New Year, New Elijah

Hello friends! I'm not exactly sure who is reading this anymore, mostly because I haven't posted in so long. But I have felt for a while that it was time to update, regardless who may or may not be reading. At the very least, it is Elijah's history, and it will be important to him. It has been over a year and a half since we came home from Russia with Elijah. Let's just say that the first year and change were trials of the most Jamesian proportions (I made up a word...cool). But through prayer and tears we are happy to say that things have turned a corner for the positive. The tantrums have almost completely subsided. The breaking of toys has calmed down to a normal 4-year-old level. The physical acting out is gone. The best way to describe it is that he's a different kid. Now don't get me wrong. He still has his moments. But by the grace of God he is showing all signs of becoming a well-adjusted little boy. We have high hopes for the young man he will become.

He just celebrated his 4th birthday on the 7th of January (Russian Christmas). It was so much fun. For his third birthday he had been with us for just a little over 6 months, and he wasn't quite sure what was going on. But this time, he had watched his three brothers' birthdays come and go, so he knew what was in store by the time it was his turn. Even though we knew that an entire day dedicated to him might be a little overwhelming for him, we thought "who cares". It only comes once a year, and he's worth it. So the day was filled with wide eyes as we went from one activity to the next. Nothing extravagant, just a day doing his favorite things and eating his favorite foods. He spent the morning asking "Will it still be my birthday after I eat breakfast?" "Will is still be my birthday after I go to the bathroom?" What a wonderful day!

To see the Lord change the heart of Elijah over the past year and a half has been nothing short of miraculous. I know that we will have more bumps in the road ahead of us. But for now I rejoice in the fact that I know he is happier and more content then he's ever been in his life. And it fills me with hope. If the Lord can do such an amazing work in Elijah, I guess there's still hope for the rest of us too...

JP