Happy 16 Years!!!

Wow, I can't believe it, Greg and I have been married 16 years. It seems like just yesterday we were exchanging glances of new found love. I am so in love with this man and I am so grateful to be his wife. It is hard for me to fathom, but I love him more now after all of these years. After all we have been through together my love for him is so deeply rooted within my soul. You are my best friend making me the luckiest girl in the world. Thank you for giving me 16 wonderful years. I can't wait to see what the next 16 will bring us!!!!

He Has Risen!!

This Easter was extra fun being that we had Parker and Helena here to celebrate it with us. In addition Greg played one of Jesus' disciples in our churches Easter show that morning. To know Greg this was something out of character for him, but we all truly cherished seeing him up on stage. He thought when he signed up it was just to help set up the stage not be on it. The day was filled with laughter, food, laughter and some more food. Needless to say we were all looking and feeling like stuffed bunnies by the end of the day.

To share this day with Parker was amazing to say the least. He is at the perfect age to comprehend it and he was so open and full of questions wanting to know it all. On Good Friday we watched "The Jesus Story" a children's version of the passion. It was told through a child's eye making it very easy for all the kids to understand the just of what God and Jesus did for us. Surprisingly, Parker had seen this movie in Ethiopia when he lived with his mom, but did not understand it because it was in English and at that time he didn't know English. He asked so many wonderful questions about the trinity, heaven, baptism, and the biggest question "why". I am so grateful for the opportunity to share Christ's love with him!

Father God, thank you for sharing your son with us and for your ultimate sacrifice. That by your sacrifice we may be forgiven and someday walk among you in the kingdom called heaven you have created for us. Father, I give thanks and am humbled every day for all that you do and all the ways you love us. My days are filled with mercy, grace, joy, hope and wonder!! Father, I pray that you fill me with your words as I teach these wondrous children you have placed in my care about you and your ways. Help me to guide them and help draw them closer to you. Help me to light a fire in them for you, so that they may thirst for you as they grow in body, mind and soul. Give me the words to express your truth and share my passion for you with them!!! It is in your precious and Holy name I pray, Amen!

Reagan's Sweet Inspiration

Or rather God's perfect timing and plan through Reagan's sweet inspiration.

I had called my dad on Easter to wish him a happy one and see how he was doing. We chatted about many things including the idea of him coming to Texas during the summer to visit. We talked about all the fun things we could do. My dad is very involved in Florida where he lives and both my brothers as well as uncles live in California so he is a busy, no popular man with many places to go and people to see. Nothing was firmly decided but he said he hoped he could come.

Then Monday after school Reagan came to me and asked out of the blue came "Mommy when can I go to Florida and spend time with Grandpa like Blake got to do when he was 9 with Grandma Mott?" I told him I would need to talk with Grandpa and I would let him know.

Today I called my dad to ask him about Reagan, hoping I would not make him feel obligated. As usual we talked about many things including God's perfect timing in our lives. After about an hour I finally remembered why I had called him in the first place. Just as soon as the words left my tongue my dad asked "What time on Monday did Reagan ask?" When I told him it was after school around 3 or so he said to me "Guess what I was looking at and thinking about right at that same time; a letter mom had written asking if Reagan could come to Florida and stay by himself, the same way Blake had gotten to stay with his other grandparents when he was 9." My heart totally fluttered with excitement and tears quickly welled up in my eyes from knowing it was one of God's perfectly timed moments.

My mom went to be with the Lord almost exactly 2 years ago, (April 19th) so she has been on my mind a lot this week. My father had read me the letter when I was in Florida helping with her memorial but the pain was too fresh making it not the right time. I had totally forgotten about it until he read it to me today. I totally believe this to be one of those awesome perfectly timed moments pressed on by sweet Reagan's spirit led question and so perfectly executed out by God . My dad and I were both blown away and taken with emotion. We couldn't help but think that my mom was up in heaven bringing the note she had written right before she passed to the surface of my father's ever so full desk. Making sure that her wish was fulfilled.

