On Friday it will two months since we met our boy in person. More and more he is understanding the way our home and family functions and how he fits in.
His English is blossoming. Last week I found him trying to read some English words. This morning I started him out on some beginning readers I used to teach the other kids to read. He read two little booklets without a hitch. In fact, he almost seemed insulted by how simple they were, but he was delighted with himself too.
After we found out how much Dong/Josiah loves to swim, we bought a membership to the YMCA. After the first couple of times of taking the kids swimming, I had to return to work on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Greg has taken those two afternoons to take the kids to the pool so I had not seen his progress for three weeks. I was amazed when I took the kids yesterday. The little boy who had to think and work up courage to put his face in the water is now floating, swimming, and touching the bottom of the pool with his hands. He LOVES it!
Dong/Josiah's favorite place is still in front of the computer playing games. He likes to earn extra computer time by learning new English words. Every three new words is worth another 15 minutes. His goal is six words a day. He hoots and hollers and does a victory jig when he reaches his goal.
We are busy around here getting ready for R's graduation party on May 11th. As a home school student, she is not participating in any ceremony, but we are having a party in our church youth room to honor her accomplishments. She hopes to get a job this spring or summer as a Certified Nursing Assistant. R plans on going to the local community college next year and then move into a massage therapy program in the Des Moines area.
Time to get back to school with the kids!
Blessings to all...Joni
Monday, April 21, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Finally...
Sorry gang. I hope the few of you still hoping I might add something someday weren't worried. All is well.
Josiah did great on the plane ride home. He especially enjoyed the personal video screen with his own remote on the plane ride from Korea to Chicago. He was either pushing buttons on the remote or computer screen, eating, or sleeping. He was a happy camper. He fell into a DEEP sleep on the one hour jaunt from Chicago to Des Moines. We had our worst melt down ever when I had to wake him..and I don't blame him at all. Greg went ahead and warned the kids that Josiah was experiencing difficulties while I tried to wait out the storm. I eventually just carried him in spite of his obvious objections. He calmed down when he saw the kids but he was still pretty sullen.
The good news is that by the time we drove home he was smiling and interacting with the kids. He was eager to go in the house and explore. He was taken aback by the size of the cat. He is used to scrawny looking things and our cat is a bit massive. He wasn't too sure about the dog at first but readily warmed up to her. It was a good day after all.
Josiah loves games...Connect Four, Uno (the one that spits out the cards), Memory... He especially loves computer games. He loves to ride bike on those days that are acting like spring and not winter (it is snowing again this morning...Ugggh!). He loves swimming so much that we joined the YMCA. It was cheaper to buy a membership than pay to go twice a month.
He's a great kid. He is normal in that when he is bored, he looks for trouble. He likes to hit the escape key when people are on the computer, turn off the light switches, harass the cat...small annoyances really...but he likes peoples' responses! He also loves to snuggle in the morning and get a good back scratching.
EAT...wow...this kid can eat. He had five pieces of pizza the other night. He usually has three eggs for breakfast. He especially likes meat and proteins. It will be interesting to see how much he grows in the next couple of months.
David (6) and Josiah (7) are the best of buds. There has only been a couple of minor skirmishes over who had rights to the computer. They do not seem to tire of each other. Speaking of which, they are both awake now...so it is time to go.
Now that I am caught up a bit...mom of six gone for 2 1/2 weeks...it took me a while...I hope to be a better blogger.
Blessings to all...Joni
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Wouldn't ya know...
Wouldn't ya know that the day that I post how good it is going, is the day we see tears again and our first temper tantrum...short lived and mild, but non-the-less a temper tantrum. Actually this has all be so mild in comparison to what I told to expect that I was beginning to be concerned that he hadn't had a melt down since the first night that he had sobbed himself to sleep. Once he had it out of his system he was a much happier and obedient child.
