Sunday, February 21, 2010

Snapshot Sunday ~ Drew

This picture was taken shortly after Drew was taken to New Day. He is about 8 months old here. Look at those cheeks.




I have no idea how old he is here. I should, but I don't. I love this picture because although he is still a baby, he is starting to look more like a toddler. When I see this picture I think about the first steps he took that I missed. It breaks my heart to know that I wasn't there when he rolled over for the first time. My heart aches knowing that I wasn't there to praise him when he took his first steps or said his first word. I wonder what his first word was? I may never know.




This is the picture that started it all. As soon as I saw his picture I knew he was ours. Looking at this picture was like looking at an ultra sound for the very first time. Remember that feeling? . That is the feeling At first the agency said his needs were more than we could handle, but I spent all weekend staring into these eyes knowing that he was our son. And on that following Monday I pretty much insisted that we be able to look at his file. I spent all day Monday and Tuesday going through his file praying that God would show me a sign that this child was indeed our child. Sure enough God delivered. You can read all about it here.



On March 11, 2009 Drew turned 3. This was taken a couple of weeks before we saw his picture for the first time. He looks so big here and is obviously proud that he is 3. This is another milestone of his that we missed. When we started this process my goal was always to travel by the time he turned 4. Unfortunately that is not going to happen. Drew will turn 4 in about two weeks, without his forever family. The only thing that is comforting my heart is knowing that no matter what, this WILL be the last birthday he celebrates without us.



This is Drew and Elva. Elva works at New Day and she and Drew share a very special bond. When I see pictures like these, it me so grateful that Drew is at New Day. Although I may not have been the one that heard his first word, or watched him take his first step. I wasn't the one he ran to when he was scared or hurt. Just knowing that he had people like Elva, his foster family, and all the New Day staff makes the wait to much more bearable.




This picture was one that we received in our monthly updates on Drew. Yes, we are so blessed to receive these updates. We have been told that Drew is a loving, caring child. He is smart, affectionate and love to help others. He loves to eat and he has a great sense of humor. He is going to fit in just fine with the rest of our clan.




We are hoping to travel the first part of April, unfortunately we short some of the travel expenses. I have created a separate blog for Drew's fundraiser with some really great prizes. In fact, later today I will be adding even more prizes. I have seen the adoption community pull together do amazing things to bring these kids home. Please at least take a minute to check out Drew's fundraising blog to not only get the chance to win some awesome prizes, but to unite a little boy with his forever family.



Ni Hao Y'all

16 comments:

Tara Anderson said...

Mandi, I just want to send you a great BIG cyber-hug right now!!! I know being away from Drew hurts...my mother's heart knows that feeling all too well...and I know that it is especially rough that he will be celebrating another birthday without you. I wish we could just sit on your couch and eat ice cream while we talk it all out...but I think that we would come to the same conclusion we would in the blog world. God's timing is perfect, and even when we can't be with our children HE is!!! I know that's easier to feel some days than others, and I'm praying that God just comforts you with His presence during these final weeks away from Drew. May you feel the warmth of the same arms that are holding Drew right now!!! Can't wait to see you travel! :)

Julie said...

Mandi- Drew's pictures are absolutely adorable. I love following your blog because your life seems very similiar to mine. (I cannot remember if I have told you this before or not.) My husband and I will be celebrating, God-willing, our 13th anniversary in April. We have three bio children...a son who will be 9 tomorrow, a 6 year old daughter, a 3 year old daughter and we are waiting for our son in China who just turned 2. I felt your pain in your post and I feel the same. I second everything Tara said in her comment. :) We have to trust God as He knows what is best for all of us. Drew is so precious and I am excited to watch as you bring him home. God bless you and your family!!!!

Stefanie said...

You ARE so blessed to get those pictures of your sweet boy as he grows... AND to know he is in such wonderful, loving hands until you can travel for him!!
He is such a darling little guy :)

3 Peanuts said...

Your Drew is adorable. I hope he is in your arms very soon.

Donna Luce said...

Mandi:

We are praying for you guys to be able to get to Drew as quickly as possible; and for your fundraising efforts to be more than enough to get you there! Wishing you all the best, always!

We can't wait to see you hold him in your arms!

Blessings,

Donna Luce

Donna Luce said...

Mandi,
Those photos of Drew are absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!
Donna

Unknown said...

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Look how big he is getting. He is just the sweetest thing! : ) My heart hurts for your pain.

Anonymous said...

He is so precious.

Amanda said...

Mandi,

Praying for you to get to Drew as quickly as possible.God's timing is perfect (check your e-mail)
Good luck with your fundraiser. Wishing you all the best, always!

We can't wait to follow your journey!

Blessings,
Mandy

living4him5 said...

Aw, I love all the pictures documenting his babyhood. I soooo wish I was able to hold my Linzhi Rose when she was a baby. I feel like we missed so much and we did. Now with Madelyn, 8 years have gone and I have very little information on her life. No matter the past...We will be blessed to witness their futures!!

Thank you for your encouragement!

Hugs and love,
Amy

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

Mandi~These are great pictures of Drew! I pray you can hold him soon and that your heart will then feel full.

Blessings~
Lisa
Mommy to Lindy
Waiting for her mei mei from Taiwan

MississippiZen said...

What a precious little guy! Praying for quick travel for your family!

Lori at JOY Unspeakable said...

Hey Mandi!
I will give you a plug on my blog for your fundraiser! And I'll be praying that ALL the funds are raised to bring that sweetie boy home!

Mama Melissa said...

how adorable is he?! i know it is really tough being away from him, but it's awesome you have some pictures!! prayers sent your way! i'm so excited for you! hope it goes super fast and you're there in a moment! :)

Melissa

Chris said...

Your little guy is adorable!!!

The pictures are great!! What a blessing!!

He will be home soon!!!!! But, I know the waiting can be so, so, soooo difficult!!!

You are in my thoughts & prayers!!

BTW, it will be so much fun to follow your 'journey' to China!!!

Elizabeth Bergeron said...

What a handsome little guy you have there!! Blue is definately his color. What a blessing he will be to your family. I've seen your blog prior to Drew's journey somewhere so it's good to see your story unfold. God is good and I love seeing and hearing about the newly formed families. God bless you all.