Gift #530- A Boy's First Visit with Santa

We went to the Tree Lighting ceremony at the Naval Hospital last night.  Bo met Santa for the very first time.  As you can see, he was very excited!  As you also can see, Bo's little brother did not find it quite as exciting.

Gift #529- A Bare-Bottomed Christmas Tree

Having a bare-bottomed Christmas tree is a true blessing because it means that I have a Henry in my house who so proudly and persistently made it that way.

Gift #528- A Cup that Overflows!

It has been so very long since I have written.  Not because I have had nothing to be thankful for.  On the contrary actually!

First of all, I am so thankful for our summer spent on Avery Street.  Avert Street is way more than just a little street in the middle of a little town.  It bears the name of my mother and of my "sweet" little girl.  It is where I learned how to ride a bike and how to drive a car.  It is where I trick-or-treated every Fall and where I hunted eggs every Spring.  It is the site of a little barn-shaped home where I celebrated Valentines day by candlelight and New Years Eve with shotguns!  It is where all roads lead.

I am thankful for a boys first catch and for the memories that he made with his uncle.  Thankful for Bo's first American birthday and for the family that we shared it with.  I'm thankful for the new Commanding Officer of  the VMFA-312 Checkerboards.  Thankful for all that he does for our family. I am thankful for my new home and for its beautiful view- from the inside looking out and the outside looking in.  I am thankful for a big double sink where I can bathe 2 babies at the same time.  Thankful for these kids of mine who have followed their dad and I around the country and across the ocean and back with so much courage and resiliency.  I am thankful to be back at our old church home- thankful that it still feels like home.  Thankful for the new friendships that the big boys have made.  Still so very thankful for the friendships that we have all made along the way. Thankful for weekend visits with grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins.  Im thankful for a Thanksgiving spent with family and for a double oven to warm all of the trimmings.  Im thankful for little boys in hooded jackets, little girls wearing big girl underclothes and sweet little heads in home made Indian headdresses.  Thankful for first earrings, first haircuts, first movies, and first days of school!  Im thankful for 13-year-olds and 2-year-olds and for the crazy joy that they both bring to my days.  THANK-FULL!

Gift #527- An Adventure in China

 Bo and I stayed in China for two weeks to complete the adoption. It was hard being away from the other kids, but I knew that they were well taken care of.  My family and my best girlfriend, Joy, took turns keeping them each day and night.  It was such a blessing.  Bo and I visited the Terra Cotta Warriors in his hometown.  It was a fascinating exhibit. 

Bo went in a swimming pool for the very first time!  He loved it!  No fear.  You have to wear a swim cap in the pools in China.  Bo picked a ladies swim cap and he was so proud to wear it!  ;) 

 We visited the Guangzhou zoo. Bo was so excited to see the "kirin".  Our guide told me that the giraffe is his favorite animal.   

 Bo went on his first-ever plane ride!  He was excited and behaved so well on the trip.  He quickly made friends with the sweet older lady sitting beside him.  he spent much of the time in her lap looking out of the window.

During our days together, I learned that Bo has some very interesting tastes in food.  Not only does he love a chicken leg, but he loves the head and feet too! 

Gift #526- A Heart-Shaped Haircut

Bo's caregiver had his hair cut into the shape of a heart for his "gotcha day".  It was really cute.  He was also wearing a brand new pair of shoes for this special occasion.  He was traveling light- just his clothes and new shoes.  We both left the government building that day exceedingly more rich than when we had entered.

Gift #525- This Face

We were sitting at a government office building waiting for Bo to arrive.  I heard some footsteps in the hall and looked anxiously at the door.  And then, there he was!  I couldn't believe it.  I wanted to run and squeeze him so tight, but I didn't want to scare him.  I stayed in my seat.  His caregiver brought him to me.  He clung to her tightly, but smiled so sweetly.  His caregiver must have told him that I was his mama, because he looked right at me and said "mama".  I got right down on the floor and squeezed him so tight.  I couldn't stop looking at him and touching his little face.  I couldn't believe that this little treasure was mine.  His Papa sent some Matchbox cars for him to play with.  He played with the cars as I completed some paperwork.  He gave his caregivers one final squeeze, and then he was mine.  As I type, I still can't believe how God blessed me on this day.

Gift #524- Friends That Love You All the Way to China and Back

These 2 amazing ladies took time out of their busy lives to meet me in China for Bo's Gotcha Day.  They were such a comforting presence during such an anxiety-filled time. We had a wonderful time together.  We laughed and cried and laughed some more.  This picture was taken as we were waiting for Bo to arrive.  We were all so excited as we waited to see his sweet face for the first time.

Gift #523- A Dream Come True

I took these photos as I was leaving to go get my boy from China!  I was feeling anxious and excited.  It was hard leaving the kids, but I knew that it would just be for a short while and that I would be coming home with a treasure.

Gift #522- Girls Day

Macy had her first pedicure a few weeks back.  We had a great time together.  She giggled as they massaged her feet.  I think that I have created a monster though- she can't wait to go back. 

Gift #521- Hometown Radio Stations

I love being home and being able to listen to my favorite radio station-  92.5 WPAP.  As a kid, we would listen to the Gospel Greats on Sunday morning as we got ready for church.  In the afternoons we would listen to the American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley.  As I was driving to pick up lunch yesterday, Mr. Bob Kingsley was announcing the top 2 songs of the week.  Made me smile!  Happy Memories for sure!

Gift #520- The Rat Pack

Jack and Josh made some very good friends in Iwakuni.  They made some very happy memories together.  We will miss these kids for sure.  Hank and Jack stayed behind in Iwakuni a few weeks to get the house packed up and cleaned.  These are pictures from Jack's farewell.  I might have cried my eyes out when I saw them.  I am so very thankful for the friendships that we have made along the way.