19 May 2013

two years.




about two years ago the mister and i were on the other side of the earth meeting our youngest boy. so much of him was a mystery, and the canyons of everything i didn't know stood wide between us as he first walked into that room. but we bounced a beach ball to his high-octane delight, and we (he) dug through my bag and unearthed all sorts of treasures, and we got to know each other just the smallest bit of a little.




[please forgive the photo quality. it turns out that when i'm sleep deprived and emotionally saturated, i can't be bothered with things like shutter speed.]








he's grown up a ton in the past two years. in the early days i just wasn't sure how we'd swing this. he was into everything, and when i'd remove him from pounding on the computer keyboard, he wriggle out of my hands and run right back to resume his typing. he'd laugh and point his finger at me and scold me in his super cute almost-five-year-old voice, and although the whole thing was in amharic, i'm pretty sure i could work out a translation: silly mom-lady. you seem to think i'm going to listen to you.

(they did tell us he ran the care center and had all the nannies wrapped around his finger. we just didn't know to believe them.)








our boy is tenacious and funny. exceptionally bright. resilient and unsinkable and engaging and charming. he could very well make history, this child, and we're grappling with how to give him things like honesty and humbleness in a world that values rock stars.

we know each other now. and he trusts us and stays close and we're praying big, miracle-sized things for his life.

16 comments:

K said...

two years?? my goodness. i feel like he just came home. sending love and strength to all of you!

Brandee Shafer said...

Two years. I'll bet it feels like a minute and forever, all at once. Love you.

Unknown said...

Pray that the Lord grant you and Todd His wisdom as you interact with little M

Unknown said...

oh nic. i love.

Joy said...

I just blinked and little M has been here for two years. I can not believe if. I prayed big prayers for you today. My heart is stuck here and there for you and with you. I can't wait to journey to Africa.

Shannan Martin said...

Praying with you, for all the silly boys. xo

rahel said...

Wow... two years already. Feels like only yesterday I followed your posts about your fist meetings with M. All the best to your family!

Jen Shults said...

If there ever was a more perfect match, I don't know that I've seen one. Little M will most certainly do big giant things with the likes of you at his back. :) It's been so wonderful watching the two of you transform together. :) I can't wait to see more!

amy luella said...

thanks for sharing about M, nic. so fun hearing bits of his story, how he's grown. love those last 2 paragraphs of yours.

Galatians 6:9 said...

I pray for you every day. He will do amazing things. I really can't believe it has been two years!

Farmgirl Paints said...

I'm sure those first months were very much a challenge. I can only imagine. Looks like he has found his home with you.

grey rose (they/them) said...

OH the beauty here.

xoxox

TheUnSoccerMom said...

I can't believe it's been two years! I remember praying for you and your family and little M. :o) Time flies when you're having fun!! I miss my bloggy friends but you will always be in my heart.

Anonymous said...

What an inspirational post. :) Thank you for sharing and hope you have many more years.

Katarina said...

Life is incredible!!!I wish you the best of luck and a wonderful new beginning in Africa....You will live a bit closer to me too;))))

Heather said...

Two years of life-changing days from that point on. Wow. It's been sweet watching your family ride the waves of "difficult" and "wonderful". Thanks so much for sharing.