Day before the big #4

It has been along time since I have been on this blog. Life is great with Sam! In the last year we have dealt with tubes in the ears and constant troubles with allergies and bronchitis. We are on the mend right now with another antibiotic. This birthday will be the last one that we celebrate on April 22. His new birth certificate says August 20th. We all know this is incorrect since I was given the referral in June when he was 2 months old, but it would require a new birth certificate from Ethiopia. Not trying to make that miracle happen at this point in life. So taxes are done and now we need to make his new name get on the social security card. It is always something. We are looking forward to the summer time and spending time at seabrook island and MO. It seems like I did much of my writing when I was down at Seabrook. Easy to write when you are at the beach! Thankful for my life and the people in it. Don't ever want to take that for granted. Welcome back bloggers!

Where has the Summer gone?

This has been the best summer of my life! Sam and I have had so much fun. After his circumcision, everything got a lot more fun for him. We ended up going to Mexico Beach in Fla. For a week and them to Missiouri for 2 weeks. It was so great getting to see friends and family. I feel quite blessed to have had this time.

In two days I go back to work and Sam goes to a new baby sitter. I am nervous. Why? Not quite sure. I know he will be ok, I think it migt be me that will not be ok. I still have not gotten us in the mode of getting up early. Oh well,it will happen soon enough.

I am feeling so blessed. I have met so many strangers in the last 6 months due to Sam's eyes and lashes. Through it all, I have enjoyed telling his story. God continues to receive the glory in all of it. I have new friends who are traveling back to Ethiopia soon to get their little garland I am envious of them. I miss the people in Addis Ababa. I miss Ethiopia. I know one day we will return. Thank God for a wonderful summer and time spent with family and friends.

God is perfect.

Snip snip...

Yes, we finally made the appointment and fixed Sam's manhood. I don't know who was more stressed out. I am sure he was in more physical pain, but I will tell you my emotional toilet was flushed by the end of the day. This day does have a bit of humor/drama to it.

I had received a check in the mail that I was going to cash to help pay for his surgery. So off to the bank to do so. Our appointment was at 12:30 and I also needed to mail a few letters. The convenient thing was there was a mailbox at the site where he had his appointment. Great! So I reached into my purse and pulled out the 2 envelopes and threw them into the mailbox. Off we went to the 8th floor and I proceeded to pay for his balance and the money was gone. But...there was a letter still in my purse. What? Yep...I had mailed the envelope full of cash from the bank at the mailbox. You can imagine the look on my and the secretary's face.

So, thank God the mail truck doesn't come until 1:15. We dash downstairs and take post for the mailman. He never showed, but I did spot a mail truck down the street and finally saw the driver. Turns out all mail persons have a universal key and I was able to get my money and mail my letter. :)

Back up to the 8th floor where I have represented myself in a very poor fashion. Turns out, my shirt was on backwards the whole time. We went in to see the PA, who put some numbing cream and "stickers" on Sam and were given instructions with what to do with our time until 3:00 when the procedure would take place. Again, in my head I say "What?" I thought we were just getting this thing cut and we were out. No. Off to the pharmacy and the maze of halls to get pain meds with codeine.

Sam was such a big boy. When we finally got called into the office at 3:00, we had to sit for about 10 minutes. I heard the cries of about 3 different little kids. He didn't notice, but I was taking it all in. (ADD) Oh man, I need to get myself psyched for this. The picture above is what they strapped him into while doing the surgery. They gave him a dum dum and I held his head and a book to distract from the operation. Seriously, I am so thankful that this day is over.

Now we are on the mend. The common phrase right now is "Mommy, it hurts!" Oh my gosh, that just kills me, but all is looking good down there. I have been so lucky to have such a good boy. God has been in every step and I will conitnue to trust him to take care of this healing as well.

The top pics are pre and post surgery.

That is our story and I am glad it is over. God is perfect.

Seabrook visit #2

We are back at Seabrook, but with a family member. Dana flew out to Charlotte on the 8th and then we headed down here the next day. It was a beautiful day at the beach yesterday. We headed down with a full cooler for lunch and enjoyed the sun and water.

