Five Year Anniversary!

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California Vacation

Last week, we had a wonderful family vacation! Yes, all four of us traveled together by plane and we survived! We were unsure if we should bring our giant double stroller with us, but it proved to be AWESOME for transporting two little boys AND their carseats through the airport and to our gate!

As soon as we arrived in Los Angeles, I felt revived by the dry air and cool temperatures. Ahhhh. I had forgotten how beautifully flowers grow there in such profusion. Front yards are works of art!

We stayed with our dear friends Jenn and Dave and their sweet baby Ellie! The boys had a great time and they enjoyed special breakfasts of Mickey pancakes made by Jenn!

The weather was so beautiful, we ate most of our meals outside on their patio.

One day, we drove to Irvine and had lunch with some friends who also have a son from Ethiopia.  The boys had a blast together at the "kids" end of the table!

After lunch, we decided to take a drive to Laguna Beach where we enjoyed "Monkey Flip" milkshakes (chocolate, banana, peanut butter and date) and took in views of the Pacific!

Since this was the boys' very first time to be near an Ocean, we had to take them to the beach!

We drove up to Arcadia one day to visit another Gladney Family, the Scherers! Brian and I met these twins in Ethiopia while they were still in foster care, so it was wonderful to see them again at 2 years old!

On Wednesday, we went to Disneyland! The day started off with a "character breakfast" at the Storyteller's Cafe.

Jeremy's favorite part was driving a car on the Autopia ride.

We went on the Nemo ride.

And of course, the boys got Mickey ears (which Mommy got to wear, too)!!!

Meeting Mickey was Zachary's favorite part. When we left, he said, "Bye-bye, Mickey" in a sweet, tender voice.

Dads with their kids!

On our last full day, Brian got to have lunch with a group of guys he mentored while we lived there. They were in college at the time, and now they are all in their mid-twenties, with jobs, and one of them even has a family now! It was a fun reunion!

It was a great week, full of fun and friendship!

Last Day of Preschool

 Pizza Party!

Jeremy with his teacher Ms. Cinthia.

A Very Happy Mother's Day!

Today has been a really wonderful Mother's Day. Two very well-behaved boys loved on their Mama all day long! Unsolicited hugs, kisses, and "I love you"s were given and this mother was a happy lady!

After church, we went out for lunch at a delicious buffet in our neighborhood. Jeremy really got into his chocolate dipped marshmallows!

My mom (the boys' Nana) was with us, and it was just a great day! I'm so enjoying this season of life, being a mom to my little ones, living near my mom and enjoying regular time together, and seeing my boys' close relationship with Nana, too.

My cup runneth over. It really does, and I feel so aware of it today! Thank You, God for my beautiful family!

Brian gave me a lovely card this morning and when I opened the card, a poem was inside that he wrote for me, which he has given me permission to share here:

Mother's Day 2012

A lifetime of waiting
Delays
Unanswered prayer
Confusion
Still hoping
Still waiting 
and then...


A moment of connection
Warmth
Laughter
over dinner
Bright eyes
A smile that lights up his world
Connection.
and then...


A wedding day
Love
Commitment
Unbridaled joy
Hearts intertwined forever
As husband and wife
and then...


A new season of waiting
Delays unknown
Prayers unrequested but offered
Not knowing that they are sought
Not knowing that someone is looking for them
Someone waiting to bring them home
And then...


A "gotcha" day
A moment of connection
Excitement
Joy
Exhaustion
Tears 
Laughter
Sons and their mother
And then...
A family

The waiting is over

She has entered their lives

Her warmth

Her love

Her laughter

Her prayers

Her smile has lit up their world

Their hearts knit together with hers

Wife and mother, Lover and caregiver

Love and Loyalty for a lifetime.

Thank you, Brian, for making me feel so special. I'm so glad we're on this parenting journey together. You're a wonderful husband to me. xoxo

Fun Reunion!

In 2010, when we traveled to Ethiopia to adopt the boys, we met and became fast friends with another couple who was there adopting their precious daughter. They live in the NYC area, and we have remained in touch and had a couple of post-Ethiopia visits! Little Maya and Zachary were born two weeks apart in the same city, so it has been really special to get them together and see them as they grow!

They have changed so much since last year!

The weather has been fantastic this week, so we've spent a ton of time in our backyard letting the kids swim and play.

My sister made these shirts for the kids, and I couldn't resist a little photo shoot!

And since the kids were in a picture taking mood, we got them dressed in their traditional Ethiopian outfits, and the cuteness was over the top!!! Their skin just glows in that bright white cotton!

Thank you so much, Sarah and Maya, for coming to visit us! Your friendship has become such a special one, and we love you!

Zachary's 2nd Birthday

Dear Zachary,

Today is your second birthday, and you've had a GREAT day! We had a family birthday party at the house with Gramma Jo-Jo, Nana, cousins, aunts and an uncle. There was cake, there were presents, there was swimming, and you enjoyed it all!

I am so proud of you and can't imagine loving you more than I already do. You are a wonderful son, and as happy as I am that you are growing up, I found myself feeling a little sad today, too, because my baby is growing into a little boy. I have truly soaked up your babyhood as much as I possibly can, and I've loved every moment of it. Still, this Mama knows that time marches on and that my baby can't stay a baby forever.

All I can say is I love you forever. You have my heart, and you always will.

Love,
Mama

2 years old!

Wearing a new outfit from Mama's friends, Anne and May.

Jilly who is expecting baby #3 in the fall!

You got a splash pool for your birthday!

The cousins LOVED playing together in the pool!

Brothers!

Blowing out the candle!

Nana giving kisses! 

Cousins Jason and Jeff

Elaine and Jill