Full Circle!

Today was a day of epic proportions!  Eli started his first day of preschool today and we could not have had any more joy in our hearts!  He was a bit apprehensive when walking in his classroom and cried for a minute but by the time we left, he was playing with the teacher on the other side of the room!

People, it took A LOT of hard work to get to this point and I won't take a moment, a prayer, a hug, a therapist or a teacher who helped along the way for granted!  We started a year ago this week working on Eli's ability to feel comfortable in a room full of kids and without me right next to him.  We accomplished that about 2 months ago.  It took a long time and a lot of patience on the part of those working with him and myself.  It taught me too let go of a lot things, especially being a therapist myself.  I also learned that not many people truly understand trauma in children especially in those who have been abandoned and adopted.  It took a lot of educating and holding firm in what I know and believe was/ is best for Eli!  We are, however, so thankful for the people that took the time to listen, learn and work as hard as they could to get Eli to place he is now, and what a beautiful place that is!!!!!!

So here we are, watching our little man pull on his backpack, hold his stuffed lunchbox tight and smile bright for the camera and walk into his very first official day preschool.  I am so excited to watch him grow, learn and make friends!  He is such a strong, courageous child and he is no doubt my hero!  So here's to your very first school year, Eli!  I pray the Lord leads you, blesses you and keeps you walking in Truth!  You are an amazing blessing from the Lord!

God is GOOD and we are BLESSED!!!

  “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

Summer and waiting!

Summer is coming to end and most kiddos are back to school this coming week.  I will actually be joining the ranks of parents posting "1st day of ____" pics on FB this week as my little man will be starting preschool with me all by himself this coming week.  I CANNOT even tell you the amount of prayer, work, patience, love, tears and more prayer that it took to get this point, but I think there are some parents out there that can relate (this a whole other post in and of itself or maybe even a whole other blog!)!  Our little man is just that, a little man feisty and cuddly and Jesus loving as can be ...where on Earth did my baby go!!!???

 We were able to take take a breather once we found out our paperwork had been logged in to the CCCWA on August 13th and head down to the Outer Banks for a much needed vacation!  We spent the week simply enjoying our family and giving Eli time with all his grandparents!  He was not lacking in that department at all by the end of the week.  I think we needed to bring an extra Uhal for all the "surprises" Nana brought for him.  Eli did awesome and LOVED LOVED LOVED the water.  He had come so far through the mighty deliverance of Jesus Christ!  We just see all those layers of orphan peel off of him and we are now left with a gorgeous, bubbly spirited boy who loves life and his family and Lightning McQueen!

AJ and I were able to reconnect and have some much needed time out on a date and we spent the evening eating incredible seafood and watching the sun set over the water.  It was just what we needed after a whirl wind of a year so far.  We feel so blessed that we could spend the week both my parents and AJ's parents and have it be just a time of rest, laughter and joy!  What a blessing it is to have such a beautiful family!

So now we are waiting, waiting and waiting for us to catch a glimpse of the child God destined for our family!  It could be any day and I am thankful for the detraction of being a Mom and keeping busy with everyday appointments, play and cuddles! Eli is such a blessing and we could not love that boy more and I am pretty sure his grandparents agree!

 God is Good and We are BLESSED!!!!

 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Psalm 95:2