Thank you sweet Jesus for your perfectly timed promptings and for the cherished memories that this special time will bring. And Mom even though you may not be here on earth, I know you will be with Grandpa and Reagan enjoying every giggle and every minute with them!!! I know you are up there watching over all of us- I love you, miss you and think of you everyday!!!

Baby Einstein!!!!

Need I say more!! :)

Before- when she woke up and we took her braids out

After we have spent a few minutes wetting down and spritzing!!

Coincidence or God's Anonymous Miracle

I am currently participating in a Beth Moore Study on Esther and all I can say is I love it, love it, love it!!!! I think every women should be so blessed to experience it. I have taken several Beth Moore studies but this one is a must. Every week is so enriching; especially being a women!
The idea that we are all created for our "just for this moment" in our lives. The big life changing ones, where we are faced with; our worst fears, colossal challenges and tragic moments. But to know that God has prepared us for them all along and if we just hold on to him and move forward in our faith we will achieve greatness~ HIS WILL BE DONE!!
In the first week, she recited a quote "coincidences are merely God's anonymous miracles in the making". That thought has stuck with me since. I believe all things and all people in our lives happen for a reason. Nothing or no one God puts in our path is by accident or coincidence. It is all part of the big picture; his big picture. Even the bad experiences and bad people who are dropped like bombs in our lives. At the time we think, why me, but when we take a moment to think beyond "me", we realize there will be a time, a place and someone that this experience will be of GOOD use to. For the better, even if not our own.
When I reflect back throughout my life and think of the major life changing moments and who played a part in them, I feel confirmed they are not without purpose. For example, Reagan said to me the other day "mommy why did you leave California?" To him, who was born and has lived all his life in Texas, it seemed so sad that I left California, away from my family to move to Texas. But thinking of the big picture, I explained to him that it was all a part of God's plan. Because had I not left California I would have not met daddy and he wouldn't be here. He looked at me and laughed and said "oh that's a good reason, I am glad you left." I think he got the idea.
I couldn't help but think further on that time in my life to the detailed path along the way and all of the hard times, heart aches, and the darkness that I went through to get where I am today. I wouldn't be here if I hadn't encountered every one of those BIG life changing moments, both the good and the horribly painful ones. I am so grateful for them all. For I have been healed and restored by God's love grace and have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams.
Our adoption was no different. God had perfectly placed each person and led us to them in order to adopt. From our family (Greg's cousin Ben), to friends and neighbors (the Manteis) , to co-workers of Greg's(Don Osborne) to mommies of Caitlin's dance classmates (Cristie Martini). All who were themselves adopted or had adopted from all over the world. Even now I see him working his miracles by furthering our works in the adoption world as we are stopped by people we cross paths with who want to know our story. We are all fine tuned tools God has formed and sharpened just waiting to be picked up and used to help others do God's job.
Father God thank you for all your anonymous miracles in our lives. From the smallest encounters we experience during the hustle and bustle of our day to the great big life changing moments we experience that stop us on a dime and make us question our existence or rather yours. It brings me so much peace to think that you are watching over us and guiding our every step. To know we can find the strength by trusting in you in every situation. To know that no one or nothing is by accident but by your mighty hands in the works in our lives. Father God I trust in you and all that you do in our lives knowing it is for your will and the greater of all mankind!!! I embrace all the anonymous miracles I have witnessed or been part of and look forward to every one that is yet to come!!!

Free to be Me-Parker

Since coming home 7 months ago it has definitely been a world wind roller coaster for Parker but his ability to adjust continues to astonish me. Right off the plane he came open arms and open heart to his siblings and them to him as well. It has really been nothing short of a miracle to witness such instant love and acceptance. I give thanks everyday for God's grace over all of us and this life altering transition.

We were told by so many how difficult and how much trouble it would be to adopt an older child. That his might have a lot of "issues", but we have not seen any such "issues". He is a happy go lucky, well adjusted 9 year old boy. His smile is the real deal and it is so contagious!! To be around him you can't help but laugh, usually because he is always putting on some sort of show for us all.

