Risks, Stunts, and Creativity

Now that we are back in the school routine and the weather is cooler, we are spending more time in the backyard. (When it is not raining like it has been this week!) The middle school work load has increased appropriately for Luke, so we have less time in the afternoons for exciting outings. (Especially now that we have sport practices a couple times a week.)

What that means is two boys have gotten VERY creative in their backyard play in order to keep things more interesting. Do you see the red shirt high above in the picture below? I'm sure you can guess who that is. Note: that tree is NOT in our yard, but in the neighbors yard. ugh!

Can you see three-quarters of the way up, the body still climbing? He went HIGHER, but I did not take a picture... I instead yelled wildly for him to get down. He was SHAKING the tree and swinging back and forth. When he returned to lower ground, he reported what was going on in the neighborhood. He, of course, had a bird's eye view.

The configurations they come up with on the swings never cease to amaze me. 

And bare feet... always dirty bare feet....

They were swinging for a while upside down last Thursday. Makes my head hurt. ;)

It's much better then the whips they made with ropes and sticks the day before!

Oh the talents of my children! Are they in training for Cirque du Soleil?

In case you are wondering what Irina was doing during these photos... 

she was either swinging nearby or building cities in the sandbox. 

That satisfies her sensory needs and keeps her happy!

God's Love Brings Joy

During this season of life, I am prone to struggle and wallow. I don't like it one bit. I want it fixed and over and nobody can do that for me. I'm thinking a lot about inner joy. Where does it come from? Can I manufacture it? If I ask God, will He just give it to me when I least expect it? Is there a checklist I can follow to make it come? Maybe I overcomplicate things by thinking too hard and analyzing everything? I am not a surface kind of gal. I dislike small talk and people being phony. Feeling things deeply is what I do...and therefore my relationship with life and with my Lord is thought about intently and passionately. (hmmm...I know a little boy in my house who is following in my footsteps. oh no!) I'm probably a little too "heart on my sleeve" and open/honest for some people's taste. Not too mention that I'm at that age (ahem!) that hormones are going batty. Sorry if I scare you. ;)

As I search scriptures, listen to sermons, and talk with friends this is what sticks out. I'm writing it here so I can come back to it and maybe, just maybe, it will encourage you? 

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. ...you being rooted and established in love, may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19

"God's love is beyond human love in that it rises beyond our sphere, surpassing our domain on the ground. More important than the greatness of God's love is the quality: God's love is no emotion or experience. ...He is faithful. Which means He doesn't go back on his Word. He does not tire of us, find us boring, or grow disgusted with our stench or our surliness. God does not love as we love." Christopher Esget

"The source of my joy is that God has bigger goal for me than I do for myself and that God is 'all in' for me. Jesus is interceding on my behalf right now." Steve Shelby

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20

"The secret to being content in any and every situation is knowing that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." paraphrase Philippians 4:12-13

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." Psalm 130:5, 7

List

I've mentioned before that Saturdays are especially hard for Irina. In between soccer games, we view Saturdays as work days. I have a list of things I want to accomplish... sometimes alone. Darin always has a list of household projects he wants to tackle. (Now including the repainting of our family room/kitchen/and foyer. It is a big job! More on that later.) The boys are so happy to run in and out of the house playing together or with neighbors. Irina can get overwhelmed with the free time and lack of schedule. It is hard for her to stay engaged with one type of play for very long, which means she asks repeatedly, "What can I do?"

Knowing our soccer games would likely get rained out, I decided to try something new this weekend.  Thanks to inspiration from a friend, I printed out a list for each kid of things they should accomplish on Saturday (jobs and fun!) I made sure to include some activities for Irina that were alongside me, which thrills her. I'm excited to say it was a success! Next weekend, I need to add a few more ideas, but Irina loved her list and carried it around with her. It gave her purpose. Hallelujah!

Artist

When the mood strikes, our resident 9 year old artist can think of nothing but completing his envisioned artwork. A picture in a book, magazine, or photo can inspire Ethan to create. When he is creating, he will ignore everything else around him. Everything! He likes sketch work, charcoal, colored pencils and collage art. Quite a variety... I must say!

We got permission to sign him up for a middle school art class with Luke and he is loving it! The examples above are things he did on his own, now I just need to encourage him to be "inspired" to do his homework. "I'm not in the mood to draw a chair, Mommy. It's not interesting." Oh dear! What a fickle artist!

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Just in time for class, he was inspired and created his chair. 

My favorite part was the smile on his face when he finished. 

