Well the next in line for August birthdays is Oliver, otherwise known as O Town. Ollie is the child you cannot get mad at because he is so darn cute. We are so thankful for him. His sense of humor at such a young age, his love for his Mama, his cute little body, his facial expressions when he says something that might be borderline unacceptable but the face makes it so you can't be mad, the quickness about him, and more. I cannot believe he is 3. I can remember the day he was born. He was not going to wait for anyone: not even the doctor. :) Maybe this will be a turning point in the days when I feel like I cannot go one more minute without losing my mind. Don't get me wrong: I LOVE this kid. But, I am human and there are days when I do something and he un does it ten times worse. Over and over again. Or he is on the counters pouring his own drink as it is not making it into the cup but onto the freshly cleaned wood floor instead. I am the type of mom who lets the kids learn to be self sufficient and independent even if it is mess producing. However, I have often reconsidered this philosophy MANY times this last year! There are times that I say aloud "Please, God, help me maintain my composure." The girls just look at me. Hey, whatever works! The bottom line: WE LOVE YOU OLIVER!!!!
Oliver with Aunt Sarah and Amelia
I have to sit and reflect on the events of the past year. There are so many reasons to be happy and thank God for everything we have been blessed with. It is so easy to take for granted so many things. We have really been trying to instill in the children gratefulness. I am reading a book called "Growing Grateful Kids" and it really makes you think about how the things we say to our kids just in day to day life can affect their attitude. We have so many things to be grateful for, including each other and family. This leads me to someone: Elijah. Man, did we get lucky. This boy brings so much sunshine and laughter to our family. The kids (especially Preston) run to his room the minute he wakes up. It is literally a race to see who can get him first. Our kids have been told everything about the adoption and openness has been the rule. Of course they are careful not to make him feel like he is not one of them. On the flip side, he needs to know where he came from and his heritage. He is one fortunate kid. The love he gets from everyone around and the love the other four get from this "branch" of family we have stumbled upon is amazing. They do not realize how blessed we are that things have happened the way they have. Not all situations are like ours. Eli is now 1 and I have to step back and remember the last year of events. He is walking everywhere and eating EVERYTHING. He always wears a smile and lives for his siblings. I think I see the biggest bond between he and Preston. Preston seems to have a connection with him that is really unique. Just look at the pictures from birth until now. There has been a tremendous amount of growth in all of our kids, but especially our littlest.
