Leila Singing

Doesn't she have a lovely voice? She loves to sing and dance (some of these dances are not PG, so we are trying to figure out how to celebrate her Nigerien culture and focus on tasteful dancing). 

This sweet beautiful voice also makes us laugh a lot! Yesterday, as we were driving to and around Norfolk for an appointment with US immigration and to see some of Daddy's jobs down there, she was looking through one of his magazines for work. She said, "Momma, I need this pool." She proceeds to show me a picture of this beautiful pool. We laughed and said, no, we can go to the pool at the gym. She keeps looking and finds a slightly smaller one. "Momma, I need THIS pool." No, honey, you don't need it, and no, dear, we aren't getting it. Her face gets sad. We tried to explain about the cost and maintenance, which fell on deaf ears. Later last night, after filling the bathtub to the very top (she was trying to make her own pool, I guess), we spent a good 5 minutes trying to understand her question that sounded like this, "Hoo-it hoo-ad?" She was trying to say, "With what?" but it's very hard for her to pronounce w's. We all laughed a lot. And for the first time on her own, she said, "I love you, Momma. I love you, Daddy." So sweet. 

The First 2 Weeks

Well, it is so good to be home for many reasons. And this new daughter of ours, well, she's settling right in. This was supposed to be a post of her first week home....well, as you can see it's been 2+ weeks, so there's going to be a lot of pictures! Our days our full, and these past 2 weeks have been nothing like I had planned. Within Leila's first 24 hours she went to McDonald's (nothing else was open, so no judging!), Romp and Roll and Lowe's. She visited a movie theater for their dollar movie and experienced Chick-fil-a within the first week. And for the 4th of July, she spent 3 nights in a camper, rode on a power boat, went tubing and experienced her first fireworks with 4 of our favorite families. So much for slow and steady. Welcome to America my sweet child! The beautiful thing is that you have loved all of this and approached it with no visible fear. You love playing and being around other people, and we are watching you to make sure you're are at peace and comfortable. You wear your heart on your sleeve, so we know when you're not happy, which is so far only when you are scolded, have to do too much "school" or when you have to eat something you don't like.

You do not want to disappoint us, yet you have an unruly side, so we have to correct (you have this thing for climbing on tables). Sometimes you push - you are testing your boundaries, but we get to where we need to go. You are really such a sweet and fun girl. We love how you are opening up, laughing, joking and teasing. Your daddy and I talk about how it feels like you've been with us so much longer than a few weeks. What a blessing!

Mary-Michael and Frazier are transitioning and each day is better. MM has taken full ownership over your sisterhood and doesn't like to do anything without you (which is how you ended up at a Romp and Roll birthday party the day after we flew in!). Frazier is finding his place as the little brother, and we have to remind you who's in charge of him (those adults over the age of 15 living in the house).

And I am doing my own transitioning trying to figure out how to get 3 kids out of the house in the morning, bath time that doesn't involve nakedness for all to see, finding a moment to myself to have some Jesus time and me time since not everyone is napping now, food that appeals to everyone (Leila="I need rice"), when to introduce you to new things and new people, education for you, etc.

My latest revelation - Tending to your heart takes priority over teaching your mind. You will catch up academically, but not at the expense of building strong family bonds and ensuring your know and believe you are loved and worthy.

We are blessed and crazy, but still blessed.

Airport arrival. You were exhausted, so Daddy is tickling you to force out a smile.

Playtime at home.

You love to swing.

Checking out the sheep and goats.

Sweet sisters already. You had literally been in America 12 hours when this picture was taken.

A little African drumming.

Matching nightgowns for everyone (including the dolls). Thanks, Nonnie!

Reunion with Zalika, Leila's best friend from the orphanage. It has been 3 years since they've seen one another. They are the same age and Leika is literally half her size, but she will get there!

Baking!

Camping fun at Lake Anna.

Frazier in the Lake.

Mary-Michael in the Lake.

Leila in the Lake.

Tubing with Micah. So much fun!

A little hula hooping. This girl has some moves!

The Lawrence girls tubing.

All the kids (some happy and some, well, you get the picture).

Relaxing with Miss Hailey.

Our awesome kids.

Watching fireworks with Daddy. One of the best shows I've seen!

First day of Vacation Bible School with Addison joining us. All of you loved it and couldn't wait to return the next day. And you are still singing the songs!

Before your VBS Celebration night.

So blessed.

Paris Airport "Fun"

Well, we've now been in the Paris airport more than 10 hours. Sleeping, a lot of Uno and some Go Fish games have filled the time. This was not the plan. While boarding our 1:45 flight we were stopped because we didn't have a visa for Leila. They weren't familiar with the "in lieu of a visa" letter, so they called the U.S. Immigration officer on staff. After about 20 minutes of back and forth I was told we couldn't board. I could not control my hysterics, and I had zero concern for what everyone might be thinking about this wild, sleep-deprived woman crying her eyes out crouched on the ground. What I did care about by the time I had some brains was what Leila was thinking/feeling. Geesh. If she had any thoughts that her momma was put together and normal, those thoughts quickly dissipated. I guess it's better it happen sooner rather than later as I am not put together nor normal but many days hanging on to the grace of God by a thread. 

The officer said he was dealing with a security issue and would head my way to talk with me as soon as he could. I called my amazing husband who calmed me down and said he'd call Jane, the U.S. Consulate in Niger. The officer came. He was very nice and immediately resolved it. Jane had done her job but Washington hadn't done theirs, which was communicate our travel to the officer. This is what he told me. I don't know how exactly he defines "Washington." 

So, they quickly got us seats on the next flight. Thank you, Lord, there were seats! Getting through the checkpoints for this flight was a breeze because the officers were aware of our situation and recent authorization. Final stop - Washington Customs. I was able to get seats closer to the front so we can book it and get toward the front of the line. Thank you for continuing to pray as we prepare to cross the finish line!

