Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird, I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
- George Eliot

The days are flying by, Shi Shi is growing and changing daily, and there are just so many little "Shi Shi-isms" I don't want to forget...

• He's learning some of his letters: A, O, P, T, Y, and of course, D, "for Daaaaaaave!"


• He's such a compassionate little soul. If he sees someone is hurt or upset, he goes to them, gently touches their back or arm and says, "K? K?" (As in, "Are you OK?")


• Even though he can say her name properly now, he still calls Hannah "Nani".


• After seven months, he will finally sit and let me read a book with him. Up until now, he just couldn't sit still for more than a couple of seconds to focus on a book. We are now looking at board books together before bed. After each one, he holds up his little index finger and says, "One more!" - about a dozen times! And he brings me books and pleads with me, "Reeeeeeead!" like Rachel used to do when she was his age.


• Speaking of pleading, he has mastered, "Pleeeeeease, Mommy!" when he really, really wants something. Soooooo hard to resist...

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember.

Hosted by Soulemama.

One Year Ago Today...

...I read our adoption agency's e-letter to families waiting to adopt from China. The letter mentioned that they had little boys on their waiting children list. I made my first inquiry on that day. Just five months later, our Shi Shi became a member of our crazy, wonderful family.

I re-read those early emails this morning. David bounced over and gave me a big hug and kiss while I was reading. I think he was wondering why I was crying. Sometimes I look at him and I still can't believe how it all fell together so perfectly.

Coincidentally, our agency's e-letter this month shares a link to their Waiting Child program. David's picture is shown along with that information.

It's amazing what miracles can happen in a year!

Doesn't Every Little One Paint With Apples in the Fall?