The biggest part of the adjustment for him was his admitting he was from ET. After reading many books on adoption I knew to expect it, but to watch it in person was very heart breaking at times. He simply had to set his memory of ET , everyone and everything he loved out of his mind while he adjusted to his new life. So when asked by anyone "where are you from" he would reply "Texas!" We would try to ask questions about ET and he would simply turn away and say he didn't remember.

Within the last couple of weeks he has opened up about his life back in ET, which has brought us all so much joy. It is as if he finally trusts us enough to let us into the secret places of his heart. And since we are all family it is as if we are learning a part of our life as well. At first it was just a comment here and there about food, nothing to do with people. Then by last week he began to tell us stories of his life, where he lived, how he lived, the things he did. The biggest break through came last weekend when he opened up to me about his mother. We were talking about how big he had gotten since coming here and he looked at me and said" my ET mom, she small like you mommy". He went on to tell me she was very pretty, but wasn't a good cook. In fact they ate out most of the time or he would eat at his neighbors house a lot. He said she was very sweet and he loved her a lot. Not wanting to shut him down, I didn't ask him a thing I simply let him tell me as much as he wanted. It was everything in my power not to ask a million questions or not to break down and hug him tight. I can't wait for the next treasured memory he will reveal to us.

It brings me so much joy to see him not only happy to be the Texas Parker, but also free and proud to be Sofonyas from Ethiopia.

Thank you Father God protecting Parker's tender precious heart and allowing us into that special place. Father I am so grateful, thankful everyday for this fairy tale dream come true and for all the priceless joy and memories that come with it!!

Sweet Dreams Come True

It's official Sofonyas is now Parker Sofonyas Mott and Helen is Helena Karen Mott!!!! We had our re-adoption hearing last Friday. I had hoped to make it a whole family affair, but that just didn't work out. Greg had a meeting, Reagan had a test and Parker had his FIRST ever field trip and there was no way I was going to deny him that joy!! So Helena and I went down to our city court house and swore in our new Texans!!!
It was really less of the main event that I had in my head. It was fun though for there were several adoptive families there. So the judge performed what they call a "mass re-adoption. It was so cute to see all the beautiful faces who have come from all over the world and to hear their stories. There was even a little boy from Liberia, Africa (which is on the west side of Africa). It was really cute to talk to him. They speak English there so he spoke really well but had that sing songy accent that Parker has.
It is bittersweet as they will now receive a Texas birth certificate. Parker thinks that is pretty cool, but in the same since I don't want him to forget his birth country; just as I don't want him to forget the name his birth parents gave him.
We have come so far in such a relatively short time and I couldn't be happier. Even though they were legally ours as of Embassy appointment in ET the re-adoption hearing made it seem so official. As I think back to a year ago today as we were anxiously waiting for our court date for Parker and our referral for our littlest baby girl, it all seems like just a dream. I am a firm believer that dreams really do come true. And they are so much sweeter than we could ever dreamed of.

Spring Break Follies

We all had so much fun over Spring Break I wish it could have lasted longer than just 1 week. I think we all enjoyed the sleeping in aspect of it especially since our days were filled with so much.

Greg and Blake went skiing with our church's youth group to Monarch Colorado. It was a great opportunity for just Greg and Blake to spend a little time together as well as let Blake spread his wings and have some fun with kids his age. They had a great time, excluding the 20 hour bus ride to and from Colorado. The weather, the food and accomodations were great. They spent most of their days eatin, skiing, sharpening their pool skills, learning new card games as well as taking in the evening activities with a show put on by the church. The shows included worship rock sections, game shows and comedy routines and a lot of good christian teen fellowship. It was all so well put together. After spending the first 2 days skiing Greg tried snow boarding for the first time and had a blast, while Blake was off skiing down the slopes with a group of cute girls. I don't know who had more fun!! We are hoping to make this an annual event. Maybe even for the whole family next year.






