A hopeful reunion

Through our adoption process we have met a wonderful family in AZ. They are adopting two siblings from Jamma Letu and the hope is that they will be home in the spring. Their names are Joseph and Solange and they are adorable. To follow their story visit

http://www.thecamjam.blogspot.com/

Our lives were truly meant to cross. Cami called Jilma at Our Family Adoptions just days before we called last February. At that time, Jilma told her about 3 children -a little boy about 18 months old (Joshua!!) and a boy and girl sibling pair. Thankfully, their family wasn't looking to adopt a toddler!!! What an amazing twist of fate. While Joshua stayed at the boys orphanage he and Joseph seemed to have been buds. Below is a picture of Joshua at the orphanage with Joseph just before Joshua left. Also below is a picture of Solange. Those dimples!!





We can't wait for these wonderfully beautiful children to meet again one day. Until then, we are in prayer for a quick paperwork process and a safe trip to AZ!

One month today!!

I can't believe it has already been a month! We met Joshua one month ago today in New York and it seems like he has always been here. Things continue to go great. Joshua remains healthy and his lead levels have decreased since he has been here. His lead level was high likely due to environmental factors, but the longer he is here the more they go down so that is great. Last weekend the kids enjoyed their first "slumber party" in Joshua's room. Caleb and Amelia slept on the spare bed in Joshua's room and they all had a blast!

Joshua loves pasta (I am not sure if it is possible to have Italian roots in Africa, but no joke, the child loves almost anything related to Italian cuisine) and tonight we took him to his first visit to Maggianos. It has to be one of our favorite Italian restaurants and those who know us well understand the significance it has played in our married life - in the three major cities in which we have lived, there has been a Maggianos within miles. Joshua proved to enjoy it as much as we do.


That is about the extent of our happenings. Life seems to have become pretty status quo, but I am sure that will change. Today the kids started a countdown to our Disney trip - 28 days and counting! Each year we travel to Disney in September. With Caleb starting school this year we decided to make our trek in October to catch fall break and celebrate Caleb's 6th birthday. This has been planned long before we knew about Joshua and we are thrilled he will get to be part of it with us. Here are Amelia and Joshua getting in the spirit...

Pictures say it all...

I don't have a lot to report. Joshua continues to do well and the siblings are figuring it all out (not always quietly!). Here are some latest pictures - our first dinner out, a trip to play in the rain, the first picture we have of Joshua smiling with anyone besides us (just one so far) and hanging out on the floor with Caleb. Pictures really do say it all...

Changes...

Our first blog post in March was titled Changes. The changes we have experienced in the last few weeks have been great and wonderful. Some serious, while others humorous...

First, we are amazed at how much Joshua has changed. I even think he looks different. He understands more and more everyday and even uses many English words on his own. He very sweetly says "I wuv u" when we tell him "I love you". I know he may not know what he is saying, but it is music to my ears. One thing that I am certain of is how God has changed my heart. I actually worried before Joshua got here that it may be hard to love a child that was not biologically mine. This is a fear many adoptive parents feel, but never talk much about. How wrong I was! How easy it is to love someone God has purposefully placed in your care. Regardless by birth or adoption or some other means of care, God carefully and purposefully places children in our homes and hearts. WE are the blessed ones to have them in our lives and watch them grow.




Other changes around here have been subtle, but profound. I actually feel like things are more manageable. This may sound crazy, but I think Caleb and Amelia have really changed for the better. In the 2 short weeks Joshua has been here, everyone seems to be working well together and things seem calmer and quieter. Caleb and Amelia have a great new focus and everyone feels important and helpful. I am sure this will change once the novelty wears off (Amelia is already becoming annoyed with her little brother), but I am enjoying it while it lasts!

Lastly, I don't think this counts as a change as much as a realization, but we have seen in three short weeks, the true good in people's hearts. Just days before Joshua came home we had a scary day not knowing if the Embassy was going to issue Joshua his visa. We began asking friends and family for contacts with local and state government officials. We had an overwhelming response. Complete strangers were poised and ready to help at a moments notice. This is late, but thank you to all of you who cared enough to help us be ready to "pull a few strings". Now that Joshua is home, we have been flooded with an out pouring of well wishes. Our wonderful friends have kindly supplied us with meals and gifts for ALL of the children. Caleb and Amelia feel like it is Christmas. We have seen just what wonderful friends we really have, not to mention those people we barely know that have sent us gifts via family members. Thank you for sharing in our joy!

Now, a few changes/realizations that are a little less serious...
-Laundry seems to multiply while I sleep and there is no bottom to the basket!
-I have again realized I can change a diaper anywhere!
-Food has somehow changed from something for our mouths to something that is fun to throw on the floor.
-Everything is fun to throw.
-I don't think I have ever run a dishwasher as much. We only have one more child, right?
-Biscuit gets more attention now that in the past few years.

Overall, the past 2 1/2 weeks have been filled with joy and awe. I can't imagine what a lifetime has in store.

Bliss

I can't quite think of another good word. The last few weeks have been amazing. Joshua continues to do great and fits into our family beautifully. We went to the International Adoption Clinic at Riley on Friday and he has already gained 2 lbs! They feel he is around 20 months and exceptionally bright and developmentally on track. I haven't posted any new pictures because quite honestly, I don't have many. Joshua moves too fast! The last week has been filled with trips to the park, playing outside, exploring the zoo and just keeping up with Caleb and Amelia.

Although I think our adoption journey has been really easy so far, I have become a huge advocate of toddler adoptions. I think this age is so often overlooked. Many people want babies as young as possible and while people wait for babies, the toddlers get older and become children. There are so many advantages to toddler adoption and I think often times people focus too much on the negative and forget the amazing miracle a toddler can be. We are so thankful we choose to adopt a "slightly" older baby.

Tonight Tim and I overheard an interesting conversation between Caleb and Amelia. They were discussing skin color - not of Joshua, but of Amelia. She was wondering why she is so "white" while Tim, Caleb and I share a more beige hue closer to Joshua. She also worried her hair was the only one that wasn't brown feeling even more left out. Caleb calmly assured her that God makes all of our skins different so we can be different. I was very proud until he promised her that soon her hair would also turn brown and then we "would all be the same". I really wonder how that is going to happen! The best thing was realizing Amelia didn't see Joshua as the one not fitting it, but she wanted to be more like him. It was sweet and refreshing.

I am posting a few new pictures from the last week. I will work on getting more tomorrow.