On Friday we received our approval from the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS form 797)! This is the last document we needed to launch our Dossier to Colombia. Betty will head on Wednesday to Appostille our few remaining documents and we hope to have the whole packet in the mail to Children's hope on Thursday. Any of you who have been through this process KNOW what a relief this will be. This is the LAST step for us and now we begin the wait on the LORD to act through the Colombian government and our children will be assigned. Between now and when we mail our dossier on Thursday we must prayerfully consider whether to petition ICBF in Colombia for 2 girls or 3 girls! We have been approved for 3 by USCIS, but we are stuggling to discern God's will in this final detail and covet your prayers. We do feel a sense of peace decending on us as we have reached this milestone. We pray that God is preparing the hearts of our little ones in Colombia for the day when we will join together with them! Father God- giver of every perfect gift we pray for your provisioning and your speed in all that remains before us. We thank you for what you have done and give you all the Glory- now and forever.
Jim and Betty
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Children are a Blessing from the LORD
Families choose to pursue adoption for many reasons. With eight biological children ranging in age from 30 to 6, and three adopted children we have been richly blessed. So you might ask why would we, after 30 years of parenting with all its joys and challenges, choose to expand our family through the gift of adoption. The answer is really quite simple. A few years ago, God began to raise up in our hearts an intense desire to adopt. While the calling has been there for years, our willingness to answer that calling was not. We struggled with many of the same doubts I suppose most potential adoptive parents struggle with. Among these doubts were:
1) We have EIGHT children – how can we ever afford to care for more?
2) Adoption can be EXPENSIVE – where will WE (not God!) find the money to pay for adoption?
3) If we adopt can we ever LOVE the adopted children as we love our “own”?
4) Will the new children be able to INTEGRATE with and be EMBRACED by our current children?
5) Will the adopted children be ACCEPTED by friends and family?
6) Doubts…. on and on and on
As we prayerfully considered God’s call on our hearts to adopt, we came to recognize that these doubts were of the enemy and not of God.
In November of 2007, we took the first step of faith and submitted our application to adopt a sibling group of three or four to Children’s Hope International. For us it was truly a step of faith. We knew that in our minds, we could not fathom how this could all be worked out, and so we did the only thing we knew to do- we surrendered to God in every way and simply prayed: “God we know this is your purpose for us and we leave the details of the process and the provisioning to you.” We resolved to do our part to the utmost of our abilities holding nothing back. We then trusted that God would do all the things that seemed to big or even impossible to us. We have now had our three adopted children Jason, Tatiana and Luke with us for over a year. We are a living testimony to the power of God to change lives and answer prayer. He has gone far beyond the answers to these doubts along the way. Truly, God IS faithful, especially when we are faithful to follow the paths He sets before us.
Doubt number one. We have EIGHT children – how can we ever afford to care for more? This doubt should have been laughed away as soon as it reared its ugly head. With eight children we had lived for many years as an example for many of God’s promises. He has promised in Matthew 6:26 “that as He cares for the birds of the air He will care for us even more”. Psalm 127 promises that children are a blessing (not a burden). Philippians 4:6 tells us “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” As the “family with all the children” we often quoted these verses and many others as a testimony to those who would ask how we could manage with so many kids. Yet in the calling to adopt, WE were the doubters who needed assurance and to trust in these promises. We eventually recognized that God was big enough to provide for as many children (biological or adopted) as He chose to send our way. We just need to be open to receiving His good gifts. Even now with eleven children, our heart remains open to more.
Doubt number two. Adoption can be EXPENSIVE – where will WE (not God!) find the money to pay for it? The basis for this doubt evaporated when we remembered that where we are inadequate God is able. When we began the journey to adopt, we had no clue how we would pay for this, but trusted that God had the plan. A few weeks after we began the process, the LORD began to reveal His plan to us. One night in January, we heard our doorbell ring. Upon opening the door, we found nobody there. As we closed the door a flash of red caught our eye. On the door knob was a red stocking containing some chocolate coins, a copy of the story of St. Nicholas, and six hundred dollars in cash. Someone responding to the call from the giver of every perfect gift and gave to us in secret. We were so humbled and grateful, there was nothing we could do but praise Him – and we wept. And so began God’s provisioning for our adoption, some gave to us where only God could see and others openly. But all gave from a heart for the plight of the orphans we would someday be blessed to call our children. God worked out every need and detail and we day by day were astonished. One gift came in the mail- it was exactly the amount we needed for the next and largest payment due to our adoption agency. We applied for several grants- all were declined. God’s plan did not depend on our works or efforts, but rather it depended on His mercy. The testimony remains His and all the results point back to Him. How He must have laughed at our worries over the costs!
