Our Big Boy Turns 4!

I can't believe how fast these past two years have flown by!

Where did our chubby cheeked toddler go?

Landon's actual birthday was on a Friday. Since Greg had to work, we decided to celebrate on Sunday after church. We had planned on a day in, doing low key, fun things with the boys. Unfortunately we woke up to horrific news that someone had opened fire in our local police department and shot 3 officers. Thank God, Greg was not working at the time. After hearing the news, he rushed to the hospital to support his friends and their families. Although that did put a damper on the exciting day, we tried to make the most of it, and the boys and I tried to celebrate anyway. Greg had to be at work by 6 that night (it would be an understatement to say it was hard to say "Good-bye, Be safe!" as we usually do seeing Greg off to work that night). We had our cousins over for an unofficial celebration and  enjoyed some of Jesus's leftover birthday cake from Christmas.

 

 

 

Landon has developed a little "obsession" with Start Wars. He knows the story (yes, all 6 movies) inside and out. This left little to be decided upon when trying to figure out a birthday theme.... STAR WARS!

 

 

We invited our family over to celebrate, and we all enjoyed a little galactic fun! Thanks to Pinterest, I found a ton of easy, home made ideas that turned our ordinary menu into something a little more theme friendly!

 

Help free Han Solo from the Carbonite!

 R2 D2 and Lightsaber cakes!

 

Aunt Sue so kindly shared her birthday celebration with her nephew!

 

 

Nana made Landon a Goliath/Gladiator belt to holster his "Sword of the Spirit!"

 

Happy 4th Birthday, Landon! We love you!

 

 

 

 



Christmas 2012

December was a jam packed month, as it seems to be year after year. Filled with fun, family, friends, and the Christmas spirit!  

Putting reindeer food out for Rudolph!

Putting cookies out for Santa!

Lookout, Ethan is stealing Santa's cookies!

It's amazing the difference a year can make! Ethan is on the go..climbing too!

Lots of big smiles Christmas morning!

...and yawns!

Tunnel fun!

The traditions from my childhood now continued with the grandchildren...

Grandpop reciting Luke 2 for us all before we open gifts.

Thanks, Uncle Dennis for putting my gift together on the spot!

Homemade gifts are extra special! Nana made Star Wars Jammies for Landon

Uncle Chris showing Landon how to work the Hess Helicopter

"Mom, can we get a new Dakota for Christmas?" ...something I was asked a LOT. For now, we are enjoying Mommom, Poppop, and Uncle Chris' dog, Bella. The boys love her so much they want to name our new doggie (someday!) "Bella" :)

 

 

This was my favorite Christmas present- having Greg home with us! He worked overnight on Christmas Eve, and when he came home in the morning he surprised me with the news that he did not have to go in on Christmas night!



Watching the boys open up their gifts, watching our family love on them just makes me smile! We cherish every day with them, and on the extra special days, like Christmas, we are even more grateful for the opportunity to love on them and be their parents.

2 Year Family Day Anniversary!

I know it is so cliche, but my, oh my, how time flies! It hardly seems possible that two years ago (yesterday) we were driving our little boy out of what he knew as home (Orphanage #20), and into our family and our lives FOREVER. As I browse through a pictural memory lane, I can't get over how much our boy has grown physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  SO many things that were at the time so foreign (no pun intended) to him, are now familiar, expected, and disputed!
Just a "few" things come to mind... 

        -Hugs, kisses, being held, or rocked. We could barely get a few seconds of snuggle time with our boy at first. Now, we have to peel his face away from our lips just to breathe, and rub his back or face before he will settle and fall asleep. No more rocking himself to sleep...now he falls alseep in his daddy's arms while he reads a book.
       -Meltdowns....Oh yeah, we still have them. But, rather than just crying or tantruming, it's usually a verbal argument (yes, with tears!) disputing some sort of request to pick up toys, or to turn the Wii off. Landon has become an expert at debating  talking back.  Working on that, though! :)
      -Language- Two years ago we were using both his Russian and American name combined as well as a combination of Russian and English commands/phrases to communicate. Now, our boy knows countless songs, how to count (at least to 20), can recite Bible verses, The Pledge of Allegiance (to the US flag, Christian Flag, AND Bible!), and letters and letter sound/sight recognition for letters A-H! There is probably a lot more there I am leaving out. But, my- what growth!
     -FAMILY- this is (almost) the most awesome change of all. Two years ago, we were just getting our boy acquainted with the numorous faces and voices of the family that loved him and helped pray him home. Now, he not only knows all their names, but prays for all of THEM by name. He even considers two cousins his "brothers." God is good!
     -Our Heavenly Father- Two years ago, our boy didn't know who God or Jesus was. Now, he is the one telling me not to cry (I admit I was in a slump last week after the awful CT news) because Jesus is right by our side. Before asking for a bandaid or for medicine, he asks us to pray that Jesus will heal him. He knows countless Bible stories by heart, and most of all, knows that God loves him so much that He made sure he was taken care of before mommy and daddy knew him, and that it was God that sent us to him.

