TWO YEARS AGO!

JULY 2016: Cared for but unloved

These photos are from the 1st time we met Ben on 7-10-16

Us peeking in the room for our 1st glimpse of Ben

When we walked in, he ran to us yelling "Mama, Dada".  My first photo with Ben.

Our 1st playtime with Ben.

Ben telling Dad (surprise!) what leaf to hit with the broom

JULY 2018: Very loved for and very cared for!

Part of a family, not just a "groupa" at the orphanage

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY BEN!

Ben's 8th birthday was on 6-21.  We celebrated with a birthday supper with Grandma and Grandpa.  We had steak and mashed potatoes.  Our little orphanage boy has learned to love steak!

The party was Batman themed, just like his 7th birthday party.  These boys LOVE Batman!

Today happens to be the 2nd anniversary of us leaving for Vilnius.  

Ben has been with us for 2 years already.  Lots of adjusting, adapting, and learning for all of us.  

When I look back at photos from 2 years ago, the changes I notice the most about Ben are:

1. Obviously, he's grown.

2. He looks less pale.  Even though the orphanage had the kids play outside a lot, I think they were always bundled up even on warm days.  I know we have to be careful of the sun, but I think a little bit of a "sun-kissed" look is good for kiddos.

3. He looks less scared.  Ben is learning each day to trust and believe in us as his family.

4. Ben eyes look brighter.   I don't think Ben's life in the orphanage was very exciting or stimulating most days.  When I think of all the things Ben gets to do and be part of now, I am just so happy for him.  He deserves these opportunities and adventures.  I am sad he had to wait so long for them, but he is really living life to the fullest now!

Here is Ben 2 years ago on 7-21 when we landed in Chicago.  Contrast this photo to the one below where he is celebrating his birthday.  

SLOW DOWN SUMMER!

Lydia starts working at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store.  Her friend looks sad that she wouldn't be around as much this summer.

Summer school was a huge success!  The boys handled it with very few problems because the school so kindly gave them an aide to help and assist them through all 3 classes.  Ben was reunited with his 5K teacher for the "Cooks and Books" class.

Ben got to celebrate his 8th birthday at summer school.  Doesn't he look perfectly happy?

Miracle League baseball!  Yes, that is Jonah sitting on third base.  This league really knows how to roll with it!

Horse therapy sessions begin!  This is Ben at his 2nd lesson.  Both boys are doing great!

Visit to the Shalom Zoo in West Bend.  Notice how close we are to the brown bear....

VBS was a success!  The boys had 2 brothers who stepped up and helped our boys with all the activities.  It is so precious to see young people "get" our boys.  It's a gift of understanding (and patience) that not everyone has.    

One of Jonah's favorite activities of the summer: eating lunch outside.  What a cool kid to hang out with!

Strawberry picking

My niece Beth got married over Memorial Day weekend.  Isn't she beautiful?

I rarely offer a photo of me willingly, but I actually think this is a pretty cute picture of Andrew and I.  

My sisters (and cousin) having fun!

Our mom joins in for this one!

AND WE'RE DONE!

Summer officially begins!

Here are the plans we have in place for the boys this summer.  Hopefully we are going to do a better job from last summer: more structure and a few more breaks for me.

1. Summer school for both boys in the 

mornings for the month of June.

2. Daycare for Ben M-W-F mornings and for 

Jonah T-TH mornings during July/August

3. Horse Therapy lessons every Tues afternoon

4. VBS at the end of June

5. Swimming lessons for July/August

6. Schoolwork hopefully 15-20 min a day 

with each boy....

7. FUN, FUN, and MORE FUN!!!!!

THEN AND NOW

Stephen graduated high school on Sun, June 3rd.  Congratulations to him for that accomplishment!

Here is our family photo when Abigail graduated high school in 2016, and then our family photo from Stephen's big day.  Ben arrived the month after Abigail's graduation so he isn't in that 1st family photo.  Oh how our life has changed!

One of the bigger changes for us this summer is Abigail is will not be home for the summer.  We are super proud and excited for her because she got an internship at one of the large biomedical companies in the Twin Cities.  This is a great opportunity for her, but it means we lose out on having her around this summer.  

It also means our big family vacation this summer will be to Minnesota!

Here is the video of Stephen's valedictorian speech

CONGRATULATIONS STEPHEN ON STATE TRACK AND FIELD

It was two days of fun, anxiousness, some sadness, and then some great happiness.

Stephen finished 7th in the 1 mile after an amazing push at the end that almost got him to podium in 6th place.  Stephen felt tremendously disappointed with that result Friday night, and he had the feeling that he hadn't left everything on the track after that race.

So Saturday he raced his heart out!  He ended up in 3rd place for the 2 mile, breaking his PR by 13 seconds!

We are so proud of him putting it all on the line and risking it by going out fast and furious on his very last race ever for his high school career.  That took great courage, and we are so happy you raced away your disappointment from Friday.  It was so sad to see you disappointed so we wanted you to end on a good note not a sad one which you did!

Stephen's 3200 meter- from the stands

Stephen's 3200 meter- close up view

Stephen's 1600 meter- close up view

TRACK AND FIELD 2018

Stephen qualified for state in the 1 mile and 2 mile events.  We are very proud and excited for him to have this opportunity.  We are very proud of all his hard work this track season as well as the past 4 years of high school cross country and track.

As much as we would love the fairy tale ending of winning at state, we realize that just being able to run at state is a privilege and honor.  We hope to just enjoy ourselves and the experience, regardless of the outcome.

Here are some photos from last week's sectional which qualified him for state: