Caleb's Gotcha Day 2012

Today marks 4 years since we carried a tiny, blonde haired blue eyed baby boy out of the Belovodsk orphanage in Kyrgyzstan.  I could not imagine that the small, weak, screaming baby we held in the car would become such an incredible little boy.  Caleb has not only grown into a strong, healthy child but he is also bright, funny and so unique.  On October 9, 2008 in a country on the other side of the world our lives transformed from being childless and heartbroken to being full of joy and exciting experiences with our new son.

Taking off Caleb's orphanage clothes to put on his Gotcha Day outfit.  It was the first time he had his own clothes.

Carrying our son out of the orphanage in Kyrgyzstan.  The caregivers wanted us to bundle him up (shirt, sweater, pants, hat and fleece snowsuit) even though it was only about 65 degrees outside!

Every year we celebrate Caleb's Gotcha Day as a way to mark the day we became a family.  We realize that some day he may not want to focus on this day, or he may want it to be a more private celebration and of course we will honor that.  But today after we reminded him what day it was and talked about ways to celebrate he turned to Bryan and said, "Did you remember it's my 'doption day?!?!".  We want the adoption of all of our children to be something that is celebrated because not only is it an incredible way to build our family, it is also a tangible representation of God's faithfulness!  We pray He would be honored in how we parent all of our kids.

We told Caleb that he could pick any restaurant he wanted for dinner tonight and that we would go look at water towers afterwards.  After much deliberation he chose to eat at Chicken Oil Co, a hole in the wall College Station classic that serves burgers and fries.  The main reason Caleb chose Chicken Oil Co:  it is located across the street from the Bryan water tower.

Caleb brought his ball that is decorated to look like the top of the Bryan water tower.  Here he is showing the water tower his own water tower topper from the Chicken Oil parking lot.

Bryan and the boys headed into Chicken Oil

They had live music tonight and both of the boys really enjoyed it although Caleb did say it was too loud a couple of times.

Enjoying the band while eating his supper

Joshua loves to dip anything in ketchup and also loves to wear Daddy's hat

Keeping it classy at dinner - examining his own belly, which he later rubbed with ketchup-coated french fries.

After dinner Caleb chose to drive past the Aggie water tower that is on campus.  Bryan was able to pull over on campus and we let the boys out so they could get a good look.  Caleb loved it, and interestingly enough Joshua has started to point to water towers when we are driving, even if Caleb is not there.  He says, "Hi tow" and "Bye tow" and waves when we drive by.

I'm not sure we will ever cease to be amazed by what God has done to make us parents.  From the hurt and sadness of infertility has come two beautiful children that we know were placed in our arms by a loving, faithful Father.  When we look at Caleb and Joshua, we see answered prayer and reminders of our own adoption into God's family.

Caleb Daniel, you are the answer to the prayer of my heart.  You will always be my first baby and the one who changed the course of our lives.  Your story is a testimony to God's faithfulness and His providence.  We know with complete confidence that He has big plans for you and we are honored that He chose us to shepherd you through life.  We pray that you would know Him as your savior, that you would know His and our unconditional love, and that you would be able to look at your whole life and see Him at work throughout it.  We love you, our precious boy!