
international kids’ day rolled around and boy did we stay busy. we went from a normal (full) week of work to a weekend full of activities for all the groups of kids we work with. so by the time monday (actual kids’ day) came, we barely had any energy for our own kids. we did manage to take them to the mall for dinner and then we roasted marshmallows on daddy’s new bbq. thank you target for the random post-easter find of gluten free/corn free/soy free marshmallows (which is much harder than you realize!)
please don’t be too weirded out. they are sharing their food “lady and the tramp” style.

if you ask mercy “what is your name?” she will respond “mercy.” but if you ask her “cum te cheamă?” she will answer “mila.”
this kid cracks me up.
and next week she will be four.years.old.
i’m working on enjoying and savouring it. this kid always gets the weirdest birthdays. this year is no different. good thing she’s such an easy going kid.
p.s. don’t judge the pacifier. just pretend you don’t see it. 😀

it’s been real. it’s been good. it’s been real good. (my husband taught me all my cheesy jokes.)
but it’s time to get back to do romania. cause kids need Jesus. and babies need love. and we have a calling to do. so while we will miss all you amazing peoples of california…we want to let you know that you blessed our socks off. we will always remember this furlough with warmth and affection.
thank you guys!

wrapping her very own presents!
christmas eve service at auburn grace
they are pretty sure santa came…
santa even remembered mama and daddy?!
ana and elsa beanies from dohdoh
learning to shoot a bow and arrow with daddy (she got the arrows after practicing with sticks!)
sissy is not so sure about addy’s skill…

you turned one here with a snowmen party.
your foster brother moved the day after you turned two and i was obviously a little overwhelmed. i was also throwing up hourly thanks to your sissy. therefore you have no two year old blog. but the good news is that i have moved past mom-guilt. kind of.
you turned three and i was obviously doing a little better.
i was amazing by the time you turned four even with a slideshow!
the ever so slightyreally late post when you turned five years old.
and now you are here. technically there are so many other posts i could reminice about but i haven’t even planned your party. or wrapped your gifts.
i used to worry about what we were “doing” to you. maybe most kids don’t have four siblings come and go before they are two. or get a permanent sibling while losing all other “permanencies” in their lives. or move across the sea when they are three. or move to yet another country when they are five. or start four different schools all in a foreign language. i used to wonder if we were “ruining” you.
but then i watch you. your smile. your courage. your gifts and strengths. your passionate heart and keen mind. your ability to flawlessly speak in two different languages, sometimes at the exact same time i think. not a lot of six year olds completely understand geography and continents and time differences the way you do. not a lot of six years that i know of are world wide travelers.
and i watch you understand love and family and friends. you understand that while our life takes commitment, it also gives us amazing memories. you are one of the strongest, sweetest, most passionate and creative six year olds that i know.
love ya kid.
thanks for making me a mama.
{that forty-nine hour labor was totally worth it. i even promise to someday stop holding it over your head.}