Half a year, half a world away

6 Months? Really? No way!
Has 6 months passed already?  

It's been half a year, y'all. 

Without looking at a calendar, I'd be slow to recognize this milestone in time.  I still remember that sleepless night, the one that was our last as a family of 3.  This little wooden hotel crib lay by our (rock hard) bed in the Garden Hotel.  Accompanying the jet lag and the super firm mattress, there was a nervous, anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach that hid sleep from me.  Though we had seen pictures and read a medical overview of Hui Cheng Zi, we longed to finally hold that little boy.  My mind whirled!

Hard to believe this was the same day he screamed for a full 

hour as he mourned the separation from his dear nanny. 

Samuel continues to grow and learn with such ease.  We had our 6 month follow-up with our social worker last week.  She said we are "boring"!  We'll take boring.  Life is just moving along and we're soaking in the moments.  

God continues to bond us together and to Him.  I stand by my initial evaluation that Joey has adjusted far better than the rest of us.  Not that it's been a terribly difficult adjustment, but Joey just seemed to fall into his big brother role rather easily.  As Russ says "they get a long well and they fight real well too".  Gradually, I've become more "used to" Samuel as our son.  Does that make sense?  I've known since last July that he was ours.  And I've loved him even before then.  For awhile, there were some days I felt like I was baby-sitting, wondering when his family would come pick him up.  Or maybe it was that I felt I was living a dream. Reality hadn't fully sunk in yet, I guess.  Obviously, I've known we are his parents and no one was going to pick him up and take him away.  I wouldn't want someone to.  Adjusting to a little person who walked into our lives carrying his own opinion, determination, and personality was a scenario I couldn't fully prepare for.  Only God's grace has gotten us through those trying days.  It's different than welcoming a newborn.  We've learned that adoption often comes with hard times, both for the adoptee and the parents.  It's wonderful, but still different.  We love this kiddo.  And he seems to love us too!

Happy 6 months together!

The Life of a Big Brother
He is the ring leader.  The joke teller.  The fort builder.  The corrector and teacher.  The tickler.  The spokesperson (for both boys).  The dancer.  The dessert initiator.  The best big brother around.

And he wants a wife.  A wife.  According to Joey "all the girls in this city have a ring" meaning they already have wedding rings.  It's such a heart breaking moment when he explains his loneliness and frustration.  And then we laugh with our faces turned and our mouths covered.  Once he goes into the scenario where his wife will stay in the guest room, it's pretty comical.  And that the problem only arises when Big Joe and Su Su visit because there won't be room for all 3 of them in the bed together.  So, Big Joe gets relocated to the floor...just during their stay.  Joey has it all figured out.  

I purchased school supplies for him this week without a single tear shed.  That's mainly do to the fact that I was too busy refereeing the crew to process what was occurring before my eyes.  Joey waved his supply list all the while shouting out various opinions of the notebooks chosen and markers purchased.  He made known that he needs several 24-packs of pencils because it's a contest and he wants to have more than anyone else.  Joey was thrilled that his scissors came with a cover for the blades as he is my safety conscious one.  He's really going to do it.  He's going to school this year!

A Wish Come True
Joey wanted someone to share the double grocery cart with.  He needed a little someone alongside to help conquer the world.  As the big brother would tell you, he wished and prayed for God to give him a little brother.  And He did!  

Just a few days after arriving back in Texas, the boys had to try out the 

double cart.  With this bad boy, it's easy to take out an entire end cap without much 

effort, but the boys...well, they act like they've arrived at Six Flags!

Conquering the world!

Between the muscles, power tools, and aquatic 

gear these 2 have it under control!

Super Samuel - an answer to prayer!

A Mommy Moment

When Clearance Isn't That Good of a Deal
Picture it.  Just strolling through the store after the 4th of July last year.   I spotted a shirt on clearance.  Liked it.  Bought it.  

"Daddy's little Hero" and "Dad's American Boy"

When I showed a picture of these shirts to my friend Amy, her comment was:

What in the world?  Who bought those for you?

Um, I did.  

Until July 29, 2013, we only knew that a precious someone 4 years old or younger would be joining our family  So, when I purchased the "Dad's American Boy" shirt for Joey, I truly had no other information about our next little one.  All I knew was that I'd have to wait until we were matched.  The wording on the shirt NEVER. CROSSED. MY. MIND!  Just like I don't think "Oh, I need to call my Chinese mother" or "Let's go visit my Chinese aunt".  Of course, Samuel became a US citizen on January 23, 2014 when we arrived back on American soil.  I'm just a little more sensitive about him feeling comfortable in his family and wanting him to "fit in".  Last year, I was proud of saving a few dollars.  After all, the 4th is Russ' favorite holiday.  This year, feeling silly.  Lesson learned.  Now, all I can do is laugh.  It hides the shade of embarrassment on my cheeks.

This year.  Picture it.  A wonderful super heroine suddenly appears out of nowhere, embroidery machine tucked under her arm and talent like no other.  That SuSu - she's a keeper!  SuSu has saved the day!  Thanks so her, we had super cute shirts that even matched cousin Cross'.  These handsome fellas wore their shirts with pride!

