October Fun

October was packed with lots of fun.  We had my sister's family come visit with us for a few days.  It was so good to see my nephews and see the kids play together.  AK was more jealous this time when I would hold Micah. 

We also took Bennett and AK to the pumpkin patch in Hayden, AL.  We met some friends and took pictures for each other.  Bennett was so funny.  He talked non stop about going to the pumpkin patch the days leading up to going.  Then when we get there he seems disinterested.  He cried not wanting to go on the wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, but once we got on he did not want to get off.  The whole time we were walking around looking at pumpkins, Bennett was more interested in watching the tractors pull the wagons to the pumpkin patch.  Neither Bennett or AK wanted to leave, so I think they enjoyed it. 

We also went to our church's Fall Festival for Halloween.  I have not got those pictures uploaded yet, but it was lots of fun.  Bennett was a fireman and AK was an owl.  The kids seem overwhelmed by all the people and things to do.  I was so proud of Bennett.  He got in the Mickey Mouse clubhouse jumpy thing all by himself and played for awhile.  AK does not like enclosed spaces, so she sat and ate candy. 

Below are some pictures from our this month.

Anna Kate and Ethan 

 Nephews - Ethan, Micah, and Parker

Ethan and Parker 

The Cousin Gang 

   

Pictures from September

We have had a lot going on the last few months.  Having gone back to work, I have to be organized, structured, and prepared.  I got to take the kids to the zoo while Kevin laid new flooring in the kitchen.  It was a beautiful day.  I was glad we got to enjoy this last trip to the zoo to see the animals before it got too cool. 

Anna Kate - 6 months

We just completed having our second post adoption home study which is at the six month post adoption point.  It seems like we have had her much longer than six months when you consider how much she has grown, developed, and adjusted.  She had done really well with daycare now.  We had the issues with her biting other kids, but that has improved. 

She has really started to talk now.  She can repeat anything you say and now says a number of words and phrases.  I love to hear her say Bennett.  It sounds like Bent-it.  She is still a great eater, although, she does not like to eat first thing when she wakes up.  She has started learning her colors and does well with her animal sounds.  We have a book of pictures of food and she can name the objects in the book.  

We made our first trip to Mississippi with her since we adopted her.  The drive was okay.  It could have been better, but could have been worse.  It was great to finally to have time for some extended family to get to visit with her. 

The most recent issue has been her tantrums.  I don't know if it was part of being almost two, being a girl, attachment issues, etc, but it was hard.  When we would have to discipline her, it became a battle of wills.  The battle continually got worse.  The first incident was about 20 minutes, then 30 minutes, and then 1 1/2 hours.  I was emotionally and physically drained, but stuck to it.  After that grueling week, Anna Kate is a completely different girl.  She seems to know proper behavior and has done much better behaving properly.  She has not been aggressive towards Bennett since then.  She recognizes that she has a choice on how she wants to behave, but if she makes a poor choice there will be consequences.  She will go to "time-in" and she will apologize.  We have gone from 1 1/2 hour battle to get an apology to now she apologizes for Bennett when he has done wrong.

I was reading some of the blogs of others that traveled with us over the last week.  It was encouraging to see that it seems we have all been going through this same struggle.  Attachment is a process.  Sometimes, I am quick to think we are past all the attachment and bonding issues since AK has done so well.  

I am so very proud of Anna Kate.  We are truly so blessed to have her in our family and blessed in how healthy mentally, physically, and developmentally she is.  

Anna Kate's Dedication

September 8, 2013 Anna Kate was dedicated.  For us, it is more about a commitment as parents to have Anna Kate in church and to teach her about Jesus and her need for a Savior.  It was a special day for us since many in our church have been with us since the day we announced we were going to pursue adoption back in 2009.  We appreciate those who were there with us that day.

Here are some pictures from that day.  Anna Kate looked so cute in her dress I got her before we even adopted her. 

Bennett 28 Months

My baby is truly developing into a precious boy.  Bennett is continuing to amazement with how much he absorbs and learns.  He sings many songs, knows almost all his letters, and can count to 13.  At school, they say he really does not talk or interact when they are doing music.  However when they get him to bring him to me, he starts talking.  I guess he takes after me.  One-on-one, I can talk your ear off, but in a group I tend to be the listener. 

The most fun we have had with Bennett over the last month is taking him to the MSU football games.  He went to the LSU game and Bowling Green game.  He did amazing.  He enjoyed getting to stroll around campus, getting MSU tattoo, ringing his cowbell, and shouting "maroon" "white".

Here are some pictures from the football games.

Simple encounter with profound providence

I have to blog about this simple encounter at Rack Room shoe store.  Last Friday, we stopped by Rack Room after supper to look for the kids some shoes.  We were not the only family in the kid's section.  While I was in the floor with Anna Kate in my lap trying on shoes a lady spoke to me and asked where she was from.  Barely looking up, I quickly answered "China".  The lady responded, "I know that."  I was a little taken back and looked up to see a toddler Chinese boy peeking out around her leg.  I said, "Oh".  As Kevin filled them in that she was from Henan, they would say he is too.  AK is from Puyang, he is too.  AK stayed at MBHOH, he did too.  We continued to be in amazement.  We learned that they had brought their son and teenage daughter home from China back in January.  AK and their son had grown up together at MBHOH.  This precious family has been to China multiple times serving at MBHOH.  Kevin showed them some baby pictures of AK and they recognized her.  AK and their son met again on the other side of the world in Alabama.  AK had the most beautiful smile on her face when she saw him.  This was such an amazing encounter for a simple trip to look for shoes.  Pray for this special family (Heir family) from Gadsden as their son has kidney problems and will be needing surgery soon.  Their teenage daughter is still having a hard time adjusting.  They are also in the midst of adopting another child.