He was so excited that his board broke into FOUR pieces:
Getting his new belt:
Getting his new belt:
Friday, January 14, 2011
Orange belt
Daniel has been in karate for 8 months now. Tonight he completed the test to qualify for his orange belt. We were so proud! They have really helped him with discipline and respect (Yes Ma'am!!). It's been a great experience for him so far. Here are some cute photos....
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Adoption quote
I read this on another adoptive mom's blog and thought it was so great I wanted to share it here. She didn't say who or where the quote is from so it's unknown, but good...
"For anyone who is in fear of the monsters that may be lurking around the corners of adoption, yes, as with anything, there are monsters to be conquered and there is that potential that they could gobble us up, which makes our actions so much more important. But please consider for a moment that as you are reading this, there is a child who is battling very real monsters alone. And imagine that when you make a commitment to take up arms, side by side with the child, how many unnecessary scars you, as a family, can prevent."
What a blessing to to have that reassurance. Adoption is scary but such a great blessing! (to us parents first, even before our children!)
"For anyone who is in fear of the monsters that may be lurking around the corners of adoption, yes, as with anything, there are monsters to be conquered and there is that potential that they could gobble us up, which makes our actions so much more important. But please consider for a moment that as you are reading this, there is a child who is battling very real monsters alone. And imagine that when you make a commitment to take up arms, side by side with the child, how many unnecessary scars you, as a family, can prevent."
What a blessing to to have that reassurance. Adoption is scary but such a great blessing! (to us parents first, even before our children!)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Mom - I did it!!!
After much practice - on Monday Daniel tied his shoe by himself!!!! He was so excited!!! (now if we can just teach him to swing by himself)
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Bitty Basketball
We signed Daniel up for basketball at church. We decided we aren't going to be those parents that run their kids through a million different activities, but he needs to try a few things out to see what he likes, right? So, we tried baseball and soccer and now it's time for basketball. We were kind of worried about how it would go. He already knows how to run and kick, so he could fake his way through soccer but dribbling is hard!
So today was the first day. We thought they would just have a practice today, but they practiced first and then had an actual game. It was so hilarious - Jason and I laughed and laughed at how sweet the kids are. None of them know what they're doing. They shoot at the wrong basket, stare off into space, steal the ball from their own teammate, pick up the ball and take off running - it's hilarious! Daniel did really great and had fun. (I think it's all of that U of L basketball we watch!) He made 2 baskets, blocked a few shots and played great defense. He didn't get frustrated and fall on the floor crying and he didn't hit anyone - whew! We were so proud. Here are some shots for you - check out those chucks! (I got them at a yard sale - he's retro!)
I thought it would be great to get his verse and then have him shoot the ball. Unfortunately, my batteries ran out right at the end - sorry!! This is I Timothy 4:12...
So today was the first day. We thought they would just have a practice today, but they practiced first and then had an actual game. It was so hilarious - Jason and I laughed and laughed at how sweet the kids are. None of them know what they're doing. They shoot at the wrong basket, stare off into space, steal the ball from their own teammate, pick up the ball and take off running - it's hilarious! Daniel did really great and had fun. (I think it's all of that U of L basketball we watch!) He made 2 baskets, blocked a few shots and played great defense. He didn't get frustrated and fall on the floor crying and he didn't hit anyone - whew! We were so proud. Here are some shots for you - check out those chucks! (I got them at a yard sale - he's retro!)
I thought it would be great to get his verse and then have him shoot the ball. Unfortunately, my batteries ran out right at the end - sorry!! This is I Timothy 4:12...
Friday, January 7, 2011
First week of 2011
We've had a great time playing with all of our new toys.
Uno Attack:
Rock em Sock em Robots:
And taking pictures with his fancy new digital camera:
I was really worried about the first week back to school. After all of this fun, staying up late, playing and consuming more sugar than usual - how can he ever go back to be a good first grader? Well, off to school he went and believe it or not......he has had 4 great days!! His teacher actually emailed me about taking him off his behavior plan (which is that daily report that comes home in his folder). We are going to give him another week to make sure it's not a fluke but so far, 2011 has been a major turning point for us. WOW! Praise the Lord!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy 2011!!
We spent new years eve watching the Cards lose :( playing with toys (UNO Attack!), and then a quick trip to the bowling alley. We rang in the new year sound asleep (well, most of us). Here are some shots from our little bowler...
Check out that form:
Victory Dance:
Giving High Fives:
For more bowling action, here is a link to a video I posted to You Tube...
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Quote of the week
Mom - I like toys. Toys are so fun! Toys are way more fun than school!!
Ain't that the truth kid!
Ain't that the truth kid!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Daniel with Santa
Last year when I took Daniel to see Santa at the mall, he told Santa he wanted CANDY. I guess that's what they got in the orphanage, so that's all he knew to ask for. Well, this year it was a different story. We're standing in line and I tell him, 'Daniel, Santa is going to ask you what you want for Christmas. What are you going to tell him?' 'I DON'T KNOW MOM!' I said, 'Well, you'll think of something.' I thought for sure he would tell Santa he wants a remote control helicopter. That's what he has been talking about (and what mom has stashed under the couch). So we get up there and he tells Santa he wants a.........Guitar! WHAT?? Where did that come from? So - mom is headed back out to the store...Can you believe this big boy? He is getting so grown up!! Compare this to last year's picture with Santa. What a difference a year makes!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Gifts from God
Our current series at church is about gifts from God (appropriate for December). Yesterday, our preacher asked us this question:
What's a gift that God gave you that you initially rejected, but turned out to be a huge blessing?
This question really resonated with me. In my life, there can really only be one answer. That's the gift of infertility. You see, I would love to tell you that Jason and I are totally magnanimous, have a huge heart and care about the plight of orphans in this world. While some of those things are true - that's not why we adopted. I, like many other women, would have loved to experience the miracle of pregnancy. I would love to look into a tiny face and see my features all mixed up with Jason's. I would love to rock a baby to sleep in my arms - my baby. But that is not a possibility for me and I never thought I would see that as a 'gift'.
I was devastated, crushed, broken hearted. How can this happen to me? We cried out to God for a miracle. I am a firm believer in miracles. It doesn't matter what the doctors say, God can do anything. Sara got pregnant and she was over 100! I prayed like never before and believed that God would answer. And, God did work a miracle, just not in the way I expected.
That summer, at church we were spending time in Romans and they were preaching on 'The five words that will change your life'. The very week that we found out there was zero chance I could have a baby, the message was on adoption. Of course, they were talking about being adopted into God's family but they also spoke on building families through adoption and had folks in the lobby with information about adoption. To be quite honest, that weekend I was so heartbroken and numb - I couldn't even go there in my mind. But I can see now that God was revealing His plan for us - in a huge, you just can't miss it, way!
There is a grieving process that you have to go through, but once we processed all of that and continued to pray for an all out miracle - God brought us around to His way of thinking. Our miracle was already alive and well, in an orphanage in Ukraine. You see, we probably would not have adopted if we had been able to have children of our own and now - we just cannot imagine our lives without Daniel. We are 100% certain that he is the child we were meant to have. He is so much like us in so many ways and fits into our family perfectly. That's how God does things. His ways are higher and better than ours. So, thank you God for the gift of infertility. As painful as it is, I could not have imagined a family as great as the one you have blessed us with. You had bigger plans for us than we even had for ourselves. Thank you Lord!
What's a gift that God gave you that you initially rejected, but turned out to be a huge blessing?
This question really resonated with me. In my life, there can really only be one answer. That's the gift of infertility. You see, I would love to tell you that Jason and I are totally magnanimous, have a huge heart and care about the plight of orphans in this world. While some of those things are true - that's not why we adopted. I, like many other women, would have loved to experience the miracle of pregnancy. I would love to look into a tiny face and see my features all mixed up with Jason's. I would love to rock a baby to sleep in my arms - my baby. But that is not a possibility for me and I never thought I would see that as a 'gift'.
I was devastated, crushed, broken hearted. How can this happen to me? We cried out to God for a miracle. I am a firm believer in miracles. It doesn't matter what the doctors say, God can do anything. Sara got pregnant and she was over 100! I prayed like never before and believed that God would answer. And, God did work a miracle, just not in the way I expected.
That summer, at church we were spending time in Romans and they were preaching on 'The five words that will change your life'. The very week that we found out there was zero chance I could have a baby, the message was on adoption. Of course, they were talking about being adopted into God's family but they also spoke on building families through adoption and had folks in the lobby with information about adoption. To be quite honest, that weekend I was so heartbroken and numb - I couldn't even go there in my mind. But I can see now that God was revealing His plan for us - in a huge, you just can't miss it, way!
