Five More Sleeps

Melissa, Traci, and Beckett made it safely to Guanzhou two days ago.  Beckett slept most of the flight, and sat quietly in Melissa's lap the remainder of the trip.  No tears or panic, just peace.  Each day Melissa sees deeper into this little guy, and she is truly in awe of him, in awe of God's miraculous Grace poured out on them as they bond and grow in love.  Though I am halfway around the world from them, I am amazed at how Beckett is learning to find comfort from Melissa.  His little heart still breaks for the life he knew, but sees the love in his mama that he desperately missed.  I pray he learns to trust and love her with complete abandonment.  Her heart is melded with his already, loving this little boy completely, and in total awe of him.  I  cannot wait for these 5 sleeps to pass, so I too can experience this blessing from God we call Beckett.
Not every moment is perfect, don't get me wrong.  We are not blind to the truth of foreign adoption, to the struggles of attachment and grieving.  Melissa has experienced tears, being pushed away, a little heart inconsolable at times.  But by God's mercy, she sees this less each day, and see more smiles, hear laughs, and feels the touch of his little hand by his own direction.  Our son, this gift, this little soul placed in our hands, is growing to love his mama and seeking her for safety.  This is the miraculous.  Right before our eyes, God is transforming him and tearing away the fear, hurt, and grief, replacing it with His joy, His peace, His love.  And all I can do is watch in utter awe.  To God be all glory forever.

Our son William, who is 6, is playing in the state t-ball all-star tournament this weekend.  We share his photos and videos with mama in China when we can.  We drive an hour to and from the games, putting in late nights and early mornings playing a game we all in the Smith house love.  His team has won a few, lost one, and continue to play through the weekend. Yes, it is a big deal to be in the state tournament.  He loves it.  I love watching, we all do.  What inspires me, though, is to hear him pray at night for his mother to be safe, for Beckett to bond with his mama, and for them to be healthy and come home soon.  No prayer about winning, no talk at home of the games unless we ask him.  He wants to hear about Beckett, to see him and mama. 
Last night, at prayer time, 3 of my kids prayed over their mother and brother in China.  The other two kids were asleep, or they too would have prayed. 

Allies has her signs ready for the airport.  Her heart breaks daily for orphans.  She is as anxious as any to get her new brother home.  She has seen orphanages in China.  She has been to Haiti to love on orphans and work with them to further the Kingdom.  I am sure one day she will grow her own family through adoption.  It has been a long 2 weeks for her, but she is strong and determined to bring her brother home to our crazy life.  I love this teenager, she inspires us to be better, to be compassionate for those less fortunate or in need.  I am thankful for her obedience to her savior in heeding the cry of the orphan. 

Adoption has changed this bunch.  I am a blessed father to have kiss who love orphans more than baseball, more than their own desires.  They love God, and know He answers prayers.  They know He is worthy of their love and worship. 

5 more sleeps, mama.  We are ready to see you.  We are ready to meet Beckett.  We are ready to be Smith, party of 8.

Brian
#bringinghomebeckett
#followingthecall

Independence day

Today we as a country celebrate Independence day, remembering our freedom from foreign governance, remembering and honoring those who have fought so desperately for our freedom.  Many spent their day at the lake or beach, or like me, by the pool and grill.  I sit here listening to the fireworks all around the neighborhood as kids and bigger kids alike celebrate and revel in a day off of work, to honor our country and the freedom for which we stand. 
I will say my kids and I had a wonderful time with the Cole's, enjoying their pool and their company.  It was a great day away from the house, which we all needed. 
Our sweet Beckett went to the hosital yesterday because he had fever, would not eat and would not drink.  He cried and was miserable last night, but fell asleep by his mama and slept the night.  He awoke free of fever today, with an appetite and an occasional smile.  He has allowed Melissa to hold his hand and kiss him, though on his terms. I praise God for answered prayers. Freedom from sickness, and the beginning of bonding.
Melissa sends pictures, and we text often. I am beyond thankful for modern technology.  
I am emotional as I think over this day.  Maybe it is because I am anxious to see my wife and son, maybe I am just being thoughtful of what our freedom really means.  We are blessed to be Americans, to be free to vote, speak out and write without impunity, free to worship the God who delivered us.  I revel in this freedom, the freedom bought for us with such a great price, a price we never could pay.  We are blessed to be a part of adoption too, to bring this same freedom we take for granted to our son, who would never otherwise be afforded what we inherently know. 
Maybe I am just emotional, but I am also thankful. Thankful to know in 10 days Beckett will be home, on American soil, and officially himself, and American.
God bless this great country.  I am very proud today to be an American, and very blessed to be a part of this amazing Kingdom.
#BringinghomeBeckett
#Followingthecall

Brian

Gotcha Day!

