Friday, August 29, 2008

August update

Life has been so crazy this month. I don't know why I thought it would calm down with school starting but it definitely didn't. The update on Tia's school situation is good. She got a new aide who I really, really like! She is young and has a 14 y.o. sister with DS so she loves children with DS. HOORAY!! Tia seems to really like school. I went and talked to her class last week about her having Down syndrome and what that meant. It went well I think. She showed them some sign language and we talked a lot about how everyone is different but we can all be friends. Tia loved showing off and telling them about the things she loves to do. It was really cute.

Now for the update on Max. He is cruising furniture!!!! We were a bit unsure how long it would take because he seems to have very unstable ankles but he holds on and walks from one end of the couch to the other without a problem. It is so exciting to watch. Now for the not fun part. He is teething and has a cold so he is crying a lot and having a hard time sleeping. It has been a bit stressful at times but we are hanging in there.

Tyler likes school too and I really like his teacher. He pretty much only tells me about snack but I hear him singing all the songs and he is talking a lot more. He never wants to go to school because he thinks life as a couch potato is much more appealing but once the bus comes, he is ready! Too funny.

Tonight on Dateline was a look into institutions/orphanages in Serbia. It was SO heartbreaking. Max came from a Children's Home that was NOT like that. We are so glad that he had good care and that he was put up for adoption there. The other institutions do not offer children for adoption and so the overcrowding is terrible and the staffing is low and the neglect is high. My life is busy. Sometimes my life feels very stressful but I am so thankful for Max in our family and for those who helped bring him to us. Thanks.

6 comments:

amyl4 said...

Tyler just steals my heart whenever I see pics of him! All of your kids are adorable!
Amy

Julie said...

So good to hear from you, Shawnie. I missed that TV special that you mentioned. We are so blessed to have our kids home from Serbia. Praise God that the care they received there was so much better than some other's experience.

I'm glad things are going better for Tia.

Take care,
Julie

Zactly said...

Shawnie,
It was good to see your new post. So glad things are going well with your children. I watched the Dateline show on the internet. How sad. Praise the Lord for Jasmina!! Such a special lady with a huge heart for the children.
take care,
Vickie H.

Tiffany said...

Your kids are so dang cute! I am so glad that you finally got a good aid- it makes such a huge difference.

Nikki said...

Hi there! I just came across your blog, and you have such a beautiful family! My cousin has DS and he just lights everyone's faces when we get together as a family. Just thought I would say hi, I look forward to reading more!

Nikki

orphans4me said...

Thanks for the update. I know you are very busy but thanks for taking a second to fill us in.
Joy,RR