Family Day! (aka GOTCHA DAY)

As we look at these two beautiful boys- our hearts start to flutter with the excitement that Diego and Jeferson complete our family!

It is hard to believe that today is the official "Gotcha Day", and it has been 1 year since we met the boys, and Diego and Jeferson became a part of our family. We have decided that we are going to call this day "Family Day"and plan to celebrate this day each year.




First photos that we received of Diego and Jeferson. June 2008



Diego and Jeferson: 1 year later - June 2009


As we look back, we still can see those 2 little boys with big smiles, running into our arms, as we sat waiting anxiously to meet them. We exchanged huge hugs and many kisses. Those precious boys melted our hearts. This was the magical moment we had long waited for and the family that we had always dreamed of.

Wow! Have our lives changed! Our lives now cater to children's activities. We love it. We had so many years to do couple things, and now truely enjoy children's activities. (Well, at least for Joyce, as Eric has always shown his childlike tendencies). Joyce's concept of always having a clean house are gone! No matter how much she tries to accomplish this, the boys are not going to allow this. Our house is very much lived in: Fingerprints on EVERYTHING!!- windows, walls, mirrors, you name it, they are there. Thank goodness we have a dog to help clean up the food that falls on the floor during meal and snack times. Now, we are happy to just have things somewhat in order throughout the house. The one thing that has probably been the most surprising for us, is the loudness that 2 boys can create. We never thought about this. As all siblings do, Diego and Jeferson fight with each other, yell at each other, and when playing, they even speak very loudly. It is never quiet around our house, and I hope the neighbors enjoyed our quietness for so many years. We have dealt with many temper tantrums over the year, disobedience, not listening to what we ask, and of course their curiosity, testing their boundaries, and naughtiness. Oh well, "boys will be boys!"

However, all these difficult things are overshadowed with the love of these 2 little boys. They bring joy and laughter to our home. Just a simple "I love you!", "Mommy, you're pretty!", "Daddy, you are a good daddy!" or an "I am sorry I was sassy today" from the boys makes us forget all the obstacles we meet every day.
The boys pick flowers for mommy all the time, (yes, Diego even picked a cornstalk, roots and all, and brought it for mommy one day. He was so proud of himself for picking such a big plant!!) It is amazing to explore the world through the eyes of children.

The boys seem so happy, and comment all the time "We are a happy family, right?"
It is amazing to see how much they change everyday, how much they learn each day, how they have adjusted so well, and the amount of language that they are both speaking. The greatest difficulty thus far, has been the language barrier, and we are now at a point, where we are actually able to communicate with the boys. To actually have conversations with them, and to begin teaching them right from wrong.

We love their bright and beautiful smiles, their contagious giggles, and their curiousity in learning new things. We love to read books with them each night, and most of all, we love the snuggling, hugs and kisses, that we are showered with every day.

Thanks to everyone who has given us so much support over this past year. We are blessed to have such great families and friends.

There is nothing more precious than the love of children. Every obstacle in life seems minimal when we look at how much our family has been blessed!

Love, Joyce, Eric, Diego and Jeferson