Life with Kensli

I've have posted in times past about Kensli's self-appointed boyfriend and the way she stalks the poor guy. This Sunday was no different! I even panicked at one point, because she disappeared and I finally found her sitting talking to Boyfriend. At most churches, you could scan the sanctuary and not have trouble spotting your child or you would figure you knew the people well enough to know your child is fine. Not our church, because with so many people in attendance (which is good) and our church, as pastor describes it is a hospital, it could put any parent in a panic. When I finally found her, she was not happy to even talk to me! Her attitude was like go away mom, can't you see I am trying to impress my boyfriend. My heart hurt! She is 3, going on 13!

This morning our conversation concerning blond haired Boyfriend went like this:

Kensli: "Mommy, Boyfriend is my best white boyfriend."

Me: "Do you have a dark boyfriend, too?"

Kensli: "Yes, Chris."

Me: "Chris is not dark. He is white like Boyfriend."

Kensli: "No he is not! He has dark, spiked hair!"

Me: "Oh, ok."

Sometimes the conversations with children in multi-cultural families do not always mean what is said about race or skin color. Children when raised to love people of all skin tones, do not always see differences based on the color of skin.

Our church sets a time for the first of the year to fast and renew ourselves in the Lord. This year, the three oldest participated in someway in the fast. They gave up sweets, red meat, and media for 7 days. I was so proud because they stuck with it to the end. They talked about it and what they were fasting so much that Kensli even said that she was fasting. If it was something she didn't want she would promptly remind you of the fast. Well, Saturday was the end of the fast and the 3 oldest where so happy! Kensli didn't want to be left out so she asked me, "Is the fast over?" I told her it was and she starts jumping around shouting, "Yeah, the fast is over!"
Then she stopped and looked at with her serious puzzled look and said, "If the fast is over, what do I get to do?" I got so tickled and she got mad, because laughing at Kensli is a cardinal no-no.

Yesterday, due to a very busy Sunday, we decided to have pizza for lunch. We go through the drive thru at Little Cesar's and order. The very polite young man at the window comes back and tells Toby that they are out of cheese bread and it would take 12 minutes before some was ready. Being in the hurry that we were in, Toby said, "Well just give me the regular bread with sauce. Wait, what size do you have?" The guy shows him the small bag and Toby says,"Give me three of the bags, and one thing of sauce." Now, Kensli must of been listening intently because she said,

Kensli: "Daddy, I know that you are the boss and everything, but I really need to tell you something."

Toby: "What, baby?"

Kensli: "If you keep ordering there won't any left for other people."

We laughed and she was mad!

A New Look at an Old Burden

At times I am hesitant to post my thoughts and feelings because I worry about criticism! I am blue (color personality analysis) which is the reason for my worry about how I appear to others. Yes, I am bearing my soul today, if for no other reason than for my own encouragement! If you read this, thanks for letting me get it out in the open where I can see it for myself!

I have been a little fussy at life in general lately! I have been walking around telling anyone that would listen that I had lost my joy, I wasn't happy, my nerves were bothering me, I'm sick, and the list could go on and on! I have been so self absorbed that I am not sure why He even bothered to speak to me last night or that I even could hear! Thankfully He did speak and I somehow heard Him!

Sometimes it is not the big things in life that get your attention, sometimes it is a new way to look at a life. Last night I was wondering around the blog world and happened upon a blog that at first glance I thought, "Oh, wow, another adoption blog!" (I do not know her so I am not sure about sharing her blog without permission.) Granted, I LOVE the whole miracle of adoption, but sometimes (my blog included) adoption blogs are just cute pictures of beautiful children! As I began to read their amazing story, tears began to fall! Her passion to "care for the orphans and widows in their time of need"(James 1:27) is so strong! Last night I saw what I have been called to do in a whole new light! The other thing that impressed me about this family is that they really live at the point of "what is God fixing to do?"

Their blog made me ask myself if caring for orphans really is a ministry? Is caring for them in their hour of greatest need really given the priority in my life that it really deserves? I have looked at adoption as a way of extending my family, yet I have always been scared to look at it as a ministry. Kids and the desire for more is sometimes looked at with crossed eyes! Therefore, I have not been a real advocate of adoption, a realization that makes me ashamed! I know that I should speak up and take an active role in promoting adoption! I have felt that the thought of more than the 2.5 children, that statistics show live in American households, scares people to death. We can only change that concept by educating people about the blessings of children. Psalms 127:3 says,"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

I think through this family's blog, I have been inspired to tell my story, our story, and to share how God has blessed us by adopting. So, for the next few weeks, as time permits and the Lord leads, I will be sharing our adoption journey from start to finish! ***I know, that by doing so, I really move my family into a glass house, but I trust that God will protect us from any rocks thrown!

Also, last night I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are not through with adoption! I have known for sometime, but I feel that I have been pushing my will on God! I want to go back to a certain country! I want that Asian empress, when God maybe call us to an African princess! I want to be open, willing, not caring what others think, not worrying about the snide remarks that I have had in the past about MORE children, and turn my will over to a God that has a perfect plan!

