Rolling Hills

What a fun day!! We had a blast looking at all the animals. Luke loves monkeys and Laci likes the pink flamingos. She asked how do they walk with just one leg. It is a beautiful place in Salina and was fun to ride on the tram and walk around. Here are some photos. On the way home Luke just cried and cried and was holding his head and acting like he was going to throw up. He did this the other day and I have deducted that he gets carsick. We stopped got him out and he just said "bien bien" which means good, good. I think he liked the air. So we'll have to watch that. I sympathize with him as I get that way too. And with airbags he can't sit in the front. Maybe he'll get used to it. I never have and I am 40 so???? Pray for him as he adjusts to our confinement of carseats and backseats.

Here are some photos of our day.
Ronda

I don't know

Yesterday was an Incredible day. Luke likes the incwedibes. SO we watched it 2 times. Ok so maybe that is a lot of TV but it was nice to not chase both him and Laci around for awhile. Also thought it was funny that when we were reading stories for bed, I asked him what a picture was and he said, "I don't know" Just like that. Kinda neat. He probably spoke in English about 25% of the time yesterday. I can tell he is really understanding. It is pretty cool to see the light turn on.

He came into our bed at 3 am(seems we have this as a ritual already) and wet it at 5 so I am up, showered, and ready to start the day. The kids will get up and I"ll need a nap! We are meeting Tim's parents in Salina at the Salina Wildlife refuge so it should be a fun day.

I can feel God's presence hovering over our home. What an awesome feeling to see how Jesus loves our little children.
Ronda

Another fun day...

Today we met our friends with another set of twins, Han and Hud at playland. Luke loved it and just ran around and played. Hud took his swords and so they had to stay in the van but I imagine those two will have a blast together. Thanks Leslie for making us have another successful outing!!

I finally made it to Wal-mart and got pictures and frames to put around of Luke. He keeps seeing baby pics and says, "Luke as a biby(Baby)" I wish we had some. I pray that somehow God would provide that so we could have them for him. I have one of him at probably about 2 years old but none of him as an infant. Since he was not placed until about 2 1/2 there probably aren't any but we can just expect some sort of miracle. I am anxious for him to wake up in the morning and see a big wall frame with all of his happenings in one short week.

He had a sad time today and said some of the names of his Haitian friends. He kinda whined and cried. We looked at orphange photos and ones of the kids who are here close by. We need to schedule another play day so he can see he has not been deserted. He likes to snuggle when he needs comfort and we just stroke him and tell him we are sorry he is sad and we love him. It is kind of heartwrenching. We know he will grieve for him homeland and want to let him know it is ok to be sad. That is hard with the language barrier. Somehow God always uses Laci to make him feel better. I think she knows what she helps her when she is sad. Today she brought him a red popsicle. That is like a massage for me!! Then she turned on his favorite video and asked him to come sit with her. She just puts her arm around him and kisses his cheek. I took a picture because it is so sweet to see her feel bad for him. Today I told her that he does not know we won't leave him and so he is scared at times. She said , "you've never left me and so I'll just tell him." Someday we will be able to do that. Another family that adopted a Haitian boy about Luke's age said that in 10 months he totally forgot how to speak Kreyol and sounds exactly like an American. Makes me kinda sad to think that will disappear but I know that is how he will become united even closer to us.

Tim is off at noon tomorrow so we will post pictures of the trampoline that is compliments of my parents from the proceeds of the pumpkin patch.

Have a blessed weekend.
Ronda

More memories to remember

I thought of one other thing that happened yesterday to confirm Luke is one smart guy. The kids were out playing and I said ok two more minutes he looked at me and said no ten more minutes. Ok so I think he is understanding and figuring out pretty quick. Laci is doing much better. I think she is realizing that she is not losing her place in our hearts. Last night she slept in her own bed and wanted the door shut. Luke spent his last night on our floor. We are going to try to transition him to his own bed. I am desperately in need of about 24 straight hours of sleep. He is pretty noisy.

Some cultural things we want to remember. He opens the door for the girls, ties our shoes, cleans up his dishes, washes out his washcloth after he bathes. Has mastered riding his bike. Can braid hair, tie cool knots, and is extra gentle with little kids. What a sweet little guy!

Dr. Visit

Today we went to the doctor and found out Luke is pretty healthy. He will eventually need his hernia repaired but for now is ok. Also found out that if Laci does something he just patiently waits his turn. We owe her big time as she let the doctor do everything to her and then Luke watched and waited his turn. I am relieved to have that over with. He has had a little cough so we went ahead and treated him with antibiotics just to kill things that might get him down being in a new place.

Today I figured out his high pitching moaning sound. It is his way of trying to wear us down to get what he wants. Thanks the Lord the Holy Spirit showed us that. He went to Walmart for the first time and we did lots of oh we don't need that and oh we already have that but let me tell you the Chiefs jerseys were a hot item on his mind. I think we'd better get him one. He couldn't have one today because I told him to stop the whimpering and ask nicely. A bunch of foreign words he'll pick up on REALLY fast. Maybe he can be a football player for Halloween. Laci will be a cheerleader. How's that one!!

The kids are outside with Tim riding bi cik lays. That is how he says it. Oh another thing I want to remember is that Luke went around the house today looking at all the pictures on the wall and asked me, "where is El Peno Luke's pit ure?" SO this evening I am making a run to get some pictures to put in frames on the wall.

I'd appreciate your prayers. Tim goes back to work tomorrow and I know I will be fine but tag teaming sure helps the day go well. I have Courtney here. We'll do some crafts and stuff as he loves that. For those of you close to us, pictures of you would be appreciated. Luke is good with faces and I think if you could get us some he would really feel like he is part of the clan!

We are having a blast!
Ronda

From Pa Pa Tim

Words can't describe how this all feels. Although it is quite tiring trying to keep up with him and Laci Jo, the end of the day is quite rewarding. Luke is just fitting in quite well. Even though at times we feel the language barrier is played for all it's worth, we are understanding him and his patience with us is great for the most part. We have a boy who has got all the ladies officially wrapped around his little pinkie.

We've spent a couple of hours in the last 2 days learning to ride a bike. He's gotten quite good.
By the way, I just gave up my deodorant to Luke to keep in his drawer so if you smell something interesting just smile, hold your breath, and politely slip out of breathing distance. He is constantly trying to add things to his pile of, "El Pino Luke's" stuff. He now has a swifter, a mop, a set of keys (which we do need), some books and of course every hat I own that has velcro size adjustment (the velcro is the only acceptable ones since they can easily be latched around his hanger rack in his closet).

Last night when we visited our friends who adopted a 3-year old Haitian girl, Luke was truly amazing. He was so gentle and caring for her. It really brought into reality some of his culture and what makes Luke soooooo cool. We also got the bag containing the only possessions he brought with him. It is stuff I will cherish forever. He had just around 4 complete outfits, one underwear, and the bag. That is it. Everything he owned and was able to call his to fit into his single drawer he possessed at the orphanage. Saddening yet very grateful to have him here with us. If anyone reading this feels so compelled, there are at least 50 more of these little guys waiting to have more down in Haiti.

The final moment of confirmation for me is this, last night when Luke was talking to Yve (our Haitian Missionary who has been a big part of the orphanage and adoption), Yve asked him, "Do you want to stay with Mama and Papa?" Luke replied, "Yes, it is like paradise!"

God is so awesome in His plan! We may not understand His timing. I quit trying a long time ago!! That's OK, He's in charge.