Congo Reunion and Benefit Dinner

A little while back our friends the Wilmarths put on a benefit dinner for Compassion for Congo. Matteus Layton and Brandon Wilmarth had fun with matching ties, with sister Kara Wilmarth.

5 kids who once lived in the same orphanage on the other side of the world, got to sing on a stage together "Mokolo ngai nakokufa" and "Jesus loves me" - precious moments. Left to right: Jamie Loucks, Kara Wilmarth, Jordan Loucks, Brandon Wilmarth, Matteus Layton.



There was a great video they put together for the evening that talks about the history of the ministry and the families involved. What a blessing it was and what a blessing we have!

Compassion for Congo Bennefit Dinner

We are in the midst of planning the first benefit dinner to raise money to help the ministry of Pastor Didier.

Please check out the video here http://www.congobenefit.org/

Latest...

Lot's of fun has been going on here!

Chair spinning...

Kitchen Creations

Picnic table Dancing

Tea Parties

Easter Activities...

We are so thankful for our Risen Savior who conquered death on our behalf.  He did what we could not do for ourselves, and paid our debt with His blood. We praise Him that we can be sons and daughters with Christ!

Praising God for all our blessings!

And one more reason it's great to be an American...

Snow Day and other activities

Sorry it's been a few weeks since our last post but we thought we would write a few words and post a few pictures today. Upper Placerville got a few inches of snow yesterday (we were below snow line) so today our kids got to see their first snow of the year ... and for our newest kid, his first snow ever. We drove up the freeway to a few exits past Placerville where yesterday's snow was still a few inches. We played until the kids started shivering and complaining and saved some in the ice chest for tomorrow. Georgia already made her own snow cone to save for later.

We won't tell you which kid knocked over the snowman right after the picture

It didn't take Matteus long to figure out what to do with the cold fluffy white stuff

Some other things we have been doing over the past month...

Playing with "snappies" in his hair

Our Indian tribe

Learning to bake

Our little Kitty

and... the other way to play Sorry!

"Mommy, I want a birthday!"

Matteus finally turned 2 yesterday (he's been asking for a birthday for about a month!) At Ella's birthday on New Years Eve he said, "Mommy, I want a birthday!" He was so excited to have one!

When I said, "Happy Birthday Matteus" in the morning, he said "Happy Birthday Mommy." I said, "It's your birthday." His eyes lit up and he said, "It's a birthday for me? Yay!"

He is growing up too fast. He grew over an inch in his first few weeks in America and his 3rd language English (after Swahili and French!) is growing. When he opened the hood of the blue toy car above, he said, "Momma, there's the battery!" (Momma had earlier explained to him about batteries when we had to jumpstart the van this week) 

Yesterday when Phil let him hop on his lap in the driveway to park the car in the garage, and pulled into the garage and put the car in park, he reached for the key and began to turn it off, or at least try to! We need to keep our eyes on this one!! 

I kept thinking of his birth mother yesterday,  wondering if she was thinking of him.  I'm not sure what they do for birthday's in Congo.  But I'm sure this was really his first Birthday celebration.  It was blessing and a joy!

Three Months

It has already/only been three months since Matteus has been home with us.  Those three, short months have gone so quickly and seem like forever.  He is a blessing and a joy.  He is a full fledged American.  He walks around saying, "Mommy, What's That?"  He wants to know everything. 

                        He got his first American haircut from Papa Ray

Of course he needed to watch his brother get his hair cut first

He got a lolli-pop

We've also had lots of fun playing and of course dress-up!

Matteus the Pastor

Pirate Treasure Hunt!

Lots of Trains!

 

Nap Time!

 

Year End Review - A Layton Photo Journey

Since this year has had major happenings, and changes I thought it would be good to review all the blessings...


January 1- Kitumani Children's Home opened it's doors.  We were ready to take the first boy under two!! Our homestudy was done, just waiting for US approval.  Here are some pics from the last year.

February brought a visit from our niece, more fingerprints for the adoption, and waiting.

March no real events, just tea parties and lots of playing, and waiting and praying for who God would bring to our family.

April always includes egg dying and the Celebration of Christ's Resurection.

May brought a answer to our prayers! Mark Joseph Layton was born, and named our son!

June began with a lot of excitement, a ton of adoption paperwork, lots of birthdays, and a great family vacation!

July, our adoption paperwork was coming to a close.  Trying to figure out all the steps to finalize Mark's adoption, and travel dates for Phil to go. And of course our yearly church "Family Camp" camping trip (the highlight of the kids summer, although Adam kept asking when we were going home.)

August was the month that seemed like a year.  Phil's tickets bought and ready to leave on the 27th.  But in God's perfect plan three days before Phil was to leave, our sweet boy was taken from this world.

August 29, Phil arrived in Congo

August 30, Phil buries our son

September 9, Phil is scheduled to return to the US.  Three days before he is to leave God gives us another son.

September 10 Phil is HOME!

September 12 we begin the whole adoption process AGAIN!

September 26 we take a emergency trip to San Francisco to get my passport renewed...fast!  I spent most of the day in lines, the rest of the family got the see the sights.  Adam's favorite... what he called "The Golden GREAT Bridge".

October, we are ready for Africa leaving October 2.

October 4, I get to see Matteus for the first time!

October 5 final adoption judgment

October 7, I leave Congo to return to the US, Phil leaves Lubumbashi to go to Kinshasa.

Praise God for the Greene's!!

He is ours!!

October 26, he is HOME!!!

In the two short months that Matteus has been here God has melted and melded our hearts together as a family, and has amazingly grafted him quickly into our home.

Here are a few favorite pics from the last two months...

First taste of ice cream!

The Compassion for Congo Team

And our favorite picture of the whole year...