A reunion of sorts.

So, here we are again. Life has changed since last we met in so many ways. It is much more exhausting, sometimes defeating, often hilarious, and much richer. Sounds like a lifetime movie. Maybe somedays. But folks, we are plugging along. And most days, loving it. Because most days, we are clinging to the reminder that “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Thanks, Confucius. Time for a reunion of sorts. A reminder, if you will, of our cast:

Vlad. My seven year old sweetheart. 1st grade. Built like an ox. Mumbles like one too, thanks to an apraxia diagnosis, but determined to talk. Obsessed with Mickey Mouse and wearing costumes rather than clothes. And, he has a heart of gold, I tell you, a heart of gold. Down syndrome, whatever. Can't believe he has been home from Ukraine for almost 4 years. Has it been that long?

Syrus. This guy is five years old. Last year of preschool. Spindly and determined. He also carries that extra gene that his older brother has and gets crazy mad when you can't understand his words, which is a lot. But he is the first to greet me at the door and the last to hug me at night. Down syndrome has nothing on him.

Whitman. Three years old and starting preschool in a couple days. Gulp. A little mass of muscle with springs in his legs and a daredevil glint in his eye. Talks a mile a minute and honestly believes he is in his mid-thirties. If you are looking for dramatic, this is your kid. He is crying one minute, almost naked the next, and then holding my face in his hands and telling ME its all going to be okay.

Ani. Just over a year old and the most mature of the crew. She is the icing on the cake. Plowing her way through our home with no fear, she is sweet and all-knowing, yet mischievous and sly. Has a blood-curdling cry and look of death she can throw in an instant. She is trouble and compassion all in one. A delight.

This is us. Alive and kicking. And believing like Rumi says, “Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure.” And while we have seen our fair share of what many might call ruin, we are also seeing an abundance of glimmers of treasure. Time to get this blog thing rolling again. And shout out to my girl, Amy Paulson, for a lot of these photos. She is the real deal, folks. And that's what we like in this household. The real deal.