Happy 11 months!

It's so hard to believe 11 months ago today we were waiting so nervously in a hotel room in Lanzhou, Gansu, China to meet, touch, hold, and to finally see in person the amazing little boy God was leading us to- our determined, funny, indecisive, snugly son. As we approach the one year mark of having Luke,  we've been diligently working towards our 1 yr post placement paperwork.  It's been nostalgic to see how much he has changed, the girls have changed, and our family all together.  As I sat at Alaina's soccer game watching her play this morning.. with her daddy coaching her, the girls, my mom, and Luke and I watching... All of the memories of last year came back to me.. we were only weeks from leaving for a country I never knew would become so special to my heart, to meet our son and to begin life- as a family God started orchestrating back in October of 2010 

(when I began feeling a tugging on my heart from The Lord to adopt-a son, and the very month Luke would be born to a mother who would make a decision that God Sovreignly used to lead us to him).  

Oh how thankful we are that His ways are higher than ours!  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:21-22 NIV) 

Happy 11months with your "mama" and "baba," Luke O'Neil Perry! We ❤️ You!

Another first with our sweet boy~Luke's 1st day at playschool

Before drop off at playschool...

So far so good- praying he has a good year and continues to make progress developmentally and with speech (and that we can get a little homeschooling in)...

Hooray!!!! He had a good first day!

Luke's 1st spend the night away from home

Luke and the girlies spent the night with Grammy and Poppa so that mommy could take daddy out for his birthday!

Painting with Alaina was first on the agenda. 

8/13-2014 10 months with our son beside us!

Luke's 1st family vacation- WATERSOUND BEACH⚓️

Making a stop in Birmingham for the night... but beachbound!

Heading to breakfast with daddy before more travels.

We just arrived, and he's walking on the beach and getting use to the sand.

Maddie helping him get use to the feel and pull of the waves... so far so good.

Now he's getting it.

Rachel showing him the waves, they were spectacular!

So far this is his favorite part of his first day, steering the golf cart with "ma."

The girls tucked in for the night... 

9 months ago today it became official.. Parents to this little cutie!

Look what ❤️ can do!

Nine months home and it's incredible to see the transformation from month to month as I go back and read each monthly entry.  

Luke continues to make progress developmentally and socially.  He is healthy and growing fonder of his sisters with each day.  His newest phrase if one of the girls leave is: "be back?"  Clarifying they will be right back.  He's just crazy about them, and the feelings are mutual. He and Craig have a new daily time of playing ball together in the house (yes, I'm evolving as a mom to a son) and it's been really sweet to watch.  

I am daily reminded of God's unfailing, faithful love that He so generously gives me-- inspite of me.  May I, we, love like Jesus! 

May He, the Author and Perfector of our faith, be glorified in and through our family, by His design.  

Happy 4th of July! Luke's 1st as a U.S. citizen

There's nothing like leaving the comforts and safety of familiarity to remind you of your blessings.  To say we were grateful to be back in the USA a little more than 8 months ago when we returned home from China, would be a complete understatement.  The country had a unique culture, beautiful people, and breathtaking landscapes in some places, but not the freedom I so appreciate in our  country... freedom to worship the One true God and to freely share Him with others. It's a privilege, and calling, I never want to take for granted.  

Today was so special for us- Luke's first 4th of July as a United States citizen.  

Rachel showing him off at the neighborhood pool

Parade with some of the the neighborhood kiddos

                   Love! Love! Love!

Before the fireworks show...

Praise Be to God that our sweet baby boy has the opportunity to live in a country where he can freely learn about and share Christ with others.  We pray he, and our girls, will one day speak boldly of our Heavenly Father!