Week 9, Spring Break is Here!

Week 9, Joy's Birthday and More!

On Saturday, Tom took the kids out to the Bulls Bay Nature Festival.  Our friend, Claudine, signed us up for several of the events.  THANK YOU CLAUDINE!

I wasn't able to go because of an unexpected funeral.

While they were there, they all got to go fishing!  Jake caughtt 2 fish and boy, was he excited!



Shane had to help Jake with getting the catfish in!

On Sunday, we celebrated Joy's 11th birthday.  She thought the Barbie cake was awesome!

I also made cupcakes for her to take to school on Mon (her real birthday).  She was on cloud nine!

We gave her a pair of sunglasses and a small necklace making kit.



This is the box that it came in! (Tom and Marta in the background)

 

I got it from B-Lo.  I think they did a pretty good job on it.  It was better than buying the kit and trying to make it myself.



The Barbie did not stay in the cake very long! 





I wanted to celebrate a day early because Tom was home.  He had to work on Mon. 





Opening Gift #1, a necklace making kit.





And here are the sunglasses.
Joy also got some birthday money in the mail from her grandparents.  She put it in her wallet with
her Chinese money that I had given her.  I know she'll give a big hug to her grandparents for the money
when she sees them on Easter Sunday.



On Tues, Jake and Joy had their first well check up with Dr. Powell, our pediatrian.

The kids did a wonderful job.  And thank you, Helen, for going with us!  You made it so much easier for them.  Helen had to explain to them that we were only going to the doctor's office, not the hospital. 



Waiting for our 1:30 appointment. 



He weighs 53 lbs.

  

  

"Let's check your height."

All went well at the doctor's appointment.  We weren't given any surprises!  :) 
Dr. Powell does want us to schedule a trip down to MUSC to have the kids checked out
by the International Adoption Clinic.   We'll probably get that set up sometime this coming week.


And now a few more random pictures from other moments this week.



Tom and Jake working in the compost garden.  Tom thinks we have watermelons growing in it.



Marta, our fairy.



Shane's book for the next 2 weeks.  I just checked it out from the libray on Mon and he's already on chapter 7.  He's been very interested in shooting lately and he enjoys hunting with my dad.  When I saw the young boy and the title, I thought we've got to get this book.  It's also a SC Award Book!
If you have a reluctant reader like we do, you may want to find this at your library.  I'm even enjoying it!



I'm still working on the alphabet and phonics with Jake and Joy.  I ran across this ABC book at church that I may use.  I really like it because it's a great way to teach about God and who He is.  I'll probably need to use the translator for explanations of each letter.

And last but not least, I want to say a big thank you to the Botero family for coming over this past Sat so that Tom and I could go on a date!  The kids had a great time!  You guys are a blessing to us!  We can't wait to see you again soon! :)

May God bless all of you over the Easter holiday!  Next week, week 10, and spring break pictures!

 



Week 8

Week 8



Happy 14th Birthday, Grace!

Tom made the traditional birthday waffles before heading off to school!

Grace, we love you so much!  You are a beautiful girl on the inside and out!  We're so thankful that God gave us you! 



She also got the book, The Power of a Praying Teen. 

Thank you to Robin and Ricky Mitchell for bringing over a bike this week for Jake!  Shane was so sweet.  He knew Jake needed training wheels & he volunteered to put them.  Jake was off and going not to long after this picture!



Jake watching his brother put on his training wheels in our driveway.

Thank you Anna W for doing our family photo shoot this week. 
We took pictures in Mt. Pleasant and very close to our house.
Some of these will be posted in the upcoming weeks!



 On Thursday, Shane got braces!   




Please pray for his mouth to feel better soon.  And yes, he'll be getting bottom braces in the near future.

 

On Thursday, Jake and Joy didn't have any homework.  Jake decided he wanted to work with the American themed stencils.  When I saw he was working on the Staute of Liberty, I asked him if he knew what it was.  He did by holding his arm up like he was also holding the torch.  I was happy to know that he understood this great American symbol!



His question for me was, "Mom, what color?" 

  The other highlight drawings of the week were pictures by Joy and Marta.   Marta drew the picture below.  Even though there are no people, it's colorful and seems happy.  I especially like the stars down in the left hand corner.

And Joy's family picture, below!  I was excited that she included each person and wrote everyone's name (in English) above each person!  Marta and Joy are starting to feel better about our family and each other.



The other fun part of the week has been teaching Jake and Joy the words to

"Mary had a Little Lamb."

Both Jake and Joy love music.  I was able to print out a coloring sheet with the words to the nursery rhyme.  Being the homeschool mom that I was, I knew I could tap into their learning with music and rhyme.  We had to do some school at home this week because the public school had testing.  The Vice Principal asked me to please bring them at 10:00am on Wed and Thurs morning.  We worked on our song and also on phonics! 

Over the coming weekend, we'll be celebrating Joy's 11th birthday! 
We have a Barbie cake ordered.  I can't wait to see her face.

To all you who are reading our blog, thank you again!  We love having you follow along.  Please pray for the orphans who are waiting for a family.  Please pray for those families who are considering adopting, but are afraid.  May God bless each one of you today and in the many weeks ahead with awesome His love, peace, and presence.



