Sunday Snapshot {waiting their turn}

It truly has been "the most wonderful time of the year."  Our family grew by one in 2011 and here at six months of being "the M6," we've reached a new equilibrium.  On top of feeling that we've caught a groove, this season we enjoyed introducing the wee one to our yearly traditions of attending a small town parade, putting up our tree, baking mass amounts of cookies to share, and going caroling.  We've so enjoyed celebrating the Christmas season as a family.

And yet, as happy as I am, my heart is also twinged with heaviness.

Why exactly?

Because I have seen and can't forget some of those waiting for their turn to "come home."

This summer at New Day I played with, held, and listened to other children as excitedly called out, "Mommy!" to any female who walked in the room.  They may be young, and they may not know much English at this point, but they've watched their friends "go home" to loving, forever families and while they are cared for so well in their foster home, they too long for their own set of parents.

I just know that sweet Noah's parents are out there somewhere.

He seems to know it too!

He is an amazing little guy who has overcome much with the love of his foster mother.  I dare you to check the posts tagged Noah on the New Day blog and not fall for him yourself.  Even if you aren't his forever family, you can join me in praying that they will find him soon.

Another sweetie that captured my heart was little Lucy.

Every time I pulled out my camera while visiting the preschool she had a wry little grin for me.

She seems to have a zest for life and her future forever mommy will cherish her sweet spirit.

And I certainly can't forget about Eliana.

Anytime my lap was open, she was in it.  And she'd happily call out "Mama, mama!" the entire time I'd hold her.

And if she wasn't in my lap, she was doing everything possible to get my attention.  She is a giggly little gal and would add lots of life to a family.

There's one other sweetie who needs a family of her very own, Miss Ella.

I didn't get to meet her in person , but I highly respect one who holds her every day and pours much love into that sweet soul.

Because of her condition, Ella does need a very special family, but I have no doubt that they are out there.  Would you help spread the word?

These precious four children ~ along with many others ~ are so well cared for right now.  New Day has done amazing things for their health and spirits.  And yet, as wonderful as their current home is, nothing can quite replace the dedicated love of a forever family.

Will you join in with me in praying that 2012 will see them have their turn to go home? We're putting their pictures on our fridge and will pray over them daily.  And oh!  How will we celebrate when we see the much longed for "*" beside their name on the Our children page that signifies their family is on the way!

**If you think one of these darlings may fill out your family, email me at fireworksandfireflies@gmail.com and I'll put you in touch with a contact from our most recent adoption agency.  I'd be willing to bet she can help you get your dossier together "lickety-split" so you can bring your newest family member home.**

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Don't know what Sunday Snapshot is? Stefanie, the creator, describes it as:

"Sunday Snapshot is just a way to capture that special someone or something right now, because we all know time is fleeting... right now will be a distant memory before we know it!"

To join in, stop by her blog to get details.

it's just the hair, right?

Her new look for the new year!

Trying to convince myself that it is just the short hair that makes her look so much older...

the "big family" Christmas

Christmas morning was a bit unusual this year.  With Uncle Adam being the worship leader at the contemporary service (which starts at 8:30), we realized that gifts were going to have to wait until after church.

But what to do about Santa's stuff ~ which at our house is unwrapped.  (We have a deal with Santa, he has a lot to accomplish in one night.  Wrapping is not necessary).

No worries.  With his milk and cookies we left a note asking him to hide the gifts and leave a note with a secret message for the parents so we'd know where to find them after church.  Around 7:40 we heard the first set of little feet head for the living room.

And then we heard the loud gasp as they wondered if the whole lot of them had appeared on Santa's naughty list this year.  (the note with milk and cookies may have been left out AFTER the kids finally went to bed and we realized we had overlooked that little detail).

Caleb was most relieved when he saw Santa's response and secret code of gift location.  He smiled and asked if the code was Chinese.

When we finally got home, the dads entertained the kiddos while the moms located the loot and put it in front of the tree.

During this time my crew decided to take outfits into their own hands.  Ky and Daniel went back to their Christmas pajamas, Caleb put on his well worn Christmas shirt, and DQ opted to stay in her fancy Christmas dress.  In my "perfect little Christmas" world they would all have been back in their pjs, but at least they all were wearing Christmas stuff.  I decided to try to overcome my OCD tendencies and just roll with their all over the map clothing.  I may have twitched a few times, but I'm proud to say that overall it worked.

Santa knew that the grandmas were supplying some big ticket items this year, so he brought another Christ centered Christmas book, added to our family game collection, gave a new set of footed pajamas, and added hats and leggings to our wardrobes.

