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!!!