Jerica was very busy this winter with club volleyball. She really enjoyed it but it was hard on our family with so many commitments. She is working hard on all her schoolwork, hoping to complete this year before the middle of May. Jerica has been such a huge help with cooking for our family. She can make the most amazing meals. Last week she made chicken fried rice and I can honestly say it was the best I have ever eaten. Jerica and Ariana usually cook dinner on Sunday nights for me and that has helped so much.
Ariana played basketball with our homeschool group for the first time this winter. She learned the game fast and let me tell you, she can take a charge like you wouldn't believe. She's tough!! :) (Ok, I'll admit, she doesn't take after me!) Ariana has been given the gift of compassion. She just shines with love and is willing to do whatever is asked of her. The littles go to her all the time for help or for a playmate because they know she'll never say no. Ariana is going to be an amazing mother some day and I pray that God gives her tons of kids to raise.
Alexa played on the same team as Ariana and is quite the player too. It was fun to watch them progress. She still has all the spunk that she's had all her life. She would much rather play games, do her hair, paint her nails, pick on her siblings, sweep the floor, or rake the leaves than do her schoolwork! So, school days can be a challenge but we just keep plugging away. She still takes voice lessons and has loved it. She really was given a beautiful gift with that voice of hers. (She's been known to make me cry just listening to her.)
Isaiah is 110% boy! He too, sees no reason to sit down and actually work on schoolwork. There's just too many things to do outside so why would you waste it inside?? His hands have to constantly be moving and for the longest time I just thought he was messing around and not paying attention to me but he knows exactly what I just said. Isaiah is just plain active! He continues to play the cello and the piano, but not always willingly. Again, why sit and play when you could be outside running around? His sense of humor always keeps us laughing.
Josiah has been making progress, but it's very slow. He turned 5 in November but still has a ways to go to catch up. We keep plugging away and pray that someday things will be a little easier for him. He still amazes us with his ability to run and get around. It's crazy to think that 2 short years ago, he couldn't run. God has been so gracious to him and has helped him through so much already. We feel like his left foot is getting worse so we're hoping for some help with that when he sees the specialist in a few weeks.
Elijah can make your heart melt with just one smile! It can brighten anyone's day. I recently had a friend message me that she was having a bad day and needed an Elijah picture to brighten her day. Seriously, that smile is amazing! He still picks on his big brother but not quite as much as before. He LOVES any ball. If you came to our house you would see him with either a basketball or volleyball in his hands. He can play for hours at a time and never get bored. I still remember him dribbling a basketball at 18 months. It's just a God-given talent.
And last but not least, Kendra. Sometimes it's hard to find words that describe Kendra. She reminds us of Alexa in so many ways. She is stubborn, wants things her way (I guess we all do, huh?) and is very strong willed. I didn't think you were supposed to have more than one strong willed child in one family. Wonder what happened there.. ;)
Kendra has worked so hard at speech therapy but unfortunately needs another surgery in June. Her palate is not long enough and she gets air leakage out of her nose. We were hoping for an easy fix but that is not the case. It's going to be very similar to her first one. Poor thing isn't going to be able to eat normal food for 2 weeks. She didn't like it last time, I can only imagine this time it's going to be so much worse. We do pray that it works and that there's enough tissue to elongate it as much as she needs it to be. Kendra's big news is that she gets to be a flower girl in my nephew's wedding in May. I'll have to post some pictures after her big day.
Todd and I are doing well. We're thankful for each other and enjoy raising these kids together as a team. I had a very stressful winter with all the activities that were going on, school, and keeping everything at home in line but he helped me so much. I just can't imagine going through this life without him.
We took the kids to Florida for a family vacation and had an incredible time. It was so relaxing for all of us. We came back ready to finish school for the year. It was a much needed break.
This was our view for a week. (And to think we actually came back home...)
And one of my favorite pictures that portrays adoption so well..
So, until next time... Thanks for stopping by!