Yes, we daily must continue to work on obeying, talking back, and so much more...but, I am celebrating growth today. And, as I look back, it is impossible not to smile in amazement. God has used us to change this little boy's life, but even more so, God has used this little boy to change our lives, and the lives of our family forever!

Precious.Priceless.Adoption

 

 

This post and milestone in our family leaves me very burdened at the current state of the future of Russian adoption here in the US. We are praying that officials on both sides are able to look past their disagreement, and think of the future of the estimated 700,000 orphans currently residing in Russia. We also are praying for the 1,000 current pending Russian adoptions- these families are waiting to find out if they will ever be permitted to return to Russia to be reunited with their sons and daughters. I remember all too well how difficult that uncertain months were for me.

 

 

To end on a positive note, here are a few pictures I found "share worthy" as I walked down memory lane today. 

December 22, 2010 - Riding out of Baby House #20

 

Me and my baby boy (at the time!) Where did those chubby cheeks go?

 

I'll end this post with a few pictures from December! The month has been full of fun, decorating, and, unfortunately, sickness. Hopefully, the boys are on the mend and will be well for Christmas and Landon's birthday!

 

Cousins trip to Chic Fil A for Santa Day!

 

As you can see, one of our boys LOVES Santa, and one ...well, DOESN'T. :)

Craft time with Nana

Backyard Brother Fun!

Tired? I say so!

 

Official Mall Santa photo wasn't too different from CFA.

Poor Ethan!

 

For my sisters and Poppop, and Grammie... Landon's School Christmas Show...cut down to the "best" 5 minutes. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Year Anniversary of DAH day!

It is hard to believe that two years ago today we were in a Moscow courtroom nervously awaiting the judge's approval of our adoption. When I go back and read my post from that day, I can see the courtroom and feel the emotions as if it were happening all over again.

http://jer2911theplansihaveforyou.blogspot.com/2010/12/we-have-passed-court.html

So grateful for the DAH we got that day, and for all the amazing changes in our boy that followed that day. God is so good!

ON December 8, 2010, I was holding back happy tears as I heard the judge read our adoption order. And, today, I am holding them back as I recall a conversation Landon and I had on our way to Cubbies this past Wednesday night.

Landon: "Mom, Do you think Jesus can send mommies and daddies?"
Me: "What mommies and daddies, bud?"
Landon: "To the boys and girls that don't have a mommy and daddy"
Me: "Of course he can send them!"
Landon: "But how?"
Me: ....and the complicated explanation of how God sends mommies and daddies began. ;)  Bottomline: Landon, we will just have to pray that God will send more, honey."

If God is already putting these boys and girls on his heart now, I can only smile at the thought of what his future may hold! 

Happy 2 year Dah Day, Son! We love you!

Beyond Blessed

I can't even express how thankful I am. Every time I start making a list, I stop because it could never include everything. For the first time ever, I am going to throw my type A self to the side and make one!  I suppose it does not have to include everything, and that the list doesn't have to be in order of appreciation.  :)

