One Year Ago Today

One year ago today... When we arrived at the Tokmok baby house, Matthew was waiting outside with the woman pictured here. As we stepped out of our car she helped him wave to us. This picture shows the first time I held him.

Tim's first picture with his son.
This one has been on the blog before, but this was our first family photo. We set our camera up on the desk in our hotel room and amazingly the flash "light show" must have been amusing enough to make Matthew smile a bit. We'll treasure these photos and memories forever.'

I can hardly believe that a year has passed. Matthew may have come from the other side of the earth, but he could not be closer to our hearts now. I'm amazed at God's goodness and His perfect plan for our lives. He choose Matthew for us, us for him, and created a family. We will be forever grateful. Psalm 66:1-3 "Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious.Say to God, 'How awesome are your works!...'"

We'll be celebrating Matthew's "homecoming day" later when Tim comes home from work today. More photos to come...

Cedar Point

Well, keeping with the theme of "two months ago"... Tim's company generously sends their employees to Cedar Point for a day in May. Our day happened to be cold and rainy, but that wasn't going to stop us from enjoying it! :) Matthew enjoyed the rides, and if he wasn't making this silly face...

he was doing this funny thing with his tongue sticking out. I guess rides bring out all kind of funny faces.

We cruised the kiddie areas with friends from Tim's work - Steve, Michelle, and Stephen. And apparently, I'm just as much a kid as I ever was... riding all the little rides! Here are Matthew and Stephen taking me for a wild jeep ride.

Matthew really liked riding the carousel. The horses went up and down, which made it more exciting.

Matthew's first rocket ride!

And soon he was so tired that he fell sound asleep - even in the midst of a noisy arcade. Steve and Michelle graciously watched "sleeping cutie," so Tim and I could get a few rides in too! :)

Birthday Video

Hey Everyone!
Matthew's birthday was almost 2 months ago now, but we were recently given this cute video made by his "Pop-pop" (aka - his "grandpa L."). This is from Matthew's birthday party which took place a few days after his 2nd birthday on Mother's Day weekend. Just for clarification... Matthew refers to both of his grandmas as "Nana." He calls Grandpa L. "Pop-pop" and Grandpa M. "Uh-oh." (This name came out of several games of catch. When Matthew threw the ball to the side, Grandpa M. would say "Uh-oh!" which became one of Matthew's first words and the name he still calls my dad!) Anyway, I hope this post finds you all doing well and enjoying summer!! Here's the video - enjoy...

A Week at the Beach

Our week at the beach got off to a bit of a rocky start. On the trip down to Tybee Island, GA, Matthew started to cough and sound weezy. We had packed the nebulizer so once we got to Tybee we pulled out the Nebi and started giving Matthew treatments. Matthew's health contined to get worse so we took a trip to a Savannah E.R. What fun!! After several hours in the E.R. X-Rays showed Matthew to be in the early stages on pneumonia. So we got some prescriptions and headed back to house. He is doing better now and we have been to the beach several times since.

Matthew did not enjoy his time in the E.R. He recognizes a doctor at first glance and bursts into tears.

Packed and ready to roll to the beach in my new ride.

Matthew didn't venture too far from Mom or Dad. The waves and wind were a little intimidating.

Matthew and Jagger enjoy playing in the sand

After a long day at the beach Matthew was ready to relax and go to sleep.

TWO!!

Wednesday, May 7th was Matthew's big day! He turned two!! As sad as I am to see my baby becoming more of a toddler/little boy, I am glad to be mostly done referring to his age in months. (The months change so fast, and you know me - I'm always behind!) You wouldn't know it from these pictures, but it is becoming increasingly harder to get Matthew to smile in pictures and we have definitely experienced some two-year-old fits recently too. We are experiencing the joys and frustrations of parenting a two-year-old, and through it all we continue to thank God for the amazing gift of Matthew!

"Hmm, somebody has been playing with my crayons!"
Getting ready to blow out my candles!

Of course, Matthew licks all the frosting off his cake before eating it. How else would you do it?

Look at all the cool stuff!! Gifts from mom, dad, and Matthew's Michigan aunts, uncles, and cousins. Much fun ahead!!

Birthday Suprise!

On Sunday, May 4th, our life group friends from church amazed all three of us with the most wonderful birthday suprise ever. Since I'm in charge of birthdays for our life group, I had made cupcakes to celebrate the May birthdays in the group, but little did I know that our friends had such a wonderful suprise up their sleeves. We were taken totally off guard. I'm still in awe every time I think of it - I keep saying it, but it was SUCH a wonderful suprise. It was a special way to celebrate Matthew, and we, as the proud parents of the little guy, will not soon forget such kindness. Jenn made the most adorable teddy bear cake - is she talented or what?
We picked up our jaws to smile for a family photo.
If delicious cake wasn't enough, look at this HUGE present too!!
It's a sand and water play table, and Matthew knows just how to put it together!
Whoa! Dad's tools make cool noises!
"I got my pajamas on, but I just can't sleep 'till I try out my new toy!!"
Splashing is so much fun!! And from the looks of it, there is much more fun to come throughout the summer!

Lets Go Cavs!!

Kim, Matthew, and I had the opportunity to go to the Cavs first playoff game today. We were in the suite that Hyland has so Matthew was able to wander around and keep occupied. They handed out yellow shirts to everyone that came to the game hence Kim and I's yellow "Rise Up" shirts. The Cavs won and we think Matthew enjoyed his first Cavs game.



It was a packed house at the "Q" and at times looked like a sea of yellow.