One hour ago, in Jinan, Shandong Province, China, my son met his forever mother.  I was fortunate to watch via Skype, along with my 5 children.   I cannot explain the feeling that I felt, seeing him placed in his mother's arms and how he held on so tightly, not wanting to let her go.  No tears or signs of fear.  I saw peace.  I saw a little boy hold on to the mother who has been in love with him since the first moment she saw his first photo.  It was glorious.
In a nearby room in their hotel, a wedding was being held.  It was loud, as we could hear the wedding music and celebration in the background.  It was humorous to us all, but I couldn't help but think of the marriage of our family, our hearts joining forever with little Beckett's.  It was a beautiful picture on my mind, reminiscent of God's marriage with His bride, us, His people.  I love this little boy with my entirety, though I have yet to hold him or see him in person.  I praise God for that, for what He has placed in me and my family. 
We are beyond excited to see our boy, baby brother, Beckett.  He is beautiful, perfect, little.  He won't let go of his mama, a true answer to my prayers.  I am in awe of my God's providence. 
Pray for their time in China.  Pray for continued bonding.  Pray for health.  Pray for restful nights.
And pray for orphans waiting for their forever homes.  This day is glorious for us, as our son finally meets his family.  So many others need, desperately desire, this same Gotcha day.  Pray for hearts to align with God's, to care for the orphan and meet them in their affliction.
Brian

Flight day

Melissa boarded her flight this morning at 640, with a short flight to Dallas and a 3 hour layover.  After a little delay due to kitchen maintenance, whatever that might be, she and Traci headed west on the 14 hour flight to Shanghai.  As I write, they are still 4 hours away from landing, but oh so close.  I pray they have rested, but I am sure the excitement of meeting little Beckett has kept her awake more than she might have wanted. 
We have our calendar and countdown paper chain here to help the kids while Mom is away.  We pulled the first link off the chain tonight, one day down and 13 to go.  Corbin, such the kind heart and so sweet on his mom, asked if we could pull them all so Mom could just be home with Beckett.  My teen, Allie, is already mapping out how to stay up late tomorrow to celebrate Gotcha day.  The three younger kids, well, they are busy kids.  They miss mama, and talk all day about Beckett.  Funny, I think I share each of their thoughts.  Though I miss my wife and long to have her and our son home, I am blessed to share time with my kids and their enthusiasm in the anticipation.  I love this life. 
3 1/2 hours now...

Bringing Home Beckett

I write this as I sit with 4 of my kids, waiting for sleep to come.  My beautiful wife and her precious friend have driven closer to the airport so to catch their 6:40 AM flight.  After 18 hours of flight, 5 hours in a train, and one night of sleep, Melissa will finally hold our son in her arms, the culmination of months of prayer, excitement, paperwork, and anxiety.  Oh how glorious it will be.  We have dreamed about and imagined that day for so many months now, and in roughly 48 hours it will be real.  Our little boy, our Beckett, will meet his mama, and she will meet her precious gift from God.  I admit, I wish I were there with her for that moment.  I still remember and can feel the elation of our first Gotcha day.  There is something powerful about that feeling, knowing that God is melding your heart to love as only He can have you love.  Beckett is a reality in my home, he has been since we first began this adoption process.  He is baby brother to my 5 kids who await his homecoming in 2 weeks.  He is my son, only waiting to officially have my name placed on him.  He is his mama's baby, and soon will feel the love of a mother's arms and the comfort of her love. 
Please join with us in this final stage of our adoption journey.  Pray with us.  We ask for traveling grace and safety, for attachment and bonding, and for peace in the hearts and minds of my kids here at home.  Rejoice with us.  Our baby boy will be home soon!  Since we first laid eyes on his picture, we knew he was a Smith.  It will soon be a reality.  Laugh with us.  We know it is wild having 5 kids, much less adding a 6th.  We may be crazy in the eyes of many, even to ourselves at times.  We know it pleases our Lord to follow His call to adopt and care for orphans.  It is what drives us, what gets us going in the morning.  His Grace overwhelms us daily, and we can only hope to share a portion of what He has given. 
Melissa, I adore you and love you beyond measure for your love and compassion, and for your fearless travels to Bring Home Beckett.  I pray for you daily, and I can't wait to see you carrying our new son home.

