Progress

My plan was to document a bit of the progress we're making over here at Poulin Academy but now that I've got pictures loaded I'm too wiped out. So for another day. In short, it is good. Challenging, stretching, humbling but good. I love having the girls home and the three of us have been up to some good fun. I'm thankful for the choice we made. More updates later but for now, some pics.....

 

And here we go again.....

 

 

 

Homeschool Round Two.

 

Tomorrow the Poulin Academy will commence with these three superheroes ready and eager to learn {well at least I'm hoping for that}. After much prayer, a whole lot of research and more prayer we are stepping out in faith and being obedient to what we feel God calling us to do with our kiddos. We love our little elementary school and adore our girls' teachers but feel like this is the direction He is leading us. We are a bundle of emotions over here but mostly excited for the journey ahead. I'm excited to have more time with them, to help shape their hearts and spend more time growing in our faith together. I'm looking forward to learning alongside them and getting to see firsthand when they master a new skill or concept. We know this is not going to be easy. There will be a lot of sacrifices made around here to keep these kiddos doing school at home. We've weighed it all out, made the lists of pros and cons and agreed that we could argue both sides until the cows come home but at the end of the day we have to go where He is leading us. There may not be a logical explanation and it may be counter cultural but it's where He has us. And that gives me a peace that surpasses all understanding. He is so good like that. We welcome your prayers as begin this new chapter and I'll be sure to keep you posted on PA news. For now, I'm off to do some lesson planning.

 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.

                                                        Psalm 127:3-5

 

 

 

 

 



Soccer Saturdays with Millie

Well I'm a little late on posting this one considering her season has been over for two weeks. But she was sure to give me grief when she noticed Jo's soccer post so alas better late than never.

 

Millie moved up to a bigger field this year and the addition of goalies.

Each of the girls had the opportunity to try out the keeper position a few times.

Mils really enjoyed it but I definitely think she's more in her element out in the field.

She loves to be running and has a hard time being still for long.

These pics are from her first outing at goalie.

Determination written all over that face of hers!



She's such a fierce little competitor and we've had to do some work on our winning vs losing attitude. It's not all about winning, right? 

It was a great season with great coaches and fun girls. A few of them she's been playing with since she started. She learned so much this season and I'm already looking forward to watching her next year.



And this crazy one....he can play next year. Oh goodness.

 

Next up....Soccer Saturdays with Maggie Lu.

Soccer Saturdays with JoJo

 

Two seasons into her soccer career and I'd say she's loving it.

 

 

 

"You guys really need to cheer me up this game so I can get it in the goal." Jo in the car on the way to the fields. Pretty sure she meant "cheer me on." 







 

I could watch her run up and down the field all day. She's a little oblivious and totally happy.

 

 

 I noticed something this past week while I was taking pictures. Her tongue is always out of her mouth. Notice above three exhibits. She's looking just like her Auntie Ali.

 

With one game left on the schedule I think it's safe to say she's had an awesome soccer season. Excited for every practice and every game. Just so darn happy to be out on the field playing with her buddies. And the best part of the game for her....giving her coach Jessie high fives. She thinks he's pretty darn great.

 

 

 

Couldn't love this little soccer player any more.

Pumpkin Pickin'

 

 

Oh, what fun it is introducing Z to all the firsts.

I love that he seems to be enjoying the beauty of this season as much as I do.

 

We hit the pumpkin patch today. Well, more like the produce stand but it's just perfect for us. 

Jojo-always the clown.

I just might have to frame this one in the middle.

 





 

And this goof ball did NOT want to stop for 2 seconds for a picture. Hence the crazy eyes.

I can't imagine our family without this little one.

I am so thankful for the firsts we get to share with him.

 



 

Wouldn't trade one minute of this crazy, loud life. Love these monkeys.

 



Moments

This morning we started a new Bible study at church. Ann Voskamp's 1000 Gifts. I read her book a couple years ago so it shouldn't have come as a surprise when the tears welled up and the emotions let loose. Her words are so beautiful, so poetic and filled with truth. One of the many points that hit home today was the moments in our day. Each of the minutes that add up to the moments that comprise her lives.

Our days are so hurried. From the moment we wake in the morning we're hurrying from one activity to the next. By 8:45am I've already loaded kids in the car and left my driveway twice. Most days there will be at least four more trips down the driveway. Always on the go.

I have to admit, I'm growing weary of this pace. I want to slow down and enjoy the moments. I want to take in the minutes with my children because I know those minutes are fleeting and before you know it your baby boy is fourteen and feeling the growing pains of teen years.

I want to slow down and rediscover life with my kids.

To see the world through their eyes and with their enthusiasm.

I want to cherish each and every moment without feeling the pressure to rush to the next activity.

I want to document again so they have record of our moments together.

So when our memories fail us we have an archive.

 

 I don't want to miss the minutes with these sweet faces.

 

 

To see through their eyes and from their perspective.

Signs along the way that I've passed dozens and dozens of times but never noticed.

Today I'm giving thanks for those moments and prayerful for more minutes.

 Less hurried. More simple.

 

 

Five

Five months home with our little man. Crazy how fast time goes by and yet at times it feels like a lifetime. As our social worker says, "all things considered" this kiddo is doing amazing! He is such a happy, joyful, go-with-the-flow kid and almost always has a smile on his face.

