Vacation Pics-Day 3

Today we drove through the Smokeys and ended up at Gatlinburg.  We went up to Ober Gatlinburg first.  Just walked around. Then went back into the city.  Everyone had fun going through the shops.

Vacation Pics-Day 2

Today we woke up and explored Pigeon Forge. This was actually Jadyn's Gotcha Day. So one of the activities we did was the black light putt-putt golf.  We also did some shopping.  Fun!

The kids all ready to go

Having fun at The Three Bears Store

Can you find the real "dolls" in here

Ethan playing golf

Tiff playing golf

Dad helping Abby

Abby glowing

Jadyn having fun

We saw these turkeys several times going to our cabin

Photos of the Cabin

We loved the cabin. We stayed right outside of Pigeon Forge.  Up on the mountain.  Such beautiful views.

The outside of the cabin

One of the bedrooms

Hot Tub

Indoor Pool

Views

Views

Cabin

Vacation Pics-Day 1

So, I tried doing this last week and blogger locked up.  So now lets hope this works.

We had a great time on vacation. We really needed to get away.  The cabin was beautiful and very spacious.  The kids had so much fun.  We could have stayed another week I think.  Here are pictures. I'll try to caption below them.

We made a visit to Babyland General.

The kids by the cabbage patch

Bill & Ethan having so much fun.  LOL

It's a Girl!  

Tiff & Maddy

Abby came home with this animal

Jadyn came home with this one

The outside of Babyland General

Ethan fell asleep as soon as we left

Having fun in the car going through tunnels

Jadyn's Gotcha Day

This post is late.  Only because we were on vacation last week (photos & blog will come soon about that).  But I wanted to put on here that we celebrated Jadyn's 6th Gotcha Day last Tuesday (March 13).

I think we were all thrown off by the travel day on Monday. Because we all forgot. And that is unlike Jadyn to forget a date.  She was surprised when we started singing to her.  :-)

She had a fun day.  We let her choose what to do. She chose black light putt-putt golf.  Everyone had fun.  Ethan was a little scared so after 1/2 way through he & I left and waited for the rest to finish.  Jadyn enjoyed her day and we enjoyed celebrating with her.

I can't believe it's been 6 years. I don't know where the time has gone.  Jadyn has changed SO much.  I love seeing how she has grown.

Happy Gotcha Day Jadyn Mei!  We love you so much.

Making New Friends

Today we had the privilege of meeting a new friend who just came home to his forever family.  We have been praying for Hudson for just about a year now.  We are so thankful he is FINALLY home.

Today we met him at the park with his mommy.  It was so much fun.  When I saw him, I immediately thought I was looking at Ethan (before surgery).  Looking at Hudson brought back so many memories of Ethan from 2 years ago, and made me realize how much Ethan has grown.  When I see Ethan, I don't see the changes.  Of course I see the lip changes, but not the growth changes.  He's not the little baby that we brought home 2 years ago.  He's a full blown toddler (even though he's still small for his age). 

Ethan 2 years ago

Ethan Now

Ethan and his friend Hudson

  

Tonight I pulled up photos of Ethan before surgery.  The look on his face was confusion.  Ethan does not remember having a cleft lip.  He does not remember the surgery.  He was surprised when we said "that's you Ethan".  Then when he looked at the photos from today again, he said "Awww, that Hudson".

I'm so thankful that he does not remember.  I'm so thankful that it did not scar him (emotionally).  But I do not want him to forget either.  I want him to grow up having compassion for others and to not judge.  Hopefully we'll be able to teach him (and our girls) to do this naturally.

I'm so thankful for adoption. I'm so thankful for the amazing friends we have made (and are meeting) who have adopted.  I'm so thankful for the new families who are coming home with their new forever sons & daughters.  Adoption is such a blessing.  I'm so thankful we took the leap of faith 8 years ago and followed God's lead.  We have truly been blessed by our amazing children.  Our eyes have been opened to things that we would have never experienced before. Our kids eyes have been opened to things that they would have never experienced before.  All very positive.  I'm so glad to be witness to the wonderful miracle of adoption.  :-)

Welcome Home Hudson.  We are looking forward to watching you grow. We are looking forward to getting to know.  We are so thankful that you are finally HOME!