He is a terriffic kid! He is usually so happy and such a tease. He is a great reader which has been such a blessing. If I can not communicate with my little Vietnamese and pantomime, I look up a word in the VN-English dictionary, he reads it, and nods in acknowledgement with a gleam in his eye when he gets it. He even reads his own menu and points to what he wants to order. The morning after we arrived in Hanoi, his cough was worse and he was vomitting phlegm. I looked up the word "sick" and he read it and knodded. I looked up the word "doctor", he read it, and knodded. So we went to the doctor and he was diagnosed with bronchitus. Wow...how easy can it get!
Yesterday, we finally got the passport. Today we get have the medical exam. Monday we have our exit interview with the US embassy to get his visa. Tuesday at four o'clock we pick up the visa. AND Tuesday evening, Lord willing, we fly out of Hanoi to Korea at 11:40 pm. Then it is Korea to Chicago...where, because we cross the international date line, we arrive in Chicago on the same day but an hour before we left Korea. Sort freaks the mind out doesn't it! Then Chicago to Des Moines!!!!
I miss my other kids and Dong is anxious to meet them. We are counting down the days here!!!
Blessings to all...Joni
He is a terriffic kid! He is usually so happy and such a tease. He is a great reader which has been such a blessing. If I can not communicate with my little Vietnamese and pantomime, I look up a word in the VN-English dictionary, he reads it, and nods in acknowledgement with a gleam in his eye when he gets it. He even reads his own menu and points to what he wants to order. The morning after we arrived in Hanoi, his cough was worse and he was vomitting phlegm. I looked up the word "sick" and he read it and knodded. I looked up the word "doctor", he read it, and knodded. So we went to the doctor and he was diagnosed with bronchitus. Wow...how easy can it get!
Yesterday, we finally got the passport. Today we get have the medical exam. Monday we have our exit interview with the US embassy to get his visa. Tuesday at four o'clock we pick up the visa. AND Tuesday evening, Lord willing, we fly out of Hanoi to Korea at 11:40 pm. Then it is Korea to Chicago...where, because we cross the international date line, we arrive in Chicago on the same day but an hour before we left Korea. Sort freaks the mind out doesn't it! Then Chicago to Des Moines!!!!
I miss my other kids and Dong is anxious to meet them. We are counting down the days here!!!
Blessings to all...Joni
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Finally....
Good morning from Vietnam!!!
We are traveling with another family who also received their son from the Binh Duong orphanage. They let me borrow their computer since the lobby computer only has prompts for this program in Vietnamese...thus my tardiness in updating the blog.
For those who are following this blog and are in process, please understand that I have never heard of anyone experiencing some of the things we have been blessed with. I do not know why we have had the privileges we have had but they are not standard.
When we first arrived at the orphanage Dong greeted us at the door with his sweet smile and a light in his eyes. He was shy but open. I did not want to push his boundaries so I refrained from a bear hug but I did drop to my knees and take his little hand as I introduced myself as "Mom". I also introduced Dad and Nathan.
Usually the parents of older children do not get to meet their child until the Giving and Receiving Ceremony. Usually the foster parents are too concerned about crying and losing face to meet the adoptive parents. We did get to meet Dong on the day before and to tour the orpanage. We also got to meet the foster mother and two sisters and to ask the foster mother questions.
Dong got bored with the tour and the adults talking so he sat down and was messing around with the computer games. He did not understand Spider Solitaire and I didn't have anything that needed my attention so I taught him how to play. I am glad I know how to count to ten in Vietnamese. Who would have ever guessed that my vice of computer games would be my first step in bonding with my new son and our first home school lesson?
The next day we returned to the orphanage to officially receive our son. The complete foster family showed up...mom, dad, the two sister, and his foster brother, Bi. They stayed home from school and work to say good bye! We even got to see their home. I have never heard of anyone receiving this privilege!!
The Giving and Receiving Ceremony was merely signing papers. We returned to the orphanage to make sure all paperwork was in order. Dong was on the computer again with Nathan...he was playing Spider Solitaire and playing it quite well!
Dong struggled with tears at various times that day. Our friend, Miss Thu, and her family were a good distraction for us. We originally met Miss Thu while she was visiting her daughters in Ames. We went to the Bien Theinh market and out to eat pho (traditional beef soup). We returned to the hotel early because we were all tired.
