Having Fun

 This is a picture post:

 The Little Barber

(he did this all on his own - found a towel, stool, mirror and combs) 

Things I am learning:

Things I am learning: 

1) Don't take 6 kids to a doctor appt.  Ever. Again. Especially when it ends up lasting around 2hrs........ I really should know better. 

2) I am more productive with my time nowadays.  But then maybe it because I haven't had to make supper lately (thanks everyone!!) ...................   

3) If Joshua signs he needs to go potty - believe him.  Even if you think he just went........ 

4) Joshua doesn't like wet clothes.

5) If you see a pile of wet clothes on the floor it means you have naked child somewhere in your house. 

6) Joshua loves bath time. 

7) Sometimes you find the naked child sitting in a dry bathtub just waiting for you to find him.  ha ha. 

8) My dishes have been done and put away more consistently the past 2 weeks than in any other time in my life. 

9) The honeymoon period for my kids towards Joshua is OVER.  He is one of the tribe now.  "Joshuaaaa, no!!  Mommm!  Please come and get Joshua!!  Oh no!  He sat on my fort!!!!" 

10) Joshua loves to 'play' the piano and 'sing'.  Precious.

11) I LOVE to be on the receiving end of the endless hugs and kisses. 

12) Church went OK.  Actually, during the church services he was very good.  We eat lunch at my church.  He loved that.  The problem is the walking around and meeting other people in a large open room that opens up to other rooms.  For some odd reason, he didn't want to stay by my side and act like a perfect angel.  What's with that?!  

13) Joshua has a smile that melts my heart......day after day.  I am blessed!!!

Pictures:

My little boys

I shouldn't be amazed at his flexibility

but everytime I see him do something like this.......

I am. 

Pretend feeding his doll. 

Pretend feeding himself and the doll. 

Check out this cake from the Brock's!! 

Thank you soo much!!  So special!!

My kids all sporting their St. Petersburg t-shirts 

This was just too cute..... 

Joshua trying on daddy's pants and

checking himself out in the mirror. 

My fish

Getting Caught Up

I am behind blog posting for sure!  We have had some very busy days.  Joshua had his first doctor appointment on Wednesday.  Whew!!  Appointment, bloodwork, urine and stool samples.  I am grateful that the doctor is being thorough in checking out his health.  In the future, he will get to see some specialists for his heart, tonsils, vision, etc.  I am very interested to see how it all turns out.  Overall, he is pretty healthy so I am thankful.  

Last weekend was good.  We took some trial runs at grocery stores, Walmart and a picnic (we'll try church next week:)).  On Monday, I took all six to the swimming pool late in the afternoon.  It was so much fun watching Joshua.  He had the time of his life (we stayed in the fenced in baby pool area the entire time)!!!  I had to sit him in time out a couple of times when he would get too excited and push someone.  But overall it was a great success.  It's a great joy to watch him have his firsts. 

We have a few moments now and again where we have to work over, through and around the communication barrier.  And again, going to public places continues to be a challenge but I think it all looks like a big playground to him!!  But I am finding that when he understands what is going on, he usually is cooperative.  Life is busy for sure and my laundry is multiplying exponentially.  We go through food amazingly fast.  But I don't mind.  Not one bit:)  I am enjoying my sunshine boy very much!!  I feel so very blessed to be home safe and sound surrounded by my children and Todd at my side again.    

I haven't taken very many pictures lately but here are a few:

Brothers wearing their new hats.

Reading books

Andy and Erin's Homecoming

Here's some pictures from Andy and Erin's (my younger brother and sis-in-law) homecoming with their newly adopted daughter, Lily.  They were in China while me, Mom and Dad were in Russia.  This was our first family outing as a family of 8. 

Our minivan is PACKED!!!

(heading to the airport)

Waiting for the airplane to arrive! 

So I have other kids who Stop and Drop........hmm 

Look at all the balloons and posters!

He was just trying to figure out who we were waiting for anyways.

Didn't we just do this??  But mommy is here now.........

The plane arrives!!!! 

Here they come!! 

I introduce you to sweet Lily!!  No longer an orphan!! 

Family Reunited! 

We love you all!!  Welcome home Lily!!!

The First Days Home

Here are some pictures (below) from Joshua's first days at home.  He is an equal mix of pure joy and pure orneriness.  I don't know how I got so lucky but he LOVES to clean.  God must of known that I was going to need a little extra help with the household chores. ha ha.

We have stayed around home pretty much - trying to figure out and learn our new normal.  It's been going better than I thought.....maybe a honeymoon period.  I don't know.  Anyways I'll take it.  He is very loving and often spontaneously will give a kiss or a hug.  Melts my heart.  When Todd came home for lunch he went right to him, hugged 3 times and kept pointing and saying "Papa!".  Some moments I just can hardly believe that he is really home! 

The support from our family, church family and friends has been incredible.  I am so thankful.  To everyone who has brought meals and helped Todd and the kids - I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  It has taken out a lot of the stress of bringing a new child into the family.  It helps soooooo much and I am truly grateful. 

Taking him out in the public is something I am trying to figure out.  In his whole 5 1/2 years I am sure it was a rare occasion to go out into public.  So he just doesn't know what to himself and gets a little wild.  He does great in the stroller but I can't nor do I want to do that forever.  When he doesn't want to go somewhere or do something he just plops himself right down and won't budge.  The Stop and Drop. That name just makes me smile.  I can pick him up now but as he grows that will be more and more difficult.  While I am not surprised at this behaviour (it is pretty typical) it IS something I really would like to curb.  If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.  As I keep telling my bio kids, he has never been in a family before, and he has so much to learn that we really to be patient with him. 

Tonight we took everyone to the airport to welcome my new niece home from China.  One less orphan.  So Beautiful!!  I will have to post pictures later.  We are so thankful to God that he brought our family back from all over the world safe and sound.  Thank you Jesus!!   

His first night, I thought I would have him sleep on a inflatable toddler bed in our bedroom.  I showed it to him and he wanted nothing to do with it.  So we took him to his new room and showed him his toddler bed and that is where he has slept since.  And he is a very very good sleeper which is helpful to me - it helps this momma when she can get a good night's sleep. 

Joshua's Arrival Home

Loving the Balloons 

Washing Play Dishes

(though he does a mighty fine job on my real non-breakable dishes too)

Wiping Off the Table

 (hoping that my other kids are watching this....hint hint)

Sweeping Up the Crumbs

Tori painting a nesting doll from Russia

I was pretty impressed.......

Joshua wanted to paint too

 (although he just painted pictures and the funny pages)

Our First Meal Together!

Full House!!