I Love Ukraine

It's pretty neat to think about how God has developed a love in my heart for Ukraine when I hadn't really given it much thought nearly 3 years ago. I'm not sure I can describe it. The people, the cities, the culture, the food... it's all so vivid in my mind and linked to rich memories from our time spent there. I'm reminded to pray regularly for family and friends of Irina, which brings the country all the more close to my heart.

I spotted an advertisement for a performance by the Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at a nearby church and knew I needed to be there. My introverted, homebody self, who likes to hunker down at home on a Saturday night in my pajamas (and have kids in bed asleep by 8pm!) could not resist. It was a night I will remember for a long time!

The orchestra and chorus are part of Music Mission Kiev (MMK). Read more HERE. It was the first I had heard of the mission and I'm so excited about what they are doing in a very dark Ukraine during this time of turbulence and war. Please consider reading about and supporting their mission.

I took very hasty pictures, but you get the idea. The first half was a mixture of AMAZING music,  testimony of how God is at work in their ministry. All the musicians are Ukrainians except for the president of MMK and his wife. The caliber of their performance was top notch.

So, not only did this concert capture my heart because of their mission to a country that I love. It also stirred in me my love for classical choral music that had been forgotten. The chorus sang pieces I am familiar with from my previous choral experience. It was LIFE giving to enjoy and feel the music deep down to my bones. I was grinning, tapping and clapping loudly at the conclusion of each song. My heart was swelling. It felt like worship to my soul. Praise the Lord for music! I was not the only one who was captivated. Darin and the boys LOVED it. I purchased several CD's which have been thoroughly enjoyed over the last 3 days.

During the second half, they came out in traditional Ukrainian costumes and sang Ukrainian folk songs. I want a costume! I want one for Irina! Why didn't I think of that when we were in Ukraine? So cool.

Speaking of Irina, sweet girl did a terrific job sitting still for a very long time way past her bedtime. The descriptions of the effects of war to Eastern Ukraine were not overlooked by her. It was hard to hear and stirred up sadness as she thought about friends from her orphanage who are living near the location of the bombing. (I had no idea this was coming and did not prepare her ahead of time.) It brought up some hard conversations, but I think she was glad to be at the concert and see "her people." ;)

I bought this cute bag at the concert. 

If you live in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, or Florida, I URGE you to 

check out their tour schedule HERE. It is a concert you won't want to miss! 

Someday, I hope and pray I can go back to Ukraine and partner with this ministry. 

There is a stirring in my heart and I can't wait to learn more. 

First Day at WM

Last Thursday, Luke had his first day at WM Academy. He was nervous, excited, and ready! Recently, he's been expressing more opinions about haircuts, clothing, shoes, etc.. I love that he is expressing his opinion and so far, I'm all for it. I usually cut the boys hair every 3-4 weeks and I only know one hair cut - SHORT. Luke was opposed to short. So, I took him to get his hair cut and he described what he wanted. (He asked me earlier that day to search online for "haircuts for middle school boys." How cute is that?!)

The younger boys chased Daddy's car out of the driveway after lots of hugs for Luke. 

Didn't catch a picture of Irina waving happily on the front steps. 

Luke had a great first day and I was happy to pick him up at 2pm. He is a boy after his Momma's heart and didn't seem to leave out one detail from his day. Thankful for the other three giving him air space to talk -- a rarity to not be interrupted. 

Ethan had his first day on Monday. He's decided he also wants to have his own opinions about hairstyles and fashion. Thankfully for our wallet, he still likes his Momma's short hair cuts. However, he grabbed a hold of his brothers hair gel and styled his hair into a little peak. ;) Darin's not a fan. I think it's kind of cute. 

Both boys were all smiles when I picked them up Monday afternoon. It wasn't as smooth at home as I hoped with only 2, but maybe we'll get into a rhythm?? 

Tuesday, was a less then ideal day, if this picture below gives you any indication. Not sure if it's the change in our routine by adding the homeschool academy that has the kids out of whack, but I'm hoping and praying it was just a random bad day. Kind of hard to work with my student if he is upside down. Maybe next time, I'll surprise him and crawl under the table with our lesson. ;)

15 days of school down, 165 to go!!!

Goofed and Glad for Grace

Do you see those gorgeous blond locks on the left? 

They are so much harder to care for then the shorter hair on the right. 

Recently, we took Irina to get quite a bit of hair cut. She was ready and thankfully excited. It was a big deal for her and definitely time to lesson the stress surrounding her hair. "Stress surrounding her hair?" you might say. Yes, indeed. Long hair needs to be brushed, washed, and cared for and that takes quite a bit of patience and skills.

