Happy Birthday Elijah!

Well, we just finished all the celebrations for Elijah's second birthday. But if you ask him, he's "free", as in three. Where does he get that? I have no idea. But it's cute in any case.
Elijah woke up on January 7th to his mommy and daddy singing "Happy Birthday" to him. He was wide eyed and gave us big hugs right from his crib. As he walked his way down the hall and into the dining room, he squealed with excitement and said "balloons!!!" I had changed the house over Tuesday night after Elijah went to sleep from Christmas to Birthday, and boy was he surprised! It's amazing what a few balloons and Happy Birthday signs can do to a house. He had his favorite breakfast, a blueberry muffin and yogurt (which he calls "ga-go"). Then he got to spend the day with daddy. I made him his favorite dinner, Mac & Cheese, and he blew out the candle on his "happy cake". He's been asking for his happy cake ever since that day! David and I got him a soccer goal and basketball hoop (indoor friendly) and he was thrilled. He loves to kick a soccer ball around the house and I can't wait until we can actually play outside. It was a lovely day. I'll have to post some photos of it another time.
Today, I am posting this photo because these were the pj's Elijah was wearing last night for bed. He got them as a birthday present and he insisted on putting them on that night. As you can see, his cousin Nathan also has similar pj's he also wanted to wear this sam night. These two boys are so funny together. Anyway, this morning, I went to get him and found him in his birthday suite! He was so proud of himself. I am grateful he at least kept his diaper on. :) He looked up at me and when I asked him what happened, he told me "mommy, I'm nakey!" That little goof! I thought, well no kidding! Oh goodness.
Well, that's all for now. I've got to have some time to post more but thought I would fill you in on this for now. I love that boy and am overwhelmed with blessings by my family! God is good.
Love you all!

A really strong message about dying and living!!!

This is a video clip about Tony Groves, a man who passed away this past year. He gives a beautiful account of how Jesus is everything. He was a member at Harvest Bible Chapel. Check it out. The video on the next post is his wife later in the year

A message of peace and trust in the Lord from Harvest Bible Chapel

Advent - Peace from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.
Here's a video from Harvest Bible Chapel about the Christmas Season. Michelle, the woman in the video, just lost her husband Tony. She talks about how the Lord gave her peace through it all. Check it out, it is really touching.

Elijah's Adoption is Finally Complete!

"...and it is so."
The judge and Elijah swung the gavel and his adoption was complete on Tuesday, December 16th. We couldn't be more excited to have all the paperwork wrapped up and behind us. Elijah was always "ours" on a federal level, this court appointment makes it possible to obtain a state of WI birth certificate for Elijah with our names as birth parents on it. How exciting! This process has taken a lot longer than it normal. We will use a different local agency (NOT America World, they were wonderful!!) for our next adoption. However, that won't be for another year or so. :) We're enjoying every minute with Elijah, even as we approach the "trying twos".

These days, Elijah is testing every boarder physically and verbally. Discipline has been dealt out with tears in our eyes (mine and David's), clinging to the promise to "Train up a child in the way he should go... he will not depart from it" Proverbs 22:3. I am really enjoying the encouragement from the Entrusted with a Child's Heart class I'm taking through church. What a blessing to be with other moms each week as we strive to be Godly parents.

Elijah is mostly a wonderful little guy. Some of the fun things he has said and done are mostly in the car. David and I will either be deep in thought or in light conversation when we hear coming from behind us "ELIJAAAAH!!" slight pause then "ELIJAAAAH DUUUUUDAAAAAAA!" Followed by "Dixie Duda", "Daddy Duda", "Mommy Duda". Or while holding on to his Pooh bear, we'll randomly hear him yell "NNNOOOOO! NNOOOOO Pooh, no bite me!!" Where does he get this stuff?? I have no idea. Pooh is then given a talking to with discipline. Oh my goodness.... what else will this little man come up with?

Christmas was wonderful. Elijah slept in (our gift) until 8A! That is short of a miracle for him. Then we gave him our gifts. Each year, we decided to give him (and children to come) three gifts on Christmas morning from us. This year, Elijah received a magna-doodle, a movie and a guitar (just like daddy's). Each were a hit! He's already done a few rounds of Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star, his ABC's, and I'm pretty sure he's catching on to the tune of Jesus Loves Me. He also will randomly sing Hallelujah. I still can't decide which song he's singing. :)

We are praising God for Jamie's surgery (David's sister) going well earlier in the week and that she is already home! We're looking forward to having Jude this weekend, to give Jamie some much needed rest.

We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas. I pray each and everyone of you had a blessed Christmas!

This is what Daddy and Mommy have planned for Elijah's second b-day

DisneyWorld was a BLAST!!!

Well, we are back from our family trip to Walt Disney World. It was so much fun to go with our little guy to the House of Mouse. He got so much more than Amanda or I thought he would. I know he probably won't remember it, but Amanda and I will. He is obsessed with telling us how naughty pirate are. Also, he's still mad that at Donald Duck for stealing Mickey's Hat in "Mickey's Philharmagic" attraction at the Magic Kingdom. We rode lots of kiddie rides and had a blast. And the most amazing thing was that I rode the tea cups with my son. I said I would never ride them. But you do crazy things for the ones you love. It was a great trip and we can't wait to, Lord willing, take him when he gets older. As with every family trip, it always has to come to an end. Back to the snow and cold of Wisconsin in winter. Praise God for the blessing of being able to go in the first-place.
So this is Elijah after telling Donald he was naughty for stealing Mickey's hat. Of course then Donald got a hug and kiss afterwards.
Here's Elijah hanging out with his buddy Mickey Mouse. Took three times for them to be really cool together. Elijah loves Mickey now.
These are a couple of ladies Elijah met in Animal Kingdom who are from South Africa. He seems to be a real ladie's man. Elijah was playing instruments and dancing with them for a LONG time...
Here are Peter and Bryony, our cousins from England. We got to hang out at Epcot one night together. Elijah had a great time walking around with them. Wish we could see them more often.
Here's Elijah and Daddy enjoying one of our many slushes together from the trip.
Mommy and Elijah riding the carousel together. He LOVES the carousel
Elijah after witnessing Donald steal the "hat" from Mickey. He seems to like the Donald merchandise though, hey?

Fall Festivities!

We had so much fun at our Fall Fest at church as well as a fun family day together. Here are a few updated photos of our (not so little) boy!

We finally received our paperwork needed from our social worker to request a court date to finalize Elijah's adoption with the state of WI. I am so excited to be doing that today and hope we can get a court date quickly!

Well, it's one week from today and we are on our way to Disney World!