Father's Day 2012

Six months ago, I had begun to wonder if James and I would ever be able to celebrate Father's Day. We'd had such an awful time trying to adopt, and we didn't know if we'd ever become parents. We are so thankful that we were able to celebrate James' first Father's Day this year.

I had unique Father's Day cards made at Shutterfly for James, our dads, and James' grandfather. All four cards were different, and they had photos of the recipient with Samuel. I love the way the turned out! I wish I had gotten a photo of all four cards, but we were in a hurry to get the other cards in the mail after we finally got them on Wednesday last week. I waited a week and half for these to come in, and I will not be using Shutterfly for these kind of cards again. CVS stores will make these, and I will use them next time. These cards don't cost any more than what you'd spend on them at Hallmark, and I like them so much better.

My parents wanted to give us something this year for our first Mother's and Father's Days. They gave me a pink hydrangea and they gave James two books - James Dobson's Bringing up Boys and Bedtime Blessings by John Trent. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

 James is definately the better cook between the two of us, and it was time he had his own apron.  I local store called Instant Imprints did the embroidery, and I am pleased with the way it turned out.

 I also got him tickets to the Cardinal's game yesterday. The game was fun, but our seats were in the sun. We got up after the 5th inning and stood in the shade in the "standing room only section." Samuel made it through the first nine innings, and we went home and watched the rest of the game in the air conditioning.  The Cards lost in the 14th inning.

I wanted to give James something that had Samuel's name engraved on it, but he never wear jewelry other his wedding ring. I found an Etsy shop where you can get personalized sterling silver guitar picks.  Check it out: Tomi's Treasures. James has a guitar that he plays from time to time. He said this was his biggest surprise. He took it to work today to show everyone.

Welcome Home Solomon!

Last night, we had the joy of greeting our friends, Jack & Dana and their newly adopted Ethiopian son at the airport.

Back in January, Dana and I made plans to meet for lunch. I had some things that we had purchased in Ethipioa & I wanted to give to her. She already had one Ethipian son and they were in the process to adopt again. I figured her kids would probably appreciate the items from their country of birth. We talked about some of the trials James and I had faced and what it had been like switching to our agency's domestic adoption program. Then she told me she had some news. . .and pulled out some photos of a boy that they had accepted a referral for. I recognized him from the waiting child list.  I had prayed for the kids on that list, and I know God heard. I teared up, so thankful that this child would soon be coming to his new home. That was on January 28th, little did I know that in one week I would be holding my own son in my arms.  Dana was the first person I called after we found out that we had been chosen to be Samuel's parents.

 Finally home, after months of waiting and a very long trip!

New brothers!