This is just one SMALL example, but I'm learning very slowly and painfully about the brain. The brain does not fully develop when developmental experiences are missed and needs go unmet. It makes sense. I've read books, listened to seminars, read more books and articles and thought I had this figured out. 

But it's been 21 months and the outside package looks developmentally appropriate for a 12 year old.  Why isn't the inside package caught up yet?? Life goes on, things are not as new, and I'm growing weary. Why can't she do (fill in the blank)? Then I utter those dreadful words you should never say to your adopted child, "Why can't you act like your age?" I have royally goofed. Sadly, I've said something similar to this statement more then once. 

I'm re-learning that if we didn't personally teach Irina to do something THEN we cannot assume she will know how to do those skills simply because she is old enough. How have I forgotten? A child from a hard place will most likely NOT match their chronological age to their developmental age. Just because she is chronologically 12, she is not developmentally 12. In our case, there is an obvious contrast in fine motor skills, mind development, problem solving skills, reasoning skills, etc.. And yet, even though I know this I forget and expect too much and then I'm frustrated and impatient and sometimes unkind. How's that for a run-on sentence! Do you hear my emotion here? Oh dear... I am in need of much grace. Thank you, Jesus, for your grace and forgiveness. Help me receive it and change. 

I spent a little bit of time today searching the Empowered to Connect website, which is led by Dr. Karyn Purvis and her work with children from hard places. I found encouragement and hard reality.

Dr. Purvis says, "A child with a physical disability has an advantage. You see a physical disability and your expectations for tasks are lower. However, when a child looks perfect on the outside and their ability to perform tasks don't match their age it is easy to assume manipulation, control, belligerence or that they are just being babies."

She also says, "Brain development can only occur as they have trusting, loving interaction with a caring adult. Your child's brain is simply not the same as a child who has been protected and cared for from conception forward."

Maybe I need to get her a shirt that has a 6 on it? Maybe it would remind me to NOT expect this beautiful, joyful, young lady to know how to do things other 12 year old girls are able to do? 

Love this quote from the Empowered to Connect site from Michael Monroe. 

"I am called by God to come alongside my kids. Meeting their needs helps them to be all that God has created them to be." 

Oh Lord, help me have eyes to see what Irina's needs are and to meet those needs out of joyful obedience to the call that God has given us, as her adoptive parents! Her underlying needs can get masked by outward behavior. If you are inclined to pray, please pray this child created by God will grow into all that God has created her to be. Pray for me to have patience and bear with her in love no matter how long it takes for her to catch up. 

This hymn popped into my head as I was writing this post and I love the words:

Grace Greater than Our Sin

"Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, 

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary's mount outpourd, 

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled. 

Refrain:

Grace, grace, God's grace, 

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God's grace, 

Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, 

Freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see His face, 

Will you this moment His grace receive?

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Fun Surprise!

The last day of August... only 4 days into school, we gave the kids a fun surprise! If you haven't noticed, Darin is a huge fan of roller coasters. He was given discounted tickets to a nearby amusement park and just couldn't stand the thought of not using them. I was not as concerned about the loss ;), but have you seen the smile on Darin's face when he gets off a roller coaster? How could I deprive him of the opportunity?

Since I was reluctant to interrupt our new school morning rhythm, we compromised. We had a normal school day and made no mention of our afternoon/early evening plans. About 12:45,  we finished working and took a break for lunch. After lunch, Darin, who was working from home in his home office (ha!), told the kids we needed to run an errand together as a family. They were a little curious, but piled in the car. (I was so sneaky getting water bottles and snacks in the car without being discovered!) When we pulled in to KD, they were very excited!!!

The weather was gorgeous, the crowds were minimal, and we were together. 

Let's not mention how much I despise the price and quality of amusement park food. gag!

Luke, Aaron, and Irina got a little more daring with their ride 

choices and surprised themselves with their courage. 

I rode a bunch too, but never dared take any pictures when I was riding. 

It was a late night, and truth be told, I would have been more re-energized by laying on a tube like snoopy in the picture above. However, it was a great end of summer memory for the kids and I'm thankful they enjoyed the somewhat spontaneous surprise.

Back to School Pizza Party

We decided to throw a back to school pizza party the first Friday evening after school started. 

The kids made an invitation for Daddy and had fun decorating. 

Irina made the sign below and hung it on the door into the kitchen from the garage. 

We've kept it there... hopefully Daddy always feels like coming home is one giant party! 

