The Party :0}

Saturday was the day of Elisha's first American-size celebration.

Mamaw and Tatia Paula (Tim's mom and sister) went all out and had a fabulous party for the family to celebrate both his homecoming as well as his officially becoming a toddler and joining the terrific twos!!! :0)

They say a picture is worth a thousand words- so here you go......

The great jungle theme went through out- he enjoyed roaring at the cake- you should have seen his eyes when I asked if he wanted to blow out his candles- priceless!!

Here he is taking it all in.

Here we are with Cheyenne- our niece. She was giving a brief photo lesson to Elisha before the present opening began. He loves the buttons!!!

Elisha has had a love for fire engines even before we brought him home. He loves to make the siren noise, with loud honking in the middle. The fisher price fire engine from the Frank family made just the same noise. He didn't want to stop pressing the button :0)

Cheyenne made him a pillow with her new sewing machine. She was so excited to see Elisha open this gift- here he is *sleeping* on it- complete with a little bit of snoring ;0)

He enjoyed throwing the paper out of the bags, ripping the paper from the boxes and really just wanted to stop and play with each toy. I was so proud of my little man- he even loved to open the cards!!

If you click on the this pic to enlarge it, you'll see he now is an official future hero.

He wasn't so sure of the bow on the head- but once he was able to take it off and put it there himself he left it on for several minutes.

He had a great time meeting a lot of new family and spending time with family he has already gotten to know. With the hectic schedules and a holiday weekend, we were unable to see many faces we had hoped to- but for the same reasons were able to see some family members we hadn't seen for a long time.

Tim showed video of our trips to Russia so our family could see the orphanage and a little of what our time was like in Russia. It was pretty cool to watch Elisha. He kept running over to the computer, pointing to us, saying Mama, Papa.
Here is Elisha saying, "Good job!"

All in all, we had a wonderful time, and at the end of the day, as we were cleaning up- the fire department had a run, so Elisha got to watch the real deal- the engine with lights and sirens running, pulling away from the fire house.
After a ride around the block in the ladder truck with Papa, we were able to come home and get cleaned up and off to bed.

I know this party was for Elisha, but from the bottom of my heart I want to thank my Mother and Sister-in-law for the priceless gift they gave me. Though I asked a few times ahead of time if there was anything I could do, they said they had it all taken care of. To be able to relax and enjoy my son's first birthday party with him and not stress about the details (like all the incredible food you provided- yum!!) was a wonderful, unexpected and highly treasured gift. Thank you!!

Haircut day

Today was the second visit to the barbershop since we have been back in the country. The first time, Debbie had to hold him, Harry used only the comb and scissors and Eli didn't really care much for it. Today, he sat in Harry's chair with only a small amount protest. Toward the end, he didn't seem to mind it so much. Papa had enough free hand time to get his pic. He looks like a little boy now.




Mama's first full day back at work and this is how the boy's spent the day.

Happy Birthday, Elisha!

Two Years

Two years ago.

I've been thinking a lot about that lately. Two years ago would have been May 20, 2006. In our lives, we had just "entered the waiting room" so to speak as adoption talk goes. Our completed paperwork making us ready to become parents, called a dossier in Russia, had been received by our agency 2 days earlier, on May 18, so we were preparing for our "short" wait to find out about our son. Three months to a year- and we'd be parents, or so we thought.

We would come to find out over the next few weeks, months, yes, even years, that much change was occurring in Russia with regard to how they process adoptions and unite these precious children with their forever families- but that is another story for another day altogether. Back to today.

Half way across the world- literally on the other side of the planet that God so beautifully created- was a beautiful young woman- about the same age as my sister. She had decided to give the most precious gift a person could give. She gave our son the gift of life. We have no idea what her life was like 2 years ago, but in the midst of her struggles to survive, she chose to hang in there and love and cherish this life growing within her. In an age where abortion is such an "easy" choice when faced by so many hardships, she set aside her own concerns and delivered a beautiful baby boy on May 20.

She then made a decision that seems so impossible to me knowing our son now. She decided that the life she could give him to raise him would not be a good life. She knew for whatever reason that she could not be the mother her little baby needed- so she placed his care with others hoping that he would be placed in a family better able to care for his needs.

