It’s been awhile since I’ve been here. But I will tell you that, for this moment, the blog is a lie. It’s no longer our life with an only child. Our life continues with Elijah. Always. Our life goes on with a tender-hearted, happy 8-year old boy. Our life goes on with an emotional, bright-eyed 2-year old boy. Our life goes on with the one we’ve affectionately dubbed, “the boss,” a 1-year old little girl. Without crossing too many boundaries on the rules that have been placed on us, I will tell you how blessed I am.
Elijah is still Elijah. Only happier. His life is full now. He takes in every moment of the excitement and you can see it all over his face. He’s introducing a new world to three small children that could only imagine this type of security and happiness. He has a new instant, built-in best friend, sidekick and sometimes, opponent.
B, our 8-year old, is a bundle of wonderful. His heart is as big as his smile. A kid that truly knows the meaning of being grateful. He knows what its like to have absolutely nothing. No food, love, support, kindness or compassion. Every part of his being is generous, right down to the food he is eating. I’ll watch as he separates it up to make sure the other 3 each get a share of his, even though they may have their own. He enjoys this new life with wild abandonment. In the small 40 hours that I have known him, I have fallen in love with everything about him. He is the reason I wanted to do this - open my home and my heart to others.
N, the 2-year old, and T, the 1-year old, have brought a newfound laughter and joy into this house. N is timid and happy, most of the time. The other times, he is emotional and struggles with communication. He challenges us to take our levels of patience to a whole other level. We take N cautiously. We handle him gently but firm. He craves structure and discipline. He needs it. With B coming into our house, N is trying to find his place. He’s lost Elijah’s attention and he’s becoming the annoying younger brother to the big boys. I chalk it up to being a part of life but I know that N and his sensitive soul take it much harsher. I distract him, hold him and spend more time with him. T, on the other hand, will force the attention to be on her. She was born with an attitude and will display it at any moment. But when T is in a sweet mood, she beats everyone in the house on hugs and kisses. She’s completely unaffected by her past, thus far. She marches around the house, babbling about what everyone needs to do for her, while stealing toys, remote controls and food off their plates. This is T’s world and we’re all just living in it.
Our life is full. We wouldn’t have it any other way right now. Our family needed this. For the ones that think I took on too much or that I overload myself, think about the kids. Too much was placed on them at a young age. The people that they are taught to love and trust the most let them down. I’m trying to rebuild that and give them a 2nd chance at a life full of love and security.
My life is blessed and I want to share that with others. I want to give them a piece of what has been given to me. Not worldly items, the pieces that are in my heart. Love, tenderness, excitement, joy, and compassion. I want to give them all that Jonah gave me. Our only regret is that we can’t do more. We can’t take on more children at this point and we struggle with that. We know our limits and they have been met.
Our life with four children.
And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. Matthew 18:5
