Fabulous Fall

The colors this fall were amazing.  They were late coming but were so deep and intense.

Before I knew it, it was almost gone and I hadn't taken any pictures.

My camera is not in hand as much anymore...

This one cracks me up!  It looks like Marc is saying,

"What are you lookin at!?"

Farewell Fall... Winter is here!

We went to the beach in October and Marc loved it.

He liked the sand much more than the water... the waves kept him off balance.

Napping under the tent. 

Riding carosle with daddy!  He loved it and rode it twice.

We also went to Virginia in October for the annual family reunion.  The weather was perfect and Marc has a great time getting to know his cousins... and eatting, of course.  This child can EAT!

Marc is doing great.  His language has just exploded.  He can say anything and repeats everything!  He is very funny and his personality is just blooming with the explosion of his language.  He knows several colors (blue, (boo) green, (geen) and pink!  He gets orange and yellow sometimes too!

His emotions have calmed down a lot but he does seem to have some high anxiety at times.  We give him time to get control and he does so... more than not. 

November was a rough month for us.  Abby had a downward spiral with seizures and we were back in the hospital.  Things are much better now and we pray God's continued mercy and blessings over her.

 We hope you all are well.

Introducing Group Green!

Yes, we have been missing in action.  Summer was crazy and I got out of the habit of taking pictures... and blogging.  Mommy's time is very taken!  But here they are... Group Green! 

One of the favorite past times of the kids is to put on a concert for us in Taylor's room.  They LOVE dressing up and really love dressing up Marc!  He dances and sings with his toothbrush just like the

rest of them!  It is too cute.  They go into the closet for costume changes and then come out and sing another "set".  We have special seats, tickets, and snacks for the costume change!

This one totally cracks me up.  He reminds me of Elvis!  He was having a wardrobe malfunction!

Marc is really doing pretty well right now.  He is growing.  His speech continues to grow almost daily.  He says things like, "Mommy, me do it," and "Abby school" and "Marc school too."  It's amazing to see how it has just clicked on.  He is a crack up.  He has spells where he is attacked by meltdowns but we are consistent in teaching him to use his words and control his emotions.  He is getting great at sitting on the edge of his bed, getting it together, and working through it.

His absolute favorite movie right now is "The Wizard of Oz".  He calls the witch a "bad boy" and tells her "No" when she is being cranky with Dorothy!  (He gets "bad boy" from what we tell Dusty  when he has eatten someone's panties or underwear!  We do not call Marc a "bad boy"!  I think he likes the way it sounds.  He loves saying people are "bad boys".) It's funny.  And he falls into a trance when Dorothy sings "Some where over the rainbow".  It's hilarious.  And he loves the munchkins and the lion.

He loves going to school twice a week and his teachers adore him.  He also loves playing in his new sand box in the back yard!

I'll take more pictures soon.  Hugs and love to you.
Dawn



Summer Time

This is actually from the Fall but I just ran across it.

Just Hanging... hmmmm... not really

Summer is under way and we are trucking along at warp speed.  Don and Brenda are on their way back from Latvia today.  We have three more trips there before her adoption is final.  Whew.

Marc is hangin out.  The above picture is from our May trip to the lake.  Brenda and Abby were jumping in and Marc decided he wanted to give it a try.  I LOVE to promote an adventurous spirit and so he was soon off for his first jump from the boat's edge.

With is life vest on, he was under water maybe one second before daddy had him up again.

There were no tears but there was also no celebration... he just kinda processed it.  I think he liked it... a little and didn't like it a little.  We'll see what he thinks the next time we go.

All tuckered out!

I always try to be positive, but I also don't want to just paint a bed of roses all the time.

Honestly, we are having a little trying time right now.  Marc is super emotional and it makes for some difficult times.  He cries at the drop of a hat.  His verbal skills are also slow in coming and I think that adds to his (our) frustration.  IF he tries a word, he often gets it... or even close.  But sometimes he won't even try.  And he doesn't try most unless prompted or made to at this point as I am making him speak (or try) instead of just making noises or nodding.  We have had him evaluated by a speech therapist since his tongue is attached.  She says she doesn't think we need to be worried right now.  So I am trying not to worry or compare him with others.  We'll see what the next three months or so bring.

He also really doesn't play.  This is really trying too.  He'll play if someone is playing with him... but won't play by himself.  He'll cry or just sit there.  Even at the pool, he'll sit on a step for an hour and hardly move rather than play with a ball or pool toys.  I asked his teachers at his school if he played there and they said he did... with other children and by himself.  They suggested that when he is around me... he is just holding out for that one on one.  So we are having "mandatory" play time... and it's helping some.

So these are some things you can pray about for Marc.  It's a more realistic glimpse instead of just happy pictures.  He is a happy child.  Please don't get me wrong.  We are just at a hard "stage" right now and I know we'll GROW through it.  But I thought you might want to know and I know you will pray for him.

Speaking of play time, he does LOVE to play dress up with the girls!  He is such a ham.  They love putting their clothes on him and having a fashion show!  Here he is in Brenda's bathing suit and putting on Brenda's shoes.  He loves it.

And here he is in a get up from Abby's fashion line!

Love to you all.  Prayers too.

Dawn

Today is the year anniversary of Marc joining our family.

He has grown so much.

He loves his dog, he loves his sisters, he loves his books, and he loves his family.

I pray blessing upon him.  Blessing of healing... blessings of growth... blessings of protection...

blessings of health... blessings of speech... blessings of love.

Helping Out

Marc is a helper... he loves to help.  One of his favorite things to do is help unload the dishwasher.
He has a drawer down low with his cups and plates in it so he can put those things away and get them.  But the other day, all his things were put away and HE decided he needed to put the silverware away too.

So one by one, he walked each piece over to the drawer and THREW/DROPPED it in.  Doing it one by one allowed me to get everything else before he moved on to the glassware!

When he was done, he was very proud to say the least.  And from the looks of this, it was a job well done!

This is Marc late at night, in mommy's "hat" and his sister's glasses... in his sister's bed!  Yeah.  We laughed for a long while and had a hard time getting him "undressed" for bed!

Hugs.
Dawn