A Day to Celebrate

Dear Jeshua and Jedidiah,

Today is your birthday.  I don't know if you know that or not, but we celebrated today even though you are not here.  Last year we did not celebrate your birthday.  We were told you would mostly likely come home 2 weeks later so we decided to wait until you got here in person.  Wish we would have known that another birthday would pass without you here.

We used to call you "Baby Brothers" but then I told your siblings that you weren't babies anymore.  After the last set of measurements we got on you this month, I realized I have to sell the baby swing and Jedidiah's car seat.  You've outgrown them both.

It's been hard this past year not having you home.  I know it's hard for some people to understand how we can love you so much when all we have are photographs.  I didn't know I could love you so much from just photographs, but it feels like we know you.  Our hearts long for you so much.  You are ours.

Although we have never gotten to touch your precious skin, hug your neck or kiss your sweet lips, we are family.  We know you boys love to swing outside.  We have a play set in the back yard that you will love.  All your siblings can't wait to push you both.  We know you love to play cars and trucks.  We have lots of those too and Josiah is already picking out the best ones to show you first.  We know you love casava leaves and beans but milk is not your favorite.  Mommy will do her best to find casava leaves for you and cook them the way you love.  You just might like our milk - it comes straight from a cow from a local farm.

Your room is all set up for you.  I decorated it in a cowboy theme because your big brothers used to like that.  Caleb and Josiah wanted to give you their teddy bears because they match so they are waiting for you on your bed.  Nonie crocheted you both blankets because all the Fish Sticks have "Ba-Ba's."  One is green and one is blue.  You will love to snuggle with them, especially during Saturday morning cartoons.

Jeshua, we know that you are a little shy and quiet.  You'll be the first in this house. I hope that our noise level won't scare you.  We'll try to break you into the chaos softly.  You can hide with Daddy in his Man Cave with the NFL if you need to.  He'd love another quiet soul to bond with in there.  Jedidiah, we know that you love to talk.  You will fit right in.  I hope you don't get frustrated trying to get all your words out.  We can't wait to hear you jabber away.  Maybe you can teach us some words from your birth country.

I have a scrapbook of all the pictures we have gotten of you boys since you became ours.  We have 147 photos of you.  Every month when we get new photos we inspect them so closely.  Jeshua, we love your ears that stick out.  They are so cute.  Your smile is so beautiful and your teeth look so white.  Jedidiah, your eyes are so big.  In the first photo we got of you, Lydia asked why your eyes were so sad.  They did look sad, but since you moved into your foster home, those sad eyes turned bright, big and happy.  The ones we like the best are when you are both giggling.  Your siblings like the 2 we have when you raised your arms laughing and we can see your belly.  They can't wait to tickle your sweet bellies.

So today since you weren't here to blow out your candles, eat your cake and open any presents, we had a party.  We want you to know that when you do finally come home, we sure did miss you on your birthday.  We want you to know how much we thought about you and longed for you to be here.

Mommy tried Chicken Moambe - the national dish of your country.  We ate it over rice with plantains fried in palm oil.  We loved it.  I promise I will make it next year on your birthday when you are here with us.

Anna Blair made you one of our favorites, Eclair Cake.  We sang Happy Birthday to you and blew out your candles for you.

AB put cake on her teeth just to make you laugh.

Grandma and Grandaddy surprised us by coming over with 2 cakes - one for each of you.  It was a special day.  We thought about you both all day long and wished you were with us.  We sure do love you!

Happy Birthday, Sons!