Together

today is another anniversary day.

our anniversary.

the day our family officially started.

when you and I became we.

the beginning of our journey through life.

together.

we've had our ups and downs.

we've laughed together.

we've cried together.

we've been through numerous losses.

but we've also been given a miracle.

we've grown stronger.

we've become parents.

here's to us.

happy 8th anniversary, honey.

it's been amazing.

i love you.

Boys and their Toys

the weekend after our Gotcha Day, we went to a local park where they were having touch-a-truck day. both my boys had such a great time and i loved watching them as they enjoyed the various-sized tractors.

we went from big...

to bigger...

to biggest!!

look how tiny he is in that wheelwell!

close-up to see how happy he was...look at that grin!

in the driver's seat.

daddy was really wanting to try it out too!

very cool dude

this park also has a small animal farm/petting zoo area which was open for the kids.

watching the fish in the pond

this big tom turkey was strutting his stuff...no fingers near the cage, Boo!

pretty coloring

heading back to the car, there is a hill that the kids sled down during the winter.

it was perfect at this time of year, though, to walk up and run down with daddy!

our Picasso.

have you ever used chalk after it's been rained on?

it's a gunky mess, but oh so much fun!!

Gotcha Day anniversary weekend

two years.  wow.  wow.

on may 27, we celebrated 2 years of being a family of three.

the time has flown.

but when we look back at all the pictures and video we took from our 5 days in korea, it feels like it hasn't been all that long ago.

we celebrated this year by doing some things that are very near and dear to Boo's heart...

riding a train and watching race cars!

we went to a nearby town where we took a ride on a diesel train (the "steamie" wasn't running that day).

someone was in 7th heaven!!!

here's my ticket! let's go!

found the exact seat he wanted...

look at that grin.  love.  love.  love.

so excited for the train to start

the train went downtown and dropped us off. we ate lunch and walked around for a while before heading back to the train depot to catch the return train.

here comes the train!

i love the way Boo waves, just moving his fingers.

so sweet.  just like my boy.

on the way back, we rode in the cupola (the roof look-out) in the caboose.

the whistle was also at the caboose and got a little loud for our boy.

but he still had a great time.  whee!!

one of the few naps he's taken since the transition to the big boy bed.

full morning of train riding will do that to a boy.

had a few people over for celebratory dinner and dessert that night.

trying on his cousin's sunglasses.

cool, dude.

just thought this was a cute picture.

haha!  this is how mommy wears her sunglasses a lot.

on that sunday, we Boo watched the indy 500.
(okay, so mommy and daddy were sitting there too, but not glued to the TV like he was!)
daddy was able to catch a picture of one of the spin-outs.
Boo was enthralled.
this kid loves race cars.
guess the only thing that could have made the weekend better for him would have been actually going to the race!!
someday, my sweet boy.

what a great weekend we had.

we have come so far in two years.

looking forward to many more years of watching this little guy as he grows up.

we are so very lucky to have him as our son.

mwah!!  love you, Boo, forever and ever and always.

Gardening Jockey

A few weeks ago, Boo and I took an overnight trip to visit my parents.  Other than the chance to visit with them, the impetus for this visit was a reptile exhibit at my dad's Rotary meeting.  Boo had a good time and was interested in most of the animals the guys brought out.  Didn't get too many pictures because I was sitting with him, but here is one of the small snake he had:

The guy also had a large snake that he allowed the kids to touch and Boo was a brave boy with both of these snakes...one finger, one touch.

Doing some balance work with Grandma's help.

Grandma bought this horse last year at a garage sale when she was visiting us.  This is the first time they've been able to bring it out for one of their grandchildren and Boo had a great time on it!

I think Boo is really going to like gardening, which he gets from both of his grandmothers!  His mom, well, she has a hard time keeping many plants alive.  He has actually reminded me, on occasion, that we need to water the grass seed Daddy planted!  What a kid.

This is from our house a couple months ago.  I was waiting for him to turn the hose on Chris!

Helping Grandma sweep the sidewalk.

Going to refill the watering can.

"I can do it myself!"

On his own...doin' good, son!

Supervising Grandma's watering technique.

Thanks for a good time, Grandma and Grandpa!

She wanted to go outside!

Boo has really taken recently to helping us let the dogs in and out of the backyard.

Even when they don't want to go.

He gives a little helping hand...

Or a pull and a shove...

Poor Lexi.

I'm a lucky woman!

Tonight, when Boo was laying in his bed getting ready to go to sleep, he grabbed my arm and hugged it tight to his chest, closed his eyes, and whispered oh, so gently:

"I love my mama."

You know, it was almost more than I could do to keep the tears from flowing down my face.  What a sweet, sweet boy.  And he's mine.  THIS is worth everything.  THIS is what I longed for two years ago when we boarded that plane.  I am so very fortunate.  I love my life!

2

Two years ago, we boarded a big blue plane to go halfway around the world and pick up the most special little boy in the whole world!

The best. trip. ever.

Can't believe it's been two years already.

Wow.