Thanksgiving and Five Month Update!

Bundled up to head out for a Turkey Trot

Happy Thanksgiving!  This seemed like a good time for a blog update since we are celebrating Joanna and Naomi's first Thanksgiving and tomorrow will make 5 months since they arrived at home. 

This week I have been so thankful for God's perfect timing in bring the girls home when he did.  As much as I wanted them here last year for the holidays, I can now see how His timing was perfect.  Today we enjoyed a family Thanksgiving at Papa and Nana's house-we shared a tremendous amount of food, followed by crafts and games, and capped off with a Christmas movie in our pajamas with cousins.  It was a wonderful day of time spent together, just the way a Thanksgiving should be.  

The Turkey Trotters

As I watched the kids today I realized that this day was enjoyable because of God's timing.  The past five months have allowed for language mastery that was needed in order to explain what Thanksgiving is.  The past five months have allowed for trust to build so that family traditions held some appeal for the girls.  The past five months have allowed relationships to form so that the girls are comfortable with their cousins, aunts, uncles, and great grandparents.  

Last year I grieved on Thanksgiving because my heart was divided between two countries.  This year on Thanksgiving God is showing me that His plan was perfect.  As I tucked children into bed tonight I was blessed to hear Naomi praying with Joanna and thanking God for the many ways he has blessed her.  It was a gift to hear her thankful heart-and an even greater gift to see that she credits God with her blessings. 

Our thanksgiving preparations included Joanna making a special project in her co-op class for her mom and dad.  Since her mom is her teacher she insisted that it was for dad.  She even made a card to put on the front.  You can't see it here, but it is just a white piece of paper with "Joanna" written on the front in yellow crayon.  As she handed it to Ryan and told him it was for him she also said, "here is a card.  It says I love you dad."    Needless to say her project is on display in his home office.

Another favorite Joanna story came this week as well.  We were debating last Friday night what we would have for dinner.  I had a meal in mind but after a crazy afternoon it seemed that it might turn into a "Dad's night to cook" sort of evening.  Joanna, hearing us debating, made a  sweet offer.  "Can I make it dinner for you momma?"  How do you say no to that sweetness?  She started with a pot of water on the stove.  Then she found an apron.  

She decided she was making spaghetti. I was curious to see what she would do next.  She opened the fridge and looked inside.  Then she turned to me and said, "Mom, there's no spaghetti in here!"   I think she still needs some more instruction in the kitchen!

It was 65 degrees outside but the hat with ear flaps was "necessary."

Naomi and James made a dynamic bagging duo!

Leaf raking also proved to be a fun adventure this week.  We tried to take as many photos and videos as we could when we went to Haiti.  It was good for the girls to see different things that would be new for them here.  

Did you say broom or bag mom?

Fun new way to get the bags open

Had I known how valuable those video clips would have been, I would have taken many more.  It is much easier for the girls to wrap their minds around and event or an idea that is new to them if they can see how it looks.  They were very excited to go out and rake leaves because they had seen a video from two years ago of the kids making piles, jumping in the leaves,and throwing them around the yard.  

The past two weeks have been peek raking season for us so there has been ample opportunity to rake (and much to Naomi's delights, there have even been "rake for money" days!).   All of the kids working together makes for a quick leaf round up!! Way to go Team Yoho!

Kids illustrating the First Thanksgiving at Giving Thanks day

Our Thanksgiving preparations also included our annual "Giving Thanks" day.  We take an afternoon to give glory to God for the great gifts that we have been given.  We take a few minutes to reflect with friends on the abundant life that we have and we spend some time worshipping together.  As the kids prayed aloud this year it was a great gift to hear our friend Kendall thanking God for Joanna and Naomi in our lives.

 And, because God is  a father who seeks to give good gifts to His children, Naomi and Joanna got to experience a little bit of snow this week.  Naomi was in love instantly and was ready to stay outside in the slushy 1/4 inch of accumulation that we got for hours (but quickly learned the importance of gloves!)   Little things like this make me rejoice even more in my Heavenly Father.  Not only does He prove faithful in the lives of those who have known him and walked with him for many years, but he also shows love and concern for those who are still learning who he is and have yet to fully trust Him.  I am thankful that He is a God who desires to have a relationship with us-all of us-regardless of our age or our birth country.
  Praying that your Thanksgiving has been a great opportunity for you to give thanks to our Heavenly Father.