Family Christmas Picture!!!!

Our first Family Picture.

(Thanks Mr. Jason)

God Is Good Day! One Year Ago today!

One year ago today Kirk and I sat in a tiny little courtroom with 7 other people that were there in our favor and for Mason and Micah. We were told that 30 minutes and we would be done-well....it was about an hour or so later and we were done. We were asked many questions about why we wanted to adopt, could we afford to adopt, how big was our house, would I be a working mom, would the boys be taught English and many more questions. Some questions we thought the judge must be kidding to ask because the boys had never been to school and taught, didn't even own their clothes on their body, didn't have a family to call their's nor enough food to eat!!!! Needless to say, that we had leave our family back home to come rescue two little boys that God had been preparing for our family and friends. One year later we are so happy that God called us to adopt. We know that we were obedient and listened to His calling. You might ask, Is God finished with us? We don't know. Are we willing to follow His plan for our family?....YES we are. Is He plan always easy? No, it's not but it's the Perfect plan. Thank You to everyone that was and has been a part of Mason and Micah becoming an Albritton. Please continue to pray for our family as God continues to use us in His perfect plan for our lives. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

4:00p.m.

November 14, 2010, Kirk and I boarded a plane at 4:00p.m. We never really grasped just what God had in store for us but we knew He had an Awesome plan for our family. Thank You Lord for for providing for and blessing our family!

Dedication Sunday/Adoption Sunday

Dedication Sunday

What a sweet service this morning at church. One year ago today Kirk and I were getting ready to board a plan to Kiev, Ukraine to begin to meet the children that God had been preparing for us. This time last year 3 families in our church stood up to testify about how God was using us to adopt and today we were able to dedicate our children to the Lord. We serve an Awesome God!!! One that is Faithful in completing what He starts. Our church also continues to plan for the future of our children. We also voted on building a new sanctuary and once again God proved himself to provide. It want be long that we will begin to build a new church so that we can continue to reach more people for Christ. I hope you enjoy watching the video of the boys dedication service. Please continue to pray for our family as we continue to seek God in our lives. To our Church family, our family and friends-we love you for being a major part in bringing Mason and Micah home to their forever family.

First Soccer Game

Mason played his first soccer game Saturday and had a Blast!!! He made two Goals!!! Yeah! Go Mason!

He also played dress up with his daddys clothes.

My baby off to college....

I can not beleive that Morgan began her first year of college this week. It was just like the first day of kindergarten. I took many pictures of her and she thought I had lost my mind----well she might be right. HA! HA! I told her it was just like the first day of kindergarten--my "Big" girl is growing up. We wish her all the best at Tech.

The past...A Great New Future!!!!

ONE HAPPY AND LOVED LITTLE BOY!!!

As the boys and I head to school in the morning we always have interesting conversations and today was one of those.....As we headed out the door, Mason and I had went out before Micah and the glass door closed before Micah came out. With in seconds I heard this horrible screaming and crying so I turned around just to see Micah at the door yelling mom you locked the door on me. I did not lock the door and he could open it but something differently scared him or he had horrible flashbacks of his past life. I did ask Mason, what is wrong with Micah this morning and Mason proceeded to tell me about their past. It saddens my heart that our boys were treated so cruel by their birth family but we are so Thankful that they no longer have to worry about all that cruelty. I told Mason that mommy was going to pray that God would just help them forget about all the bad stuff that happened to them.

Will you join me in praying that Mason and Micah can just forget about all the bad stuff that happen to them in their past? Thank You for praying!

The first day of school...

I just posted this last title by mistake. So, here is the pictures that go along with it. The boys are enjoying going back to school. Micah even seems to be happy about it and Mason is excited about trying out Second Grade.

The first day of school....

Six months today!!!!!

Six months today I was arriving home at the Monroe airport with two little boys to begin a new life. They were no longer Ukrainian residents, no longer an orphan, no longer had to worry about clothes, food, shelter or being loved. They had everything they needed including a mom, dad, sister, brother and a host of friends and family that loved them so much already. It still brings tears to my eyes as as I remember entering the Monroe airport and everyone was there to welcome us home including almost our whole church family. We can't say Thank You enough for all the support that our church family gave to us during our adoption journey and they still continue to love and nurture our family. Thank you Fair Park family!!!!

The last six months have been good and bad-just like a normal family with home grown American kids. HA! The boys have learned and grown alot during this time. I am still amazed how Micah wants to pray all the time and Mason just loves music at church. We serve an Awesome God that can break any barriers down. I have posted a few pictures of our first days at home and the boys now. Look how much they have changed.

