Happy Gotcha Day Sweet Boy!

 

It is really hard to believe that this sweet boy has been with us for a year now!! He has grown so much and learned so many things since that day they handed him over to us. He was such an emotionless little boy. It took him a few days, but he finally began to open up and trust his new family. We are so grateful for the little miracle that he is and so thankful that God brought us together! We love you so much, O!

 

 

Smelling the flowers



He has grown so much!

He does love his Baba even if he still calls him "Mom!"

no words for this picture...except LOVE!

 

 

 Where would we go on Oliver's first Gotcha Day? Of course, to meet Joni at the Great Wall!  We didn't have to worry about what to order for this little boy...he continues to eat everything you put in front of him. He not only ate his food, but also a little of everyone else's food!  Who ate off the American menu? Yep, you guessed it, Hannah...fries and chicken nuggets.  Although she did have some white rice. :)

so distracted by the water

Look Mom...ish (fish)!

 

So happy when I can get him to smile
for the picture. It is not that simple!

 

Of course, we cannot let this day pass without saying thank you to all of you for the many, many prayers.  Although the process to get Oliver was just one year from start to finish, the few months before were very rocky! God had opened the door for us to adopt again and just when we began to get excited, He slammed it shut! We didn't understand and felt so defeated and lost! And of course, where God slams one door, He opens another, which led us to CCAI in Colorado.  Why do we doubt Him? Why do we continue to try to do things on our own? We have experienced His faithfulness so many times and we stand in awe of His Greatness. He has blessed us with two amazing and down-right cute children! Thanks for walking this journey with us and continuing to pray us through!

Happy Mother's Day!

 

On Mother's Day, we had Oliver's Dedication. We decided to all wear our Chinese attire. As I look at these pictures, I think to myself, where has the time gone. Though they are still little in my eyes, they have grown so much in the last year. In another year, neither one will be able to fit into their Chinese outfit. Makes me so sad, but also excited to see what God has in store for them. He has blessed us as a family so many times and we know there are so many more blessings to come!

 

And to the women who are longing to become a Mama...please know this...God has a very special plan for you. I know Mother's Day has passed, but the hurt and longing has not. If you are waiting for that day to be called Mama, don't give up, my God has a plan for you,  if you are willing to wait for it and trust Him. My wait for the beautiful Chinese girl that you see below, was 5 years...  Throughout those years, I doubted God many times on what His plan was. I wanted to quit and forget about it. I felt maybe I wasn't ready to be a Mama after all. And just when I thought it would never happened, He quickly moved a mountain! He can do that for you too! Just trust...

 

Isaiah 40:31 says " Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

 

 

Random pictures and updates on our kids...

 

Again, I have to apologize for not staying on top of this blog for the last year. I will try to do better this summer. I figure while I sit in Oliver's room waiting for him to fall asleep, I can sit in the dark and keep you updated.  Since I have missed so much, I am just going to have a very long post of random pictures of both cuties! They are not really in order, so sorry....

 

In February, our  2nd little Chinese miracle turned 2 years old!  We are so thankful for him and the blessing he has been in our family. He loves Little Blue Truck books so that is what we did for his theme. He has the poster hanging on his bedroom wall and every time we read the books, he points to it.

 

He got so many boy toys, which he needed so badly!

Also in February, we celebrated my parents' 50th anniversary! What a Godly example they have been for us and so many others! So thankful and blessed to call them mine!



Random pictures of Hannah and Oliver...

 



I was searching for music on You Tube one day and came across
 a video that had tons of songs sung by a little girl named Ellie
and she is British! The kids love it and it goes for over an hour.

Hannah getting her car ready for the Awana Grand Prix-
thanks Uncle Dave for helping her!

 

Of course her car had to be pink! She didn't win any of the races, but she had fun!

 

 

A weird warm day during the winter which led to a snowy week after... so many weeks like that this winter and spring!

 

Great times building forts, snowmen, and going sledding with fantastic neighbors

 

Oliver really got the hang of winter this year and jumped right in building forts and snowmen. He stayed out for as long as everyone else and there was never any complaints!

 

 

 

 The coolest fort in the neighborhood...

 

 

 

 We decided to try out the big hill that everyone talks about at the old
 Madison...it was totally worth it! Hannah had a blast

One of my favorites...

 

 

 

One of the many times Oliver walks around the house putting his own hat on his head. :)

 

 

 

 

Hannah continues to help me make rolls for the holidays...she is getting really good at rolling them up. Great-grandma Schaetzle would be so proud of her.

 

 

Annual Easter egg coloring...

 

 

 

 Drawing on the doodle board is one of Oliver's favorite activities...

 

 

Oliver's surgery...in September, Oliver had his first surgery for his palate. It was pretty intense for the first few days, but he recovered quickly and was back to eating normal things within a week. He was such a champ through it all. He had a second surgery in December that was much less traumatic. We were told he shouldn't need anymore surgeries until he is 8-12 years old.

 

 

 

Hannah learning a new way...in October over fall break, we decided it was time for Hannah to take off her training wheels. Although she had moments of giving up, it took her a total of 24 hours to accomplish the task! She continues to amaze us in the things she learns so quickly! Her birthmother would be so proud.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Another Gotcha Day for our sweet girl...in October, we celebrated another year with our first Chinese miracle. We are so thankful for God bringing her into our lives. Though she is very strong-willed and sassy, we have been truly blessed to watch her grow and become a lover of Jesus!

 

 

 

 

 The same tree we always take her picture in on this special day...

 

They melt my heart... though they don't always show it, they truly love each other!

 

 

Oliver's first haircut...also in October Oliver got his first haircut. Oh,

 

how he did not like it! And even now he still does not care for those clippers coming towards his head. Just this last Tuesday, Roger had to sit in the chair with Oliver clinging on for dear life!

 

 

 

Watching Oliver drive this little four wheeler had to be one of the funniest moments of all time! Once he finally figured out how to get it to move, it was a very jerky ride.

Don't give this kid a license!

 

One of my favorites from last summer.