Owen Says ...

"Eye love you!"

Happy Valentine's Day to our friends and family. Thank you for being part of our lives!

Ours All Along

"We got him".

I called my parents and exhaled those words as Bob and I sat cross-legged on the floor of our apartment watching Owen watch us.

Getting ready to spring Owen from the Children's Hospital

Today is the anniversary of our Gotcha Day. And while I am not usually a big fan of that particular term, on that day five years ago it felt exactly right. Never mind that we still had two official weeks to wait out before he was legally a Mechem; on that afternoon we celebrated. After piles of paperwork, months of heart wrenching waiting, and one really big bump in the road, we had finally made it - we finally "got" our son.

I still look at him with the same amazement and love I did that day in Kokshetau. My heart still thrills at his smile, my eyes still fill with tears at how much I adore him. At times I pause and question how in the world we got so lucky. How was it even possible that we'd go half way around the world to meet the perfect child for us?

This laid-back, happy kid who likes to stay up (and sleep in) late; who is slyly funny and caring and kind; who likes to lay out his clothes on the bed in a little outfit just like I do. This beautiful boy who loves cats and tractors and monster trucks; this cutie with a vivid imagination and a little thrill seeker streak who likes nothing more than cuddling up with us at the end of the day. This perfect piece of our family.

Sometimes I still wonder. And then I remember that God had this all along. And I am so thankful.

Journey to Motherhood

My cousin Brenda posted this on Facebook; I finished reading with tears swimming in my eyes for so many reasons. Please read, and share, and imprint on your heart.

Originally posted in BlogHer Moms by Michelle Madrid-Branch 

I have delivered three children: the eldest biologically and the younger two through adoption. It is true that the methods of delivery were different for each child. My oldest son, Christian, well, he was a miracle to me in that I truly never knew if I would be a mother.

I was adopted internationally as a child and so the thought of “having” a baby seemed foreign to me. When I was pregnant with him, though, it seemed as if I was meant for the experience. The pregnancy was a healthy one and on the day I gave birth to my son, I remember feeling overwhelmed with joy. I had never held anyone in my arms before whom I was connected to biologically.

In addition, the nine hours of labor (using no pain medicines) proved to me that I could achieve anything. I was giving birth to another human being, a gift to the world! I felt close to goddess status. I also realized how difficult it must have been for my own birth mother to let me go. I held my baby in my arms, he was so tender, soft, and warm. “I could never part with you.” I whispered. “How did she do it?” I asked. The only answer that came to me was that, love: real and pure, gives you the strength to think beyond your own needs and extend yourself, sometimes, in the most painful of ways.

Christian’s birth taught me to forgive.

My second child, another beautiful little boy, was waiting for me in Russia. I recall the first time we met, it was a warm day in the southern part of his native land. My husband and I flew from Moscow. We were escorted to the orphanage, which stood behind a wall with iron gate. I was nervous. So many children there in need of families. One was waiting for us. What would I feel when I first saw him?

Minutes, which seemed like hours, passed by and then the door suddenly flew open. I gasped and cried out, “Ian!” An orphanage worker walked into the room and handed my son to me. He was gorgeous! I held him up, so that I could drink him in. He looked into my eyes and began to laugh. That’s right, he cackled and giggled. I began to chuckle, as well. Then, my husband chimed in and before you knew it, the room was filled with our laughter!

Ian is just that way, a little boy bubbling over with happiness. He’s pure joy and lives life to the fullest. Ian never asks, what if I can’t? It has simply never existed in his vocabulary. He’s a “can do” kind of guy. He doesn’t know this, but I watch him daily. I take in his attitude and his primal belief in himself. It is infectious! Never boastful, only natural: he’s sweet and good.

Ian’s delivery taught me to laugh, even in the face of complete change. 

Just think, in Russia he was being taken from one world and plopped into another. Still, he went into the newness of his adoptive life with laughter. He hasn’t stopped to this day!

My third child, a little girl, was waiting for me in Ethiopia.The roads, leading to the orphanage, were muddy from heavy rain. Puddles so large it seemed, at times, they might swallow the small car I was riding in. After some twenty-five minutes maneuvering through traffic, the orphanage was finally in sight! Once allowed through the security gate, my husband and I were taken into the family area, where we waited to meet our girl.

I rubbed my hands together and blew into my palms, warming them in preparation for this long-awaited greeting. I quickly took off my sweater and raincoat, I wanted to feel my daughter against my skin! “Tiblet,” as they called her, (meaning: Let Her Be Greater), was brought to us by her caretaker. The woman placed our baby in my husband’s arms. He, then, placed her in mine. I said, through tears, “She’s perfect!”
I meant that!

