Tuesday, April 26, 2011

MAJOR Progress with Drew and mini-Jilians

When we picked up Drew one month ago, at almost 10 months old, he could not roll over, sit up or bear ANY weight on his legs.  Holding his head up was exhausting too!
Look at him now!!! 
 He loves the mirror in our closet.
 I'm so proud of you Drew!!
hmmm....
 The girls are just nuts for Jilian Michaels...
I laughed quite hard at the whole workout with black beans as weights
 Drew had to check out the action and yell out motivation from the laundry basket.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Home of Hope Reunion and Schulz Easter Pic

Marc and Kayan Simpio had a very fun Easter egg hunt Saturday where we were able to get all the Home of Hope kids in Austin\Temple together.  All 5 of these little ones were in an orphanage together 6 months ago, and now they are Texans in families who adore them!!  They were swapping stories about Sisters Theresa and Sebastian, and comparing TexMex to maize mush.  They are also ready for the rest of their posse to join them. We've got a Birt, Honegger, Allen, Bower, and Scott soon to join this party!!

Drew, Aliyah, Elle, Alex and Roman~Welcome to a Texas Easter, ya'll!
My little brood.  Please be impressed that they are all matching.  Nana and Target came through at the last minute, saving Lucy from a pink smocked dress with puffed sleeves that she would rather not be caught dead in.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Passover in our home

"I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known
 that our fathers have told us.


We will not hide them from their children, but tell them to the coming generation 
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,

that the next generation might know them, 
the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, 
so that they should set their hope in God"
Psalm 78: 2-7

Monday, April 18, 2011

Karen Purvis on Adoption Expectations


Insight 1: Explore Your Expectations from Tapestry on Vimeo.

I found this and 6 other videos of Purvis' on Andrea's blog.  Her whole post is phenomenal!
I am soaking up all the wisdom I can right now.  One thing that has been so much fun these last few weeks is having several of ya'll call or email me about adoption.  I think this video is so good for the initial stages of those decisions.  Enjoy!
~love~Emily

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Two Weeks Home and Already a Lake-Baby

 Well,  I've made it two weeks with 4 kids.  The first week was shaky at best.   
Drew is doing great now, adjusting well to life in a home with a family.  He gets A LOT of attention.  The other 3 love him, and have a blast with him.  He is sleeping most, if not all, the way through the night, which is fantastic!  However, 20 minutes seems to be his idea of a nap, so he gets REALLY tired and fussy in the afternoon.  He'll get it worked out.  He is such a joyful little boy.  He gets so excited to see Andy when he comes home from work or walks in a room.  He seems to be bonding to us well, according to my VERY limited experience with this sort of thing.
 In other news, Caroline had quite a collision during Soccer in P.E. and fell hard and broke her wrist. When she got in the car after school, she complained that her wrist hurt because she has "laid down her life for a soccer goal" and was proud of herself.  Like any good mother, I did nothing until 2 days later when it was still swollen and she had made a sling for herself...
 This has been almost as exciting as having a new brother!  A new orange, waterproof cast that all her besties can sign and ask her over and over again what happened.
 My sis in law Liz and brother Daniel brought their 5 month old Charlie over for a visit.  They hit it off wonderfully, pawing at each other's faces :)
 "Surfing" on the Kayak is the new favorite activity, almost as much fun as catching craw fish and singing "love songs" to it so that ALL of Lake Austin can hear.


 Aunt Liz and Cousin Charlie
 Drew LOVES the sand and the water on his feet.  He just stares at all the trees, water, birds, boats.  Everything is NEW for him.
 These two are thick as thieves these days!

 Elizabeth and Cousin Campbell were  BIG helpers feeding Drew Cheerios.  I think he was a little confused by this little girl with the big bow stuffing Os in his mouth.
 Nana and Grampa came to meet Drew Saturday, he took to her easily and we were so glad to see them.
Drew is making great strides developmentally too, he is sitting up for long stretches and even pushes with his legs if on his tummy.  He eats everything I give him, mostly avacado, sweet potato, banana and mango.  We go to an Adoption Clinic in the next week to have him checked out head to toe by an Infectious Diseases Doc here at Dell Children's.  He is ON me or very close all day, so my back is having a tough time.

Drew is a delight!  We are hunkered down at home as a family right now and this is about the first time I've been on the computer in 2 weeks.  I'm sorry to my friends who are texting/ emailing/calling.  I will get my head above water soon and call!!  I miss you!!  4 Kids under 8 is a lot of action and not much sitting down.  I have had meals brought several times a week which is a HUGE blessing and great to have a conversation with someone over 8, too.
On another note, did ya'll know Christa Wells has a new album out- How Emptiness Sings?  It is amazing, of course!!!
 OK, I've got a full day of homeschool with Caroline today( a little catchup too!) better focus.
love,
Emily