A day at the zoo

Today was a beautiful day to go to the zoo!  Claire and Eli enjoyed walking around seeing the animals, shuffling through the piles of leaves along the paths and soaking up the sunshine.

Everyone needs a little black dress ..

I have a sweet sweet friend that is waiting patiently to bring her precious Morgan home from China.  The other day she asked if I'd mind letting her try a dress on Eli to see if it fit, they are about the exact same size. Of course I agreed, what are friends for!  So today we met for lunch with another friend (Jodi it was GREAT to meet and talk - let's do it again soon, hopefully then we will be celebrating TA's!!!!) and decided it was a great time to try on this little black dress.  The big sisters were not as pleased and told us many times BOYS DO NOT WEAR DRESSES!  Mary Ann and I got quite a kick out of them, ha!  Eli ... well he enjoyed himself, after all he does have a couple big sisters that like to dress him up - remember this?

Orphan Sunday

Go here and read what Emily wrote about their family and the "least of these" for Orphan Sunday, bring your tissues.  We had the privilege of meeting this family and traveling to China with them - sweet people and more than that - they are the real deal!  So, taking my lead from her wonderful post -

There are over 140 million orphans in the world.  That number is so great we can't even wrap our minds around it so we choose to ignore it - we hide behind all kinds of excuses, mostly selfish.  There are 140 million orphans in this world and we can ALL do something. 

In May of 2005 a baby girl was born in China, our baby girl, and for reasons I will never understand was considered the "least of these" her first 6 months of life.  She was an orphan.  Then on Valentine's Day 2006 she became our daughter and our Claire. She became a little sister.  She became a life full of joy and hope and a future of possiblities.  She is an oprhan no longer.  

In June of 2007 a little boy was born missing fingers and toes, he was considered deformed, he too would become another of the "least of these", he would be an orphan.  For almost 18 months our son lived in an orphanage not knowing the love of a mom or dad.  On October 27, 2008 he no longer was "the least of these", he was our son and brother, he was Eli Parker.  He is a vibrant and healthy little boy whose life has radically changed our hearts. 

There are ways we can ALL help.  There are families right now that want desperately to adopt and cannot afford the $30,000 or more to adopt - can you help?  There are organizations that are right now providing for orphans and need our support.  There are individuals who are making a difference.  You can sponsor an orphan so they can go to school or go on a short term mission trip to love on these kiddos. There are so many ways and so many organizations out there and yes, we can't do it all but we can ALL do something.   Don't let this be just another blog post you read ... let it be something that moves you to action!

Playing in the leaves

There is something about a pile of leaves .. you just cannot walk by, you have to jump in!  Last night was warm and the leaves were crisp and dry, it was the perfect night to do a little leaf pile jumping!

Hanna

My not so willing subject for my photography class.  She has at least been willing to go with me (with the promise of Starbucks at the end, ha) - the boys hide ...

My little pumpkin

Happy fall to you all!

Gotcha - one year anniversary of our forever family day!

The first moment with Eli

First time dad held Eli

Trying to inch over - he stayed pretty close to the director

One year ago today Matt and I arrived at the civil affairs office in Changsha, Hunan to sign our official adoption papers, holding a small, quiet baby boy in my arms.  He did not resist when the orphanage director took him from me, he did not cry when they left him again, he did not cling to me for comfort when we walked to our van - he just was. 



Today that same little boy resists when someone wants to take him from my arms, (well except for Grandma but that is to be expected, ha) he clings to me with his arms and legs when I hold him and his little body presses against me, content.  He finds comfort and safety in our touch and knows to find us if he needs us.  He grabs my face and holds my gaze as he talks, he wraps his little arms around my neck tightly and kisses me.  He knows he has brothers and sisters and grandparents and friends.  He knows love, he receives love and he gives love.  He is full of joy.



Sweet Eli,
We knew the moment we saw your face you were our son and knew our family would not be complete without you.  We imagined you playing with your siblings and we dreamed about the man you would become.  We waited what seemed like forever to hold you safe in our arms, to tell you we love you.  The day we met you I will never forget - I stepped off the elevator and there you were, you were so small and quiet and distant.  I look at you today so full of life and joy, how distant a memory that little boy seems. Today you are our little charmer, ha, you have your siblings (and dad and I too) wrapped around your little fingers.  You have taught us all so much in 12 short months.  We are so blessed to be called your mom & dad.    Eli we love you forever and always! 

 one year post placement picture

Sweet Eli at Disney - he can put away some serious food and just look at that little smirk - he is a character! :0