Thank You God for teaching us about love, grace, patience, keeping us safe during our many days in Ukraine, providing for all of our financial needs and bringing us all together as a family.

Lord, You are Enough!!!!

Can I call him......

Today as we are riding in the car, Mason said,"Mom can I ask you something?'' Sure, "I said." He said, "can I call Mitchell "Bubba"?" Well....I at first thought no because his name is Mitchell, but I said well I guess you can. When I asked Mason why he wanted to call Mitchell that-he said I just want to call him Bubba. Can it be that Mason is finally realizing that we are his family forever? Or does he just love his big brother so much that Bubba feels more real? Who knows-but for now Mitchell is bubba to Mason. Oh I forgot to say that Mason asked Mitchell if he could call him Bubba-and Mitchell said sure why not (I think Mitchell likes being the Big Brother).

We are so Thankful that God is growing us daily to be a family of 6. Some days are easier than others and some days are tougher than others-boy that sounds normal (HA! HA!).

Keep us in your prayers during the summer as the home of a Children's Minister seems to be busier than normal. Pray as I will have to leave the family for kids camp July 4-8. This will be the first time that I have left for this time length since the boys have been home.

God is Good and has blessed our family tremendously!!!!

5 Months Ago!

Tomorrow on June 19, 2011-Father's Day will be 5 months that the boys have been home. Some days it seems like they have always been with us and some days it seems that I was sitting in an apartment hundreds miles away from my family and just trying to survive with the boys. January 19, 2011 will definitely go down in history for me-I was so happy to see everyone at the airport that day. I am still amazed how well the boys are learning English-I sometimes forget that they knew no English when they came home. Just last week, one night after a day of Vacation Bible School, Mason quoted John 3:16-on his own with no prompting. I love the quite times in our home because that is usually when the boys will say stuff that you didn't even know they knew. A child that didn't even know that God existed is know able to quote His word. My prayer is one day that Mason will actually understand John 3:16. I must say Thank You to all Vacation Bible School teachers-You are planting Godly seeds in our boys hearts. THANK YOU!!! I love how God uses the still moments to teach us all.

On June 12, 2011, our Pastor was away from the pulpit and he had a sub for him. The sub Preacher preached on catching the vision. God gives us all a vision but we must be willing to carry it out. God used many dreams to help us catch the vision of adoption and even though we struggled at times we are so Thankful that we never turned lose of the vision He gave us. We spent over a year stepping out on Faith and following the vision God gave us-if God gives u a vison He will carry it through. Water your vision with Faith, nurture it with Pray and don't let go of it for God will carry you through it.

Camping Fun!

This weekend we had a Great time camping with our dear friends from Texas. We always enjoy our time with them and camping is a great time just to get away with friends and family. This was our first family trip since the boys have come in to our life and the first time that the boys have ever been camping. We had a wonderful time. Mason and Micah loved being able to play outside all day long. They even enjoyed playing in the lake. It is always fun to see how the boys react to first things; like eating Watermelon, sleeping outside, fishing and building a fire. I hope you enjoy the pictures that I have posted of this Wonderful experience.

From Russian to English

There are daily reminders of all the Wonderful people that have had an impact on our boys lives. I have to remind myself at times that they have only been home for 4 months. It feels like they have always been a part of the Albritton family. Tonight was a beautiful reminder of all those wonderful people---Mason sang in the Children's Musical at church and he had a drama part!!! WOW!!! He was the cutest jellyfish ever!! Thank You to Mrs. Liz that directs our Children Choirs, Mrs. Teresa, Mrs. Lennie, Mrs. Debbie, Mrs Jan, Miss Lynn and Mrs. Pat that taught Mason and Micah this choir year. You have taught our boys God's love and the love for music. Who would have thought that in 4 short months that our boys would be speaking so much English and also singing in English. God has blessed us tremendously and continues to daily.

Posted to pictures from Musical and Mason and his best friend Travis.

First Mom's Day

Today was Mom's Day at school and I was able to eat lunch with the boys. Here's a picture of our first Mom's Day together.

No words....

I wish I was a person that could write a lot better about our daily of our family but sadly to say I am not. I do my best to share what God lays on my heart. Our prayer throughout our blogging has been there everyone that reads our blog would see how God has provided and blessed our family. Just this week we have a plumber at our house finishing the plumbing for the addition that was added on to our house in May 2010. Due to time and money we had not been able to finish the plumbing--well God sent someone else once again to help us out. Needless to say, the plumbing has been a task for the plumber. I think it was more to it than we knew. Did I say that all of this work is being donated by another precious person that God sent our way? Yes, he is paying for it all!!! Our God is so Awesome!!!

