Happy 8th Birthday, Dusty!

A birthday breakfast always comes with a candle and a song.  

Dusty would rather it just came with a fork into his mouth!

The guys!

After breakfast we went to Sunday school and Church.  I held Dusty during the entire service which was a special treat for me!  The pastor announced a prayer request to thank God for Dusty celebrating his 8th birthday.  Everyone clapped, which brought this Momma to tears!  

HAPPY 8th Birthday!

 Then after lunch there were more candles and singing at Grandma and Papa's house!

Dusty had three helpers to blow out the candles for him!
 Sonya was happy to help EAT the cake!

While we were cleaning up and getting ready for opening cards and gifts Dusty was thinking about MORE cake!  He doesn't talk yet but if he did here is what I think he would be saying...

'Anybody looking?'

'If I pull on the tablecloth it brings the CAKE closer...'

'and closer...'

'and closer!'

'Someone is coming!'

'Act cool, Sonya!'

'If we score the cake I'll share with you!'

Hee, hee, hee. Hi Momma! I just love the cake Grandma made for my birthday.  

Can Sonya and I have another piece?

Sonya loves her brother - especially when he shares cake! 

Sonya and Dusty both got another piece of cake.  

(We need to remember to hold FOOD behind the camera so he will look there!)

Then Dusty's helpers were ready to help open cards and gifts for him.

The toys had to pass the taste test!

For Dusty, a perfect day includes a bath!

Peek-a-boo!

Every day ends with kisses...

and hugs for our precious Dusty! 

We thank God for the blessing HE is to our family!

Last year on Dusty's birthday we asked you to PRAY, DONATE, and 

 SHARE this picture to help a little lonely firefly, Brent, find his Forever Family.

We have FANTASTIC news!  Our Mighty God has answered our prayers! 

He has a Momma to give him hugs... 

and a Daddy who kisses him good night! 

His NEW name is Isaac!

Isaac has lots of older brothers and sisters to show him what it means to be CHOSEN!

Isaac also has a baby sister who has already taught him to dance!

Doing the HAPPY DANCE myself and praising God tonight for SO MANY BLESSINGS!

If You Are Reading This... Your Mother Chose LIFE!

LIFE is precious and beautiful!
"God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them."  Genesis 1:27

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."Psalms 127:3  

Dusty at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. 2013

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb." Psalms 139:13

Sonya at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. 2013

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalms 139:14

Our "ARROWS" going to the March for Life 2013

"Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!" Psalm 127:4-5


We believe that life begins at conception and that abortion should never be an option.  We are firm believers in ADOPTION not abortion!

Dusty and Sonya at the March for Life 2013

Our family is so happy that we were able to go to Eastern Europe to adopt Sonya and Dusty!  They have been home with us since May 2011.  This is their second March for Life.

Promoting ADOPTION at the March for Life in 2012 

 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the TRUTH!" 
3 John 1:4 

We want to make sure that our children understand that everyone deserves a birthday and a family! 

  

Our previous post was a teaser about Sonya's upcoming birthday and I am sorry it has taken us so long to let you know... SHE DID IT! Sonya blew out her candles with a little help from her younger brother and younger sister!

It breaks my heart that so many children will never have the chance to celebrate their birthdays!  An estimated 92% of all women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome choose to abort their child!

March for Life 2012

We hope and pray that our story of crossing an ocean to adopt TWO children who have Down Syndrome will help to encourage others to ADOPT!
  

Our family and Grandma Brwee at the March for Life 2013

We attend the March for Life each year for the 92% and pray 100% will one day CHOOSE LIFE for their child!

 March for Life 2013 in Washington, D.C.

We were at the very end of the March for Life this year.

 March for Life 2013 in Washington, D.C.

It was wonderful to see the thousands of people ahead of us, in spite of the 25 degree temperature!

Snowing on Big Brother Johnny and Mommy at the March for Life 2013

Neither SNOW... 

 A rainy March for Life 2012  

Nor RAIN...Can keep us from marching for the pre-born!

