One month ago yesterday

Yesterday was officially one month with Luke. Our one month "gotcha day" celebration! I cant beleive it has been a month. One month ago yesterday Tom and I waited patiently for our son to come to the hotel lobby and meet us. We were nervous and excited at the sametime.  "what if he doesnt like us?" "how are we going to be able to communicate?" "what about all the baggage we are sure he has being a 10 year old that has lived in an orphanage for so long?"... all this and more was rambling through our brains... then in a quick second.... there he was.... Looking scared and trying to be calm.  He was even more handsome then any of his pictures and way taller then we thought. The staff from the orphanage didnt say anything to us... they just pushed him our way and had us sign a few papers, then said goodbye to our son (they didnt even make eye contact with him and none of them signed) withouth even looking at him ........ and they were gone. With not a word of advice about our son, a note of his habits, a hint of what to expect, NOTHING. ... that was it, he was ours and they were done with him.  We had a few moments of trying to sign with him in Chinese sign language (we were told he knew it) and our guide was trying to communicate with him in writing Chinese (we were told he could read it) and after a few minutes we decided he might be too nervous and shy to communicate so we would just wait and see what happens. We sat for awhile filling out A LOT  of paperwork and Luke just kneeled on the floor next to me trying to see what was going on with the papers. I kept trying to sign with him and he would just look away.  He came with 2 pockets stuffed full of candy and he just kept opening them and eating them nervously as he watched us fill out papers. Not too long after that we were off and running to go get pictures done for his passport and for our adoption registration papers. Luke would smile with us but signed nothing, he preferred to hold the guides hand across the streets and that was fine with me as long as he held someones for it was a suicide mission just to get ones self across the street without getting hit by a car!  After pictures we went into a plaza to get some lunch. Our guide tried again to communicate with Luke in writing and we tried again with sign and it was getting pretty apparent he didnt know Chinese sign language or how to read or write in Chinese.  So we did what any family would do... we started signing to him in ASL (the language we knew) he immediately started to try and figure out what Tom and I were saying and couldnt beleive that we could communicate to each other with our hands and that we knew what things were called.  His first sign he learned was candy.. .that was easy, I pointed to the huge amounts of candy in his pocket he then handed me one and I signed candy. He signed candy and got so excited that he knew what it was called. After that dad paid for the food and he gestured to know what the paper in dads hands was called (money) so I showed him the sign for money.. so his first two signs were candy and money hmmm interesting start, but after that he wanted to know what everything was called and I couldnt give him signs fast enough. The boy was STARVED for language... he was also starving for food as he ate enough food for a few people and was still hungry ahahah.

It is now one month later and Luke is still learning sign language at a rate that is sort of insane. The language he has at the moment is not consistant with what research says about latened language learners and it is obvious to all who meet him that Luke is one bright boy.  My school district said they feel he is very gifted and when he catches up with language there will be no stopping this boy!!! Luke is demonstrating the ability to learn things after being shown only one time and he remembers it after that and uses it correctly. He is a very gifted little boy, just not an educated one.  It is sad that he never received a language or education in China but we are working to fix that for sure.

Luke is still a joy that is unbeleivable.  He loves being part of our family, he is happy from the moment he wakes until the moment he goes to bed. He gets along with our children amazingly well and his behavior is better then his siblings!  Luke's sense of humor is unbeatable, the boy is whitty and charming. Funny thing is my paperwork on him says he is shy and introverted.(sad they didnt even know him after taking care of him for 10 years) I have never seen a more social person in my life! When we took him to church for the first time and Pastor introduced him to the congregation he stood up front on the stage and raised his arms like he was Rocky Balboa.... (trust me I heard the Rocky theme in my head)  Giving everyone the "hello" sign  and waving and  the "I love you sign" and ofcourse the famous Chinese "Victory" sign (quite fitting for my church since the name of it is Victory). Luke charms all who meet him. My school district is in love with him ,as the director said, "we are smitten with him and know he has amazing potential".   My school district is working very hard with me to try and come up with an education plan that is best for Luke and we dont have too many options in this area so it isnt an easy thing to do, but my district is bending over backwards for Luke. (pretty amazing since that is not the norm).

Luke is right now on the road with dad to go pick up Aaron (his older brother) he is so excited Aaron is coming home from college today that he can barely contain himself. He adores Aaron and is so excited that he counted the days until it was Friday the 18th and then he counted the hours until it was 11:30 and time to go get his brother!!!!!!

