Friday, February 10, 2012

Happy Gotcha Day Ephram!

Ephram had a GREAT 2nd gotcha day and knew that it was HIS day to celebrate:). We sang to him all day which started with his request of a choc-o-lit doughnut with sprinkles, mash browns, and choc-o-lit milk. He was so sweet to share with his siblings too!


After breakfast his buddy, Alex, came over for the day then we left for co op. The older three decided that they wanted Ephram to be their "show and tell" and took him up on stage to share about his special day.


When we got home Ephram picked go gurt, left over doughnut, grapes, goldfish, and cheese for lunch. Then he played games and played with Alex, Braden, and I before naptime (while the girls were at AHG).



Since the girls were going out to a daddy daughter dance I planned a special night out for Ephram with Braden and the Papa's. When the girls asked Ephram where he wanted to go he said Chili's, so off we went:). He ordered a corndog and ate it faster than I've seen him ever eat anything! He's my bird when it comes to eating but after the past couple of days we're thinking he's going through a growth spurt! We got the servers to sing to him and bring him dessert too:). The boys had a great time playing and even brought ephram a sweet present...a "MONSTER truck!"



I was asked several questions at co op today about our adoptions that really got me thinking. Like, "Why didn't you have more children after Cailey?" Umm...I did, three:). No, but for real the answer that I can give with confidence NOW (years after the suffering) is for three reasons. I didn't carry a pregnancy to full term again for three reasons. Braden, Kinsey, and Ephram. Of course we ALWAYS wanted to adopt but just thought we'd give birth to three then adopt one:) God knew what was even better!



Ephram's story is the craziest out of the three because it started with IUI/in vitro, turned into 18 months waiting for a domestic adoption, and changed to a Korean adoption again just as our homestudy was about to run out...all because of Ephram's bff, carter (who was 8 months from being born). Amazing. Truly.

I was thinking today that as we sat in the waiting room for him 2 years ago and saw other couples 'given' their babies (both girls and boys...moving to Holland, etc.) that we were SO blessed that God chose...HAND PICKED him for our family.

He makes us laugh constantly. He brings joy to everyone he meets. His siblings ADORE him..yep, two years later he can still do no wrong in their eyes:). He is our baby boy...and is definitely babied:). His language and name memory recall are crazy amazing. He is SO fun...and again, cracks us up. He's also just plain cute. Yep, as usual, God did good. In the picture below Cailey is giving him dinosaur silly bands:).



I told Marsie that it was SO hard going through the years of trials and waiting every month for either a positive pregnancy OR a phone call....then starting paperwork over again but it was SO worth it. I just wish God would have given me a memo at the time that said, "hey..don't put those drugs in your body or cry any tears over this domestic adoption. don't spend thousands of dollars now. save them because I have someone better....he's just not ready." Man...I guess I wouldn't have as much to share with others if I didn't go through it. And we wouldn't have the most precious 2 1/2 year old boy ever.



When we got home from dinner the boys played tag, trains, and jumped on the trampoline. Ephram was super wild because of the sugar so he was extra giggly:)! I LOVE to hear him laugh!

We are BEYOND thankful for him, and thankful for his birth mom who chose to give him life. We love you, Ephram!! Happy Gotcha Day!

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