I am truly amazed at how the weeks have flown by since my last post. Here is brief run down of what all we’ve been up to:
First, Eliana is doing really well. She has got to be one of the happiest kids I have ever seen! When I go to get her out of bed in the morning she is standing in her bed…waiting for of me. As soon as she sees me, she starts giggling and raises her arms for me to take her…it is a great way to start the day! She is also scooting around the house more and pulling up some. Walking is a way off…but she will get there! Eating is going much better as well, she now finger feeds herself and uses a fork fairly well. In the short weeks since we have been home, she has learned to sign mama,papa, eat, and more. She has also learned to clasp her hands together for prayer time before meals and waits to start eating until the prayer is finished (albeit with 4 preschoolers, mealtime prayers are short!) I must say we think she is a very smart little girl!
Matthew, Micah and Eli just completed the June term of summer school. They went for 3 weeks strait, Tues.-Thurs. for half a day. They are out next week and then go back for 3 more weeks. It really helps them maintain what they have learned this past school year and keeps them in the “habit” of school. I like it, it is just enough to give us a little bit of routine, with plenty of flexibility for summertime fun! Speaking of which, one of their favorites is going to the pool! Matthew and Eli are all over the water in their life jackets. Micah loves the water too, but only on his terms, which is both feet touching the bottom of the pool at all times! They are also into the Toy Story movies, yes, all three of them! It’s cute to see them enjoying the things every other kid enjoys, they are after all just kids, who happen to have a little something extra! Micah is now potty trained, yea! Eli has gotten glasses and with all the outdoor play, now has the cutest little freckles on his cheeks. Matthew continues to progress with his walking, and before long will be running! It is an awesome blessing to watch these guys not only grow and develop, but thrive in the love of our family.
Bethany and Seth just finished vbs this past week, and had a blast, like they do every year! They also got to participate in a sports camp that was held in the afternoons after vbs was over. Seth took karate and Bethany did basketball. They are growing up too fast! So I am doing my best to just enjoy them and all the things they like to do, like trips to the snow cone stand, pool, bike rides, board games, etc.(now you know why I haven’t done a blog post in a while! 
) Some of these things we can do with the little ones up, but usually they are done during nap time or in the evening after the littles have gone to bed. I love this 8-1o age and want to savor it up before they are 14 & 16!
Speaking of growing up too fast, Blake and Hannah, who are 16 & 14, have had a full summer as well. They started things off with a 3 day marching band camp, then a week of Super Summer, and for Hannah, another week of camp at Falls Creek. They both served as volunteers last week at vbs, as they have for several years now. They are great kids, with hearts that desire to serve the Lord. It has been so awesome and rewarding to see them grow into the young man and woman they have become! They are a big help around the house and have such tenderness for all the little guys and gal. Still, they are kids who like to run around the yard and play tag, do goofy things and are not too old for the snow cone stand!
It has been a great summer so far….and it’s only June! Here are some long awaited pics:
Dream Night at the Zoo
Micah just had to get in on the fun!
Blake and Hannah leaving for Super Summer.
Micah loves to dress up!
Little cuties!
These two know how to have fun!
Eliana loves her Blake!
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But at least Chris and Blake did get to meet up with him before he traveled to the US and explain that they would be home soon!
