FAMILY CAMPING VACATION

These 3 words have the potential to cause total chaos and disaster within the family unit.  But we are braving the odds this week and attempting all 7 of us camping for 4 nights.  So far so good..and lots of fun!

HAPPY FIVE YEAR GOTCHA ANNIVERSARY

 

Five year anniversary of when Lithuanian judge ordered Ben was officially our son.  Also the day we moved Ben out of his orphanage!  He arrived at the orphanage at 3 weeks old- on 7-15-10.  He left it on 7-15-16.  God did an amazing thing!  Words can’t describe our love for this bright silly sweet boy!  Love you Benjamin!

RANDOM

Summer fun!

Camping at Harrington Beach 

Surprise 50th Birthday party for Andrew

Another movie in the making by Stephen and his sidekicks

Family wedding- Jonah takes over the dance floor!

A DAY LATE BUT

 Still important

SHINE!

 

Click HERE for video of boys at bike camp

Our boys didn’t completely master riding on 2 wheels, but they are almost there!  The camp staff encouraged us to really work hard these next 2 weeks to further cement their new skills.

It was an amazing week of watching the boys have so much fun learning the joy of biking.  

It was also so touching to see the boys surrounded by caring and kind helpers who worked so hard to help our boys shine this week!

And when Andrew got Ben up this morning, this is what he found when he opened the bedroom door.  This is one proud boy of his accomplishments this week!  See the trophy on this pillow ☺

BASEBALL AND LIFE LESSONS

The boys and their way to do life brings me wisdom…again.

TRY YOUR HARDEST: Effort is way more meaningful than ability.  

IT’S OK TO TAKE A BREAK: When life is hard and seems overwhelming, it’s ok to sit down and take some deep breaths.  And a friend to support and encourage you is a great blessing!

MAKE THE MOST OF EACH MOMENT: Find joy in whatever you are doing.  

This last photo speaks the most to me.  There was no need for Jonah to slide into home plate.  In Miracle League, every player scores.  And there is really no fielding to prevent a player from scoring.  But in Jonah’s mind, in this moment, he is a major league player scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth in the last game of the World Series.  So yes he’s going to slide in to home plate- and this dreaming gives him great joy!  He takes a very ordinary moment in life and makes it extraordinary.  Shouldn’t we all live this way?

BEST BIRTHDAY DAYS!

 

When you didn’t have family to give you a birthday celebration for your first 6 years, I think it's completely fitting to get a 2 day celebration for your birthday every now and then!

Ben’s actual birthday is today, but we gave him his birthday supper and presents last night because of having Miracle League baseball tonight.  But of course, baseball is synonymous with Culver’s for the boys, so that will also serve as a birthday treat for tonight.

Yesterday Ben’s biggest thrill I think was he had a 3-cake day!  We had a cake for my dad for Father’s Day, cake at a friend’s grad party, and then a bear birthday cake for Ben at night.  Ben was in sugar heaven!

He also loved his gifts: camping storybook and a new 20-inch bike!  His reaction was “Oh my gosh!”

This morning I was filled with gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord for the blessing of Ben in our lives.  He brings an energy and excitement to our family that I never knew we needed.  Ben was a very unexpected gift to us.  Never in my wildest thoughts and dreams, 10 years ago did I think I would be the mom of a little boy from an orphanage in Lithuania!  God has watched over this boy and protected him when he did not have a family there for him.  I truly believe God has big plans for him in the future, and I feel very privileged that the Lord has asked our family to be part of the ""Ben Adventure".  I love you Benjamin Kostas!  You are sweet and funny, confident and capable.  I'm not sure how I figured out life without you...HAHA!  You are always very willing and eager to give us your expert opinion :)

 

POINT OF INTEREST: at the end of June, the boys are going to the "I Can Shine Bike Camp" in Milwaukee.   Hopefully after that week of camp, Ben will be riding his new bike without needing training wheels!