End of January

Now surely 2007 came and went like a breeze. Yet, I am blown away that the first month of 2008 has already passed. I guess as we age time really passes briskly.

We still have the 2 girls, Adelina and Tamia. We are having some contact with case workers. There may be some contact with family members in the coming weeks for Adelina. There is an uncle in Virginia that would like to have her. It is tough to get accurate information out of anyone. Luckily, kids have a way of adjusting to a new environment quickly. They make no mention of anyone or anything in their past.

Everybody in our house got a case of a cold. It moved through house like a tornado. Adelina must have sneezed 200 times over a 48 hour period. Each time you knew she cleaned out her sinuses because would hang from her nostrils. It was truly gross. I was going to post a picture of it but I am sure you get the visual.

Tamia has clearly established her role as the rock star of the family. Everybody wants to be with her. She is delightful and charming. She is also very obedient and learning to be polite. She picks up on things quickly. We are starting to learn to count and she soaks it all up with a big grin.

Adelina can be as loud as the rest of the crew. She is really about a year delayed physically and verbally. At 30 months she still does not have a real sense of balance. From what we understand, she was in a house that spoke Spanish up until 6 months ago. I don’t think she has any memory of Spanish but English is definitely new to her. She mostly smiles and says ‘Mommy’ no less than 300 times a day. Our home is an environment that will push her. It is good for her development.

Ty had an evaluation with a psychologist today. It went great. He cannot believe what he read from his reports on Tyler’s past behaviors and where he is now. He is truly making long strides each month. He now sleeps in the top bunk of the bed. He just turned 4 the other day. His birthday party is this weekend at a park. I’m sure we will have many pictures to follow.

Alexia will astound people when they see her next. Her hair is long and almost blonde from the sun. She is a full head above Tamia in height. Her shoes are huge for her age. She is so goofy and playful. Her laugh is infectious. As a Dad, I am starting to fear how pretty she will be as she gets older. The last thing a father wants is a ‘hot’ daughter. Geez! I better get Tyler in martial arts.

This is a video of the girls playing with tennis balls.

This video is hilarious. The humor is something you would see on Bugs Bunny. Alexia is trying to teach Tamia a prayer. Tamia insists on her way and frazzles Lexi.

Recent Pictures

This is the time of year we get to rub it in a bit! Seen a sky like that recently?



Adelina Tamia





Here are some recent pictures and video. Remember, if it has an arrow below the picture you click on the arrow twice to start the video clip. Turn the volume up on your computer.

Don't drink the bath water!

We give the kids a dance of encouragement after successfully going potty. Lexi is giving Tamia one...

Silent Night?

Backyard Ride.

Balroom Dance.

Two New Girls

The newest event in our lives is the two new girls we have in our home. We got Timia about a week ago and Adelina about three days ago. I will follow up with some pictures and video soon. However, I need to take some :)

So, we have three girls all born in the same month, July '05. They are all quite different!

Timia has emerged as the 'fun' little girl. She has been a breeze. Tyler really takes to her. They both have a silly sense of humor. Lexi plays (or runs) right along too. The only noticeable thing is that Timia has the worst hernia I have seen. It is right in her belly button area. It sticks out at least 3 inches. I don't think it causes much pain but it will need surgery someday. We like to watch her dance and hop. She constantly wants her cup. She loves to eat but only when it is not time to eat. Poor Timia showed up at our house at midnight when she first arrived. She woke up once we brought her inside. Could you imagine waking up in a strange place looking at strange people when you were less than 3? The next day she realized this was a safe place and she had a few kids to play with her. She has adjusted quickly and is a delight to have.

Adelina has come to us from another foster family. Ultimately, she may wind up with an uncle who wants her from another state. She has a smile that will make you laugh. Huge dimples lay in the middle of the most pinchable cheeks. She has long black hair. She is affectionate and happy. Not much sways her from her joy. She too loves to eat! Although, most of her food winds up on the floor. On her second morning here Mary Sue went to see her downstairs. Adelina stood at the bottom of the stairs with a handful of dookie she had pulled from her diaper. Good morning!

It really is a roller coaster ride here everyday. It is amazing the energy that is fueled by 4 little kids all under four years old.

Since we started fostering people have asked us 'Where did you the inspiration to do this?'.

A few weeks ago I saw Kay Warren on TV being interviewed about a new book. She is an author and wife of Rick Warren who had the best selling book Purpose Driven Life. She has taken up the cause of caring and working to save the children of Africa that have been swept up in the AIDS epidemic. The man interviewing her asked her a similar question...'What caused you to take up this cause?'. Her answer was immediate and profound. She said 'I did not choose this. I traveled to Africa and God put this in front of me'. She continued 'I knew I needed to obey'.

This struck me because this is PRECISELY what Mary Sue said to me when I asked her where this was coming from. We knew nothing about fostering. For me, it was a term I had heard but never gave it a second thought. Mary Sue said that she just knew it was put in front of her to do and that she could not ignore it. I'm still not sure how I got mixed up in all of this!:)

I thought a good quote pertaining to this topic would be from the man himself, Jesus.

"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me."

Matthew 18:3-5