This past week he joined the entire family for a week of VBS. He did amazing and far exceeded our expectations for how he would handle the crazy week and how well he would do with his group. It helped having big sis as his leader and mom and dad around every corner but he did a great job participating and even made it the entire morning with his group one of the days.

To see him with his siblings you'd think they'd been together their whole lives. There is no shortage of love, hugs, snuggling and of course fighting. I knew we were a true family when the arguing began. Last week, in the midst of snuggling, Jo turned to me and said I'm so glad you went to Africa to get my little brother, I love him so much. Have I mentioned adoption rocks?

This past week Z has expressed some hard stuff about Ethiopia and we have experienced some deep grief. It is heartbreaking and leaves me feeling so helpless. His heart is missing his first home and his first mama. I did the only thing that made sense and cried with him and prayed over him. There is something in your mama gut that knows the difference between a tired, frustration cry and a cry that comes from deep within that is filled with mourning. As difficult as it is we aren't going to shy away from talking about Ethiopia or listening to music or looking at pictures. We pray this helps him work through the grief and keeps him connected to his heritage. It's hard to even comprehend how a three year old can articulate the loss as he does. He amazes me every single day.

Oh what a ham this sweetie his!

This kiddo, he inspires me everyday. His strength and courage are far beyond what they should be at just three years old. He is teaching me and I am being stretched in motherhood like never before. But I wouldn't trade one moment of it. Okay, maybe just a little less whining.... but it's all worth it when I see this cutie pie smile and do a little dance.

Our trip to the city instagram style

Overcast, cloudy holiday weekend=spontaneous trip to the city

With a change of clothes, a stroller and a backpack we hopped in the car and decided to drive north. We had absolutely no plans. Sometimes that's the best way to roll. First stop: The Folklife Festival at Seattle Center. A little music, a little dancing and lots of interesting folks. I'm pretty sure Millie could have stayed there all day listening to the music and watching the square dancing but the rest of us decided a change of scenery would be good and hopped the monorail for downtown.

 

 

 

Next stop: the market

I wish we could have bottled up all of Z's reactions. He loved the sights and sounds and especially  the music on every corner. I carried him on my back most of the time and I think it was the perfect way for him to take it all in. I worried about him being overstimulated but as long as he was close to me, he was totally digging all the fun the city has to offer.

 

drooling over the fresh flowers.

 

 

Maggie giving mom a break.

 

Sammy's turn packing Z.

 

Our crazy crew

Blessed.

 

 

 

{3}

Today marked three months home with our Z man. In some ways it feels far longer than three months but in most ways it's hard to believe it's going so fast. It's difficult to say that things are getting "better" or "easier" because the tone can change around here so quickly. Most often we are able to quantify it by days but at other times it moments. We are all getting to know each other better and understand the new dynamics of our family. Our new is beginning to feel much more normal albeit very loud! Henry Zelalem is adored by his siblings and there is never a shortage of hugs, kisses and snuggles around here. Rocky and Sam have introduced him to nightly wrestling matches but truth be told, I think he prefers wrestling his sisters.

One Month

 

Our sweet, energetic, smiley boy has been home one month today! He is adjusting so well to the craziness of this home and fits in so well. He loves being in the car and on the go...thank goodness because his siblings keep a pretty packed schedule. His absolute favorite thing to do is be outside on the tractor mower with his dad. Once he's on there's no getting him off. He almost fell asleep on their last week. We are longing for the summer to be here-this kid is going to be outside from sun up to sun down.

 

He adores his siblings. He and Sam are constantly wrestling and playing chase around the kitchen loop. The girls are all mothering him and even though Jo has had a few growing pains since he's been home she is mostly tender and sweet with him. It's been so fun to see her in the big sister role.

 

A few little tidbits about Z at one month home:

*He sleeps great at night, not so much for naps.

*Oatmeal and toast with peanut butter are his favorite foods.

*He is saying more words everyday and seems to understand almost everything we say.

*He plays so sweetly when the kids are all at school and usually chooses the baby dolls and stroller to play with.

*He knows all his siblings names and Grandma and Papa.

*When he says "I love you" it sounds like "I lub you"-melts my heart.

*He is almost ALWAYS smiling and has the BEST giggle ever.

*We are head over heels for this little guy and can't even imagine life without him.

 

 

This past month has been anything but easy but we would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I am so thankful we said 'yes' and have been blessed with the gift of this sweet guy.

An Update {a very short one}

So it's been some time since I did any blogging. Like I sort of completely left out two holidays, trip one to Ethiopia, trip two to Ethiopia and our son being home!! Yikes. We are home and we are adjusting to life as a family of seven. I have so much to say yet still find myself trying to process it all. I have moments that I look at our sweet Z and can't believe he's finally here. I have moments of deep grief for the loss that has occurred so that we may have the joy of our son. And I have moments I'm clinging to His truths just to get through the next hour. But He is GOOD I tell you. We may have tough days and I'm sure there will be many more ahead but we also have amazing ones and the smile on this kiddo's face will light up a room like no other. We are so very thankful and humbled that God has entrusted us with this precious one.