{ Daniel } turns 5

It hardly seems possible that Daniel is 5 years old. Sure enough, this past Thursday was his big day. I will admit that I was quite selfish on his birthday. I knew in my mind that I wanted it to just be me and him! Why you might ask? Well for the past two years I have not been with Daniel on his birthday. In 2009, we were in China bringing Andrew home. I'm sure I could have delayed our travel, but for all of you that have traveled this journey, you know that there are sacrifices to be made by the whole family. The swine flu was happening and all I could think of was getting to Andrew. We celebrated Daniel's birthday before we left and we were home the day after it. Then in 2010, we were at Detroit Children's Hospital having Andrew's open heart surgery. Again, a choice had to be made and David and I did what we felt was best at the time. However......THIS YEAR, it was all ME and BUBBA! ;) I was so proud of him. We had many errands to do that day and he waited to open presents until about 1:30 in the afternoon. It was just the two of us and I took in every moment watching him open his gifts. His smiles, giggles and just his little expressions of pure delight. When he was done with that, I got the cake "out of hiding" and told him I would light the candle, sing to him and he could have a piece right then and there. He told me he didn't want to do that. That he wanted to wait until Fia, Andwoo and Owidia were home. I was so proud of his thoughtfulness. So while he is still our most challenging child, he is showing signs of growing up and becoming a big boy! ;) Tomorrow is his big day at Chuckie Cheese and he couldn't be more excited. And the best part of that is that Daddy is coming along! We love you Daniel. We will never forget the miracle of your birth or the reason behind it. We love you to the moon and back! All my love.......Mommy.