Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Some Summer Fun with the Cousins

We all waited till Aunt Jenny went to work and then drove to her house to see how many people we could fit into Audrey's and Christopher's pool.

Not too shabby on the number of kids in the pool, but now for the classic photos!

Here's Dad shooting kids with the water cannon while Nicholas' hat falls on his face and Dad doesn't even notice.

Just Some Pics of My Boy!

Joseph is being a trooper being the big brother. I know it's been a little tough on him. But for the moments where he says No, Nicholas, That's mine!, there's also the moments where he says C'mon, Nicholas, let's play!

Mom is the one who's had it a little tougher. It's crazy the silly worrying I do about him. He was just my one and only for three years and now we have to share one another. BUT we're making it! Thank goodness for James and my mother and my good friends who are helping me out!

Mr. Kitty

Mr. Kitty still wants to be outside in this hot weather, but I finally figured out it's because it's quieter out there and he can get some rest!

Mom and the Boys

Am I the only mom who never gets any photos with her and her kids? Well, I asked James to snap a few the other night. This is as good as it gets.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Predestination?

The Red Thread of Destiny

The Red Thread of Destiny is a belief that comes from an old Chinese legend. Also known as the red thread of fate or red string of fate, it means that people who are destined to meet are tied together with an invisible red thread.
Chinese Proverb:

An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break.

According to the Chinese myth, the gods tied an invisible red thread around the ankles of a man and a woman who were destined to meet and get married. The term is also very popular among families who adopt children from China. The saying is that when a baby is born, he or she is already connected to the important people in his or her life. The red thread becomes an important symbol during the adoption process and helps parents feel connected to the child they are waiting to adopt.

Below are pictures we developed from cameras we had sent to the orphanage in care packages to Nicholas. We were hoping to find out a little more about his life for his first two years, but all the pictures were taken in the playroom.

It's hard to believe that this was where he played for the first two years of his life. It's hard to believe that is where he was just two months ago. It seems as though he's just always been here.

Looking at these pictures make me sad for all the children in these orphanages. I look at all the children on the blogs who have been united with their forever families and it's amazing that these kids have been identified as "special needs." The kids are resilient and are thriving in a loving, nurturing home. Sure, they may need certain medical care, but they're loving, funny and bright kids that just need a family. As one mother said, their special need is they need a home!

As my friend Mary said, You both are so blessed. Nicholas is blessed to have you and you are blessed to have Nicholas.

Couldn't have said it better, Mary!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Surgery

Nicholas is scheduled for surgery to correct his palate on October 10. He'll be in the hospital overnight and then on soft foods for about 3 weeks. We'll know more about the need for future surgeries after he heals after that surgery.

They said they will give him Tylenol w/codeine for the pain, but it will be harder on Mom after to see her baby after the surgery because he'll look a little rough. So after they told me they would be giving him Tylenol with Codeine, I asked what do they give the mothers? Just wondering....