1st Haircut with us!

I need a haircut mom-look what these girls are doing to me!
Yes it is time!

James thought this was worse than the doctor!

He sat on my lap and moved quite a bit as the buzzer tried to clip his hair!

That was not so bad!

Chinese New Year!

James and Aunt Cocoa (formerly Coo Coo but James has renamed her Cocoa -Coll is thrilled!)

James was so happy at the parade

His favorite was the dragon

James celebrating with some of his cousins

We went to Chinatown for Chinese New Year and went to the parade and went for a great lunch. James had a blast and the weather was actually great (heat wave at 25 degrees!)
It was great spending the afternoon with our family!

Yes folks that is an "A" and we have worked long and hard!
James insisted on carrying his shopping bag!

This is one dancing man! He has the moves!

Sad goodbyes

We said our goodbyes to my sister Lisa last week and she left for China. It was so great to have her here for Christmas and also spending time with her when we were in China. We probably won't see her again until spring. We went to meet Lisa and have dinner at the mall and Aunt Lisa got quite a greeting when James saw her. He ran up to her and gave her a big hug. He probably can't figure her out-she is in China she is here. We picked up a couple things for James at the mall and he insisted on carrying his shopping bag around it was so cute.

James slept in his own bed all night long for one night! Unfortunately it was only a night-but now when he comes in our room he has a place set up on the floor to sleep-we finally figured out none of us were getting much sleep with him in our bed. He seems quite happy with his little bed on the floor. Other news-James made his first "A"! I have been working with him on that since we arrived home and he isn't too fond of pen and paper, so I think it may be a long time on the alphabet, which is fine.

Other notes- James went to his first soccer game of the girls and enjoyed it. I think he'd rather be out there though. We went down in the basement and played some soccer kicking the ball around. James looked at my slippers and said "Sitong shoes" I think he thought I was kicking it harder with my slippers and he wanted to kick harder also. I went up and got his shoes and I think he still felt it wasn't as hard and far as he wanted. We had three balls down there and all of the sudden he started whipping the balls at me and it became a game of him bombarding me. I got a pretty huge laugh out of it! He felt he could have more power with throwing it. Maybe we will have another sport in the family besides soccer... bombardment, dodgeball, baseball, volleyball?

I think our computer is dying...I can't seem to upload any of my new photos. I have some good ones, so hopefully I can figure this out soon!

Christmas!

Sledding with Ali!

My real choo choo from grandma and grandpa-baba and I
just watched it go around and around!!

Ali, this Elmo guy is pretty cool!

I love my big wheel...I stayed in it all day and loaded my gifts in back!

My family says I am the absolute best gift of the year!

Baking cookies is so fun!

Two years ago in December...

I am reminded it was two years ago in December that this journey began, and how fitting we have James home during this special time celebrating the birth of our Savior. It continually reminds me of God's special gift of our son and brother James that God has given our family. Mike and I began praying about whether God was calling us to adopt in December of 2006. Mike was so sure and I don't think there was much doubt in his mind that we were to do this, I on the other hand needed more of God's assurance and confirmation before I stepped forward. I thought about the huge financial cost of this and knew we couldn't come up with this money, but I did know God could and He proved He would in miraculous ways! Maybe it was also was part of my selfish desire to plan my future...I thought I would be working more now that the kids were all in school...How could I start over with a young child, and what would people think. Well God most certainly confirmed this was His plan and showed us in so many ways! Shortly after this time my unknowing sister gave me a CD that Christmas and this is what I read on the inside. "God calls after His children to care for widows and orphans in the book Of James. Perhaps for you this means helping a friend down the street or at your church who has room at their for a child in need but does not have the money to make it happen; or maybe it's the gift of your time in serving orphans in your community or on the other side of the globe. Or could you be on the same journey Marybeth and I were on? I don't know what responding to God's invitation to care for orphans looks like for you, but Marybeth and I are praying that your heart will be open to Him showing you." WOW-Well how could I ignore that...but still I needed more and God continued to give more as we prayed and day by day everything fell into place.

