He's 4

I know this post is way overdue, I'm sorry! It's been a crazy few weeks! So in case you were worried ... yes, my little man got more than candles in some birthday yogurt. LOL. In fact, he had his very own cake, complete with an oreo cookie dirt race track with McQueen, Francesco and Mater racing. Thank you Nana for another amazing birthday cake - he totally loved it! And of course, he also had lots of friends over to celebrate one more year.

I think the highlight for all of the kids though was the balloon art. Seriously, he totally rocked and the kids couldn't have been happier running around with their balloon swords and anything else they could dream up. I was unfortunately just too into the party and forgot to snap some shots of all the balloon chaos, errrr I mean, *fun* ... LOL. But I can promise, an extremely good time was had by all!

PS - I apologize for the yellowy-green-red colors from the florescent lights - we have them all over our house and they make everything look funny. Part of the ambience, right? :-)

Sunday Snapshot {Orphan Sunday}

While going through Angel's school work earlier this week, I came across this page in her workbook. I read through all of the blessings she had written down, deeply touched by each one ... these things that SHE feels are blessings in her life.

And then I saw it ...

The bottom left "rock" ... the blessing that has now become such an all-consuming, amazing part of my life. Of our life.

"aDoPtion"

I started to cry.

Almost 2 years ago when DH and I made the decision to adopt, I had no idea how far reaching that decision would be ... how much it would affect our kids in ways I didn't know possible. Sure, I thought about how awesome it would be to gain a daughter and sister.  How it would stretch the older two and ask them to give even more of themselves as they welcomed a third sibling. And I put a bit of thought into how it would strengthen them and how wonderful it would be to celebrate another culture in our home. But for some reason, I never thought about how THEY would feel that adoption was a blessing.

I was totally wrong. This "rock" that DH and I know to be a miraculous blessing is now seen as a blessing by our kids too. It's inspiring ... truly inspiring, to watch their faith develop.

When we chose to walk this path of adoption, it was unchartered territory but we *knew* it was where God wanted us to be. Angel and Lovebug happily supported the decision with "faith like a child," they didn't question it and were excited to bring their baby sister home. And now, not only do we have a new daughter and sister to love, adoption is a blessing to us all.

Today, I am so thankful for adoption and how it has changed our lives. Sunshine, we love you baby girl and are so excited to watch you blossom into the person God intends for you to be! I am also thankful for Orphan Sunday (see the short video below) - I hope & pray this day makes people more aware of just how many orphans there are in the world. WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, PLEASE SHARE THE LOVE!

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

Future musician?

Girlfriend is pulling herself up on *everything* these days and really enjoys banging, I mean "playing" on the piano. And in the last few days, she has been standing for a few seconds on her own, completely unassisted! WAHOO! Yes, I do believe I see walking in her future - something I couldn't always say with confidence! Of course the timing couldn't be more perfect ... LOL ... what with her next surgery coming up and all. Can I clothe her in bubble wrap during recovery?

Today I am so very thankful for this precious baby girl that God has given me the honor of loving and raising. She has taught me more about myself in the last 5 months than I thought possible. She has stretched me and helped me grow as a mama. And well, she's pretty darn amazing. Today I stand in awe at the progress she has made in the short time she's been with us ... a little miracle I tell ya.

In the eyes of a new 4-year old

McDonald's most definitely provides the *best* birthday dinner and chicken nuggets are the greatest thing ever to eat ... especially if it's on your birthday and YOU get to choose. Ahhh to be four again ... or even 29. LOL.

Today I am thankful for the four whole years I have been blessed to spend with this little guy. He makes every day better and he makes me a better person. I can't help but feel complete joy when I'm with him (or honestly, even when I just *think* about him!).

One of his favorite things

Moondough ... I think I am one of the rare moms who lets her kids enjoy this stuff. I'm telling you, once you get past the mess, it's really, really, really fun. And for my little guy's birthday last week, he got whatever he wanted - so moondough it was :-) He has such joy in his eyes, oh he just takes my breath away. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I get to be his mom. God must really love me. LOL.

Today I am thankful for a simple pleasure in life - the joy in my son's eyes when he plays with something that he loves so much. I soak in as much of it as I can.