Sharing Our Story

I imagine that my virtual path through the Internet would look a bit like a cat playing with a mouse ... here, there, oops, over yonder! You see, there are a few blogs that I visit daily, and sometimes I'll find myself on a new blog courtesy of the first, and then maybe another, and then ... well, you get it.

This morning I checked in on Daniel and Lyndsie, then meandered over to a new blog for me, Kelly's Korner, where the post today was "Tell Us Your Adoption Stories".

Up until now I've really only shared this blog with family and friends, and it's a little scary putting us "out there". But it felt right to link up with Kelly's post now. Anytime I read of someone struggling with infertility I want to grab them by the shoulders and shout gleefully about adoption, but I realize each person has to come to their own decision, in their own way, in their own time (drat). Still, if just one person is encouraged to go ahead and pursue adoption because they read our story (or any of the other 160 - and counting - stories shared on the link!), well, I think that's a wonderful thing.

So, if you are here thanks to Kelly, welcome! You can read our posts from Kazakhstan in the January 2007 through March 2007 archives. I've scattered many other tidbits about adoption - and how the gift of our son has brought so much joy to our family - throughout the blog. Whatever path you ultimately take, stay strong, stay faithful, and know that you will be blessed!

SN*W

Loving being outside.


(Mean old) Daddy hit him with a snowball. Not loving that.


I like being able to track the meanderings of our outside kitty.


Pretty, isn't it?


Our kind of snowman!

Reflecting

So there's snow on the ground, with more to come. No school, no where else to go. But the pantry is newly stocked, and Bob is home and preparing to get a fire started. It feels like the perfect day to snuggle with my guys and remember where we were four years ago.

Yesterday marks the anniversary of our first official visitation with Owen, but I think this day in 2007 was the first time I actually exhaled. And while I will readily admit that I doubted and struggled and questioned, when I held Owen in those early days it became very clear that God's plan was perfect all along.

January 26, 2007 - Kokshetau, Kazakhstan


January 26, 2011 - Westminster, Maryland


(I showed Owen the Kaz picture and asked him to make the same face - I think the result is pretty darn cute!)

Snow Day

I am convinced that Owen's near-Siberia roots kick in when the temp drops below 30 and flakes fall. There is almost nothing that kid likes better than gearing up and heading outside to play in the snow.

He is totally in his element pelting me with snow clumps, making angels, and eating the white stuff (despite how many times I try to dissuade that last one).

Yesterday we took advantage of the school closings to build a mini snowman, and join our friends Missy, Riley, Grace and Avery in a trip to "Mt. McDaniel" for sledding. Swoosh!

Namaste

We did our yoga practice at home today. Owen did really well, but Remy balked at downward facing dog.

A Thought for The New Year

Owen is buzzing around our bedroom this morning, pretending the vacuum extension tube is a leaf blower, and I'm drying my hair and thinking of doing a post on how much I love this goofy kid and his almost always happy, laid-back self.

And I wonder, "do I love him so much because of his personality?". Well, no, not entirely; I think I'd love him no matter his personality - after all, I love Cearra and her character traits and quirks are different than Owen's.

So why do I love him? It's obviously not genetics. It's not (solely) because he's adorable. It can't be just that he makes me laugh everyday or that my role as "mom" guarantees that I love him. Perhaps adoptive parents focus on this more than bio parents as we don't have that whole blood is thicker than water thing to fall back on (or maybe I'm just way too introspective).

Anyway, it's interesting isn't it? How do we as humans come to love our offspring? I think there must be many pieces to it, but it occurs to me that a primary one has to spring from caring for that child - nourishing, protecting, encouraging, putting his/her needs above one's own. That child then becomes something we are extremely invested in; once he/she responds to our efforts - a smile, a hug, that first heart-soaring "I love you mommy", well, that old Pavlovian response kicks in and we recognize it as love. We want to keep it going.

Now, imagine if we applied that same exercise to our community, our country, our world? If as individuals we took it upon ourselves to nourish, protect, and encourage other members of our human family? I think you can see where I'm going with this ... the love would be boomeranging all about. And with that much love, there's less room for abuse and neglect and violence and hatred.

Pretty neat idea for the new year, huh?