Doubt number three. If we adopt can we ever LOVE the adopted children as we love our “own”? This was probably the least of our doubts. We had experience 8 biological children over a span of 24 years. All our lives we always had abounding love for each new child in our family. We knew we COULD do it. Our doubt was more like WOULD we do it? We vividly recall when we received the referral for our children. We wondered things like; do they know about us yet, will they love us, will they bond to us as their parents. But once we knew their story and saw their faces, we had no doubt that we loved them. We arrived in Bogota, Colombia around midnight and were told we would leave to pick up our children at 8:00 am the next morning. No time for doubting now. The next day when these three beautiful children entered the crowded room where we waited, our hearts melted. As a dad, I didn’t get to carry 8 children to term as my wife Betty did, but I can say I had never had a stronger emotional experience that being with her when our children were born. I was sure there could be no equal experience. I was wrong- the exact same emotional tidal wide hit me that day- yes we could love these children with the same love.
Doubt number four. Will the new children be able to INTEGRATE with and be EMBRACED by our current children? Our three older children were very much supportive of our plan to adopt. However, they were grown and on their own. Our two older daughters who lived at home felt this calling to adopt as strongly as we did- again we had no worry there. This doubt revolved around our 8 and 10 year old sons and our 5 year old daughter. Our new children would be 8, 5 and 4. We wondered about the relationships of all six of this 10 and under crowd! The first 2 months after our adoption did little to give us a peace about this. At times it seemed as if we had two distinct groups of kids in one house. We had been warned that we might not start seeing the kids truly integrate until at least six months had passed. We would not be able to put our finger on just when it happened, but after six months together as a family we are a million miles ahead of where we expected. Our two 5 year old daughters are inseparable going through the house hand in hand. The three young boys spend all their time together. Ah, and our 4 year old son Luke knows he is as cute as they come and plays that cuteness to everyone in the house. What of our 14 and 19 year old daughters? They are already making their plans to be adoptive parents one day. To say that these kids are embraced and integrated into our clan is an UNDERSTATEMENT.
Doubt number five. Will the adopted children be ACCEPTED by friends and family? God resolved this doubt for us right away. The outpouring of support we received was amazing. Family not only encouraged us, they became prayer partners, financial backers and much needed emotional support. No one thought we were crazy- they all seemed to understand our calling in this and could see God’s hand in it. No one said, “You’re too old”. No one said, “You’re making a mistake”. All of our family and friends embraced the adoption. Wow- not what we expected, but just what God had planned. People gave us clothes, car seats; all of our needs were met. The children have been welcomed into our community, our family and our church – without hesitation or limitation.
As we reflect backward in time, we laugh to one and other that we ever felt any fears, doubts or worries. Things are always much clearer when we reflect backwards in time rather than towards the future. The past is complete but the future requires faith. We have travelled down this path that has been our adoption journey with the strength and energy that can only come from the LORD. The way has sometimes felt like a roller coaster ride and at other times it has been a peaceful stroll in a forest glade. We know however, that had we not stepped out by faith we would never have experience the joy of this life changing journey. Many years ago, when I was a young man of 20, I had a fear of heights. I determined that I would overcome this fear, and since I lived in Alaska at the time, I decide I would take up mountain climbing! Now I climbed to a number of mountain tops, but I never over came my fear of heights. I did however learn to climb ever higher by controlling my fears rather than allowing them to have control of my life. This realization became a lifelong lesson that allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone. At first I took these steps by the strength of my will, but later after surrendering my life to Jesus I took much bigger steps out of my comfort zone in faith, but more importantly by the inexhaustible strength of Him who guides me. This adoption journey has been one of these steps. It has been a voyage we might have missed had it not been for the perfect tour guide who showed us and provisioned for every step of the way. The poet Robert Frost once wrote, “two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference”. In our lives, God sometimes gives us a fork in the road. We too can choose the path least travel by the world around us. I promise you that once you take your first step down that path least traveled, it will make all the difference – in your life and for the great purpose that God has set you on this course.
