3 Month Post Placement

We had our 3 month post placement visit this week. Hard to believe it is that time already. It went really well, I had no doubts. Daniel was of course in show off mode giggling and running around. That night when I put him to bed, I sat in the rocker and thought about how far he has come, from a different continent, across the ocean on a 17 hour plane ride all before he was 2. God's plan is amazing, I never thought 7 years ago when we got married that we would have been to Africa and back all before we were married 10 years.

Some things I have learned in the last 3 months:
1. Daniel is a morning person! Mommy not so much!
2. My clothes will never be worn more than once before washing again!
3. His hair takes more time and product to take care of than mine!
4. Being a mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me (besides my husband)!
5. I will say the word No more than any other word in my vocabulary!
6. It is hard to be firm when Daniel gives me that million dollar smile when he knows he is in trouble!
7. Sometimes it is best just to throw your to do list for the day away and crawl around on the floor playing with toy cars.
8. My life is forever changed because I choose to say yes to God's plan!
9. I can't wait to do it all over again!

Here are some recent pictures of Daniel he has grown so much!









We are blessed because he is our son!

Love being a mom

The last 3 months have absolutely flown by. It seems like just yesterday we were in Ethiopia meeting Daniel for the first time. I watched the video of our pictures from our trip with some friends on Friday and it hit me how much Daniel has grown and opened up. His eyes no longer look sad, empty or scared and he is always smiling! Don't get me wrong, the nannies in Ethiopia did a great job but still it was not constant one on one care for each child. So after watching this video it got me thinking about how much I absolutely love being a mom. I love being the one that gets that first smile in the morning from a face that can barely see over the crib railing. I love being the one that kisses away the tears when something does not go the way Daniel thinks it should. I love hearing "mama" and looking down at those big round chocolate eyes! I love having dance parties in the living room. I love watching the excitement when he figures out how to do something new. I love watching the energy when he is watching his daddy play drums with MercyRising. I love the hugs, fish kisses and giggles. Most of all I love cuddling in the rocking chair, reading a book before bed time.

All of these things make being a mom the best thing in the world. I always knew I wanted to be a mom and thought I would be good at it. But God knew that being a mom to Daniel would make me the best mom I could be. I am eternally grateful for the privelege and honor of being a mom!