More Birthday!

Here are some pictures from Kerwin's other birthday party. We brought the kids home with us from school, played games at the house, and then went out for pizza and cake. One of Kerwin's little friends was sick and didn't get to come so we only had three kids in all. At times I felt like I was herding cats. I would get one paying attention and engaged and the other would be wandering off. One little guy kept getting up and sitting down with other people at the restaurant. Luckily we had a pretty good adult-to-child ration at all times. We had a good time but I was exhausted. Luckily, we only have to do this kind of thing once a year. I can't believe Kerwin is seven already. When we started the process of adopting him he was only five. Five still seemed young. Seven feels like he is growing up too fast. (And I'm starting to think of myself as old too!)

Kerwin's sing language is coming along very well. He is able to communicate a really wide range of things now. He is also becoming a really good little artist. He can draw objects and people that are recognizable and have a lot of detail. Tomorrow he goes for a private speech-language evaluation. I am interested to see what they say at this place. The do not do sign language at this facility but are all oral. While Kerwin's first language will always be ASL, I would love for him to be able to communicate orally and with sign. However, this will not be easy for him to pick up. It will take a lot of work. Now, I still want him to continue to learn ASL as quickly as possible so that he can get caught up with his peers in the area of language.

It's getting late and the week is still not even half over yet so I've got to get to bed. I hate getting out of rest at the beginning of the week. Soon I want to post some video of Kerwin reading. He is learning quite a few sight words and is able to read some simple books from school. Check back soon!

Just some cute pictures...





Birthday party pictures...

Kerwin's First Birthday at Home

We had our family over today to celebrate Kerwin's birthday. He enjoyed the party and got some fun new toys: the new Snow Buddies movie, a golf set, a fishing pole, a guitar, some trucks, and a big chest to put all of his sports equipment in. Tuesday we will have another party with some friends from school.

You Must Be An Adoptive Parent If...

1. The fact that there are 143 million children
without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
`
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love & family.
`
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
`
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child
there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
`
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families
who've experienced the blessing of adoption.
`
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you
about adopted child's "real" parents.
`
7. You've been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer
than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)
`
8. You'd no idea how you'd afford to adopt,
but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing He'd provide. (& He does!)
`
9. You've taken an airplane half-way around the world
with a child you just met.
`
10. You believe God's heart's for adoption.
`
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart & family
is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
`
12. You know what the word "Dossier" means
& you can actually pronounce it correctly!
`
13. You've welcomed a social worker into
the most private parts of your life.
`
14. You shudder when people say your child's so lucky that you adopted them,
knowing full well you're the blessed one to have him or her in your life.


I saw this on a friends blog and had to steal it. So very, very true.

Haiti Reunion Weekend

This weekend we (Mike, Kerwin, my sister Rachel, and I) went to Lafayette, IN for a reunion with other family connected to Haiti through adoption. Many of the kids, like Kerwin, were adopted through Barbara Walker and Reach Out to Haiti (see the picture above). Other kids were adopted thought other orphanages and some families are still in the process of adoption. We spent the night Friday and then got up Saturday morning and spent the day at the indoor water park. Kerwin had a great time. He was so excited to see his friend David as well as Barbara and Lawanna. He enjoyed the water park for the most part. However, it was a little bit cold so he was shivering most of the day. He loved the hot tub but I kept making him get out of it because I was afraid his little organs were going to get cooked. That evening we went out as a group to eat dinner. Kerwin had a great time sitting with some of the boys after dinner. Then we headed for home and got in late Saturday night.

On a medical note, Kerwin had his first eye exam and passed with flying colors. It's so nice to have a medical evaluation that does not require a follow-up (at least not for 3-5 years). As far as his legs are concerned, we are waiting for him to have a Botox procedure but the earliest we can get in is May 7th. So for now, we are continuing with exercises and wearing his braces.

Coming soon...birthday parties (plural)!!! Stay tuned.

Superbowl Party!

We had a great time Super Night. Besides the exciting and delighting end to the game itself, we had a great time with friends and family. I have been promising the interns that were in Haiti with us this summer that I would have a chicken tortilla soup night. So I made good and we had a great night. Kerwin was so funny. He went to bed at half time but the next morning he asked us right away if New York won. His teacher said he came into school signing "New York won! New York won!" It was so funny to see him get so excited about the game. In case you didn't see it there was a Pepsi commercial that was totally in ASL. I missed it because it was before the game. So I added the address here in case anyone wants to see it. It's based on a common joke in the Deaf community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffrq6cUoE5A

Snow Pictures

Here are pictures from the last time it snowed. We have a little on the ground now and they are calling for more tonight.