We've had a wonderful Christmas (that started last weekend with Jon's family, continued this weekend with my (Shelly's) family and will end next week after we're back home with our immediate family Christmas. It's been fun for Jian to experience all of this family time - it's been a little rough at time, learning how to be a part of a family, but, he's been adjusting so well and enjoying gifts, games, food and fun.
We have many reasons to celebrate today, three months ago today we added a new son to our family. We talked about it with Jian and how he was nervous and he was surprised to hear that we were nervous too! We also celebrate the birth of another son, Jesus, who was born so that he could die to save us and allow us all to be adopted into His family. What a special and memorable day.
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
A Delightful December
Well, my goal was to get these pictures on before Christmas, and it looks like I will succeed in doing that! We’ve had a good and busy December. Here are some fun pictures of Jian’s first December in America.
Jian has continued to do amazingly well. Some days though, are rough. He is not used to boundaries or rules, of course, 14 years in an orphanage, why would we think he would? He wants to learn and wants to please. He’s a true joy. Some days, it’s really frustrating and feels like it’s all about reminders, corrections, apologies and re-teaching. Thankfully, he’s not purposefully mean or deceitful most of the time, it’s just lack of knowledge! We’re also so happy with how honest he can be about what he’s feeling and why he’s upset. What a true blessing that is, and helps to try to resolve some problems. He still requires a lot of supervision as he’s learning what he can and can’t do, and how to behave appropriately. Most days, I’m so tired at the end of the day, but, it’s a good feeling going to bed knowing our two sons are right where they’re supposed to be. Most days, it’s hard to remember that he hasn’t always been a part of our family. The great thing about that is that,he always has, it was always in God’s plan, he just didn’t join our family until this year!
We are all looking forward to some time in Michigan this Christmas and are excited to experience Jian’s first Christmas in America. It’s been a real joy showing him the real reason we celebrate Christmas and having evening Advent readings together and seeing him learn more and more every day, what an honor to be chosen to teach him these things.
Still working on writing about Jian’s adoption…..someday it will be finished! So, here are our December pictures!
Tanner’s tree preference, Here’s the tree we chose Our 2010 Christmas tree
Both boys enjoyed participating in the annual Christmas program for the Brazos Valley Regional Day School for the Deaf
Our annual skating with Santa! Jian LOVED his first time ice skating, and was quite a natural!
We wish you a blessed and wonderful Christmas!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Thankful and Thanksgiving
I’m a little behind, but, still thankful! Unfortunately I took no pictures of our Thanksgiving dinner! We had a great traditional Thanksgiving with our friends, the Boysen family. Jian thought the food was ok – the rest of us loved it. We then left Thursday evening to go camping with Jon’s family and to celebrate one of Jon’s cousins marriage.
Here are some pictures of Jian’s first camping trip. We were thankful for electricity and heaters since it was around 30 degrees a couple of nights!
Jian and his Great-Grandpa Olson
We’re so thankful to have a new son to teach about Thanksgiving. We’re thankful he’s adjusting so well and a joy to have around. We’re thankful that Jian is asking a lot of questions about His Savior and often tells Jesus thank you for his new parents that brought him to America! We’re thankful for 2 sons who have a lot of fun no matter what they’re doing and that they love each other.
We also cut down and set up our Christmas tree….I’ll try to get to that post before Christmas actually happens!
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