One yr ago today, we brought home our precious girls. They were excited, nervous, tired, and ready most of all to meet their new brothers.

Christina talked our ears off in Russian and we couldn't understand but a few words. Now, she talks our ears off in English :) She actually doesn't remember much Russian. Aleena didn't talk much at all. She learned a few phrases and used just a few words. Now, she talks a lot and has learned many more words.

Aleena was in diapers and now she is potty trained. Christina is in full-day Kindergarten and doing well. They both love playing on the trampoline, reading books, watching movies (Barbie, Dora, Super Why, Angelina Ballerina, and Cinderella), playing with their "babies" or Barbies, wrestling with their brothers (although this usually ends up in one of them getting hurt), and cuddling with mom/dad.

What a difference a yr makes! Today we celebrated 1 yr as a family. We plan to celebrate each yr on this day although each yr may look different as the kids get older (and when we adopt again):) Here are some pics from our special day.

 

 

We each took a letter and decorated it with markers and crayons. We also put up balloons and streamers :)

The girls posing in their shades

Merrick licking the bowl of cupcake batter

Our beauties. Christina (6) Aleena (3) 

We decorated the cupcakes with lots of icing!

They were yummy!....

and Messy :)

 

We had a great day! 

 

 

Merrick and I just had our second book discussion on the book "Habitudes: Images that Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes Book #1." I had Merrick pick out his top 3 images, and we discussed them in detail.

His number one image was "Opportunity Statue." Here is what he got from that image. Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you can never get more time.

Another great talk with my boy!

This was better than I ever expected! Merrick and I had our first book discussion breakfast of the year. The first book he read was Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. Merrick summarized the book for me and talked about his personal actions and take-aways. He explained that the bar set for teenagers is a pretty low bar. So many times it is easy to match or exceed the bar without much effort. The challenge is to raise the bar and the expectations. This means choosing to do the hard things. Merrick is such an incredible mind and heart. He is already such an exceptional 12 year old, but he is ready to raise the bar now to realize all God has for him.

Just to hear him articulate and work through this book and these ideas at 12 years old has made this a milestone for me in my parenting career. I am so glad we decided to make this Book List, and I can't wait for the next book discussion.

I wrote a blog post a while back for my good friend Chris Spradlin on his blog EpicParent.tv discussing the reason for this book list and some other ideas we are doing to help our boys (and girls) understand what is needed for them to become true men (and women) of God.  Here is where you can read the full post called You're Not Enough.

Here is the final book list Merrick is reading this year. He just turned 12 in January.  After each book Merrick and I (Brandon) will have a breakfast and discuss the ideas of the books and his personal take-aways.

• Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations – Alex & Brett Harris
• Habitudes #1 – Tim Elmore
• Hatchet – Gary Paulsen
• Richest Man in Babylon – George Clason
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens – Sean Covey
• I Kissed Dating Goodbye – Joshua Harris
• The Teen’s Guide to World Domination: Advice on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Awesomeness – Josh Shipp
• The Greatest Salesman in the World – Og Mandino
• Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is): Sexual Purity in a Lust-Saturated World – Joshua Harris
• The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make: A Guide for Teens – Sean Covey
• Take Your Best Shot – Austin Gutwein
• Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are – Alex & Brett Harris

We had our annual Pumpkin Painting night on Saturday. The girls could hardly contain their excitement (seriously). This is the first time they have ever done something like this.

Brandon- "Lifechurch.tv"

Christi- "Jack O' Frost"

Merrick- "Monkey"

Ethan- "Frankenstein"

Christina-"Skittles"

Aleena- something about a fish...we're not sure :) 

Just sitting here thinking about how amazing our kids are and thought I'd share some of their recent accomplishments :)

Merrick (11) has just started middle school. He joined the band (trombone). He also just started attending the youth program at church (Switch). He is taking it all in stride and keeping up with all of his classes which include AP math, Enrichment, and several challenging classes. We just found out today that he scored a perfect score last yr on the math portion of OCCT which is Oklahoma testing. His teacher said he doesn't know if he's ever seen that! Wow! 

Ethan (9) just started 4th grade. He is doing great at helping his little sister get in and out of school everyday :) He also joined the Chess Club and has his first tournament in a couple of wks. What I'm most proud of is out of the classroom. This past Sunday, Ethan hit the 1 million pt mark at church for memorizing verses and sayings and for bringing his Bible. He has been saving up for quite a while.

