1st Day of School

Ethan and Andrew had their first day of school today.  We decided to put Andrew in his age appropriate 6th grade rather than hold him back one year.  We figured he hates school anyway so why tack on an extra year.  No actually we and the administration of the school thought it would be best for him.  It was a great morning.  We were worried all night and Andrew was very nervous.  Since we have grown up with Ethan's class we basically know all the kids in his grade but we have no idea who any of the kids are in Andrew's grade.  Actually, we knew one kid named Joshua.  His family lived near us for a while and his brother was one of Ethan's friends.  Joshua is a great kid and he had visited our home a few times.  Well, needless to say, we were hoping the one 6th grader we knew would be in Andrew's class.  Of course when we showed up Joshua was in Andrew's class.  We were pretty excited and talked with him on the playground and introduced him to Andrew.  He volunteered to show him around and take care of him.  We were super blessed.  Right away Joshua pointed out another kid who spoke Chinese and introduced Andrew.  Then we got to meet Andrew's teacher.  She seemed nice.  We told her a little bit about Andrew and she thanked us for letting us know about his limited English.  She then said something like, "Don't worry because I have him sitting to a nice boy."  We then came to find out that by "coincidence"  (of course we don't believe in coincidence but God's hand) he was already sitting by Joshua in class.  In that moment we again realized how good God is and how he always provides more than we even know how to ask for.  Pretty cool day.  Both Ethan and Andrew have good classes and were excited rather then discouraged after school.  Blessings!

Time with Daddy

I sit in my office at church today reflecting on how amazing our God is and what a blessing our new son has been to me and our entire family.  There was a pretty cool moment today between Andrew and I.  A little background on Andrew.  He hates to drive or travel in cars.  In China, he would put his head between his knees and rock back and forth, then claim to be sick.  (Of course you are sick son, if you do that. )  He is motion sensitive but avoids the car whenever he can.  Even a ten minute ride is long to him.  We don't think he gets car sick as much because we force him to sit up and look forward, this has helped, but still in his mind he is going to get sick every time he gets into the car.  So today I had to drive to the airport, which is about an hour away.  Andrew asked where I was going and I told him and told him it was an hour away by car.  He said, "Andrew, No."  I said OK.  A few minutes later he had a concentrated and conflicted look on his face so I asked him what was going on.  He indicated he wanted to go.  I told him he could do whatever he wanted.  Eventually he decided to go with me.  This may seem small but I am certain he wanted to spend more time with me and if he had to go in the car to do it then it was worth it for him.  We took my truck and he insisted on sitting right next to me, not in the passenger seat but the mini seat between he passenger seat and the driver seat.  He held my hand the entire time and every few minutes would kiss my hand, look up and give me a kiss.  (by the way he totally loves kissing his parents now!!!!)  We know of adoptive parents who can't even get a hug from their kids after six months being home but we get hundreds of hugs and kisses all day long from Andrew.  He is our most affectionate kid.  Anyway, I was really happy that he wanted to be with me and was willing to do something he hated and thought would make him sick so he could spend more time with his daddy.  Needless to say I love him so much and am so blessed to be his father.  He is an amazing boy and we couldn't be more blessed.  We have known him 44 days. 

When we got home he was really excited because he didn't feel sick the entire time!!!  Thank you God.