Happy 3rd Birthday Liam!

This little guy has come a long way in the last year.  He is an absolute joy to our family and we are so blessed to have him in our lives.  He loves to make us laugh with his silliness and is extremely affectionate.  What an amazing combination.  He adores his brother and sisters and truly loves them with all his heart.  However, him and Lily have a unique, one of a kind relationship that is so special.  I truly treasure what they have and I pray that this relationship between brother and sister will continue to flourish and grow.  We love you Liam and we are so happy that God brought you into our family.  It is an honor to be your parents!
We celebrated yesterday with some family time around the pool.  Since it was going to be such a nice day, we heated up the pool and let all the kids swim.  They LOVE to swim!!!!  Since I thought we may be in Ethiopia over Liam's birthday, I wasn't able to plan anything big, however I think it ended up just perfect the way it was.  Small and FUN! 

Embassy

Today, finally, we were submitted to Embassy for Miles' adoption.  The trend right now is that it is taking approximately a week (if no additional information is requested) to received clearance.  Hoping next week to receive clearance and schedule our Embassy date.  Once that is done, we can make our travel arrangements.  I am really hoping and praying to get over there and back before Easter/Spring break. 
We received new pictures and new developmental today on our little (big) man.  He is currently coming in at 30lbs and 34.25" tall @ 3 months shy of turning 3 years old.  That puts him at 41% for weight and 7% for height.  Yup, he is a short and stocky little guy and I love him just the way he is!!! 

Chinese New Year Celebration

I have to say that I can't believe that we have such a large group of families that have adopted from China in our area. Our group grew from 28 attendees last year to 64 this year. We are truly blessed. Once again we brought the new year in at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants here in Concord, NC. They were so gracious to open up their doors to us on a day in which they were celebrating as well with their family and friends and are usually closed for business. They met us with warm smiles and the most gracious generosity. It warms my heart and brings me so much joy to see so many children, once in orphanages in China with no families to call their own, now here in North Carolina with loving families. The icing on the cake is that these children will have each other to grow up alongside of each other; children who have the same heritage and similar stories. I pray that in the years to come they will share their stories, their struggles, the accomplishments with one another; someone who will "get them" and their personal adoption story.

 

 

 

Miles Milton-Surafel Waite

On January 9th, we boarded a plane and went to meet the 5th Waite for the first time. We arrived in Addis Ababa on Friday at 6:45 am. We checked into our our hotel, took a nap and then went to visit with our son that afternoon. I was trying to soak in every moment on the way to meet our little guy. Looking out the window of the hotel van and trying to get a glimpse into his world. The sights and smells are completely different from the world we left. When we arrived at the care center Miles was napping so we took a little tour and then sat outside and waited for him to wake up. As most kids do, he woke up a little out of sorts and so we just gave him some time and some space to wake up a little more. After about 10 minutes (which seemed like forever) I reached out to hold him and he came to me. I was so releaved! I just sat and cuddled him for as long as I could. He did eventually get down and play. Fred and him kicked the ball around for a while and played on the swing. After about two hours we had to leave. We gave Miles big kisses and hugs and said our goodbyes for the day. The next couple of days we were able to spend 2 hours a day at the care center getting to know our little guy. It was a special time getting to know him in a setting that is familiar and unthreating to him. What I can tell you is that he is sweet, funny, full of energy, polite, and ALL BOY! We said our final goodbyes on Monday after we passed court (wahoo) and watched him wave bye to us as we pulled away from the gate at the care center. There is a huge part of my heart that has been left in Ethiopia and a can't wait to go back and bring him home!

Happy Gotcha Day Liam

1 year ago on January 9th, we met this adorable, scared little boy in the civil affairs office in China.  To say the least it was a terrifying moment for him and so very bitter sweet for us.  Bitter because he was saying goodbye to all that he had ever known and the women that had loved and cared for him his entire life, yet sweet because we were meeting our son for the first time whom we had loved since the moment we set eyes on him.  This year has been amazing and I feel very blessed that God has allowed me to be this little boys momma.  His huge, funny, loving personality had me at hello!  Thank you Liam for loving and trusting us to be your parents.

Liam then..........

Liam now.........

The Boys Room

I have been searching for beds for Liam and Miles for a really long time.  I was specifically looking for antique beds for them that matched since they will be sharing a room.  Every time I thought I had some in my grasp they would slip right through my hands.  It was very frustrating!  I came across a pair of beds on Etsy and thought after months of searching, these would do just fine.  They were delivered to us on Friday and I couldn't wait to get them set up.  Well I got one set up anyway.....the mattress store was out of stock of the other mattress I needed for Miles bed.  So, today we went and picked it up and their room is all put together.  I couldn't be more pleased.  I love how it turned out.  Now if we could just sell our house so they could have a room with a window and a closet - that would be just fabulous.  Praying that this year is the year it will sell!

Christmas

This was Liam's first Christmas and it was a great Christmas indeed.  All the kiddos were so excited for Christmas to be here.  Lily would ask me everyday if it was Christmas yet.  Morgan, my oldest, was even very excited for Christmas this year.  All the shopping and wrapping was done early this year and it left for a relaxing few days up to the big day.  We celebrated with friends and family and enjoyed the quite moments together as well. 
The morning began with Morgan and Mason (the oldest) waking up first around 7:00 am.  There was no turning back.  The little ones were woken up next and the fun began.  Lily and Liam were beyond excited to see what Santa had left.  They were very patient while waiting to open their gifts since we all take turns in this house.  Otherwise it is just too chaotic.

                                                                   Christmas morning!

                                                  
                                                                            Morgan

                                                                           Mason

 

                                                                         Lily

                                                                            Liam

After naps we went over to my parents house for Christmas with the rest of the family.  Aunts, uncles, nanas, pawpaws, sisters, brothers, cousins - that's us and we love every moment of it! 

                                                            Logan & Mason (cousins)

 

                                                         Liam opening his race car track!

 

                                                           Lily opening her princesses!!!

 

                                             All the cousins (my kids and my sisters kids)

 

                                                                      Our family

                                             I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!