On Our Way

I am sitting in the waiting area of the Niamey airport. Fifteen minutes ago I lived 10 minutes of sheer panic while I was told that we couldn't leave. A security guard wanted a letter from Niger's version of CPS, which we didn't have. I had every other document from Niger, but we didn't know about that one. I had a LINK friend with us that tried to reach our lawyer and anyone else he could at 10pm. Nothing. The tears started flowing. Lord, may he have grace on us. Thank you Jesus. The man had grace. I still don't know what our LINK friend said or if he said anything, but the security guard stuck with us through every check, luggage point, scan, etc. I still can't believe what almost transpired.

It had already been an emotional day with lots of goodbyes and a packet from Leila's birth mother that was completely unexpected. She had it delivered via Pastor Rufai (head of her orphanage), and it contained 2 pictures of herself, her Facebook name and her email. She is a strikingly beautiful woman. And this was the perfect parting gift because I want to honor her birth mother and had told her friend I met on the airplane last year that I would really like a picture of her. I haven't shown them to Leila yet, but I will when the time is right. She asked the Pastor if she could speak with Leila today, but he said it probably wasn't a good idea. I am thankful for that. But isn't God good to give her that? I know Leila will appreciate it one day.

There was some laughter in today, too. Leila wanted to pack the dishes we'd been using, and then she inquired about the fridge/freezer we'd been using (this girl loves ice cold drinks). I said we weren't taking it, but we had a bigger one than that at her home. Her eyes got wide, and she said, "Bigger?!" Then I told her we had 5 toilets in her house. She couldn't even believe that. 

In Niger, I wear skirts or loose pants the whole time out of respect for the culture. Leila saw me in yoga pants this evening and asked with wide eyes if I was wearing that to the airport. I said yes, but with a skirt over it that I would take off after we left Niger. She shook her head no. This daughter of mine is going to have wide eyes for a while!

Rachel and Halima. Two gems that work at The LINK and have loved on Leila a lot.

Emmanuel, Jacoby, Ella and Leila. Jacoby and Ella are 5 and 7, respectively. Emmanuel is 7 and Leila is 10. 

The Woods family and us!

America, here we come!

Paperwork Received

We can finally legally leave the country!! Leila, you're coming home! Family at home - you can now countdown for real! No more changes!

USA - I look forward to setting my feet on your fine soil on Friday afternoon.

Whew.

Only 1 Seat Available

Well, after another trip to the Air France office, I learned there is now only 1 seat for Wednesday's flight, so we have to stick to the original ticket that leaves Thursday night. What's another day at this point, right! Well, actually another day feels like a lot. Pray for my husband who is jet lagged, returning to work and recovering from a virus/food poisoning. Pray for his momma who's now at our house to help with the kids while he works. She's already had them for 2 weeks, so she is close to achieving saint status in my books. Pray for Frazier and Mary-Michael - obedience, getting along, knowing they are children of God and their momma still loves them. I know this is hard for them to understand. Pray for Leila who is so excited to go home, and now she has to wait 1 more day. Thanks y'all!

Surprises

*Driving in Niger - no matter how many times I've visited, the crazy driving continues to leave my with my mouth and eyes wide open. I could scratch the backs of the people on motorcycles riding next to us. I have seen way too many accidents. Helmets? What's that? Donkeys and camels ride next to me on the road. Who needs a turn signal when you have a horn? Need to deliver a mattress, large piece of glass or a live goat? Just put it in a motorcycle wedged in between 2 grown men. Easy peasy.

*Our daughter spits like a man. She tried to teach me. I am not a worthy opponent.

*When without a tissue, blow your nose sideways against the nearest wall. Only the foreigners will look twice including the mortified mother from America who will quickly hand you a tissue that I had all along in my bag.

*Underwear may have been hard to come by at the orphanage as it is optional until mom sees its missing.

*There is no shame in being our birthday suit when you have lived in an orphanage. I'm gonna have to figure that out fast once we get home to MM and Frazier. She was at least modest when Daddy was here.

*I was talking to Daddy tonight on the phone and she asked to talk to him. Her conversation was so cute with her French accent and sweet voice. She then confirmed again that tomorrow was Thursday (I keep thinking she says "thirsty", so I head to get water), and that is when we are leaving. She is so excited! I was not expecting that.

*Doctors go on strike here, patients die, and it is talked about with a tinge of sadness and a lot of "well, this is Africa"

*Leila weighed 700 grams (about 1.5 lbs) when she was born to her then 13 year old birth mother (13!!!). She is a miracle. I learned so much in my time with the woman that cared for her since she was an infant. It is videoed and translated, and I know it will be a precious gift to Leila when the time is right.

*US technology issues unrelated to poor internet in Niger. I love America. Really, I do, but this was shocking.

*Leila has gained 4+ lbs since we picked her up. Yay!! So, she's a whopping 48 lbs now. Watch out world!

*Niger has a zoo. We went to it. It was not PETA-approved by any stretch of the imagination.

*Leila loves rice. Rice for lunch. Rice for dinner. You can't have enough rice. I have denied her requests on many occasions in an attempt to get some protein and green things in her. It's going ok.

*This girl can pray. Tonight she prayed for a good few minutes. I understood none of it except for mama, daddy, Mary-Michael and Frazier, which she said multiple times. Otherwise only the Lord knows what she said in French. Or maybe it was Zarma?!

*Humility is a gift though it often comes with challenges, but it leads to leaning on Christ and growing deeper in your faith and His Grace. Maybe not a surprise, but a truth I've taken away from this trip. Keep me humble, Lord.