Happy 2nd Birthday Michael!

Michael is 2 years old!!!!

I cannot believe how time has just flown by this past year. Last year this time I was in Ghana (I truly love that country :) & miss the heat and humidity & the traffic & the people & & & ......! ); I had only met Michael 2 days before and the biggest part of the adoption roller coaster ride was still ahead of us.

The biggest blessing for me though was being able to be there for his 1st birthday - George & the girls would have loved to share this day, but it was not to be......

It did not stop us though from having a good time with Michael's BH family & our "adopted" Paul family - the cake of cause a Bake Shop classic, delicious :)

This year my sister, Gretchen was there to share in the moment. She flew back with Ellen & Marina after the university entrance tests and spent about a week with us.

Auntie GiGi , as Michael calls her, with Marina and Yvonne

This photo of Ellen & Gretchen was taken at Greater Zimbabwe.

As with Samuel's birthday, we invited our friends from Jabulani to share the day with us. This amazing couple who have 6 abandoned little ones in their care are such an inspiration to us. They have a beautiful home and the little ones are most definitely no longer orphaned - they have a Mom & Dad that adore them and love on them abundantly.

Enjoying the sunshine and just being together.

This adorable little girl was the "lead singer" when we sang happy birthday. She, and the other little ones, have so much confidence and they love to sing. Michael loves all the girls, the boys are a different story :)

Michael loves a bakkie (pick up) (especially his Oupa's) and his favorite character in the movie "Cars" is Mater.

Because George could not be at home for the entire party, we decided to only cut the cake the evening. Michael had a firm grip on the knife and actually did most of the cutting himself. Another delicious cake from our friend Des - yes, we love cake :)

Hard to believe a year has passed from the first photo to this one. We are so blessed!!!!!

What a difference these two little boys have made in our lives - not only our family, but so many others lives have been touched by them.

Thank you Lord for Michael,

We know that you had a future and great plans for him long before he was knitted in his mother's womb;

Thank you that we can be part of his life; help us Lord to bring him up in Your ways;

Thank you for his smile & laughter; his unconditional "luv you".

Happy Birthday "MushaBelly"