The rest of us hung out in good ole SA spending most of our time with friends and taking in some local fun that SA has to offer. We had endless sleepovers, day excursions to the wildlife park and children's museum, with almost every day including some sort of water fun. The first part of the week was sunny and warm so the kids were begging me to go swimming in our pool. Knowing that the water wasn't warm enough we spent a lot of time in the sprinklers, with the hose and splashing on the steps of the pool while I played pool girl getting it ready for when it is warm enough to swim in.
They were so funny, since the three of them have been in gymnastics they are constantly showing off their skills to each other. They are all so competive with each other it makes for a lot of laughs. In this particular competition Reagan was the clear winner being able to put his legs completely behind his head. It was a little bit of a freak so but fun to watch.
At the wildlife park it was so cute, Parker was acting as though it was no big deal, but as soon as he laid eyes on the giraffes and got to feed and touch the zebras he was totally taken in with the reality of how cool this experience truly was. We have talked about the fact that ET is right above Kenya where all the wilflife live but to him since he never saw any of them, it was as if they did not really exist. So it was really sweet to share this hands on experience with him. Helena was hysterical to watch, having her hand over her face almost the entire time in ahh of it all. It was too cute for words. The only picture I got of her face was this one. As we were in the car driving through the park and feeding the animals by hand I would look back only to see her attempting to eat the pellets herself. What am I gonna do with that little baby girl of mine. It was a great day with us all wishing there was some way we could take our zebra friends home with us.




It was so much fun to spend our time so freely and enjoy each other and the simple things in life together. I can't wait for summer vacation!!!

Do Dogs Go To Heaven?

This was the question that Parker asked yesterday after I had to share the heartbreaking news that our sweet little dog Prince passed away. To which I replied "Of course they do, especially dogs like Prince. In fact, he is up in heaven right now with Chewy, our other dog that passed 6 years ago, chasing each other around like little puppies again."

Prince, like our other dog Chewy were Greg and my first children. So he holds such a special little place in my heart. I pretty much cried all day long, hoping the tears would stop flowing before the kids got home. I didn't want to them to see me that way and to handle the delicate responsibility of telling them in that manner. I agonized over how to tell the news to the kids. He was 1 month shy of 16 years old and very loved by all. It was not a shock, but it did not hurt any less. We have known for over a year now that his organs were failing and that we had limited time with him. But it did somehow make the reality a little easier.

Over the last several months I had noticed he had gone completely blind and that his hind legs were basically paralyzed. Not to mention the heart murmur, the doggy dementia, the kidney, liver failure and thyroid failure and he seemed to be in constant discomfort. The kids and I have prayed for the last year for him to go peacefully in his sleep, but since it hadn't happened by now I realized it was time to take him in for a full evaluation and testing. I needed to know how bad things were and how much pain he might be in to make a decision. A decision that I do not take lightly. I believe that we all deserve to go naturally, but knowing he was suffering and that he would probably go very painfully anytime by a stroke or heart attack, I couldn't allow that to happen. Not for the kids to witness and especially not for him. I love him too much to want him to go through that.

After completing just a few of the tests the vet called me to say that she didn't feel it was necessary to put him through further testing and stress knowing he was in such bad shape. Further she suggested that we should consider putting him at rest. We talked for probably over 30 minutes going over all the questions that were lingering in my mind. I really did not want to hear the message she was delivering to me, so I just kept asking her and prompting her to give me what I wanted to hear. All the time knowing in my heart what was best for him, once again, wasn't necessarily the best decision for me. It is so hard letting go and being the one responsible for for pulling the plug so to speak. Only worse he wasn't even on life-support so my quilt was weighing hard on me. I felt like the grim reaper or Dr. Kevorkian, but worse.

After letting all of the information sink in and my emotions settle I knew it was the right choice to make. Now came the other difficult decision of how to tell the kids. I prayed long and hard and Greg and I agreed honestly was the best policy. We did not want them to think that he was going to a farm, or that something sudden and painful happened to him. We also felt like it wouldn't be good to tell them until they came home after school instead that morning or take them out of school to be there. We felt like that would be too hard on their little hearts. It was more than my heart could bare.

