Happy Birthday Caleb!

Seventeen! Where has the time gone? I am so proud of the young man Caleb has become. He is so sweet, kind and polite to everyone. He still has a little mischievous side, but that's what makes him Caleb! I love this kid more and more every day! Happy Birthday my precious son! I am so thankful for YOU!

And I have to brag a bit too. 

Caleb has become quite the photographer!

 He took these pictures on the way to school. 

He always seems to get such a great shot!

Taking his pain away and making it my own

"Taking his pain away and making it my own." That's exactly what you do, when you make the heartbreaking choice, to have your beloved pet, who is suffering from advanced cancer, put to sleep. Our sweet boy, Milo, crossed the Rainbow Bridge today. We are heartbroken, but hopeful that he's running around like a puppy now, cancer free. He was the sweetest dog, who had gone through so much before he came to us last year, only to end up 4 months later, being diagnosed with cancer. We had it removed once, but was told that it was an aggressive type, and would come back. We were blessed with 10 more months, before we had to say goodbye. We miss you, sweet boy, and pray we will see you again. ❤️

Back to school

School started this year in August. I have mixed feelings about that, but my boys seemed okay with it. They thrive on structure, and routine, and we have a lot of that at home, but it is not like school. They enjoy school, being with their friends, and fire drills. lol 
Here are this year's school pics. 

Caleb is a Junior this year. Crazy. 

He is so handsome!

Liam is in 8th grade.

 He has the most beautiful smile, but wasn't feeling it this day.

 She took around 30 pictures, and I chose this one.

 His glove made it into the pic this year. lol

Elijah is in 7th grade. 

He's adorable as usual!

 He picked out his shirt for picture day, this year. :)

Happy 13th Birthday, Elijah!

Well, my baby turned 13 yesterday. 

Now, I have three teenagers and one "grumpy old man", as Jimmy likes to call himself. LOL

He picked Peppa Pig this year, which is usually Caleb's thing, but I thought it was pretty cute, he chose her. His absolute favorite thing to watch is Nick Jr., so he always picks one of those characters.

Cornhole has quickly became one of his favorite games!

A puzzle of our new kitten, Reese.

 Elijah named her Reese Cup, himself.

He sure is a handsome young man! 

But, he is growing up too fast, for Mama.

Happy Birthday, my precious Elijah. 

You are such a gift to everyone you meet. 

I love you so much, and I'm so proud of you!

10 years! Happy Gotcha Day, Elijah!

Over ten years ago, in an orphanage in Novosibirsk, Russia (Siberia region), a little boy lived, one of many children with Down syndrome, that were placed there, by their biological parents. Because of his diagnoses, they felt and most likely were pressured into thinking, that they could not take care of him. His name was Denis (pronounced Denise, in Russia). He was a beautiful baby boy, and extremely smart. It's too bad, that they didn't choose to keep him, because they have missed out on a precious little life. Fast forward, 2+ years later, a single Mom would be given the chance to become his mother. That woman was me. I was the lucky lady who was granted permission to be his mother. This beautiful, funny, sweet, and smart little bundle of joy is so precious. Honestly, it was love at first sight! I named his Elijah Nikolai. I brought him home, and he has flourished in our family, goes to school, and is quite independent. He's helpful, playful, and very creative. He's actually a dream child, no behavior problems at all. He is a JOY. Over the years, especially on his birthday and on Mother's Day, I would find myself thinking of his biological mother and wondering, does she miss him? Does she grieve for the little boy, that she gave up? I didn't know much about her, except that she ran her own business, and that she had an older son Max, who was 10, when Elijah was born. I did have her birthday and I had her name, so after a lot of thought and prayer, I decided to see if I could find her.
It didn't take long, after I created an account on a Russian FB site. I looked at her pictures and couldn't believe I was looking at the woman, who gave birth to my child. My heart was racing, and I debated if I should reach out to her. What if she didn't want to hear from me? What if she just wanted to forget it all? I waited until I got home, and later that evening, I wrote her a short letter, telling her about Elijah and then told her, if she'd like to see pics or to know more about him, to let me know. I was more than happy to be able to connect with her, and I prayed that she would be too. And, he did have to have heart surgery when he was 10 months old. All of the cost involved with his medical care would have fallen on his parents, and knowing they didn't have the means for that, giving him up may have been their only choice. If they couldn't pay for the surgery, he would have died. (Here's an article about Russia's healthcare system in 2016, 10 years after Elijah was born. https://www.newsweek.com/2016/12/02/dire-russia-health-care-523380.html

I brought Elijah home in 2009. He was beautiful and perfect, and still is! He is happy, and goes to school and has friends. (He would not have been able to go to school, in Russia). As I watched him run into school the other day, holding a pinwheel and laughing as it twirled, I thanked God for him. I still can't believe that I get to be his Mama. I am honored, and I am so very happy that I can share him with his birth mother,his brothers, and his birth father. The fact that they get to watch him grow up through the years, and share in his milestones, I hope makes them feel better about having to give him up. He is happy and he is loved. Happy 10th Gotcha day, Elijah! We all love you!

Elijah's birth mom, grandma and little brother.

Elijah's birth parents.

The first picture I ever saw of Elijah.

Elijah's little brother, Nikita.

Elijah looks so much like his birth father.

Elijah's older brother Max, and younger brother, Nikita.

Elijah, today. 💓