We are now a family of 13, and if you have been following our blog, you know we hope to soon be a family of 15! While my wife Betty is the most amazing person I know, we are not perfect parents nor are we the perfect family. But then we weren’t perfect before our adoption. I do know and take comfort in this- one day we will be perfected together in the loving arms He who said “suffer not the little children”.
Jim
1) We have EIGHT children – how can we ever afford to care for more?
2) Adoption can be EXPENSIVE – where will WE (not God!) find the money to pay for adoption?
3) If we adopt can we ever LOVE the adopted children as we love our “own”?
4) Will the new children be able to INTEGRATE with and be EMBRACED by our current children?
5) Will the adopted children be ACCEPTED by friends and family?
6) Doubts…. on and on and on
As we prayerfully considered God’s call on our hearts to adopt, we came to recognize that these doubts were of the enemy and not of God.
In November of 2007, we took the first step of faith and submitted our application to adopt a sibling group of three or four to Children’s Hope International. For us it was truly a step of faith. We knew that in our minds, we could not fathom how this could all be worked out, and so we did the only thing we knew to do- we surrendered to God in every way and simply prayed: “God we know this is your purpose for us and we leave the details of the process and the provisioning to you.” We resolved to do our part to the utmost of our abilities holding nothing back. We then trusted that God would do all the things that seemed to big or even impossible to us. We have now had our three adopted children Jason, Tatiana and Luke with us for over a year. We are a living testimony to the power of God to change lives and answer prayer. He has gone far beyond the answers to these doubts along the way. Truly, God IS faithful, especially when we are faithful to follow the paths He sets before us.
Doubt number one. We have EIGHT children – how can we ever afford to care for more? This doubt should have been laughed away as soon as it reared its ugly head. With eight children we had lived for many years as an example for many of God’s promises. He has promised in Matthew 6:26 “that as He cares for the birds of the air He will care for us even more”. Psalm 127 promises that children are a blessing (not a burden). Philippians 4:6 tells us “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” As the “family with all the children” we often quoted these verses and many others as a testimony to those who would ask how we could manage with so many kids. Yet in the calling to adopt, WE were the doubters who needed assurance and to trust in these promises. We eventually recognized that God was big enough to provide for as many children (biological or adopted) as He chose to send our way. We just need to be open to receiving His good gifts. Even now with eleven children, our heart remains open to more.
Doubt number two. Adoption can be EXPENSIVE – where will WE (not God!) find the money to pay for it? The basis for this doubt evaporated when we remembered that where we are inadequate God is able. When we began the journey to adopt, we had no clue how we would pay for this, but trusted that God had the plan. A few weeks after we began the process, the LORD began to reveal His plan to us. One night in January, we heard our doorbell ring. Upon opening the door, we found nobody there. As we closed the door a flash of red caught our eye. On the door knob was a red stocking containing some chocolate coins, a copy of the story of St. Nicholas, and six hundred dollars in cash. Someone responding to the call from the giver of every perfect gift and gave to us in secret. We were so humbled and grateful, there was nothing we could do but praise Him – and we wept. And so began God’s provisioning for our adoption, some gave to us where only God could see and others openly. But all gave from a heart for the plight of the orphans we would someday be blessed to call our children. God worked out every need and detail and we day by day were astonished. One gift came in the mail- it was exactly the amount we needed for the next and largest payment due to our adoption agency. We applied for several grants- all were declined. God’s plan did not depend on our works or efforts, but rather it depended on His mercy. The testimony remains His and all the results point back to Him. How He must have laughed at our worries over the costs!