Dong sobbed himself to sleep that night as I held him in my arms in bed. That is the last of the tears that we have had. He has never rejected my affection, but I was also careful not to push the boundaries too quickly. He went from tentative acceptance to warming up and snuggling in...to returning affection. Yesterday he greeted me with a great big bear hug. I also know that he is feeling more comfortable because he is testing the boundaries. He is a normal child after all. He is soooooo good though. We have had no temper tantrums as we were told to expect.
It all seems to be going so smoothly for now. I am guessing that at some point in time we will see more grief and loss as this becomes forever in his mind rather that a pleasant diversion. Right now we are new and he is having fun...more details on that later.
We are waiting for our passport...Thursday. Friday we have the medical exam. Our visa interview was moved up to Monday instead of Tuesday. Please pray that we can get travel arranged so that we could leave an earlier flight out of here. We would love to get him home to his siblings. We are all missing each other and two of our children are under the weather.
Thanks for checking in and not giving up on me. Blessings to all...Joni
We are traveling with another family who also received their son from the Binh Duong orphanage. They let me borrow their computer since the lobby computer only has prompts for this program in Vietnamese...thus my tardiness in updating the blog.
For those who are following this blog and are in process, please understand that I have never heard of anyone experiencing some of the things we have been blessed with. I do not know why we have had the privileges we have had but they are not standard.
When we first arrived at the orphanage Dong greeted us at the door with his sweet smile and a light in his eyes. He was shy but open. I did not want to push his boundaries so I refrained from a bear hug but I did drop to my knees and take his little hand as I introduced myself as "Mom". I also introduced Dad and Nathan.
Usually the parents of older children do not get to meet their child until the Giving and Receiving Ceremony. Usually the foster parents are too concerned about crying and losing face to meet the adoptive parents. We did get to meet Dong on the day before and to tour the orpanage. We also got to meet the foster mother and two sisters and to ask the foster mother questions.
Dong got bored with the tour and the adults talking so he sat down and was messing around with the computer games. He did not understand Spider Solitaire and I didn't have anything that needed my attention so I taught him how to play. I am glad I know how to count to ten in Vietnamese. Who would have ever guessed that my vice of computer games would be my first step in bonding with my new son and our first home school lesson?
The next day we returned to the orphanage to officially receive our son. The complete foster family showed up...mom, dad, the two sister, and his foster brother, Bi. They stayed home from school and work to say good bye! We even got to see their home. I have never heard of anyone receiving this privilege!!
The Giving and Receiving Ceremony was merely signing papers. We returned to the orphanage to make sure all paperwork was in order. Dong was on the computer again with Nathan...he was playing Spider Solitaire and playing it quite well!
Dong struggled with tears at various times that day. Our friend, Miss Thu, and her family were a good distraction for us. We originally met Miss Thu while she was visiting her daughters in Ames. We went to the Bien Theinh market and out to eat pho (traditional beef soup). We returned to the hotel early because we were all tired.
Dong sobbed himself to sleep that night as I held him in my arms in bed. That is the last of the tears that we have had. He has never rejected my affection, but I was also careful not to push the boundaries too quickly. He went from tentative acceptance to warming up and snuggling in...to returning affection. Yesterday he greeted me with a great big bear hug. I also know that he is feeling more comfortable because he is testing the boundaries. He is a normal child after all. He is soooooo good though. We have had no temper tantrums as we were told to expect.
It all seems to be going so smoothly for now. I am guessing that at some point in time we will see more grief and loss as this becomes forever in his mind rather that a pleasant diversion. Right now we are new and he is having fun...more details on that later.
We are waiting for our passport...Thursday. Friday we have the medical exam. Our visa interview was moved up to Monday instead of Tuesday. Please pray that we can get travel arranged so that we could leave an earlier flight out of here. We would love to get him home to his siblings. We are all missing each other and two of our children are under the weather.
Thanks for checking in and not giving up on me. Blessings to all...Joni
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Still packing...can we spell anticipation?
