One Year Ago Today--Still In Love

When I think of the changes of the past year, I am still amazed most at the changes in Zeke. He who knew no sense of family who now has a family. The little boy who hoarded food, who now knows he will always have enough. The little boy who said he didn't get hugs and kisses in China who now sneaks in my bed early in the morning to snuggle.

One year ago, I knew I was in love.

One year later, the love has grown.

Enjoy this post from one year ago:



He has the sweetest little voice, a little raspy, and a charming smile. Look out ladies!

(He and the driver were a little late, due to the snow. And, the poor fellow was car sick and threw up two times on the way from the orphanage. He wasn't happy when he found out he would have to ride in a car again when we left.)

He quietly entered the room where we were sitting and followed the director, barely looking our way.

When we spoke to him, he came over. He let each of us hold him--well, he tried to hold Ellie. And, he let us kiss him. He didn't say a word.





Stan gave him cars and he opened them. Instead of playing with them, though, he put them in his pockets. He had to be coaxed to play with them. While the others in the room worked on papers, we just played, kissed, hugged. Qing Zhuang said almost nothing.


He was asked by one of the civil affairs officers, "Mama, Baba, hao bu hao?" (Are Mama and Daddy good or not good.) He said, "Hao," one of the first words we heard. The word was, "Good," and we are glad.

We are back in the hotel room, and he is beginning to talk and play. His voice is raspy. I think he and daddy are going to be best buddies!!! I love it. Everything daddy says, Qing Zhuang says. Everywhere Baba goes, Qing Zhuang follows.


He is beginning to talk a lot, just 3 hours after we met him. We have no clue what he is saying, and for now, he is okay with that. He occasionally shouts, "Mama!" to get my attention. I love it.

Josie-Tatum keeps saying things like, "I can't believe we have a brother." And, "Zeke is so adorable."

Ellie was having a good time until we asked her to let Zeke hold her camera. She is now sadly lying on the bed. I think she is overly tired. I asked her if I could lie down with her and she shook her head no. I must seek God's wisdom to make her feel special this week, too.

I leave you with this one video clip. He was practicing everybody's name, not very good at saying Ellie or Josie-Tatum (JT) but he has decided he likes calling Baba...Mama instead. He loves his own joke.