My Ben is NINE years old!

May 6, 2003....9:35 am on a really rainy, stormy morning, my second son BEN was born.  Ben is my "heart."  He feels every emotion whether is joy or sadness,  to the fullest.  He has the most empathy of any person I have met...Ben is one of those boys who will have your back to the end.  I LOVE watching him grow.  He is stubborn, whew is he stubborn!  I know God has big plans for my Ben....

Last year, we were in China adopting Florie for Ben's 8th birthday.  He climbed the Great Wall that day.  He was so excited!  Starting one year ago:

The Great Wall on his 8th birthday

Forbidden City

He (and the other kids) were quite a hit in China

He took his bigger brother role seriously

A "real" Mom's cake once we were home

Being silly

Boogie boarding...one of Ben's loves

But finding sea creatures, that is first on his list

Double checking to make sure all his discoveries are safe

Off to third grade!

Seeing the Atlanta Aquarium Whale Shark for the first time...this boy is a sponge for learning!

Field Trip to Cheekwood...he came home with pockets full of flowers from the ground, and taught us about every one!

He loves to run....right at a 7:00 minute mile!

Camping....where Ben would live if we let him.  He loves the wildlife, the plants and trees, the quiet noises, and the FREEDOM

to go explore first thing every morning!

He has no fear of being teased:  " I like myself and really do not care what anyone else thinks or says."  How I pray he never develops that fear. His creativity runs beautifully now!

His first diorama.....completed by himself with a focus on one of his favorite animals.

Planning our Halloween party

Oh yea....ever since he was two, and ate too much candy while out trick or treating in the HOT Halloween night (causing an upchuck in the street), we knew we were in trouble.  He loves CHOCOLATE (like his Mom!).

Serving as Captain at the Memphis soccer tournament was a highlight of his year.  He was SO proud and took the job of representing his team very seriously.  Ben works really hard to never let anyone down.  

CHAMPION!

And, in the spring, a lil' snow cone never hurt anyone!

Ben adores animals

and treats them kindly

loving on each and every one

He wants to help our planet by planting trees

and observing how "things" work

Lego is happy that Ben exists

and the feeling is mutual

Ben is the kid you want in your house on CHRISTmas morning...he LOVES his gifts but he also jumps with joy as everyone else opens their gifts!  His favorite time is when we unwrap his homemade gifts to us....what a treasure!

He spends a lot of time at the library...book worm might be an apt description

MORE CHOCOLATE :)

Silly guy!

He cheers for everyone and truly feels joy from watching others

even though he does get tired of Mom trying to get his pictures

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my creative, athletic, empathetic, animal loving, strong, passionate, friendly, chocolate eating, night owl living, reading under the covers BEN!  This world is a better place because of you, and I thank God for you!!

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory."

Author: Douglas MacArthur

One Year Ago, Florie became a BOGER forever!

One month before we met (March 2011)

First night, first bath (April 2011)

One Month Home (May 2011)

Two Months Home (June 2011)

Three Months Home (July 2011)

Four Months Home (August 2011)

Five Months Home (September 2011)

Six Month Home (October 2011)

Seven Months Home (November 2011)

Eight Months Home (December 2011)

Nine Months Home (January 2012)...and a silly face

Ten Months Home (February 2012)

Eleven Months Home (March 2012)

ONE YEAR since we met....April 2012

Oh how she shines

What if we said NO to adoption?

I cannot even swallow and say that question at the same time.

She is a light.

But do not make her angry or you might get "the look."

What a difference TIME makes.

I pray that Florie's birth mom is at peace that Florie is okay.  How I wish I could meet her, and hold her hand, look in her eyes, and tell her that all is well.  I want to tell her thank you for giving Florie up for adoption rather than choosing other options.  I hate that we will always have so many questions that will never be answered.  I pray that Florie always feels CHOSEN.  She is a BOGER and nothing will ever change that for her or our boys.  Our children are so well loved by God.  They are beloved in His eyes! I know there will be rough and sad and difficult times to come, but today, we celebrate our sweet girl that we met only ONE YEAR AGO today!

"Do you want to do something beautiful for God? There is a person who needs you. This is your chance." ~ Mother Teresa

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

Romans 8:14-16

ABBA, FATHER!

Love,

Eve

11 months home...

Florie has now been home 11 months.  She is 2 3/4 years old.  She is loud.  She is busy.  She is strong-willed.  She has an amazing giggle.  She loves to imitate.  She is working on decreasing her whining :)
She is learning to control her impulses.  She is a great eater and a good (though light) sleeper.  She LOVES her brothers.  She loves being outside.  She can throw a really good tantrum, complete with jumping up and down.  My favorite time is when I nap with her and she thinks I am asleep, and she rubs my cheek so softly, then kisses me, holds my hand, puts her nose next to mine, and dozes off.