I have been thinking a lot about this incredible woman. In fact, my heart has been breaking for her. She gave up the giggles and hugs and jokes and joys of raising this incredible joy. And because she did, Tim and I are able to experience parenthood of one of the most amazing little guys on this planet. I got to celebrate my first Mother's day last week because of her amazing gift. I got to make a great cake yesterday, because of her great gift. I feel close to tears as I realize that she doesn't get to do either- so in my heart, I celebrate her, too.

I pray much that somehow in her life are others who can introduce her to the God of the Universe. The one that loves her more than she could ever hope or dream. The one whose plan it was that Tim and I should be the parents to the child that was conceived in her womb. I pray that she, too, would become a child of God so she can spend eternity in Heaven with this amazing little guy she gave birth to. Thank you. You've changed my life in a million and 1 ways due to the gift you gave and then gave up.

Here he is- in the flesh- our precious little guy-

Last night was his first bubble bath. He loved heaping bubbles on himself. When he discovered he could see his reflection in the chrome surface, he looked like a little man, getting ready to shave......
How's this for a birthday cake? Thanks, Amy, for the Family Fun magazine- what great ideas!! Even Papa loves the front end loader...... Yummy- Eli saw it sitting on the table this morning and made the heavy machinery noises. Wait till he finds out we are going to eat it!!


He got his first card in the mail today. I guess I should say "real mail," since he has gotten a few legal documents. His Great Grammalot (my Dad's Mom) sent him a great card- isn't this priceless? I'll let you view the play by play.........

And when he had it all open, and made it walk on the table a little, and mooed and we read the card and saw the XO hugs and kisses inside- he showed what he really thought about this card from his great grandma.......(totally unscripted- we almost missed the picture- he just started hugging it- Grandma must have filled it with hugs and kisses that spilled out into his heart when he opened it......)

So, here you have the morning of his birthday. Hoping to post more pics later of the cake cutting. The big celebration will be this weekend, when Mamaw and Tatia Paula (Tim's mom and sister) have planned a big party so he can meet a lot of his relatives and celebrate this amazing day that he was born.

I feel like this is a present in our lives as well. What an amazing day- to celebrate the day that your child came into this world safely.

Father, thank you for your divine plan. Elisha is sooo much our child. We are beginning to see now how each delay in bringing him home had a purpose in Your masterpiece of our lives. We continue to pray that You direct and guide us as we travel this journey of Parenthood together with this incredible little guy you've trusted to our care. Thank you, Thank you, Thank You.

And-----

Happy Birthday, Elisha!!!

Mother's Day Gift

I purchased one of those clay frames and got it all set up and pushed Elisha's hand and foot into it. How priceless. I may have Tim take a pic and add it here later.

Tim surprised me with a beautiful basket- a Mother's Day basket- It is so beautiful- Thank you for thinking of me, honey!!

We played a song a church today that has a flute solo that I've always done, so, I reentered the worship team today. It felt great to be back. So, while I was playing my flute on the first song, Elisha was in his Papa's arms worshiping away. Did I mention Papa was on stage singing with the team also? It was great. I had so many folks come up and tell us what a blessing it was to see Elisha clapping and worshiping with us. And again, he was great. Lord, we pray he always desires to be in your house worshiping you and praising your name.

Tonight, as I was rocking him to sleep, he sat up, reached up and put a hand on either side of my face and looked very intently into my eyes. Very gently, very quietly, he said, "Mama." He looked at me a second longer and then laid his head back on my chest. (Are you tearing up? I was- it was hard to keep the emotions in check. I wanted to kiss him all over and sing hallelujah- what an indescribable feeling, this love one feels toward ones children.)

Yes, sweetie, I am your Mama, and all because God brought you into our lives, I get to celebrate Mother's Day today.

I keep hearing Elvis in my mind lately............. I can't help falling in love with you.......

Happy Mother's Day

A very good friend of mine, who has been so encouraging through this whole journey sent me this email today. Thought I'd share.......

Before I was a Mom

Before I was a Mom-

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never been puked on.

