Kai goes for his second Cochlear implant mapping (programming) on Monday 12/19 so we are off to ABQ. On his first visit in Sept he did very well and it was determined that he can hear some things, which is great! I also took the kids to the zoo, and you should have seen Kai's face when he laid eyes on the flamingos, then the gorillas, all the way through the zoo. It was wonderful. Monday we will try the Aquarium after his appointment. The sign for fish is one of the first ones he learned so I'm sure he'll be happy to see the big version...
Here are some pics of life over the past few months:
Halloween - the kids had a blast. We walked the coolest trick or treating neighborhood in town - all decorated and lit up.
Helping me make brownies. Boy does this bring back memories! As you can tell I still haven't painted the kitchen cabinets. I'll get around to it, in all my spare time, ha! I'd rather make brownies with my babies!
The amazement of the new train that a friend recently gave us... The kids love it and we set it up around the Christmas tree, oh and yes that is Polar Express on in the background. They both love the train here as well, the real one - Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge. We will ride it on Christmas Eve so they can see Santa.
Hanging in the front yard, literally - Kai hanging off my shoulders and Ru in a tree.
As you can see, life is good! We are truly blessed. While some things have been challenging and some issues from orphanage life resurfacing lately (behavioral issues), with the love, prayers and support of friends and family, and with His help and guidance, we will get through and continue to grow as a family.
Blessings to all! I promise it won't be as long until the next post.
Denise, Ru and Kai
________________________________________________________________________________________________
December 30th
LET'S NOT FORGET CHRISTMAS, OUR NEW DOG AND OUR NEW BUNNY!
It's been great! The kids had a wonderful time on the Polar Express and on Christmas Day. Kai's face just lit up with the new experiences, and Ru's simply does every year. She, just like me, loves the holidays. They are truly a wonderful time of year. This year we have some special experiences in general, most importantly Kai finally being home with us, and the addition of two new furry family members as well. Kai also made it through his first church service on Christmas Eve Eve. It went much better than I expected so we will be getting back into our regular church schedule again, yay!
Here are some pics from the holidays and of our new furry friends.
Making cookies for Santa and riding the train.
Christmas!!!!
Our new furry family members!
We just got Inis Mona yesterday and as you can see they are getting along great! She is a two year old Shar Pei mix that was brought into the Humane Society from a reservation in Utah. She had been hit by a car and they had to remove the ball aspect of her upper femur because it was shatterd. She is lame but she gets around just fine as you can see in crazy dog play pic. She is a great dog. We just have to teach her not to chew on stuffed animals and shoes... Hey for a dog that's never lived in a house before, if that is the worst we have to contend with I'm good! Clyde loves her and so do we!
More new furry family members. The brown bunny Kai is holding is actually a friend's surprise Christmas present for her daughter that we were keeping until then. That is also how we came to get our bunny!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 17th, 2012
Well things are still going great! Kai is still learning sign like crazy, as are all of us, but he in particular has come two years in language in less than six months. Amazing!!! We are blessed! As far as his implant goes, well... I was sitting in the livingroom last weekend and he came in to get me. He did not know I was doing laundry but when he walked by the laundry room he could hear the washer. He took me over to the laundry room and signed that he could hear the washing machine. Then the cycle stopped and he told me the washing machine was all done. I was floored. To be honest I still don't love the device, because it restricts him more than it offers him in benefits, but it is what it is.
Ru got 100 on her mid year math exam so I am very proud. She's doing great in school, great with her brother and in general. She also moved up to advanced gymnastics and loves it!! She's found her niche, but she also wants to get back into swimming so we'll see. :)
Kai's interpreter and his preschool decidedt hold a series of ASL classes because there isn't enough training for educators and the community in this area. We had 75 people turn out, so the local colleges can't tell us there isn't a need. Many of those in attendance are educators needing CEU'S. It is just awesome!
More later!
Blessings.