There is so much to do and so little time to do it. Our plane leaves Des Moines Saturday morning at 6:30 am and we arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at 10:40 pm their time on Sunday. We will be landing in Vietnam while you folks are heading home from church.
We had good news last night. We expected that we would not be able to see Dong until Tuesday, but we get to go to the orphanage early Monday. They say we will be able to meet Dong. This is most unusual for older children. Parents usually do not meet their older child until the Giving and Receiving Ceremony which will be Tuesday.
We will be sharing our journey with another Holt family. It will be fun to finally meet this family that I have been corresponding with for the past couple of months.
I do not know when I will be able to update the blog because we are not taking a computer with us. Friends assure us that we will have access to computers over there...we will see.
Please keep us in your prayers as we meet our new son...and he meets us. We have so much to learn about each other and so little common language. Please keep Grandma and Aunt Katie in your prayers as they take care of the children left at home.
Blessings to all
We had good news last night. We expected that we would not be able to see Dong until Tuesday, but we get to go to the orphanage early Monday. They say we will be able to meet Dong. This is most unusual for older children. Parents usually do not meet their older child until the Giving and Receiving Ceremony which will be Tuesday.
We will be sharing our journey with another Holt family. It will be fun to finally meet this family that I have been corresponding with for the past couple of months.
I do not know when I will be able to update the blog because we are not taking a computer with us. Friends assure us that we will have access to computers over there...we will see.
Please keep us in your prayers as we meet our new son...and he meets us. We have so much to learn about each other and so little common language. Please keep Grandma and Aunt Katie in your prayers as they take care of the children left at home.
Blessings to all
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Progress and a poem
We are scurrying to get ready. Our plane leaves at 6:30 am on the 23rd of February and we are to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of the 24th. It looks like we may have the 25th off. The mother of some Vietnamese friends was visiting her daughters and new grandson in the US for a few months. We had the family over a couple of times while she was here. She has just returned home to Ho Chi Minh City. We may be able to meet her that day.
Tuesday, the 26th, we will meet Dong for the first time, and he will become our son. I already have his backpack and suitcase packed!
A friend who adopted a little boy from China sent this poem that resonates with me. Kelly did not know who wrote it.
Some would gather money along the path of life;
Some would gather roses, and rest from wordly strife.
But I would gather children from among the thorns of sin,
I would seek a golden curl, and a freckled, toothless grin.
For money cannot enter in that land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered soon will wilt along the way.
But oh, the laughing children, as I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven, I can take them in with me!
It's time to get back to eternal things disguised as daily tasks! Have a great day!
Blessings...Joni
Tuesday, the 26th, we will meet Dong for the first time, and he will become our son. I already have his backpack and suitcase packed!
A friend who adopted a little boy from China sent this poem that resonates with me. Kelly did not know who wrote it.
Some would gather money along the path of life;
Some would gather roses, and rest from wordly strife.
But I would gather children from among the thorns of sin,
I would seek a golden curl, and a freckled, toothless grin.
For money cannot enter in that land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered soon will wilt along the way.
But oh, the laughing children, as I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven, I can take them in with me!
It's time to get back to eternal things disguised as daily tasks! Have a great day!
Blessings...Joni
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Going for God's Treasures
Hey everyone, the count down has begun. In three weeks we are to be on the plane heading for Vietnam. It has already been quite a journey and we haven't even left the ground. For those of you who don't know our story, here it is...
Adoption has been a quiet dream of mine since I was a kid. I became a school teacher because of my love of kids. We had five biological children because we love kids. The neighbor kids and friends are frequently at our house because we love kids.
Even before our youngest was born, adoption was a topic of conversation in our home. We have tried to cultivate a heart for the world through Scripture, through missionary biographies, and by example. Amy Carmichael, George Mueller, and Mary Slessor are some of my heroes. We would talk about adoption but our resources were very limited.
When "D" was born, there were complications and more biological children were not an option. As I was giving away those things that our youngest boy and girl outgrew, the kids were alarmed. "But Mom, what if we adopt?" My responses came to be along these lines, "Children, adoption is expensive, but we know the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. If He wants us to adopt, He will provide everything we need."