We are in the process of painting our kitchen/family room and foyer, 

so curtains are down and we have paint sample squares painted all over the place. 

It made it easy to hang the fun festive party lights. (Which I'd love to keep up year round!)

 I love that they are old enough to take full ownership of planning the party and they had a BLAST! 

A yummy and fun back to school memory!

Start of School 2015

I taught high school math in public school for 7 years before Luke was born. This year will be our 7th year of homeschooling. At the end of this year, maybe I can decide which teaching experience I prefer? ha! ;) I'm on the fence. I have mixed feelings about teaching my own kids. While I certainly treasure the time with my kids (I truly do!), I find that I may have been more patient with the kids who went home to their own families at the end of the day. It's hard to know. My public school teaching career was a LONG time ago. I was much younger and more vivacious then. Now, every time I turn around one of my students is right there! There is no escape. ;) ha! [Carving out more time for me to recharge my batteries is one of my goals for this school year. very necessary...]

At the end of our school year it was unknown if we would continue homeschooling. We sorted through all sorts of different scenarios for each kid, and somehow the Lord led us back to all four at home. We do have some new activities to make it a successful year.

Positive Changes:
* Luke will be taking classes away from home on Monday and Thursday from around 9-2.
(Writing, science, history, and art)

* Ethan will still be taking classes away from home, but only on Mondays. (history, science, and art)

* Irina will be working with a tutor once a week. We are also seeking out a speech therapist to work with her on her speech and diction.

And so... here we go! We got started on Wednesday, August 26th. Overall, it has been a terrific start.

Love that Aaron and Ethan picked out their old "Smith Academy" t-shirts that I made several years ago. Do you see how long Irina's hair is getting? (more on that later!)

This picture above perfectly captures the attitudes at the start of our school year. Three smiling faces and one little pip squeak. Hoping, the little red head shakes the cobwebs from his brain and clicks into gear. What a character he has been!! Ack!

I didn't have time for lots of start of school hoop-la. We returned from PA on Monday night and then started school on Wednesday morning. The kids requested this breakfast and were happy for the return of heartier breakfasts after our quick grab and go breakfasts of the summer. (They had second helpings and Ethan arranged his egg in this fashion... not me!)

The four pictures above crack me up! Their mug shots. 

Lastly, our only new gimmicks of the school year are seen below.

I LOVE this clock. I have two kids who are so distractible and lose track of time. After 11 days of school, I feel very confident that it is helping them to SEE how much time is left until break time, or our next transition. In the bottom picture, the digital clock with the green light changes to yellow when there are only 10 minutes left. It then changes to red when there is one minute left. 

This school year did not start with a well rested teacher. The summer didn't provide as much respite as I had hoped. However, the Lord says, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28  Praise the Lord for drawing me close. I am coming to Him and eager to share my burdens with Him. I have been so encouraged in prayer over the last weeks. My prayer is that the more I spend time with my eyes fixed on Him in prayer, the more I will reflect His Spirit and character. And maybe, just maybe, He will enable me to be more patient and loving. I'm excited to see God at work this school year and look forward to boasting in Him.

History, Amusement, Science, and Family

In August, when we took our road trip to Pennsylvania 

we made a pit stop in Philadelphia for a little history. 

We only had time for a couple hours... there was so much more we didn't get to see!

It was pouring most of our drive. It stopped raining while we were walking around 

and started raining as soon as we got back in the car. I'd say that was pretty sweet timing. 

 Finally at our hotel..four little bugs snug in a rug!

Day Two: Dorney Park!

Darin spent a couple years working here in his teens and always likes reminiscing. ;) 

I came here as a young girl with my family and it's fun to wonder if we ever 

crossed paths back in the late 80's. 

A very special bonding time for these two... Ethan finally reached the 

required 54 inches and joined Darin on most of the coasters. 

The other kids were happy on the less daring rides with me. ;)

 The park was so quiet that the four kids were able to repeatedly ride the log flume and they loved it!

Day Three: Family and DaVinci Science Center

We spent the morning with Grandma and Grandpa and visited a nearby park. 

Why yes! That is Ethan high up in that tree! 

Apparently all his roller coaster riding increased his confidence. 

 Then a trip to the science center. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

 Day Four: Church with Grandma

 And then a picnic with extended family at a community park. 

At this point, I stopped taking pictures and enjoyed talking with family. 

I should have taken a photo of our whole crew. bummer! 11 adults, 6 kids 

A memorable trip north! 

Thankful for GORGEOUS weather and generous family.