Christmas Town USA

On Monday night we made our annual trek to McAdenville, also known as Christmas Town USA. Leah and baby Kinsley came with us, along with Leah's brothers, Caleb and Clay. They didn't last long, Kinsley had other ideas about the way things should be! On the way home, we stopped to eat at The Dragon Buffet, making this our tradition for three years running. When we were coming out, I had a flashback to last year, calling Mom to let her know where we were. We always had to let her know when we were out and about so she would be sure to worry about us!!! I surely do miss my parents, but I know they are rejoicing with Jesus---their first Christmas in Heaven!

They came from afar bearing gifts....

Yesterday was our Christmas visit with Stephen's birth family. They had to come from three different parts of NC ranging from 2-5 hours, and they came with gifts! One rather LARGE gift, one that was very well received by the boys....

Wait for it....wait for it....

 

Surprise!!!!!!!!

 

It's a TRAMPOLINE!

N and her Dad "Grandpa S" hint: Stephen is named after him....

Let the fun begin!!!

Silas was the MAN...he pulled and tugged and got most of the springs in by himself!

First jump....didn't want to wait on the net to be put on....

More jumping fun to be had....

Thanks Grandma B!!

N with her gift the boys picked out....a UNC Tarheels pillow pet! WIth a house full of Duke Blue Devil fans, this was a VERY big sacrifice to even purchase....when Scott paid for it, he said he was like Superman buying Kryptonite! Ha!! He is SO funny, isn't he? N loved it, so it was all worth it!

It was well after dark when they finished installing the net and it looks like it's going to be a rainy day today, so I will have to add pictures of the finished product later! The boys are going to have a ball....

"What does Blood-related mean Momma?"

We went to celebrate Christmas with Silas' birth family today. I remember how nervous we were the first time we met them 10 Christmases ago. We were SO nervous and had no idea how we would be received. We were at the beginning of our open adoption relationship with R, and she wanted us to meet her extended family on her father's side. There were grandparents, aunts, uncles, and lots of cousins. They welcomed us with open arms, but I'm sure somewhat warily. I've never asked them, but I wonder if they were scared too. How would this work? Could it work? What would it be like for two moms of the same baby to be in the same room and how would we handle the scrutiny of a large family? I felt like I was on display, my every interaction with R and R with Silas watched by her family. Even though that is how I felt, I have no idea if it was really what happened. It was an emotional time for sure, but we got through it. We have not missed a Christmas since. They love us. We love them. We are invested in each others lives, even if we only see them a couple of times a year.

So back to the question. On the way home Silas asked Stephen if he knew how many brothers he has, and also did he know that he has a sister too. "Well", I said, "not exactly." Scott and I began to explain about biology and blood relations. You know, the technical scientific stuff. The boys know all about their birth moms, who belongs to who, I mean we talk about adoption on a fairly regular basis around here! I know that it is hard for their minds to make sense of it all. I know R has had the same kind of conversation with her step daughter about Silas not technically being her brother as he is to T and S.

The boys getting ready for presents!

Great Grandma M, Great Uncle R, and cousins!

Great Aunt T knows Silas quite well...and his love of all things John Deere!

The kids are the center of attention!

 S rocking her new Dora shoes!

 Cornhole competition was fierce!

 R and S

 The brothers fishing together

 ...and throwing rocks together!

 The siblings....I could NOT get the three of them to look at the same time!

R with her 3 babies!

So.... after all that, we just told them that your family includes all of those you love and who love you back. We are so privileged that we have been so warmly received and counted as family by those that WE are not "blood-related" to!!!!

This post also serves as a contribution to Open Adoption Roundtable HERE!

The Boys' new room!

The boys have a newly renovated room! It took a week of hard work, but we made it! Their choice of color was Duke blue. I have to say I like the IDEA of painting, but when it comes to actually doing it, I don't quite like it. I was good until about half way through, then I was ready to be DONE! Then we had to put together the beds. Silas is such a great little carpenter. I interpreted the instructions and he did all the screwdriver work. It took MANY hours to do, but the end result was worth it, and they are happy. Stephen didn't get a headboard because it wouldn't fit on his side of the room. He was SUPER happy with his Mario bedding---he is somewhat obsessed with that little Italian guy! Silas was stressing because his bedding came after Stephen, but it did finally come. I'm glad that they now have their own beds, the bunk bed was a challenge because they because they wound up on the bottom double together. Nothing like fighting boys at bedtime! Here's to less stress....or NOT!

Happy 5th Birthday Stephen!!

Our baby is 5 today! We had his birthday at a local bowling alley today. For some reason that was what he picked months ago, even though the only bowling he has ever done has been on Wii!

I'm not sure WHAT this look is for??!!

Stephen, you are five years old now! We can hardly believe it! It seems like just a short time ago we brought you home from the hospital. You are growing by leaps and bounds. You have such a kind and tender heart. When one of us is sick, you say "Poor Momma" or "Poor Silas". You sing along to the Christian songs we listen to in the car, and you watch way too much TV and play too much Wii. You can pretty much quote every product pitch you hear--at Costco the other day you saw the Oxi Clean and said "Gets the tough stains out!" I think you may grow up to be a great product spokesperson! You love people so much, especially girls! You don't really like to sit and do any kind of school work, but when you do slow down, you soak a lot in, more than I think we can imagine. Silas says you have two brains in your head because you can remember more than he can! Stephen, we are so happy that we were chosen to be your parents...we can't imagine life without you!

CAS Family Day, November 12th

The Adoption Agency that we used for Stephen has two Family Fun days each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. We love to go to them and enjoy the time we can spend doing fun things. The fall event has been in Denton, NC for the last couple of years at Camp Walter Johnson. The boys look forward to it weeks ahead of time, and we were blessed with great weather that day. My favorite part is connecting with all of the other families we have gotten to know over the years and meeting new folks whose families are growing through adoption.

Lazy 5 Ranch....We LOVE homeschool field trips!

We had great weather for a day trip to the Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville. We had not been for a couple years, so a field trip was in order. We had great weather and the boys had a blast. Their favorite part was the giraffes. It is so cool to hold up the buckets and they stretch their long necks over the fence and eat. They seem to be such gentle creatures, and they are so beautiful.

Halloween Fun

 Silas' favorite thing was to decorate Scott's truck for our church's Trunk or Treat on Sunday the 30th

Stephen was Mario, his current obsession, and Silas was a Storm Trooper!



Chameleon's Journey Camp, Oct 15-16

Closing ceremonies: 10 groups of kids, 108 total

Silas with the note he wrote for MaMaw and PaPaw attached to a

DUKE blue balloon in honor of PaPaw's beloved BlueDevils! 

 Preparing for Release

 Stephen getting in on the action

The release into the gorgeous Carolina sky!

We applied for Silas to go to this Hospice sponsored grief camp back in the summer. His guidance counselor at school sent home a brochure about it after I called the school to let them know what a hard time he was having losing both of my parents so suddenly. We didn't find out that he had gotten in until 2 weeks before the date. He was super excited about it, and couldn't wait to go. I dropped him off at 8am on Saturday morning, and we all went together to pick him up on Sunday at 10:30. They did a lot of fun activities along with their grief counseling. They did a zip line, went canoeing, climbed a rock wall, had movie night and popcorn, and made a memory box in honor of their lost loved ones. They gave them backpacks and T-shirts, and a women's group made Fleece Knot Blankets for every kid who came (Silas got a Camo one). I looked around and realized how many kids must be there that have lost their mom or dad. So sad. It was a good experience for Silas, and he has already said that he wants to go again next year. We'll see if he gets in again!