Six Months

Six months since we held you for the first time...

 

I can hardly believe that we have had Nathan in our arms for six months already! I am going to be honest (because I need to be) and say that adjusting to having Nate in our family has not been easy.

Do I absolutely adore him? Yes! Would I do it all over again? Yes! Have I had days where I just wanted to sit on the floor and cry because I felt overwhelmed? Yes!

Nate learned to be independent, strong-willed, and manipulative. He is only 2. My heart breaks over and over again for this sweet little boy who missed out on so much love when he needed it most. But even with his rough start, he is very gentle and affectionate.

I had an opportunity to help out in the two year old room in church last Sunday. Seeing Nate hug a picture of Jesus and clap and dance to "Jesus Loves Me" makes every tough day worth it! I cannot imagine our lives without him and I feel so blessed that God chose us to be his parents!

Here are just a few of Nate's many changes over the last 6 months:

Nate used to hate grass, but now he loves being outside!

 

He was very fearful of the dog, but now he plays with her and hugs her!

 

Because of hoarding, we had to feed him one bite at a time, but now he can feed himself and doesn't hoard anymore!

 

He used to push Jack away, but now they are buddies and even share a room!

 

I LOVE his crazy morning hair...

...and smirky smile with dimples!

 

You are so LOVED, Nathan Sheng Sailer!

 

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Trials

     As you may have noticed, the blog title has been updated slightly to reflect our continued hope of posting here every once in a while to fill in our adoption journey. And what a journey it has been. In retrospect, the adoption happened so fast that I am just now realizing how much we were able to accomplish in such a short period of time. We are also realizing how fast a 2-year old can change so many dynamics within a family (both good and bad...at times).

     Overall, things are going really well with Nathan and it's amazing how resilient our little guy is and how well he has adapted to our lifestyle in only 5 months after being orphaned for nearly 2 years. It's also just as amazing how poorly equipped Crystal & I feel at times dealing with just a few of the more stubborn moments inherent with any young child with such a trial-filled history. His scars are surfacing less and less, but they still provide us significant challenges when they arise. I'm confident though that God uses it as a humbling reminder of how powerful his grace is for us and how we need continued transformation to glorify that. Prayers are said often and God's unconditional love has become a model for all of our hearts over the past few months.

     We thank everyone that has been supporting us and hope to update more frequently in the future now that the dust is settling here in the Sailer house. Enjoy some of the memorable moments over the past few months below:

Apparently he is so intelligent that he can read upside down

He's a big fan of chicken pot pie, so he enjoyed a decorative version on his birthday

2 years old!!

Now a big fan of cupcakes too

Excited about all the birthday fun

Singing audio cards rock!

Nothing but trouble

Our little pilot on Halloween

First outdoor time with snow

A great day out enjoying some natural beauty in the Black Hills

Thanksgiving...lots to be thankful for

Having fun in the camper and feeling tall

Loves Dakota Bell and she is great with him as well for just being a (large) puppy

More outdoor adventures & pictures

What a cool little man

Now a big fan of Christmas...seeing a trend here

And some ice cream to top it all off

-Tyson

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