Merrily We Roll Along

I don’t even know where to start. We are a happy family of 6 and loving the time we have to spend together at home for the summer. I am hoping to not go back to work until the fall when the kids are in school. Jessica and Joaquin are doing wonderfully. I really couldn’t ask for better. It’s as if they have been with us forever and are learning more and more every day. We are having a blast now that we are home and I am able to not go back to work just yet.

A few things we’ve noticed. They ask for ice in their drinks…remember when they wanted everything warmed up? They do well helping with chores, and even seem to like it. Except the clean your room part. They’ve asked to see the houses of every family member so we are taking them a little at a time to check out everyone’s places. We had a grill out at my brothers 2 weekends ago and the kids had a ball. We went to my mom and dad’s this weekend and they got to take their first motorcycle ride with Abuelo Papa. He just took them down a side street, subdivision type road, and they thought they were big stuff. We will take them to my aunt and uncles later this week to swim and will need to visit Aunt Jeanie’s when she gets back from her work trip in Germany.

The are getting used to our busy schedule with lots of running to sports and activities and are doing great. Nate’s baseball team has taken them in and made them feel special, the ball players play with Jess and Joaquin like they are buddies and according to Jess and Joaquin, “it’s really cool!” They love Emi and Nate’s friends and are adapting so well.

Joaquin is slowly learning how to control himself when asked and Jessica has been a gem since we have been home. Last night she even apologized, out of the blue, on her own, to Emi for being so mean to her in Colombia. And Joaquin saw a plane fly overhead as he was jumping on the trampoline and said, “No don’t come get me, I like my family and we are having a lot of fun!” However a few days ago he did ask me to call La Maria so he could talk to his girlfriend. I cracked up. He talks about Lilly, his novia, all the time. Jessica talks about La Maria constantly, telling us stories and things here that remind her of things at the orphanage. They both tell us they are so happy and love their family, they can’t get enough of all the grandparents and aunts and uncles, and they haven’t even met Eric’s family yet. They are doing well eating and trying new foods.

I don’t know what else to say, things are going so well and we are having a ball. I would do this all over again in a heartbeat!!!

A few pics for the record...things we've enjoyed since we've been home.

We had a grill out at my brother's and had a great time. Tio Brian and Tia Sonya got Jessica and Joaquin crosses on a chain that are engraved with April 08, our gotcha month and year! The kids love to wear them, so I had to put them up so we can save them for special occasions and not lose them!


Joaquin loves to help with chores

Emilee graduated from the 6th grade and she tried out for the Junior High cheerleading squad...and she MADE IT!!!

Joaquin likes to water the flowers and himself

Played in the spinkler in the yard (with me not working we are going with out AC this summer, so lots of time will be spent cooling off in the water)

We played in the water area at the park

And we've been to Tia Jo and Tio Bud's to swim a few times too.