I can swim in the dog's water bowl, right?!

Picture perfect Sunday

Random thoughts

• Well, sorry that it has been so long, life has been really busy now that school is in full swing.

• School seems to be going well, both kids have amazing teachers!

• We have been very busy this fall and have been loving most of the busyness!

• We are STILL vehicle shopping- most of you know Joel, he has to find that good deal!!

• Joel is still working 50-60 hour weeks, it makes for one tired daddy, but he is still managing to get time in with the kids, nothing else though. I'm so thankful that he chooses the kids over other things.

• Joel got Dane's "D" tattooed on his back last week, now he has all the kid's initials.

• Sadly, Joel's grandpa past away a couple weeks ago. He died of a broken heart. He was Joel's hero and the best grandpa ever- he is truly missed.

• We had an AMAZING summer!

• We received an email from Danes foster mom 2 days ago. I became very emotional as I read the words that she wrote. It left me feeling forever grateful for this wonderful woman (and family) who cares so deeply for our son and our family. I am so happy to have her words on paper to share with Dane someday. I am so happy to have contact with her. She even wrote that she prays for us...I can not even begin to describe what that email meant to me.

• Joel and I have finally had a chance to process our trip to Korea, we miss Korea so much already-we are forever changed for the better.

• Dane is walking in public!!! He started walking about a month ago, but only at home, 2 weeks ago he started walking in public! He has also cut 8 teeth since we have been home.

• I will try to post new pictures soon, for some reason I am having trouble tonight.

• I think that's it. Good night!

• Oh, I love my family and my life. It is busy, messy, and really hard sometimes, but I love it and I am blessed!!

Wordless Wednesday

My 2 girls and the neighbor girls selling "snow globes" -sand and water in empty water bottles. I love their creativity!


Duck Lake Channel- beach fun!

Camping in the backyard

David jumping

Alivia

Alaina and Dane

One of Dane's favorite things - getting to drive the jeep!

Home 6 weeks!

Things are beginning to feel a bit more normal! Dane is still clingy and definitely prefers to be with me but he is beginning to settle in and show us who he really is! He, by the way, is really sweet, all boy and quite the little ham! He loves the water and watermelon. He would live on watermelon if I let him. Our other kids are beginning to finally enjoy his company! David and Dane have a unique relationship, it is really hard to explain, or even put my finger on how it is so special, but they adore each other - I really hope it lasts forever!

As most of you know Dane has not been to fond of Joel (DH) but that is really starting to change! I have seen Dane start to reach for him and even cry when Joel leaves the room! Sounds so funny, but that made me so happy when he cried for Joel! They both have really struggled with the transition but over the past week or so Dane has slowly been melting Joel's heart! How could you not love that little guy!

We have slowly started introducing him to some of our family and friends. It seems to be going OK.

We do have our set backs some days, but over all things are getting better and better everyday! This journey has been amazing! We have learned so much about ourselves and have gained so much! I would not trade any of this for anything! We are so blessed!

~Becca

Doggy kisses! Mya is not that bad after all!

Life at home (picture heavy)

I am hoping to update more soon. I have been so busy during the day and my need for sleep has me in bed soon after the kids. But here are a few of my favorite pictures!

Helping Daddy fix the dishwasher

Brothers

Dane's 1st Birthday! Saturday, July 24th

It was Saturday the big day! We had been home only 4 full days. For the past 6 months I desperately wanted my son home so I could share this day with him, but that day was turning out to be awful (and I mean that very lovingly). My husband and I were emotionally spent and physically exhausted. Alaina had been crying on and off because Dane did not like her and Alivia was wondering when he was going back to "Korea's house", she was tired of him crying! Dane was miserable too. He had spent the night before crying for his Omma (foster mom). He was exhausted and crabby from being up all night. I found myself feeling guilty - aren't first birthday's supposed to be happy? I was wishing that Dane could be happy. I almost wished he could be back with his foster mom and family so he could enjoy his special day. Wishing, maybe that we could have brought him home after his birthday. My heart was aching for Dane's foster mom and family and also for his birth mom and family; what were they thinking and feeling, did their hearts ache like mine?
The evening proved to be better. Joel's brother and family had stopped by to bring dinner and a gift for Dane. Somehow that was just what we all needed. I think Dane could sense the tension lifting and he began to smile, I was feeling emotionally recharged. Seeing him smiling and enjoying the kids brought joy to my heart. The older kids were enjoying playing with their cousins too.
After dinner we whispered the Happy Birthday song to him so we would not scare him. I had ordered a cake and it turned out amazing, it was really good too! Dane seemed to really enjoy it after we were able to get him to take a bite. After cake we opened his presents and he really got into that! One of the gifts we had gotten him was a Cozy Coupe car. Oh, how he loved that! He had a great time helping Daddy put it together too! We were really surprised that he tolerated the noise of a pounding hammer, as he is not a fan of loud noises, he even tried to help hammer too!
After Dane had his bath and a few rides in his Cozy Coupe, I was feeling so much better! I felt incredible blessed to be this little boy's mommy. I was indeed blessed to spend this day with him. In fact, it was a honor to spend his 1st birthday with him! I love you sweet Dane, more than words can say!