Special Friends Homecoming

Jimmy attends this special event every year. It is put on by the students of Washtenaw Christian Academy for the special needs young adults here in our community. The boys and I take Jimmy in and then we come and pick him up. We are welcome to stay, but this is Jimmy's time to hang out for a while with his friends. It will be a few years, and then Caleb will go too. Just has to be a little more grown up. ;)

He had to show me that they had "wine". 

They always do such a nice job with the decorating.

There was a lady making balloon figures, Caleb asked for an Olaf. :)

Jimmy's buddy Brandon, looking handsome.

Elijah got a penguin. :)

Christian and Jimmy.

Continuation of Liam's birthday

We didn't have cake on Liam's birthday, because Jimmy wasn't home at the time. It wasn't a big deal though, because Liam does not eat cake, so he was perfectly happy with his birthday ice cream. But, when Jimmy came home, we celebrated with a cake. I am not a cake decorator and it has been several years, since I have made a birthday cake, except for a plain rectangle one. But, I was determined to have an Olaf cake for Liam's birthday, and couldn't find one in a store. They only had Frozen birthday cakes, not an Olaf birthday cake. So, I went online and found one, that looked like it was something I could possible make. Here's the one I made :)

This was the first time, he attempted to blow out his candles. It was more of a small spit, but he was getting the idea. :)

It just so happened to be Elijah's 1/2 birthday as well. He is wearing the birthday crown that he got from school.

And well, why not........everyone else was blowing out the candles. LOL

Liam Josiah is 10!

Liam is 10 years old. You would think that a 10 year old child would have lots of experiences, during the first 10 years of his life, but that's a little different when you're an orphan. You do not go to church, the movies, swimming, the park, shopping, bowling, bike riding......and when you're a disabled orphan, you are not allowed to go to school, and it's even a possibility that you do not go outside at all. Thank God, Liam was only an orphan for 7 years, but still, the things that he lost during those 7 years is tragic. He lost more than just the opportunity to "do" things, he also lost a mother's touch, a warm little bed with his own toys to cuddle, the smell of homemade cookies coming from the kitchen, a bubble bath, Toy Story, books to look at, Easter baskets, Christmas stockings, hugs, kisses, his own clothes, a Mommy to sing him to sleep, kiss his owies, and simply, just a chance to feel safe. I could focus on all of the losses, and sometimes, I do, but it's very sad, and it is what it is. I can't change it. I do, however wish that I could have seen him sit up for the first time, take his first step, and hear him babble when he was a baby. He lost so much, and so did I. But, I am thankful for the time we have now, the memories that we can make together. I still got to  do a lot of firsts with him: I took him to school for the first time, gave him his first bubble bath, took him to the movies, the water park, bowling, the park, shopping, vacation, wagon rides, and Dairy Queen.... I wonder about his first seven years without me, but I am thankful for now, each and every day, good or not so good, that we have each other. That's all that matters. So, yesterday, we celebrated Liam's 10th birthday, and our third year with him (his Gotcha day was the day before yesterday). He is a son, a brother, a nephew, a grandson, a friend. He is wanted and he belongs. He is loved and he is happy.

We love you Liam Josiah, and look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with you.
Love, your Mama

Silly Birthday Boy!

Because Liam doesn't like cake. :)

One of his presents

Gotcha Day #3 for Liam Josiah!

Three years ago today, I walked out of a Russian institution, with my beautiful Liam Josiah. He was the second child ever, to be adopted from this institution. This is an old institution, it's a shame that no one comes for these special children. It baffled the staff, that I wanted to adopt one of "these children".

Meeting Mama for the first time!

I can't even begin to imagine, what these beautiful. brown eyes have seen, in the first 7 years of his little life.

Meeting his big brother Ben. :)

When I came back on my second trip, Liam had a smashed finger and a cut on his cheek. I'll never know what happened to him while I was gone. :(

Me, in front of the Moscow courthouse, right after I was declared Liam's Mama, forever.

Getting ready to leave the institution, January 12, 2012

And he's outta there!

Free at last, and standing in Red Square.

Three years later, here is Liam Josiah. Happy, loved, and wanted.

Elijah's "Ger"

Elijah drew this tiger today. He calls it a "Ger". It's the cutest little "Ger" I have ever seen.

by Elijah

2nd grade

age 8

There will always be toys.....

Someone told me, shortly after Jimmy was born, "You will always have toys under your Christmas tree."  That made me feel so happy inside, just thinking about it. And it's true, one of Jimmy's favorite gifts this year, was Constantine (the bad Kermit) from Muppets Most Wanted.
There is always excitement for Christmas in our house, every year, it seems to be more magical, than the last. I don't think it would be that way, if I didn't have Jimmy, or his little brothers. You see, we will always have visits to see Santa, always be counting down the days to Christmas, and I will always overhear one of them saying, "Santa is watching you." to the other one. :) I love it! And I do feel sorry for the people, who will never get, what I have. I would have missed out on so much love and fun times, if it wasn't for my boys with that little something extra. I think that I would have probably had a happy life, but I would never know what I was missing, and that would be unfortunate. I am grateful, I am blessed, and I wouldn't trade my life with anyone. Sure, there are some difficult times, but every parent has difficult times. So the next time, you see me out with my boys, don't think to yourself, "She's a saint, or I couldn't do that.", because what you don't realize, is that my life is real good. I am extremely happy! And, I don't envy you, I actually feel sorta sad, that you will never experience, what I have. I have been given a secret look, into Heaven. Not everyone gets that. I don't know what I did to be blessed this way, but I am eternally grateful to our Father, for choosing me.