Today was Mason and Micah's first time to ride the Day Care van to the church after school. They meet me there. They were so excited and loved every minute of it. They also enjoyed playing outside with some new friends.

I'm Still here...

Let me first say that I am very sorry that it has been so long since I blogged but it seems like each day passes by so quick and I am not sure why. I am still in shock that our baby girl will soon be graduating from High School in a few days and that our baby boy will be in Kindergarten. I do beleive that Clairol and I will remain close friends for a little bit longer.

I am trying to post daily to keep up with everything that is going on but I am not doing so well.

It thrilled my heart last night to see Mason and Micah be a part of our end of the year AWANA program. Just think---maybe next year they will be saying a verse!!! Mason also has a part in the Children's Musical at church. Way to go Mason!!!

Last week (April 2011) Mason told me "I wove you mom". Up until this point he would not respond to me when I would say, "I love you Mason". He would just turn away from me. He actually told me with no prompting.

I am so amazed of how much English the boys are learning. They speak very little Russian now if any. Micah is learning even more since he had his tonsils out. I do believe the surgery was a success.

The boys seem to be adjusting better and better as the days pass by. We can't even imagine life without them. It is so amazing to us how God has just knitted our family together. Just the other day, Mitchell said I find myself wondering what Mason and Micah would be doing if they weren't with us. There are days that I find myself thinking the same thing. I also find myself wondering what the children (that we meet at the orphanage) that were left behind are doing. I pray that God has a mommy and daddy waiting for them some where.

Continue to pray for us as we continue to grow as a family.

FAITH...is an action word!

Leading Worship

I am sure that Micah is going to be a a Worship Music leader someday. He came home from church today just singing away and directing his singing. As he was singing and directing he was also saying Mr. Dardis' (Mr. Darris') name alot. Mr. Darris is our worship leader at church. Praising God daily for giving us Micah and Mason. Micah also went to Children's Church this morning for the first time. Up until now he has been setting in Big Church with us. Mason is speaking English in sentences now instead of just one word phrases. We had a fun time during Spring Break, I will post about that later. It's now nite nite time. Good night everyone!

Faith!!!

So sorry that I haven't posted in 16 days but being a mommy of 4 is fun, busy, exciting and I love it!!!! Today was Micah's first full day of school. He has only been going a half of day up to this point but he stayed all day today. I missed not picking him up but I guess he did well at school because no one called me. Micah seems to have developed a sensitive heart for prayer time. I caught him praying in the bath tub the other night and was able to hear him calling out everyone's name and Thanking God for them and then I heard Amen!!! When he saw me watching him we had to pray all over again. How Wonderful!!!! It is so hard for me to understand how all their little lives that Micah nor Mason has been taught to pray or knows anything about God.

As we were driving home the other day from school and work, Mason explained to Mitchell and I how he wanted to big like Mitchell. AWE!!!! He also told us how he wanted to play baseball just like Mitchell. Of coarse, this mama was in tears on the way home because now Mason has a Big brother to look up to. God is Good all the time!!!!

I am posting some pictures of Dad's Day at school on Wednesday. Kirk was able to eat lunch with Mason and Micah for Dad's Day. This was their first ever Dad's Day lunch. Another awesome time for the boys. They were so excited when they saw their Papa at school.

Faith is an action word. Are you being faithful to what God is telling you to do in life? Are you allowing Him to be the potter and you the clay? Are you allowing God to bless your life? Have you ever stepped out in Faith and obeyed God's calling?

Amen!!!

We had a sweet moment at the Albritton house tonight at supper time. I was busy fixing the boys plate for supper tonight and didn't take the time to say the blessing-and I heard Micah saying Mom, Mom and when I turned around to see what he wanted he had his head bowed waiting for the blessing to be said. WOW!!!! The boys are learning and in just a short time they have realized the importance of the blessing at meal times. I wonder what would their lives be like if we had not been obedient and followed God's purpose in our lives to adopt. Would they have even know about Jesus? Would anyone ever had rocked them at bedtime? Told them that they were loved? Ever seen their Big brother play baseball? Had a Big sister? Well, there is no more wondering about all those questions now because God has blessed our family with them.

Catching up again...

Please forgive me for not updating our blog sooner but the Albritton House of "6" has been pretty busy around here. The boys have been to visit the doctor, Micah got glasses, Mason's eyes were just fine, Micah has had his ears checked and has an appointment with an ENT in the morning, he failed his first hearing test which we pray it was just from infection, Mason's ears are just fine and the boys will soon begin getting caught up on their shots. WOW! So now you see why I haven't been able to blog much sooner.

