Happy Family Day... 2nd Anniversary

Two years ago today... we introduced our little man to our family and friends!  It was a blessed day which was the culmination of many prayers, hopes and dreams.  It was the start of our lives together  in our home.  It was beautiful and precious and absolutely amazing.  If you've never witnessed an airport welcome home of an orphan... you are missing out.  Whenever I think of that morning, I can't help but think its a glimpse of what heaven will be like.  I'll never forget that morning.  We woke up in Minneapolis and only had a short flight to South Dakota.  We had just had a good night's sleep, the most incredible hot shower of my life and we were ready celebrate with our family and friends.  Words can't really do justice to Kaleb's welcome party at the airport.  Take a look back in time... click here for the YouTube video:

Kaleb's Homecoming Celebration

This afternoon, I went through all the videos of that day and still am so amazed at everyone who came out to welcome us home.  Beautiful, wonderful people who prayed us home.  Who cheered us on when the waits felt long and the uncertainties started creeping up.  An incredible celebration day of rejoicing!! 

These past two years have been an incredible blessing.  We brought home a little 13lb. bundle of quiet observation.  He was observant, easy going and happy.  I remember it was fall and the leaves were falling.  We set up the pack n play in the living room and he loved watching the leaves fall those first few weeks home.  When he came home, he kept his feet curled just like a little newborn.  Within a week, he started putting weight on his legs.  We watched him roll over for the first time, watched the World Series from his Bumbo and spent our nights adjusting to an 9 hour time change.
Today, we have a very lively, spunky 2 1/2 year old full of adventure and enthusiasm.  His favorite lines these days include:  "I do it"; "My turn" and "No, no, no." We also hear 'Sorry Mama' quite often ; ) He can climb anything, jumps off of everything and loves cuddling after his afternoon nap.  Like any 2 1/2 year old, he loves helping and definitely keeps us on our toes!  Life is not boring but it is incredibly blessed.  We are incredibly thankful for God's way of grafting our family together.

Tonight, we celebrated "Family Day" for the second time.  As with last year, we had the essentials for any good party... cupcakes, candles, a balloon and some good ole' family fun.  Earlier today, I got brave and squirted some paints on a paper plate and turned Kaleb loose with a blank canvas.  He was thrilled!  It was messy but he loved it.  Call me crazy but we'll be doing this more often.
Introducing the first (of many) original art piece by the one Kaleb Abera....

 Once Dada arrived home, we frosted cupcakes. 

 Kaleb was in charge of the sprinkles...lots of sprinkles!! 

 Our two candles a piece... 

 Love these two!! 

A few days ago, I came across the following little quote I saved awhile back.  

So true in so many ways.  

Thanks to all of you who have prayed for us, loved on us and helped out along the way.  

We're incredibly blessed and grateful for the life God has assembled for our path!