We took Luke to Dupont in Delaware to the International Adoption Specialist for a once over and she said he looks amazing, his language should not be where it is ( Thank you to all who are praying for Luke as we know this is the work of God) and that he looks so happy and well adjusted that she cant believe it has only been a month.  She ofcourse warned us that at some point our "Honeymoon" will end and Luke might experiance some problems dealing with his move but all in all she thought he looked amazing. Luke is 4'8" and 71.5 lbs. He has gained 5 lbs in the one month since we got him and I am very curious to see how he will grow now that he is eating like he eats.. (the boy needs his own refrigerator). ( I do believe his legs are hollow and that is were all the food goes). Our specialist gave us referrals for a lot of other doctor appointments but all are needed. I have no hearing test from China on Luke and school wont admit him without a hearing test anyway, so audiologist here we come, ENT too, Opthomologist just to check those eyes out as his language is all visual so better make sure those eyes are working good, they seem to be but it doesnt hurt to check, a genetics doctor (down the road to see if there is any reason they can see why Luke is deaf and something maybe he might want to know if he has a family down the road) and of course a dentist.  Brushing wasnt well done over there and the water has no flouride so you guess what a 10 year olds teeth might look like after that, plus candy is always given out in the orphanage... so we got work to do there....

We are so blessed to have Luke as our child and member of our family. We are truly in love with this little boy and the joy he has added to our family is amazing.  We keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and the honeymoon to be over and to start having issues but so far Luke has been just amazing. We couldnt ask for anymore then he does. Oh and I added him to the chore chart I have for my kids as he loves to do chores and he is loving the idea of having a chart. The boy likes to be organized and neat and loves to help out anyone in the house that needs it. He is in love with our huge German shepard and has our dog, Chase sleeping in the room with him and his brother at night in between their two beds. ( I was afraid he would be horrified of our 135 lb king shepard). Luke took the dog on a walk with is brother and sister the other day and asked me if that could be his chore from now on as it was soooo much fun, he also is the one to feed the dog every morning and night.

Thanks for following along on our journey and praying us through this adventure. We have so much joy and love in our home and we cant wait to keep everyone updated on how things progress! Thank you for all of your kind thoughts, words, love, support and prayers! We couldnt do this without all the support we have had and all the prayers, so many people praying for us and our family and Luke non-stop, trust me we know  you are all praying, we feel the results of God answering everyones prayers (including and especially our prayers). I will update more soon!!!!!!

                                      Happy Valentines day to my sweethearts!

                                 Luke couldnt believe they actually got gifts!

 Oh HOLY MOLY.. Lukes face is priceless.  The kids got the new Shrek movie! (Luke watched his first ever movie with us that night, curled up in mommas lap in a chair together!)

 A cool game and helps with sign language as you have to describe the people and figure out who your partner picked as their person, very cool game helps with language skills a lot too!

                                           Luke with his little skateboard guy!

                                       Tommy with his Ryan skateboarder!  He loves this guy!

                                                          Brotha's!

                                               oh oh oh what did we get?

                              Laser tag remote control cars (they play with them a TON!)

        Luke got his first haircut in America and was thrilled he could pick how he wanted it done!

                                                     Do I look good or what?

               This is the same camera shy boy that hated having his picture taken one month ago

      Luke's serious face...... heheh he is still cute as heck when he is trying to be serious ha

                                     Luke and his dad with their new haircuts!

                                                 Cheese , dont I look good?

                                                         Daddy, Luke and Paige

                                  daddy with his little girl and our Luke!

                                                      Kisses for my daddy!

                               Me and My girl! (love this little girl to pieces!

                                                                Luke, me and Paige

                                             The boys, minus Aaron as he is at College.......

                                             I have some handsome guys in my house

 Dad picking up the boys for a huge Bear hug hahahah. Luke and Tommy couldnt stop laughing for 10 minutes

                                                               Paige on slipper day at school today

                                        Paige falling over trying to hold up her cool slippers for a picture

                       Luke to the rescue to help Paige lift up her slipper feet for the photo heheh

I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart!

