The boys really love making movies with their older brother Stephen.
Here is their version of Star Wars!
Friday, July 3, 2020
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
QUITE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT!
This spring/summer, we have been working hard on teaching the boys to ride the bike with training wheels.
Last summer we started this process. Here is the video from last June- Jonah has to work so hard to balance even with the training wheels. He also has to work so hard to pedal. Steering the bike is also very hard for him.
There is no video of Ben from last June because he was too scare to really get on the bike for more than a few seconds.
What a difference a year makes!
This year Ben is no longer afraid of the bike. He has even tipped and gotten right back up! Brave boy!
When Ben wants to learn something, he is very determined and keeps trying. He wanted to learn how to ride a bike this spring, and he has been working so hard.
Now he can pedal up to the corner and back and around our cul de sac with little to no assistance from us! We are so proud and excited for him!
I am also so happy for Ben. He looks so happy riding his bike. Just another experience for Ben that every little boy should have.
Hard to think about what his life would have been if he had ended up in the adult mental institution back in August 2016. That would have been his fate since he was aging out of the orphanage system in his country. So happy and so relieved he is instead safe and happy with his family! Thank you Lord for watching out for him!
Jonah has improved greatly on his balance on the bike and his strength with pedaling! Steering continues to be hard for him mainly because he has a hard time staying focused. If he gets distracted, he just lets the bike veer off and ends up falling off the bike, as evidenced by the following video. But he is farther along than last June so I am quite confident he will eventually get there.
Between the boys, Ben is definitely more motivated to learn new things.
Jonah's primary goal in life is to have fun- haha!
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Saturday, June 20, 2020
BIG DAY TOMORROW!
Tomorrow we celebrate several amazing people:
1. My Dad!
Happy Father's Day to the best dad in the world. He has always been there for us kids, and his love for my mom and our family has been a foundation for all us as we grew up and started our own families! I love you Dad!
from 2018
2. Andrew!
Happy Father's Day to my husband and another best dad in the world! How blessed am I to have two men to claim that title? Andrew loves us and provides for us in incredible ways. He is wise and lives a life of integrity. Thank you for all you do for us! I love you!
from 2017
3. Ben!
Happy 10th Birthday to Benjamin Kostas! We can't imagine our family without you in it after almost 4 years of being home with us. You are a delight. You have a zest for life, you are incredibly talented and smart. You amaze us each day with what you can accomplish. You have learned how to be part of a family. We are so proud of you! We love you Benny!
BEN OVER THE YEARS
3 weeks old, arriving at the orphanage
1 year old, orphanage ID photo
3 years old, orphanage ID photo
5 years old, orphanage ID photo
6 years old, meeting Ben and playing with him at the orphanage
almost 10 years old, wearing Dad's hat
Sunday, June 14, 2020
BICYCLE BUILT FOR SIX!
Family bike rides aren’t possible since our boys are too big for a bike trailer, and they are still learning to ride with training wheels.
So we were happy to find this bike surrey for rent!
Thank you to our older kids for being such good sports about it. They called it a “clown car”.
So we were happy to find this bike surrey for rent!
Thank you to our older kids for being such good sports about it. They called it a “clown car”.
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
STAY WITH SAFER AT HOME?
Being cautious and trying to keep loved ones safe regarding COVID-19...
Sometimes I wonder is this still necessary?
Still having a hard time finding sources that I trust because there are so many differing opinions.
I read these 2 articles today.
They give me lots to consider.
Also: Jonah's pulmonary doctor did confirm he considers Jonah to be in high risk category because of his reactive airway disease. He recommended continuing to keep him home as much as possible.
So for now, "SAFER AT HOME"
will continue to be our policy.
ONLY BECAUSE IT'S A ICONIC MOMENT
I don't like to include photos of me, but because this is my virtual scrapbook to be "passed" on to my kids, I am including this post.
Today I turned 50.
Hard to believe in my mind, not so hard to believe when I look in the mirror- haha!
Great day: got to float and relax in the pool, got a flowers, pretty wind spinner and soup ladle (don't worry-I strongly hinted I wanted this), sweet card from Andrew, and amazing homemade cake by Lydia. My family actually threw me a driveway party a few weeks ago along with celebrating Abigail's birthday.
So much to be thankful for!
Ben was proud of his muscles tonight-
he said he was the Hulk.
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