There is a grieving process that you have to go through, but once we processed all of that and continued to pray for an all out miracle - God brought us around to His way of thinking. Our miracle was already alive and well, in an orphanage in Ukraine. You see, we probably would not have adopted if we had been able to have children of our own and now - we just cannot imagine our lives without Daniel. We are 100% certain that he is the child we were meant to have. He is so much like us in so many ways and fits into our family perfectly. That's how God does things. His ways are higher and better than ours. So, thank you God for the gift of infertility. As painful as it is, I could not have imagined a family as great as the one you have blessed us with. You had bigger plans for us than we even had for ourselves. Thank you Lord!
It is with much trepidation that I share this post with you. As heartfelt as it is, it's hard to bare your private pain to the world. I am doing it for 2 reasons. One is to give God all the glory for this amazing child He gave us. And the second is for you. Whatever difficult time you may be going through, know that God loves you! He can work all things together for His good. And that painful, unfair and heartbreaking struggle may just turn out to be the biggest blessing of your life!
Here is a link to our church's website, if you would like to hear Kyle's sermon:
http://www.southeastchristian.org/?page=3476&project=82670&program=322717
Friday, December 10, 2010
CAL Christmas program
We're still here, just extremely busy. It's the most wonderful time of the year, right? Daniel's Christmas program at school was last night. It was so sweet to see him singing the songs and amazingly enough - playing the xylophone!! He didn't know all of the words like most of the other kids, but his excitement was geniune and it was so precious to hear him singing about the birth of our Saviour!
Here is Daniel with his teacher:
The Daniel fan club was out in full force:
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Black Eye
The eye is getting better...
Our 'Parent homework' for the week was to make a Native American home. Pop has been out of town for work. I was fully intending for him to take the lead on this project, but now it's up to me. YIKES!! We started with a plan to make a longhouse, but the glue wasn't holding, the sticks weren't straight and it was a general nightmare. Mamaw and Papaw to the rescue! It took all of us to craft this masterpiece. If they give a prize for the BIGGEST home, he will win for sure!
We are hanging on by a thread just waiting for pop to get back. It takes all three of us to make this family work and we are missing him!!
Our 'Parent homework' for the week was to make a Native American home. Pop has been out of town for work. I was fully intending for him to take the lead on this project, but now it's up to me. YIKES!! We started with a plan to make a longhouse, but the glue wasn't holding, the sticks weren't straight and it was a general nightmare. Mamaw and Papaw to the rescue! It took all of us to craft this masterpiece. If they give a prize for the BIGGEST home, he will win for sure!
We are hanging on by a thread just waiting for pop to get back. It takes all three of us to make this family work and we are missing him!!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Goose Egg!!
When I picked Daniel up at school on Thursday, he had a huge goose egg on his eye. Check out this bump! Apparently he was climbing down the playground equipment and his foot slipped off and he slammed his eye right into the metal. OUCH!!
And now today, he has a lovely rainbow on his eye....
And now today, he has a lovely rainbow on his eye....
Please don't think I am perverse for posting these pictures. The grandparents want to see what happened - so this is for you!!
Oh, and last week's verse:
Saturday, November 13, 2010
New toy!!
Daniel got 4 stickers for good behavior last week so he chose this cool GI Joe 'steel marauder' for his treat. He's been having a great time setting up all of the soldiers and then knocking them down.
We have been praying (and asking you all to pray) for the Lord to give us wisdom in our parenting. We don't know what we're doing (and starting out with a 5 year old, we didn't have much time to figure it out!) and we have completely been claiming that verse in James. 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.' We know we lack it and have been asking God to bless us with wisdom so that we can parent this sweet boy exactly how he wants us to. It is so great to see that He gives us wisdom right when we need it. Praise the Lord for the amazing progress we've seen in Daniel!
