Here’s Sam’s version:
And this is Jack’s approach:
Mr. Jack came home from football and whipped up (with Dad’s help) some eggs & ham. He liked the green plate so he could allude to the book. Now if that isn’t a well-rounded kid, then what is? Student athlete, budding chef, literary scholar, chick magnet . . . .
It seems slow to us because we are so impatient to welcome Eling into our family, but bit by bit, she is bonding with her host siblings. This weekend, she fed Sam cake off her plate. She gave him her phone to play with & has been taking lots of pictures of him. Today I coaxed the girls into a game of Connect 4, and from there Margaret taught Eling how to play Checkers. After dinner we ran a few errands, then Eling, Margaret, and Will spent some time bonding on the trampoline. Eling looked up wearily and moaned, “I’m dead” So I guess they are wearing her out/down a bit!
Brad and I are somewhat overwhelmed at becoming instant parents to a teenager, but Eling has a good heart and is willing to listen and learn. I hope she would say the same about us.
3rd Grade/5th Grade
11th Grade/ Stinker!
Everyone had a great day at school – Margaret made a new friend. Eling made 5 new friends! Jack was pleased to have the freedom to walk home from school by himself (with 2 friends) – even in 110 degree heat! Will didn’t have school today, but he wanted me to take his picture anyway. Cutie!
Tomorrow I head back to work – and that means some loooong days in childcare for the little boys this week. Well, 8am – 2pm, but that’s way longer than they are used to. So in the morning, I need to have 5 kids up, ready, and loaded into the car by 7:40. Pray for us!!!!
Monday: Email from Brad, “Lynn, I would be willing to do this . . . “ The attachment is the profile for a 16 year old exchange student from China
Tuesday: Lynn becomes violently ill. Recalled eggs??? Gallstones??? Stomach flu??? Your guess is as good as mine.
Wednesday: Lynn still so sick Brad takes the day off to care for the children. 8:45 pm exchange coordinator stops by to go over details
Thursday: Still sick . . . Brad manages to fill out application, background checks for both of us, comes home work early to care for kids. Margaret is in a car accident as her friend’s mom drives to cheerleading practice. Praise God, everyone is ok!!!
Friday: Still tired & weak, finally keeping water, jello, and applesauce down – YAY!!! Pick up Yiling at the airport at 8:30
Saturday: We are now at maximum capacity in our minivan!
And that, my friend, is the whole story.
Friday night at the airport:
Saturday at exchange student orientation:
Yes it’s blurry, but that’s how life seems to go by these days. Don’t blink, because when you open your eyes they are 5, 8, and 10. I’m afraid that the next time I blink they will be going to college. We are counting down the last few days of summer break. Football/cheer starts Saturday (which means an end to normal life & my sanity until November), and school starts in less than 2 weeks.
Sam’s pace is just a little bit slower . . . for now.
Addison, TX
The Aus Side of Life!