730

 2 years = 24 months = 104 weeks = 730 days = 17,520 hours

 

As of today, this is how long we've had our children.

 

 

Some people call this day "Gotcha Day."  Right now we don't call it anything or we don't celebrate it.  The children still remember the discomfort of the day so this is one of the days we hardly discuss.  I'll secretly rejoice in my heart.  We save the partying and celebrations for "Adoption Day."  That is the day the children longed for and eagerly anticipated and that is the day they remember as joyous and special.

 

 

 

 

Between April 16, 2011 and April 16, 2013 I have learned more than I have learned in my whole life combined.  That's not a joke.  That's not an exaggeration.  As I anticipated writing this blog I've been trying to think of what I learned the most about.

 

 

Redemption

 

Adoption isn't only about building a family.  Adoption isn't just about saving a child.  Adoption is a lot about redemption.  When I look back and remember my children as they were then and then I step back and see who they are now, God's redemption story is written all over them.

 

My children knew nothing of unconditional love, nothing of sacrifice, nothing of God, nothing of their Savior, no prayers, no family outings, no holiday traditions, no grace, no peace, no patience.  For those of you who have closely walked this journey with us take a moment and remember the children two years ago.  Remember the three-plus hour tantrums, remember the continual mistrust, remember the severe attention-getting behaviors, remember the withdrawal, remember the fear, remember the anxiety, remember the testing of boundaries over and over again.

 

When I do that it used to make me sad. 

 

Now, however, I  rejoice.

 

 

God has had His mighty hand in their hearts from the very start, preparing them for this journey, preparing them for a life for Him.  Of this I am fully confident.

 

We still have our moments nearly every day...but they are different than before.  We still go to therapy and we still work through issues...but they are different than before.  The children know God.  They love God.  They praise God.  They cling to God.  Though their life story has had a rough start and they know the ugly side of adoption...you know, the side where you're torn from your parents, feelings of abandonment, the great "what-if-it-doesn't-really-happen" and the many, many adjustments...they know and understand the beauty of adoption. 

It was with their encouragement that we pursued our Ethiopian boys so quickly, it was their idea to mail big packages to our church orphanage in Rwanda, it was with their very own money that they went shopping for their new brothers and bought them gifts, and it is with their very own mouths that they speak of the day they will adopt children too.  This, my friends, is redemption at its best. 

 

God has taken the lost and made them His found.

 

Just.Like.He.Promised.

April 2011

April 2012

April 2013

 

 



 

 

You Did WHAT?!?!

I took a nap.  That's right.  I took a nap...and I'm not afraid to say so.

I have yet to take a nap in this house except for when I was sick.  My plan has always been to work as hard as I can during the day so that when the kids go to bed I can relax. 

The problem has been that I've got a lot on my plate right now (different projects, kids' activities, church stuff, school stuff, etc) and I haven't been able to relax after the kids were in bed.  Well, I exaggerate a tad.  I could relax.  But you see, I have this disorder that doesn't let me rest until a project is finished...and finished the right way.  I swear it's the Rubinic in me.  All of you who have the Rubinic blood in you fully understand what I mean.  There is no rest until projects and chores are done.  I like that about me but sometimes it near exhausts me!

What really put me behind was our trip to PA.  We had blast but traveling alone both ways with four kids and two dogs takes a toll on this old body.  The kids and dogs were excellent.  I am blessed to have well-behaved children who travel like champs.  Each trip was 500 miles and we only had to stop once (see, my kids are awesome).  Then, once we get to PA no matter how well I try to plan, we always end up being over-booked and stretched.  I LOVE reconnecting with my friends and family and wouldn't have it any other way but goodness.  It wears us all out.  A lot.  And that is with my family and friends helping out.  A lot.  Friends bring me dinners, wine and good conversations.  My parents, brother and sister cook, clean, do our laundry, take out my dogs, feed my dogs, bathe the kids, etc.  I'm sure they are just as tired as I am.

I returned to the projects I left behind (thankfully the house was cleaned before I left) along with a few mounting projects that needed done right away.  I had some wonderful ladies come down and do many of my big projects for me.  What a blessing.  Since the kids had spring break I scheduled every doctor, dentist, and therapy appointment I could.  I was over-ambitious.  Terribly so.  On top of that I've been getting up in the middle of the night with Brooke.  I have no idea way she is all of a sudden waking me up but she does.  And I comply.  I bet she misses her daddy.

So, today while I should have been working on my next project for church while my two little girls were napping I snatched up my dogs and the neighbor's dog and took a nap...for an hour.  It was glorious.  It was so wonderful I fear I may just do it again some day.  That would be the Snyder in me :)

Jordan's doing well, the kids are doing wonderfully, my dogs are angels, and I'm content and blessed beyond belief.  My heart is full.