Five. Unbelievable. Today we celebrate another year of blessing with our precious miracles. I always get nostalgic this time of year remembering all the events surrounding their adoption and it still amazes me. I hope I NEVER get over the miracle of it all. I think of the twins' birthmom often but most especially at this time of year. What an amazing gift she gave. Our adoption agency requires us to send an update letter and pictures each year around their birthday and although we have no way of knowing if she chooses to receive this update I cherish the opportunity each year to share with her how they are growing and changing and to remind her of how very VERY blessed we are because of her sacrifice. Hannah and Samuel are getting old enough now to begin to understand the concept of "birthmom" and I love every conversation, every question, every chance to look at pictures, everything about sharing her with them. To GOD be the glory great things HE has done!
As always I will attempt to put down on paper a snapshot of their lives right now.....
Samuel:
Samuel has really matured a lot this year in every way. He hit a growth spurt and although I don't know exactly how much he has grown I know he is definitely taller:) He seems to have a fast metabolism and seems to be hungry ALL the time. Thankfully he is not a particularly picky eater so oftentimes when I'm making dinner I can hand him a fruit or veggie and he will happily chow it down. He is my little buddy especially when I'm cooking (hmmm....wonder why? :) ) and loves to "help" in any way he can. He is still our "drama king" and has trouble with his emotions/self control at times but is making great strides and maturing more and more. He feels everything deeply....sad and happy alike. He is so compassionate toward others and is quick to come to his siblings' defense when they are wronged (this is awesome except when one of them is being disciplined and he is mad at me for disciplining them!) He is such a great kid.
He is proving to be a quick learner with his letters and numbers and was ESPECIALLY proud recently to have learned how to spell his name:) He can count to about 15, recognize numbers 1-9, and knows about 2/3 of his letters by sight. His attention span is getting longer (thank goodness!) and he will sit and work with me on preschool lessons for at least a few minutes!
He would however much rather be playing....particularly outside. He loves to ride his bike and play with any kind of ball. I can already tell he is going to be a sports lover. When we pass by the gym at the YMCA and he sees big boys playing basketbabll he will stop and watch, transfixed and in awe:) He still loves cars and has a huge bucket of matchbox cars that he keeps in his bed every night.
He has his first wiggly tooth and a grown up tooth coming in right behind it so I think it will be out very soon....cannot BELIEVE it's already time for that!!
He still LOVES to go....doesn't matter where he just loves to be in the van or out somewhere. Often his very FIRST question to me in the morning is "where are we going today?" (and then I try not to answer grumpily since I am busy trying to pry my "non morning person" eyes open:)
I can't imagine our family without you in it Samuel.....you are a gift. I love you so much!
Hannah:
Hannah continues to be a little fireball.....SO full of life! She has never met a stranger and I often hear about how friendly she is (and how cute, and how sweet). She is truly a "people person". Her other title around here is "little mama" as she LOVES to "mother" anyone she can....which often means her brothers:) Anytime she gets a chance to be around her younger cousins she is super excited to love on them as well.
She has strong opinions about what she likes/wants/needs and is never afraid to voice them (some days that works out well, some days not so well as you can imagine!) but she is learning more and more about dealing with all those opinions in a way that Jesus would be pleased (ALWAYS our ultimate goal!) It's a work in progress:) (but aren't we all?)
She is still my girliest of girls and is in HEAVEN when she has access to dolls/dress up clothes/make up/lotion.....you name it she loves it if it is "girly". She has quite a collection of dolls and accessories:) And SUCH an imagination....I love to peek in on her when she's playing in her room and hear some of the conversations/scenarios she plays with her barbies. So cute!
Physically she is growing right on track. She is not too picky and will eat most anything we give her.We don't typically "cater" to our children when it comes to food so she, as they all do, either chooses to eat what is placed in front of her or chooses to wait until the next meal:) (cruel, aren't we? :) Her asthma seems to be less of a problem than ever this year (SO thankful!) and there have only been a very few times where she has gotten sick and needed her nebulizer for a few days.
She is not very interested yet in formal "learning"....she will cooperate with preschool activities (especially if they involve a craft) for a little while but would MUCH rather be off playing with her barbies. She knows a few of her letters on sight and can count to around 12 or so. She will get there:)
Hannah I am SO blessed to be your mama.....you are going to take the world by storm my sweet girl:)
God, You are so good and we are so undeserving. Please use us despite our failures and shortcomings...help us to be worthy of the calling you have placed on us to raise these beautiful children. We are forever grateful......
Comments