And the stockings were hung by the chimney...oh wait.  The stocking were placed by the chimney in a chair...

too many grandkids, not enough hooks.  my mom says it is a WONDERFUL problem to have!

A glimpse of the gifts...

each of the kids got one from grandma s

The morning wouldn't have been complete without a musical interlude from my microphone lovin' big boy. 

he so admires the worship leader at our old church ~ none other than his "unca Ad-ham" ~ and the worship pastor at our new church ~ his China brother's daddy, "Mr. Tee-ven."

...and the gifts being put to action!

Hope your Christmas was as much fun as six kids six and under enjoying the magic of the season!

worship leader in training?

When your kids know and love two worship pastors ~ Unca Adham and Mr. Tee-ven  ~ you get a little music interlude on Christmas morning between gifts...

Thanks Adam and Stephen for being amazing role models for my children!

A "little family" Christmas

We're one of those traveling families for Christmas.

(For the record, Ian and I said when we first married that once kids came along, we'd always be at our house for Christmas morning.  And then him having a job forced us across the state...  Now we "go home" for Christmas.  But that's okay, because in my heart, Christmas memories include heading to the panhandle of Maryland to be with my Mom's family for Christmas.  I can still hear the chorus of welcome from my cousins and smell Grandma's cheesy potatoes when I close my eyes...)

But to cut down on the amount of cargo that travels the highway and back with us in the van, we have our "little family" Christmas ~ our kids refer to our nuclear family that way ~ a day or two early.  (We make it as authentic as we can by attending one of our church's early Christmas Eve services the night before).  The big kids remembered well from last year what was coming the next morning and were waiting downstairs at the tree by the time Ian and I got out of bed.

Wee one though?  Well, he had to be coaxed to the tree.  The smile was in return for a cookie.  (yes for breakfast.  Don't judge.  All's fair on Christmas for pictures).

and i have no idea where his pajama pants were when this shot was taken ~ nor do i have any idea why they were off

Then the bigs started explaining to Daniel that we were about to let them tear into the presents.  

And DQ started turning cartwheels in excitement.  

I think that was when the real smiles came...

It was a pretty low-key morning.  From us each kiddo got two "bookish" type gifts, 

and two things we knew they really wanted.  (one for each shown)

the "monster truck mater" he's been asking for since january

a set of party clothes for barbie

mini lmq with sally, flo, ramone, doc, sheriff and several others

she calls tipi her american doll, but she's actually a hearts for hearts doll with part of the proceeds going to world vision 

And there were fun surprises from Aunt Rachel

pillow pets, mater operation and two new trains (toby and salty)

 and Uncle Josh.

hk backpack, a fairy coloring book, dinos from dinosaur train and a new engine (sidney)

Then when the opening was done, it was play time.

doodling in the hk doodle book and looking for hidden pictures in a princess book

this was what we envisioned last year when caleb was the only boy home to play with the trains ~ the moment was worth waiting for!

great fine motor skill practice, right?

though we may have heard a little buzzing...

sweet sister rest time

It was a pajama kind of day, and we wore them well as we played Operation, built forts, rebuilt the "Island of Sodor," and read books.  The 23rd was our first Christmas, but it also happened to be the six month anniversary of when we first met Daniel.  Even though we had already opened gifts, a celebration was in order, so we got dressed after I whipped up a quick stir fry and walked to the frozen yogurt bar around the corner.  We sang carols as we walked down the sidewalk and admired the pretty Christmas lights in our neighborhood.  That little addition may need to become part of our yearly tradition, it was a fun way to end the evening.

Finally it was time to go to bed in preparation for heading to Grandma's house on Christmas Eve.  There the kids would be greeted with a chorus of voices by their cousins and we'd smell something yummy coming from the kitchen...

One Word Wednesday {Daniel: 0, Razor scooter handlebars: 1}

Sigh...

**And no, he doesn't have a Razor.  He decided to take his sister's Christmas present (a purple razor scooter) out for a quick spin.  There just may be something to the age requirements...**

and then there was peace...

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero." ~Marc Brown

So much for the argument they were having just before rest time.

It got quiet in their room rather quickly and when I went to check on them, this is what I found.  

Yes, for the record, they do have their own beds.

Sometimes I think God provides such moments to give mothers of two boys hope...

**story on Daniel's eye to come ~ it actually does not involve his brother**

Merry Christmas

"You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father's face and tell Him you have received His Christmas gift."  ~ John R. Rice

May you find delight and blessing in His incomparable gift!

Merry Christmas from the M6!

Merry Christmas from the M7!

From our living room to yours, Merry Christmas!