Waiting Stitches

One year ago we met this little boy.  One year ago, we became a family of four. One year ago our lives shined a little brighter. We learned our son had a smile that could light up a room and eyes that twinkled with love.  One year ago we started a bond and an attachment with a child that will forever be ours.  We officially became a Forever Family. One year ago a brotherhood began. Their ties are strong and become tighter every day. One year ago... We often say adoption is not for the weary. We not only had to run a race to bring our child home, but we ran a full marathon, a marathon riddled with twists, turns, and hills. The cheering along the way from our family and friends kept us going, and many prayers to our good Lord above kept us running even when we felt like catching a break. One year ago our lives completely changed and there has been no looking back. BOTH our boys are our world, our joy, our chaos, our fun, our lo...

Time to Celebrate! It is a BIG day in the Schack world as we get to celebrate 6 MONTHS together as a family of four! Can hardly believe it! Time is going by so fast! When I told Tope & Caleb tonight that today was a big milestone, Tope's eyes first became very wide with sparkles, and then he had the cutest smile (although, I think he was realizing that a celebration meant a treat was on the way!...). Although Tope may not understand the significance of this time frame, I do believe he is starting to understand the significance of how his life has been changing. We have been watching Tope grow into his family, his surroundings, and learning how to be more and more himself wherever he goes. With all of this growth has come lots of wonderful times and many frustrating times, for both Tope & our family, but one thing is for sure, we are all very happy and can't imagine this life any different.  During the last couple months, we have seen a hug...

Tope turned 6 in June! It was such a special day that we felt so blessed to share with our little boy.  Inevitebly, I felt the day was so special, that I felt like a mess the whole day because I wanted it to be absolutely perfect. This day needed to represent the five years of birthdays we had missed with him. He was our everything that day. Although I felt like a crazy anxious person, pretty sure he had an incredible day and was enjoying himself fully and thought everything was perfect.  And really it was perfect. OUR son was turning six. A day of celebration, cake, presents, and Family! What could be better?  We are so incredibly blessed to have finally shared in one of Tope's special days, and I can't thank God enough for bringing him home.  Here is to many many more birthdays with our very special Tope! We love you so much! Can't wait to see what year six brings you!

What does friendship mean to you? Who have you come to rely on during your time on Earth? Is it your best friend from childhood, is it your sister or brother, does she live down the street and have kids your age, or maybe it is your parent or spouse. We all should have friends, Good friends, the kind that would drop what they are doing to spend time with you at a moments notice, or comfort you when you are sad, or be there to laugh with you when life is good.  How many friends have you had in your lifetime? What do these people still mean to you? Do they hold a place in your heart and make you long for that time of comfort and joy?  I have been watching our Tope the last three months learning so many things, trying new experiences, becoming part of a family, and learning about his new home and life. He seems to be finding his flow quickly and living his life with gumption and enthusiasm. It intrigues me most to see the relationships he is building with those a...