And, I have to share with you about a recent development. I don't know that I have mentioned this here before or not - but one thing with Daniel that's been consistent ever since we've come home is that when he gets hurt, he runs away from us. He doesn't run to me for comfort. All you adoptive parents out there know, when you're reading about attachment is that one of the signs of good attachment is that the child comes to you for comfort. Now, there is no doubt about our attachment. He definitely is attached to us, loves us, and wants to please us. We believe we have attached very well. But, when he gets hurt - he will jump up and down and cry, or run into the next room and cry, or run around in circles. He is hurt, upset, and just falls apart. This is sad for mom - I want him to come to me! At first I didn't know what to do about this. What's the right response? This child had to comfort himself for so long, what should I expect? So - not knowing if it's right or not - when this would happen (fall off his bike, trip and fall - whatever) I would grab him and pull him into my lap. He would be crying and wiggling and squiggling and try to get away, but I would hold him tight and try to give him comfort. To show him - this is how it works. I had no idea if that was a good move or not. It certainly didn't seem to make him feel better and sometimes I felt like I was being mean, not giving him what he wants - to let him comfort himself.
Just this week, he was walking up the back steps and tripped and fell and started to cry. For the very first time - in one year and 7 months, he didn't run away and he let me comfort him. He didn't run to me, but he didn't run away either. He just stood still and I came right to him, pulled him in my lap and he leaned into me and cried. I have to tell you - I think my heart stopped. I was so moved at that moment. I don't want to make a big deal about a small thing. But, to me - it was a priceless moment, and indication that our attachment is still getting stronger. What a privelege to be mom!
We are so happy to see an improvement in his behavior. Things have really turned around lately. We just had to figure out the right motivation and be more deliberate in our approach and things have fallen into place. This is totally a testament to the fact that the Lord answers prayer.
We have been praying (and asking you all to pray) for the Lord to give us wisdom in our parenting. We don't know what we're doing (and starting out with a 5 year old, we didn't have much time to figure it out!) and we have completely been claiming that verse in James. 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.' We know we lack it and have been asking God to bless us with wisdom so that we can parent this sweet boy exactly how he wants us to. It is so great to see that He gives us wisdom right when we need it. Praise the Lord for the amazing progress we've seen in Daniel!
And, I have to share with you about a recent development. I don't know that I have mentioned this here before or not - but one thing with Daniel that's been consistent ever since we've come home is that when he gets hurt, he runs away from us. He doesn't run to me for comfort. All you adoptive parents out there know, when you're reading about attachment is that one of the signs of good attachment is that the child comes to you for comfort. Now, there is no doubt about our attachment. He definitely is attached to us, loves us, and wants to please us. We believe we have attached very well. But, when he gets hurt - he will jump up and down and cry, or run into the next room and cry, or run around in circles. He is hurt, upset, and just falls apart. This is sad for mom - I want him to come to me! At first I didn't know what to do about this. What's the right response? This child had to comfort himself for so long, what should I expect? So - not knowing if it's right or not - when this would happen (fall off his bike, trip and fall - whatever) I would grab him and pull him into my lap. He would be crying and wiggling and squiggling and try to get away, but I would hold him tight and try to give him comfort. To show him - this is how it works. I had no idea if that was a good move or not. It certainly didn't seem to make him feel better and sometimes I felt like I was being mean, not giving him what he wants - to let him comfort himself.
Just this week, he was walking up the back steps and tripped and fell and started to cry. For the very first time - in one year and 7 months, he didn't run away and he let me comfort him. He didn't run to me, but he didn't run away either. He just stood still and I came right to him, pulled him in my lap and he leaned into me and cried. I have to tell you - I think my heart stopped. I was so moved at that moment. I don't want to make a big deal about a small thing. But, to me - it was a priceless moment, and indication that our attachment is still getting stronger. What a privelege to be mom!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Halloween
Our wonderful neighbors invited us over for a fun Halloween cookout. Batman had a great time roasting hot dogs and marshmellows...
And then the boys were ready for their big night of trick or treating. Daniel was more excited about it this year. I think because he knew what was coming! Batman, Dracula and the Pirate had a great time...
All in all it was a very successful night!
And then the boys were ready for their big night of trick or treating. Daniel was more excited about it this year. I think because he knew what was coming! Batman, Dracula and the Pirate had a great time...
All in all it was a very successful night!
I asked him at the end of the evening, 'What was your favorite part?' What do you think he said? It wasn't all the candy, or roasting marshmallows, or being batman. His favorite part was riding the wagon with Edward and Augie. How sweet is that?
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