Been  while since I’ve posted. Life has been a little full…in a good way of course!  As most of you know Chris and Blake are in Brovary, Ukraine working with a church start and doing other misc. ministry.

We are currently hosting a young boy from Ukraine, named Sergiy. He IS NOT the same Sergiy that the Horner family from our church is adopting, although he is from the same orphanage. (Confusing, I know.)

Chris met him last fall when he was in Ukraine and we had been praying about hosting him this summer. But  God shifted our plans and called us to bring home Eliana. So we were not even sure that this would be a possibility for summer 2010. In June, the Lord laid Sergiy back on our hearts and we inquired about him through our facilitator, Sasha. We found out that it was possible but not definite, because he needed papers for travel and it all had to be completed by a certain time so that he could travel with a group that was coming from his region in August. So really all summer long we have known he might be coming but because this was so last minute and it is Ukraine, where any and everything is possible, we didn’t get our hopes up.

Well we found out about 2 weeks before he was to travel that yes, he was coming. In the meantime, Chris’ trip to Ukraine had already been scheduled and he would not be here for the first week of Sergiy’s two and a half week stay.  But at least Chris and Blake did get to meet up with him before he traveled to the US and explain that they would be home soon!

Many of you have asked what the host program is, and how it works. We are hosting through a ministry that Sasha uses. Every program varies, but this one allows orphans from Ukraine ages 13-16 who are adoptable to  travel to the states and stay with a family for anywhere from two weeks to a month. The family has to have a back ground check done and pays a  fee of about $2,000, which covers airline tickets and a visa. The host family also provides for whatever needs the child has while here.

This is such a great opportunity for these kids! Summer’s in the orphanage are very boring and so to get to travel and experience the love of a family, can be life changing! We hope to have a group of kids listed on eliproject come next summer, so that families in our area can participate in the host program.

Are we going to adopt Sergiy?  Well you can pray for us on that matter. We are currently seeking the Lord and his will for our family.  It is a possibility, I have no doubt the Lord desire’s that he have a family, we just want to make sure that it is us who is to be that family.

Everyone else in the Malone clan is doing well and enjoying summer!

More to come soon, along with some pics!

Blessing His Name!

I am truly amazed at how the weeks have flown by since my last post. Here is brief run down of what all we’ve been up to:

First, Eliana is doing really well. She has got to be one of the happiest kids I have ever seen!  When I go to get her out of bed in the morning she is standing in her bed…waiting for of me. As soon as she sees me, she starts giggling and raises her arms for me to take her…it is a great way to start the day! She is also scooting around the house more and pulling up some. Walking is a way off…but she will get there! Eating is going much better as well, she now finger feeds herself and uses a fork fairly well. In the short weeks since we have been home, she has learned to sign mama,papa, eat, and more. She has also learned to clasp her hands together for prayer time before meals and waits to start eating until the prayer is finished (albeit with 4 preschoolers, mealtime prayers are short!) I must say we think she is a very smart little girl!

Matthew, Micah and Eli just completed the June term of summer school. They went for 3 weeks strait, Tues.-Thurs. for half a day. They are out next week and then go back for 3 more weeks. It really helps them maintain what they have learned this past school year and keeps them in the “habit” of school. I like it, it is just enough to give us a little bit of routine, with plenty of flexibility for summertime fun!  Speaking of which, one of their favorites is going to the pool! Matthew and Eli are all over the water in their life jackets. Micah loves the water too, but only on his terms, which is both feet touching the bottom of the pool at all times! They are also into the Toy Story movies, yes, all three of them! It’s cute to see them enjoying the things every other kid enjoys, they are after all just kids, who happen to have a little something extra! Micah is now potty trained, yea! Eli has gotten glasses and with all the outdoor play, now has the cutest little freckles on his cheeks. Matthew continues to progress with his walking, and before long will be running! It is an awesome blessing to watch these guys not only grow and develop, but thrive in the love of our family.