The boys are still adjusting well and everyday is better. I am going to try to update you with a few things that God has laid on my heart in the past few days. I hope that you can see that all Glory and Praise is due to our lord and Savior for everything that He is doing in the life of our family.

As we sat at Mamaw and Papaws house today with the rest of the Albritton family it thrilled my heart to watch Micah play the guitar with his Uncle Kyle and Mason ride his sisters scooter with his new knee pads and helmet that he received for his birthday from his Aunt and Uncle. I became very weepy as I thought about how everytime we went to visit the boys at the orphangae and the care givers there could not believe that we would want the boys because they acted so badly. We never thought they did-they just behaved like boys. I just kept thinking how Awesome it is that God used Kirk and I in the adoption process and how now Mason and Micah never have to worry about having a family. I can't imagine what their lives would have been like if we had not been obedient to our Lord. Just watching Micah play the guitar thrilled my heart and knowing that he is so loved much by so many people. God, You are so Awesome that we don't deserve your love but You love us no matter what. Lord, Thank You for just helping me see what two precious boys that you have placed in the Albritton family. Yes, Lord there are days that are tough but you had much tougher days that none of us can even imagine what you went through for us. Thank You for just that sweet glimpse of Your love that I saw in Micah today.

2/16/2011

Today Mason wanted me to drop him off in car drop off for school this morning. I was not ready to let him walk in to school without me but he did GREAT!!! He looked so grown-up walking in school without me and I caught myself a little teary eyed. Micah was just fine with me parking the van and carring him in. (HA! HA!)

2/17/2011

As I walked out the school this morning from dropping off the boys, a little girl walked up to me and said, "Hey, your Mason's mom." Boy, did my heart melt. I said, YES! I am Mason's mom." Wow, Mason's mom-Thank You God for allowing Mason to have a mommy and Thank You God that it is me. Your guessed it-another teary-eyed morning. At least it was tears of Joy.

Today Mason pulled his 2 front teeth! Yes, 2 teeth on the same day. The first one he pulled at the West Monroe basketball game and the 2nd one was right before bedtime. Some one must have told him about the tooth fairy. LOL!

Today Mason saw a man at Mitchell's baseball game and said to him Church! I was so happy that he recognized that we went to church with this man. I have been amazed on how well the boys have picked up English.

Sometimes it is so hard to blog everything that God is doing in my life and the life of our family but I pray that you will see God's hand all over this blog. God deserves all Glory and honor in eveything we do!!!

Brotherly Love!

I just had to post this sweet picture of Micah and Mitchell. Mitchell had been gone all day today because West Monroe baseball team played in Shreveport and obviously Micah missed his Big Brother today.

Don't forget to check the post after this one about Mason's Birthday today.

Happy Birthday to Mason!

Nite! Nite! BLOW!!!

What a fun day for Mason and the Albritton family. We had a blast celebrating Mason's birthday. I knew when he did not know what to do with the candles that were in flames on his cookie that he obviously have never seen birthday candles before. I had to demonstrate to him what to do. The look of his face while blowing out his candles was priceless. Can you imagine never celebrating your birthday? Never getting a Happy Birthday wish? Never receiving a present? We are so blessed to have have all the fun things in life that we seldom don't think about the many children that might never even get wished Happy Birthday more less get a present. We Thank God for allowing Mason to have this Birthday with his forever family. Mason received many fun presents today but the best present was God placing him in our lives. We can't wait for the day when Mason can understand that God gave him the best present of all-His son. Happy Birthday Mason-We Love You!

The journey continues....

Yes..It has been 18 days since I have blogged and I am so sorry but things have been very busy at the Albritton house of SIX!!! I love that "6" number. God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave us 2 little boys.

Since I last blogged the boys have been to Church, Sunday school, children's choir, AWANA, enrolled in public school and been shopping. They are doing Great! School is going much better and they are still adjusting. God has blessed us by allowing them to attend a school with a Russian speaking teacher. She is wonderful and has been able to help the boys adjust better to school. They are also receiving English as a Second Language classes and will be monitored for the next two years.

This week the boys have eye appointments, hearing appointments and medicals. I am sure they will love me after this week. HA! Today was eye appointments and we found out that Micah needs glasses. We thought he did so we weren't surprised. His glasses will come in soon and the doctor wants to try glasses to try to prevent from having corrective surgery. If the glasses don't work then we will be referred for surgery. We are praying the glasses will work. Dr. Dwayne's (eye doctor) office staff was AWESOME this afternoon. I am sure they were glad to see us leave. I owe them Big for being so patient and loving to the boys.

