We are still here!

The last several months have been full of fun!!!

 

 

 

 

Ethan turned 16 in February!  Don't you love his card.

 

 

 Isabelle turned 7 in March, and Riley turned 5.  Ruth turned 5 in April.

 

 

 

We enjoyed Easter!! 

 

 

 

Ethan was inducted into the National Honor's Society.

Ruth graduated from preschool.

 

 

Devin played some baseball!

 

 

We went camping and caught some fish!

 

 

 

We had some fun!

We visited Ethan at the Missouri Scholar's Academy!  He was 1 of 330 students selected to attend.  He was gone for 3 weeks.   We really missed him.

Spencer celebrated his 8th birthday!

 

 

 

 

                               We enjoyed the 4th of July at Missouri Town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overdue update!

Don't know where to even start! 

Our holidays were great!  Everyone was healthy and had fun.  We went to visit G & G Thomas in Oklahoma a few days before Christmas and enjoyed some warm weather, lots of yummy food and fun times.

 

On the way home, we got to visit with our good friends!  Table for 18 - please!!!!!

Everyone enjoyed Christmas Day!  Spencer thought Santa was way cool.  However, he stumped us when he asked "Why Santa didn't visit him in China?".  We just changed the subject quickly.  We will have a better answer for next year.

We stayed at home for New Year's Eve, and if felt like all we did was eat all day long. 

 

A few highlights of the last month or so....

*Ethan ordered his class ring and was nominated for the MO Scholar's Academy.

*Spencer is out of his cast and started physical therapy.  He is still using his walker.  He was also spotlighted on our agency's blog and Face*book.

*Devin, Heidi and Izzy are playing Upwards Basketball.  Pictures to come soon.

We are getting back in the swing again.

Hopefully, I will update the blog more. 

Amazing Mr. Spencer

We are so blessed by this boy!  We love him so much.  We love that he sings his heart out.  We love that he loves life even when he has to work extra hard to do what others do!  We love his heart of JOY!!!!

 

This past weekend, our church had its Night of Praise.   Our five youngest performed in the program.  They all did amazing!  We were all so proud of their hard work.  Spencer had to sing in his wheelchair, and he did so with a great big smile.  He belted out all the words.   A few people commented on how they couldn't believe he knew all the words, and a few other people just said that his singing blessed their heart!!!

Spencer had his hamstring released on November 19th!  He had a cast change and leg straightening on Nov. 29th.   The results have been more than we expected.  The doctor said not to have too much hope that it would straighten his leg.  However, it is working.  His leg is almost straight.  He will only need 1-2 more casts and then be fitted for a brace.  He stood independently for the first time ever on Nov. 30.  He is now trying to take a few steps with his walker!!!  He is one determined little guy.

Before surgery

After surgery

Going home

1st cast

2nd cast

Standing for the 1st-time ever

 

 

*On another note, he asked if he had to go back to China once his leg was fixed.  We assured him that he would be with us forever.  That comment was a little reminder to me that even though adoption is a beautiful thing, most of our adopted kids have experienced more loss, abandonment and neglect in their short lives than many of us ever will!   What a blessing it is to watch them grow in the love of a family!!

Eagle Scout

Today was Ethan's Eagle Scout Court of Honor!
We are so proud of him.

Here is a little of what I said at the ceremony (excluding a poem)...

Ethan started scouting as a Tiger Cub in 1^st grade.  I remember how much fun he had making his Pinewood Derby Car and his sailboat for the Raingutter Regatta.  Even though they were never that pretty, he was proud because he made them all by himself.  He even won a few regattas. 

It doesn’t seem like that long ago that he crossed over to Boy Scouts and attended Bartle for the first time.  It was so hard to see him leave for 10 days (even though his dad was with him), but we both survived.  Now he looks forward to Bartle each year.
 

He served as Den Chief for his younger brother’s den for 5 years.   He has also served as AssistantPatrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Scribe, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and is currently serving as the Senior Patrol Leader.

 I am thankful for all the wonderful things he has learned and experienced in Scouts the last 10 years and the quality time he has got to spend with his Dad.  I am also very proud of all his hard work and dedication in Scouts and earning the honor of Eagle.