A Very Delayed update

Well, it sure has been a long time since I've written anything here!

We've been busy (aren't we all?) and have all kinds of things going on around here.  I haven't written here lately because I keep thinking I'll add something that we've written recently for Momlifetoday.com.  But, I clearly haven't done that.  And, since I haven't, in case you're interested, here are the links to the last few posts:

"Lessons from a Former Orphan"
"Will Love Ever Be Enough?"
"Still Face Experiment"  Jon wrote this and if you have a few minutes, it's well worth your time.

So, I'll try to give a brief update about what's been going on here the last few months.

Spring break 2013

Jon has been enjoying his new job (did I ever mention that??) at Hope for Orphans as the director of FamilyCare.  Since last May he has been using his passions for orphan care, his experience as an adoptive dad, along with his professional training as a psychologist to help adoptive families and to train others in how to help children from hard places, along with other tasks as well.  We feel so blessed and honored to have joined this ministry and are thankful for the opportunities that God is giving us.    

Jian has had a rough few months both at home and at school.  We're thankful that things are improving in the last few weeks and pray that this trend continues.   He's finished with sports for this year and is doing quite well as a freshman in high school.  He's looking forward to football next fall and hoping to be able to make it through more than 1 game.  His arm has healed well, it doesn't look nice, but, we're very grateful that he has full use of it and are hoping that all of the feeling will still return in his little finger.  He's continuing to grow and is almost as tall as I am now (and of course, loves that!)    

Fishing in Corpus Christi

Tanner has grown so much in the last year, I can barely keep him in pants that fit!  We have seen the leukodystrophy affect him more this past year.  His academic and cognitive functioning have decreased as well as his communication skills.  He's slower than he used to be and a little more off balance and weaker as well.  This is sad to see, but not unexpected.  We love to see his smile and how he always wants to help others.  He loves our new chickens and thanks them for the eggs whenever he goes to collect them.

Tanner and "normal brown chicken" (Tanner's name  for her )

Tanner LOVES animals.  This goat was at the Victoria Zoo.

Let's see, what else has been going on.  We've helped to start a deaf church (with another family) in our community this past year. Our boys love to go and we love seeing more people learning about the gospel.  It's so great to see Deaf people see the word of God in their own language!  We're excited to see where God will lead this ministry.

Well, that's the brief update of what's happening here!  Hopefully I'll get around to posting a little more often in the coming months!