Okay, some might argue that Tiblet was actually small for her suggested 10-months of age. She was malnourished and clearly ill with heavy cough and congestion, watery eyes, and diarrhea symptomatic of parasites. Tiblet did not smell of baby powder and sweet-scented lotion. She was not clean from a fresh bath and dressed in the finest of clothes. She had been layered into several pieces of mismatched garments (most of them size 3 months), keeping her warm in the bone-chilling air.

This tiny stranger stared at my face for several minutes. Then, as if she realized her parents had finally arrived, my daughter rested her head on my shoulder and quietly nodded off to sleep. I recall, even through my own exhaustion, feeling a sense of complete and total happiness.

It’s been over one-year since we brought our little Ethiopian princess home. Now two, she is a loving and feminine force in our home. I had gone to Ethiopia to help an orphaned baby girl. In the process, she has opened up my eyes to the greatness I possess within, the greatness we all possess within. The meaning of her name was divinely inspired, I believe.

Tiblet’s delivery breathed the message: Let Her Be Greater, into my soul.

My children are from different parts of the world. They are of different race, color, and culture. Some might call us a “multi-cultural” family. I guess that’s true. Yet, in our minds, we’re simply a family. We love one another, look after one another, teach one another, and bring out the best in each other.

As a mother, when I do turn on the television, it seems that the world is very different outside of our home. Governments gunning down their own, countries using threatening tones, people damning each other because of differences, perceived or real. Political elections where dirty laundry is welcomed and not put in a hamper where it belongs. People creating lines of division, over fear, over an unwillingness to listen, to understand, to let down the walls and let love in.

Oh, if the world could only experience the beautiful blueprint of adoption! The working manuscript of family that is created, not solely through biology or nationality, but completely out of love. If society could only adopt this type of attitude, well, the world really would be a better place.

Yes, I have delivered three children. They are the most incredible people I know. They are the greatest contribution I could ever make to this world.

I watch them, together, and I believe in peace. It manifests itself right before my eyes!

Delivering my children has taught me the power of forgiveness, the power of pure joy, and the power of authentic & divinely inspired living. Perhaps, I could have learned these lessons on my own, but I highly doubt that. I was waiting on three little messengers, so happy they finally arrived!

WILW

Whew, I'm loving lots of stuff this Wednesday, and linking up with Jamie again, so let's get started!

I'm loving the adorable beach ball cake pop my creative and talented sister made! Soooo cute. You can check out her blog to see all her yummy creations.

I'm loving the new Kazakhstan adoptive family group on facebook. Very fun to reminisce with other folks who have been there, and love the country that allowed us to bring home our amazing kids. This picture was posted by another member; it's a street scene from Owen's birth city, Kokshetau, and I love it because when we were there in January and February all we saw was bare branches and snow!

I'm loving this dolphin charm from Chamilia. Hmmm, you know my birthday is coming up ...

I do try to limit my time on Pinterest ('cause boy you can loose an hour there easily!) but I adore this family room picture I found. How gorgeous is this??

I'm loving Texas Caviar! Yes, Cee, I did make a batch last night and I promise to make you some next time you're home!

I'm loving that Peanut Butter & Jelly (pictured) and Mater are still alive and well! Every few days I scoop them out of their hiding spots in the mulch and put them on the sand side so I can make sure they are still with us!

I'm loving that I found my favorite air freshener scent today! It's a "Limited Edition" edition, and disappeared there for awhile, but I was faithful in checking the shelves anyway, and ta-da, today it was there. Yippee! Sometimes, it is the little things!

And today and always, I'm loving my hubby, Cearra and my buddy, who makes me laugh everyday!

WILW

Wednesday again??? Where does time go? Linking up with Jamie again for WILW! Anyway, I'm loving the gorgeous weather we are having these past two days, and oh, just a few other things ...

Loving our new art display - the garage door! Keeps the fridge a little neater.

Y'all know how much I love to shop, especially for Owen. So I'm loving my new little business venture, Sweet Repeats Kids Resale! I'm still working on it and will be adding new items, but I'm having fun cleaning out his closet (making room for more finds!!).

Speaking of shopping, I'm loving this Lands End sweater. Over a long sleeve tee now, a tank later in Spring. But since it's currently $90, I will be loving it from afar!

Loving Revlon's new Colorburst Lip Butter. Like a cross between a lip balm and lipstick, gives nice sheer yet still there color and a little shine without drying out lips.

I may have previously mentioned how much I love mercury glass, so you know I'm loving my new filled candle from Target! Got it on clearance too!

Loving my new cupcake pan and carrier, "free" courtesy of my diet Coke points!

Lastly, and always and forever, I'm loving my Alma mater and JoePa. Nothing will ever, ever change that.