So we gathered around the family room after school once they were all home and I broke the news with tears streaming down my face the entire time. They amazed me how well they took it. I really thought it would be much more emotional, such as my reaction. But they each expressed a sense of peace for him knowing how he was free and frisky again up in heaven with his brother Chewy. God, as always, covered them in every way, even more than I could have hoped for.

As I walked around the house today my heart ached for the sense of knowing he was gone from our lives. But that feeling would always be followed by God's love, comfort, and peace knowing he is HOME and we will see him again!!!

So Good-bye sweet Princey Boy for now. We love you, we will miss you and look forward to the day we see your precious face again.

Finding My Roots

Well it's been just 4 months since I went brunette and I have already begun the process to return to blond. I now know that some of us are meant to be blondes. I am one for sure! It was too hard. I seriously felt like people were expecting me to say something intelligent all the time. The pressure was too great. Every time I opened my mouth and something goofy popped out, I think I throw people off. I was not myself. Like I was trying to fit into a pair of jeans that we 2 sizes too small. Painful!! I even felt more seriously. I would look in the mirror and it just wasn't me. I can't tell you how freeing it is to be going blond again. It's going to take a few months to be completely back to blond but just seeing the few strands of blond hair in my brush brought me to tears. Tears of joy!!!
As for whether blonde's have more fun, I would say a BIG FAT YES!!!! From the moment I went brunette people did not look at me the same. I know it sounds vein but I missed the looks. Greg even nailed it when he said that if we lived in California it might be different because being a brunette would stand out, but in SA, TX I was just another brunette!! One of millions!!! Greg even stuck his foot in his mouth by saying that he couldn't find me in a room. After almost 20 years of being together he couldn't recognize any other physical feature of mine. I had to laugh. Blake called it as well, he said, "Mom, I think you are prettier as a brunette, but seriously from one blond to another, you are a true blond!" Out of the mouths of babes huh!
On a more serious note, we are trying to teach Parker the importance of loving the person that God created in each of us. Appreciating all of the differences and how unique God created each of us. So by telling him to love the skin he is in and then coloring my hair a different color what was I teaching him.
For all you brunettes out there I have nothing but love and respect!! I am just not meant to be one myself!!
I can't tell you how good it feels to be me again!!!! Thank you God allowing me to find my roots and for allowing this silly incident to be a teaching tool to my kids!! God does have a sense of humor!!

Forty Two- Strong as Glue

Well that is the best rhyme I could come up with for Greg's age. The other choices that rhymed with "2" were: blue, poo, new, jew. Nothing else seemed to work or seemed appropriate.

The is a new year and a new way of celebrating. Like so many others we have felt a bit of the financial crunch and so things are a little tight. Therefore, for Greg's birthday we decided to be creative using our minds instead of our pocket books. For me this does not come naturally. Not that much does when I truly think about it.

So after some good thought I decided to create a slide show of pictures of his life over the last 42 years put to a copulation of timely songs. It seemed like a pretty easy thing to do, but being that I am not the technical goddess that I think I am it took much more effort than I had anticipated. Making it a labor of love. I give thanks to God for his never ending forgiveness and grace over my children during that week. It was not pretty and I was definitely not winning any awards for the mom of the year. But we are passed that now and all if forgotten, I hope!!

I really had a blast creating it and the kids seem to really enjoy the end result. They all wanted to watch it over and over. I think I however enjoyed it the most finding so many precious pictures that we had of his life that I didn't even know existed. They are treasures for sure. I was able to find several of him and his father when he was just a lad climbing trees, playing with electric car tracks, and fishing. They are priceless memories that neither one of them remembered. So were the pictures that I found of Greg from the 80's with his big bad hair and cut off shirts. There weren't too many I could incorporate for many of them included too many alcoholic advertisements. In years to come I might be able to use them for a scared straight video, but the kids are all to young for now. I think if Greg and I had a show off of big hair, he might have won. I am not sure who was laughing louder me or all the kids put together. Now that I think about it maybe I laughed a little too loud. Here it was to be a sweet slide show down memory lane for him and I turned it into some sort of a roast. Actually it did turn out quite sweet. I only hope Greg found it to be a sentimental gift filled with both laughter and cherished moments of his life.

