Good News!!

I have some wonderful news to share! So wonderful I needed to start a whole new blog! Please join me at Joyful Journey

6 Month Reflections

10 days ago was our 6 month anniversary as a family of 6. The most wonderful part was: I forgot all about it. Life seems to flow now and I don't track dates and milestones as much anymore.

These boys have truly become brothers. Their relationship has demanded the most attention as they are now both 7 and "all boy". They get into trouble together, they play together and when they fight, they fight like brothers:) This is our traditional picture at Cedar Point, but I might try to install these in our backyard for those "hard to get along days". Just kidding....

And this little girl is doing so well in preschool. We chose a gentle introduction with just an hour the first day (with me) and then each day we extended the time. Once she knew they would go to the playground and have lunch at the end of the day, she asked to stay the entire time. And I heard something I have never heard in 13 years of parenting: "Mommy, can I please have onions with my broccoli for lunch?" She looooves onion in everything:)

And sweet Emmi, the leader of the pack, continues to extend grace to the little ones as they rummage though her stuff, ask her to play Candyland or pour them a glass of juice. She is amazingly patient (for a teenager) and puts up with a lot of craziness.

So life at 6 months is not perfect. I could be more organized, patient, creative, resourceful and fun. They grieve their losses and we learn about their hurts. But we have also found a gentle rhythm into our every day life and I don't have to plan each outing so carefully anymore. We can just go and live life.

Celebrating His Life

Yesterday, we celebrated Kofi's 7th birthday.

His wish was to go to Build A Bear and here he is with his creation.

He has had the most awesome transformation over the last 6 months. The little boy who was too scared to let us take care of him, who would sleep with a coin in his pocket and food hidden under his pillow is now starting to enjoy the life that is with a Mommy and a Daddy. 

Daily, he melts my heart. In so many ways he "gets" what he has gained and lost in adoption. He tells me things like "thank you for saying YES Mommy" and plans ways to help his village as he gets older. He has not forgotten those who still struggle and he reminds us daily how materially blessed we are in America.

Kofi, I pray that in time you realize the blessing you are to us. I am so proud to be your Mommy.

Celebrating her life!

This weekend we celebrated our sweet Joy Agyeiwaa's 4th birthday. 

This was her first birthday celebration ever and her biggest wish was to have ice cream.

She continues to amaze me in her determination to attach to our family. It isn't always easy to a girl with a shy nature. But each day, she is determined to make the most of her life here. 

She adores her siblings, is a total Daddy's girl and Mommy is lucky to get lots of hugs and kisses every day too.

So Happy Birthday Joy Agyeiwaa. You are a bright ray of sunshine in our lives. God has great plans for you.

Daddy's girl

"Daddy, I love you big much!!!"

5 Month Reflections

Each month, my first thought is: "look how far we've come". Each month shows the progress in our attachment as a family, the way our children have embraced their new life and the way they are coping with grief and loss. The pure joy that they experience is now evident and they are allowing themselves to feel that. And when they grieve, they allow us to join them instead of withdrawing. Thank you God for the progress!

We still have many "firsts" as a family of 6. Like explaining why dressing up like a cow gets you a free meal at Chick Fil A! Kofi still finds American customs strange at times, and it brings back memories of when I first came to America as an exchange student. Some things you just have to experience and once again they are good sports!

These two....they just melt my heart. Initially Agyeiwaa didn't want anything to do with Jake. He was so gentle and kind to her, and she just ignored him. Now, all his hard work of reading books to her, playing puzzles, even playing princess have paid off. Everywhere we go, they hold hands and have the best time together.

Life is not perfect (when is it). There are times where I still feel overwhelmed parenting 4 children and I am on my knees praying for wisdom. But a family unit is emerging. Day by day.

Sweet Sisters

Emmi is 13, Agyeiwaa is 3 (for 2 more weeks). I thought their age difference would keep them from growing into a close relationship. I regretted that Emmi would never know what a sisterly bond would be because of the years of infertility that kept that dream from becoming a reality. This was the relationship I worried most about, prayed about and tried to figure out in my head. I wanted them to really hit it off.

Not sure why I was so worried? Out of all 4 siblings, these 2 are so close. Emmi is such a tender big sister, she loves playing princess games and tea parties and ballerina dance lessons with Agyeiwaa. In fact they are so close that I must approach their bond with caution so that it doesn't become the primary attachment for Agyeiwaa. Thankfully, she is treating Emmi as a sister, not Mommy, but certainly something to be aware of. When Emmi is at a sleepover or overnight camp, this little girl asks about 10 million times when her big sissy is returning back home.

Sisters.