TWO YEARS???  NO WAY.

Oh holy geez!  It HAS been a longgggg time since I sat down to write my thoughts down and share whats been goin on here. But honestly, I've been alittle bit busy, alittle bit lazy, alittle bit overwhelmed, a little bit confused, alittle bit frustrated, and  A WHOLE LOT OF THANKFUL.  Thankful and grateful for the life I'm living, the life I've been given and the hand I've been dealt.  Yep, the good, the bad and the ugly. I'm thankful for it all.  It's been almost 2 yrs since I blogged, the last being just shortly after bringing home our son Josiah from China, who by the way is doing very well.  I fully intended on continuing to blog so that those who have maybe followed us, with Gabe's adoption from Russia in 2011 and then Josiah's in 2014, could see how these boys have come alive and thrived with having a family of their own.  It's amazing what love and nurturing can do.  As I have learned over the past 20 years with Cole and now Gabe and Si, these boys are really not the ones that are DISabled.........that my friends, would be us, the so called abled ones.  These boys have taught us so much.  If we all loved like them, forgave like them, embraced life like them..........we would all be much better people.  Probably much like God had intended us to be.  But, as we all know, that is not how it is.  It seems our world, our societies, are becoming more wicked, more immoral, and more depraved than I can ever remember.  But these boy's of ours, these boys who have taught us so much, they keep us grounded.  We don't have to look far at all to see God's goodness.  It surrounds us every single day.  We get to go to bed with it every nite. Wake up to it every morning and LIVE IT all day long.   Now, I'm typing these words with a big smile on my face. I know what you might be thinkin, yes I do!!  Is it always pleasant?? No. Is it always easy?? Heck no. Is it always smiles and belly laughs?? NO and NO. Are we always glad we said "yes" to them?? YES, YES, YES. ABSOLUTELY. WITHOUT A DOUBT.  Would we do it again??  Yes.  Just so happens WE ARE!  Has that been an easy decision? No.  Have there been some doubts and long sleepless nights?? Yes. Is all our family on board with us?? No. Has that been difficult for us?? Yes, more than they know.  Will this adoption take away from and/or affect the boys already in our home?? Yes.   And will having  these special kiddos take away from and/or affect our grandchildren?? Yes.  But here's the deal.........What these boys GIVE far out weighs what they TAKE.   I want my kids(all of them) and grand kids to know that this world does not revolve solely around them. Yes, their life is very important, but so is every other life.  I want them to know that they are loved beyond measure, and their needs will always be taken care of, to the best of our abilities,  but I also want them to know and understand, this is not the way it is for everyone.  I want them to learn acceptance of those different than them, and compassion for those that struggle. I want them to learn, and realize, that there is much joy in just the simplest things.  Will one more special boy in our life make a difference in their lives????  I sure hope so.   SO, with hands already full :) and a heart even fuller.......here is our new little guy.    

 
He turned 5 in January and he too has down syndrome.  God never ceases to amaze me with His plan for lives.  I will admit that I really questioned Him this time!  But each time I found myself doubting we could do this again, He showed me we could.  Each scripture, each post, each talk with Rick, a confirming call from a Chinese woman (seriously. and I almost hung up!), every sign we asked for, He delivered.  So, whats a person to do!  I never want to be someone who speaks of great faith but fails to ACT on it, or one who speaks of great faith and only acts when it's reasonable or makes sense.  For me, that is not true faith.  Hang around and I'll tell you more about our little guy in a few days and where we're at in the adoption.  Prayers for our family would be greatly appreciated. Be blessed!