Flames...

I just had to share this. A friend sent me the link for this blog article last night. I can not get it out of my mind...It was written by a mother of 10, soon to be 11 Lord willing. Six biological children and four adopted, soon to be five. I think you'll get the analogy...May the Lord's Will be done in EACH of our lives.

http://redemptionwhispers.blogspot.com/2012/09/flames.html

Help Bring Maxim Home!!!

This is Maxim!!!  He is a very special little boy and has a wonderful family working very, very hard to bring him home ASAP.  Maxim is special to me for several different reasons, most of which I can't really share here. But one reason is that he shares a name with our amazing friend, Max, who has an awesome ministry helping the hopeless of his country. 

Anyway, Maxim's mom, Stephanie, is hosting a blog auction HERE.  You know how much I enjoy blog auctions! :-)  Many, many wonderful things have been donated and some even have no bids! I strongly encourage you to go check it out, bid on an item (super simple, just leave a comment with your bid and email), and help bring this very special boy home. Stephanie was hoping to raise $12,000 during this auction, but unfortunately, it is well short of that right now. Please go and help! Thanks so much for your consideration. Oh, don't wait too long as the auction ends tomorrow night at 10pm CST!

Happy 5th Birthday, Elijah!!!

Yes, Elijah is 5 years old! I can hardly believe it! Yesterday, we had a very small birthday party with grandparents. And today, Elijah and I skyped with "Mama Tanya" and "Papa Igor", his biological parents. What an incredible blessing that was! I'm so thrilled we are able to have contact with his parents. Elijah was so cute...I definitely think he remembers his parents. He was giving Mama Tanya kisses on the computer monitor. :-) We also got to say hello to his grandpa and grandma. We are very blessed indeed. He showed them the sign for "I love you" and mama and papa. I was trying to get him to count to 5, name his colors, and  say his ABCs but he doesn't like to "show off" you know.  LOL

Often adoptive parents are sad their adopted child never celebrated any birthdays in the orphanage - their birthday was just like any other day. I was thrilled last year when Mama Tanya told us they visited Elijah every year on his birthday and brought in treats for the entire grouppa! Yay!!! So not only did Elijah get treats...

but Shea did...



and maybe even Gideon did too!  (Gideon was only allowed to participate in grouppa "parties" on a very limited basis though. :-( )


Elijah was/is loved by his bio parents and I'm forever grateful for their willingness to list Elijah for international adoption!

Sarah did a wonderful post about Elijah's birthday too. http://matthew18vs14.blogspot.com/2012/09/happy-birthday-elijah.html  She included a lot of pictures from our recent trip to Bay Beach amusement park (that I have not blogged yet...will I ever catch up? Doubtful!) But let me tell you...Elijah is a total thrill seeker!  On the Tilt-a-whirl, he had his hands in the air, laughing hysterically. At the end of every ride, I had to peel him out as he kept signing and saying "More! More!" :-)

I hope you enjoy some photos from Elijah's birthday party yesterday.

Anna made and decorated the cake for me! She did a great job!

He couldn't wait until the end of the song to blow his candles out. How fun the candles were for him! Every time he hears the "Happy Birthday" song, he blows hard then claps "Yay!" Very cute!

Can you believe it??? I have two five-year olds - well for about 6 weeks anyway!
(I also have two two-year olds! :-)) 

Fun monkey card!

And this...from "Auntie Crackers" and PD.......
hmmm....I think that Auntie Crackers needs one of these at HER house for grandson, Carter!
I put clear tape over the speaker and that helped...a little...
I must say Elijah really likes it though...

Alphabet toy from Grandma and Grandpa
I love Leap Frog toys!

Elijah was giving us a concert. Rachel insisted on helping...

Happy Birthday Elijah! We love you so very much and are so blessed to have you in our lives. Thank you for being who you are! You have taught us so much!

(I'll try to post a complete update on Elijah's growth, health, and development after his 5 year check up on Friday.)