SUMMER SUMMARY

As the summer enters into its last few weeks, here is a summary of what Summer 2025 has looked like: not very close to what we had planned.

We had lots of camping planned, but because of my dad entered in-home hospice care in early June, those plans changed.  

June camping became boys-only camping so I could be with my dad.  We did get our week of camping in for July as planned!  And August camping was cancelled.  

Just the season in life we are in right now.  My dad did a lot for us kids over all the years and then was an incredible caregiver to our mom for her last years of life.  So he deserves all the care we can give him at this time in his life and that is what we are trying to do.

However, we still got Miracle League baseball in and lots of swimming!  And the boys must be having fun because Jonah keeps telling me, "Fun summer, mom."  

We also have been enjoying our new grandson "Baby J".  The boys are loving being uncles and are showing some good skills playing with the baby!

ANOTHER "ORPHAN TO OURS" ANNIVERSARY

7-15-2010: Ben arrived at the orphanage in Vilnius

7-15-2016: Judge rules that Ben is officially our son and no longer an orphan.  

From orphan to ours on the same date, July 15th, six years part. 

Last week we celebrated our 9th anniversary with Ben as our son!  We love you Ben and are so happy to watch you grow up and become your own little person.  You have so many talents and abilities.  Your future looks exciting!

Ben's orphanage ID photo at 3 weeks old, 7-15-10

Picking up Ben after our court hearing, 7-15-16

Ben rocking it at school this year during 8th grade.  High school in the fall!

FINALLY SOME FAMILY CAMPING!

 For the month of June, our camping plans changed, and Andrew ended up camping with the boys, and I stayed home to help with my dad.  

But for July, we finally got to camp with all four of us.  Although honestly, I think the boys were a bit disappointed to not have it be "boys only" ...

Governor Thompson State Park near Crivitz, WI- we love this park.  Very deep in the northern woods and very clean and well kept.

We enjoyed one bear cub sighting, many deer sightings, hiking, swimming, mini golf, campfires, and ice cream treats!

Isn't Ben a handsome young man?  He's growing up!

Jonah saluting for the American Flag boxes

IT WAS A BEATLE-FUL AFTERNOON

 One of Jonah’s dreams is to own a Beatles museum.  So our best answer was this:  our public library was doing a kids show and tell hour this summer so we signed him up for a table. The event was yesterday, and Jonah did great!  He greeted people, answered their questions, and said thank you as they left.  We were so proud of him!  

BEN BIRTHDAY WITH BAPTISM AND BATMAN

 

Ben wanted a Batman belt for his birthday.  He looks more like the villain than the good guy...

Ben’s 15th birthday fell on the weekend we went to Minneapolis for our grandson’s baptism.  So we celebrated with going out to eat for pizza and then DQ ice cream.  That evening he got to swim in the hotel pool and then enjoy the baptism celebration the next day. 

We also had his two friends from school and their parents over for a birthday meal a week after his birthday because of our camping schedule.

This means Ben had a birthday that actually lasted over a couple of weeks.  

So much to celebrate with our Ben!  He’s a smart, hard-working, and resilient fellow.  At times, he presents as tough, but underneath there is a very sweet side to him.  We are especially seeing this sweetness as he interacts with his nephew.  Ben loves being an uncle!  

We love you Ben!!!!

OH MY!

So navigating having growing boys with Down syndrome is interesting to say the least.

Here is an example of the uniqueness of that situation.

At the campground, there is free library.  Jonah very excitedly came to Andrew with a book about paintings he found in that library.  In the book there was a painting of a windmill which reminded him of our town Cedar Grove- lots of Dutch history.  Jonah loves talking about Cedar Grove history.  

What Jonah never noticed was the painting on the other page...

That's a 14 years old boy with Down syndrome I guess.

WE HAVE A BABY!

Baby Boy J arrived on 5-24-25!  Trust me when I say he's adorable :)

The boys are now official uncles.  

However, their teacher at school give them Tshirts that say: 

FUNCLE: like a regular uncle only cooler!