Fall is in the air, and Brighton Sheng absolutely LOVES it! He really hates the heat and is so happy that it has cooled off. The temperatures we've been experiencing the past week or so are generally what his summers were like in China. He is very sad that we will not be getting snow though. They have very cold winters with lots of snow in Liaoning Province.

The witches and goblins around town seem to have him a bit spooked, but he doesn't seem to be having any bad dreams or real concerns. His friend from China experienced nightmares and terror from all of the scary images last year.

Tomorrow night will be his first Fall Festival at church. Charly will be working in one of the booths with her Sunday School class. I may have to stay home with Dani and let David take him since Dani has been sick with pneumonia. Brighton Sheng has been so worried about her. He asked me if she is going to die. We are wondering how many children he's seen die in the past from illnesses at the orphanage. When we take her temperature he runs over to ask if it's good or bad. He told me he loves her so much and doesn't want her to be sick.

We carved pumpkins yesterday and had a blast! Brighton Sheng couldn't wait to get the candle into his. He was literally jumping up and down. When we were done he hugged me and smiled so big. Everything he does that is new to him brings such joy that it brings tears to my eyes and puts a lump in my throat. Every one of his firsts produces the same feelings in me as when our bio kids walked for the first time or learned to say "mama!"

Christmas is going to be so special for him this year! I vividly recall how sad I was last Christmas when I woke up in the morning with sadness in my heart. I thought about our little boy so far away who wasn't getting to open gifts or sit around the fireplace in his jammies, eating a candy cane and wrapped in mamas arms. When we had our Christmas meal I sat wondering what he was eating and if he was sad. The entire day was overshadowed with a sense of loss.

Brighton Sheng loves to be held and hugged and kissed and loved on. He may be 10 already, but emotionally he has never gone through the attachment/bonding phase that happy, well cared for infants get to experience. He also displayed some real anger for the first time a few weeks ago and he wasn't sure how to handle it. It was a very scary, emotional experience for both of us. There was quite a bit of pent up anger and frustration released that he had been holding in for years I believe. I think he's really starting to feel comfortable enough that we aren't going to hurt him or abandon him to express things he would have been beaten for in the past. This is a postive sign of attachment.



"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8