Easter 2012

Another weekend of big firsts for our two newest additions.  They started the next week of school this morning.  Mr. N did really well, except for his propensity that if you "start" something with him, he's going to "finish" it.  A few different kids apparently bumped into him during the school day, and he came out swinging.  This afternoon he and I ran around town trying to get some of his adoption documents finalized.  We were in two different government offices and he was a dream.  The ladies at the Civil Affairs office checked twice to see if he was the same guy who'd terrorized their office just a little over one week ago!

Mr. E is showing that he has great fortitude when it comes to getting his way.  The drop off with his aide this morning was smooth.  He was pretty smiley and happy.  But sometime later in the morning, he refused to go to English class.  He was coaxed and encouraged, but as he has shown us several times this week at home, he EXPECTS to get his way.  So, he was told he could not go on the "walk" with his aide, mid-morning.  In fact, he could not do anything else until he calmed down and received his English lesson.  Two hours later, he relented.  This character trait will serve him well, no doubt.  But, it is really a major issue in acclimating him to life outside the orphanage nursery!

Some photos of our weekend:

Above & Below:  The Team together for an egg coloring party....5 dozen eggs are colored in minutes with a crew this size!

Below:  Mr. N colors his very first Easter egg

Below:  Now a pro...The Singer is all over his first egg of the season.

Below:  I think Daddy shot this photo himself...he really excels in self-portraits ;)  (Magpie is stifling a laugh.)

Below:  Mrs. V, Brownie and The Bug celebrating the day together.

Below:  Mr. V gets a shot with Brownie too...and Mr. N aims a gun at the camera...don't know where the gun came from...but of course, it is his FAVORITE thing in this house!  AHHHHH!

Below:  Mr. & Mrs. S along with Potato show off some of their hard work/

Below:  Easter morning in the holding cell...waiting for Momma to say..."go hunt for the baskets"

Below:  The first basket was found by Potato

Below:  The Bug is always photo-ready, despite the 6:15 am hour!

Below:  Mr. N is all over this candy in a basket portion of the holiday.

Below:  Mr. E can't believe everything going on around him.  Lots more laughs than fearful eyes...this is a sampling of his infectious smile!

Below:  The highlight of my weekend...at our Easter gathering...Magpie translates the Good News for Mr. N for the first time of his life...he was CAPTIVATED by the story of God's love, Jesus' sacrifice, and that the tomb was EMPTY!  It was something more beautiful to behold than I can ever tell you.  He spent the rest of the day pouring over the children's picture bible...then he told me later that God died...but He's alive today!  Oh the joy in my heart to hear those words from my son!

Below:  Prior to the outdoor egg hunt...an insane posse of hunters.

Below:  Bub is a champion egg hunter.

Below:  Mr. N reached his quota first...he LOVED it!

Below:  The Bruiser charmed us all with his independence and authority as he explained the "how to's" of egg hunting to both Mr. N and Mr. E.

We are blessed.  We are exhausted.  We totter on the edge of feeling totally overwhelmed and periodically delighted by the changes in this brood.  But He is faithful, ever faithful, and encouraging us that we simply must let go and follow Him into the realm of faith...the absence of fear.

Tomorrow, more adventures and challenges await us.  Tonight, resting in His arms of love.