A day in the life...

When we returned home with Abe, we immediately established a routine and have made it a point to stick with it. We know that all kids thrive with consistency and routine, and it's even more crucial for a child who has been ripped from all he has known and thrust into a completely different life halfway across the world.

This routine has been really good for all of us. A lot of people ask how having this little boy has affected my ability to work my Premier business. I can joyfully say that my business has even grown during this time! Abe plays so well in my office while I work, and he's easy to take with me when I need to run errands, make deliveries & pick-ups, and he and Daddy enjoy their time together when I'm at a Home Show.

The routine has been especially good for Abe. Over and over in our preparation and training we were told of the importance of at least one parent staying home with the child for the first few months. Our agency actually told us that we are required to have one parent home for the first 6 months. That worked out great since I work from home (thank you Lord for providing Premier!). Just 2 months in, I can see why this is so crucial. It would be too much to explain here, but I can say that it has made all the difference in Abe's adjustment. He knows we are here for him, when we do things, how we do things, that we will be here when he wakes, we will feed him, change him, love on him, kiss his "owies," play with him...Each week we've seen more and more good things in regard to his adjustment. At this point with Abe...because of his situation and because of his age, I am just so thankful that I do not have to leave him to go to work. I know this is the way God intended it, and I pray that more and more mommies see the value in staying home with their little ones and have the opportunity to do so. That's one of the many reasons I am so passionate about Premier...especially now that I am one of the ones benefiting from staying home. I've waited over 9 years for this precious child...and I am so grateful for each little minute I get to spend with him. (I may not enjoy each little minute...dirty diapers, fussy attitudes, etc...but I'm still thankful for them!)

I'm being constantly reminded that he's always watching...he is like a sponge right now, soaking up everything. I'm so glad (yet also scared to death!) that we are the ones he is watching. We know what he is seeing and hearing and learning. It's also great accountability. I've been hit with the immense weight of what it is to raise up a child to understand God's great love & sacrifice...His purpose for our lives. Each choice that I make will affect Abe one way or another. My main task right now is to teach Abe the Truth about God, His Son, and this world. He may not understand those concepts right now, but he is learning from what I do and say. My words & actions are under a microscope...it's challenging, but I know the Lord is sanctifying (or attempting to!) me through it.

Well, enough of my ramblings...here are some photos of Abe in his daily routine.

BATH TIME! (Ben wrote a little bath time song, and Abe loves it. He starts singing it whenever he sees water...a pond, lake, fountain, pool...)

PLAYING IN MOMMY'S OFFICE

TAKING A "MOK" (Since the weather has been nice, we've been taking daily walks in the neighborhood after nap time. We finish it off by playing in the front yard. Sometimes Izzie joins in too!)

"UMMY UMMY?" (This is how he asks if it is time to eat. This boy loves to eat, and he's a good eater. He's just recently begun to use utensils. I don't let him use them all of the time, but we're starting to use them more and more. He picks up on things quickly!)

We have fun! He's really such a sweet, content little boy. His personality is coming out more and more all of the time, and he keeps us laughing! It's hard to imagine our lives without him now. And Izzie is just in heaven having this little guy around all of the time.