Pooped on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom-

I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom-

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him

down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't

stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to

make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,

the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

It is amazing to me that I have now joined the ranks of motherhood. This goal seemed so unattainable for so long. It's back breaking, heart wrenching, labor intensive, sleep averting, mind altering, heart growing, face glowing, joy overflowing, appreciation for my own mom growing. It's everything and a bag of chips :0)

Thank you, God, for this amazing blessing of my first legitimate Mother's Day. I pray that I will always look to you for guidance for this little incredible guy you've placed in our care. I am so humbled to realize how much potential You've given him and us. I pray for the wisdom to know how be his Mama as You would have me be. Thank you for this incredible experience- feeling and experiencing more than ever what relationship with you can be like- may we always come to you with our Owies and boo boos since you are always waiting there to hold us close.

Pics!!

Here are some more pictures from Grandma Mellott's house. He was such a character at breakfast Sunday morning- crossing his arms just like Papa- putting us all in fits of laughter.
















He really enjoyed being outside- here the 2 of us just finished spinning. He was enjoying that dizzy feeling, wobbling like a sailor over to Papa. How Cute!!







And then, there you have it folks- he looks just like his Papa. The best part was this was totally unintentional. We took off his long sleeved shirt, leaving on his onsie- and viola! Father and Son at its best.

Here is our little guy helping Papa with an early birthday present. He loves to help us work outside- so he got his very own wheelbarrow and shovel. He was "helping" Papa put together the present.

Official

We got Elisha's Certificate of Citizenship just before we left for Grandma's house. How exciting is that? Along with it we got a beautiful letter from President Bush. What an amazing country we live in!! I would show you a pic of the paper- but it states on it NO photos, copying etc under penalty of law!! So- imagine :0)

Went this week and applied for the SS# so we could get the rest of our paperwork finished up. How exciting!!

Got Malaka?

Rose Garden

As everyone who has a toddler knows, it is not easy. Much of the time it is downright hard. So the other day, as it was being pretty rough, I thought to myself.....`This sure isn't a bed of roses'

But then, as I pondered on where that statement must have originated (yes, I do over analyze a lot :0) I began to think that my life might just be a bed of roses.

Rose gardens are beautiful.

They begin with a lot of hard work. Clearing out the weeds, loosening the soil, dredging up anything that might have been buried in the past that could affect the growth of this fragile plant. Once all that background work is done, and possibly redone several times, depending on the conditions of your soil to begin with, adding some of this or that to make ideal growing conditions.

Then, finally, one day, when you thought you couldn't stand another minute, you are ready to finally plant this beauty.

Only now you find you have to add manure and fertilizer and water...... a lot. You have to wake up in the middle of the night if it's too cold outside to make sure the plant is warm enough.

Finally, the first bloom begins to grow and blossom. It has the most infinitely sweet blossom, because, even if the other blossoms smell the same.... this is the first. It is so treasured- that first glimpse of what this plant is capable of.

Suddenly the fatigue from the planning, tilling, digging, fertilizing, planting, nurturing all fade away as you gaze lovingly at that first single bloom.

There will be thorns. There most likely will be "bugs" and "pests" both on your plant and around you while you tend to it. Sometimes pruning is hard, but it has to be done for new growth to appear- everything needs boundaries. Sometimes you feel too busy to enjoy the blossoms on this plant that you've been growing and nurturing. But, most of the time, you take the time to spend outside, close to that rose garden, as the sweet aroma surrounds and fills the environment bringing a smile to your face and peace to your heart.

So go the wanderings in my mind as I pray that God will be the master gardener in all our lives, lovingly pruning us, casting off all the dead and dying self so we can bloom more brilliantly as time moves on.

Thank you for my precious little "bud"dy. May his Papa and I always seek your face in how to prepare the soil of his life so he can blossom and bloom more and more everyday!! And I begin to pray now for the grace to know when he is ready to be transplanted so I don't stunt his growth by trying to keep him in my little garden I've prepared so lovingly for so long for him.

Thank you for the thorns that teach us not to take the beauty for granted, as well as a wake up call to be careful. When not handled correctly, even the most beautiful bloom can get you into a "sticky" situation.

Thank you for the manure in life. It's scent quickly fades, yet usually produces an even more abundant sweet smelling crop.

Thank you for pruning so I don't have to carry around all that dead weight and baggage and I can put all my efforts into making my life as sweet incense to You.

Bloom where you are planted making the world a better and richer place for your being there!!

Miraculous weekend

Wow! It’s been a while since we posted anything. It has been a wonderful, crazy, filled with firsts kinda week.