Week 7, The Playground & More

The Playground at Sullivan's Island

This past Saturday we went to the new and improved Sullivan's Island playground.

The 3 younger ones had a good time on a beautiful day!

                                                                                       

Marta!



Jake!

 

The Trio! (Picture 1)

These 3 are finding out that they have so much in common.

On Thursday morning before school, I found Joy fixing Marta's hair for school!  This was a huge blessing.
Then, on Friday morning, there they were again.  Joy was brushing Marta's hair and putting in pig tails.

The English word count as of today is.....?
A few of the things that they are now saying are,......
"Mom, bathroom!"   Which means, "Mom, I'm going to the bathroom."
"Please."
"Thank you."
"Let's go!"
"Strawberries."
"I like bread."
"One more."
"Wait."
"Blessing."  (which really means, "Please say a prayer with me before saying good night.")
"Milk."


The Trio (Picture 2)




The Trio (Picture 3)


Jake and Joy have been at Whitesides Elem for 5 weeks.  They have home work almost everyday, which has been assigned by the ESOL teacher.  We help them with it.  The teacher sees them for 1 hour each morning, from 8:00-9:00am and then she also sees them separately, once during the week, for 30 minutes.

 These are a few of the paper books that they have brought home this past week.



Next week I'll show you the stack that I got from the Village Library.  They have color and a bit more story!  I'm especially excited about the Peggy Post and Cindy Post Senning books! 
If you want to see them before next week, please visit The Emily Post Institute at www.emilypost.com.  


We are now getting in gear for Easter.  I've introduced our Resurrection Eggs and we've done a few egg hunts.  Spring Break follows immediately after Easter. 

Thank you again, to all, who are reading our blog and praying for us.  We can only make it through each day and week by God's marvelous hand working in our home.  


Week 6, Bikes and Skateboarding!

Yes, Week 6! 

This week we introduced bicycles.  And Shane introduced skateboarding!

He's showing off his new green wheels!

Joy is hanging on to Shane and hoping not to fall off the bike. 

Jake wants to ride also, but as you see, we need to get a bike his size.  So far he's been doing very well on the green scooter we have.  I'll try to get a picture of him on that for Week 7!

Joy is now understanding how much I use the big calendar for planning our days and weeks.  She is taking her own notes to figure out exactly how many days of school she has left until summer.


Joy (turning 11 on the 25th) and Grace (turning 14 on the 18th) have birthdays this month! 
And Happy Birthday to Tom and my mother!  We celebrated Tom's birthday on March 3rd!

This is our 1st Sunday Fellowship at church.  Thanks Miss LaNita for taking our picture!  I needed some lipstick.  Oh well, remember we were eating.

We discovered through our Chinese friend that Jake is interested in the Bible.
He's asking questions!  He also started wearing a cross necklace to school this week.  It was the one that I meant to pack for China, but forgot.  It's been neat seeing him wear it, when he really doesn't even understand who Jesus is yet.

Some folks are asking how Jake and Joy are liking our food?  Well, the funny thing that we've found out is that they like Spanish dishes.  If you're a family with a new Chinese child in your home, I recommend trying out burritos or chimichangas!  Jake and Joy also love American frozen pizza!  I'm praising God for this!  :)

I want to say a special thank you to Mrs Norris, Joy's teacher, for giving her the pink teddy bear this week!  She went to sleep with it on Thurs night!  I don't think she's ever had her own teddy bear.  When she woke up on Friday morning, she brought it to breakfast with her.  :) 

Thank you again to those who are continuing to read our blog and are praying for our family!  It really means the world to us!  Of course, "the Big Change" is still happening, but I'm happy to report that the adjustment phase has been better this week!

Many Blessings,

Week 5, 1 Month Home

Welcome to Week 5

 We've introduced basketball this week.  It's been fun.

Joy loves wearing caps during our relaxation times.  

This was a day when the sun was actually out!  The rain stopped one day.

There goes Jake!  This was one of his first attempts!

I also got to be a part of the Teddy Bear Picnic this week!
Thank you Marta, Mrs. McDowell and Mrs Shuler!

The picnic was in the cafeteria because it was raining almost the entire week.

This little book has helped me through this week!  I highly recommend it!

Marta took this picture of me this week.  I thought I should include it this week to show you that, yes, I am still alive!

                          Now, to count my blessings for this week:

1. I have a husband who wants to start our day off with doing a devotional and praying with me.

2. I have 5 beautiful children!  Three of them know God and are learning about Him daily.  Two of them are beginning to learn who God is and who Jesus is!

3. We have an public elementary school which all 3 younger kids are going to now and it's close to our house!

4. God's Spirit is moving and there is an element of peace starting to flow!

5. We have been able to get the 3 younger kids to school on time each morning!

6. I have had friends stop and listen this week about our trials, with bringing two children home from China, and they have prayed for us!

7. And last but not least....We have made a connection in Joy's class with a Chinese family.  The mother came to the US when she was 15 years old.  She is very interested and willing to help Jake and Joy learn English.  She is fluent in Chinese and English.  This past week she brought a Chinese lunch to Joy at school.  THANK YOU HELEN for your friendship and teaching!


I hope all of you reading have a great weekend!  Please continue to pray for the orphans in China and around the world.  Pray that God would move in the hearts of His people to help orphans as He has commanded us to do.
                           
Blessings,