January 23rd was the 5 year anniversary of Jonah coming home.  To celebrate we went away for the weekend.  It was a quiet, relaxing weekend.  The hotel had a golf course on it which gave us plenty of opportunity to go hunting for lost golf balls.  The boys really enjoyed staying in a hotel.  We also took them to a fancy grown up restaurant.  This was the first time we tried that, and we're pleased to say that they behaved perfectly well.

Five years is a long time, but it has gone by so fast.  We started this blog so that many of you could follow us on our adoption journey.  It was a journey with low lows and high highs and we remain grateful for all of the prayers and encouragement along the way.  We never intended to maintain this blog monthly, but do so primarily for the benefit of those overseas who do not have the opportunity to see the boys regularly.  Chiefly, Jonah's foster family and our family in England.  We have not forgotten the foster families that were involved in our sons lives before they joined us.  Both boys have pictures of their foster families in their rooms and we speak of their great love and sacrifice often.

In the adoption community there is talk of an adoption triangle.  The birth parents, the adoptive parents, and the child.  This triangle emphasizes the importance of each in the adoption process.  What it does not do is address the massive importance of those who foster.  It is a role that we feel gets little attention, especially in light of the life long impact that foster families have on the children in their care and on the adoptive families whom they are also serving.  We are very thankful for the foster families that provided for Jonah and Micah.  And we're praying for those who are embarking on the fostering journey (A&B).

 Micah on his big boy bike (Christmas gift)

Jonah reading to Micah in out hotel room 

On a tree 

 Under a tree

Dad and lads

 Boys and their Mommy

They're getting along together more and more as they grow