• Home
  • About
  • Wild Olive Tees
  • No Hands But Ours
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

  • Ni Hao Y'all
  • Faith
    • my faith
  • adoption
    • special needs adoption
      • clubfoot
      • Down syndrome
      • dwarfism
    • shared list
    • advocating
  • family
    • Magnolia
    • Clementine
    • Tallula
    • Poppy
    • Esther
    • Vivienne
    • Shepherd
    • Jude
    • Isabelle
    • Sophie
    • Dalton
    • Asher
    • Zach
    • Victoria
  • Life
    • memory lane
    • what works for us
    • things I love
    • Q and A
    • marriage
    • cooking
    • celebrations
    • blogging
      • love others
      • kudos
  • photography
    • photography 101
    • Sunday Snapshot

better late than…

I am a bad mommy.

I sorta missed posting these pictures.

 

Of a pretty major event in the life of a just-turned 5 year old.

 

Jude’s birthday was in early February.

And my calendar is telling me it’s already early April.

 

Although we did celebrate, and I did get photographic proof, I hadn’t even edited these pictures until today.

Honestly, I sorta forgot about them.

 

You see, the day after I took these pictures was Monday the 14th. The day we got the really bad news that our HS update would not be forthcoming.

And, truly, it seemed that bringing Esther home was impossible.

 

So, well, y’all probably remember…

I kinda went into hiding for about 2 weeks after that.

 

But, back to the birthday boy… we sure did have fun celebrating my little man’s big day.

Jude is such an incredible kid – smart, sweet, funny.

 

And when he smiles?

We all smile.

 

At his request, we went to our usual birthday hangout.

With the usual birthday-celebrating peeps.

 

With the usual birthday grins.

And did the usual birthday things.

 

Played pool.

Scarfed down some snacks.

Watched a movie on the big screen.

 

And, of course, sang a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday.

And then ate cake.

 

My sweet Jude would never dream of actually eating birthday cake.

But he insisted we make one for his brothers and sisters.

 

That’s the kind of guy he is.

 

And, pretty sure we all agree, we certainly do like him that way.

 

Happy 5th birthday, Jude – just a few months late.

We sure do love you.

Then, now and forever.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
«
»

04.06.11 · celebrations, Jude 14

Comments

  1. Liberty says

    April 6, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    Hi,

    I am a rather recent google reader follower of your blog. I love your story and your heart. Quite inspiring! I am the mom of 4 kids: 3 homegrown and 1 domestic open adoption gift. We were about to embark on an international adoption journey when our son pretty much fell in our laps! That was six years ago and now we are once again feeling the call to adopt and grow our family, so I've been drinking in all that God has done through your family….and praying that He would do in us what He wills. We have not begun the adoption process, but are prayerfully looking into how and when to begin. I love reading your family updates, it is a blessing that you share your life!

    Liberty

    Reply
  2. clearness says

    April 6, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Those rosy cheeks? Are they edited to look so blush and beautiful? He's a doll!

    Reply
  3. Kjbikakis says

    April 6, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    What a cutie! Looks like everyone had such a great time at the party (:
    Happy (late) Birthday Mr. Jude!! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
  4. Dylan and Liz Stewart says

    April 6, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    Happy Birthday Jude! looks like you had tons of fun!

    Reply
  5. Sarah says

    April 6, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    Please tell Jude I said Happy Birthday. Even if it is late, because I forgot too. I typically remember birthdays that fall around mine. Shame on me ๐Ÿ™

    Reply
  6. Nancy says

    April 6, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    OK… the cheeks are to DIE for! He is ONE HANDSOME BOY!
    Happy belated birthday, from the mama of another Jude (who by the way looks VERY much like your Jude. Kinda weird! But without the rosy cheeks.)
    Nancy-of the crazy 8

    Reply
  7. Jean says

    April 6, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    Happy Birthday Jude!! He us such a cutey!! Sounds like it was a great day!!

    Can't wait to catch up on my reading and find out more about little Esther! Will you call her Essie?? I love Essie!

    Blessings on your journey!!

    Reply
  8. Myra says

    April 6, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    He sure is a looker Stephanie! Bolt the doors when this one hits puberty!!!

    Reply
  9. Renee says

    April 7, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    He's a doll! Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  10. Holly says

    April 7, 2011 at 2:13 AM

    what do you mean he doesn't eat cake?? Is it a texture thing? My kids would eat the ENTIRE cake if I let them. NO KIDDING. Elaina could eat a Big Mac Meal…the entire meal. No joke. I guess in my experience if it is fattening or filled with sugar, my kiddos love it!
    Looks like a fun time. Can't wait to see Poppy and Esther together ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  11. Jennifer says

    April 7, 2011 at 2:17 AM

    Oh, how cute is he!?!? Those cheeks are precious! Looks like everyone had a blast! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  12. Scrappy Bug says

    April 7, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    ๐Ÿ™‚ Adorable!

    Reply
  13. Aus says

    April 7, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    Jude – dude – happy birthday – even if we found out late!

    hugs – aus and co.

    Reply
  14. Chris says

    April 7, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Happy Birthday Jude!

    Better late than never…..I should know…lol!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS

Subscribe

instagram

see more...follow us on IG

our china journeys

magnolia - 2016
clementine - 2014
tallula - 2012
penelope - 2011
vivienne - 2010
shepherd - 2008
jude - 2007
sophie - 2006
isabelle - 2005

ways to make a difference

Love Project

proceed with caution

a dirty secret in adoption
we don't celebrate gotcha day
there's no such thing as an easy adoption
if I can, you can.
co-sleeping, why we do it.
gawsh. the series.
crazy
affording adoption
God and me.
Vivi's diagnosis
the ugly, beautiful truth
special needs: my .02
my testimony
dear anonymous
my chinese son

Creative Commons License

Copyright © 2023 · Darling theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 ยท Darling Theme on Genesis Framework ยท WordPress ยท Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.