2 MONTHS & COUNTING.

October 26th marked two months that John McRae has been with his forever family.  Daniel and I are both so blessed to be his parents.  We look at him each and every day in amazement of how truly blessed we are, and still can't quite believe how easy the last two months have been.  Sure, no sleep, bags under our eyes, Barney singing "We're on our way, we're on our way, on our way to Grandpa's farm...one million times, scrubbing poop out of carpet, runny noses, broken paci that is from Korea and CAN'T. FIND. ONE. ANY. WHERE, getting used to being a stay at home mom for 8 weeks and then going back to work and leaving the poor baby at daycare, no time to read the sales papers or even take a peak to catch up with folks on Facebook, no longer being able to sit on the toilet in peace, etc. - I think you catch my drift...  It can all catch up with you, but it so worth it and we really can't even remember what it was like before John McRae got here.  It just feels like he's always been here with us, since his birth.  It's amazing how you can grow to love a child unconditionally when all you've seen in a picture, but we did.  Since November 2nd, John McRae has been our son and we have loved him with every beat of our heart.  I can remember during the wait, just wanting to hold him and feel his warmth, smell him, and just know that he was ok.  We could never in a hundred years, if we attempted multiple times every day, repay or express how thankful we are to his foster family.  It is very clear how much they care for him, and the love and attention he received.  We also think about John McRae's birth mom.  She cared enough for him to give him life, and to be brave enough and love him enough to make sure he was going to have a loving family that could take care of him.  I pray that God gives her and his foster family peace that John McRae is loved by so many here in the US, and he is indeed being taken care of.  We have been so blessed during the process of bring John McRae home, and it just keeps getting better and better.  We have been overwhelmed by support, gifts, prayers, and kind words.  We've met many wonderful friends through this journey.  Friendships that I believe will last forever.  Where ever our lives lead us from this point on, we will carry on being stronger, more loving, more forgiving, and just all around better people.  If any one reading this blog has ever considered adoption or knows someone who has, please go to http://www.holtintl.org/ and look around.  Holt is a wonderful agency, that you can trust 100%! 

A few things about the Benefields these days...

*John McRae's best friend upon coming home was our fur baby, Tuff.  You all know how much Daniel and I love Tuff, and John McRae truly loved him just as much.  We lost Tuff about 2 weeks ago, and it has been really rough on us all.*

*John McRae is trying more and more to talk.  He kinda hums what he wants to say.  He says Mama really well, but hums Daddy and Helen (our other dog).*

*John McRae has already wrapped all of his grandparents around his pinky finger.*

*John McRae eats well, and sleeping is getting better, too.*

*Daycare has been adjustment for him, and he's dealing with some separation anxiety, but we know this too shall pass.*

*Mommy and Daddy have a hard time getting on to John McRae when he is being a toddler with a straight face, because he has the sweetest smile!*

Thank you again to all of our family and friends for all of the love and support during the past 2 months.  It has has many ups and downs.  These past weeks have brought us the happiest blessing ever, John McRae, and some of the saddest times.  We miss Papa and Tuff every day, but it helps to reflect on the precious memories.

‎1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Romans 8:14-16
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

Galatians 4:4-6

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

 

Psalms 10:14,17-18

You are the helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

 

James 1:27

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

 

Psalms 68:5-6

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.

 

Matthew 18:5

And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.

Saturdays are FUN!!!

Just a picture update of what all we have been up to in the past couple weeks.  Tomorrow, John McRae will be home one month!  Time has flown by, but it seems just like yesterday we were awaiting his arrival.  On the other hand, it feels like he has been a part of our family forever.

Today, Grandma and Papaw Benefield have been here putting up John McRae's swing!  Mama *Stacy* shoveled sand for JMc's turle sand box and then Daddy *Daniel* came home with sand from Lowe's.  JMc needs a nap, but mama isn't letting it happen!  He decided to stay up until 5am playing this morning, and got up at 8:30am.  Fun times.  Needless to say, we all camped out in the living room watching

 George Lopez and My Wife & Kids. 

I bet someone has a date with the crib tonight! 

No more attempts to co-sleep...

Today, we have swam in the pool, rode in the wagon, played in the sand,

and swung in the swing.

~*~Followed by upchucking in the sandbox.  Easy on the swinging Grandma! Haha!~*~

Here's a few pictures from this past week. 

 This was JMc's fist time in his pool.  He loved it!

John McRae went on his first date last week with a sweet girl named Judah.  They were both born in Korea, and adopted through the same agency. It amazes me how wonderful our God is.  JMc is only 3 days older than Judah.  They were born during the same week, in the same place, and now live 20 minutes from each other!  Judah and her family are such a blessing to our family.  We hope to be friends with them for many, many years to come!  Brooke, Judah's mom, and I are so amazed at how much alike our kiddos are.  It was so great to see them together having such a good time, and eating their yummy snacks.  Judah and John McRae both love to eat, drink and be merry.  They both have smiles that light up everyone around them.  They are two very special children, and such a blesssing!  We dressed them in their MSU outfits, and folks couldn't hardly take in all of the cuteness.  I knew it was bad when grown military men were in awe of our babies and telling us how cute they are. Haha!  Good times with good friends!  Can't wait to see this precious family again, and meet Judah's brothers!

We aren't fond of silverware in Benefield household...

There isn't much time for writing, but I certainly need to make time to document these lovely days of being home with our precious boy.  We are having loads of fun, and it is truly amazing how well John McRae is doing!  Since tomorrow is one month home, I'll attempt a post with more detail to document our first month home. :)

Just an update...

Friday, JMc and mommy went for a visit in Carmichael to see some of the Johnson clan.  We played a lot, and Grandma J cooked up a really good meal!  It was a great day, but we missed Daddy.  He had to work in Jackson.

Here are some pictures. :)

I'll put some more pics of Friday up when I get them uploaded.  I wish I had some now of Grandma Johnson,

Paw-Paw Johnson, and Uncle Mike.

Saturday Morning started off with a trip to Aunt Bea's sweet shop in Enterprise. Grandma (Daniel's Mom) went with us. As you can see, JMc was excited to be there!

Yesterday, JMc received lots of gifts.  Two packages came in the mail from Granny Sharon and Aunt E & Uncle J.  Then, Jess & Korey came by with a basket full of goodies!  We also got two cards in the mail that "shook" from

Granny Benefield and Aunt Sue & Uncle Fred.

It was a great day in the neighborhood!

First thing this morning...

Mommy, Daddy and John McRae went to Clarkco State Park today.  The weather was so beautiful.  We had so much fun running around and sliding! =)  Next time, we will take our swim suit!

After Clarkco, we went to eat at El Norte.   This was our first meal out since JMc's arrival.  We were a bit nervous, but he done great!  Our boy loves to eat! JMc enjoyed his mexican rice and lemonade.  Then, Wal-Mart. 

 I think JMc holds up better to shopping than daddy. ;)

Tomorrow, Granny Sharon is coming for a visit.  I'm sure a lot of playing will take place! :)