Goodbye for Now

Today, we dropped the girls off at Peg and Ron's and went to Deanna Rose. We played at Joshua's favorite playground (and when I say played I mean Eamonn played and Joshua hung out in the sandpit since that's his favorite)

One of Joshua's favorite things to do lately has been feed the goats. So we did that, partly to get him to agree to leave the sand. Eamonn was a little timid with them, which is understandable since they aren't baby goats and are quite large. He later warmed up to them, but until then, Joshua took great delight in instructing him. This is Joshua telling him, "Put in mouth". So Eamonn would know how to feed the goats. It was very cute.

We had a lot of fun at the farmstead, but soon it was time to go so we could eat lunch and still have KC make her flight. 

We decided it really wasn't appropriate for her to leave Kansas City without having some barbecue, so we went to Jack Stack for a delicious lunch. After that, we went home and she had to go pretty quickly. Joshua hugged Eamonn goodbye, which was sweet since he does not often do that without prompting.

It was kind of a weird situation for both families because you don't often invite someone to stay at your house without knowing much about them and you don't often fly across the country to stay with someone you don't know at all, but I think we are both so glad we made the effort. It was a really positive visit and I think this will be a wonderful relationship for Joshua, and by extension us, to have. And I really hope the next time we meet, it will be us visiting them in London because, I mean it's London. Deanna Rose is nice and all, but I would be quite excited to be able to go there.

A Good Kind of Crazy

During the time that Eamonn and his family our staying with us, we have five kids under three in our home, which is a little bit crazy, but I think in a very nice way. It is very busy, but also very joyful. Today KC and I took the kids to the park. Since it was quite warm today (especially for them. they are used to temperate California.), we thought the kids might enjoy the wading creek. And they did. Including Hannah, who just kind of dove right in. She was totally soaked and completely happy.

After the park, we went home and got some lunch. The boys were being super silly and cracking each other up, just like Joshua and Clara do and it just warmed my heart to see that.

After Eamonn was refreshed from a quick nap, we got some good pictures, including this one where they are being a little silly. They definitely look alike in some ways, yet are very different in others. I think they look like brothers, but not the kind of brothers that everyone asks them all the time if they are twins. Hannah wasn't sure what to think about another baby around so she took some time to try to figure out Maisie, who was very accommodating.

A Very Special Visit

Today we had some very special visitors arrive. We have known for some time that Joshua not only has a biological sister who is being raised by his birthmom, but a biological brother who was also adopted. His birthmom would rather not be in contact at this time so we were very excited for Joshua to have the opportunity to have a connection with his biological brother, Eamonn (pronounced \'Ay - mun\'). Of course, he can't really understand it now, but we think it will really be valuable to him as he grows to have that relationship. In an ideal world, we might have waited a bit for a visit until the boys could understand more what adoption even is because I don't think either of them yet can understand abstract things. However, Eamonn and his family are moving to London soon for his dad's job for a couple years so we may not have another opportunity for some time. So we were thrilled when KC (his mom) told us she was able to make the trip to visit. Today KC, Eamonn, and his younger sister Maisie arrived at our home. Unfortunately his dad couldn't make the trip since his job in London is already started and he is traveling a lot. KC was nice enough to bring some frozen pizza for dinner, which I am not sure Joshua could have been happier about. He wouldn't really stop eating for pictures. They enjoyed eating together and playing for a bit before Eamonn went to bed.