Disneyland

So I guess our kids really are spoiled.  We saved up enough to get season passes again.  Rough cause Disney ain't makin it easy.  Andrew now thinks everyday in America is Disneyland and waterparks.  We have totally ruined any possibility of him thinking America is normal or goes to work or school.  Daddy seems to never leave the house, neither does Uhma, kids just play outside for a while and then we all go to some amusement park.  If we don't go to an amusement park we go biking together and then to the playground or have friends over.  I guess our life is overly blessed.  I don't know how it got so amazing but I praise God everyday for our amazing adventure.

Andrew continues to do wonderfully.  He now will kiss us in public no problem.  He loves to come up and hug and hold hands and when we are at home he will lay against us or sit on us.  He sleeps well, eats well and loves our family.  We love him so much, our only regret is that we didn't get to be his parents earlier.  He is an amazing kid and our hearts bust with love for him and over him.

We know other families that struggle to attach to their new child or their child struggles to attach to them but so far we have not had any issues like that.  We have a senior from the school I teach at coming over to the house to speak with Andrew in Chinese.  He is Korean but spent 7 years in China.  This Tuesday we were asking about China and what Andrew misses and if he wants to contact his foster parents.  He was not really interested in calling them and kept telling us that he loved being here and that his new family is good and he is enjoying it and thinks everything is good.  He did mention that when Daddy gets upset it is a little scary.  hahaha.  Our only worry in this whole thing was that Andrew would rather be in China then with us.  That is not the case and he loves being in our family.  We are truly blessed.

So we continue to live a life we don't deserve and can only thank God for his goodness.  We pray for all our friends that they too could experience the love of God and the love of family.  Be blessed.

On the tram.  Can we be cuter?

Classic Disney Family Photo...Ordinary Family.

Small World After All...isn't it true.

Kayla wanted to go on Space Mountain and was exactly 40 inches.  She thought it was going to be fun...but...then waahhhahhahh.

If you could zoom you would see terror.  Daddy trying to keep her from totally freaking out. 

Thunder Mountain...much more fun.

(PHOTO REMOVED DUE TO MARRIAGE ISSUES)    These two beauties are the love of my life.  I love these girls SO much. 

Andrew finally knows that Daddy eats his children.  Too bad...welcome to the family.

Hi!

I am biased but this is a BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.  GOD is amazing and has blessed us. As a believer God has allowed us to be full with his love but then has added fullness of love from our family.

Home 15 Days

We have been home a little over two weeks.  We have been with Andrew for 25 days.  It seems much longer, in a good way.  He seems to be pretty attached.  His English is improving and he gets along well with the other kids.  Ethan, being the most sensitive of our kids, sometimes wants more time with Dad and Mom.  He has had one or two moments of jealousy but the upside is worth it for him.  He has someone to play Pokemon with and also play Uno and other games.  Kayla has always been too little but now Ethan has someone who can actually play stuff.  Kayla is stoked because the more brothers the better is her motto. 

Andrew loves to swim and asks to go everyday.  Yesterday it was cloudy and misty but he still wanted to go.  So I (Sam) went with him to the small local water park.  We, of course, have passes.  Luckily it is two blocks away so we can just go for an hour or so.  So daddy and Andrew got to go swimming in less then hot weather.

When we first met Andrew he hated driving. He would put his head between his legs and bounce up and down, then complain he felt sick.  So we have been making him ride correctly since getting to America and now he doesn't seem to mind as much.  The sickness has been magically cured!  yea us. 

Andrew is more attached to Daddy at this point.  I think he is normally attached to Uhma but Daddy and he have an amazing connection.  He loves to come near me and sit by or lean next to me.  He doesn't balk at all at kisses anymore and sometimes even initiates them.  He certainly initiates physical contact, hand holding, and leaning.  He is even more open to physical affection in public.  He will hold hands, allow hugs and even allow kisses sometimes.  My wife always makes him kiss in public...hahaha just to embarrass him.  She threatens no DSi if she doesn't get her kiss!  He always gives in for DSi.  He loves his video games. 