I am so amazed by this man I been blessed to be married to. That after all these years he is still the man of my dreams. He truly gets better with age and I am so thankful to be the one he comes home to. He is my glue- my super glue, always keeping our family strong, safe, secure and fixed on what matter's the most in life - God, family and friends!!

Thank you Father God for your precious gift of Greg in our lives as a husband, father, friend, and son. We are all the better because he is in our lives.

Bio-Adopted is there a difference?

The other day I caught myself reacting to Parker's attitude a little more sternly than I had with Reagan who had just committed the same crime. It got me to ponder do I treat both Parker and Helena differently. I tell myself and everyone that I don't but do I?

After some deep thought and reflection I realized that it wasn't because my heart loved them less or differently than our bio kids. I love all our differently for each one of them is a uniquely woven individual. Sometimes I admit that when they act out I take it more seriously. I think it is because I don't have the history with both Parker and Helena that I do with the rest. So I question normal age appropriate acting out behavior as adoption/adjustment issues. In addition, I don't have the memories, the warm fuzzy ones that I had with our other children from the first breath of life in this world with me. Which has made me realize that they are probably missing those memories as well. So I have been very conscious of creating them in my mind and sharing my thoughts of how precious they must have been. And how I can picture them as babies and how I would have loved them and adored them. Creating the pictures and memories in our minds, if nothing else, to give us a little more to pull from. It seems to be making a difference with Parker. He really enjoys my stories of his younger years, especially when Blake, Reagan and Caitlin so often ask me to replay their stories. With Helena it is definitely more for me and in doing so I am finding myself enjoying her terrible two's with a little more sweetness.

I without a doubt love Parker and Helena as much. They are our children in my heart just like the Blake, Reagan and Caitlin. I would walk across fire for all of them. They are all so precious and different. The only difference in my love for them is their uniqueness and not because they were from my womb or from my heart. Each one holds a special piece of my heart!!

What do we do when we're bored?

A couple of weeks ago we took a Sunday and made absolutely NO PLANS. I believe for the first time ever since summer and we found ourselves spending most of the day doing not much more than what you see. I don't know if the kids had more fun dressing the dogs or Helena. It was sweet to watch Caitlin tend to her little sister making sure she looked just right. It was a wonderful way to spend the day and I look forward to making more memories like these in the years ahead. I am sure we could have put our time to better use by working on house projects or school projects but sometimes you just need to unwind a little without purpose.





Thank you God for allowing us to sneak in a little mindless fun!!

Walking on Egg Shells

Overall my life is great, better than great and I have nothing to complain about. How can I when I have been so richly blessed and have everything I every prayed for. That being said lately I have been feeling a little sensitive, well maybe very overly sensitive would be more honest. I have found myself feeling defensive about everything and everyone. Not only do I find myself walking on egg shells, but all of my loved ones as well. Feeling like I am an open wound taking in every weekness, insecurity, bout of anger, false sense of being of all those around me. A human sponge of raw emotion.
I am very good under pressure, but once I get passed the stressful situation and am safely on the other side I fall to pieces. With every move, family situation, life situation I react the same. So why I didn't see it coming I don't know. I, and we as a family have made it through so much this last year with the completion of our adoption, bringing the kids home, adjusting, home schooling, having a toddler back in the house, health issues, raising 5 kids and the holidays. Wow, so much I am surprised I did not crack sooner!!
But through it all we are blessed beyond measure. Every challenge was just a temporary issue. Our whole family is united, Sof is doing great in school, Helena is a healthy challenging 2 year old learning new things every day.
I am so grateful to God for continuing to whisper or in this case shout at me to wake up. For giving me peace and understanding of what was happening and the strength to stop. For allowing me, as always, to fall upon his strength and love, knowing he would see me through. I can't imagine how people with NO FAITH survive this human life. I know I could not nor would not want to do it alone. For God is my shelter, my high tower where I find refuge and safety. He covers me under his wing of protection and keeps me safe from the dark of the night.
I am thankfully feeling back to myself these days, feeling like I just went through rehab, delicate and fragile but on the road to recovery. Feeling stronger and more secure with each new day knowing that I owe it all to the one who trusted me with all of this to begin with.

