Weekend Review

Peyton and Caleb have been home three months.  It really is like they have always been here except for the language.  They both have come so far and are doing better than we could have ever expected.  I keep waiting for the "honeymoon" period to be over and reality to hit but they are both so mild mannered that I am thinking (hoping) that what we are seeing is it. 

Peyton and I are now able to carry on a conversation pretty well.  She is still so shy around others and I am trying to teach her to at least say hi when someone speaks to her.  I don't think she is having this problem as much at school as she does out in public with us.  She will now ask us if she wants or needs something and I am glad she feels comfortable enough to do this.  She read a small book to me a couple nights ago and I was so proud of her.  She really has come a long way, I just want so bad for the learning to go quicker for her.  She sometimes acts or talks younger than her age.  I know this is to be expected from her life before and I am sure it doesn't help having three younger children in our home.  When I catch her doing this I usually talk with her and act out what she is doing and what she should be doing for her age.  Every now and then we do see some orphanage behavior from her in regards to her responses to her brothers, like lashing out at them with her words instead of being kind.  We usually stop the conversation and talk to the ones involved about how we should talk to one another. She is very receptive to being corrected.  I continually remind myself that she has only been home a few months and the healing is going to take time.  Overall she is doing great and we are connecting!  

Caleb, what can I say, he is just so sweet.  He is still curious about the world around him and we so enjoy the amazement on his face with each experience.  He is enjoying preschool and just is embracing this life.  He is also so appreciative of everything he gets.  He still is not talking much in English but I know it will come.  We really don't have alot of issues with him and I keep thinking, are we missing something? 

I have included a few photos of our extended weekend.  Enjoy

~Tina

 

Happy Birthday Sweet Caleb

Six years ago today a sweet baby boy was born in a small village in Ukraine.  His mother, Lena, was not able to care for him and he was taken to the baby orphanage.  She was a single mother, had several other children to care for and she had no job.  I can't imagine how emotional it must have been to give her baby up. 

If I could talk with her I would tell her how forever grateful I am to her that she chose life for my sweet Caleb. I want her to know how happy he is; how much he loves music; how he loves to squeeze the kitty just a little too hard; how precise he is about making his bed; how excited he gets about candy; how he always has a smile on his face; and when one of his brothers is praying if Caleb thinks enough has been said he will say Aaaaamen.  : )

Today we celebrate Caleb's first birthday with our family, his family and we look forward to many more.  Happy sixth birthday sweet boy.  You are cherished.

~Tina
 

The only baby picture I have of Caleb

Happy 6th Birthday

He is Mine

...

And as the sun peeked through the shades

the voice of God broke through.

"I trusted her to give him life

and now I am trusting to you.

To show him what is right and wrong,

to love him and to be, 

the one who teaches him the way

to come back home to me.

He wasn't hers to give, you know

and he's not yours to own.

I've placed him in your life to love

but he is mine...on loan."

by Valerie Kay Gwin



 





School Christmas Program

School got cancelled because of the weather a day before it was to let out for Christmas break so the school Christmas program was also cancelled. It was rescheduled for Friday night and the kids were so excited. I wasn't sure how Peyton would react once she got on stage and stood in front of all the people but I was very proud of her. She sang and did the movements to her class' songs and she did great! Cash did great as well but I never have to worry about him as he is not a shy boy at all. Here are some pictures.  If you notice, Peyton got her glasses and she is so happy with them.

~Tina

Snow Day

A couple days ago it snowed and of course the kids wanted to go out and play.  Here are a few pictures from their outing.  Ms. Kitty looks real comfortable in this picture with Caleb but that poor cat gets picked up and thrown down so many times and not just by him. She really is such a friendly cat and Caleb gets so excited when he sees her. 

Hope everyone has had a good start to their new year.   As I reflect on 2012 I am so thankful that God gave us the honor of adopting our 4 little ones. Our lives are full and busy now.  Can't wait to see what 2013 brings.    

Blessings to you in this new year.

~Tina