Andrew has been home one year! We've had our ups and downs, but it has been worth it. A life is always worth it! Lots of love, hugs, teaching, encouraging and smiles! I am thankful the Lord has brought us down the path of adoption. Mark and I have grown so much over the last nine years! Our four kiddos are amazing blessings!
We took the whole family to dinner at a Japanese restaurant where they cook the food in front of you. Andrew LOVED it!
I made a photo album of the whole year from when we picked him up at the airport to our boating trip over the weekend. It's full of memories, family, fun times and lots of love.
Here is a video we made last night about Andrew's first year home. I don't want to give the wrong impression to people that it's easy, because it's not. But I will say again, it is rewarding and a huge blessing! To see his heart change and become the person God wants him to be. To learn how to be in a family and to love. I am so thankful to be his mom!
You are amazing, my friend...and God has done great things! So, so wonderful of you to celebrate the milestones. The album is SUCH a lovely idea and will be such a treasure to him. Thank you for giving Andrew roots and a rich heritage. God is using you and IT MATTERS! Please, please remember that amidst the dailiness of life. God is working mightily in your home and IT MATTERS! Many blessings! L-
I get choked up when I think he almost chose not to come home with you. Rejoicing for your sweet boy and that life has slowed down so he has time to just live and enjoy life!
It has been my pleasure to pray for your family for you, Andrew. I pray that my son grows up to be a brave, willing and good boy like you. Congratulations on one year home! Jane, A reader from Oregon
Thanks so much for the video! I'm in tears watching it. I thank God that He put it on my heart to help bring Andrew home. Happy 1 Year Anniversary, Andrew!!! By the way, I love your accent. I will continue to pray for you.
What an incredible young man! Happy 1 year home Andrew! I have loved following your family's journey and have always felt there was something so incredibly special about Andrew. That's always been interesting to me since I don't know him, but as I've prayed for him I always felt so proud of him and felt he is an exceptionally special guy. What a huge treat to see this video with him! Thank you so much for sharing!
I can't express enough how happy seeing this video makes me! It feels like forever ago praying for Andrew to agree to come back to America with your family and all the details involved, and praying ever since for Grace and growth, and for God to do...just what He is doing. He's molding your family into a beautiful tapestry of love! You've blessed Andrew's life and he enriches yours in return! Andrew, you are amazing and I know you have a great future ahead of you. Keep going forward with God!
Could he be any more precious and adorable??!! God bless your family. Thank you for sharing your life with the world and witnessing to the power of God, the power of love, the redemption of adoption.
I am a little thrown off.4 of your kids are adopted? :-) I knew about 3 but who is the 4th? I haven't been following your blog since the beginning I have only followed since you started the process of adopting Andrew. Thanks!
Hi Angela! We adopted Nate almost 9 years ago. He was our first adoption and then in 2010 we adopted JD and 2011 we adopted Mackenzie in 2012 we adopted Andrew. :)
I love how Andrew looks at you and is so serious about what you say. I appreciate how hard you have worked to assure him of your love and faith. I remember praying, when he was deciding what to do, that God would show Andrew that a family was best for him. It seems it is so. Remind Andrew to be patient with himself and to grow slowly and surely. As always, I thank you for sharing with us.
Andrew is a testament to why older children adoption can be the MOST beautiful. I send him love & peace. And to your home, I send gratitude for sharing the beauty of your lives.
Hi, home your summer is fun. Looks like it. Has it been a year with Andrew already. Congratulations and thank you Jesus for Andrews forever family. About how long I have been reading your blog. I couldn't remember do you home school? also do your foreign born children not only learn English language American culture but do they continue with their own first language etc?
Precious! Oh Andrew, what a beautiful story God has given you to tell. I am so encouraged by your sweet smile and great attitude. You are a hero and you should be so proud of yourself! Keep up the good work and don't lose faith.
You are amazing, my friend...and God has done great things! So, so wonderful of you to celebrate the milestones. The album is SUCH a lovely idea and will be such a treasure to him. Thank you for giving Andrew roots and a rich heritage. God is using you and IT MATTERS! Please, please remember that amidst the dailiness of life. God is working mightily in your home and IT MATTERS! Many blessings! L-
ReplyDeleteI get choked up when I think he almost chose not to come home with you. Rejoicing for your sweet boy and that life has slowed down so he has time to just live and enjoy life!
ReplyDeleteIt has been my pleasure to pray for your family for you, Andrew. I pray that my son grows up to be a brave, willing and good boy like you. Congratulations on one year home! Jane, A reader from Oregon
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the video! I'm in tears watching it. I thank God that He put it on my heart to help bring Andrew home. Happy 1 Year Anniversary, Andrew!!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love your accent. I will continue to pray for you.
What an incredible young man! Happy 1 year home Andrew! I have loved following your family's journey and have always felt there was something so incredibly special about Andrew. That's always been interesting to me since I don't know him, but as I've prayed for him I always felt so proud of him and felt he is an exceptionally special guy. What a huge treat to see this video with him! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI can't express enough how happy seeing this video makes me! It feels like forever ago praying for Andrew to agree to come back to America with your family and all the details involved, and praying ever since for Grace and growth, and for God to do...just what He is doing. He's molding your family into a beautiful tapestry of love! You've blessed Andrew's life and he enriches yours in return! Andrew, you are amazing and I know you have a great future ahead of you. Keep going forward with God!
ReplyDeleteCould he be any more precious and adorable??!! God bless your family. Thank you for sharing your life with the world and witnessing to the power of God, the power of love, the redemption of adoption.
ReplyDeleteWe will continue to pray!
Blessings,
Judee in Iowa
I am a little thrown off.4 of your kids are adopted? :-) I knew about 3 but who is the 4th? I haven't been following your blog since the beginning I have only followed since you started the process of adopting Andrew. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Angela! We adopted Nate almost 9 years ago. He was our first adoption and then in 2010 we adopted JD and 2011 we adopted Mackenzie in 2012 we adopted Andrew. :)
DeleteAwwwwwww! What a special treat to see this video! Praying and praising, is all I can say!
ReplyDeleteI love how Andrew looks at you and is so serious about what you say. I appreciate how hard you have worked to assure him of your love and faith. I remember praying, when he was deciding what to do, that God would show Andrew that a family was best for him. It seems it is so. Remind Andrew to be patient with himself and to grow slowly and surely. As always, I thank you for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteAndrew is a testament to why older children adoption can be the MOST beautiful. I send him love & peace. And to your home, I send gratitude for sharing the beauty of your lives.
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome boy! Beautiful inside and out. This has been an amazing journey for him!
ReplyDeleteHi, home your summer is fun. Looks like it. Has it been a year with Andrew already. Congratulations and thank you Jesus for Andrews forever family. About how long I have been reading your blog. I couldn't remember do you home school? also do your foreign born children not only learn English language American culture but do they continue with their own first language etc?
ReplyDeleteErika
What a great kid!!! How is he learning English? Special classes, tutoring? I am so impressed with him.
ReplyDeletePrecious! Oh Andrew, what a beautiful story God has given you to tell. I am so encouraged by your sweet smile and great attitude. You are a hero and you should be so proud of yourself! Keep up the good work and don't lose faith.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! I loved it!
ReplyDelete