I am thankful for...
*My salvation. Without it I would be lost, literally. Guilt-ridden, purposeless, and headed for disaster.
*My husband who is my love, my Godly leader, my protector, my sounding board, my provider, and a wonderful father to our boys.
*Landon- who has stolen my heart. I love his affection. The way he grabs my face and kisses me, and the way he gives the tightest hugs.  The way he randomly says, "I love you, Mom." I love how much he cares for his brother. They were made to be brothers. I love his silliness, and the way it brings me instantly back to my childhood. I love his wit- the way he constantly comes out with hilarious comments or lines from movies that are always trying to outsmart my already made decisions.
*Ethan- who stole my heart all over again. I love his big toothy grin and the way his eyes light up when he sees me. I love how he is always exploring and learning new things. His understanding is constantly blowing me away. Oh, his dimples! How I love them too!!
*My sisters- all of them!! Blood, marriage, and beyond! I love how we can be so honest with each other, and am beyond grateful the trust and bond we share!
*My parents- I can now fully appreciate all their sacrificial love that they continue to pour out on their children. I am so thankful for their Godly example, and love having the opportunity to try my best to follow in their footsteps.
*My Family- Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I am thankful for the memories I have, and for the new ones we continue to make together. I am thankful for the relationship we have that continues to grow. I am thankful for the examples that my grandparents, aunts and uncles have been to me as a mama.
*My In-laws- the best anyone could ever dream of having. I have never felt like an "in-law" and have always been welcomed as a daughter and a sister. I am thankful for their Godly examples, for their friendship, and for their unconditional prayers, support and guidance through the years.
*My job- I am so grateful to have the opportunity to go to work everyday knowing that I have a chance to impact someone's life. It is daily inspiration and purpose. I love the relationships I have had, and continue to have with my students and their families! It makes all the time and effort completely worthwhile!
*My church family- I am so thankful to have a church family that I can e-mail or call or text and know they will be praying or supporting us in whatever we are in the midst of- trials, adoption, service projects, etc. I am thankful for the Godly couples in our church that encourage us and model lifelong love. I am thankful specific relationships that have grown over the years, and for the chance to see some "once kids" grow to be amazing adults.
*My girlfriends! Ah...my breath of fresh air. My honest, accountability partners. My pick-me-up, my break, my getaway. I love you!!
*Provision and luxuries- my house, hot running water, clothing, our cars, health care, our good health, electricity, food! We have so much and have never been in dire need. Praise God.
*Adoption- I am so thankful God has adopted me into His family and has chosen to give me a fresh start, daily, and that he loves me for me. I am so thankful He has allowed adoption to change our lives, and for the opportunity to see His love for us through our sons.
*And the list could go on!! ...but my children are calling. :-)

Above all, on this day of thanks, I want to thank God who has blessed us "immeasurably, more than all we ask, or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us." 

Orphan Sunday 2012

Three years ago, I did not know there was such a thing as "Orphan Sunday." Greg and I were thinking about and praying about adoption, but little did we know the amazing plans God had in store for us. I smile just thinking- God must have felt like I do right now... I have all these fun gifts that I know our boys will love, and I just can't wait to give them to them on Christmas Day. It is so tempting sometimes to go pull them out of hiding and give them early, but I know that giving the gift before it is time, will only satisfy the short term desire. Waiting until just the right time is the key. It's probably why God wrote the verse,

Matthew 7:11

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!


Two years ago, we were still unaware of an official Orphan Sunday, but had just met and fallen in love with one particular little orphan boy who we knew God had created just for our family. We were praying harder than ever for a call saying we could come back to court and to bring him home. We were heartbroken for all the other children who were also living with our boy who did not have family coming for them.

One year ago, we participated in Orphan Sunday for the first time, sharing our heart with our church family and sharing our desire to do something more. We just did not know what.

Orphan Sunday 2012 brings with it my same heart's desire- to share my passion for those here in the US and all over the world who do not have a forever family. This year, we have decided to take one step further. We are going to honor Orphan Sunday by  hosting a "shoe cutting party" at our church. We will be cutting out materials which will help provide shoes for orphaned children in Uganda. It is a simple way to make a huge difference. All you need is a pair of scissors, a pair of jeans, and either a button up or polo shirt (thicker material than a t-shirt)! Rather than go into a wordy description of what it is all about, here is a link to a video that explains it all. We will be showing this video next week in church, so if you are a Laurel Hill'er, than you are getting a sneak peak!

I don't know what future Orphan Sundays will bring for us as a family, or Laurel Hill as a church family...but, I smile, knowing that God knows. He may even be trying to conceal a smile while knowing that He has plans better than all we could ever ask or even imagine!

Ethan's 1st Haircut

On October 5th, 2012, Ethan got his 1st haircut. We were trying to hold off as long as possible, cherishing his baby curls. But, the curls began to poke him in the eyes, and itch his ears leading us to the guilt ridden decision...he needs his hair cut.

Here are some "before" shots!

Looking at and talking to my cousin, Jackson!

I know I'm a little biased...but, aren't they the cutest?!?!

So, there you have it...the long curls!!

We called in my sister, "Aunt Sarah," to do the honor! And, what a lovely job she did. Ethan was a trooper, and didn't even fuss!! I guess it helped that we gave him his sippy cup and some raisins to distract him. :)

Whatcha doin' up there, Aunt Sarah?

I think I can reach that paper towel!

Yep, I love the camera!

...and my daddy, and climbing up a slide!

 

 

And, now that I have finally recorded the first haircut, I feel like it has grown out so much he is almost ready for another! :)