12-12-12, the day marked as the end of the world according to the Mayan Calendar. It certainly was the end of our little world. A year ago today we went from being the Three Musketeers to a full court press after one short, life changing phone call. Thirty minutes after hanging up the phone our kid count tripled. We've never looked back and never regretted the decision to become a Foster Family. It's been 12 months of chaos and crazy including a cross country relocation, but we've thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
Ben prayed for a little sister from the time he was three years old until the day before Sarai came to us. Not long after settling in, Ben asked why Alan had come to our house too, if he'd only prayed for a baby sister? What a sweet experience it was to explain that Heavenly Father often sends us answers to prayers in unexpected ways. Ben excels at being an older brother to BOTH his siblings.
Who can forget that hair cut? I remember a neighbor boy running his hands over the short stubble and commenting that it felt like Velcro. Our sweet Alan dove headfirst into our family. Look at that smile literally 12 days after joining a new family. We know he was a ball of nerves, but he overcame everything and turned into the world's best hugger.
I remember snapping this photo and knowing everything was going to be just fine.
Ahh, yes, the sleep of spoiled parents who haven't had an infant for six long years.
One of his first full English sentences..."mom, I write A-L-A-N."
Only four weeks old. She had soooo much hair. We all thought she resembled a little monkey.
Last Saturday, on our way to see Santa, we spontaneously stopped in at the Dothan Railway Station for a quick photo op. It turned into an amateur photo shoot. The sun cooperated, mostly, and Dean grabbed some great shots of our little family. A lot has changed in the last 12 months and we've changed too.
Benjamin 7
Alan - 5
Sarai - 1
We know there's a long road ahead, full of adventures we get to take together.
Merry Christmas!
Love, the Marturellos
All FIVE of us :)
So cute! I can't believe it has been a year. What a great year for your family! Love you guys and miss you! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI was their when you received that life changing phone call, it was a pretty surreal moment, look how amazing it all turned out, you guys really are meant to be a family. Did you get something from Santa in the mail yet?
ReplyDeleteYou were there, Syrina! What a crazy day and year...Nothing has come from Santa, but now we're on the edge of our seats and checking the mail 3 times a day with the anticipation of something. Thanks so much!
DeleteI am so happy for you and your family. One of my biggest regrets during my three years of misery is missing out on being with you through all the joys and struggles you were facing as well. Heavenly Father certainly does bless us in weird, but beautiful ways. May you have a very Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI can barely remember Sarai being so tiny--what a sweet baby. Those days were so full of questions and the unknown. You got through it and did it beautifully at that. Congratulations.
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