I will say that we have had some rough days but I would not have changed anything. I can't imagine our family without Mason and Micah. I also know that our Lord has carried us through every rough day and that He will continue to carry us. Our prayer is that the boys will someday know how much we love them and that God's perfect plan was to place them in our family.

Continue to pray for the boys as they adjust and for us as we continue to be a family.

I had mentioned in one of the other blogs that during prayer time with the boys they would just stare funny at us--well now Mason yells at the end of prayer time AMEN!!! Hey-it's a start.

Every since we have had the boys I have always told them that Mama loves Mason or Mama loves Micah-normally Mason would say "nyet" (no) to me when I would tell him but Saturday night out of the blue, Mason said, "Mom". I said, "what"? He replied, "Mason loves mama". Yes-I needed tissue after that one. It was a very much woohoo moment for this mama.

A little note about school: The boys teachers are wonderful! I am so happy that we have been able to attend the school that we are attending. I loved it on Monday when Mason couldn't wait to show his teacher his new folder. He ran to his teacher and pulled it out on the floor for her to see it. She made him feel so special by paying attention to something that was important to Mason. Thank You so much Mrs. Bradley!!!

Our church family has planned a shower for the boys--we are so excited about the shower. Our church family and friends continue to help and provide for our family. Lord, Thank You so much for all you have done and continue to do for our family. Lord, we give you all the praise and glory for all you continue to do! We love You Lord!

The journey continues...

Praise God We Are Home!!!

We arrived home on Wednesday evening after a long, tiring and exhausting plane ride. To say the least the plane ride was not fun and enjoyable-it was HORRIBLE!!! Mason and Micah both had a very hard time traveling in an airplane and being restrained. The seatbelts were a nightmare!!! On one plane Micah had difficulty and on the other plane Mason had difficulty and on the last plane they both finally fell asleep about the last 30 minutes of the trip. It was then that I finally was able to go to the restroom. At last peace and quite came over both Mason and Micah.

I never imagined that the boys would fight me, kick, scream, bite and try to even punch the other passengers on the plane. I was so embarresed but I also realized that this was normal for the boys to behave this way. I kept apolozing for the boys behavior.

It just amazes me how God placed wonderful people on each plane that were understanding, kind and willing to help me with the boys. I just give God all the glory for how He worked everything out on our plane rides. I wish I could say that all the flight connections went Great-but I can't. But....God got us home right on time to be greeted by a Wonderful crowd of family and friends. The airport was packed. The boys were so excited to be home and loved playing with all the children that showed up at the airport. Everyone has been so gracious and kind to us

since we have been home. I was a little concerned that the boys wouldn't have anything to wear but everyone once again has provided for their needs.

I can't even begin to say Thank You to everyone that has loved our family and taken care of us these last 60 plus days. Thank You so much for all you have done for our family!!!

Keep posted to our blog as I will be updating about our family of "6"

LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!!

We're Coming to America (tomorrow morning)!!!

Well, Everyone the day finally has come that we are coming HOME!!! I have all documents in my hands to get the boys to AMERICA! We can't wait so please pray that the trip goes well for all of us.

This journey has been long, tiring, at times confusing, expensive, there have been wheepy days, sad days, lonely times, rejoicing time, times of Praise, and most of all an Awesome journey that God has had His hand in every step of it. We serve an Awesome and Mighty God that can and will do the most unbelievable and amazing things. Kirk and I never imagined how God was going to use us when we began this journey over two years ago. He has showed us His amazing love and power though our entire adoption journey or should I say His adoption journey for our family. I am also grateful for the time that God gave Kirk and I as husband and wife to have a time to bond our marriage even more. What a wonderful time we had just hanging together for all those many weeks of just waiting on the paperwork and the process of this adoption.

It's hard to imgaine now what it would be like not to have Mason and Micah in our family. I am so Thankful that God has used us to help make their life a better place. What a joy it will be when they accept Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour!!! We can't wait for the day that they understand how many loved them even before they knew they. WOW!!!

Words can not express how grateful we are to everyone that has loved us, prayed for us and has financially supported our family through this journey of Faith. Thank You to Morgan and Mitchell that have been very patient and willing to share their mom and dad with their new little brothers.

As I sign off from Ukraine-all I can think is WOW-We SERVE AN AWESOME AND MIGHTY GOD!!! Thank You Lord for everything that You have taught our family and will continue to do!!!

NEXT POST FROM AMERICA!!!!