Tag Archives: Lena

Warning: Gang Activity

Content may not be appropriate for all viewers. Contains images of wild children and the unglamourized parenting.

This sweet young fellow was once the Jackson Pollock of yogurt art.gusyogurt

and had plans to start a lucrative window cleaning business.
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But has since gotten caught up in this dangerous gang…
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The hazing was extreme. A dunk in the winter clothes bin,
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and the classic, graffiti.
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Now he’s in deep.
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They may look harmless with their blue marker lipstick
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and the early stages of sneaking out and “playing in the mud”
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but the youngest has already forcibly occupied the previously unexplored territory of the McDonalds castle.Untitled

They’ve also been known to use other unexpected hideouts.
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They’re perfecting their plan to rob a toy store, beginning with the disguises…Untitled

next the getaway,
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and, the newbie has figured out where to hide their stash.Untitled

They’ve already mugged the poor dog.
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twice.
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We believe all they may want is a phone to say…
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If you see this gang, please contact their mama and DO NOT APPROACH without backup. 

True Love

I want to talk to you about love. Surprise, surprise, it IS Valentine’s Day after all.

Last year, on Valentine’s Day, I met my baby boy for the first time. I fell head over heels for that kid and I’m still an obnoxious adoring mom, soaking up his kisses and tugs on my legs.

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I love that kid. And I’ve seen how our family’s love for him has transformed him. And I’ve seen how the love of families has transformed the lives of so many once-orphans.

Love can do incredible things.

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“Мама любит Андрюша.” “да!” I say this to him often. “Mama loves Andrusha!” “Yes!,” he happily exclaims.

Love can be material. Roses that will die. Chocolates that will add to your waist line. Lingerie that will end up in the dust under your bed.

Or, love can be more. The love a mother has for her son. The love a God has for his children.

Along with my friend Jill, I’m committing to spend this lent season praying for the orphans who do not know love. That families might find them, and barriers will be shattered, political, financial, all kinds. That they will someday be LOVED.

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(And disclaimer: I know I blog about Gus way more than Reed and Lena! I need to do some posts on them soon, but I had to use Gus an example since today is our Metcha-versary.)

A Bittersweet 6 months

Tuesday marked 6 months home for my littlest man. I love this kid. Love, love, love him. And he loves us. Seriously, he soaks up having a mama and a papa and a big brother and sister. One of his latest words is “kickle”, asking me to tickle him. He loves to cuddle and kiss us.

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(He ran in to a cabinet.)

He loves us. He needs us. He reminds me every day… babies need mamas. This is truly a bittersweet realization every time it hits me, in light of the Russian adoption ban. When I think about all of the babies who don’t have anyone to snuggle them or “kickle” them or tuck them in and tell them “Мама любит Андрюша. Спокойной ночи. (Mama loves Andrusha. Goodnight.)”, that breaks my heart. When my baby snuggles on my lap, he is 100% my baby. But, I can’t help but think of where he once was.  When I think about how there are only months separating him from being my baby and being stuck in a Russian orphanage, that breaks my heart.

But, my baby’s here. Celebrating 6 months this week. We’re loving life together.

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But, I’m also asking you to join us in prayer for the thousands of Russian orphans who will be left behind if this ban stands. I’m asking you to pray that the hearts of politicians in power soften and the truth is known– that for thousands of children, there is no hope for them in Russia and they deserve the love of a family.