Forever Family Day! A Year with Lincoln...

One year ago today
we had an answer to a prayer,
when we heard the news
to say that you were waiting there.
As we held only a photo,
ours hearts were lost that day
to a little boy in Guatemala
you seemed to be a world away.
Such a chubby face and tiny nose,
the lovely almond eyes,
the oh-so-squeezable cheeks
captured us - lost to mesmerize.
Praying you were here with us,
wishing we were not apart
Gazing at your picture,
we met you heart-to-heart.
Hard to believe it to be true
a child to call our own,
our son, we were soon to meet
we'd finally bring you home.
And now we hold you in our arms
and count our blessings from above
because just one year ago today
we were given you to love.

Lincoln and Shelby just finished watching Papa as he snow-throwed.

Papa is clearing all of the snow away...my hero!

Lincoln's strawberry and whip cake with graham cracker crust ~ YUMMY!!

Dig In!

Mama is cutting Lincoln a piece. Can you see the patience here?!

Yum.Yum

Wiping off my face.

Ta-Da...Presto Chango...I am Mr. Clean Face!

Our Forever Family!

Take 2: without Mama's glasses

Lincoln's new stroller and puppy dog.

Giving kisses to the puppy.

Lincoln is taking his new puppy and bear for a ride.

Hold on tight!

Lincoln with his new stuffed friends and his beloved train.
This is one happy boy!

Mama and Lincoln just before bedtime. Night-Night!

It is hard to believe that Lincoln has been with us for only one year. It seems like we have always been parents... As Philip and I look back on this past year, we have to agree that it has been the best year of our lives. Lincoln has truly been a blessing form the Lord. We look forward to what the coming year has in store for us and we can only hope that it will be as rewarding as the past 12 months. We are about to celebrate our "Forever Family Day"!!! On this day last year we were in Guatemala. We were nearing the end of our journey. Lincoln was placed in our arms and we were finally complete. Life with Lincoln has been life changing. We couldn't have asked for a sweeter child.
Today, on our "Forever Family Day" we woke up to our happy little man bouncing in his crib. Since the day he came home we have always looked forward to mornings...he is such a great reason to crawl out of bed! I love that he is always SO happy when he wakes up. His giggles are the best!
It snowed ALOT throughout the day and we had to cancel our plans to eat out. When Linc and I came home from work we snow-throwed the driveway. I had him in my baby backpack and he was enjoying it as I tried to clear the way for Papa to pull into the driveway. Um...it has not stopped snowing yet! It is unbelievable! I am in awe at how much snow we are getting.
We celebrated with cake that Lincoln devoured! He also liked his new baby stroller and stuffed animals. He was so stinking cute! It was adorable to see him pushing his babies around in the stroller. As I laid Lincoln down for bed this evening I couldn't help but to think of this day last year. We were in our hotel room staring at our new baby boy as he slept so peacefully in his crib. We were wondering what the days ahead had in store for us. Looking back I can say that they were everything we had hoped for - and more.
Below are some photos from this past year.

Our son Lincoln Joshua Jose
February 6, 2007

Our spotted Valentine 2007

Shelby and Lincoln getting ready to play in snow.

Lincoln's 1st snow outing!
February 2007

March 2007

March 2007

April 2007

April 2007

May 2007

May 2007

June 2007

June 2007

July 2007

July 2007

August 2007

August 2007

Lincoln's 1st steps.
August 2007

September 2007

September 2007

October 2007

November 2007

November 2007

December 2007

December 2007

December 2007

Lincoln's 1st visit to Chucky Cheese
January 2008

January 2008