SOOOO BIG!

I can hardly believe how big Benicio looks standing-yes, you read that right-standing here playing with his new music table! My baby suddenly looks a lot like a toddler-a very small toddler, but a toddler nonetheless. He is such a miracle, and we are so blessed by having him in our lives. Here are a few pics of his newest accomplishments:

Ben standing at his play table.

Ben figuring out how to turn the page on this "book" while standing at his play table.

Ben putting himself to sleep on the carpet after a hard day of standing up! One minute he was standing there playing, the next he was lying on the carpet asleep! Too cute for words!

One year ago....

Ariana Maria Nohemi

September 26, 2007 to January 7, 2008

One year ago today was the day we first met our daughter in the lobby of the Grand Tikal in Guatemala City. It was one of the happiest days of my life. Today, I remember her with love, laughter, and tears. I love you, sweet Ariana, and Mommy will never, ever forget you. Someday when we all meet again in Heaven, I can't wait to introduce you to your baby brother, Ben.

FFF-Merry Christmas

My friend's son and my niece, Belle, as Mary and Joseph in the living nativity at church.

Santa Ben and his new Curious George book.

This week's theme for FFF is Merry Christmas. With that theme, I had to include the picture of my niece as Mary. Have you ever seen anything more adorable than little ones celebrating the true meaning of Christmas? Belle absolutely "gets" what Christmas is about. She can even tell you that it is "not Jesus' birthday, just the day we CELEBRATE Jesus' birthday because the Bible doesn't say which month to do it." That girl is too smart!

Of course, no FFF post can be complete without including Ben! He was funny opening presents at my mom's house. He was wondering why I took away every new toy or book as soon as he opened it and handed him another package instead!

For more FFF, go to Sarah's blog: http://www.kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com

Dress up!

Most people I know who have a little boy always say it is hard to find cute boy clothes and how much more fun it is to shop for a little girl. They must be shopping in the wrong stores because I've had a blast picking out all sorts of fun clothes for Ben! Plus, almost everything I see in the girl's section is pink and I really don't like pink, so I definitely think the boy clothes are cuter! And don't even get me started on shoes and hats! I'll have to do a post just to show off all of those because he has so many. My sister says she thinks I have a problem when it comes to shoes and hats!

My nephews tell me I should enjoy dressing Ben in all of these "preppy clothes" now because there's no way I'll be getting him into a sweater vest in a few years:-) They're probably right since they used to let me dress them when they were little but not any more! So, while he still lets me, I'm going to enjoy dressing up my little boy as much as any other Momma loves dressing her little girl!

Fave Foto Friday

Santa Ben chewing on one of his many gifts!

Since Will is going to be out of town for Christmas this year, Santa came early to our house. He brought Ben all sorts of things he liked-boxes, wrapping paper, bows... Oh, and a few actual gifts too. I love that Ben is eating the package and totally unconcerned with what is inside

Ben and Daddy..err...I mean Santa!

The Santa in this picture just happens to be Ben's very own Daddy! I love the way Ben is just starign at Santa like he is the most interesting thing he has ever seen! Of course, what the picture doesn't show is Ben trying to pull Santa's glasses and beard off about two seconds later!

8 months old already!

I can hardly believe that my sweet baby boy is already 8 months old! It seems so impossible that he has been with us that long already, and yet even more impossible that I haven't known him always. He is such a part of us now that it is hard to imagine that we ever lived without him. Every day I am in awe of this miracle child, this answer to prayers, this blessing I could never have deserved. No words could ever express how much I thank God for this amazing child.

Lord,

Thank You from the very core of my being for allowing me the privilege of calling this child my son. You knew my needs and desires even before I did, and you have fulfilled them all with this precious gift. You held me in your arms in my darkest hour, and now you raise me up in joy with all that You have done for us. Your love and mercy is unfathomable to me. I thank You again for the countless blessings You have granted us.

Amen

Remembering

As most of you know, the adoption community was dealt a great loss last week when the Azhderian family lost their sweet, beautiful daughter, Josi, to a violent home invasion. (You can read their story, and donate to help offset the financial burden of their adoption at www.azhderianfamily.blogspot.com). I know how horrible it is to lose a child, but I cannot imagine how her family must be feeling in light of what happened to sweet Josi. Please lift them, and her family in Guatemala, up in prayer.

After hearing Josi's story, I cannot help but remember those dark and lonely days right after our sweet Ariana died. I can only imagine that the Azhderians are feeling even worse right now. My prayer for them is that they are able someday very soon to see through the darkness and pain and find those quiet whispers that will give them hope and peace. I know that the "what-ifs" and the "should have's" are plentiful-I remember a million if onlys-if only I had stayed a few more days, if only we had called a doctor about her runny nose, if only, if only, if only. I nearly drove myself crazy with those. I pray that Josi's family will somehow work their way through all of those and find peace. Please pray for the peace that passes all understanding to rest upon them.

I ask also at this time of year that you remember Ariana's foster family, her birthmom, and us in your prayers as we draw near to the anniversary of when we met her and of her death. Memories are bittersweet and come often at unexpected moments. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

FFF-Pics of the boys!

We just had these pictures done the day before Thanksgiving. I love how big Ben looks in the pictures by himself and how tiny he looks compared to Tony and Drew! My life is just so full of blessings! Just 5 short years ago, Will and despaired of ever having a family. Now look at the abundance of boys that God has given us! They didn't come to us in the way we expected, or at the time we expected, but still they are perfect for us in every way! I guess it really is true that the biggest rainbows come after the most violent storms. We suffered a lot of loss to get here, but boy is the rainbow brighter than we ever could have dreamed.

For more FFF's, go to Sarah's blog: http://www.kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com

Wordless Wednesday-What a bunch of cuties!