Doubt number three. If we adopt can we ever LOVE the adopted children as we love our “own”? This was probably the least of our doubts. We had experience 8 biological children over a span of 24 years. All our lives we always had abounding love for each new child in our family. We knew we COULD do it. Our doubt was more like WOULD we do it? We vividly recall when we received the referral for our children. We wondered things like; do they know about us yet, will they love us, will they bond to us as their parents. But once we knew their story and saw their faces, we had no doubt that we loved them. We arrived in Bogota, Colombia around midnight and were told we would leave to pick up our children at 8:00 am the next morning. No time for doubting now. The next day when these three beautiful children entered the crowded room where we waited, our hearts melted. As a dad, I didn’t get to carry 8 children to term as my wife Betty did, but I can say I had never had a stronger emotional experience that being with her when our children were born. I was sure there could be no equal experience. I was wrong- the exact same emotional tidal wide hit me that day- yes we could love these children with the same love.
Doubt number four. Will the new children be able to INTEGRATE with and be EMBRACED by our current children? Our three older children were very much supportive of our plan to adopt. However, they were grown and on their own. Our two older daughters who lived at home felt this calling to adopt as strongly as we did- again we had no worry there. This doubt revolved around our 8 and 10 year old sons and our 5 year old daughter. Our new children would be 8, 5 and 4. We wondered about the relationships of all six of this 10 and under crowd! The first 2 months after our adoption did little to give us a peace about this. At times it seemed as if we had two distinct groups of kids in one house. We had been warned that we might not start seeing the kids truly integrate until at least six months had passed. We would not be able to put our finger on just when it happened, but after six months together as a family we are a million miles ahead of where we expected. Our two 5 year old daughters are inseparable going through the house hand in hand. The three young boys spend all their time together. Ah, and our 4 year old son Luke knows he is as cute as they come and plays that cuteness to everyone in the house. What of our 14 and 19 year old daughters? They are already making their plans to be adoptive parents one day. To say that these kids are embraced and integrated into our clan is an UNDERSTATEMENT.
Doubt number five. Will the adopted children be ACCEPTED by friends and family? God resolved this doubt for us right away. The outpouring of support we received was amazing. Family not only encouraged us, they became prayer partners, financial backers and much needed emotional support. No one thought we were crazy- they all seemed to understand our calling in this and could see God’s hand in it. No one said, “You’re too old”. No one said, “You’re making a mistake”. All of our family and friends embraced the adoption. Wow- not what we expected, but just what God had planned. People gave us clothes, car seats; all of our needs were met. The children have been welcomed into our community, our family and our church – without hesitation or limitation.
As we reflect backward in time, we laugh to one and other that we ever felt any fears, doubts or worries. Things are always much clearer when we reflect backwards in time rather than towards the future. The past is complete but the future requires faith. We have travelled down this path that has been our adoption journey with the strength and energy that can only come from the LORD. The way has sometimes felt like a roller coaster ride and at other times it has been a peaceful stroll in a forest glade. We know however, that had we not stepped out by faith we would never have experience the joy of this life changing journey. Many years ago, when I was a young man of 20, I had a fear of heights. I determined that I would overcome this fear, and since I lived in Alaska at the time, I decide I would take up mountain climbing! Now I climbed to a number of mountain tops, but I never over came my fear of heights. I did however learn to climb ever higher by controlling my fears rather than allowing them to have control of my life. This realization became a lifelong lesson that allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone. At first I took these steps by the strength of my will, but later after surrendering my life to Jesus I took much bigger steps out of my comfort zone in faith, but more importantly by the inexhaustible strength of Him who guides me. This adoption journey has been one of these steps. It has been a voyage we might have missed had it not been for the perfect tour guide who showed us and provisioned for every step of the way. The poet Robert Frost once wrote, “two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference”. In our lives, God sometimes gives us a fork in the road. We too can choose the path least travel by the world around us. I promise you that once you take your first step down that path least traveled, it will make all the difference – in your life and for the great purpose that God has set you on this course.
We are now a family of 13, and if you have been following our blog, you know we hope to soon be a family of 15! While my wife Betty is the most amazing person I know, we are not perfect parents nor are we the perfect family. But then we weren’t perfect before our adoption. I do know and take comfort in this- one day we will be perfected together in the loving arms He who said “suffer not the little children”.
Jim
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Walt Disney World 2009
In late November we went to Walt Disney World. The kids were so excited! They counted the days. The whole family had a lot of fun. While we were there, the girls got to be princesses as a birthday present from Brianne. That was the highlight of the whole trip for them. Unfortunately, the day we had reservations, it poured! We ended up going to the condo early. Granny and Papa came with us and also my great aunt Linda. It was wonderful that they could come too.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Eleven Is Not Enough Either!