We have had a relaxing two weeks.  Playing, hanging out and having a good time.  Andrew is happy to be part of our family and tells us that he is glad to be here and he likes it here more then China.  In addition, some of the bad habits he had seem to be gone.  He doesn't make hitting motions toward everything anymore, rides correctly in the car and overall is better and better each day.  We love him beyond measure.  Last night when I was saying goodnight and telling him how much I love him I stretched out my arms as wide as I could.   He then told me, "I love you" and stretched out his arms as wide as he could made a stretching noise and then an explosion noise.  We truly love him beyond measure and I think he is feeling the same way.

 Our prayer continues to be the same today as it was when we decided to adopt him, that he would have the opportunity to follow Jesus.  We pray he will choose to become a Christian when he understands what that means.  Thanks for everyone's prayers and love. 


Not so keen on the swings

Going swimming...again

Fireworks

I love this family!!!

Just had our 1st Fourth of July as a family.  Had about 20 people over for food and fireworks.  Andrew had a blast lighting the fireworks with his cousin Trevor and Tom.  Ethan was running around and around with cousin Roman and Kayla was playing with Brooklyn.  We all had a great time.  Our kids are so great.  My wife cooked up a storm, as usual.  She is the best host ever.  Had Grandma and Korean side over as well as white side and Matt and Tori's family...a blast.  We love the people God has surrounded us with. 

Happy 4th

Our THREE kids.  Those are some cute kids.

Here they are again

The new Thomsic Family looking good.

Looking Thomsic

Our family finally all together!!

This is our first family photo.  It was taken on the 30th right when we got out into the airport. 

Hope everyone is having a happy 4th. We had a great day at church yesterday and Andrew has met lots of new people. It is the 5th day home and things are still going well. Andrew seems to be doing well.   He gets along with Ethan and Kayla. They both seem to like him as well. He is eating well and sleeping great.  Ethan and Andrew love sharing a room. We have to go in at least once or twice every night to tell them to stop playing around. Glow sticks, switching bunks, laughing...what a delight. We have known Andrew for two weeks and they have been great.  Andrew continues to grow more and more attached to us. He grabs our hand in public and comes up and hugs or holds on. He is great to be around. He is adapting to our home rules well. He never gives us any problems and responds immediately to correction and guidance.   We get lots of kisses and hugs and he is being more careful with people.  (He doesn't know his own strength)  We noticed when he is nervous he grabs our hands really hard, enough to hurt, so we have had to say several times to be careful.  I can't imagine if it were me when I was 11 and all this happened.  I would have been so lost and afraid.  We are trying to make him feel as safe and loved as possible and I think it is working.  Also, we know that God is faithful and is walking with him as well.  We couldn't be more blessed by our new son.  So far a great kid.  We really appreciate everyone who came to the airport to meet us and him. Also thanks to everyone at church who showed so much love. We are blessed!

Home and Tired

Sorry I didn't update since we got back but we have been busy and tired.  Things are going great still.  I think the kids are almost back to balance.  Ethan and Kayla really missed us so we got a little attitude and some crying the first couple of days.  We have been trying to have a lot of fun together.  We have already been bike riding (Andrew rides well) and to the local water park.  Andrew is sleeping well and doesn't show any signs of jet lag...can't say the same for his parents.  Ethan and Kayla are really enjoying their new brother and there doesn't seem to be too many problems.  Andrew is learning the ropes here at home.  The rules are slightly different then the China/vacation rules so I am sure it is a shock that he can't play DSi all day long as much as he wants.  He is already picking up some English.  I would say he has more than 20 words/phrases and adds 5 or so a day.  We have been reading simple books and working on the alphabet.  He doesn't really like school stuff so he drags his feet a little at the learning part.  Thank you all for praying for us and following along on our journey. I'll get some pictures of our new family all together up soon.