I still can't believe this has all happened when I look at this precious boy. Sometimes when I look into his eyes and just ponder the joy he has brought into our home, it seems like a dream! My heart nearly melted the other day when I received an unsolicited I love you. We love him and he is really loving us! He has attached so well and is really adjusting to things here. The girls don't have too much free time these days because James is so desperate to play with them. Our new game is hide and seek which he loves, and of course cars and trains. I cannot imagine if we had said no to this and missed this incredible opportunity. The joy that a small child can bring into a home. James adds so much laughter to our house. Ali and I were laughing until our sides hurt yesterday! He is such a gift from God and seems like he has been here forever.

Ali mentioned how he will probably always love Christmas songs and it marks his time coming into our family. He tries to sing along it is the cutest thing-jingle bells being his favorite! It really feels like Christmas marks the beginning of this journey, I remember the guarded excitement we held in our hearts in 2006 when we felt we really were on a wild and exciting ride with God. We look to the future with eager anticipation at what God holds in store for our lives and our new son's life. We celebrate this Christmas in so many ways and will be forever grateful for the birth of our savior Jesus and that God's plans for our lives are perfect!

1 Month Ago Yesterday

Decorating the Christmas Tree!
I love the snow.(seenoooo) kind of cold though!

Hanging out with my buddies- I suppose I'll watch Hannah if I can be with you!

What a fun party...a choo choo on a cake and I can eat the frosting off it??

My First trip to the park cool!

It's hard to believe it was a month ago when James came into our family. We have come a long way and we have a ways to go. I read yesterday that you can expect it will take as many years as they were in the orphanage to adjust and attach to your family. I am believing it will be shorter than three years! It has only been a month so when at times I feel a little discouraged, I remember that it will take some time! We are still working on anger/tantrum issues. I read yesterday that the aggression seen may have been a defense against older kids or even mimicking of behavior seen in the orphanage, so I know it will take time to develop new behaviors and ways for James to deal with being told no, or not getting something he wants. One day at a time...

Another party for James...It was so nice to spend some time with family and friends celebrating James. We continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity and love of our family and friends. A party surrounded by special people with prayers, blessings, more stuff for James, and even a choo choo on a cake-it continually overwhelms us to feel so loved.

It has been hard to say goodbye to his buddies in the morning, but he has come to realize they come back! He understands they are all at "spool". It is so neat to see his thrill and excitement when they come through the door. I wish I had the video camera when dad came home the first few days. WOW what a greeting he got-James went running toward the door "Oh Baba Baba Baba!"with such excitement! It was the absolute cutest thing!

I may need to get a lock for the pantry and refrigerator...James enjoys pulling stuff out and doing various things with the food (sometimes eating it). Mike reminds me that we had a hook on the pantry in our other house for Caroline when she was climbing the shelves! We decorated the tree and that was fun for James. I think he thought it was odd though-having a tree in the house and putting toys on it. But he joined in after he saw us putting ornaments (toys!) on the tree. Now if I can help him understand the "balls" are not balls but glass ornaments! He really is a boy in many ways...and that is new for me having three girls! I feel like I am always trying to keep him from getting hurt, as he is wild at times! I also forgot about all the spills and such of a toddler. Wow this house is kind of a mess...oh well got to let that go!

This little boy has had us laughing so hard we cry! He is such a riot and was so meant to be in our family. I love how God does that so perfectly. This is why when we filled out the paperwork for our referral we checked off boy or girl, we wanted to put this child in God's hands in every way. We were expecting to receive a girl, but we are so totally blessed by a son and brother! It has been so fun for us to experience a little boy in our house. I always loved the beautiful relationship my mom and brother had. I also cherish the close relationship I share with my brother Joe and know the same will be true for myself and our girls! Thank you God!