 We are so so so so so blessed! The last few days have been completely amazing! The days just get better and better, which is pretty mind blowing since they have been amazing since day 1!  Luke has been doing wonderful and is such a joy to be around. We have spent much of this week running to meetings to try and figure out what to do for school for Luke and as of right now I have no clue so I am praying as hard as I can on this one for some wisdom from my Heavenly Father as I just don't know what to do, we don't have many options and I am not liking the options we have, so what does a mother do?..... pray


Friday night we took the kids bowling with a few friends of ours and we had such an amazing time that I totally didn't even take one picture. I was having such a good time just having a good time that I didn't even think to take a picture. Not sure what that says about me but I got home and was like.. whoa I didn't even take one picture.  Tommy and Paige were so excited to show Luke how to bowl and get a chance to show him their own skills. Paige bowled so good for a 30 lb 4 year old that it is sort scary. Tommy should be in a league and I am thinking I see father-son league in the future.  Luke LOVED it! He had such fun and actually loved watching Tommy and Paige bowl too! Our friends 2 children bowled too and it was so cute to see all the kids having a great time.  We even hit Mc'D's after bowling and sat there for well over an hour just chit chatting with our friends.  We are so lucky to have such good friends and wish we all didnt work so much so we could see them more often. Love you guys!


Yesterday Luke went to Tommy's wrestling match and although it was a LONG day he loved watching Tommy wrestle and daddy coach! He hung in for the 5 hours we were there and even ate his first hot dog while there.. he was desperate for food and they didn't have much else haha, but he loved it! Paigey is always a dream at Tommy's wrestling she just plays and sits and watches and plays. Aunt Amy and mom-mom and Katelyn  were there and we got to spend some more time with them too.


Today we took Luke to church for the first time, I wasn't sure what he would think of church or how he would react to all of those people. HE LOVED IT! He seemed so at home and just wanting to check everything out. He remembered meeting Pastor when they came to the house to see me after my surgery and he had met Pastor Maria 2 times and a few other people from church and that seemed to help relax him and he just loved being there. The minute we went down to take our seats he stood up and started signing the songs for worship, he copy-signed Nancy so beautifully that the boy is natural!  Seems only fitting with the name sign he picked for himself.  "L" signed like Lord or King.  He picked it 3 days ago and doesn't even know what it means. I think it is an amazing choice, since he is such a gift from the Lord. Luke certainly seemed at home and church and told me he really liked it when we got home. He didn't understand much of what was signed as it is in lightening speed for him but he kept asking Ms. Julie what was being said and she would so patiently try and re-explain at a slower speed and more in words he might get. Not sure exactly what he got out of today but he knows it is a place with a lot of people and a lot of love and a place we love to come to!


After church we came home and Luke got to meet my parents. His Nanny and Poppy and his cousin Lyla. He has been waiting and waiting. Luke and Nan and Pop and Lyla hit it off great! He cant believe that his nanny has 14 yes 14, yes 14 oh did I say 14 cats!!!! (not hey don't all live in the house, just 1 spoiled queen does heheh, but there are still 13 others outside). Nanny gave the kids a little bag with some Valentines gifts in them and a card and Luke was so excited and over joyed, he officially got his first card ever! He loved his bag with goodies so much that he is sleeping with it in his bedspread (his new bedspread has a pocket on the front) and he showed me the bag in there and said "My Nanny gave this to me and she said she loved me" then he did his Victory dance and squealed with delight. Tommy says "wow mom that bag sure did make him happy, don't get me wrong I love my bag but it is cool to see Luke get stuff!"   


We are truly in love with our new addition and I cant say again how we could not have MADE a better match for our family if we tried! We cannot Thank the Lord enough for the joy that Luke has brought us and I cant believe that we haven't even known him 1 month yet.  We have had a little less then one month of pure joy and blessings! Luke's signing is increasing in leaps and bounds but we have hit the point where he is asking me questions that require answers that he doesn't have the language or knowledge for me to give him answers to yet. But tonight he let me open the CD that the orphanage gave me of him while he was there and there were 96 pictures on there of him.(he threw the CD in the trash in China and got upset anytime I took it out so I put it away until tonight) He sat on my lap and we looked at them together.  He didn't seem to like to many of the kids in the orphanage for when I ask him if someone was a friend he says "no they were mean and bad" A few of the kids he said "yes that is my friend and they were nice" but not too many.  He was shocked to know that the cake and gifts for his birthday this past September were from me and his daddy. He said he had no idea who there were from. Of course he didn't as not one soul in the orphanage could communicate with him after 10 years of him being there (yes I am bitter and I am trying not to successfully to deal with it). He was so happy to show me to pictures of him looking at the pictures of me and Tom and me and the kids. I asked him if he knew why he got those pictures, did he know he was coming to America to a family and he said no, I had no idea why I had pictures of you.  We have some pictures of him in this really fancy room with all these toys and decorations and I didn't see anything like that in the orphanage and I asked him where that was and he said "we take the elevator to another place and they take pictures and then we leave" I asked if they actually played there and he said no, he looked sad that they didn't.  He also saw the picture of the package we sent him at Christmas and he said I took pictures with the camera (we sent him a little camera) and gave it to the lady when I was done (we got the camera back with a note attached saying it broke and he couldn't take pictures) he also saw the remote control car in the picture and said " I did see that.... they gave it to me and I played for 5 min and then I gave it back and it was gone forever".  That kind of stuff gets my gut  and I am happy that he is out of there but it breaks my heart for the hundreds of children that are still in there just hoping and praying for a momma and daddy to save them!


