.....Wow has it been 6 months already?

I can't believe it, I am actually embarrassed that it has been so long since my last post. Life in the Mott household continues to sweep me off my feet.

I remember a wise women once told me "give it one year" and things will resume to normal. Thanks Gina, you were so right, as if it was magic, our one year home mark hit and life is back to normal or in our case as normal could ever be.

Parker is so well adjusted and continues to light up our days with his smile. He has truly become American spouting out "dude" to his fellow friends. With so many memories already deeply rooted in my heart I sometimes forget he has only been a part of our family a little over a year. Helena is blossoming into an amazing little girl, completely age appropriate. Even with the joys of being a "troublesome" three year old, she is a total angel and is a constant comic relief. Blake is becoming age appropriate as well, still withholding from the teen rages, but is all about the texting. He went beyond his limit the other day and when I suggested he call his friend, a female, I was quickly put in my place with "what, no way nobody calls, just give me more texts mom". Reagan who is now in double digits becoming 10 in July and reminds everyone of that, I think mainly to have some sort of superiority over Parker, is maturing every day. I look at my little boy and he isn't so little anymore in body, mind and soul. Then there is miss Caitlin, my minnie me. So scary I am almost afraid to say it or write it. My mom always warned me that I would have one just like me and now I do. The prophecy or curse lives on. She is both angel and vixen, mostly angel. I enjoy her so much I wish I could freeze time. I wish I could freeze time with them all.

The kids are all back in school and loving the structure, stimulation and the separation from each other. This was the first year we didn't go on a family trip or do much, due to lack of fun funds, but we made the most of it and had a great summer. I truly think it was a blessing in disguise giving the kids ample time to bond and enjoy life's simple pleasures. So much fun packed into 12 weeks from time filled with visits from friends afar: the Henry's, the Kurtz's, departure of dear friends: the Unsells, swim team fun dayz, the Hope reunion: so good to see so many fellow hopesters, days in the sun with friends, family reunion's: thanks Skip and Mary Paz, Reagan's trip to Florida to visit grandpa: thanks Dad, Reagan and Helena's b-day bashes, my big b-day, hiking, camping and so much more. Our summer yet not adventurous in the way of traveling to far and exotic new places we were so blessed with the joys that lie in our own backyard.

I will definitely get to some back posts in the near future, I hope anyway, but for now I will share some of our favorite summer kid pic's. Little did I know by having five I would have so little time to write, but I wouldn't change one minute of my day with them. They are my true gems!!!

Blake and Caitlin after Caitlin's big swim. Yeah Caitlin!!

Our newest addition, Rosie Chaquita, don't let that cute face fool you, she is terror!!

Sending Reagan off to Grandpa Middlebrook's for a week.

Rosie in all her sweetness, NOT!!!

Chris turning the big "40"

The boys of summer, Parker, Jack, Reagan and Jacob

Caitlin and her friend Maddie

Parker getting psyched for his race. With a face like that how can he loose!!

The Mottly Manta Rays. Go Mantas!!

Blake enjoying a little down time to himself- Rare moment

Greg and cousin Dahna

Greg, Parker and Reagan at Skip's reunion

Reagan and Parker driving the mule. Watch out!!!

Down at the Guadalupe River, notice how shallow it is, yikes!

Lisa and Duane Kurtz

Reagan, Parker, Kirsten, Christian, Breanne, Helena, Caitlin, Blake and Rosie

Sigrid Unsell and Sherry Borzych

The lovely Kelly Henry and Deloris Thaxton

The girls: Becky, Sigrid, Me and Nicole

Some Fellow Hopesters at the reunion

Helena and mommy on her b-day

Reagan, friends and family on his b-day

Helena and Mamaw looking oh so sweet!

Reagan, Caitlin and Parker on the first day of school

Caitlin, Grandma and Helena

Grandpa and Parker

Daddy and Helena at swim team

Greg and Reagan on their Webloe camp-out

Father God I give thanks for all those who you have placed in our lives to share our days with and for all the many splendors each and every day has to offer.

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.