Long story shortened incredibly (remember we're leaving in three weeks), God has provided everything need. When I wasn't even looking for a job, God provided a job that I love and doesn't infringe too much on the family...and provided for this adoption. God has provided the support from friends and family. God has provided enough hand me downs to clothe two boys in the same size of clothes...even winter coats for NEXT year. God truly does pave the way for the good works He has prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10)
We were looking at adopting a much younger child...under 2 years old...but God drew our attention to the captivating smile of a little boy...Le Trung Dong. He was put in the orphanage when he was six months old. Dong was suffering from malnutrition and they were concerned he had cerebral palsy. Vitamins, extra feedings, and physical therapy revealed he was just weak from his family's inability to provide for him in an impoverished country. They put him in the orphanage to preserve his life.
Dong was placed in a foster home when he was four years old. He has flourished there under the care of a loving family. Last June we were chosen to become his forever family. He is now seven years old. I read nothing but good things about this sweet little boy. He is a helpful, compassionate, and hard working.
We received THE call on Friday. We are to be in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, February 25th, 2008. The next day we meet Dong for the first time and he becomes our son.
There is so much to do, but I wanted a forum to readily communicate with those people who want to follow us in our journey. I make no guarantees how often this technologically challenged individual will be able to get to updating this thing or even figure out how!!! But I will try.
We are so privileged to be chosen to become his forever family. There are those who are incredulous that someone with five kids would want more. The Scriptures say that children are a treasure from the Lord. Since God's Word is true, there is only one logical conclusion...WE ARE GREEDY!!! Thus, the title of our blog.
Blessings to all from...Joni, Greg, R (18), N(15), A(12), S(9). and D(6)
Adoption has been a quiet dream of mine since I was a kid. I became a school teacher because of my love of kids. We had five biological children because we love kids. The neighbor kids and friends are frequently at our house because we love kids.
Even before our youngest was born, adoption was a topic of conversation in our home. We have tried to cultivate a heart for the world through Scripture, through missionary biographies, and by example. Amy Carmichael, George Mueller, and Mary Slessor are some of my heroes. We would talk about adoption but our resources were very limited.
When "D" was born, there were complications and more biological children were not an option. As I was giving away those things that our youngest boy and girl outgrew, the kids were alarmed. "But Mom, what if we adopt?" My responses came to be along these lines, "Children, adoption is expensive, but we know the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. If He wants us to adopt, He will provide everything we need."
Long story shortened incredibly (remember we're leaving in three weeks), God has provided everything need. When I wasn't even looking for a job, God provided a job that I love and doesn't infringe too much on the family...and provided for this adoption. God has provided the support from friends and family. God has provided enough hand me downs to clothe two boys in the same size of clothes...even winter coats for NEXT year. God truly does pave the way for the good works He has prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10)
We were looking at adopting a much younger child...under 2 years old...but God drew our attention to the captivating smile of a little boy...Le Trung Dong. He was put in the orphanage when he was six months old. Dong was suffering from malnutrition and they were concerned he had cerebral palsy. Vitamins, extra feedings, and physical therapy revealed he was just weak from his family's inability to provide for him in an impoverished country. They put him in the orphanage to preserve his life.
Dong was placed in a foster home when he was four years old. He has flourished there under the care of a loving family. Last June we were chosen to become his forever family. He is now seven years old. I read nothing but good things about this sweet little boy. He is a helpful, compassionate, and hard working.
We received THE call on Friday. We are to be in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, February 25th, 2008. The next day we meet Dong for the first time and he becomes our son.
There is so much to do, but I wanted a forum to readily communicate with those people who want to follow us in our journey. I make no guarantees how often this technologically challenged individual will be able to get to updating this thing or even figure out how!!! But I will try.
We are so privileged to be chosen to become his forever family. There are those who are incredulous that someone with five kids would want more. The Scriptures say that children are a treasure from the Lord. Since God's Word is true, there is only one logical conclusion...WE ARE GREEDY!!! Thus, the title of our blog.
Blessings to all from...Joni, Greg, R (18), N(15), A(12), S(9). and D(6)
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