Happy Birthday, Jalen!

Three years ago today, Jalen was born. We wouldn't learn of his existence until the following day, resulting in our traveling across the country for 13 hours in order to finally meet him. We had only updated our paperwork five days before his birth as a result of several very spiritual experiences telling us that we needed to get ready for his arrival. To date, his adoption is the most spiritual experience of my life. I still remember the feeling of walking into the hospital room and seeing him and his birth mother. It's impossible to describe what that experience is like. He was so precious. So beautiful. I am so grateful to be his mother.

The past three years have passed in a whirlwind and this little man is a whirling dervish. He is a bundle of energy that bounces off walls and people with equal abandon. He has dimples that will melt your heart. I feel a special connection with him that I really can't explain.

Whenever I bake, he likes me to turn on the oven light so he can sit and watch.

He wanted a Spiderman cake. I am not a cake-making expert, but I was pleased with the results (even if Spiderman was as big as the skyscrapers).

Jalen wanted pizza for his birthday, so we took him to Chuck E. Cheese. He and Baylie were both ecstatic.

He's started trying to hide from getting his picture taken, so this is him ducking under the table.

He rode the merry go round over and over and over and over...

Rockin'

We got him a bike (Goodwill $8!). He was way more excited about the Playschool garage Baylie picked out for him (Goodwill $2!).

The cake was getting a little tipsy by the time we ate it.

But Jalen didn't mind!

We love this little boy so much. He brings so much joy into our home.