Our Adoption Journey: Kellin's "First" Christmas

One year ago, Kellin was still in China, just a couple weeks before I met him. So this year was his "first" Christmas! I am so thankful that he is now here with us, loved and cherished, instead of alone in a crib as he was last year. Check out the pictures below! These are just pictures from my phone, not including those taken by other people on their phones, so it's certainly not a complete picture of our Christmas, but it's a start. I will try to post more pictures later.

Rabbit played Mary in the kids' Christmas program at church

We had our own Christmas at home before heading to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Sneaky Santa came while we were at church!

Harry Potter trivia for the Harry Potter fan!

Guess who LOVES Star Wars? He and Daddy got to go and see the movie just a couple days ago.

And the one thing Tigger kept insisting he needed for Christmas? A robot, of course!

Pooh's Christmas request - "pretend stuff." Rabbit sewed him this apron.

And here's his new firefighter costume

Checking out a new toy

And another - Kellin seems to enjoy his new toys, as long as they make music, of course!

A new drum!

Kellin was very interested in his stocking. He even put his hand inside!

Rabbit got new curtains for her room (apparently, she is now too old for the pink and purple sparkly ones)

New pajamas! Getting ready for pajama day at school!

And Rabbit got a new rug for her bedroom. She is REALLY into zebra-print patterns!

It's kind of hard to tell, but all three boys are wearing their new matching wookie pajamas.

Driving to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Pooh thought it was hilarious that his favorite stuffed animal Fin helped Daddy drive.

Grandma and Grandpa decided that our first supper at their house would be Chinese food, in honor of Kellin. Here is Rabbit's attempt to use chopsticks.

And Tigger trying it out, with a demonstration from Grandpa

And Pooh. He didn't really get the chopsticks - but he liked the food!

Pooh and Grandma building together

Kellin exploring the fridge at Grandma and Grandpa's house. This is often how he explores new things - by licking - especially smooth, cold surfaces (like windows, or fridges).

This is a singing Santa, and Kellin was fascinated.

It was a good Christmas. Kellin demonstrated beyond a doubt that he is feeling secure with us. Even with the traveling and mixed-up routines, he was a trooper and smiled and cuddled his way through most of the fun. He has really turned a corner over the last month. He is happy much more often than he is fussy, and when he does get upset, it doesn't last nearly as long as it used to. I don't know what caused this change, but perhaps he has finally worked through some of the trauma from his past. Perhaps he is finally feeling truly safe with us. We don't know - but we are thrilled that he is doing so well!

During this holiday season, let's not forget about those orphans that still wait. I find that these waiting children have been even more on my mind than usual. Here we are, with everything we need (food, warmth, family, love) and even most of what we want, while there are many, many children who are shivering and starving in their cribs while we celebrate in comfort and joy. Some days, I am so heartbroken and desperate for these children that the pain is almost physical. Please join me in praying, advocating, donating, remembering - so that these children are not forgotten.

http://reecesrainbow.org/57909/xander

http://reecesrainbow.org/93916/quinntavius Quinntavius's file has been picked up off of the shared list by yet another agency - perhaps this agency can find him the home and family he so desperately needs and deserves.