Journey to Luke: October 2011

Monday, October 31, 2011

Luke's First Halloween

Halloween is here and Luke was excited about the prospect of getting candy. He really gets almost none here and was given candy NON-STOP in his orphanage. It is crazy when he tells me how they used candy for just about everything. Especially when he was bad.... well heck I would behave badly a ton more if you gave me candy every time I was bad.. They used it to "shut him up" whenever he got vocal. The day we got Luke he came to us with 2 pockets stuff to the gills with candy and ate it non-stop until those suckers were gone.. So he was pretty excited to know he was going to get some candy. We went and picked pumpkins the other day and he LOVED it! We carved our pumpkins and I thought he would think it was the strangest thing ever but really he thought it was cool! Halloween was a great success. Luke was not sure what all the hub bub was about but we set out with his Brother, Tommy, Sister, Paige, Cousin, Katelyn. Luke's Nanny, Poppy, Mom-mom, Aunt Amy, Grandma and Pop-pop were all here! We had a great night and it was incredible to be wit so much family. I am going to post some pictures so you can see how much fun we had!

Luke making is "One Eyed Pumpkin" He really did a great job!

So focused!
Luke, Tommy and Paige our Pumpkin carving crew~!

Luke, The Ninja, Paige, Ariel the Mermaid, Tommy, the Unknown Phantom

He sure is a handsome looking Ninja and he didnt have to worry once about making that Silly American Smile we always ask of him haha

Our Beautiful Paige Dressed as Ariel, you cannot even see her "walking boot" on her broken foot.. not bad!

Gotta love Boys!

Luke and Paige getting ready to get some candy

Our little band of trick or treaters.

one of the first Houses Luke went to,.. he really had no idea what was going on but after this first house he GOT IT!!

Baby K on her first Halloween too! She was TOO cute!

Our awesome pumpkins carved by the kids.. Paige's is first .. Jack.. Tommy made the 2nd one.. Grim Reeper, Luke made the 3rd .. The "one eyed pumpkin!" Great job kiddos!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Luke's transition over the last 9 months a photo montage

This was the first picture we ever saw of Luke, he looked so sad my heart broke

This was the update picture in Aug 2010 when Luke received our care package

The first moments with Luke on January 17th 2011 in our hotel lobby at our meeting

The first night in our hotel room in Jinan, we were all nervous but he did great

Our 2nd day together and he and dad were already inseparable

Luke as we are packing to head to Guangzhou for the 2nd week of our trip, he was showing his personality very well by then .. can you say goofy!!

Our last night in Guangzhou before heading to the USA. He was changing so rapidly in front of our eyes

Our skinny Minny arm wrestling with dad in the hotel room at night. He weighed 60 lbs

Our first day home just meeting the gang (minus Aaron as he was at College) Jan 30th 2011

Luke and Paige they became instant pals and still are

Luke and Tommy they are buddies but definitely brothers as well (sibling rivalry anyone??)

Luke joining the crazy Pittsburgh fans(his brother, Aaron, His Dad, his brother Tommy and Luke) for the Superbowl (mom just had emergency appendix surgery so was not in a get in the picture mood hah) Feb 2011

Me and My boy in March.. already changing so fast and he is totally my baby boy! (Mommas boy!! yeahhh baby!)!

Another highlight of March learning to ride his bike!

At a soccer game in April 2011 with his daddy, the 2 of them showing some Tude hahah

May gave birth to the Luke-inator hahah

June was Lukes first trip to the beach and HE LOVED it!

4th of July Tommy and Luke posing with their new( tough, but emotional pose) hahah. Too funny they were practicing modeling poses I couldnt stop laughing!

August 2011 Boogie boarding with his sister and pal, Paige

August 2011 posing with his Nan and Pop and cousins already looking like a completely different child. (Pop, Aaron, Luke, Sage, Paige, Elijah, Nanny and Tommy)

September 6th Luke's first day of 5th grade at DSD. Looking so grown up

Sept also brought about more FOOTBALL! Luke has become quite a fan!

They are always goofy! It makes my heart burst with joy that he has someone to be so goofy with after 10 and half years of no one!

The end of September and( 9/22/2011) was Luke's 11th Birthday! He was so excited to see his presents and cant beleive we spent the day celebrating him!! His first celebration of himself ever!

Luke enjoying more Football at the beginning of October 2011 He is Tommys biggest fan!We love taking pictures of us together! Me and My baby boy!

October 16, 2011 Celebrating his Dads Birthday with his Nanny.

The transformation of Luke has been incredible. First of all physically if you didnt watch the change over 9 months we would swear he is not the same boy we met in China. 25 lbs heavier, 4 inches taller.. Language that is blossoming by the day. A personality that is unique and incredible!!!

WE LOVE YOU LUKE! CANT WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT 9 MONTHS BRING, THEN 9 YEARS!! FOREVER MY SON!!!!!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Tomorrow is 9 months!

Tomorrow is 9 months since Luke's Gotcha Day and the transformation of Luke has been BEYOND mind-blowing!!! Luke has gained 24 lbs, grown 4 inches all in 9 short months. He went from a 10 slim (with the waist synched as far as we could), to a 10, to a 12 slim to a 12.. Soon to be a 14... From a size 4 shoe to a size 6 1/2.. From a child with no language at 10 and 1/2 years old.. To a child that is picking up language faster and using it in ways that research says a child his age with no previous language should not be... A child that is HAPPY pretty much 99% of the time (unless of course we dont go to bed by 7:30 pm hahah). He went from a nobody that no one could communicate with to a special someone that has a family that loves him tremendously!!! He went from being a child that had no future.. to a child that has a bright future full of never ending possibilities!! He went from being an orphan.. To Luke Worrell, our Son, Brother, Grandson, Cousin, Friend!

Luke is doing amazing! He is blossoming daily! One of the best things we did for Luke was to fight to get him into the school for the Deaf. Luke is NOT the same boy as he was before he entered Delaware School for the Deaf. Luke has changed in such a way that you CANT miss it! He is SO SO SO happy at school. He cant wait to get there everyday! He comes home and is exploding to tell me all he did for the day.. In DETAILED language!!! Luke is learning and learning fast! He has friends and is so excited to talk about them! Luke is loved at DSD and Luke LOVES DSD! Well worth the grey hair and 7 month fight to get him there! Well worth it!

Luke still has adjusting to do, socially he is so far behind, but time will change that. When I look at all the changes in Luke it is mind blowing! I dont know how one can change that much in that short of a time and stay sane. I know God has his hand all over Luke and our family and we are so blessed for all who pray for us! We feel the prayers, trust me we do!
I am going to let some pictures do the rest of the talking! Happy 9 month Gotcha Day Luke! WE LOVE YOU!!!