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! :)