Playing Together

With there being a 5 year age difference, it's hard for the boys to find stuff they both enjoy doing together.  The fact that they both love playing in the snow together is the main reason I love the snow!  Snow and pillow fights are basically the 2 things that they both enjoy playing together.

Until now...

Normally Liam would be well into school by now, but after breakfast they started playing this game where they stand on top of the couch, holding onto the window frames and try to pull each other off (of course giving the victor much valued points)

This has held their attention for almost 30 minutes already (without arguing or injury).  Don't get me wrong, I'm am certain sooner or later I will hear a big crash and something/someone will be broken, but for now school and caution can wait.  It is just so good to see them playing together and to hear Liam cheering for Ezra's victories (Liam told me that he's excited for Ezra to get points because that means that it's a challenge for him).

This mom has a smile on her face :)

This time last year

Yesterday was Ezra's 4th birthday.  This whole week I couldn't get my mind off the thoughts of 'this time last year'.  Last year had 7 months of memories where Ezra should have been with us, where because of government difficulties, he was waiting for us in Rwanda (all the while, the nuns thinking we really didn't want him).

This time last year it had been 4 months since we had received Ezra's picture in our email and we should have had him  home.  We decided to celebrate his birthday even though we were continents apart.  We went to Swiss Chalet (Shawn, Liam and myself), I propped Ezra's referral picture beside me in the booth and the four of us spent dinner together.  I'm guessing that our dinner was a bit tastier than Ezra's was.

We then went to the movies to watch a family flick--Ezra stayed in my purse because, even though it was a family movie, I don't think it would have been appropriate for a 3 year old.

Well, this birthday he is with us... boy is he with us.  He know what having a birthday means (after witnessing Liam's birthday in December) and he has been waiting for HIS day for so long now. 

What a great day it was.  It is so much sweeter not only because we missed the first few birthdays, but really because of how hard it was last year--to know his name, have his picture and know that our son didn't have his mom and dad with him to celebrate with him (Africa is so far away, especially when your child is there and you're not).

The cake, presents and attention were overwhelming.  From the other room I could usually hear him talking to himself about his birthday, singing birthday music to himself, or, of course arguing about his birthday with himself.

Yesterday was his day in the spotlight and he loved it.

Such a great day.  I know that every birthday I will feel immense gratitude to our Lord for the miracle that allows us to celebrate with our son!