Christina (5) is doing so well in school. This wk she is the student of the week and on Monday she talked in a microphone to her whole class to answer questions about herself and tell others about what she likes. This girl was not speaking ANY English 6 1/2 months ago! That is amazing. She is picking up on things at school and making some friends. She has learned to ride a scooter and is learning new songs. She sang us "Hickory Dickory Dock" yesterday :)

Aleena (3) is adding to her vocabulary daily. She didn't talk much for the first several months but something has clicked in and now she wants to talk all the time. I guess she has found her confidence! She is also potty training and doing well. She is learning how to fly solo now that M,E, and C are at school all day. 

Time goes by so quickly and it's so easy to just skip over these accomplishments. I wanted to document them here to brag of couse, but also so that we can look back someday and see the progress.

We are so proud and thankful for the kids God has blessed us with!! 

~CD~

 

 

 

Whew- got the kids off to school. Merrick is starting Middle School. Ethan is in 4th and Christina is starting Kindergarten. While they were all a little nervous, I think the one most upset about it all is Aleena (3). She has asked countless times "Where's Merrick?", 'Where's Christina?". :) It's going to help bring her some independence I think.

Here are pics from Day 1. I'm pretty emotional every yr on the first day of school. Just knowing that each yr I have to let go a little more makes me teary. While I will miss the kids being home, I'm looking forward to some quality time with Aleena and also being able to do a little more on my own.

Some of my best life perspective comes from my family.  God uses them consistently in my life, whether during hard times or good times, to bring clarity.  So here is a short list of some things that complete this sentence.

My family brings such strength and joy to me when...

• ...my kids think I am truly the strongest and smartest dad in the world.  They think I can do anything, and they make me believe it
• ...my oldest daughter speaks 3 or 4 sentences in English flawlessly. She is 5 and has just been learning English for 4 months.
• ...my youngest girl jumps head first into my arms giggling and begging me to tickle her. 
• ...my oldest boy gets out in the 100 degree weather to mow the yard for his first time...and does amazing.
• ...my youngest boy asks me to lay with him every night because he loves me around.
• ...my wife tells me how amazing I am even with her complete understanding of my weakest points.
• ...my girls pray and thank God (in their sweet little voices) for all the things in their life from their swim lessons,to their food, to their church, to their family (which they name individually).
• ...my boys ask me to play with them everyday.  Their day is made just to be with dad.
• ...my wife looks me in the eyes and tells me how much she loves me.  Her eyes are amazing by the way...AMAZING!

Sometimes we forget the little things that actually make such a big difference in our lives.  I never want to miss those little things or take them for granted.  If you have been to busy in all the "Successes" or been hurting in the "pains,"  Finish this sentence for you. My family brings such strength and joy to me when...

In Luke 4, the people are amazed at Jesus.  In verse 36, this is what they are saying about Him, "What words these are!  With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!"  This is powerful, but in all truth, it still begs the question, "Who is this guy?"  Being amazed at Jesus words or work is one step removed from being in awe by who He is.  The people talk about him casting out demons and this is the news that is spread.  It is not bad to be amazed by the work of Jesus, but it is not foundational either.   

How about what the demons were saying about Jesus?  Did anyone catch that?  Their words were based on who Jesus was.  In verse 34 before the demon is cast out he says, "Have you come to destroy us?  I know who you are - the Holy One of God!"  This demon is worried about what Jesus will do because He KNOWS who Jesus is.  See the difference?

Do we know who Jesus is?  This is foundational to our faith.  It seems we could learn a lot from the unbiased opinion of the enemy.  They have no reason to give Jesus anymore credit than is due him. Their view of him would be factual and no fluff.  Their statements would be the lowest opinion of him, and this is is what the demons said of Jesus according to verse 41, "You are the Son of God." Seems many of us should start there.  This is one time we should listen careful to the enemy and weigh their words.  I think many have looked to Jesus words and work, yet they have not solidified their belief in who He is. Jesus work and words was meant to bring us to belief in who He is.

James 2:19 says that even the demons believe God is one and they shudder.  The question is: At the foundation of your faith do you believe in the truth of God and shudder?"  It seems that true faith must start there as the lowest common denominator.  "...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 11  For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." (Romans 10:9,11)

-Brandon-