HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY OLDEST PRINCE

5 years ago today in the town of Jiaozuo in the province of Henan China a little boy was born that God had destined to be our son. This little boy was all of 5 lbs and 5 ounces and was sick and left at the gates of the local orphanage. Through the loving care of the ayi's and the director and a foreign organization he was taken care of, fed, and loved until the time God chose to bring us together.

On that first day of meeting this little boy, who lived in a room of 15 cribs with 14other babies and 1 caretaker every 12hr hours, screamed and screamed as he was placed in my arms for the first time. It took him about 40mins to be ok with me holding him and a little longer for Richard to be ok....and now fast forward 3 years and he screams when we leave and screams even more out of love when we come home.....

His given name in China was Fu Xiao Wu and we named him Caleb Xiaowu....he has grown considerably and is healthy as can be. He has become a normal American little boy loving soccer, ball, swings, cars, zoos, grand daddy's sheep (think future farmer in there), ice cream, hamburgers, french fries... there is almost nothing he doesn't love to do, eat or be. He has just blossomed in language skills and relationships. He is smart, loving, compassionate, caring, full of life...Looking back at first pictures we have of him and today I can still see a slight piece of that baby. Sometimes when you look into his eyes you can see an old soul but yet a sparkle of the kid!!!

How would our lives be without this little man???? Empty completely empty and void of the the life he brings to our home.

First thank you Father for knowing Caleb would be ours...at least for a while here on earth....we know he is Yours truly and we are blessed you trust us enough to care for him and show him who you are........

Second thank you to his birth mother who not knowing what truly God has in store gave him up for a better life with another family who loves him just as much as she does....

Caleb-----I love you with all my heart. You bring such joy to me even in those times that are trying. May God bless you with a long life and may you grow every closer to God. My life would truly be empty without you.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MY OLDEST SON MANY KISSES AND HUGS TO YOU TODAY ON THIS YOUR SPECIAL DAY THE DAY GOD BROUGHT YOU INTO THE WORLD!!!!!!!!