Somebody is Toothless!

Caylie is six years old, but is so tiny that I don't think about things like loose teeth with her!  So I was surprised when she came to my crying and shaking the other night when she discovered a very loose one!  I have no idea how we didn't realize it was loose before that, because it was very loose!  We had to explain that all kids have loose teeth and pretty soon it will fall out and that God made a plan for a new tooth to grow!  Then we found a couple of videos about it on YouTube, and that helped, too.

Later that night we were brushing her teeth, and I told her that the tooth would probably fall out in the next day or two.  Then I saw something in the sink and down the drain it went!  Oh well.  She found a dollar under her pillow the next day, anyway.  :)

July Stuff

We've been home a week and a half now.  It really seems like way more than that.  Thank you so much to our friends who have graciously brought us dinner while we are getting over jetlag and getting through the first days in our "new normal".  That has been such a help to us!

 We are finding our way and so is Samuel.  Some days are very hard and some are much better, but we knew that it would be that way.  Please pray for Jim and me to have wisdom and grace when dealing with our new son.  Please pray that he would see us as parents who care for him but are also the authority, and that his heart would be knit to ours.  And please pray that God would continue to solidify the 6 of us in the house as a family.

I've started the process to enroll Samuel in Global Village Academy, where Justin and Caylie go to school.  They have Mandarin immersion there, which will help him a lot.  There are Chinese teachers and plenty of students his age who are fluent in Chinese, as well.  We did a bit of testing with one of the Chinese teachers to determine his grade level (not yet determined!) and it was very fun to listen to him read Chinese and watch him write it.  He doesn't seem to want me to know he can do these things, though!  Silly kid.

Last week we went to visit Daddy at his job at Howell Construction.

Daddy's co-workers left this collection of fun gifts for Samuel!  

Our friend Katie Maurer has moved back to Colorado!  We met Katie and her family when we first moved here in 1996, when they were living just three houses away.  God had plans for us to meet them, to be part of the church that Katie's father pastored (which is still our church!) and for us to become life-long friends!  (Long story VERY short!  Haha.)

 Tessa is getting so big!  She'll be 11 months old next week.  She is starting to take a few steps and is always smiling!

Caylie wasn't feeling well much of last week.  I thought she might have strep again, and took her to urgent care on Sunday morning.  But it turned out to be a virus, with no medicine needed.  She was feeling better later that day.  I guess spending 2 1/2 hours in a germy doctor's office will do that.  Arrgh!

We saw this as we were walking to the park the other day.  This house is in our neighborhood.  The poor family who lives here has had their fence destroyed by car accidents several times in the 19 years we've lived here.  This time their house was hit, too.  

But the funniest thing was the calling card that the driver left.  Bumper, complete with license plate, laying on the sidewalk!  Again, nothing to do with us.  I just found it funny.  ;)

The school playground near our house is always fun!  Samuel showed me many of his tricks.

Justin being Justin.

Caylie was starting to feel not-so-great that day, but she will still give a smile!

Justin being Justin.  He loves this hat that Jim got him in Vietnam in 2012.

Settling In

I know I said at the end of my "Home" post that I would write more the next day, but as you can see, that did NOT happen!  We have been settling in and recovering from serious jetlag, which is not fun, and does not leave any energy for much picture-taking or blog-posting!  Hopefully we'll be on the rebound soon, and will be doing more interesting things.  So far, we're pretty much just hanging around the house.  

Daddy bought a new soccer ball for Samuel, but Samuel did not want to be in any pictures with it.  I managed to get this one shot of Caylie, while looking through the upstairs kitchen window!  Fortunately (or unfortunately?) the younger kids all slept well from the first night on, and had much more energy than mama.

Samuel really likes the basketball goal on our patio.  He's out there with the ball any time there's nothing else going on.  (Which, right now, is often.)

Justin would rather sit on his bed with his laptop.  We're working on that . . . 

Caylie is always ready with a smile and a pose.  From the looks of things behind her, this was taken on our first full day home, with the table full of unpacked stuff that needed put away.  

I got out PlayDoh, and Legos, and Magnetix, most of which keep Samuel occupied for short periods of time.

The boys have been playing many games on the PlayStation Move.

Papa was happy to see sweet Tessa, as we all were.  I'm not sure why this picture looks so green, but I don't have the energy to figure that out.  Green it shall be.

Jim's birthday was Saturday, but we were not in any shape to do anything about it.  I think Caylie might have made him a card.  So on Sunday, we packed our jetlagged selves up and went to Genghis Grill to celebrate as best we could.  I didn't know what Samuel would think about it, as you have to choose your food uncooked - including the meat - but he did OK.

I sent Brittany to get a birthday cake, as I was in no shape to drive.  The cake says, "Dad your closer to 60".  We laughed about the message and the grammar.

Tessa likes birthday cake, too!

Samuel is doing OK.  He is learning how to be in a real family with two parents and siblings.  He is learning how to obey those parents.  Some moments are better than others.  We've had some difficult times, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that everything is new and probably scary to him.  We keep praying for his heart and for ours.  It will be a long journey, but it is a journey that we know God called us to, and He will be faithful to give wisdom and grace.

Home.

 We are home.  

And no, Samuel did not want to be in the picture.  He was a little overwhelmed by our welcoming party!  I will write more tomorrow.  Thank you for your prayers, friends. 

Fun and Blessings in Hong Kong

As I mentioned a few days ago, we saw Donald and Amy again today in Hong Kong.  When our two taxis got to the hotel, Donald was waiting for us.  We went to another yummy Chinese lunch and had a wonderful time with them and their pastor (who I just realized is taking this picture.  Ha.)  Some friends of theirs who had met Samuel at House of Grace came later and it was fun chatting with them, as well.  Their son and Samuel had a great time together.  I'm so glad they came to say goodbye to him.

Before we left the restaurant, Pastor Wong prayed over Samuel.  The details I cannot share, but it was absolutely beautiful, filled with God's Spirit, and a memory that will remain in my heart for always.  I am so amazed at how God has orchestrates our lives, and how we can worship and follow Him with believers around the world, speaking different languages.  We are so. very. blessed.  

Samuel and his friend.  I asked Samuel, "Ta jiao shenme mingxi?"  (What is his name?)  But he just shrugged.  Turkey.  LOL

Another shot of all of us.  Pastor Wong is in this one, in the yellow shirt.  He showed me a video of a fundraiser that their church had done for House of Grace.  I will try to find it on YouTube when we get home and share it here.  

Pastor Wong, me, and Amy.

Amy, Samuel and Donald  

Keelan and Caylie.  I think Caylie ate more than anybody!

Justin is not an adventurous eater.  But Amy keeps trying, haha.

After lunch we walked to a nearby park.  Very beautiful and peaceful there, except for the threat of the typhoon!

Samuel, Amy, and Caylie.  These pics are blurry, sorry.  I took them while walking backwards . . . 

Daddy and Caylie.

 Samuel and his friend.  (Amy, perhaps you can email me his name, since we are going to WeChat.  Ha!)

Love these big, old trees.  

Caylie makes a friend wherever she goes.  So happy about that.  :)  And this little girl is so cute!

Amy and Donald, their friends, and Samuel & Jim.

Waterfalls at the park.

Flamingos.

Amy, Caylie, and her new friend.  

As the title says, a day full of fun and blessings.  Amy and Donald, you have blessed our Samuel and you have blessed us.  We are so grateful to God for the gift of your friendship.