Our family has been an ever changing adventure for 31 years now. We began our marrage in 1978 and had in mind to have two children. God however had other plans. For the last several years, He has not chosen to bless our lives with additional babies (other than grandchildren!), but he has clearly called us to adoption. As we began our first adoption, He showed us that we were following the course He set for us. We received answers to many prayers along the way as He provisioned for our adoption of Luke, Tatiana and Jason- monetarily, emotionally and spiritually. Those of you who have followed our blog have read about many of these answered prayers.
As soon as returned to the United States with these three children we sensed that God still had plans for us as parents. We struggled to discern where he would have us to go for our next adoption. We prayerfully considered a number of opportunities, but in the end we felt the call most strongly to return to Colombia. We waited untill now to announce our plans because our desire was not to cause all of you to ride our emotional roller coaster as we sought God's will in where we should go or how many children we should adopt this time. We have been working on the next adoption in one form or another since around June 2009.
We ask all of you to rejoice with us as we move forward with our second adoption. We submitted our application to Children's Hope International to return to Colombia and it was approved in late November. Having been through this before, we knew a lot of the hoops we needed to jump through and have been building a new dossier since November and have completed our update on our home study. As a result, we have 90 percent of our dossier ready. We will be mailing off our I -800 form tomorrow. By the time the I -800 comes back, our dossier will be complete and our request will be on its way to Bogota! And the waiting begins.......
When we were waiting the arrival of our biological children, everyone wanted to know - Is it a boy? Is it a girl? I think many of you might have the same response as we begin this adoption! So it's a GIRL- oh yea and it's another GIRL! We are asking to adopt a sibling group of two girls eight years old or younger. Two girls- if you are keeping count, that will be 7 girls and 6 boys. Showers of blessing! Some might even say a great flood. In our hearts we are ready to receive the children God has for us, and we pray that He will hasten the time for them to join our family.
We invite you to come along with us as we follow this calling. We invite you to join with us as prayer partners, emotional support and in any way you might like. These two children are not to be ours, but rather they will belong to their heavenly father, and it is ours to steward them on His behalf. By joining with us in any capacity, you also become a steward of these young lives and share in the joy of watching God work through them. We will also be sending out periodic e-mail updates in addition to this blog, leave us a comment with an e-mail address if you want to receive the e-mails. We deeply covet your prayers.
Now for those of you reading this blog who may be considering adoption. First, we say that the destination is worth the difficulties of the journey. Second, we say press on.
Jim and Betty
As soon as returned to the United States with these three children we sensed that God still had plans for us as parents. We struggled to discern where he would have us to go for our next adoption. We prayerfully considered a number of opportunities, but in the end we felt the call most strongly to return to Colombia. We waited untill now to announce our plans because our desire was not to cause all of you to ride our emotional roller coaster as we sought God's will in where we should go or how many children we should adopt this time. We have been working on the next adoption in one form or another since around June 2009.
We ask all of you to rejoice with us as we move forward with our second adoption. We submitted our application to Children's Hope International to return to Colombia and it was approved in late November. Having been through this before, we knew a lot of the hoops we needed to jump through and have been building a new dossier since November and have completed our update on our home study. As a result, we have 90 percent of our dossier ready. We will be mailing off our I -800 form tomorrow. By the time the I -800 comes back, our dossier will be complete and our request will be on its way to Bogota! And the waiting begins.......
When we were waiting the arrival of our biological children, everyone wanted to know - Is it a boy? Is it a girl? I think many of you might have the same response as we begin this adoption! So it's a GIRL- oh yea and it's another GIRL! We are asking to adopt a sibling group of two girls eight years old or younger. Two girls- if you are keeping count, that will be 7 girls and 6 boys. Showers of blessing! Some might even say a great flood. In our hearts we are ready to receive the children God has for us, and we pray that He will hasten the time for them to join our family.
