The Ladd Family of FIVE Update 🖐
We had a baby! And we officially miss you.
It's high time for a Ladd family update. Let’s jump right to the highlight reel, shall we?
My Mom Came
After six years apart, my mom spent six glorious weeks with us. Every day felt like Christmas morning. Her and Benjamin became insta-BFF's. He called for her as soon as he woke up and is still talking about how much he misses her. We adventured together for the last two weeks of my pregnancy. I laughed harder than I've laughed in six years and soaked up every second of having a mom in arms reach. She took care of me and our family when I had Wyatt, keeping us afloat and even enabling Chris to not miss a Sunday service. It's truly amazing that love doesn't miss a beat. It's outside of time and space.
Wyatt Entered the Scene
The boy was in no hurry to arrive. On my due date (April 10th), I went to church, had a weight-lifting session, cooked lunch for friends, and jumped on the trampoline with Benjamin. The next morning we walked across the top of Table Mountain for my mom's birthday! Finally, after an intervention from my doctor and an induction massage, Wyatt Christopher Ladd entered the world on April 12 at 7:36am.
You cannot help but smile when you're around Wyatt. He flashes that gummy grin from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to sleep - even when he wakes up for a feeding in the night! He is pure delight. I can't believe it's already been 4 months!
We Got Visas
It's the news of all news! (Here are some more details if you're catching up or need a refresher.) Over seven years into "the process", I have a legal South African visa! Chris, Benjamin and I have our documents! That means we can safely travel! The next steps are Wyatt and Lifa. (There's more info about that at the end of this update.)
Our Benjamin.
Benjamin has always been... well, Benjamin. He's fearfully and wonderfully made and bursting with character. In the past months, he's demonstrated some extreme and unusual behaviors that we knew were more than typical "threenagering" or adjusting to a new baby. Prayer, observations and appointments have made it clear... Benjamin is on the autism spectrum. He has a unique profile of autism called "extreme demand avoidance". We are on a mission to help him thrive and find new family rhythms that work. I will share more as we process. We are trying out a new therapeutic play school this week. We would love your prayers.
The Church is Growing
Families from church brought us dinner every night for over four weeks when Wyatt was born. I haven't bought a single diaper since the guys came and picked Chris up for a surprise "diaper shower". We have been encircled by prayer warriors since Benjamin's autism diagnosis. We are being loved just as much as we love leading Southpoint Church. Church attendance and tithes have almost doubled since we started less than two years ago, and the best is yet to come! We are baptizing, worshiping, and starting new initiatives. Hallways are filled with laughter and newcomers every Sunday morning. It's surreal and beautiful!
We Became Gym People
We've traded in our home gym rental for gym cards! Lifa goes to school at 6am every morning to workout with his rugby buddies. Chris is doing intense personal training 5 days/week with our close friend, David. And I'm taking advantage of excellent childcare at the gym to get a workout in while my little boys are well cared for. Benjamin loves bringing his gym bag and going to "his gym". There is a whole lot of flexing going on around here.
Faith Promise Church Came
We had a HUGE treat last month when Chris' home church sent an awesome team of people to visit us! Faith Promise Church came like a whirlwind of blessing and energy. From the moment they landed, they poured wisdom, excellence and powerful love into our church staff, local police officers, families from our church, and especially into our family. Their visit was in perfect timing - right when I felt like the world was falling apart with Benjamin’s autism diagnosis, they swooped in with powerful love and overriding joy. They met us in a way we needed to be met after so many years away from our US homes - face to face. Thank you, FPC. You left a huge mark on us.
There you go, friends! If you've made it this far, you must really love us!
A final note:
I've needed a lot of God and a lot of help since Benjamin started struggling recently. I've seen Him biggest and best when I've shared needs and asked for prayer. So, with that same faith, I want to share some of our family's need. Will you pray with us and consider helping if you can? And please let us know what you need help and prayer for. We'd love to join with you.
What We're Praying For...
For Lifa -
I don't post as much about Lifa as I did when he was losing teeth, living on his bicycle and wearing capes. He's 14, and his identity is his to develop now. With his 15th birthday approaching, however, we are very aware of our responsibility to advocate for his rights. We only have until he's 18 to help Lifa get a birth certificate and ID before it becomes much, much more complicated for him. Currently, he does not have the documents he needs for basic rights.- to graduate high school, open a bank account, get a job, ID and passport, or even go on a rugby trip with his team. We've met the right lawyers to help us out, and we are praying for $350 for the initial meeting to start that process.
For Wyatt -
The paperwork is ready to apply for Wyatt's visa so he can legally live in South Africa with us and have freedom to travel as well. We are praying for $350 to get Wyatt's visa.
An iPad -
We don't have a home computer, so the boys are sharing a tablet for Lifa's schoolwork and Benjamin's screen time. We are learning a new way to operate and strategically implementing screen time to help Benjamin through transitions when he's struggling to regulate. We are praying for $300 to purchase an iPad + child proof case.
A Family Van -
We are saving up! We don't have a vehicle our family will fit in. When I pick up Lifa and a friend from school, someone has to ride in the trunk! I think his friends are praying for a van with us too. Please join us in this big prayer request.
Website Revamp -
We need help updating and giving our website a new look. It's powered by Squarespace, so it should be pretty straightforward to someone who's familiar with it. It's very far outside of my realm!
Thank you for reading and for being a part of our lives.
We care about you very much and would LOVE to hear your updates.