Easterly

Some Easter-ly happenings from this month. 

(there's not a lot of Dre in these because, well, he's always napping! Which we're not complaining about! He's such a good baby.)

Thanks, Solo and Eli!

Huntin' with the cousins.

Partyin' with Patti

Easter basket in a box from Mimi and Grandpa!

Most Egg-cellent!

(except for the part that Dre played... all over Daddy's shirt)

Resurrection Sunday Best

The Easter Bunny came! (We call her "Gr. Grandma." Isn't she cute?)

In keeping with "tradition", the men hiding the eggs.

Also becoming a tradition, Uncle Geo wears a biker tshirt and an odd hat. This year's model: Pink with sparkly "Curves."

Happy Easter, y'all! HE is RISEN!

Risky Business?

Justin Taylor (he's over at Between Two Worlds with the Gospel Coalition) did an article once about his family and their trans-racially adopted children. His theme of God's sovereignty is my favorite part. Have a read:

The Risk of Transracial Adoption?

From an article I wrote a few years ago for Modern Reformation:

We don’t regard our transracial adoption as something especially noble or sacrificial, or anything like a social statement. This is simply the way that God in his providence has designed our family to expand, and we sense his great grace in the way he has knit our family together.

But some people still wonder if transracial adoption is all that wise. What if they are called names in school? What if their friends tell our children that my wife and I are not his “real” mommy and daddy? What if our kids have an identity crisis, unable to figure out who they really are?

All of these things may indeed happen with our children.

But the truth is, all of our children are going to face various forms of challenges, and we simply cannot predict with any degree of certainty what particular obstacles they will deal with. Nor can we prevent all of them.

Will our kids be eloquent and persuasive, or stammer with stage fright? Will they be the star athletes, or the class klutzes? Will they be leaders or followers? Trendsetters or always one step behind? Will they be healthy or sickly? Will they be mocked for following Christ and swimming against the culture stream? We simply don’t know, and there usually does not seem to be much purpose in planning our lives around the minimization of challenges we cannot control.

It’s important to recognize that in the midst of talking about spiritual adoption, Paul listed a requirement of kingdom citizens who are to be heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—we will receive an inheritance “provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8:17). To be a Christian is a call to suffer: “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). If we’re surprised at suffering then it’s because we haven’t read our Bibles closely enough: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Pet. 4:12). If a disciple wants to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master, then we are going to be maligned like Jesus was (see Matt. 10:25).

Now with all of this said, no one wants to create situations of undue suffering for their children. There are times when transracial adoption may be unwise. For example, we have American friends who are in the adoption process and who will be serving in cross-cultural missions in the Middle East. Being an African American child in a white family in an Islamic country that already stigmatizes adoption would be exceedingly difficult.

As long as sin remains—this side of the return of Christ and the ushering in of the news heavens and the new earth—racism will remain. There is virtue neither in overstating or unstating this reality. But the idea of having qualms about transracial adoption (or interracial marriage) because it will create opportunities for more racial prejudice doesn’t ultimately make a lot of sense. As John Piper has commented, “It’s like the army being defeated because there aren’t enough troops, and the troops won’t sign up because the army’s being defeated.”

Eva Quote: Snuggle Forever

e:"Let's snuggle forever, Mommy."
M:"But what if we get hungry?"
e:"We'll just eat cupcakes."
M:"Okay, but what if we wanna do something else?"
e:"We won't, but if we do, we can just do that thing, then come back and snuggle forever."

Sounds good to me. ♥

The Girl

It's been a while since I've posted just about my girl. She changed a lot over the last several months as she nearing her 4th birthday; there's really no more toddler left in her these days. My lil E is maturing. Lately she's all about school, chores, getting married, and copying everything Mummzie does with Dre. "I got it! I got it!" is one of Eva's new catch phrases. This week E's learned about independenc vs. humility after several flashes of frustrated effort to do things herself; Mummzie is seeking to help E see that everyone needs help sometimes - even very grown-up little girls.

This winter "semester" Mummzie and Eva have dove head-long into preschool following an online curriculum. Evangeline is eating it up! We're working to establish a routine of work and school in preparation for next year when it starts to matter.

Daddy does "Bible" with E a couple times a week, and together, Mummzie and Eva are studying some memory verses, letters, colors, numbers, motor skills, writing, shapes, time and calendars, weather, and some science. It's total fun. Eva can recognize and recite her family's names, write her own, count to 20 without mentioning one "farteen" (we're sad to see that phase pass), and can recite 5 memory verses with references! Mummzie and Daddy are so proud. If I spent more time with her with these things, I'm sure she would know more, but for now this is what we're able to do and it's going great!

Here's our "school board" that we made using a $10 oil drip pan from Walmart as a magnetic surface.

Every weekday we observe the weather, mark our day on the calendar, go over our verse, shape, color, letter, and number of the week with different projects.

