oh the drama!

So yesterday we had our final visit from the post-placement social worker...YAY!! It went really well...but on with the story. Towards the end of the visit, Elijah was sitting in a chair looking out the window with a super sad look on his face. So as our social worker left, I had E sit on my lap and asked what was the matter. In response to my question, he buried his head and just started sobbing. So, at this point, I start to worry a little bit...wondering what was going on. Finally after a couple of minutes, he started to breathe normally so I asked again what the problem was. He goes on to explain that he misses our old dog Cooper. OK, for those who don't know might think, "Aww, how sweet, poor kid" And then the rest of the story...

Cooper was a beautiful, yellow lab that we had for a mere 8 months. Not only was it 8 months, but it was when Elijah was like 7 months till 15 months. Yeah, exactly...the kid doesn't even remember the dog, other than the ONE page dedicated to him the scrapbook. And yet, I was finding myself consoling this heart-broken child! I totally wanted to start laughing...which is what Scott did when he walked in the room. Anyway, such a random thing...no clue where it came from, but nonetheless, I thought it was funny(-:

My little guy is Three today!!!

It's so hard to believe...not so much that he is three but that a year has almost gone by. One year ago we had yet to hold him in our arms and smother him in kisses. Instead we were at home wishing the next 2 weeks would fly by and we would be in Addis Ababa with him. I remember crying silently to myself on the eve of his birthday last year, wishing I was there with him. Well...like I said, a year has gone by and we are finally able to celebrate a birthday with our son!

Yonni, you have blessed my life in so many ways this past year. You have stretched me into becoming a better mom and given me an even more exciting journey to be on. You have grown so much since I first laid eyes on you. It is so fun to see the world through your little but very smart mind. I love and need to appreciate more your curiosity for the small things! I hope I have not already taken for granted your bright eyes and beautiful smile that you greet me with every single morning. I hope that I always cherish your sweet kisses that you give me at least 100 times a day. I pray I never forget how I felt the moment I saw you coming down those stairs and then how it felt when you were placed in my arms. You are such a blessed gift from Heaven to your brother, your father and to me and that is what I am thankful for everyday! I love you little guy!! Happy Birthday!!