Three years ago, we were flying to Rwanda to meet our son, our first child. On May 19th, we nervously sat in a little room and waited to be parents. Surreal. With our travel buddies all crammed into the room that was smaller than my bathroom, I held Kieran for the first time. It was a rocky first meeting, but eventually he warmed up to us. He was 19 months old then but not able to stand or walk without assistance. It took him about a week to warm up to us and two weeks to really laugh. Not long after we got home, he was catching up on learning to walk, and learning to love his new family. He has transformed since then into a vibrant, enthusiastic, energetic, brilliant and loving little boy. He is and always has been a snuggler. He very social and constantly wants to do things, go places, and see people. He's rarely quiet and usually running somewhere. Kieran is also a good big brother; he and Marisa laugh together often. He loves to help Mom & Dad around the house with whatever we're working on...usually cooking a meal with Mommy or a home improvement project with Daddy. He's learning to read, and has also become fascinated with the planets and the stars. He often calls all of us to the window to watch the sunset and enjoy the colors that God is painting in the west. Kieran can pick out Venus and Jupiter in the night sky, and he can also tell you whether the moon is waxing or waning. We have learned so much about astronomy because of him! He often amazes us with his deep thoughts and curiosity about things. Of course he also has weaknesses like any four year old- he can be very stubborn, has a flare for the dramatic, and wants to be in charge of everything. But all in all, we are amazed that God chose to place him in our hearts and then in our arms. Our lives have been forever changed for the better because of what happened in that little room in Rwanda three years ago! Today we are celebrating Kieran's adoption day by watching his adoption video. He told me that watching it always puts him in a good mood. We'll go out to dinner at his favorite restaurant for burger and fries and enjoy some dessert too. It's the simple things that delight him, so we're keeping it simple.
 |
May 19, 2009. My very first moment with Kieran. Me: delighted. Kieran: not so sure.
(Mike's head is in the foreground, and my dear friend & her new son are in the background.) |
 |
June 8, 2009. Kieran & Daddy at home.
Oh what a difference a few weeks can make! Our son transformed into a happy boy. |
 |
May 2010. Kieran said "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!"
as he delivered the flowers to me. What a cutie!! |
 |
| May 2010. Celebrating Mother's Day together for the first time. |
 |
May 2011. Kieran is now a big brother! (Marisa arrived home in January.)
He makes his sister laugh all the time. |
 |
| May 2011. This is totally Kieran, lovin' life and enjoying being with his daddy. |
 |
| May 2012. The kids were having fun in our backyard with the water table. |
 |
| May 2012. Kieran just poured water over his head! He loves water and being goofy. |
 |
April 2012. Kieran & Mommy. He is always getting compliments on his sunglasses.
|
