Seventh Birthday!!

Today we are celebrating Alex's 7th Birthday. 

I can hardly put into words how much this boy means to us. 

It has been such a huge blessing to watch him grow and change.

He has changed us all. 


This is a song his sister, Analese, wrote and sang for us for Christmas.  The words are below.

How He Gets Our Love

He was a butterfly in a cocoon
A sunflower just waiting to bloom
A recipe that needed some ingredients
Stirred up by the Master Chef
He was just waiting to shine
To turn into a butterfly

(chorus)
Because of his smile
We traveled for miles
To get the child God wanted for us
All they saw
Was his flaws
But that's what God calls perfection
I don't know how anyone could give him up
But I guess that's how he gets our love

For you it was a lot of pen to paper
And like 3 trips later
He sometimes throws his fits
But we all love him to bits
Now he can shine
He can soar and fly

(chorus)

In a year he sure has grown
Because of giggles, dancing and a home.
(chorus)

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, I took this long walk.

I carried that sweet little boy out of the orphanage for the last time.

It has been an amazing year.  Our love for this little boy has grown.

God sets the lonely in families... Psalm 68:6

He has grown!

Only 24.5 lbs and 35 inches at 5 years and 10 months old.

Now 38.5 lbs and 39 inches at 6 years and 10 months old.

He has gone from a timid little boy who didn't pay attention to anything going on around him, to a little boy who is curious about 

everything.  

Look at what he has gained....

He has a sister to dance with him.
   

A sister to be kissed by and to kiss him.

A brother to swing him and to "fly" him.
 

A brother to hug him and tickle him.

   

Siblings to be silly with.

A mommy to hold his hand and to kiss.

A Daddy who adores him.

And two more sisters who, though they are grown and doing there own things, dearly love their time with him.

Anticipation is so much fun!




SOOOOOO...

BIG!!!

Nine Months Home

Last week we celebrated Alex being home nine months.  It is hard to believe, but at the same time it feels like he has always been a part of our lives.  We continue to grow more in love with this sweet little boy everyday.  He is learning to hug and kiss and loves to cuddle.  

We recently got to travel to Texas and met some other families who have adopted from Russia.  

Zeb was adopted from Russian in Sept, 2011

Zeb is such a sweetie, always smiling and giving Alex kisses.

Sweet Ella was brought home in Russia in May, 2012.  

Alex absolutely loves the water.  He loves his baths and loves the pool.

While in Dallas we road the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit), something my son, Arick, had to talk me into. 

Alex seemed to enjoy the ride.

Arick said he has always wanted to do this.

We had a good time at the Dallas Aquarium.

 Alex continues to grow and changing, imitating more, and doing new things.  He is getting closer to walking everyday.  He now weighs 35 lbs and is 37 inches tall.  That is a gain of 11 lbs and growth of almost 3 inches since he has been home.  We are so blessed to have him as part of our lives.

Redeemed

Redeemed—how I love to proclaim it!

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed through His infinite mercy,

His child, and forever, I am.






Redeemed, redeemed
,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed, redeemed,

  His child, and forever, I am.







Redeemed and so happy in Jesus,

No language my rapture can tell;

I know that the light of His presence

With me doth continually dwell.







I think of my blessed Redeemer,

I think of Him all the day long;

I sing, for I cannot be silent;

His love is the theme of my song.

I know I shall see in His beauty

The King in whose way I delight;

Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,

And giveth me songs in the night.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/301#ixzz20kpCdFr4