Beach Vacation 2010

We have had a wonderful time at Laguna Beach this week. The trip down went well, and really our 4 days here have gone very well. Some whining and complaining, especially as they get more tired and miss home and routine. All in all a good trip tho. We will start back tomorrow, spend the night in Alabama and get home Sunday evening. The boys have loved playing in the waves and searching for wildlife. The waves have been pretty big, which is fun, but very tiring. Dan has to go out with them and he is tired too. We haven't collected many shells. The waves are just too big. I'm not too sad tho - lots less "valuables" for me to bring home. We did go to a state park today and found several small sand dollars. They have also loved no school! I really had hoped to get some things ready to bring in order to make the most of our time, but it just didn't happen. Maybe next year....



Juan Pablo and Andrew at a rest area in Alabama.

Dan trying to keep track of everyone in the waves.

Maicol

Andrew making sand angels.

Andrew, Maicol, and Juan Pablo at sunset.

What's in the bucket?

A crab Mom scooped out of the ocean!

Off on a "mission" at the state park.

Maicol

Looking for sand dollars.

Small hermit crabs.

Then and Now III

Our three boys at a street side park in Ibague

Maicol playing cards at Patricia's in Ibague

Juan Pablo and "Andres" in our favorite park in Ibague

Maicol - ThenMaicol - Then

Juan Pablo - Then

Juan Pablo - Then

Andrew - Then

Mom and Andrew - Then

Andrew, Juan Pablo and Maicol - First Halloween in the U.S.

Bethany and Maicol - Now

Andrew and Jonathan - Now

Now

Now

Now

Now - St. Louis Zoo

Well, it's been many moons since I (Dan) have blogged, so on this, our 28th anniversary, I thought I'd give it a shot. Yesterday was our 3rd anniversary of signing for the adoption and adding three more gifts to our family. Sometimes it seems like it all happened just yesterday, and sometimes it feels like a lifetime. I wouldn't want anyone to think that adopting 3 children is easy, but I also have to say that it is totally worth it all. There are times that I'm on top of the world and enjoying my family so much. But there are also times when I'm really depressed and wondering if I was nuts to do this at my age. With 2 family anniversaries to celebrate and the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the U.S. to think about, my emotions are a bit close to the surface. I think I'll try this another time.

These pictures can't begin to show how far my three new boys have come in the last three years, but I hope you enjoy them.

God bless you all,

Dan

Where did June go?

Not sure what happened to June - but I'm sure it was wonderful! I just can't remember. :) We have spent everyday at the pool after we have whined our way through school. I hate, hate, hate whining! But, it just seems that we "need" to do some everyday. It certainly decreases as time goes on, but it just won't seem to leave our house.

Maicol spent a week at church camp the end of June. I think he had only been away from home for one night a couple of times, so a whole week was a long time. He went knowing no one and seemed to have a good time. He wants to go back, but not right now. He said it was "long". His brothers really, really missed him. We took the week off from school and spent it cleaning out the garage and attic. It was so nice to get rid of alot of junk and we hope to one day soon get a car in the garage! :)

The biggest news is Maicol celebrated his 11th birthday. We were able to avoid Chuck E Cheese and went bowling instead. I think it is something we will do again. The "big kids" came too, and it was fun. Maicol was thrilled because he beat Mom one game. Of course he had help with bumpers, but he did still win.

We're off to St. Louis tomorrow. Excited to get away for the weekend and see some other Colombia families.

Karen

The birthday boy and his brothers.

Maicol

Maicol

Andrew and Jonathan

Opening his gifts. We gave him a bow and arrow (suction cups). Hopefully safe enough for a boy who still has trouble controlling himself.

The brothers keeping a close eye on the gifts as they are opened.

Juan Pablo

Andrew

May 2010

Here's the month of May (in reverse order) since of course I forgot to upload the pictures in the correct order. :) We have had great weather and have been able to do some visiting this month, so lots of pictures.

Our neighborhood pool opened this weekend and of course we had to be there the first day. As I recall, last year it was cool and cloudy, but the boys insisted it was fine for swimming and had to go. They shivered. This year it is nearly 90, sunny and no wind, so great weather for swimming. Juan Pablo could barely hold his head up to eat dinner tonight he was so tired from playing and swimming. They were very excited to show me that all of them can now all do a front flip off the diving board. I did get some video, but it wouldn't load for me, so here are a couple of action shots.

