He can say "Mama"

That's when my heart melted!
We got an update on Dex and new pictures in the middle of the night last night!
He is precious ... and apparently will sleep about anywhere!His update said he is "a very healthy and happy boy. He uses diaper. He is not picky. He likes salty food. He is not allergic to any food so far. He is doing very well with other kids. He sleeps good in the night. Sometimes he is awake in the midnight for awhile. He is very easy to take care of. He is a little scared of strangers. he can understand what people say to him. He can say Mama!"

Happy 1st Birthday, Dex!!

Our little Dex man turned "1" today!

We so wish we could be with him to celebrate! One of those milestones that you don't anticipate missing with any of your children. I've been pretty emotional about it, not just because it's a particular day but mostly because I know we're missing out on so much with him. His first birthday is just a symbolic marker of how time is passing -- time that we can never get back with him.
I am also very touched by what his birth mom must have been feeling in the days leading up to his birthday, also the anniversary of the day she had to leave her child. While I am eagerly anticipating bringing him home, into our family, she is mourning the loss of her child. She obviously had to make an impossible decision, based on cultural standards that I can't even imagine living under. I can't fathom being a mom who has to decide not only to put her child up for adoption but to leave him alone somewhere, with the hope that someone would find him. I can't imagine being a mom who has no idea where her child is, if he's even alive, or if he's well cared for. I pray peace for her and wish she could know that he is well and will be part of a family who will love him very much and who will always honor the role she played in his life.

We did order a cake and a disposable camera to be delivered on his birthday. We are hoping the camera will be returned to us when we meet him, so he'll have pictures of his first birthday and know that we were thinking of him. We also had a little celebration at home for him.

Happy Birthday, D-Man!

End-of-Summer Fun

This weekend has been full of end-of-summer fun. It hasn't been terribly hot, so we've been able to enjoy playing on the playset, blowing bubbles, climbing trees, playing in mud puddles, hitting the t-ball, drawing with sidewalk chalks, and driving/riding all things with wheels. I love watching them just be kids!
To finish off the wonderful weekend, Grandpa came for a visit (to fix our air conditioner -- thank goodness for Grandpa!!) And he bought Abi and Brandon new bikes! Abi has just learned to ride her smaller bike without training wheels but had obviously outgrown the bike. So, she and Brandon both got to pick out a new bike at the store, ride it out to the car, and haven't stopped riding them since! They rode their bikes all afternoon at home, with their friends Courtney and Lindsey in their neighborhood, and even in the parking lot of the clinic when we went to do treatments tonight. Brandon has already said that he doesn't want to brush his teeth or eat breakfast in the morning ... he just wants to ride his bike! Abi was a little wobbly at first on the bigger bike with no training wheels, but by evening, she was riding like a pro!

Their new bikes

Cam playing in a puddle -- safety style. Brandon made her wear a helmet, "in case you slip down in the slick mud!"

My two big monkeys in a tree!Abi got to try out Lindsey's new four-wheeler tonight, too!

Do They Have Candy Corn in China?

I'm gonna find out because it looks like ...
WE'LL BE THERE IN OCTOBER!
We got the message today that we have officially been issued a travel invitation to China. We'll get our specific travel arrangements on Monday, but we were told by the adoption agency that we would likely leave on October 20th and return on November 4th.
We are obviously beyond excited - ready to be over with our "paper pregnancy" and move on to being a family!

Sibling LOVE

I just saw some of the most remarkable behaviors from my children .... it didn't involve arguing, name-calling, hitting, pinching, hair-pulling, or yelling! I'm still feeling numb with shock!

Brandon, Camryn, and I went to Abi's class to take popsicles for their reading kickoff celebration. While we were waiting for Abi's class to be ready to go outside, Brandon pulled up a chair for himself and for Camryn to sit patiently. Camryn suddenly announced while holding herself and dancing on her toes, that she had to go to the potty. Abi volunteered to take her to the bathroom and even helped her wash her hands. When Abi's class went outside, Brandon, of course, wanted to go with them. He bravely asked Mrs. Hansen if he and Camryn could go, too. On the way out, both Brandon and Camryn walked down the hall in perfect "traveling position," which was extremely cute. Once outside, Brandon helped Camryn open her popsicle, and Abi helped Brandon across the monkey bars, pushed him on the swings, and held hands with him while they walked around the playground.

Why in the world can we not get a little more love at home? :o) It sure was heart-warming to watch!