can you believe that God would drop two "heaven-sent" gifts on our doorstep Friday night? (on Jan 31st) Those gifts came in the form of a 5 year old boy, (I'll call him "Big Brother") and a precious 1 month old baby girl, ("Baby Sister"). Their names start with the same letter, so I'll just use the terms "baby sister" and "big brother" when referring to them. The very same day that I posted on my blog about our disappointment of not getting an earlier placement, but our confidence that God had the right children out there for us... He delivers them to our door!
God is SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!
Big Brother A is very active, talkative, and investigative. In other words, "he's everywhere at once and into everything around him" :-) ! He loves books and listening to stories (Josh tells great Bible stories), Hot Wheels, Lightning McQueen (off of "CARS"), and eating. He has a hearty appetite and eats lots of snacks throughout the day. He has met the horse that lives on our property and calls him his "Buddy"... he desperately wants to ride him (but of course, that aint hap'nin). :-) Josh and him get along VERY well and Big Brother really looks up to Josh and listens, wide-eyed, at everything Josh says. (*We're still working on him listening to and obeying ME) :-) They have gone on many adventures outside around the property and have their very own walking sticks (more like a spear, the way they whack at things). He likes hitting down dead branches with this staff and I say, "Go for it!"... it uses up some of his over-flowing energy. He asks, "Show me some more trees to hit!" He's attentive to his little sister and notices every time she's crying and points it out to us. He likes giving and receiving hugs and tells us "I love you" often. He says "Yes Ma'am and Yes Sir" without being asked and is actually very well mannered and polite (his Kindergarten teacher reports the same). He started school on Tuesday (new school, new teacher, new kids) and had a great first day. Yesterday was a little harder, but I think its gonna be difficult to get one-on-one attention from a teacher who's got 22 other 5 year olds demanding her help. So Big Brother and I are working together on homework, reading, and counting at the kitchen table when he gets home from school. He likes praying before meals (and wont let you forget) and also before bed, after he gets a book (of his choice) read to him. We started praying with him the night he came to us, and he seems to really enjoy it. This week, "The Gingerbread Man" book (with picture flaps) is his favorite. He loves to be read to and throughout the day (before school and after school) he'll have us sit and read to him. He also likes looking at a book in his car seat on the way to and from school. It'll take time to get him accustomed to our rules (behavior) and improve his speech (he uses lots of baby talk, and if you just heard him, you'd think he was a 3 or 4 year old)... but we think he'll catch on quickly. This kid is SMART! He can read some words, knows every letter of the alphabet and its sound, colors, shapes, etc. He aced all the flashcards I did with him on Monday. And teacher says he's right on target.
Baby Sister is as cute as a button and easy as pie. She does three things: eats, sleeps, and dirties her diaper. Oh, there's a fourth... when awake, she looks all around with her HUGE BEAUTIFUL DARK EYES! Neither of us have seen anything more beautiful. Josh and I are amazed each time she looks around. Her eyes are captivating. Mom is already calling her "Bright Eyes" from the photos I've sent her. Baby Sister has a good appetite and sleeps really good (only 2 feedings a night). Last night was a fluke, and she was fussy, but since Friday, she's done great through the night. She looks pretty in pink and that's all I put her in! :-) She's got a little cough and congestion, so keep her in your prayers.
Big Brother has already received gifts (a cool spelling game/computer from my parents) and rewards from Josh and I for good behavior. He has learned the story of David and Goliath and last night heard about Noah's Ark. He will soon be receiving another gift from the g-parents... his very own Bible (he's looking forward to having his name in it). He is very thankful. His obedience comes and goes. Sometimes very strongly submissive and happy to obey... other times very silly and resistant to correction or instruction. Again, he's been through a lot, (plus he's 5. plus he's a BOY) so we are remembering, "Lots of grace. Lots of patience. Lots of praise." Also repetition and structure. And the very necessary SUPERVISION! :-)
We love you all and thank you for your prayers. We don't know how this placement will go or how long it will last... but we are extremely thankful to God for placing the "perfect" children with us. They are very much already "our own". We love them dearly and pray for them daily. We ask that you do the same.
REJOICING IN GOD'S PROVIDENCIAL PLACEMENT,
Josh, Amy, Big Brother, and Baby Sister
P.S. I told Josh last night, "I feel like a family". Big Brother has been calling us Josh and Amy since his arrival but this morning said he wanted to call us "Mommy" and "Daddy". We'll see which one he goes with. :-) They just got scheduled for a bio-parents visit for Saturday, and afterward we plan to take them out for a day in the great outdoors! It's supposed to be a lovely day!
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