Okay, so I realize it has been an insane amount of time since my last post....but here I am. The kids started school and I LOVE it. I am always amazed by God's wisdom. It doesn't matter how many times He shows me I am always amazed. God knew what I could handle and what I needed to hand over. The kids are all doing amazing in school. Freweyni's school is a perfect match for her. There are other Africans there and just kids that understand culture shock. She is still behind in some of her classes but we're working on that.

We have had some really great highs and some really traumatic lows the last couple of months. God has set our feet on solid ground once again though. He is showing me daily how I just have to ask him and He renews my strength. I love those times when I don't even have to ask Him and he renews my strength and gives me the desires of my heart I didn't know I had. (Yes I know another run-on!) Adopting a teenage girl definitely isn't for the faint of heart! She is precious though. Those times when she is just hanging out and lets her guard down. It truly allow me to see a glimpse of God's love for us. She told me other day "I know I am happy in my heart and I love my family, I just get sad." aka...I have grief and I don't know how to handle it so I act out!!

God has been showing us so many things lately. He has renewed my vision for older child adoption, which I am sad to say had been dampened over the last year. Sometimes when you are down in the valley it is so hard to see God's plan for your life. Then you remember its not important you see it, its just important that you follow whole-hearted!It's so hard sometimes to see your child struggling just to be in this country. You just begin to wonder if this whole thing doesn't make their life more difficult. Sometimes I still don't know, but I know my God. I know what He has called us to do. So I also know that He has planned for Freweyni to be in this family since the beginning of time. So I just have to wait for His plan to unfold so I can rejoice with Him. Thank goodness we don't have to wait for His whole plan to be revealed to rejoice! We get to enjoy her here and now.

Well here are some pictures of our re-adoption in the states and our celebration at an Ethiopian restaurant. It was a very emotional day for all of us. Especially Freweyni. It was the permission to grasp onto her new life and to release some of the past. It was hard for her to let go of some of the things she's always known. But I feel like she is allowing herself to embrace us now.

One Week Until Our Lives Take Another Turn!

Well, here we go again. Another life changing event. The kids are starting school on Monday the 24th. God has worked out every step. Kaicee got a last minute call from the Fine Arts Academy where they had one spot left. She scored a 91 in Math and a 98 on Reading on her placement tests!!! She will be starting 6th grade in a much smaller school that sounds like an easier transition for her. Kaden and Kyle will be going to the same school. Kyle scored a 83 in Math and a 96 in Reading. Praise God. We prayed over his Reading for days.(It is his weakest subject)Then the coolest thing is Freweyni's school. It is a International school for first year immigrants. All the classes are taught with ESL curriculum. They also help the students get acclimated to American culture.

Kaleb is doing great. The helmet has taken a little getting used to. He has to wear it 23 hours a day. The neurosurgeon said he may get to take it off as early as 6 months. We just don't have any way of knowing. He is absolutely precious. He has the biggest smile, and the worst temper! We are so amazed at this journey God has put us on the last couple of years. I am thankful for the wisdom and humility He has given us through it. Well its another long day. Here are a few pics from the last couple of weeks.

Praise God!!

Okay I am so sorry I forgot to let everyone know Kaleb is Great!! God is so good. We knew when our neurosurgeon laid his hands on our baby and prayed with us it was going to be a good surgery. The surgery was a success. We are now anxiously awaiting his helmet on Friday. He basically has about a 2 inches by 6 inches soft spot. So needless to say Kaden isn't allowed near him unless we have our arm blocking his head!!

Another big change is we are putting our kids in public school for the first time in four years. This was a VERY DIFFICULT decision. I know God will take care of them there just like he has here. I have really wrestled with God over this but I know this is a season. I am praying our children will flourish and blossom in His magnicient hands. I will update ya'll soon. Thanks again for your prayers.

Please Pray With Us

Hello Everyone. I know it has been awhile. We have been a little busy adjusting to 5 children. Everyone is doing really well with our new addition. We need to ask all of you if you would please pray with us. Kaleb was diagnosed with craniosynostosis when he was a week old. He will be having surgery on his skull on July 22. Please pray with us that it goes well and he has minimal blood loss. We know God has him in His very capable hands, but please pray for our very in the flesh nerves!! His surgery will be followed up with 4-12 months of a special helmet to reform his skull. The objective is to reshape the skull to give his brain plenty of room to grow. Obviously, he is a tiny little guy but it is the optimal time to do the surgery.

As for the rest of the family they are doing well. Freweyni loves her little brother. She is progressing wonderfully in her english. The last 3 weeks have been a little smoother than the previous months. Life with a teenager what an adventure!!!

Meanwhile, all the children make sure Kaleb never has to cry. If they hear a whimper they either run to give him his pacifier or yell in unison "Mom, he's crying!!" Needless to say he is very spoiled. We figure he deserves it. I will update soon. Thank you for your prayers.

Introducing the newest addition to our family!!!

Here is our precious surprise! He is absolutely precious. He was born Tuesday morning 8lbs 3 ozs, 19 3/4 inches long. He is beautiful! I will put more pics up soon but here's enough to get started.

Update!

Everything is going a lot smoother in the household. I think we are finally adjusting a little to having a teenager in the house. The kids are definitely hanging out more with less persuasion from me. That genuine friendship is there. The food is still an everyday issue but we're working on it. Freweynie is picking up English very well. She hasn't had a significant seizure in about 3-4 weeks. Praise God!!!

I am at 30 weeks and measuring at 34 so its looking like I may have a giant!!! Please pray for us as we enter these next couple of months of more changes and less rest!

More Birthdays!!

Okay, we decided a couple of weeks ago we needed to have Freweyni a belated birthday party. We were going to do just that when all four of the kids plus the two adults got the Flu!!! UGH!!
So now we are all recovered nicely and we got to have Freweyni a party today. We just had the grandparents this time. We thought we should keep everyone's parties uniform and small this time around. You could tell this was an amazing time for her. She was truly touched by every gift. And yes that is a High School Musical 2 DVD you see her so happily rejoicing about!
Sometimes it is very trying to blend our family but today was a good day. I am so thankful God called us to this journey even though sometimes it is very difficult. I know only He has the end result in sight.


Incidently today was also my b-day. Can I just say how awesome my husband and babies are. They got me my favorite CD Nicole C. Mullen's, pans, and an adorable picture they all made me. I can't believe I'm 31.... Really I can't believe I'm 31 with 4 1/2 children!!! Yes the cats out of the bag. We are expecting baby number 5! God is good....and funny. I take comfort in His perfect timing. We are so thankful for His guidance on this amazing journey we have been on.