Home

I got home last night around 1:00am. I didn't go to sleep until 3:00am and then back up at 7:00 so I could go pick up Jimmy and Caleb at 9:00am. I didn't have to pick them up that early but I have missed them so much, I wanted to. Ben was already home since he picked me up from the airport. I figured out I have only slept 4 hours since Friday at 7:00 pm. Europe is 11 hours ahead and I had been up since 6:00am their time. I'm beat but it feels so good to be home with my boys. I had to do some grocery shopping and I also excitedly picked up some diapers size 3, some long underwear (size 12 months, probably a little big:))and a really nice diaper bag.:) Poor little Caleb is not feeling very good but of course he gave me a huge smile for the camera anyway. Jimmy was so excited that I flew in to NY. I'm glad I brought him a Statue of Liberty. Here are some pics of today.:)

Ready to Go

I am leaving for Europe tomorrow. I am so excited to meet my new little boy! Elijah is just a little peanut who has turned two years old recently. He is younger than Caleb was when I brought him home. Elijah is absolutely adorable and I can't wait to hold him in my arms and tell him that his Mama is here. I am unable to post any photos of him until the adoption is complete.:( I wish I could show you how beautiful he is. He really is precious!!

This will be the first time that I have been away from Caleb, even for a night. He is staying with friends of ours who just adore him, so I know that he will be loved and have fun while I am away. But I will MISS him terribly. He will be coming with me on my second trip though, when I return to pick up Elijah.

This trip will be an adventure, that's for sure. . The morning after I arrive in Europe, I will have my appointment and then I will be able to see Elijah that same day.:)

This has been an amazing journey, one that has had its share of bumps and disappointment along the way. God had a plan for me that was different than the plan I had for myself. I didn't understand it at the time, but I accepted it as I waited to see God's plan unfold. When I look at Elijah's photo, I now understand. This beautiful little hidden angel was waiting for us all along. God is Good!

"I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future."
Jeremiah 29:11 NCV

Caleb is SIX:):):)

Caleb on his new mini trampoline. He loves it!


Caleb is singing to his musical "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" Book.







Caleb turned 6 today! My beautiful, wonderful, bright, loving, charming, and funny little boy is 6 already! We celebrated with a party on Saturday with some friends. Caleb loves to blow out the candles on the cake, but the cake he can do without. He's not crazy about it. But he does love his ice cream so he ate that with a big smile on his face. We were lucky to have a 75 degree day so he got to play with his friends in the backyard. He opened his presents on the deck which was pretty cool for an October birthday in Michigan. His favorite was a truck that played music and bounced and then took off. When friends asked me what he likes, I told them anything that makes noise. Caleb got some noisemakers from us too. We had to have a Diego theme for his birthday. He just loves Diego! Here are some pictures from his party and today.

Buddy Walk

We had our Down syndrome Buddy Walk today, and we had so much fun! We saw a lot of our friends and teachers.... The entertainment was good! This singer was so good with the kids and he called Jimmy up to play the "electric guitar" with him. When he asked Jimmy his name, Jimmy replied "Garth Brooks," which got a lot of laughs. Then they jammed together and it was co cute!! Both the boys had fun dancing and doing the Hokey Pokey with everyone.:)

Water

My new camera battery finally arrived today. YAY! Caleb absolutely LOVES anything to do with water! He loves the waterpark the best. At home he is very happy just to play in his pool, use his spray bottle on everything or just play with the hose. Because his pool is put away for the summer, he played with his squirt bottle and the hose today. He played for hours! This is where Mikey joins in. He loves to bite at the water and Caleb cracks up each time. I wish I could post a video but I got a new computer a while ago and can't seem to figure out how to post a video. Hopefully I'll figure it out before our new little one arrives.:):)

Missing battery and Kindergarten

I haven't posted in a little while because I am waiting for my camera battery to arrive. Last week I caught Caleb swinging my camera around. When he gave it to me, I noticed that the battery was missing. We searched all over and it cannot be found! I did get excited for a minute when I checked the heat duct and retrieved 4 Thomas trains, 2 cars and 2 Little People. I thought the battery must be in there, but it wasn't.:( Oh well, the new one should be here anyday now and we'll probably find the old one then too.:)
Caleb is doing awesome in school this year. We attended his Open House tonight and he very proudly showed me where his classroom was and then ran up to his teacher with a big hug yelling, "Miss B!!!!" Miss B is his resource room teacher and he splits his all day kindergarten program between her room and his kindergarten classroom. We also visited his kindergarten teacher and he greeted everyone in there with the same great enthusiasm!:) He's such a sweetheart!

Kindergarten

Today was Caleb's first day of kindergarten. I can't believe how much he's grown and how far he's come in the last three years. He makes my heart smile and I am so Proud and Happy to be his Mommy. Just a few short years ago, Caleb faced a life with no hope, no family, and no love. Today he is a vibrant, funny, smart, charming little boy going to kindergarten who has his whole future ahead of him.:) God is Good!