First day of school 2011



Michael - age 14, 8th grade
Next year, high school??  UGH!



Zion, age 10, 4th grade
still loves school! 

Isaac, age 11 1/2 - 6th grade
first year of middle school
very anxious

I really love these guys!

Zion wanted to hold Meleah before he left for school
and of course, Isaac had to get in on his share of kisses

Thankfullly, I have a good zoom on my camera, (thanks Mike)
I was told that it was NOT COOL to take pictures



We are the last bus stop before the bus heads to the school
It's nice - because the boys don't have to get on the bus super early,
and the ride to the base is short.



Isaac didn't want to ride the bus on the first day. 

He was a little nervous about finding his classes and just the change to middle school in general.

So, Michael and Zion got on the bus, and I loaded up Meleah and Isaac and made a mad dash over to the school.

After realizing that no other middle schoolers' moms were there, Isaac quietly "dismissed" me.

I headed over to the elementary side of the school to make sure Zion found his classroom okay.

I got to the door and the teacher was already doing some type of math review.

Zion looked like a deer in the headlights - but he was there.

I was told before school to NOT bring the camera to school.

(*no cubbies with crayon names to take photos of .....)

So after peeking into his classroom, I felt a little lost. 

I love my kids - and as they get older, I feel a little less "needed".

Honestly, It's a blow to my ego.

I guess I go back home now.......

before the principal's announcement asking parents to leave,

those parents, (like me) that have trouble letting go.  

I walked numbly down the stairs and out the door.

I was almost to the van when I heard the principal's voice,

"Thank you parents for getting us started off to a great school year.

It's time to make your way out of the classrooms, so we can begin our day of learning"

sigh

At least the first day only a half-day.

How many days until Christmas break?

 

Meleah - one month old

Meleah,

Today you have been with our family for  little over 4 weeks.
It doesn't seem like a long time in some ways,
but you have changed so much.

You have gained almost 2 1/2 pounds and you now look like a baby
(*complete with chubby cheeks)
instead of a wiry newborn.

You have captured our hearts and we love you so much.

I have had the name Meleah Elizabeth picked out for my little girl for over 18 years,
so when you came to our family without a name, 
it seemed natural to call you Meleah.

Your brothers love you and have tons of nicknames for you.

Zion's proclamation that you are
"the Queen of Cuteness and Sweetness"
seems to be the title that has stuck.

They like to hold you and give you a bottle.

They talk to you in the sweetest little voices.

For me,
It feels like you have been in my heart for such a long time,
but I am just now getting to meet you.

No matter what the future holds for you - you will always be in my heart.

I love you little girl !

Meleah - 4 days old - July 31st

6 days old - August 2nd

August 27th - one month

One of our favorite poses of you -
You almost always sleep with your hands up like this.
We all think it's adorable,
and we say that you are Praising the Lord!
He is worthy of all our praise!

Good morning!

We can't all be morning people -

but it helps to wake up to something this sweet.

Extra commentary by Zion

The New Normal

I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since a baby girl was placed in our home for foster care.

For those who don't know me well,  I love babies.

Really, really...........yes, really.

Everything - yes, I am dog-tired and most days I want to take a nap, (and some days I do)

But I look at that sweet, little face and see Jesus.

contentment

trust

peace

gentleness

faithfulness

joy
So we are adjusting to a new normal here at the Thornton casa.

Here are a few photos:

Last months laundry:

This month's laundry:

Last month

I was getting up at 5am to go to the gym.

This month

I am napping on the couch by 5pm.

Last month's kitchen:

This month's kitchen:

(the only downside to foster care and adoption)
(nursing is SO MUCH easier than making bottles)

And this is just a small example of the changes in our house.

I want to give a special thank you to so many friends, neighbors, church family and just people who heard we were in need.

The outpouring of diapers, wipes, baby clothes, strollers .........everything. 

You have truly blessed us beyond measure

for this new little one in our home.
Please continue to pray for the legal process to go quickly.

In the best interest of the baby, we want her to be in her forever home as soon as possible, no matter where that might be.  We certainly are bonding with her and loving her each and every day.  If God would have her be part of our family, we would be so thankful.

Thank you all!

Officially introducing........

Last Thursday my friend Bethany (also a foster mom) called me on my cell phone.

She told me that social services was calling down the list of foster parents for placement of a baby.

"CALL THEM!"  she encouraged,  "QUICK!"

So I did!


And she came

      Meleah Elizabeth was born on Wednesday, July 27th 2011 weighing in at just 5 lb 4 oz.

She is so very tiny 

Michael's hand, Meleah's foot

and so very perfect!

She is an angel baby.  

Sleeps and eats and never fussy.

Isaac feeding Meleah

She loves her brothers

and they love her.

We are not sure how long she will be with our family,
But I have to admit, I am enjoying having a baby AND a girl!

Zion's birthday

I wrote about Zion turning 5 here.

And the photos from his 10th birthday can be found here.

For Zion, personally, I just wanted to add:

You will always be the speical baby that grew in my tummy.

I love you for all the 'best' of your daddy and me that God gave you.

I love that you are good at math, like dad.

and that you love music as much as I do.

I love that you have dad's brown eyes and my nose.

I love that you are a little more outgoing like me, but that you do have a shy streak too.

I love you for your sense of humor and your sense of justice.

I love that you have been my baby boy for your whole life.

Happy Birthday Zion.

I love you!

small wonder, BIG GOD

We look for vision from heaven,
for earthquakes
and thunders of God's power,

and we never dream

that all the time

God is in the commonplace things

and people around us.

~Oswald Chambers~


When a tiny life comes into the world,
unaware to anyone but the nurses on duty;

we often think it a tragic thing.

How arrogant we are to assume that God
was taken by surprise,

That HE did not know,

or did not care.

For the God of the universe
is never surprised
or caught without a plan.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future"

We are excited to be part of HIS plan,
even though we don't know the future
we will continue to trust in the ONE who does.