We invite you to come along with us as we follow this calling. We invite you to join with us as prayer partners, emotional support and in any way you might like. These two children are not to be ours, but rather they will belong to their heavenly father, and it is ours to steward them on His behalf. By joining with us in any capacity, you also become a steward of these young lives and share in the joy of watching God work through them. We will also be sending out periodic e-mail updates in addition to this blog, leave us a comment with an e-mail address if you want to receive the e-mails. We deeply covet your prayers.
Now for those of you reading this blog who may be considering adoption. First, we say that the destination is worth the difficulties of the journey. Second, we say press on.
Jim and Betty
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thanksgiving
The whole family came over for Thanksgiving this year. It was the Colombian kids first real thanksgiving. It was good seeing everyone and getting to spend time with them.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
One year ago...
Then...
- They ran all around the apartment in Bogata going crazy!!!
- They spoke ALL spanish
- They woke us up at 4:00 am!
- Luke and Tatiana were very shy and hardly ever talked to us or anyone else
- They played more with each other than with us
- Wouldn't ever sit still!
Now
- They are calm and quiet around the house (not so much outside though!)
- They speak english all the time
- They sleep till 7 or 8 if we let them
- Luke and Tatiana will talk and play with just about anyone!
- They play with all their siblings (Tatiana and Ashley are like twins!)
- They will sit still at least for a little while!
One year ago was our Gotcha Day. I can't believe we have had them that long. Our family has been so blessed!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Broken Trees and "I'm not Howdy!!!"
Ok, so our family has all sorts of funny comments and such from all the kids. Here are a couple we have heard lately. A couple of weeks ago, Luke was sitting at the table and looked out the window as he does often. All of a sudden, he looked at Mom and said "Mommy, the trees are broken!" It took us a few minutes to realize he was talking about the leaves. The tree was bare. According to the kids, the trees didn't loose their leaves in Colombia and Luke hadn't noticed that ours did yet.
At church this week Jason was standing around and one of the moms in the church walked up to him and said "Howdy". We don't use howdy very often in our house and he thought she was calling him Howdy. He looked at her and said "I'm not Howdy!!!" The mom told us about this story at a gathering that night.
Just thought I would share the stories with you. Hope you enjoyed them!!! Oh, and here are some pictures of the kids playing in the "broken trees".
Friday, October 30, 2009
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Saturday, September 26, 2009
Where has time gone?????
O.k. So... it hasn't been that long since I updated, has it? Anyways, the kids have been doing great. We never hear Spanish anymore, except a couple words. They can still communicate in Spanish somewhat, but not fluently.
All of the kids are now reading. Some are farther than others, but that is to be expected. They are also learning math and other such things.
The kids have had so many firsts in the last 10 months we have had them. One of those was when they met Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Duane, and their cousins, Courtney and Nicholas, in Ohio for the first time. They loved it! They had a blast playing games and running around in the backyard with their cousins and snuggling with their grandparents.
We have a neighborhood pool. They got to spend the summer swimming all the time. Everyday they would get up and ask if we were going swimming.
Tatiana talked on the phone for the first time the other day to her father who has been out of town on business for 2 and a half weeks. She thought it was so funny. Things you take for granted and do not think of as firsts, you suddenly discover they have never done.
Another first is Awana. Awana is a program for kids where they come once a week and play games, have a devotional, and say the verses they learned through out the week. The kids love it! They work so hard on their verses during the week. When you have just learned English, it is hard to memorize those verses in New King James! This year I (Kaitlyn) am helping in Luke's group. It is so much fun!
Life is one big adventure to them. Every night they go to bed and ask what we are doing tomorrow! It really doesn't matter what you have planned, they are excited about it.
So anyways, here is the much needed update. I will add some pictures. Hope you enjoy them!
Here is a picture of us, Grandma, Grandpa, Courtney, and Nicholas.
This is us at Easter.
All of the kids are now reading. Some are farther than others, but that is to be expected. They are also learning math and other such things.
The kids have had so many firsts in the last 10 months we have had them. One of those was when they met Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Duane, and their cousins, Courtney and Nicholas, in Ohio for the first time. They loved it! They had a blast playing games and running around in the backyard with their cousins and snuggling with their grandparents.
We have a neighborhood pool. They got to spend the summer swimming all the time. Everyday they would get up and ask if we were going swimming.
