first family day!

Sunday, was our little man's family day! He has now been part of our family for 1 year and we continue to be so blessed by him.

little man's family day 2011

Last week, we recounted the week leading up to leaving...the ache of leaving our other kids, the anticipation of meeting our fourth child, the plane rides, the excitement of the unknown and finally going to Africa (something we have wanted to do for a long time) and pulling up to the bed and breakfast and meeting the most wonderful & gracious woman, who will forever hold a special place in our hearts!
We will never forget this day filled with sweet memories.
The car ride there...being able to share our heart with our social worker (whom we continue to pray for daily!)
Pulling up to the baby home and meeting the director...we pray for the baby home, the current staff, the  little ones in care and the former director.
Walking in and seeing little man for the first time. What a moment that was- so different yet so wonderful.

within moments of meeting him (2010)...happy boy!

Leaving the home and realizing that this was it...this was the day that for many months we had been looking forward to.

It was painfully beautiful. 

Painful because I know (and am SO thankful) that he was dearly loved, treasured and prayed for by those who cared for him. Beautiful because he was now part of a family.

kisses

Today, little man is an energetic almost 2 year old who....

and more kisses...may need to do this pose every year!

...still loves to wrestle
..shows compassion and love unconditionally
...loves to play with his siblings
...loves to help (his favorite is helping put away the sound equipment at church!)
...is a chatterbox, with his favorite words being all of his family and "puppies"
...loves singing (with amazing pitch by the way) and dancing

little man

As with each one of our blessings, there is no way i can imagine life without him. We are blessed.
We love you little man!

Blessings,

Candra

And we continue to await news of adoptions beginning again through little man's birth country. We pray that honorable decisions will be made and that those entrusted with the futures of these little ones will have wisdom.