Three little guys celebrating a day of freedom!

We Must Hit the Pool
Samuel had experienced the lake when we went camping a few months ago.  Maybe it was the crowd or the fact that he couldn't see his own toes through the murky water that allowed the hesitation back then.  But, oh the interest in the swimming pool at Su Su and Big Joe's was like a moth to a flame.  Both boys love the water, which we are thankful for.  The littlest boy has not an ounce of fear, especially when leaning over the edge while fully dressed.  That encourages a wild growth of gray hairs on his momma's head.  The cautious boys were wearing more flotation devices than is allowed by law.  In fact, they were floating so much, they almost drifted up out of the water.  

Samuel's first time in a pool

Joey is still a little fish (as long as he has no less than 3 floatation devices attached)

The pool boys getting to work

Haven't We Met Before
We took Samuel to a Stell family reunion on the 4th.  He had never met 95% of the people there, but I guess we had forgotten to tell him that.  He walked in the place giving high-5's and hugging stranger's legs as if he had rehearsed the script.  That kid knows his family.  He just does.  And there was a swimming pool there too.  The bigger fish jumped in with no hesitation...once the proper floatation devices had covered almost ever inch of his body.  The smaller fish wasn't quiet sure.  Joey can be so gentle and encouraging at times.  He genuinely wants to help his little brother.  And it was sweet to watch Joey ease Samuel off the steps.  We could hardly see their little faces for all the floaties and rings and vests meshed together.  Then, there were glow sticks, sparklers, and fireworks.  Apart from the loud booms, they were captivated by the display of vivid colors and lights.  And so begins the interest in fireworks and interesting conversation on the way home...

Joey: "Next time can we get sparklers and light a napkin on fire?  That would be so cool."

OH MY!  There will be many many conversations about safety before next year!

They loved the sparklers!

 Glow stick or light saber...you be the judge!

Our little firecrackers have enjoyed the day celebrating our great country!  We are so grateful for the freedoms and endless possibilities protected by many hard working men and women.  For our littlest firecracker, he's spending this day on the opposite side of the world from where he was just 6 months ago enjoying freedoms he has never known before, and best of all - family.  And we are grateful for the freedom to praise our God who has allowed us front row seats as He writes our family's story! 

Father's Day and Fruit Pickin' Frenzy

 So, this is 5 months home?

Yep, this is what 5 months with a family looks like.  Can you believe it?  Samuel is a Webb through and through.  There are days that even I forget he wasn't born into our family.  God has done great things in this little guy's life!  

Some new words are:
hot dog
airplane
ice cream
dinosaur

Samuel is gradually talking more.  He's definitely not shy about repeating new words.  And he's slow to anger when we simply have no clue what he's trying to convey.  That's a good thing!  Most often in the confusion, he can be quickly pacified with a cracker or gum.  Yes, our 2 year old LOVES gum!  He continues to sleep well at night, although naps have been a bit challenging lately.  He had some minor surgery (is that an oxymoron?) a few weeks ago.  That seems to have thrown off his nap schedule, but I'll take a solid night's sleep any time!  

Samuel is quite the social butterfly.  He comes by it honestly...just look at his big brother.  If he sees a person, he waves.  If he sees a truck, he waves.  Even if he sees a dog, he waves.  And he's not that bothered if they don't wave back, which is especially good considering he waves at dogs!  His confidence is soaring in a good way.  He still keeps an eye on one of us at all times, but he's not shy to join in the fun.  In fact, anything Joey does, Samuel will try.  He is very comfortable with family and close friends.  Mostly he watches Joey to see if it's safe.  Thankfully for us, Joey is pretty cautious in new situations.  

Father's Day

These 3 guys bring joy to each day!  We were happy to celebrate Daddy with lunch and a scavenger hunt to his gifts.  Our boys are blessed to have a Daddy like him!  Last Father's Day we had no clue who would be joining or family or even when.  One year later and this is life.  Russ seems to have enjoyed his first Father's Day with 2 boys!

Fruit Pickin' Frenzy

Growing up in Arkansas, those hot summer mornings became much sweeter with a fresh juicy peach in hand.  And let's be honest, there was never just one peach...or even just 2.  Joey went for the first time a couple summers ago and has continued to talk about the orchard every year since.  Unfortunatley, there were no peaches to be had this year, but there were nectarines and blackberries.  What better way to introduce Samuel to nectarines than to let him pick his own.  Ok, so he didn't make it too far in the picking process, but he did eat...

And then he shared a bite or 2...

Food is rarely shared in our home, but with an entire orchard full, it seemed a little less threatening.  So, after tackling nectarines, we were off to the blackberry patch.  And since my aunt brought gloves to ward off the thorns, Joey and Samuel found it necessary to accessorize with a glove too.

Aunt Lucy showing Samuel how to pick out the sweetest berries.

Joey learned fast and then attempted to pick every berry in the patch.

These boys love time with Aunt Lucy.

They're thankful that Hoo Hoo introduced them to the orchard.

Story of an embarrassing outfit moment coming soon...