Christmas miracles

Tonight was magical.

The kind of night where you know Christmas is all about giving, good people, and warm feelings. The type of Christmas moment where you know the Holy Spirit is with you and the people around you.

We visited a local place called the Mistletoe Light Show in Phelan, CA.  http://mistletoelightshow.blogspot.com

They do a big production every year with lights all over their 2 1/2 acre property, and you can drive through it. We went last year for the first time, and it was really neat. We went again tonight.

This time we couldn't drive through, so we parked and walked in and rode the train for $1/person to see all the cool lights.

We even saw the Grinch. Sorry this is blurry. He was fun.

Then we decided to walk through. We walked under a lit bridge of lights. Walked up to a playhouse converted to a window shop of Santa's living room, saw It's a Small World, and other neat displays.  

Then we got in line to see Santa...

And a beautiful snow princess came out to greet the children.

They were letting in one family at a time. And then we got to enter Santa's house!!! When the door shut behind us, the magic grew the strongest ever. It was quiet inside. Santa was sitting by the Christmas tree and Mrs. Claus to his left. Micah loved the train (his current obsession), then...

Micah wanted to go up to Santa first.

It was so cute, he smiled big, and Santa was so friendly and gentle. Then he did the unthinkable...

He said he had something special for him. Just for Micah. WHAT?! Barry and I were so moved that he did that.

I'm so bummed this picture is blurry because Micah is sooooo excited and talking to Santa. You can almost see his face going "OOOOHHHHHHH!!!"  It was the most special moment we've ever seen with Santa.

I am still on the verge of tears when I think of the kindness from this moment. We don't know why he did that, but we can only imagine it's because Micah had something special to give to Santa too. A moment with a child with special needs can make almost anyone smile.

But it doesn't end there!!!

Sweet little Annie was next and she just loved talking to Santa and telling him she wants a razor scooter for Christmas.

Then Gracie went next. GRACIE. This is the child who has never once sat with Santa because she was always scared, even when the man behind the beard was her daddy the first year. She got on his lap, talked to him, and SMILED for a picture! This might have made us slightly more shocked than the gift from Santa to Micah.

I took three pictures of this awesome moment, but this was the best of Gracie. Santa was looking at his dear wife to give Gracie a small gift of a candy cane and small bag of Legos (all the girls got these). 

And then sweet Chloe wanted a picture with Mrs. Claus.

We don't know the people who run this event each year, but they are very special people. It costs them A LOT of money to run the lights each year and do it all out of generosity and donations. Then they are handing out GIFTS? And nice ones too. Barry and I were both so overcome with emotion from the experience with Santa that neither of us could hardly contain ourselves. We exited the special house and took some more photographs.

Then we found the (real) mistletoe hanging over the cute little bench. And we couldn't resist. Thank you to our junior photographer for this special moment :)

And of course, the Christmas scene wouldn't be complete without seeing a nativity showcasing the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We've been home over two hours, and I'm still in awe of how beautiful and amazing this night was. There are still GOOD people in the world. They still make our lives a little better and brighter with their kind, giving hearts, warmth, and cheer.

Thank you, Santa and Mrs. Claus of the Mistletoe Light Show! You made our night, and a special memory with our children.

Love, the Ray Family

2013

Updates on the most famous "orphan no more" in Oak Hills :)

I realized that I tend to crawl in a hole and hide when things get tough. When there's criticism or judgment. And when I don't want to explain my thoughts and life to strangers (or even sometimes to those I love the most).

I've also realized that much of the public eye was upon us as we adopted Micah, and rightfully so! As many of those "strangers" had been praying and advocating for a lost orphan from a country far, far away. Many of those beautiful strangers loved our son before we did, and we were the answer to their many prayers! How selfish of me to hide his story. Just because of a few "snarky" people that caused me to feel angry and bitter (I love that new word I learned from my dear friend). Shame on me! And shame on them.

But this post is about a beautiful boy named Micah... who was found because of Reece's Rainbow and willing hearts of friends, family, and complete strangers who helped us pray and bring him home. We are forever in their debt.

This amazing little boy captured our hearts the first moment we saw his picture in November 2010. You've all read the stories and know how we got to this point. Did you know he's about to celebrate his third Christmas with his forever family? And he's super excited about it, too! This boy who didn't know what to do with the toys we first gave him at the orphanage... the one who threw and kicked the blocks incessantly, nearly missing my head a few times... the one who didn't know what to do with a book or crayons at the age of 3... the one who cowered away from hugs and kisses from his sisters because he didn't know what they were doing... the one who didn't know how to use a fork, spoon, or cup when he came home... the one afraid of dogs, balloons, and anything "new"...

Look at him now!

He's learned so much in just two years. The love of a family... and extended family. How to be silly. What laughter really is. Hugs and kisses. What is safe. Who friends are. Grandparents. Easter eggs. Birthdays. Jesus. Soccer. A trampoline. A camera. Waves in the ocean! And he LOVES trains and trucks with trailers!

Camping... campfires... and Daddy's campfire stories.

He loves rides at amusement parks and gets really mad when he has to get off of them. This makes me happy to know that he knows what he wants! He can tell us his preferences of a number of things... like which blanket he wants to use and what foods he likes.

He even learned how to pedal a bike with his feet this summer!

And he will say "cheese" anytime we bring out a camera. Our little handsome boy.

And he loves to travel...

Where would our lives be without Micah? We'd still have love and fun, yes. But with him, there is SO.MUCH.MORE. of the good stuff. Ask the girls if they could imagine their lives without Micah. They would tell you no way! Are special needs an issue? They have told us they don't even notice that Micah has Ds. "He's just like us. What's the big deal?" From the mouths of babes; perfect. What IS the big deal? :) 

Happy Thanksgiving! :)