Monday, March 8, 2010

One Year at Home


One year ago today we arrived home in Fulton after a very sleepless night. Thankfully, Levi slept quite a bit on the ride home and the rest of the time his new big sister entertained him. Shortly after we got home, he went from creeping to crawling for the first time. It certainly has been a year of amazing discoveries at our home!!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

What a Boy!!

Today Levi was playng nicely with his blocks while I was cleaning. He came over to me and was motionng that he wanted his pajamas unzipped. I unzipped his pajamas and all down the front of his sleeper were his blocks. They were all the way down to his feet. What a funny boy!! I'm still not sure how he got them in there!!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

First Sum Hop Day





One year ago this precious little boy became a part of our family. I love so many things about him - his laugh, his smile, his playfulness, his kisses and hugs, his curiosity. When we brought him home he couldn't crawl or walk or talk. Now he runs and jumps and climbs and is trying to repeat every word we say. One year ago he didn't want to sit and look at a book. Now he loves to bring books to us to be read and can sit for several books in a row. It amazes me how much God has blessed our family.

I am hoping to do something special for him today but I'm not sure yet what we'll do. I certainly would like to take a picture of him to see how much he has grown in a year. I was thinking that I might start a tradition of writing him a letter each year for Sum Hop day.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

First Meeting One Year Later



One year ago today I anxiously and nervously climbed the steps to look into the face of my precious baby boy for the very first time. I will never forget walking through the door and seeing him sitting in the walker. I'll never forget picking him up and holding him for the first time, cuddling with him as he fell asleep in my arms. On Tuesday we will celebrate one year as a family. Where has the year gone?

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

One Year Ago Today...

my dad and I boarded the first of three planes bound for Vietnam to bring home Levi. I can hardly believe that it has been a year already. By this point we were nearing the LA airport. That airport is the most confusing airport. I'm sure if my dad reads this he will be getting quite a chuckle because we had a difficult time finding the international terminal and ended up in a place we probably weren't supposed to be. Thankfully we did make all of our connecting flights!!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Wedding Day Pictures


Pastor Chris is prayed for us and Rachel (my maid of honor) and Scott (Bret's best man) laid hands on us. I know that this brought me to tears and many others.


My bridesmaids


Bret and I with the ladies


Cutting the cake at the reception


Feeding each other cake - we were nice to each other.

We had the most beautiful wedding thanks to all of our wonderful friends and family. I cannot thank them enough for all they did to make this day possible. We know we could not have done it without them.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Cheese!!



Sunday we were on the way to church and Rachel had the camera out to take a picture of herself. From the back seat I hear, "Cheese!" Levi saw her taking the picture and has heard people tell him to say "cheese" for pictures so he was doing what he had been told to. He kept saying it until Rachel finally took his picture (and then some). This is how he looked! He is such a goof!!

My Thankful List

  • salvation through Jesus Christ
  • my beautiful daughter who is beautiful from the inside out
  • a referral of an adorable little boy named Levi
  • a letter of intent before the September 1st deadline
  • God spared my daughter from serious injury when hit by a car in Colorado
  • a wonderful year with my "exchange daughter" from Estonia - Mari-Liis
  • my faithful companion for the past 6 years - Millie - my springer spaniel
  • the peace and joy that comes with surrendering everything to the Lord
  • safety through all the storms that have passed our way
  • my supportive family
  • my incredible church family
  • a sump pump that continued to work for 10 weeks of water and sand seepage
  • birds singing and bugs chirping
  • neighbors and friends who lend a hand in your time of need
  • being able to sleep withe the windows open
  • a new deck to enjoy summer when it stops storming so much
  • the sound of children playing outside on a warm summer night
  • heat when its cold and air conditioning when its hot
  • the blessing of a great job
  • church picnics
  • chocolate
  • beautiful sunsets over Lake Michigan
  • summer vacation
  • beautiful blue skies and warm (not hot) summer days