Life with Boys

I never finished writing about our trip to Europe. I never really wrote about Christmas. Or Thanksgiving. Or... bottom line is I'm behind in my blogging. I didn't think anyone really followed along that much anymore. But I checked the traffic, and people ARE stopping by. And then I got an email from a sweet friend. She could have said "you're a lazy blogger" (totally true!), but was kind and said she missed our posts.

Hopefully she was the only one that thought it might mean we were busy working on adoption #3. But in the event that anyone else was thinking that, let my put those rumors to rest. No, we are not working on another adoption! Our two blessings really keep us on our toes, so until/unless God directs us otherwise, we are content as a family of four!

Life has been very busy. When there were three of us, working full time didn't seem that overwhelming. But with two children, our world really did change. And now they're both in school and coming home with projects and homework and study guides. And they're both playing basketball. And they both eat non-stop. And work has been a bit overwhelming lately. And we've had some big things going on with orphan care ministry. And family stuff. And getting together with friends. And we joined a new life group at church. And I started volunteering in another area at church. And a few other things that hold much more value than merely filling up our schedule. But with all that, I do tend to collapse into bed at night.

Just keeping it real here. I don't know how you parents out there with BIG families do it. My hat's off to you!

But we're still here, doing and loving life! Trying to taking it one day at a time and enjoy each day. Learning and growing. We laugh a lot, talk a lot, have fun, and occasionally argue a little. That's what families do (at least, as far as I'm concerned)!

Life with our two monkeys is non-stop. William and Daniel are all boy. We've heard that phrase more times than I can count. Typically, from those that are more familiar with girls than boys. Yes, they're all boy. I'm thankful for that. We adopted boys, so I really didn't expect them to come home and sit calmly for tea parties or anything like that.

They're boys. It's their nature. They want to be wild. And play. And run. And get dirty. They enjoy sword fights and light sabre battles. Riding bikes involves racing. Anything resembling a ball will likely be thrown or kicked. Rocks are always a lure, as are sticks and mud puddles.

They don't like to sit still too much. Yes, they can be incredibly irritating. And loud. And if you laugh at something they did or said that was funny, they're going to do it 100 more times, until it drives you insane.

Okay, some of that is true of any kid, just being a kid. And that's what they are: kids. They each spent 5 1/2 years in a place where they weren't free to just be boys. So sometimes, we want to just them loose. Let them be the wild and energetic boys that they are.

And of course, there are other times when they are expected to be well-behaved little gentlemen. Well, we're working towards that!

As we go through our day-to-day, I look at our sons and marvel at each of them. Sometimes it's two steps forward, and one step back. But we've learned to celebrate every step forward and learn from those that set us back. If we can do that, then we really are making progress!

WILLIAM

But four years later, William is extremely secure. He doesn't seem to have any doubt that we will provide for his needs, protect him, help him, and do what's best for him. He makes friends easily. I'm so proud of the way that he looks out for those that struggle to find their place. He's doing well in school. He's a leader on his basketball team (really, he emerges as a leader in anything he does). He's growing in his faith. He is patient and kind to Daniel (okay, most of the time - typical brothers!). He has a great imagination, and has begun writing his own books. They are quite entertaining!

DANIEL

After 18 months as a Dove, Daniel is doing well. 18 months... that is much, much less than the 65 months when he didn't have anyone protecting or teaching him. And when I look at it that way, and look back at the scared, confused, shocked little guy from the summer of 2010, I realize that 'doing well' is an enormous understatement. Daniel is flourishing! I'll write a little more on Daniel later this week, since a certain little man has a birthday coming up...

Well, I went for a LONG time without writing, and now I've written a book. For those that took the time to read it, thank you. I don't know how many really do read, but if nothing else, it's therapeutic for me. I'll try to write more often. There should be plenty to talk about in the weeks and months to come.