Caleb lost a tooth!

Caleb lost his first tooth!

It was very "wiggly" but he was scared to pull it, so H.O. had the honors, as he has before with many of our children!  He is the official tooth puller at our house.

Look at that adorable, toothless grin!

Fun on the water!

Enjoying the summer!

"Remember the big picture!"

I have thought on those words many times in the 

last couple of weeks.

A couple of weeks ago, after a very trying day where Caleb complained "at" me a.l.l. day I came into the family room and said I am so tired of hearing I am the meanest mommy ever!  Of course Caleb can't say that in English, but I can tell from his tone he is not speaking nicely and Abby will then tell me what he has said.

Andrew sweetly looked at me and said mom, "remember the big picture"!  And... I have started listening to Andrew and remembering to look at the big picture.  This is a boy who was torn from the only home he had known, not an ideal home, but his home none the less.  This is a boy who up until two months ago was not made to behave, share, or talk sweetly.  So, of course, he is going to complain when forced to conform to rules.

It makes me think of how patient and loving our heavenly father is!  I continually disappoint Him but he lovingly corrects and molds me.

When remembering the big picture, I think of how far he has come.  I remember adopting an older child is a crash course in learning how to act in a family.  When I do not focus on this particular trying day and look at the whole picture I see the sweet boy that is trying to learn and please.  I can also see the trying days are getting farther and farther apart and more good days are replacing the trying days.  He IS making amazing progress!  Thank you Jesus!

Thank you Andrew for those encouraging words!

Two Months!!

This weekend marked two months since Caleb and Seth forever joined our family!

They continue to do well!!  This post is completely for me :-).  We often hear and think ourselves how is their English coming along.  So, we began to think of all the words they could say in English.  I wanted to document their progress so I could look back and see their progress, so this list is mostly for me! Lately, they are wanting to speak more and more in English, when they see something they know the word for they are quick to say the word, they enjoy the excitement and praise we shower on them when they say their English words!

So... here's our list at the two month mark.

Mommy                    Daddy                    Taylor

Andrew                     Carrie Anne           Abby

Molly                        Gracie                    Come here

Please                       Thank you              Excuse me

Watch out                 Hi                           Bye

Banana                      Chips                     Popsicle

Hamburger                Pizza                     Water

Milk                           More                     Nose

Mouth                        Eye                       Car

Airplane                     Rain                      Butterfly

Doggy                        Spider                    Bird 

Night, night                Good morning       Change

Shower                       Take a bath           Yellow

Watch out                   Monkey                Eat

All done                      Good job               Wash your hands

Time to go night night

Nice to meet you, how are you? (Andrew has been working with them, when they shake someones hand to say... nice to meet you, how are you?)   Andrew would of been so proud, when they went to the dentist last week, the dentist walked in and shook their hands they immediately said,... nice to meet you, how are you?  :-)

They can also count to ten in English.

I love hearing their progress.  The other night they wanted a popsicle and they wanted to ask for it in English.  They had a little discussion among themselves (in Chinese), trying to think of the correct English word, they danced around the kitchen with their finger on their head as if they were thinking hard, finally Caleb yelled BANANA! And then they laughed and said nooo...  hmmm and then the light bulb went on in Seth's head and he yelled POPSICLE!  They cheered for each other and their efforts.  How could I possibly refuse them a popsicle after all that thinking!  

They enjoyed it!

Love it!

A picture of our group of teens at camp this week!  Love getting a glimpse of Taylor, Andrew and Carrie Anne while they are having fun at camp!

I don't know what they are doing but it looks like they are having a great time!

Love and miss you guys, have fun!

Appointments, Appointments and more Appointments!

So... what have we been up to lately??

Lots of doctors appointments!  

We've had nine appointments in the last couple of weeks and have eight more scheduled in the next couple of weeks.

The little boys have had well child check ups and been to the dentist.  Both visits went well, Seth had to have one small cavity filled, I think that is pretty good since they had never been to a dentist.  He did great having his tooth filled!

Caleb has had a visit with a specialist and has some follow up appointments scheduled.

Abby has had a sleep study, a couple pulmonologist appointments and a pulmonary function test.  Her lung capacity has increased a slight amount since March and we will continue to monitor it, testing again in October.

Carrie Anne had a orthodontist check up and is ready for braces, she has appointments scheduled to put those on.

And then just to add a little excitement Seth had strep throat.  He is doing so much better and so far no one else is sick!!  Yippee!

The big kids are gone this week to camp.  We certainly are missing them!  Some folks act as if the teen years are horrible and I will say some days aren't the best but those are very few, I love my teens.  I love having real conversations with them and spending time with them.  They are very missed when they are gone.  I am sure they are having a great time, I pray they are learning more about Christ and growing in Him this week at The Wilds!

Seth was proud of his Lincoln Log house.

In between appointments life is still a relaxed summer pace, I hope our boys don't think it is always this way ~ school will be here before you know it!

4th of July!

Happy Birthday America!

I am thankful for all those who gave their lives so we can enjoy our freedoms!

Our celebration included some relaxing, a cook-out with hamburgers, hot dogs and fixin's.

We then headed to town and hung out waiting for the fireworks!

which included tickling, playing and laughing

We then headed home for peach cobbler and ice cream!

May we seek God so that we may feel His blessings on our country for which our forefathers sought and fought.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

Happy Birthday Carrie Anne!

It is hard to believe another birthday has rolled around for 
Carrie Anne!

She is growing into a beautiful young lady with a kind heart.  She has absolutely amazed me with how helpful she has been with our new little guys.  They love her and she has been a great "little mommy" when I need the help.

She wanted to go to the beach for the day for her birthday.  So we loaded up the car with beach chairs, towels, a beach umbrella, toys, lunch, snacks and drinks (whew, what a job!) and headed off!  Taylor had to work and couldn't join us, but rest of us squeezed all our stuff and bodies and fit in one car.  ~ We had a great day!!

Wonder what they are talking about??

The weather was beautiful!  It was the first time the little guys had been to the beach.  Caleb was a bit reserved and would only get his legs a little wet and preferred to stay up on the beach playing in the sand with toys and a bucket with some water in it.  Seth however loved it!  He, H.O. and Andrew would head out jumping over the waves.  H.O. would hold Seth and carry him out and he loved every second.  Abby asked them (in Chinese) as we were leaving if they had a fun day, Caleb answered yes and Seth said no??  Hmm, we wondered why Seth would say no, since he grinned and giggled all day.  Abby asked why do you say "no", he responded because we had to leave!  I guess it was great right up until we said we had to head home.  We were only a block from the beach and Seth was already asleep, Caleb lasted another couple of minutes and he was out also.  It was a beautiful, wonderful day as we celebrated our sweet Carrie Anne's birthday.

Once home we had the dinner of her choice, opened presents, and finished off the day with cake and ice cream.

The fun continued today!  It has become tradition with my parents to come up one day for lunch the week before or after a child's birthday.  They bring Subway subs and a cake for lunch.  The kids always look forward to this visit.  Today my parents came and we were able to enjoy lunch, ice cream cake and time to visit with them.

Happy Birthday sweet Carrie Anne!  We love you!