Splash Pad, Pool, Food, Friends....LOVE

With the long holiday weekend upon us, we decided at the last minute to travel to Lake Charles, LA, to meet new friends and visit old ones.  We spent the day of the Fourth at Millenium Park, where the kids played at the splash pad and pirate playground.  We met with new friends there, and our combined kids had an incredible time together.  It was good to connect with a family raising a child with a special arm like Adaline's, but also with a heart for God and children as we have.  We had the chance afterwards to visit with one of my closest brothers/friends.  With our five and their four, we had a swimming pool full of kids and water guns.  It was great to catch up after more than a year from our last visit.  We moved on to the hotel, which for our kids is the highlight of any vacation.  More swimming and tons of junk food later, all kids crashed with Mom and Dad in one hotel room!  Corbin decided to sleep in a "tent", so he had a towel over the desk in the room, and slept on the floor!  He loved it.  Two slept on an inflatable mattress, and Allie shared her bed with her little brother!  She is such the great big sis.  We swam some more the following morning, and finished our trip with Tony's Pizza!  Allie says anyone traveling to Lake Charles MUST eat at Tony's.  We had such a great time, and it was only 2 hours from home, and one night.  It never ceases to amaze me how kids see such small trips as this, as being the same as a week at Disney.  As you can see from the pictures, the kids are really growing and maturing.  They are thick as mud when they are in a crowd.  I adore my family, and love these moments!

Brian

 

 

 

 

This little girl has more facial expressions! Quite the little ham!

 

 

                                      
                                         Check out Corbin's hair.  I can only wish to have these 'dos!

 

 

                                       I know, you had to take a double look to make sure they really aren't twins

                                                  Such a happy boy when he can run and play

 

                                   Our teenager shuns the camera most days.  I stole one shot all day

                                      Miss Annabelle was quite the entertainer.  Very funny girl     

                                         Annabelle with her little sister, Parker

 

 

 

 

Showing off his Ninja Skills

 

This kid has his momma wrapped.  I think he knows it too!

 

 

The Phantom Blogger

My teen is harassing me because I never blog anymore. TRUTH is I'm busy!!! It's been seven months since I have posted pics of our crew. So here goes a looooong blog of pics. We have a Jr. High kid under our roof and she is about to enter High School. OMG!!!!! She is playing softball on the school team which equals MORE driving for the Smith bus. The three middle kiddos are playing t-ball and wee-tee. Anyone been to a wee-tee game lately?? Yeah, HILARIOUS!!! The smallest of our crew is finally trying to put sounds together that make words. We can't wait for him to be able to talk and tell us all kinds of stuff. BTW he turns three Tuesday. This means THREE 3 Year-olds under one roof.

3 Three-year-olds under one roof. Just making sure you got it.
Potty-training=Not my thing. We will revisit that subject.

The husband and I along with Allison Grace have started on a "to get healthy journey" together. My fitnesspal app is our new best friend. Couch to 5k is in process. 30 Ab challenge oh yes!!! Pray for us. Three hungry people sometimes raises the tension lol...

Corbin is reading. Can somebody shout with me YEEEEESSSSS!!!!! Small books, baby steps, but reading nonetheless. He is spelling all kinds of stuff while we are driving down the road. He is reading billboards. Ya know the sound out kinda stuff. It's really funny and amazing to see their minds work.

OK lots of pics!!!! Love love you guys!

Wearing big brothers batting gloves. He didn't take them off the entire game.

This is where he lives. He kinda hangs out looking cute. If the ball hits his foot he will throw it home:)

 

 

 

 

Very serious practice swings

 


 

 

She took it from her brother

 

 

 

Look at that throw

 

 

"can I hit it now"

She did it!!!

 

Running to first

Socializing is mostly what she does on the ball field

The big brother is about to turn Six

It rained and they loved the mud

 

Cuteness overload

 

This little fella is about to turn three. Can't believe it