Elisha got his first haircut from the barber on Friday. After watching Papa get his hair cut, he clung to my neck while Harry (great name for a barber, isn't it?) gave him a cute little boy cut.

We took off for Grammalot’s Friday evening since Tim’s class was cancelled. We had planned to go Sat am. We loaded up the car with our 2 precious little ones- Elisha and Baka, our Pom-Chi-Itsu- more gear than we took with us for a month in Russia and headed out to Indiana for 2 days.

Elisha did great on the trip. We started out with him consoling Baka- see hand on cage. She didn’t really appreciate the fingers in the holes of her carrier, but the trip was pretty smooth. We got on the road about 8:30pm- so Eli was soon asleep in his car seat. Whew!! Don’t have to worry about motion sickness when he’s asleep :0)

About an hour into the trip, we stopped at Wendy’s- the snacks we brought weren’t quite cutting it. We had all but forgotten about the dog, and Elisha was sleeping the soundless sleep of the young. Until the young woman spoke to us at the drive through. Baka didn’t like that, and suddenly we remembered she was there as she began barking her stranger alert bark.

Elisha woke soon after that and sat quietly and drowsily the next 2 hours, falling asleep less than 5 minutes from Grandma’s house. I also forgot for a moment about Grandma’s dog. Baka didn’t. Before we got her out of the car, and while we were trying to quietly bring Elisha in so he wouldn’t wake up, Baka issued her warning that she thinks she’s a very big dog and can take anyone that comes her way- all 10 or so pounds of her…….

So, around 1 or 2 when we finally all got back to sleep……….

We had a great weekend. It was so wonderful to see Grandma and Aunt Sandy and Aunt Judy and Uncle Mike. Mom and Dad were there for a big all class reunion from high school, so we were able to see them, too. When Dick and Clara stopped over, Baka found her true friend immediately in Dick. We had so much fun!! Breakfast Sunday morning was a hoot!! We were talking about the little "chubby" joke- where you smash your face between your hands and pretend you are "Chubby" in the back of the truck wanting Daddy to go faster. I looked over at Elisha half way through and almost couldn't continue. He had the funniest smirk on his face watching me. We all broke into fits of laughter!! Here he is imitating Papa, sitting with arms crossed while he talked.

Church was fun- their pastor put together "funbags" for the children in church during worship- Mr Potato head- yeah!! After donning the glasses on himself, he was ready to go. It was really hard to leave on Sunday. Looking forward to going back to see the whole family in July!!

Other than fitful sleeping, we all had a great weekend- and an answer to a long awaited prayer. Tim and I had been discussing some of the attachment and bonding books we’d been reading. It is so hard to know if what you are doing is right, especially when there are so few people in our circle of friends that know anything about the first few months of raising an adopted child. The idea of so many areas being as an infant in the toddler’s life is so hard to grasp. For example- while one wouldn’t automatically go up and take an infant from its mother’s arms without asking, it doesn’t seem a problem with a toddler. It’s hard to forget that in many ways he is still an “infant” as far as his totally new surroundings and learning what a mom and dad are and if he is passed around to too many people, it seems no different than in the orphanage- where he had 12 or more caregivers.

Anyways, Elisha was being a typical toddler in a new place who hadn’t slept well. Tim took him back to the bedroom we were in and remembered reading about “holding” your child when s/he started acting crazy. So, instead of scolding Eli, he went back and held him close. Elisha relaxed in his Papa’s arms and…… fell asleep. The idea is to give them a safe place, in the shelter of your arms, facing you, head against your chest so they can hear your heart. As they relax more, they hear your heart beating more. And soon you hear their smooth, deep breathing.

This probably wouldn’t have amounted to much, except the next night, after traveling home, and cleaning up from the motion sickness 5 minutes from home, as we were getting ready for the nightly struggle to sleep, Tim walked towards the door, turned around and suggested we have some cuddle time. I sat on the bed, held my son close to my chest, and within less than 5 minutes, he was asleep in my arms and the sweetest sense of peace stole through my body. I hadn’t realized how stress filled nights had become listening to his crying, then dealing with him only wanting to play when we go into the room. Here was my sweet chance to just sit and hold my son in my arms, praying over him, growing to love him and bond with him even more.

Thank you, God for your answer to prayers!!