Captured by my photographer friend Vickie Pewitt

Hanging at one of Mommy's board meetings....looking for Mr. Greg with his iPad

She likes to travel....walking to the park, leaving in the car, riding on an escalator, flying in an airplane.  She loves to get dressed by herself and picks out most of her own clothes.  She likes to wear her dresses backwards so SHE can button/snap them.  She likes to buckle her own car seat (after I remind her that she cannot ride in the boys' booster seats that she races to, buckles, and sits in, not looking at me and hoping I will let it go THIS time).  She does not mind if I say no...because she tries to ignore it the first three times. "Florie, do not touch that." TOUCH.  "Florie, Mommy said do not touch that.  Please do not touch that."  Attempt to TOUCH.  "FLORIE, what did Mommy say?"  "Do not touch that."  "SO, what are you doing?" TOUCH.  She is learning what the time in chair means.  She is learning what quiet means.  We are in progress currently!

Collecting flowers outside

No yellow, just purple

All in one place

Now to "replant"

She does NOT like me to leave.  At all. I have had to learn (through William) how to be very matter of fact when I do leave (and not coddle her to much) and this has helped a lot. William is a saint...she throws a mega FIT usually until she hears the garage door close, and then she will tell him, " I all done." and move on with life.  She is a smart cookie, and also a teensy weensy whole lot manipulative.  I hear this is a girl thing and not just an adoption thing, but, we are working through it.  I am a bit of a sucker, so she works me sometimes :)

Vegetables are still not high on her list.  She likes edamame, roasted broccoli, and um, that is about it.  A few beans and some corn have made it in her.  She is a meat eater trapped with a near vegan gluten free Mommy!  She loves orange juice, and popcorn is her favorite snack.

She will go to preschool 2 days a week next year.  She wants to ski when she is three. She cannot wait for the pool to open. She could spend everyday at the park. She can work my iPhone better than me. Florie loves to go to soccer games and cheer for her brothers.  She loves baths.  She wants pjs that match, not some hodgepodge like the boys would wear.

Trying on shoes with Amanda....Florie found her NEW favorite place....DSW shoes!

It is hard work holding a tunnel up!

In her element

Being the boss....

Go brothers!  She cannot wait to play HER soccer!

We met her on Easter Day last year....it has almost been one whole year since we became FAMILY.

Life is busier, life is crazier, life is louder, but I cannot imagine life ANY OTHER WAY.

“A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed on the anvil of everyday living.”  ~ Chuck Swindoll

Psalms 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. 

Busy times at the Boger House

Please check out Amanda's blog at www.chinesestarfish.blogspot.com to see how Amanda is doing!

We are praying for April 11....please join us!


Psalm 107:19-21

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress; he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

Ten Months Home....and a new friend in town

Has it almost been a month since my last post?  WOW.  Life is flying by.  I just cannot believe it!  We have been super busy with the usual suspect stuff, but last week our friend AMANDA of the STARFISH FOSTER HOME (see her blog)  arrived in Nashville for treatment of her newly diagnosed cancer.  We have been so blessed to have Amanda at our house, but I have not been in front of the computer too much! Please pray for healing for Amanda.  She has over 50 Starfish babies waiting for her in CHINA.

Hanging with Ms. Amanda her first morning here

Now to FLORIE. She has been home a full 10 months.  She speaks.  A LOT.  She pretty much talks nonstop and will not stop until I repeat her sentence so that she knows I know what she has said.  This is easier said than done sometimes, but she does a good job communicating.  She loves to sing....loudly.  I think cheerleading is in her future.  She loves to wrestle.  Watch out future boys....she will have one up on you with her three older brothers.  She is a tough cookie!

One afternoon at the park

She usually dresses herself and now has a special "smile" for the camera!

10 months ago I never thought she would EVER touch Izzy!

Watching her big brothers throw the football....from a good vantage point

Florie loves to GO.  She constantly asks, "I go?  I not stay?"  So here are a few "GO" pics:

With her great-grandad at a soccer game in Alabama

Hanging with Mom at Target...which she points out when we drive by.  One of our top shopping places!

Rainy day waiting on the boys.  Being silly with Mommy in the car

Really, she is very easy to travel!

At a soccer tournament in Tennessee...with snow cones. There are benefits to GOING places :)

10 MONTH LIKES:

Her ladybug nightlight

READING BOOKS....x 1000

Saying My Mommy, My Daddy

Looking at pictures of herself

singing and dancing

having tea parties

Loving on her baby...giving her a diaper, a bottle, putting her to nap, taking her to Whole Foods, etc

Pretend play

Colors and scissors aka "homework"

Saying Mommy instead of Momma now

Chocolate

Orange juice

Amanda...her new reading friend

10 month DISLIKES:

Raw veggies

Toast

Potty accidents

Wet diaper in the morning (funny....she wears a diaper at night. If I tell her she can have an m&m in the morning if her diaper is dry, then it is dry.  If I forget to tell her before bed, it is wet).

not being allowed to do it HERSELF

Pizza

Boys leaving for school

Still Mommy leaving the room. She prefers to follow me....though we are working on this slowly :)

She has grown so much....it is amazing!  What a tenacious soul....and so precious!