This morning I woke up with a new resolve, joy, burden, and thought pattern! I WILL live from now on waking up with a burning desire to see what God will do today! Yes, I will become an over comer through the power of my testimony! Wait until you see what God has done and is wanting to do!!!!!

A Little Trip Home

This morning early we loaded up and went to see these two wonderful people! We spent the day in the country enjoying the company of Mom, Granny, and Dad! Well, kind of enjoying Dad, because he was a little busy taking a nap, eating ice cream, riding the four wheeler, making several trips to town, and just generally making it very hard to get the kids to finish a couple of their school subjects that they needed to complete for the day! Before the day was over I was wondering why I even brought the schoolwork, but I am determined to finish up these subjects at a certain time and start something new. Mean old mom! :)

The weather was beautiful and there was lots to do and see! Mother is the world's best game player and will play Go Fish for hours! Of course, she cooks and we eat! As Kensli says, "Mam-ma, you wock!"

Granny fell and broke her shoulder over the holidays, but she is on the mend! The doctor said that it was a hairline fracture and to take it easy and she will be fine! We spent quite a long time today sitting, drinking coffee, and talking!

When I was young I couldn't wait to get away from home and see the big, wide world. Now that I am gone and have seen quite a lot of the big, wide world, I can truly say there is NO place like home!

Our 11th Gotcha Day and Counting

Happy 11th Gotcha Day, Ricky!

Every day, since the first day you were placed in our arms, life has been a wonderful adventure!

We have been so blessed to have you a part of our lives and

are so proud of the young man you are becoming!

We thank God daily for letting us be your parents!

You are an awesome big brother, a best buddy, and an all around GREAT KID!

Here's to celebrating many more Gotcha Days with you!

We love you,

Mom and Dad and Crew

P.S.---I'll post pictures when we celebrate next week, and I'll explain the delay in celebrating when I post pictures!

Just What AM I Saying?

****WARNING: This post may sound critical of my children, but that is not what is intended! This post, and all posts, are written with the sole purpose of giving you a small glimpse into our rather normal lives! ****

For the last two days around this house I have felt like one of the adults on a Charlie Brown cartoon. I open my mouth and all that my kids seem to hear is.....

"Whada wada whada, waaaw, wassa wadda wasasasa wada whada weewoo!!!!!"

Yesterday, I went up stairs, smelled matches or something burning, looked around, saw no fire, asked several children (3) who has been playing with matches, no one knew, found Nic, asked him about smoke smell, he says he did it (at least he was truthful), explained the danger of matches, noticed his eyes were glazed over, asked him what I said, he replies, "Matches make fire!"

I made cornbread for lunch and Kaitlyn asked if she can cut the cornbread. I replied, "No, not this time." Then Kaitlyn says, "Why? I can cut it really good. All you do is go this way, that way, and then this way! I have my knife! Are you ready for me to cut the cornbread?" I reply no again. I ask her to go tell her brothers lunch is ready, which she does by screaming up the stairs at them. During her screaming excursion, I go ahead and cut the cornbread. When she was through and came back in, she noticed the cornbread is cut and says, "Why did you cut the cornbread? I thought you said I could?"

Today, Ricky was ready for Math and he went upstairs to get his book and paper. At the same time, I go into the wash room to work on some laundry. While upstairs Ricky decided to ask me if he needed to bring an extra sheet down. I heard him hollering, but chose not to answer him, because I hate for them to holler questions at me! So, he comes down in a little while without his extra sheet and finds that he needs it after all. "Mom, you told me I didn't need this extra sheet!" Oh, really, I do not recall saying anything!

Maybe it is the weather, a phase, a sickness, or something that they have come down with! All I know is that it can't be ME!

Right?

I am not losing my mind, saying things I don't remember, going on and on about nothing,.................

wawawWAWA wada blah wha wha wha blah!!!!!!

1st Day Back and A Thought I'm Thinking

Today was the 1st day back at school after 3 weeks off! I was almost as bummed out as the kids! We had so much fun during the holidays with family and friends that it was just plain hard to return to the normal routine! On top of that the girls were sick over the weekend with fever and Ricky woke up this morning with a stomach bug of some kind! He did not even feel like going to piano, poor baby! The weather didn't help much with it raining and 40 something degrees. After piano, we snuggled up by the fire and did our reading time. Reading time is our favorite time of the day!

Here is my thought I'm thinking..............

.........add a little sand, sun, and some WARM weather!

Happy Birthday to Nicholas

January 1st is Nicholas' birthday and this year he turned the big 6. I made him a cake and we went to my parents to celebrate! Daddy and Pap-pa took him four wheeler riding before the party and they had planned to stay until dark. Well, about 2 hours later they all came back to the house because Nic couldn't enjoy himself for worrying about his presents.

I took some pictures, but something happened to the memory card and it will not upload! So, I took a picture on another card this afternoon and here is what a 6 year old Nic looks like........