Carolyn sleeping during the March for Life 2013

It was extremely cold this year! We bundled up to march in protest of the 55 Million bundles of joy that were never born since abortion became legal in 1973!

Sonya Is Ready!

Sonya has been waiting... 

Sonya at Dusty's Birthday

Sonya has been watching...

Sonya at Johnny's Birthday

Sonya has been wanting...

Sonya at Carolyn's Birthday

Sonya has been practicing...

October is here!

Sonya is READY to celebrate her birthday tomorrow!  

Our Blooming Flowers!

Last year on April 9, 2011 my husband, our two children, my mother and I went half way around the world to meet and adopt Dusty and Sonya.  I remember feeling very nervous.  It was a big leap of faith.  We prayed that God would continue to lead the way.  Well, we jumped and God made sure we "flew swiftly like an eagle." 
Jeremiah 48:40

April 2011

It is hard to believe a year has passed since the day those butterflies were in my tummy.    Thankfully they didn't stay there very long.  The butterflies were replaced with an overflowing joy as we doubled the number of our children.

April 2012

    I know what you're thinking...Yes, it's true that our work doubled too.  We've got tons of laundry but look who loves to help.

We are busy, busy, busy but we wouldn't want it any other way.  Besides...

"I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength." 
Philippians 4:13 


Yesterday was Easter.  We celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He died for our sins.  We are forgiven.  He defeated death when He rose from the dead.  Now we will have eternal life with Him in heaven.  

"Any one who believes in Christ is a new creation.  The old is gone!  

The new has come!" 

2 Corinthians 5:17  

  So many changes have happened since last year.  The new has come for Dusty and Sonya.  It's been amazing to watch.  Take a look at the OLD and see the NEW.  

When we were visiting Dusty in the orphanage we would bring him outside to swing on the swings. 

April 2011

Now he loves to swing especially when it goes high.  He even got his very own swing for his birthday.

April 2012

A few days prior to coming home to the USA.
We gave Dusty a bath. He was not sure what to make of it.  

May 2011

Now, you'd better be prepared because you WILL get splashed!
Dusty LOVES to take a bath.

November 2011

Before coming home Dusty needed assistance to walk.

April 2011 

Now I call Dusty my happy wanderer he loves to walk ANYWHERE his feet carry him.  

April 2012

When visiting Sonya in the orphanage she crawled most of the time and walked with lots of assistance.



April 2011



Now Sonya is walking without any assistance.  She loves her new-found independence!

April 2012

We tried to get Sonya to clap, wave hello & goodbye while we visited with her at the orphanage. She never did it without hand over hand help.

May 2011

Now Sonya can wave & clap with excitement all by herself.

November 2011

Sonya had no idea what it meant to have a Mommy or a Daddy.

April 2011

Now she knows!  She can even use sign language to say,

" Love, Mommy & Daddy"

November 2011 Signing - Love 

November 2011 Signing - Mommy

November 2011 Signing - Daddy

       The night before Dusty and Sonya came to be with us on "Gotcha Day" Johnny prayed, "Dear God, Thank you for letting us come to rescue the children."

May 2011

It brings happy tears to my eyes to say that some things have NOT changed.  Johnny is still so thrilled that we adopted Dusty and Sonya.  He is a fantastic "BIG" brother!

Easter Sunday - April 2012

 Carolyn was only twenty months old when she met Sonya and Dusty face to face.  In the months prior we had talked a lot about her new brother and sister.  When the day came for her to finally meet them.  She was like a little mother hen gathering her new chicks under her wings! 

May 2011

May 2011

I am pleased to tell you that Carolyn is still taking care of her little chicks.  I love the way she always wants to introduced Dusty and Sonya to the people that she meets.  It is adorable.  She is a loving "BIG" sister!

April 2012

October 2011

I just read a quote from Mother Teresa... 

"Saying there are too many children is like saying there are too many flowers."  

I must say I agree with her whole heartedly and I am enjoying watching our flowers BLOOM!

Thank you for watching right along with us!

Blessings,

Amy