Happy Birthday Karis!

We celebrated Karis' birthday with her cousins (wish Landon was here)! Chocolate was a hit by both Karis and Dawson:)

Karis, I love how delicate and sweet your personality is (except when you are hungry). I love the special bond you and I share and you could sit on my hip all day long with a smile. You have amazed us with your progress and we look forward to fun days ahead with you! Happy First Birthday

Congrats Mom!

Mom/Grandma retired!! We are all so excited and the grandkids are extremely blessed

He's Home!

Friday Paul and Dawson got home and it's been wild, hilarious, trying and yet so fun! We can't believe how adaptable Dawson has been! We walked in to the house after arriving from the airport and after clinging on for a few minutes, he was off chasing Elli and they broke out in dancing! He loves to laugh and play and though Paul is still his favorite, Grandma and I are OK and can soothe him. He is still having issues with jet lag...any suggestions out there? I think Elli can get the most laughs out of him and he would love to play with her all day long, but he is a tornado coming through, throwing and crashing things while Elli loves all of her teacups and dolls in order so.....I see a lot of potential issues:) Dawson is not one bit shy, so we are loving his love for life and bright eyes! Just don't invite us over for dinner because meal time is insane! But all of your prayers and support have been amazing. Seriously, this has gone shockingly better than we ever expected and Paul repeats how much he felt your prayers as their time in India went so well! Thank you Jesus, we are all in the same continent

He's Coming Home!!

Dawson is in good hands...Gotcha Day was Friday and it went amazingly, shockingly well considering the day! Paul and John got to hang out at the orphanage for a while and then headed to airport to catch a flight to Dehli because Dawson's medical appointment was Saturday morning. Before they left for the med appointment they skyped and it was hilarious to watch sweet Dawson. He would look from Paul to John to Paul to John with the biggest eyes. Poor guy, trying to figure out his new situation. The last few days Dawson has been super laid back and just hangs out. But this morning we skyped and he's a new boy!! He was laughing and throwing a ball and trying to take his shirt off and enjoying life! Now it was a new hilarious to watch him be so active and verbal... I am realizing how lively our household will be! Another praise...Paul has his Visa envelope and they are free to come home. They still have 2 more days, but the Taj is on the list and maybe a little shopping. So far, I cannot believe how well this is going! Thank you Jesus! Thank you John for helping Paul through Dehli belly and burning his hand and being a fun uncle to Dawson!

Off to India!!

The journey continues...Paul just joined his brother, John, and they left for India today! For some reason I have really grieved not being able to go on this trip. I guess I have thought about this trip for a year and really looked forward to it. A special time with Paul as well as seeing where Dawson has been living, meeting his wonderful Ayahs and just take in the culture. But, I am still in no shape to do such a thing and so thankful to John who is helping Paul! Friday is the big match day!!

Dawson, your daddy cannot wait to meet his son!

Happy Easter!

Sharing some pics from this weekend. We had a great time at the Evans for a Easter hunt on Saturday and today enjoyed a wonderful Easter service and lunch. Elli had Bethany/Abby's Easter dress/jacket/hat and felt very special today. She would not take off her jacket despite the hot Texas weather and had to tell every stranger that she had a hat on...had to bribe her to take off the outfit! I have to note, too, that getting good pics of Elli these days is a little difficult.

Dawson Is Officially Ours and Ready to Come Home!

We just got these photos and I fell in love with this guy all over again. We also found out that his passport is in Ms. Anju's hands...the last step! Paul won't pick him up until May due to immigration needing more paperwork because of Karis joining our fam as well as for other reasons. A lot of our other friends are heading to India this week and we are pretty jealous, but know he will be in our arms soon!