Back to Work

Today was my first day back to work and away from my baby boy! Last night as I was rocking him before bed time, I told him that Mommy had to go to work and he was going to spend the day with Mika and Papa. It was the cutest thing because he sat on my lap and looked me in the eyes and when I asked him if he was going to be a good boy, he shook his head yes. When I asked him if he was going to go swimming and play on the swing set, he shook his head yes. When I asked him if he was going to listen to Mika when she said no, he shook his head yes. Now I am not sure how much he actually understood but he sat there like he was 10 years old listening and responding. So after that I held him a little closer and rocked him a little longer. Then I had to pack his stuff for the next day and pack my lunch for my first day back to work. I did not miss packing my lunch at all. I got up in the morning, got ready and left for work. Daniel was still sleeping, Mark had the wonderful job of dropping him off. He did really good all day with my mom and dad. The best part of my day was when I walked into mom's house and around the corner, Daniel saw me and started giggling and shrieking and doing his crazy dance. I love that little face when it lights up. Tonight when I put him down for bed, I loved on him and rocked him a little more, knowing tomorrow we will do it all over again. This is our new normal and it just may work! I love my baby boy and I missed him like crazy today! God has a plan and I am trusting in it!

Words can not explain

We have been home with Daniel for 2 months now. He is the joy of our lives and I can't imagine life without him. Having said that I can't even fathom what would have happened to him or where he would be today if he was not taken to the orphanage. My head is spinning and my heart is hurting this morning. I read this article on another mom's blog that is in Ethiopia. She visted the town of Korah, which we did not know about while we were there (and I really now wish we did). This town is on the outskirts of Addis (where we were) in and around the city dump. Yes I said IN. Reading her story of her trip there I was speechless. You see these people are the people that no one visits, that everyone has forgotten. They live in the dump, where your trash goes! An amazing woman and her family moved there to set up a ministry to help the children and families. She sold everything she had and moved to help these people that no one wants to help. THere are children living there amoungst the trash and filth. We don't even like to pick up other peoples trash we see laying around while we are shopping or walking, can you imagine living in it? While I was reading her story all I could think about was, could this be what life would have been like for Daniel? Can I bring all these children home with me? How do we help and most of all God where are you that these children are living in the city dump? Now I know that God has not left them and that he is there and there are things that just happen and we will never know why but still Why the children? I hear stories like this and then I look around at all the toys that Daniel has and think why? I listen when I am walking through the stores and hear kids complaining because they can't have this video game or that toy and think there is a child across the ocean playing with a stick and a rock and is perfectly happy! Do we need all this stuff we have here? Not at all. Do our kids need every new toy and gadget out there? Not at all. I am just in awe at the things we continue to complain about and do when there is a family living with nothing not that far away. They are happy, and willing to give everything they have to you if you would ask. We won't even open our doors have the time! Anyway that is enough rambling for a day. There is someway we can start to help and make a difference. Only God knows how and when so I will continue to trust and listen to Him. Together we will make a difference somehow.

Here is the story I have been talking about. I highly recommend you read this all the way through.

click here to read

4th of July

What a great 4th of July weekend we have had. We spent lots of time with family and friends. We are so blessed to live in this country and have the freedoms we have. Thank you to all the men and women who have served and are continuing to serve our country so we may have these freedoms. Daniels first 4th of July at home was extremely busy. We had a pig roast at Jason and Ashlees on Saturday. We had so much fun and had many good friends come in from out of town. Daniel got to meet many people who have been waiting a long time to meet him. He was a trooper with only a morning nap. We took the pack and play to their house and at 8:00 put him to sleep. When we left he woke up and I was so afraid that he would be up forever. He was a happy cheery baby for the drive home and then as soon as we got home he was asleep! I have the happiest best baby ever! God has truly blessed us with Daniel.

Here is Daniel playing with his new truck at the Pig Roast:


The 4th was very relaxing, we spent the day at my mom and dads. It was hot so we went swimming and then watched my brother RJ set off some of his fireworks purchase. I was afraid Daniel would be scared but he loved it. No tears at all, he really focused on what was going on and clapped when it was over. We had a great day and ended it with going to watch the fireworks at a friends house, where RJ put on another fireworks display. What a great day and Daniel had so much fun playing with his friends and cousin Ray. He was so tired he actually fell asleep during the fireworks. He woke up before we left and then fell asleep again in the car. He did not wake up when we got home even through changing his diaper and clothes and laying him down. He was so cute! I don't remember what the 4th was like without him!

Hanging out at Mika and Papas
1st 4th of July together
The remnants of Uncle RJ's firecracker cars and trucks
Ray, Daniel and Mommy (Aunt Lisa)
Papa, Daddy, Daniel and Ray
What was that noise?
The Perkins's, Ray and us leaving the fireworks
Mika, Papa, Mommy, Daddy, Uncle RJ, Ray and Daniel

What a great day and night. We could not have asked for a better time and a better 4th with Daniel. We are so blessed in more ways than one!

Summer Fun

This so far has been by far one of the best summers ever! I think that has to do mostly with the fact that Daniel is here for summer. We have had so much fun with him. I haven't been blogging to much because there just is no time with an extremely active toddler. He is into everything and very rarely sits still. It is a job in itself to get him to sit still to change his diaper or eat. He just loves to move and run and get into things. This will be Daniels first 4th of July and I am excited to see how he does. We have a pretty busy schedule for the weekend. Saturday we have a pig roast that we are throwing with Jason and Ashlee and then on Sunday I think we are going to swim all day (Daniels favorite summer activity). Daniel loves the water so I am pretty sure he won't mind. I love being a mom and being home with him. Today we went to pick up stuff for the pig roast with Ashlee and her little girl Cameron. After we thought we would have lunch in the park and play for awhile. It was a perfect idea for a perfect day. Daniel at first wasn't to sure of the slide but the second time down he loved it and I think his favorite thing to do is to swing. We were in the swings most of the time there. It was a perfect day with friends. Here are some pictures of our lunch date in the park:







I am still in shock that he is here and I am able to take him to the park, God does amazing things when you trust in his plan. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us next! Daniel has done so well in adjusting and attaching I couldn't have asked for a better transition and we know it was all 100% totally a God thing!