A-maze-ing!!

Fun and easy project that'll keep kid's attention for hours! 

What you'll need:

Copy paper box top

Popsicle sticks

Paint

Hot glue gun and glue

A marker or pen

Small knife 

Marbles (if you haven't already lost yours!!) 

Start:

1) Have the kids paint the Popsicle sticks various color or whatever colors they want to. 

2) Mark out the maze with a marker or pen so you can be sure thearble will fit through the different areas.

3) Hot glue the sticks in place.

4) Cut a small hole in the side so the marble can escape from the maze! 

5) Play! 

**You may need to reinforce the sides of the box with tape depending on how rough your kiddo is on stuff! 

Red heart vs Dark heart

Red heart vs Dark heart

One of the boys was having a lot of testing Monday. One thing was an ultrasound (US). 

While the tech was performing the US "the child" kept asking if she could see his heart. She quickly showed him; we saw a dark blob with chambers pumping away, and then she got back to business. 

He was quiet for a little while then asked to see it again. 

"Can you do my heart? What color is my heart? Is it red? Is my heart red?" 

The tech said, yup see, it's right there showing him again. See the blood flowing? 

Child: But is it red?? 

Tech: yup

Child: but is it really red?

Tech: it's kind of a pink color. 

We started catching on that there was some anxiety about the color. And of course an US is in black and white. He was confused and getting anxious. So she turned on the color so he could see the blood flow to and front the heart, red and blue. "See there, red!" 

Child: (quietly to himself) phew, it's red, I'm a good guy. Then he looked again to be sure. 

Me: Yes, look at that, it's really red, you have a very good heart, I knew it! And I squeezed his shoulder to reassure him, he still looked dubious and off in his own world for a few minutes while he thought it through. 

B and I sat there in awe of his thought process. Can you imagine wondering if your heart were good or bad? Scared that maybe you are not a "good guy?" That maybe you aren't worth loving or keeping! Man, somedays this parenting stuff is heavy! 

Tough morning conversations...

Parent: Whatcha thinking about?

Child: My old family and if they would want me back. But I know I have you for my family. (Quickly added, maybe to spare our feeling? But we get it!! It sucks!!)

P: Do you think they would? 

C: No.

P: I'm sure that's hard. Remember when we talked about how they just didn't have the ability to care for you the way you needed and that's something we are all working on together?

C: Yup. (Pause) They dropped me off somewhere and just drove away. So, then they gave me to another family, then another family and then another family then I got you guys and your my family now. 

P: Yup (sometimes it's hard to get much more than that past the lump in your throat)!

God help Him see you in all of this someday! Wrap your arms around this hurting soul!

JUSTICE...Luke 18

Laying here in bed thinking about the parable in Luke, it's so powerful! It is like reassurance to me soul. 

As we walk this adoption journey we've hit some tremendous challenges. Yet, despite the misinformation, empty promises for help/resources, and continual barriers/hoops placed before us we continue to seek JUSTICE! 

The "Unjust Judge" relented to the Widow because she, basically, was a squeaky wheel! So, we are pressing forward with our requests for JUSTICE for our boys. Everyday we make calls, write emails, fill out more  forms, and go to meetings pleading our case, asking for help, requesting JUSTICE!! We may at times grow weary or afraid, but we persist! 

Claiming the promise that God will honor the persistent cry of our hearts and soon send JUSTICE!!

Luke 18 

The Parable of the Unjust Judge

1 And he told them a parable to show that they must always pray and not be discouraged, 2 saying, “There was a certain judge in a certain town who did not fear God and did not respect people. 3 And there was a widow in that town, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary!’ 4 And he was not willing for a time, but after these things he said to himself, ‘Even if I do not fear God or respect people, 

5 yet because this widow is causing trouble for me, I will grant her justice, so that she does not wear me down in the end by her coming back!’” 

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge is saying! 7 And will not God surely see to it that justice is done to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, and will he delay toward them? 8 I tell you that he will see to it that justice is done for them soon! Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, then will he find faith on earth?”