Saw this on our counter today and had to laugh! The kids r still working through the candy we got at the 4th of July parade (this is not all of it! Still have over half a cooler full!) and apparently I dumped the toothpaste in there after the dentist appointment last week!😃so funny!

Had our first U.S. doctor visit yesterday. 3 hours for 4 kids. It was good! So grateful for travel dvd players! Haha! He was very good with the kids and spent so much time listening to us. The only bad part was each one got 3 huge booster shots in their legs! Ouch! Even today they are hurting! Otherwise things are going fairly smoothly so we r so glad for your prayers!!

Hello all! Sorry there hasn't been a recent post. Here's a quick catchup: Tues dentist went well. Mostly just consultation. We have a really great dentist. Also, the kids teeth are in good condition which we are hugely grateful for! Strange fact: some Peruvians actually have extra teeth! Called supernumerary teeth. Elizabeth has two! Wednesday we went to the pool for the second time. Went very well again. The kids LOVE the pool! Thurs we went to the big playground near us in the morning and cleaned house followed by ice cream cones in the afternoon. While playing a game with the kids on the trampoline before dinner, I landed wrong and have hurt my knee (don't say it, Mom! I know ☺). Please pray for quick healing as stairs and kids everywhere don't mix with a swollen paunful knee. I have seen progress in it already this morning after prayer so am grateful to the Lord! Needless to say, today is a hang-at-home day. Hope you have a happy Friday

If you could have seen it...you'd have been moved to tears too. Coming on the heels of yesterday... when the kids were weeping over missing the orphanage and their friends, deep grieving with hopeless anger, followed by acting out in defiance and disobedience the rest of the day. Now today... During our "church service" at the house, the kids were singing to the Hillsong dvd and as j & I worshipped after one song praising Jesus, calling out how good and faithful He is, the kids too began calling out the same - repeating the praises and lifting their own hands like us, then calling out their own "thank yous"! Gack! I still get chills and tears!! Maybe 2 minutes tops but that moment will live w me forever. Has changed me and shifted a piece of me into place, into alignment w jesus. Selah! Your prayers are CHANGING LIVES!! Specific, tangible ways that I get the privilege to see. Thank u.😍 I've been asking the Lord to pour out on you all incredible blessings for your sweet faithfulness to Him and to us!

Enjoyed a crazy moment today with us girls jumping on the trampoline in the rain! So fun! Got soaking wet (followed by a hot shower where i got soaked by the girls again! ) but laughed hysterically and was so good in repairing the frustration and hurt from yesterday. Been thinking about r immediate gratification culture and how adoption IS NOT! Its constant patience, waiting for yr efforts to reveal anything at all, or two steps back (or 3). A dear friend reminds me constantly that it's not a sprint but a marathon. Also learning so much about Jesus loving us first WHILE WE WERE YET ENEMIES. Sometimes it seems we are enemies in our family but I can choose to enter into this new aspect of Him and continue to love. I don't always feel like it plays out in my actions but thoughts lead to actions, right?! ☺ trying to learn fast and practice hard! Pls continue to pray 4 jj- especially unity btwn him & other kids, wisdom in being a sibling and good phrases to use. Other quick news: jh got his stitches out! Woohoo! Pray quick healing and not to split it open again! (He's hit it several other times with his stitches in!)

Hello, all! Two weeks, two days in. For most part, it's been good. Today we are struggling w rebellion & defiance for some reason but remaining consistent. Just tiring. Had 1st home study with r adoption agency and felt it went well. Mostly general info about r routines, the kids personalities, any concerns, etc. Thank u for continuing to pray over us!! Tried to get Jh stitches out yesterday but split open a bit extra so waiting a few more days.

Today is 2 weeks since we left Lima! Things are going reasonably well considering all the changes the kids (and we!) have endured. Still issues that we work with daily but we are starting to find a rhythm to our days. Of course that is with 2 adults at home! Our next season will be starting to consider school options and return to work. We so appreciate your continued love, prayers and support!

Thought I'd have the funnest pics ever for u all today since we took the kids to a sprayground with jumping waters and pipes spraying everywhere. However, 3 minutes into our time, Jh fell and hit his face on a bench and opened up his head between his eyes. It was awful! By God's grace, he did not have a head injury per se but did need several stitches as well as having a swollen eye. Poor guy!! He was so sweet tho wanting to share his ice cream treat with J after the stitches. We were all so glad to see him after he got home and gave him tons of hugs and attention! Pls pray quick healing for him, no pain, and no lasting trauma. The kids in general are doing well. We are super pleased that they have been able to bring up and talk about memories at the orphanage without the terrible grief they had before and we often are found laughing with the kids at mealtimes when they share. 😍love it! We are trying new parenting ideas as we get to know the kids more. E has been a delight to me as we cook together, play volleyball (she is amazing at it), jump on the trampoline and try tricks, and play foosball together. She has a real sweet heart! Jh loves to draw pics of all 7 of us and has asked to learn I love you in english so he can write it and tell us so! He's a brave boy who shares his food but also can be a bit rough on the girls by pulling their hair or hitting them on the back! ME is a handful. She wants attention but gets it by disobeying or playing rough w her younger sister. She likes to b in control and is still struggling w fear of the basemt (where her room is). We are being very consistent with her! T is still our screamer but has the cutest smile afterwards! Ha! She unfortunately mimics sister ME at times but loves to snuggle and be a part of whatever her siblings are doing. She loves balls and the trampoline. We r in r 2nd week home and still so grateful 2 b here in States!

Kids so excited today because we took them to the pool in our neighborhood! They've been to a pool before but don't swim well so we had them in life vests paddling around! So fun and cute!! They loved it! The life guards blow the whistle to take a break right before noon so worked perfect! No meltdowns to come home! Woohoo! And we got to sleep for 5 hrs straight last night! Yay!! Huge deal for us☺

Happy 4th, everyone! One week in! Exhausted but days are good overall. Nights still need work! Today was special because it's Jh bday in addition to our country's bday. We kept it pretty low key but he was VERY excited! Decorated with soccer things and a soccer ball cake. Had a few presents and treats. Actually was able to join my parents at a parade that gave out TONS of candy! The kids loved it and went crazy over the candy! Ha! Also made it to a firework show tonight. Woohoo! Since it's 1130pm we r headed to bed before the kids get up again☺not the best pic but here is Jh and his cake...

Last few days have been really good w no major tantrums! Nights still crazy as one is up every REM cycle! Took kids to get free cone at chick fil a! Felt Lord say to spend more time w E and that has been both delightful in itself and helpful as she can set the tone w the others. Please continue to pray that we all adjust to the permanence of adoption. Know that sounds funny but it sometimes feels like it will go back to "normal." For us and for the kids. I've been praying 4 quick adjustments/bonding for us all but also know that sometimes the grief can cycle around.