We made a trip to my Mom's this past week. The weather, once again, was fantastic. My sister and two of her boys came and we had a great time. Andrew managed to find an almost deceased butterly. And if it isn't deceased by the time he is finished handling anything it probably will be. There were other pictures of them holding various little creatures, but I decided to spare you. Suffice it to say Andrew and Juan Pablo love to pick up anything dead or alive and want to take a picture so - "we can remember". And I much prefer a picture to keeping the real thing. :)

We also made a stop at the church camp where I went as a kid. Dan and I actually lived there for a few months when we were first married. He worked there and I was still in xray school. It certainly has changed in the past 25+ years! We are hoping that Maicol might go to a week of camp there this summer. The pictures are of a rope swing that lets you swing across the stream that runs though the camp. All the kids loved it (including Dan).

Andrew was finally able to use his birthday present. A slip n slide race set. He and Juan Pablo had a blast! Anything that involves water and racing has to be fun.

We are coming up on the last week of Upwards soccer. Maicol and Juan Pablo played. Andrew has to be one year older, so next year they can all play. Although Maicol told us that he is considering not playing next year because the Saturday morning games cause him to miss cartoons! What kind of Colombian would let cartoons interfere with playing soccer?!

If I could only get them to do chores like this all the time! I think I sent one to move the clothes from the washer to the dryer and somehow they all got involved. They look awfully happy to be helping.....

We made a trip to the Children's Museum. We have a membership, but still don't go as often as we should. Can anyone explain to me why I have to drive 45 minutes to a museum so they can play video games?

This is from the Egypt exhibit. A crocodile on the Nile.

We also made a trip to see Dan's Mom and Dad. After that we went on to see a friend of mine. She lives on a farm and one of the things they have right now are baby goats. The boys had a great time playing with them and just playing outside in general. Once again we had nearly perfect weather to be outside.

We're still trying to get the usual stuff in too! School is going ok. I never accomplish everything I would like to for school, but I keep on trying. There has been lots of playing outside and jumping on the trampoline.

The traveling we have done with the boys has been much better. Even a year ago they still didn't handle going new places well. Anything new was always difficult for everyone. This spring they have done really well. Even going to see my friend (whom they had not met) went smoothly. Yeah!

Last week I painted their bathroom and the great room and hallway. Not a drastic change in color, but a change. Maicol's first words were "I don't like it". I know he doesn't like anything to change and that it wasn't the color he was unhappy with, but the fact that it had changed. I was able to gently point that out to him and it agreed, smiled and was happily on his way. Wow! He has come a long way! (and so have I).

Until next time.

Karen

Spring!!!!

It is spring! We have been loving being able to get outdoors to play. Everyone goes to sleep easily at night and they even stay in bed in the morning a little later so that Mom has a little more time to get things done. We are back to bike riding, jumping on the trampoline, taking walks, playing at various parks and just being outdoors. We are back to roasting hot dogs and marshmallows in the backyard too.

We made another trip to Grandma's to visit and get to play with the cousins for a couple of days. It was a good trip. Not too much fussing about the ride and we had great weather to get outdoors while we were there. My sister has 3 boys with two of them being right between ours so it works out perfectly. I get to see my sister and mom and Dan gets to rest. Well, except for this time - he spent most of his time cutting down firewood and moving and stacking it.

Our other excitement was Maicol having appendicitis. He woke up one morning with pain in just the right place. We went to the ER at 9am and by 3pm he was in a room minus his appendix. He ended up staying two days. Quite an adventure for all of us. He is the most healthy of the three. Rarely even gets a sore throat, so this was a new experience for him. He did very well and is now back to doing whatever he wants. And now we know where that tax refund check is going! :)

We are having more and more good days at our house. Not perfect, but then we never expected that. But, there is much more desire to do what Mom asks, do schoolwork without complaining and just in general it seems they are more content. We still have our times of uphappiness, but they are fewer and even when things don't go well it is short-lived. When previously we would have had all-day problems, now they are just a few minutes to an hour problem and then it is over and we can move on. Not sure what it is - maybe enough time has passed that they feel safe? Whatever it is, we hope and pray it continues.

Nothing else very exciting. Here are a few pictures of our trip to Grandma's.


The Three Amigos.

Playing a very important game of badmitton on the sand volleyball court. At least there is something to do while you wait for your turn.

Maicol.

Juan Pablo

Andrew.