Happy Birthday Little Man

So todays memorable moment of joy is kind of cheating, for this is not a joy from just this last year.

Four years ago today (okay maybe not actually today, but that is beside the point) my little man was born. I did not get the pleasure of feeling him kick me during a pregnancy, or getting to hold him just after he was born, but I get the joy of seeing him grow everyday. Last night as we drove home discussing his birthday he said to me...
 "when I was a baby I was looking for a momma and I chose you and you are perfect. You came on a plane for a long time and got me. And now momma I want to be with you forever."

I may make a lot of mistakes as a mom, but I must be doing more right than wrong for him to say that. He is right, we were chosen for each other and it is perfect.

Moments of Joy- Day 3

Little Man started school. This was a bittersweet moment, it meant he was leaving the only person I had trusted to care for him day to day since he came home and starting school. He was growing into my big boy. Although, as evidenced by the size of the backpack on him, he is still my little man. He was very excited to go and actually transitioned very well. This school continues to be a blessing to me as they now care for my child everyday. His teachers are wonderful and keep me up to date on how he is doing. It has been fun to see the growth he has gone through since starting school.

The tongue of concentration is often present! He was putting his backpack on by "myself mommy"

Big backpack, little big boy

Excited to start school.

Moments of Joy this year

Taking the time to remember the moments that brought me such great joy this year:

Getting to take Little Man to California to visit family, some he had met before and some he had never seen. I got to see my niece who I had not seen in years and meet new family members. Seeing the cousins play!

Watching Little Man "love" on the baby that was yet to join our family.

These moments are the ones that I cherish from the year.

Gotta to be different

Well lots of people posted their days of thanks during November, since it is the month of Thanksgiving. But I was late on getting started and actually wanted to take December and remember all the wonderful things from this year as it comes to a close. Not sure I will get on here to do it daily but I am going to try. So here is day 1 of things I am grateful for this year:

This year I got to travel down to Alabama (twice) and see some very dear friends. It was nice to reconnect with friends I had not seen in a while and to introduce Little Man to my friends and my passion for space. Space Camp and Alabama were a huge part of my life for many years and I am so glad that despite my absence in recent years those friendships have withstood the test of time. It was fun to laugh and visit and remember the love and acceptance that always came from this "family".

Hanging with Ruth Marie 

Excited

Making new friends with Stan

Play time with Sophia and her girls

The second trip down to Alabama allowed me to see some friends from Canada and introduce Little Man to some "aunties". These women have been a great source of strength for me. They were some of the first people I told about my plans to adopt almost 4 years ago and this was their first time getting to meet him face to face. I wish we had had more time, but I am so glad for the time I got with them. 

Learning from Mr Chris

Getting a Canada tatoo, provided by Auntie Cheryl and applied by Auntie Lynn

Story time with Ruth Marie

Friendships new and old are wonderful. I am so glad I took the time to renew the old friendships and bring them into my child's life. We are blessed by these people.