Finally, an update...

Hello to all!

I can’t believe that we have not posted since Feb.!  I guess life has gotten busy with all the ball practices and piano!  We are doing very well.  Benjamin has had some new firsts!  During spring break, we were fortunate enough to have Scott’s parents stay with us the week!  Benjamin was able to get to know and spend time with his grandparents.  It did not take long for him to learn that they are lots of fun!  They kept them busy going to places like Chuck-E-Cheese and multiple other restaurants!  The last weekend of the break, we took a family camping trip to Oak Mountain State Park for one night to “test the waters”.  We went on his first hike to Peavine Falls.  He loved the snacks on the hike!!  Benjamin did really well, especially since this was the first time to be away from our home!  Our family tent camps, so we were aware that this is a strange concept anyway…  God provided the best campsite in the whole park, right at the water at the beach, so we were able to go swimming right at our campsite!  Benjamin, Bryce, and Elise had a blast playing in the water.  We then had the campfire with hot dogs and smores.  Lots of family memories!   Benjamin was reserved and taking it all in, but seemed a little nervous at night.  We made it fun and had him sleep between Bryce and Elise.  All the kids are now wanting to go back again for 2 nights this time! 

 The tent sleeps 12!!

Peavine Falls 

 Good times!

 The water was cold!!

Hot dogs from the campfire!

The morning...probably 6:30am!

Elise had her first Father –Daughter dance with Girls Scouts.  She looked so beautiful and they had a great time with the “red carpet” theme.  She had her hair and nails done and special daddy time!  She has really taken to piano as well!  She started it in March and has progressed so quickly.  She has her first recital in May!  Music has a special place in her heart!

 First bouquet of flowers

Elise loves crafts...

Bryce is doing well in his soccer.  He plays really aggressive and runs from one end of the field and scores!  He has also begun to enjoy reading more.  The “Geronimo Stilton“ series has locked him in and he finishes them fast!  He actually was begging us to take him to the bookstore so he could spend his allowance money to buy some books, which he read in that same weekend!!  I am thrilled to see him into it!

Basketball cake

presents, presents, presents

We were able to celebrate Benjamin’s 4^th birthday in April!!  He wanted a family party at his favorite restaurant.  You guessed it…. McDonald’s.  Due to severe weather and tornados, we were unable to go, but brought it in instead and had a great time at home with the family.  It was so special to have both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins!  We played musical chairs and listened to music, played chase and hide and seek!  Benjamin wanted a sports/ basketball them birthday, so he picked his cake out and I made it for him!

Easter eggs!

Finally, we were able to celebrate Easter this past weekend and it was fabulous!  What a joy to be able to share the full story of our Lord Jesus dying on the cross on Good Friday, but having victory over death when He was raised from the dead on Easter!  Bryce, Elise and I dyed and decorated Easter eggs to tell of the beauty that Christ can bring into your life.  We did resurrection rolls and found that the marshmallow was gone, representing Jesus no longer in the tomb.  It is so fun to tell all these stories to fresh little ears!

They all get along pretty well!

We had our 6-month appointment at the International Adoption Clinic as well.  (It has actually been 7 months.)  They tested him and found that he is doing very well, almost in the gifted range!  We knew that he was a smarty pants, but now there is proof!  He is doing very well with the language.  We are trying to help him say his “S” and “TH” sounds.  He knows all his letters and sounds as well as his numbers 1-13.  We do still have issues with lying and withholding right answers.  We have actually done a 180 on how we are working with him in this area basically following a book by Purvis called The Connected Child.  I feel like it is getting better, or we, the parents, are handling it better! =)

Wow!  I think that catches us up on everything.  We will try not to wait so long to recap the progress.  Basically, Benjamin is a very happy child and has adjusted very well.  Bryce and Elise still are great with him, but he is definitely part of the family and doesn’t get his way with them all the time like it was in the beginning!