Tatiana talked on the phone for the first time the other day to her father who has been out of town on business for 2 and a half weeks. She thought it was so funny. Things you take for granted and do not think of as firsts, you suddenly discover they have never done.
Another first is Awana. Awana is a program for kids where they come once a week and play games, have a devotional, and say the verses they learned through out the week. The kids love it! They work so hard on their verses during the week. When you have just learned English, it is hard to memorize those verses in New King James! This year I (Kaitlyn) am helping in Luke's group. It is so much fun!
Life is one big adventure to them. Every night they go to bed and ask what we are doing tomorrow! It really doesn't matter what you have planned, they are excited about it.
So anyways, here is the much needed update. I will add some pictures. Hope you enjoy them!
Here is a picture of us, Grandma, Grandpa, Courtney, and Nicholas. This is us at Easter.Brianne bought Gymboree watermellon outfits for the girls this summer. They were so cute in them!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Colombia Reunion
This weekend we went to the CHI Colombia Reunion. We had a lot of fun! It was so cool to meet the families that had followed our blog while we were in Colombia and also the people we have followed. There were somewhere around 20 families and lots of kids! Our blog name is Eight is not Enough and therefore everyone looked at us and said "You are Eight is not Enough!" or "You are the family with all the kids!" It is funny how it works. Anyways, here are a couple pics.
In June, we were able to travel to Missouri for a reunion hosted by a family we met in Colombia. There were five families including us. This is the family that we met while we were there. They were adopting five. It was great to get to see them again!
In June, we were able to travel to Missouri for a reunion hosted by a family we met in Colombia. There were five families including us. This is the family that we met while we were there. They were adopting five. It was great to get to see them again!Monday, April 27, 2009
It is Finally My Happy Birthday!!!
Luke is 4!!!!! He has been counting down the days until his birthday and couldn't wait! It is finally here. We celebrated yesterday with the family at Pizza Hut while they were all here. He had a blast! Here is him and his much loved pirate cake.
Hi all! We have had a busy life the last couple of weeks! Yesterday we had the kids dedication! It turned out really well. Josh, Matt, Kevin, and I all read verses and dad shared a short testimony. I think Jason loved being up front! The whole family came to our church and it was really cool! We were so big between grandparents, siblings that moved out, my neice, my nephew, and us that we took up two rows of seats!
Tatiana, Josh, Matt, Jason, and Ashley are taking swimming lessons on Monday nights. Tonight is the last night and I think they will all be very sad. They all loved it! It was a new thing for Jason, Tatiana, and Ashley. They have all done really well.
Jason is already reading!!! he can read three letter words now and he loves that he is in "the yellow box"(our reading program is in multiple boxes which are all different colors). Tatiana is now almost done with her letters! She has less than ten left! She proudly shows me the one she passes when she passes it. Tatiana can't wait to finish. She counts how many she has left every time she passes one! Luke is getting there but is not as far as Tatiana. He will be there soon though!
They are using so much English now! Especially Luke and Tatiana. I will walk by Luke and hear a pharse like "look at it" or "that is mine" and it is so cute! They understand almost everything now but aren't speaking it all. Most of it they can say and it is so much easier for us!
At dinner we go in a circle of whose turn it is to pray. When it is one of the Colombian kids, you will hear something like this. "Dear Jesus, Thank you for Mommy, thank you for Daddy, thank you for Brianne, thank you for Kaitlyn, thank you for Josh, thank you for Matthew, thank you for Jason, thank you for Tatiana, thank you for Ashley, thank you for Luke, thank you for amigos, thank you abeulo y abeula, thank you for otros hermanos y hermana, thank you for food, amen. We love it! It is so cute! Sometimes they add other things but that is the normal stuff they put in it. They also like to mention friends by name. They say "thank you for otros hermanos y hermana" because they didn't know the names at first and now it is habit to say otros hermanos y hermana.
The kids are thriving and we can't imagine life without them! We love them so much! It has been five months as of Saturday. I can't believe it has been that long! We have come so far since the first couple of weeks!
Tatiana, Josh, Matt, Jason, and Ashley are taking swimming lessons on Monday nights. Tonight is the last night and I think they will all be very sad. They all loved it! It was a new thing for Jason, Tatiana, and Ashley. They have all done really well.
