Humphrey Happenings

Sunday, March 18, 2012

The newest little Humphrey!!

We survived the 2 weeks of intensive therapy (which I will blog about later) and just as we were about home from the last session, Drew called to say that Elizabeth was in labor and heading to the hospital!

God's Perfect Timing!!!! At 7:19 pm, Felicia Laurelle entered the world! She is 6 lb 14 oz, perfect and beautiful, of course, and everyone is doing well. We are overwhelmed at God's goodness and mercy! Praise Him!

A family of 4

Proud Daddy!

Big sister, Brenna with Felicia

Meeting Uncle Ian

Meeting Uncle Jeremy

Meeting Uncle Lucas

Getting a kiss from big Sis

Talking to Pops

Sweet Baby Girl, we love you!!!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Week No. 2 - Here we Come!

Just a quick update before we head into the second week of therapy with Lucas. It's going very well and we are already seeing progress (although we know it will be a long, slow process). Tom and I are learning sooooo much about the fear and anxiety that drives Lucas and how to best respond to it. The parents/grandparents had a changing of the guard and Tom's folks are here now. It has been such a blessing to have the extra help!! (My ironing is even all caught up!)
Although we know this is all going to be worth the effort, I will say that it's very exhausting and we covet your prayers for all of us. Jeremy and Ian are loving the extra attention from the grandparents but are missing Tom. Our days are long and emotionally draining. So, if you have been praying, THANK YOU!!!! And, please continue. God is faithful!

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Calling All Prayer Warriors!!!

I've started this post about 25 times in my head during the last several weeks, but it is only now making it to the blog because it's not an easy one to write. I'd like to post cute pictures of our loving family and write about all the wonderful times we are having as we integrate the 2 newest members of the family. However, it's not wonderful all of the time and in fact, it's pretty miserable on some days. We knew that adopting children "from hard places" would be....well, hard. But we had no idea what we were in for. Thankfully, our sovereign Lord knew. As frustrated as we've been, we know that adopting these boys was the path He led us down and He has promised not to leave us. Through a series of God-directed circumstances (aren't they all?) we found a therapist who specializes in attachment issues. He's a Christian counselor who has been practicing for over 30 years, isn't the least bit surprised by one thing we've told him and is confident that he can help us learn to live together and love each other like the family God intended. So, starting on Monday morning, Tom, Lucas and I will start a 2 week intensive therapy program that will last 6 hours each day, followed by weekly visits. The financial constraints and logistics of job, child care, etc seemed overwhelming and once again, God provided in ways we couldn't have imagined.
My point to this post is entirely to ask you to join us in prayer, especially during the next 2 weeks. And, if you are so inclined, here are a few specifics to get you started:

Please pray that Tom and I will be open to a different way of parenting (the traditional ways of raising our first 2 children are certainly not effective with children who have the kind of past that our newest ones have.)
Please pray that we will see Lucas (and Jeremy, too) the way God sees them.
Please pray for our parents who will be tag teaming to help care for Ian and Jeremy while Tom and I are with Lucas.
Please pray for strength and health for all of us. (Tom will be going to work before and after the therapy, so it will be particulary taxing on him.)
Most importantly, please pray that God will use us and what we learn to model His love for Lucas in a way that will get through the very formidable wall he has built around his little heart.
Pray that this situation will help us help others who face the same challenges with adopted children.

Thank you in advance for bringing our family before the Throne as God brings us to mind. We appreciate it more than we can ever express!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Dates

This past weekend turned into a weekend of dates. On Saturday, Tom and I got to have an afternoon out. Alone. In peace. Wonderful! Thanks to some dear friends of ours, Tom and Ian got to attend the Purdue game on Sunday afternoon. Ian loved the sensory overload and made friends with those sitting around them. While they were off doing that, I had a date with Jeremy and Lucas. McDonald's for lunch and a round of Monster Mini Golf. Fun times!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Christmas Pics - Part One

Finally! A blog update after a long hiatus. I won't offer excuses - just lots of pictures. We had 5 family Christmas celebrations and enjoyed spending time with many members of our families.

Brenna's new wagon (good thing it has seat belts!)

Family Christmas picture

On Christmas Eve, we went to my parents' for the traditional Taco Dinner with Max's secret recipe ice cream balls for dessert and a pinata for the kids

Ian getting a turn to whack the snowman

Jeremy severed the head from the body! Go Jeremy!

Mimi and Pa with the boys

Ready to open gifts on Christmas afternoon

Jeremy was so good to help Ian open his gifts

Boilermaker foam hat (Thanks Uncle John and Aunt Teena!)

Potentially the best gift ever.......cowboy boots for Lucas! He was beside himself!

"Look Mom! Do I look like a real cowboy now?"

We got the boys a wii and they love it!
Tom's parents were also able to come and share a couple days with us. However, I somehow managed to miss getting a picture of them. We had a great time and so appreciate them coming!!!

Grammy and Brenna

Two Beautiful Girls

Lucas found a box that fit him

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Pics - Part Two

On Dec. 29, we headed south toward Memphis but stopped in Nashville for the night and had yet another Christmas celebration with my brother and his kids and our parents. So fun to be together as it's a rare thing these days.

Lucas and cousin Elizabeth

Ian LOVED Uncle Brian's new bongo drum!

As a typical kid, Brenna loves boxes as much or more than what comes in them.

Ian, opening his new air hockey game from Uncle Brian.

We headed to Memphis on Friday morning and got there in plenty of time for dinner and yes......more Christmas celebrations!

Olivia, presiding over the gift opening

Beautiful girl!

Not sure who enjoyed Olivia's new kitchen more - Lucas or Ian!

Drew and Jeremy

Feeding M & M's to Pops

It was so warm and sunny in Memphis, that we enjoyed going to the park more than once.

We took the Wii with us.....playing Mario Kart

The older kids took the younger boys to a movie as their Christmas gift and these parents/grandparents were as thrilled as the kids (possibly more!) We got to stay home with the little girls and play! :-)))