Trip to the Zoo

Picture Warning! There's ALOT in this post.

Thanks to a phone call from Mario's Brother, we took a trip to the zoo. Moses and Judah's first trip to see the animals. (No, we don't count China's zoo. We enjoyed the pandas but looking at chickens and raccoons in a cage just doesn't compare to what we have here in the states.) Seeing the zoo through the wonder and amazement of little ones again made it a new experience for all of us.

I think Moses could have watched the ants for hours. :)

My great niece, Bella, is in the back of the egg. Isn't she sweet?

My great nephew, another cutie!

Giving Uncle Richie the 'rock'.

The baby elephant was one of Moses' favorites. Can you see it in his eyes?

My biggies were so patient with all the animal watching. Especially considering it was nearly 100 degrees the day we were there. Having friends with us helped our attitudes.

It didn't take long, however, for boredom to set in. I mean, how many animals can you see in one day?

Two of my most favorite people in the whole world. My BFF with her hubby. Thanks for coming on our impromptu trip. Lynnette, you can pay me later for not posting the 'pretty' pictures of you cooling off. No, I am not above blackmailing you. Maybe you should pick your friends better.

Judah's excitement level picked back up with the last visit of the day, the monkeys.

Heat aside, we had a great time with friends and family. Lynnette, the check better be in the mail. :)

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

1 Peter 4:8- Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Oh what HOPE is found in that little scripture in 1 Peter!!! That a little boy can go from this............

A little boy leaving an orphanage and every thing he knows, scared, crying at every thought of sleeping, speaking only when told to repeat, nervously running from distraction to distraction, unsure of what to do with himself, repeating negative behaviors learned from children not taught differently....................... TO........................................

a little boy living with his family, genuinely happy, loving to entertain those around him, laughing, talking, playing and sharing, growing taller, getting stronger, singing songs, learning to live within a family.....................................

communicating his needs, a happy and sometimes mischievous twinkle in his eye, spontaneously sharing love in the form of hugs and kisses, and oh so happy to sleep in his own bed.

Look what *LOVE* can do! God, Your works are amazing!!! Who is there like you?

MRI

On June 23rd, Moses and Mommy were off for the first of his necessary testing, namely his MRI and bloodwork. He did great, loving all the attention and the personal TV. He did great until it was time for the IV. My poor little guy was so scared. Then they took him down for the MRI and that was about all his little heart could handle. They sedated him while he sobbed in my arms.

The procedure took about 40 minutes. (double the time it should have) After that we were just waiting for him to wake up and drink a little water so we could go home. He looked so sweet, lying there with his teddy bear. This sweet little boy has the biggest heart. After all he has been through -he still loves, still hugs, still kisses. I am constantly amazed by his abilities and joy.

Often when I am out with the kids shopping or running errands, I will have people come to me asking about the boys. Are they brothers? Where are they from? The conversation always seems to end with a "They sure are lucky to have you." No. It's not true. They are not lucky. They were chosen by a God who loves them to be a part of our family. We were chosen to share in their lives, to teach them and train them. While the obvious part of their story says they have benefited from being pulled out of an orphanage, out of an institution life, out of the darkness of being abandoned and left to their own devices,-the truth is, we have gained more than our boys have. We have hugs, kisses, laughing, cuteness, playtime--I could go on. Luck has nothing to do with our lives. It is not by chance that Moses and Judah are a part of our family. It is all by design of our wise Creator. Oh, how thankful I am that His ways are not my ways.