Jason is already reading!!! he can read three letter words now and he loves that he is in "the yellow box"(our reading program is in multiple boxes which are all different colors). Tatiana is now almost done with her letters! She has less than ten left! She proudly shows me the one she passes when she passes it. Tatiana can't wait to finish. She counts how many she has left every time she passes one! Luke is getting there but is not as far as Tatiana. He will be there soon though!
They are using so much English now! Especially Luke and Tatiana. I will walk by Luke and hear a pharse like "look at it" or "that is mine" and it is so cute! They understand almost everything now but aren't speaking it all. Most of it they can say and it is so much easier for us!
At dinner we go in a circle of whose turn it is to pray. When it is one of the Colombian kids, you will hear something like this. "Dear Jesus, Thank you for Mommy, thank you for Daddy, thank you for Brianne, thank you for Kaitlyn, thank you for Josh, thank you for Matthew, thank you for Jason, thank you for Tatiana, thank you for Ashley, thank you for Luke, thank you for amigos, thank you abeulo y abeula, thank you for otros hermanos y hermana, thank you for food, amen. We love it! It is so cute! Sometimes they add other things but that is the normal stuff they put in it. They also like to mention friends by name. They say "thank you for otros hermanos y hermana" because they didn't know the names at first and now it is habit to say otros hermanos y hermana.
The kids are thriving and we can't imagine life without them! We love them so much! It has been five months as of Saturday. I can't believe it has been that long! We have come so far since the first couple of weeks!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Chicago, Snow, and Other Miscellaneous Things
We went to Chicago this week. My dad had a business conference so we went with him. We stayed on the Navy Base and were like the only ones in the guest house. There were only about five cars in the parking lot and I think we were the only ones on our floor. That was not a bad thing because six kids under the age of ten, we are pretty noisy!!!!! While we were there we went to the Shedd Aquarium, Legoland Discovery Place, and The American Girl place. The Shedd Aquarium wasn't our favorite since all the dolphins, whales, and penguins were on "vacation" while they were remodeling. It was not worth the money for the rest because all that was left was little fish that were not very colorful. I think we spent about an hour in there. We then relied on our GPS to get us to the American Girl Place. The girls each picked out a doll and bought it with their Christmas money from our Grandparents and our great aunt. Then on Wednesday we went to Legoland. That was a lot of fun for the boys. It was really cool. First we went through a jungle with Monkeys, tigers, spiders etc. made out of Legos. After that we got to ride the Dragon Ride. You got in a car shaped like a dragon and rode through a medieval castle and eventually got to the dragon who was guarding the treasure. Luke was so funny when we got there because he just looked at the dragon and said "Hi dragon!" After that we did a few other things and then we left. We spent most of the day there. We are very glad to be home.
The day before we left for Chicago it finally snowed enough to play in. It was the first time the new kiddos got to play in it. They had a blast!!!!!! I thought Luke and Tatiana would come in super fast but they were out there from lunch to about three or so. We had to make Luke come in! Luke, Matt, and Jason were outside until about three thirty and then we made them come in so they could have baths and everything. There is a small hill in the common area of our neighborhood. We took them down there for a little bit to go sledding and they had a lot of fun there too.
The kids are doing great! They are fun and silly all at the same time. Luke is just a little goofball. He loves to be funny and usually is. He loves to be the center of attention. He is totally the baby and is definitely treated like one. Tatiana is also very funny and is such a girly girl. She loves dresses and all of that though she doesn't like getting her hair done very much. She takes her time on everything. Jason loves his Legos. He is always found playing Legos with Josh and Matt. He loves to remind people of the rules . All the kids are so much fun and we are so grateful for them.
This month will make 5 months since gotcha day! In some ways it seems like it has been so much longer but when I count it out on the calendar, I always think "has it really been that long?" Before we know it, it will be November 25th and we will be celebrating one year as a family. It is hard to remember what life was like before they came nor would we want to.
Well I better go figure out what else needs to be done but I wanted to update the blog. I have so much fun posting so my posts tend to be on the long side. Here are some pictures of Chicago, Snow, and the museum.
Matt, Jason, and Josh in front of Indiana Jones.
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