Well, we are finally "back on" the blog, but we make no promises as to the frequency of this venture :)! Our lives are very full--full of lots of joy and smiles and laughs and hugs and some challenges along the way from two precious children! Not to mention the fullness of just everyday life.
We have been a family of 4 for 2 1/2 months now and it has been quite an adjustment for all. We have witnessed so many little "victories" along the way. We are thankful that, in general, we are all adjusting per "normal" standards and life around here is finally finding its new "normal".
There have been many (about a dozen) medical related appointments with our John-Nathan. Although we are about to address his most serious medical need with surgery on October 6th, he is actually one healthy, normal developing little guy for which we give thanks! We do appreciate your prayers for all of us especially John-Nathan as he has this neurosurgery on his spine. He will have to be still and lie flat for 3 to 5 days. For those who haven't met John-Nathan in person, let us tell you this is a kid who likes to move when he is awake AND when he is asleep. As this is neurosurgery he will not be on any medications to help sedate, sooooooooo please pray for him specifically in this area. This is a necessary surgery for his future health.
We have really been amazed at how God has worked to place this little one in our family from the great provisions to the very personality of John-Nathan. Yet we shouldn't be amazed, since He does "set the solitary in families". We would be lieing to say it has all been easy, but we can say with truth that the joys have outweighed the sorrows and that God has been faithful to strengthen us and see us through! With each of our children we are trusting His continued faithfulness to us as we parent them.
Julianna is a wonderful big sister and really loves her little brother. They are truly acting like brother and sister in the good ways and a few "bad" ---you wouldn't think that a 12 year old and a 3 year old could argue over toys :), but it has happened! Julianna is learning how to get her schoolwork done with a bit of action going on around her. She is rising to the new challenges and resposibilities that have come her way!
On September 5th we celebrated John-Nathan's first birthday with us. It was actually 3 days of celebration for the new 3 year old! And the celebrations were topped off with a week long visit from his Gramma Duke and Grampa Doc from Chicago.
We are grateful for all those who have prayed for us and that continue to do so. Prayers have been and are being answered!
Love to all from the 4 of us!(CR)
P.S. Enjoy the updates in pictures (below-in 2 separate posts). We know that is really what everyone wants :)!
Family of 5
Family of 5!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Update in Pictures
Picking Grandpa's blueberries
Cousins
Eating blueberry pancakes with chopsticks!
Fun in the pool!
Carrying the "Olympic Tourch"
Our happy children!
Time for a trim
Reading with Papa
More pictures
Friday, July 18, 2008
Jet-lagging
We are finding out that our addicted readers are suffering from withdrawal symptoms...sorry! The postings will no doubt become less frequent over the coming days, as we try to adjust and establish some sense of routine. Sleep / wake time is still kind of messed up for everyone. Peter's fever is gone, but Julianna's lingers on, after a brief departure earlier in the day. So far, John-Nathan has not seemed to take sick. (Thanks for the flowers, nlc & kac!!)
This picture is one of a special man, whom we just call "Mr. Bill," who has been a help to us all throughout the process and who has prayed for us and with us--and even today when he finally got to see John-Nathan for the first time. (He's the postman!)
John-Nathan also met his in-town cousins today. They were very excited to see him! They brought him a pirate ship and stayed and played for a while. We were wondering if it was the first time that John-Nathan had ever opened a gift-wrapped package (?)
Later, when Grandpa brought Julianna home, John-Nathan thought it was pretty funny that Grandpa could do his thumb and finger just like he did!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Sweet Home Alabama!
Thank you Lord for bringing us safely home! Oh, the wonderful love and care of our God and the sweet prayers of the saints, checking Flightview, and praying us home at KEY points in our travel day. How we see His hand at work in getting us back home. Some of you may only think of O.J. Simpson in connection with the "bloody glove"-- But I remember him in connection with the Hertz commercial running through the airport. That was us yesterday, both at Narita (Tokyo) and Detroit, arriving at both gates as boarding was underway. Without going into great detail, suffice it to say that the travel was long and hard, with minimal rest along the way. We have plenty of stories to tell in person of trips to the lavatories (quite a challenge for 2 to fit in there--we even had three in there at one point!!), flight attendant personalities, sleepless nights, I mean days, I mean nights (?)...
Other than the stressful feeling from the time crunch in Detroit, passing through immigration was neat from the standpoint that John-Nathan's paperwork was received, processed, etc and when his passport was stamped he was congratulated on becoming a US citizen! (They waived the fingerprints and signature!)
Smiles, hugs, and tears at the airport were a precious welcome home. (sorry, pictures of the weary travelers arriving at the airport are on another camera) Being back in our own home was even better! John-Nathan was a bit overwhelmed by the newness and abundance of it all -- and so much bigger than a hotel room! Fun to watch him come to realize that all in his father's house is his, too! "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Rom. 8:32) Please continue to pray for rest for us. We all slept, more or less through the night, despite Julianna coughing still (fever has returned) and I (Peter) now have one too. Would rather be sick here than there...So we're a a bit poky, in between 
chills (fever) and thrills, watching all of John-Nathan's firsts in his new home! It wasn't until I pulled off the little devotional calendar page for today, that I said, "Oh, Happy Anniversary!" to my faithful wife. How grateful I am for her as my wife and as the mother of my children.
chills (fever) and thrills, watching all of John-Nathan's firsts in his new home! It wasn't until I pulled off the little devotional calendar page for today, that I said, "Oh, Happy Anniversary!" to my faithful wife. How grateful I am for her as my wife and as the mother of my children.
Hope that you will see him in person, too, soon!
"I love my wheelbarrow and my riding truck, but who's this little girl who wants to play with all my stuff, too?!" (I'm putting words in his mouth.)