I bought this little floating boat that allows Sam to put his feet through it and it is great for riding the waves. He now loves the water. Wants to play in it and ride the waves. Best $3.99 I have spent so far.

I love the summer! It is a great time for me to refresh my mind and heart. I usually read a lot of books in the summer time, but this one is proving to be a bit challenging. Things are different with a kid. Good, but different. So now I don't sit and read a book on the beach, but instead build an alligator out of sand. I am getting alot more sun on my back then I have ever had before. :)

I believe that we are going to go to downtown Charleston today and have brunch at Poogan's Porch and then do some walking around. Then back to the beach in the afternoon. Little bit of a change of plans, but still very fun! It is another day to spend in God's blessings. God is perfect!

Summer Break...

It has begun! I can't believe the school year is over. It seems like the only time I write on this blog now is when I am on break. I am down at Seabrook Island for a long weekend and always find time to write down here. I am with a couple of friends and Samuel is constantly entertained by one or the other. Thanks God for friends that love my son.

I am so looking forward to spending time with Samuel. This is the time where we really get to know one another. I can't wait to try and teach him how to ride a bike and swim in the pool.

Today was our first time in the ocean together. He was having such fun. Very eager to experience it all. We jumped some waves and then just went right out in it and floated around with the waves. It was great. He was not scared of the water at all. Afterwards he took a solid nap in the BOB jog stroller for 1 1/2 hours. I wish I had a stroller to nap in too. :0)

First day of vacation has been a success! Stay tuned for more info details...

Winter Break

Samuel and I have been down at SeaBrook Island this weekend for my winter break. The weather has been beautiful down here. We went to the beach the last two days and he has enjoyed digging in the sand. I will try to post some pics when I get home. At first, he fell right into the ocean trying to follow me to get water for the hole we had dug. Quick wardrobe change. The next day we were able to see the horses on the way to get coffee with a friend. It has been a big weekend to say the least.

I am constantly reminded of how I would sit at this computer and update my blog while at SeaBrook. I would find this place as a constant peaceful get-away during the adoption process. I would sit and journal on the deck about having to wait and be reminded of God's goodness in my life. Now I sit at the computer watching my son run around the house chasing my dog, rearranging the pillows on the yellow couch and screaming with the Elmo book. Life is finally as it should be. :0)

I knew things would be different, but I wasn't quite aware of just how different it really would be. I view life now through the eyes of a 22 month old (in two days). Everything is much more exciting. Looking at lights is a huge deal when we enter a new place. Yesterday he saw deer while we were eating dinner on the deck. His eyes were so wide opened and he was completely still. Where are those deer now?

So life has a new spark to it now. I think as we get older we take for granted all that is around us. There is alot of beauty surrounding us and we often don't appreciate it. Well, at least I don't. I pray that God continues to open my heart to the little things in life that can bring child-like pleasure.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

First visit

Well Samuel and I have arrived back from our first visit with Desta and Faith Thompson. We met up halfway in Anderson, SC for the weekend. It was great having the kids back together for the short amount of time that they spent together. We were able to take them to a park and play and then feed some ducks.

I can't believe how much they love each other. It had been a little over a month since they had seen one another. They were still happy to see each other. It was a great weekend.

I am not sure, but Yoseph is now being called Samuel. He has learned sign language at my baby sitter's place. He knows how to say please, more, all done and thank you with signs. He is such a smart boy. He is also pretty active. Looking forward to seeing what God is going to do with his life.

I booked a ticket to fly home to see my family on March 12-19 next month. Really looking forward to my family seeing him and getting to know his sweet little personality.

Tomorrow marks a big day in society that shows one just how much we love them. For me it also holds a serious marking in my life. Eight years ago on the 14th I learned that I was cancer-free. This was the best Valentine's Day yet in 2003. I am forever grateful to God for healing my body and allowing me this opportunity to raise a young man.

Many things to be grateful for. Love what you do and do what you love! God is perfect!