These two mighty warriors are growing up before our eyes. Not just in size, but I see their hearts expanding for the things of God, the things that matter...like their new sisters. I see the seed of adoption planted in their hearts, and I can only but wonder what God will do with it in their future.
My heart overflows when I see them loving on Hailee and Harper. They love these two little girls with a passion.
There is not much sweeter for this mommy.
(Notice how Hailee's hair is finally starting to grow? So wonderful. Can't wait for the pony tails.)
I marvel at how the Father takes care of the hearts of the other children in a family when new blessings are added through adoption. It's a beautiful thing.
What a blessing from the Lord these boys are to us.
Lift up your eyes and look around;
all your sons gather and come to you.
As surely as I live," declares the LORD,
"you will wear them all as ornaments;
you will put them on, like a bride."
Isaiah 49:18
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27 sweet thoughts from friends:
Beautiful pictures!
Beautiful Adeye!! You have such lovely children!
There is nothing sweeter than that!
You are doing a great job raising mighty men of God!
I love you!
Jill
Oh I could just gobble them up right with you!!!
We have three bio sons (ages almost 9, 7, & 5) and are in the process of bringing a RR girl (Darya) into our family. Your post is so encouraging! I've seen how the Lord has worked in my boys' hearts as they pray for the orphans daily. I think it's so wonderful how your sons just take your girls under their wings!
This is so absolutely precious and you can see it in the eyes of those precious boys!!
Yes ! Our two boys also love their sister so much and have a heart for adoption and SN children. I have really seen them learn first hand about real compassion. There is nothing like it !
Kathy
Yes ! Our two boys also love their sister so much and have a heart for adoption and SN children. I have really seen them learn first hand about real compassion. There is nothing like it !
Kathy
Beautiful. What a legacy you are raising.
I just found your blog, and I wanted you to know that I have been blessed reading your posts.
Thank you so much!
I love it, thank you for sharing His blessings with us :)
Hailee's got Sofia's pixie cut :)...love it. Beautiful post!
Love it!
Gotta tell you ... over the years people have often been "concerned" for my older children, because of "all" the work that they have to do as part of an extra-large family.
I have known young women who hit their 20's and wanted nothing to do with babies or children, because they felt like they had raised all of their younger siblings.
Well ... my older daughters were AMAZINGLY helpful with all of the young ones, but we worked hard to make sure that they weren't feeling burdened, and to keep our lines of communication wide open.
Now ... my 3 oldest daughters (ages 21, 21, 24) all volunteered in children's ministry ... all went on extended mission trips and worked with children ... and NOW, they are ALL working as NANNIES (1 is a nanny, as a missionary in Argentina). They LOVE babies! They can't wait to get married and have their own babies. And, they absolutely love and adore every one of their younger siblings!!!
I am sure that you will be able to keep the right balance for your older boys. They will be helpful; but they will not feel that they have to "parent" the young ones.
My youngest (age 8) is actually closest to my oldest (age 26). The oldest has only lived at home for 2 of the 8 years that youngest has been alive. Oldest spent 4.5 years of those in the army (so we hardly saw him those years). But ... oldest brother has always made a point to stay connected to the little ones. Now ... little one phones or emails his big brother in TX nearly every day. Absolutely precious! And ... big brother never minds the late night phone calls (because of the time difference).
Another Big Brother was the "one in charge" of 7 younger siblings (when he was just 21) ... for a full month when my husband and I went to Ghana to bring home our 3 adopted children. yes ... the 21 year old was working 2 jobs, and homeschooling all the young ones ... and running the household ... without one word of complaint ... with NO involved extended family to help out ...
Keep doing what you're doing! Your children will all be BLESSED by the relationships they have with each other.
Laurel :)
oops ... comment was too large ...
My youngest (age 8) is actually closest to my oldest (age 26). The oldest has only lived at home for 2 of the 8 years that youngest has been alive. Oldest spent 4.5 years of those in the army (so we hardly saw him those years). But ... oldest brother has always made a point to stay connected to the little ones. Now ... little one phones or emails his big brother in TX nearly every day. Absolutely precious! And ... big brother never minds the late night phone calls (because of the time difference).
Another Big Brother was the "one in charge" of 7 younger siblings (when he was just 21) ... for a full month when my husband and I went to Ghana to bring home our 3 adopted children. yes ... the 21 year old was working 2 jobs, and homeschooling all the young ones ... and running the household ... without one word of complaint ... with NO involved extended family to help out ...
Keep doing what you're doing! Your children will all be BLESSED by the relationships they have with each other.
Laurel :)
Love it!
Gotta tell you ... over the years people have often been "concerned" for my older children, because of "all" the work that they have to do as part of an extra-large family.
I have known young women who hit their 20's and wanted nothing to do with babies or children, because they felt like they had raised all of their younger siblings.
Well ... my older daughters were AMAZINGLY helpful with all of the young ones, but we worked hard to make sure that they weren't feeling burdened, and to keep our lines of communication wide open.
Now ... my 3 oldest daughters (ages 21, 21, 24) all volunteered in children's ministry ... all went on extended mission trips and worked with children ... and NOW, they are ALL working as NANNIES (1 is a nanny, as a missionary in Argentina). They LOVE babies! They can't wait to get married and have their own babies. And, they absolutely love and adore every one of their younger siblings!!!
I am sure that you will be able to keep the right balance for your older boys. They will be helpful; but they will not feel that they have to "parent" the young ones.
Nothing sweeter than seeing the hearts of our children filled with love for others. Thanks for sharing!
I love your boys! They are so sweet and very handsome too!!! I'm also enjoying watching Allen and Michael interact with Nadia in a way they didn't have the opportunity to do with Josi since they're all so close in age. I'm hoping that the "eyes" they are seeing Nadia with will transfer to their sister Josi that they've grown up with.
Have a great Wednesday!!
Kristin
I had to read back over a few posts to catch up - it's all good - but just crazy busy....not that you'd know anything about that - right? ;)
It gives us great joy to see your family live life - just so you know!
And you speak about absolute joy - I'd suggest you do a little reading (like you have time - right?) - Francis of Assisi - who had an expression he used - 'perfect joy'....it's that thing that you feel when you know that you really are about our Father's business....you know that joy....even if it comes from 30 cleanups and 15 toilet wipes!
hugs - aus and co.
Beautiful, indeed! You are doing a great job.
One of the biggest blessings of adoption is that it is the gift that keeps on giving in the lives and hearts of our other children. They will ease into adoptions of their own if that is what God has for them. Adoption is just a way of life, nothing more and nothing less, totally normal method of growing a family. Three of 4 of our children want to adopt one day...perfect!!!
You have such a beautiful family :)I just love your pictures!
I just have a random question - your South African? I have done a lot of studying on the racial and ethnic issues there and I am curious as a white South African your opinion on the transition from apartheid to a politically equal system (although we all know it is not fully equal economically and socially).
Just beautiful!
You bless my heart. I just wanted you to know that your blog inspires me. What a joy to follow your journey.
So sweet.
Blessings,
Barbara
I love that verse--has been a favorite for many years. Your boys are so sweet. How awesome that God has given them such tender hearts.
My Adam and his youngest sister, Grace, have such a tender bond, as well. Truly, these boys are blessed to have such precious sisters. And their sisters are blessed to have them!
Sarah
Hey friend. Sorry it's been a little quiet from my side - life has been super full. What a beautiful post. Don't you just love it when God opens our eyes to glimpse the fruit of love that we have been pouring into our children beginning to flower in their own lives in their own unique way?! Just loved reading about His love oozing out of your precious sons. Jan
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