Blake-Sweet 13

Oh my goodness I can't believe I have a "teenager" living in my house. Blake officially, or as he would say legally, became a teen on January 14th. I feel the need to be pinched. The years are flying by like the clouds on a windy day. It seems like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant and felt the flutter of his first movements in the womb. I never, not in my wildest dreams thought I could have given birth to such an amazing young man. He is beyond what I prayed for. His heart is so tender, sensitive and his mind is so beyond his years. I have always said he has a spirit far older than his years on this earth. He has so much going for him and yet he is completely humble to all that he is today and is to become. He is not the crazed monster teenage son I have feared. He is sweet, kind, gentle, reasonable, and fun to be around.
Blake like every 13 year old sadly is stuck on the image of what kids his age around him think and tell him he is. They are all so fragile and oh so insecure in every aspect of their existence. It's scary how much power they have over each other. I somehow thought the older they became the easier it would be to take care of their needs. I am now realizing that he needs Greg and I more now than he did when he was little. Pouring in our confirmations, love, acceptance, trust and guidance around the clock.
As much as it brings me joy to see him seeing the world in such a full view these days it also breaks my heart. His view is not so clear yet and so what he sees isn't always truth or reality. I am having to explain so much of the darkness that exists in our world, wishing I could shield him somehow from all of it, but knowing that I can not nor should not keep him in a bubble. Even though I would like to.
I thank God every day for placing Blake in my arms first. For if any of our other children had come first, I don't think I would be surviving these "teen" years. Blake though true to his age, makes this stage of our human life a delicate balance of firm, sweet and tender.

My hope and prayer for him is that God continue to shine his light upon him and keep his heart pure!!! For him to see himself as Greg and I see him and for the man that God is molding him into. Father God I pray you shield his spirit and his eyes from those things that are not from you. Keep him focused on what is true and good. Let him see and feel the joy of his age and the freedom and wonderful discovery that comes with it. Let him find trust and wisdom in those you place in his life. Hold him close so that he may feel you with every beat of his heart.

Call Me Parker

Well just as we thought Sofonyas was beyond the desire to change his name he has decided he would like to be called Parker. It all started when Greg and I were talking to him about our upcoming re-adoption hearing and what it entailed. Once he realized that he could change his name he quickly started coming up with names. Most of which resembled a super hero or Kung Fu icon. His top 5 were: Jet Lee, Bruce Wayne, Peter Parker, Jackie Chan and Kung Fu Panda. We were fortunate to quickly scale down the list to that of just Parker and Bruce. We told him to try each one of the names out for a few days and then decide. After about 30 minutes of Bruce he came to me and said "I not Bruce, I Parker!". So we are proud to call him Parker Sofonyas Mott.

Twas a Merry Christmas!!

