My Valentine

I was reading a book to Cheng-Yu today called, A Valentine for Jesus. Standing next to me as I sat on the floor reading about giving your heart to Jesus, he proudly turned the pages as I read. At one point while I was reading, Cheng-Yu just turned his little face toward mine with a big smile.  He leaned in and gave me a sweet little kiss and wrapped his arms around my neck.  Joy exploded in my heart and I felt God's presence and love.  I was once again reminded of the One who sent me this little valentine.

We traveled to Taiwan, our son's birth country, the day after Valentine's Day 2009.  We were united with him just a few days later.  This year on Valentine's Day,  it was very cold and snowing a little bit.  We spent most of the day at home.  Cheng-Yu was sick and napped a lot.  During one of his naps, I watched him as he slept in Scott's arms and it was a beautiful sight.  I slipped outside on the porch to watch the falling snow and I could hear the voice of God in it's whispers.  I felt such peace and my mind wandered back in time to the day we first held Cheng-Yu.  I remember his first nap in my arms.  My heart was full with contentment and all the trying times experienced while waiting for a moment like this vanished so quickly with those sweet sleeping sounds from my son.     

Something More Than Irony

On Friday, 13 2009 we were celebrating Valentine's Day at McConnell Elementary.  Scott and I would be leaving in 2 days to meet our son in Taiwan.  We had just received our invitation to travel on the previous Tuesday and had been frantically preparing ever since.  My fourth grade students had secretly planned a baby shower to be combined with our class Valentine's Day party.  I will always treasure the love, generosity and excitement that I experienced that day. The imminent travel and anticipation of the union with our baby boy combine with the classroom buzz of 4th graders celebrating with me made me bubble over with joy.  

One year later, that Valentine's Day buzz once again flows throughout the classrooms and halls at McConnell Elementary on February 12, 2010.  And again I find myself there to celebrate. This time Valentine's Day is coupled with another celebration.  My niece Madeline has prepared a project on Taiwan for a grade-level culture festival.  Instead of being showered with gifts for my son who was MILES away, we celebrate where he WAS as he frolics and plays among those who shared my joy and anticipation a year ago.  

God has shown me great things...Big & Small.  I am careful in my attempts to recognize his work, but I can't imagine what it would be like if we could see it all.  My limited mind could not handle, nor comprehend, the grandeur of his unfolding plan.

 

 

First Haircut

On our way into the salon

Selecting the perfect cut
Hangin with the Mays

The time has come

Taking a break
Another break

A few tears

All done
Thanks, Anjie!

Happy 18 Months, Cheng-Yu!!!

Cheng-Yu,

I love you so much and can't believe how much you have grown since last February.

The joy you bring to my life cannot be described nor defined with words.  You make 

the ordinary extraordinary.

Mommy

Happy Birthday, Scott!

Last year on Scott's birthday, we weren't shopping for him a gift.  We were shopping for gifts needed for our trip to Taiwan.  It was a difficult task to find just the perfect gifts for such special people in our son's life.  It was a time of packing and preparation...and of course still waiting for "the call".  If only we had known we would leave a couple of weeks later!!!  And of course, Scott's best birthday present EVER came a couple of weeks later too! 

Happy Birthday, my love.  ~Rob  

A year ago

 A year ago today, schools cancelled due to inclement weather.  I was so excited that I could enjoy the day and prepare for a shower that some of my dearest friends had planned for me.  They threw me a travel shower and made sure that I had every last thing on my "baby travel" checklist.  In fact, my very first blog post was also on that day.  Little did I know that we would travel one month later to meet our son in Taiwan.  I guess we got our travel items just in the nick of time. 

The Show MUST Go On!

We went to see ELMO tonight, despite a fever and what we thought was an ear infection.  Our evening with the Freeman family was a grand event.  Cheng-Yu was a trooper and I believe he enjoyed the show even though he was sick.  It was fun to watch the faces on the children in the audience as they watched all the characters dance and sing on stage, but what was even better was to see all the parents as they clapped and sang along during the show.  And we saw it is ALL for the kids---hmmm.