Roller Coaster Ride

While reading another bloggers post today, I realized....it has been quite a long time since I looked at my blog. So, I took a little peak at the last few posts. I thought I might cry.....

My boys were so little....the girls were not born yet......we didn't even know the girls were about to be a part of our lives.......my boys were so little.... waaaaaaaaaaa!

I could not believe how much life has changed in the past year and a half. So, time to update!

At the time of my last blog, our family looked like this.....

And today we look like this.....

What is the big difference, you say?!

Well, lots has happened over the past years, let me catch you up!

In September 2009, DSS called us about twin girls to be born in 2 weeks. They asked if we would take them. Wow! Identical twin girls!!!!! This was something to ponder! After thinking and praying about this for a short period of time (we didn't have very long!) , we decided the answer was YES! We would give it the old college try.....

The next few months were definitely a roller coaster ride. Who would have thought two adorable little babies could change the family so much?!

The next year was crazy at our house.... mega crazy! Not only were we learning to deal with two new additions, but also juggling my graduate school schedule, the boys' sports teams, school for the kiddos, DSS visits / paperwork / phone calls / inspections........ while trying to stay sane. I might have lost my sanity during that time, but I sure have learned a lot about me, my marriage, my children, and life!

These little angels have taught our entire family so much! First of all, we have learned that our strength can only come from God...not ourselves, or others. I tend to take on tons of tasks and never ask for help. I usually think I can handle everything on my own. Our new family situation forced me to ask for help from my husband, children, and anyone else that could help at the time. I have learned to lean on God during emotional / crazy times with our adoption and give him control of every aspect of the process. This is the only thing that kept me going! It has allowed me to find a calm amidst the craziness.

My family has also learned a lot! Joey and I have discovered the importance of weekly, CONSISTENT dates. When we first got the babies, our time together was zero. We were getting about one hour of sleep a night and passing each other as zombies the next day. We were so tired, we completely neglected each other. We figured this out when the girls started sleeping through the night and knew a plan had to take place! We HAD to schedule weekly dates or they would never happen. It could be a time to just stare at each other, eat, and talk! What fun, right? Now, it is a time I look forward to every week. We have a great time talking and spending uninterrupted time together. He is such a catch! Who wouldn't want to spend time with him?? We have also discovered some great babysitters for dates with our boys and help during our weekly activities. They are great and the kids adore them! These changes have made a huge difference in our quality family time!

My boys have also learned so much from their sisters. They spend time every day playing games and reading to the girls. The girls just adore them and get starry-eyed when the boys arrive from school! The boys always ask where they can find the girls and shower them with kisses! I think this journey is teaching them how to love unselfishly and care for those that need it most! I definitely believe God has blessed our family!

After eighteen months of loving on these sweet girls, we are finally on our way to being their forever family. Foster care was a wonderful situation for them, because it ensured they were never raised in a home without love and nurturing. These girls never had to feel the pain of being taken from their birth mom and dad. They sure are lucky! This isn't always the story of foster care. The girls have been such a blessing to our lives and we can't wait to see what the rest of their lives will bring. I feel these girls were placed with us for a reason and their life will be a reflection of that. Now that adoption is within reach, I feel our family is complete! Growing up, I always said I wanted five children. Two boys, two girls sounds pretty great to me!

So, that was my first attempt at blogging again. I am hoping this will be plenty of motivation to do this once a week. (at minimum) I need some way to keep up with our crazy life!!! :)