I can't believe Christmas has already come and gone. So much was packed into our 2 weeks off from school. Having such a large family makes it soo much fun!! There was never a dull or quiet moment. Even though a lot of our friends were gone for the holidays the kids were not without someone to play with. Living in Texas where we are blessed with 70 degree weather throughout the year is so wonderful. Though we might not get the snow fun, our days playing outside in the warmth of the sun are so delightful.
I decided to use all of the kids talents this Christmas by putting on a talent show for the family. Reagan, Sof and Caitlin sang carols for the extended family, leading into team games with everyone, concluding the festivities with a solo performance by Blake on his violin.
By far this was one of my favorite Christmas' ever!!! There was so much laughter by all.
It has dawned on my that since Sof has come he has experienced numerous birthday parties, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas= a whole lot of fun and presents. So now that the New Year has begun and we don't have any big events coming up he is in for a big surprise- party/present withdrawal. In fact he came to me the other day and asked me to buy him a watch, which I replied that we would not be buying anything right now and he would have to wait for his birthday or a special holiday. When he realized that wouldn't be until in the fall I thought he was going to loose it. He did pout for the rest of the day, but resumed a happier spirit the next morning. I had to remind him that he probably did not get everything he wanted when he wanted it when he lived in ET and that is not any different here in America. I can't really blame him after getting so much so quickly.
Blake, Mr. Smarty Pants asked Santa for world peace and therefore received a book from Santa called "How to Achieve World Peace", the second greatest book following the bible. He was not quite as humored by the gift as Greg and I but it was priceless to catch his reaction on video. We will enjoy that for years to come I am sure.
It was more difficult than I thought to get Sof up on Santa and the flying reindeer story. We finally achieved it when we made a night out of it by taking the whole family to see the Christmas lights, watch The Santa Clause movie and drink hot cocoa. It has caused a little confusion being that now he doesn't quite know when something is fake or real. I feel a little bad for that. Reagan and Sof were so funny, they really are two peas in a pod. They were conspiring for days about sleeping in front of the fireplace to catch Santa. Needless to say, they fell fast asleep in their beds that night. It helps to run them like dogs all day long!!! They all woke up to say they heard or say Santa or his reindeer on the rooftop. Caitlin even saw the reindeer on our grass in the front yard where we laid carrots out for them. Little Helena was clueless to all of the antics but giggled as if she was right there with them. It was really too cute and I had forgotten how much fun it was to have a little one around during the holidays. It makes it crazier for sure, but oh so cute!! There is so much truth to the saying "seeing life through the eyes of a child". I wish some days I could stay in the mindset!!
I am so grateful for having such a wonderful big family. When the kids would ask what I wanted for Christmas I would reply I already have it and looked at them. They thought I was being corny, but as I have gotten older there really is nothing more that I could want. They are so precious and my time with them is priceless for sure!!!!
Thank you father God for the greatest gift- your son and for the gift of life each day and all that it brings!!

Is Christmas Here Yet?

With the upcoming birth of our precious savior we have been a little extra busy celebrating the blessed event. Last Saturday we started our day with Caitlin and I attending the Nutcracker. An annual event and special one on one moment for her and I.

Then we quickly changed our clothes gobbled down some pizza to make it to our churches Christmas Story production which Reagan, Sof and Caitlin performed in. Can I say cute?!!!! Oh my goodness, it was a wonderful show and the kids did great. Reagan and Sof were a bit unsure but Caitlin loves any opportunity to sing and be the center of attention. I had to twist their arms a little to get them to do it, but in the end they all said they can't wait to be in it next year. I am not sure if it was that much fun for them or if the cookies and hot cocoa after made it for them. Either way it was great fun!!

Blake's violin concert

Blake performed at his Strings Christmas concert Monday night. In just a year his violin playing has improved so much. To think it was just a year ago he had never played and now he is playing with the big guys in Chamber at his Middle School. He has an amazing ear, which is a must when it comes to music. That is an ability he does not get from Greg or I. The two of us are not music savy or inclined to say the least. I am so proud of his committment to his music and I am so happy that he has found something he really enjoys. He blessed our family with a small private concert at home after Thanksgiving and he plans on performing for us all again at Christmas!!! What a joy!

Christmas Tidings!!!

Let's just say we had a merry making jolly good time decorating for Christmas this year! It really comes in handy to have so many kids. In years past it would take us a good 2 to 3 days to decorate and this year we were finished in 1 1/2 days. It certainly helped having Grandpa Middlebrook and made it oh so much fun.

Santa's Helpers

My angels
Helena and Blake-She loves her big brother!

Do you see what I was working with?

Helena joining in the sillies!

There's always time for a good Nutcracker dance

The Infamous Peanut Butter Gang

We finished just in time to make our lunchtime favorite: PBJ sandwhichs!