Bethany and Seth just finished vbs this past week, and had a blast, like they do every year! They also got to participate in a sports camp that was held in the afternoons after vbs was over. Seth took karate and Bethany did basketball. They are growing up too fast! So I am doing my best to just enjoy them and all the things they like to do, like trips to the snow cone stand, pool, bike rides, board games, etc.(now you know why I haven’t done a blog post in a while! ) Some of these things we can do with the little ones up, but usually they are done during nap time or in the evening after the littles have gone to bed. I love this 8-1o age and want to savor it up before they are 14 & 16!

Speaking of growing up too fast, Blake and Hannah, who are 16 & 14, have had a full summer as well. They started things off with a 3 day marching band camp, then a week of Super Summer, and for Hannah, another week of camp at Falls Creek. They both served as volunteers last week at vbs, as they have for several years now. They are great kids, with hearts that desire to serve the Lord. It has been so awesome and rewarding to see them grow into the young man and woman they have become! They are a big help around the house and have such tenderness for all the little guys and gal. Still, they are kids who like to run around the yard and play tag, do goofy things and are not too old for the snow cone stand!

It has been a great summer so far….and  it’s only June! Here are some long awaited pics:

Dream Night at the Zoo

Micah just had to get in on the fun!

Blake and Hannah leaving for Super Summer.

Micah loves to dress up!

Little cuties!

These two know how to have fun!

Eliana loves her Blake!

This time, 19 years ago, we were finishing up our rehearsal dinner.  We were less than 24 hours away from becoming husband and wife.  We were so young!  I was 21 (just barely) and Mary was 19.  That’s just 5 years older than Hannah.  And that’s CRAZY!  But we wouldn’t change that even if we could.

We had dated for several years and spent all of our free time together.  There was no reason to wait and lots of reasons not to wait.  We dated since high school and I was about to be a senior in college when we wed.

It’s been an amazing 19 years.  Of course there are always rough moments.  But they are FAR outweighed by the wonderful and amazing times.  We’re best friends, lovers, partners in life, and parents to 8 kids.  Wow!

Here’s just a few of the reasons why I’m still madly in love:

• she’s my best friend
• she’s beautiful
• she’s an amazing wife
• she’s generous
• she’s kind
• she’s the greatest mommy
• she’s a true picture of the Proverbs 31 woman
• she loves me unconditionally
• she’s a fantastic home maker – she makes our home a great place to be
• she’s hands-down, the only woman I could ever want

So happy anniversary to the sweet bride of my youth.  It’s been an amazing journey so far…I can’t imagine what’s next!

Chris

Happy Father’s Day (to me… ).

And it IS a happy Father’s Day.  I woke up early this morning (as I do every Sunday morning) and lay there thinking about today.  How blessed can one person be was my thought.  Laying beside a beautiful wife, lover, friend, companion, helper; surrounded (literally) by kids who are GREAT kids; my kids who are old enough have a real and living relationship with God; our younger kids have a heart for God and will grow into a wonderful relationship with Him; our four little treasures with Down syndrome bring joy, laughter, amazement, (and yes sometimes sadness).

Here’s some things I never knew could bring such amazing and real joy:

• the joy experienced when you look at that little piece of plastic and there’s two lines on it
• seeing your baby moving around on the ultrasound for the first time
• hearing that little heartbeat for the first time
• holding that tiny baby and realizing that it’s US – my wife and I – and the fruit of our love and life
• the first time you hear the word dada (or papa)
• the first time your kid prefers you to anyone else
• when they just want sit with you, just SIT with you
• unexpected hugs and kisses, just because
• a sweet smile that is only mine and no one else’s
• seeing my older kids walk with the Lord
• sitting in a restaurant with everyone making a huge mess and laughing together (and watching everyone stare at us)
• the simple things that happen every day, over and over and over

So to my Heavenly Father, God, the ultimate Dad, thank you for being my Papa and loving me no matter what.  I hope I bring you joy and make you smile.

To my earthly dad who left earth so many years ago…too early, unexpectedly.  I love you and miss you.  Wish you were here to see these great kids and that they could know you.  Happy Father’s Day.