Adoption Finally complete!

Today we appeared before a chancellor in court to finalize our adoption. This process officially changed their names, allows them to have TN birth certificates and secures their citizenship. So we proudly introduce you to Silas Kayembe and Moriah Makengo, two of the newest US citizens.
I don't really know what we were expecting, but this was essentially a non-event. It took longer to find a parking place and get inside the city county building than it did for the process to be handled. At any rate, its done. The last step in this journey of adoption is complete and we are happy to have 5 children: each one our very own blessing from God.

One month home

It is so hard to believe that Silas and Moriah have been home for one month!! It some ways it feels like they have been here forever, in other ways it is all still so new.
It has been a great month of firsts.
First french fries
First Ice Cream- which they don't like how cold it is
First pets- Sadie and the chickens
First American haircut for Silas
First ride in a carseat
First bike ride
First Salsarita's- they love it, just like the rest of us
First playground and tire swing
First Bible Story
First Family prayer time
It has been a month of many firsts. It has been fun introducing the kids to new things. However, it is hard knowing that while their lives are so much better here... they have lost all that is familiar. New situations are still overwhelming to them, but overall they are doing well. We ask that you continue to pray for us as we grow as a family. Pray for Silas and Moriah as they learn about family and love. We will try to update again soon!

Attachment

We are so glad to have Moriah and Silas home. Many of you have asked how we are doing...We are doing well! It is so hard to believe that our kiddos have been home for a little over three weeks now. We are slowly getting settled in and learning about each other. Moriah and Silas are both sleeping and eating wonderful. They are both healthy and doing well.
The journey to where we are now was long, but we are glad to have made it!
The challenging part now is "attachment." Before beginning this journey, I had no idea what that meant. And really even as we read and watched videos to prepare for the arrival of our children, it was a foreign concept. You see, the hard part in adopting is for the child to become attached to their new family. Both of our children are old enough that they have a past and memories. But they also have no real concept of what it means to be in a family, to be loved and to have someone always there for them. The goal we have now is to teach them that... to reassure them that we will be their forever family. Just think, they were brought to us from halfway around the globe. They do not understand what we are saying and their whole world is brand new, there is nothing familiar.
As many of you know, we are not taking the children to class at church and we are also asking that people not hold or pick them up. That sounds so very strange to someone not in our shoes, it sounded strange to us before we were here. Many of you have asked why we are doing things this way.
Think about a child you know, they walk away from their mommy and daddy and see a new person. They stop and look at the new face and in caution then wander back to mom and dad. Or imagine a little one who stumbles and falls. They begin to cry and reach for mommy or daddy. Well our two new precious ones at this point would not necessarily react that way. They will reach for ANYONE. They will let anyone, stranger or family pick them up. They will climb into anyone's lap. At first, that seems so great- they are so friendly- but the opposite is actually true. They don't know any better.
So, while all this may seem strange or foreign- we are trying to do what is best for our children. It is hard to have two precious ones that you love so very much, but who at this point have no connection back to you. It is our hope through much intentionality, through caution, through prayer and time that our children will realize we love them and are there for them- FOREVER!!
Please pray for our family as God is continuing to knit us together. Pray for Moriah and Silas to attach to us. Pray for wisdom for us as we make decisions regarding what is best for them. And please be patient... one day they will be ready to be picked up and held:)

Picture Collage

 

So grateful

This afternoon our church hosted a reception to welcome home Moriah and Silas. People dropped by to welcome the kids and some even gave precious gifts. As I was thinking about the blessing of these wonderful people, it reminded me of many more blessings and so much more we have to be thankful for.
We are thankful for all of the people who have loved and supported us through this journey. We know so many of you have prayed for us and continue to do so. We also know so many of you helped with the finances of bringing home our children. You donated to yard sales and purchased from those same sales. You ate Froyoz, Rita's, Chickfila and Salsarita's. You planned and played in a golf tournament. You donated through pay pal or to a matching grant. You prayed as we applied for grants and celebrated with us when we received them.
God used each of you in different ways to help bring this adoption to fruition.
We are so very grateful for each and everyone of you and the part you played in getting our children home!! We are also grateful to God for His provision and His work.
We continue to be blessed by so many of you who are checking on us, cooking for us and continuing to pray.
We know that the simple words thank you cannot not fully express our gratitude, but it is all that we have to offer. So, THANK YOU. To God be the glory, great things He has done!

Introduction to our precious ones

We realized tonight that we had not updated our blog in a bit. We would like to use this post to introduce you to our children.
Silas is 3 years old. He is super ticklish and has an amazing smile that lights up a room. We can already see that he is going to enjoy being a "ham." He loves his siblings and enjoys playing. He is learning English a bit at a time and loves to copy words we say. Our favorite things he says now are "ha-llo" and "bye-o" (his way of saying hi and bye). He is a great sleeper and eater. There is not much he won't eat. He has a bit of a stubborn side. He is not a fan of the word NO. He has taken many trips to the time-out chair. But each day he is making less trips there. I think he just wants to make sure Dave and I are serious:)He is slowly learning about family and routine. He especially loves his daddy.
Moriah is almost 19 months old. She is such a cutie. She is easy going- although she does have a talent for turning the tears on and off as needed. She is more of a mommy's girl. She likes to carry a purse or wear a bracelet. She loves having her siblings give her rides in the baby doll stroller! I think she would let them push her all day if we let them. She likes to be held. She too is a great sleeper and eater. She will try any food, but some of the faces she makes are quite humorous.
This post is mostly about our new additions, but I don't want to forget about our 3 oldest kiddos...
Micah has been a huge help. He loves to carry Moriah and help Silas. He enjoys being the biggest brother. I have been amazed to see how he is growing up especially during this time of transition.
Jackson is also enjoying being a big brother. He is our peacemaker and wants to make sure everyone is happy and included. He likes giving his new brother and sister hugs and love. He likes to copy what Silas says in French and act like he is having a conversation with him.
Karis has adjusted so well. I had worried about this being a huge change especially for her, but she has handled it so well. She is 4 now, as she frequently reminds us. She says this makes her braver and "able to put pepper on her own food." She is a good big sister! She is the "leader" when she plays with Moriah and Silas and likes to teach them how to play.
We are so thankful for each of theses precious personalities that make up our "crew." They have all transitioned beautifully. Each day improves as we settle into this new part of our journey.

Life so far

All five children are in bed asleep, so I thought I would take a moment to update everyone...
We have been home since Tuesday evening. We came home to several wonderful meals, a decorated home and some friends and family to welcome us home. We have since been to the pediatrician and to the hospital for standard tests. So far everything looks good from a medical stand point.
The children- all five of them- seem to be adjusting well. We have had a few tough moments, but we know God is in control. Micah, Jackson and Karis are being great siblings and are each very helpful. Silas Kayembe is a giggle box. He laughs alot and is very ticklish. He has a bit of an issue with the word "no" but we are working on that. Moriah Makengo is a vacuum when it comes to food and is very easygoing. She does have a knack for turning the tears on and off as needed.
God has been so faithful on this journey. We are so thankful for the prayers. Please continue to pray for as as we transition and adjust. Pray that Silas and Moriah will attach well and will learn what it means to have a family.
I will update again... soon hopefully!