Daily chores are also part of the routine and Mummzie and Eva work together to make things purty. Eva's chores include dusting, wiping the oven front, wiping finger prints off the windows, watering plants, loading and unloading laundry, and wiping the bathroom sink.

Eew!

Chores vary daily, but there are some we do every day, like hair-brushing and making our bed!

Another one of Eva's catch phrases: "Can I have a snack?" (that's what she's asking below) Our girl is growing, but not too much. She's just right for weight at 32lbs, but she's on the short side at 38in - only 10% of American 3.5 year-olds are her size or smaller. She's just following her mama's genes, I guess.

Thanks to a growing body, a new burst of fearlessness, and a strong desire to do things on her own, this kind of scene (pictured below) is more and more the norm. Yep, E's most common catch-phrase these days is "Oopsy!" and we've taken to calling her "our Daisy" sometimes because of it, tho she's not in on the joke. 

Favorite food: Nutella

Favorite toy: ALL the Babies (some not pictured, but all loved). New word: "Nuffalot" Definition: "Enough to have a lot." Usage: "Looks like I have a nuffalot of babies, Mama."

And that's our girl.

'Sup with Dre: 8 months old!

I'm happy to report that this month...I grew.

 You knew you could count on me! This month I'm checkin' in weighing about 22lbs and I'm taller, but Ma is too busy to check how much... maybe I'll get back to ya on that one. Anyway, life is good. I'm breakin' in another tooth and I figured out how to use my fingers to grab tiny stuff - Ma an Pa are delighted as usual. I can play peek-a-boo too, but only to catch chicks. I'm up on my knees and rocking some these days, but only if they make me. I prefer to sit and yell for transport like any self-respecting gentleman would.

Looks like I'll be getting somethin' Ma calls a "Cranial Remolding Helmet." Apparently my head isn't shaping up in the back how my doctor thinks it should (thanks to that broken collar bone at birth), so in the next couple months if you see me sportin' defencive headgear, don't get too excited... I haven't been drafted, yet.

 In the last few weeks I've given up on talking, except one word, "Guh" and I use it to call Mom. She doesn't like it much, but I think it's funny that she comes anyway. Oh, and I really dig her lately. Somethin' about her...okay, I'll admit it, I've kinda grown a soft spot this month, but let's keep it between us, k? Truth is, Ma has this way that just makes me melt. Sometimes, I could just sit and "guh" at her for hours.

More new foods have been on the menu this month, which is good, because I've been considering weaning early - bottles are for babies. These days I prefer blueberries, yogurt, and if Dad takes us out, ice cream!

A few of my favorite things these days are hitting anything I'm holding against anything else, spitting, and biting (the friendly kind, no worries). I make Daddy proud. I also love music - especially live singing. Wanna get a grin? Just give me a melody.

Did ya know I'm a details man? Yup, I notice everything. Daddy changed his shirt? I've got a comment. Ma put up her hair? I need to see where that hair went. Sissy has chocolate on her face? Don't worry, I'll get it. The clouds move, I notice. A chair is in a different location than the day before? I give it a good stare-down. Ma says this is all a sign of high intelligence, I say, "Duh."  

I wanna be a big boy so bad, but my body, for now, isn't getting getting the plays I'm calling. When I try and can't go play with the neighbor boys and Sissy, I throw tantrums. As they should though, they come runnin' back when I bellow.

Catch ya later!

These Two

"You smiled... and that's the last I've seen of my heart." -Unknown

Adoption Update: Last of the Paperwork

Ain't he a miracle? And so handsome! Mmm, hmm.

Last month we saw the one year marker of when we first called our agency to start the process of adoption. Our adoption journey was unusally short and lavishly blessed. We have SO much to rejoice about! Wow.

Our state mandated 6 months "term of evaluation and supervision" has ended, and last month we met with our adoption attorney to file the last of the paperwork to make Dre's adoption final. In a few weeks he'll be officially a Campbell as recognized by the state of Virginia. Maybe we'll throw a party...maybe we'll just throw our little man around like he loves. : )

Snow Days

My angels (Aawww.) Yeah, they're almost the same size.

Though they've melted fast, we've had three fun snow days this winter. Dre-boo got out for this one, made a few drool-cicles.

Sissy was delighted.

She puts stuff on his head. It's what they do.

Dre fell over, but not out, so... success!

That's right, head-first.

My boys even braved the sledding hill together.

All this wreckless sliding around was a bit much for some nervous on-lookers. "Daddy, don't bonk a tree!" That's my girl.

***

Eva Quote: Hold On

e (pointing up at Heaven): "I bet it would take a loooong time to get up there."

Mummzie: "Maybe. Maybe it's a quick trip. How do you think we can get there?"

e: "We'll just hooooold onta Jesus." (southern accent)

 

and that's all it takes. : )