Ok on a positive note.. Thank you Lord more then I could possible say for this joy in our lives that we call Luke Worrell! This week is sure to bring more blessings and the kids have a short week due to Presidents weekend. I am hoping we get to make some good fun plans for the weekend. I cant wait for the weather to warm up as Luke is asking to see the beach (I showed him pictures of it and after getting over the fact that he had to believe mom that we are not swimming in dirt and dirty water) he has decided that he cannot wait to see the beach (this warms my heart for if you know me even a little you know I am a complete beach bum along with my hubby and 3 kids!).. Yahooo many more amazing memories to come!

                                     Luke and his Big Brother, Aaron

                  Luke couldnt wait to give Aaron the anime he bought for him in China

                                       Ahhh Can you say Pocky???

                                    Checking out Aarons new instrument!

                 Coach Worrell chatting with future assistant coach Worrell heheh

                      Luke taking in all the wrestling, he actually loved watching it

 Ok so not good of Tommy but good for mom-mom, me and Amy and Katelyn was sleeping heheh

             Luke took this of me and my sweetheart and best-est friend, my Paige

                            Luke taking some photos of Tommy wrestling

                                                      Go Tommy go!

                                         Tommy wrestling his 2nd match of the day

                                                      Luke with Lyla and Paige

                                                   Lyla, Paige, Luke an Tommy

                                                         Luke and Lyla

                                                     Luke and his Nanny

                                                            Luke and his Poppy

                                                       Luke with both his Nan and Pop

The Superbowl and A LOT of bonding in this house!

I am healing up nicely since the surgery and we have been doing a ton since I got home. Not exactly what I call good for healing but I am praying that the Good Lord will allow me to heal on the run! Not exactly wisdom  to live by but what is necessary right now.  We were supposed to have a nice sized Super Bowl party on Sunday and with me getting home from the hospital on Saturday that put a damper on the party. Tom cancelled the party and we had our own little celebration.  Aaron was brought home to see Luke by one of our angels from our Victory Assembly of God church family and was able to meet his new brother. I would like to say that they hit it off beautifully! Luke is quite a tech kind of guy. So him and Aaron hit it off well! He looked up to his much older and crazy taller brother! The guys all donned their Steelers gear and mom donned her Pj's (only thing that didnt hurt my stomach) and we got our food ready (Football essentials such as wings, pizza, chips, dips and such). Toms mom, sis and his niece came over for the festivities!  We were ready for the first game and Luke couldnt wait to see what all the hub bub was about. To say Luke LOVED watching football was an understatement. He was right there with his dad and brothers watching the game, yelling at the TV, waving his Terrible Towel and having a blast like no other! Tom  was not thrilled with the Steelers playing but watching Luke and Tommy, and Aaron have fun made it worth watching the Steelers not play well. Over all it was a very male bonding kind of night!

Since then we have been running to different schools to try and figure out where we will place Luke for school. This is not going to be an easy decision as the closest school for the deaf is 40 minutes and we wont put him that far away from us.  So we arent left with too many options here in good ol NJ.  Dont know if I mentioned in my blog before or not (probably not as it wasnt something we wanted to advertise too much) is that Luke had no language when we met him. We were told he knew Chinese sign language and that he could read and write Chinese. None of those are true and Luke came to us with nothing. He is picking up sign language at a rate that is ASTOUNDING!!!! We are having amazing conversations with him and he is understanding more then should be possible at this moment.  To say that his not being taught anything in China upsets me is an understatement as it is obvious to everyone that meets Luke that he is very very bright and extremely teachable and wanting to learn.  I am thrilled he is picking up ASL at an amazingly fast rate (we really just sign to him and have since the 1st week we got him) and he doesnt have any Chinese sign in his head to confuse him so he is picking up ASL fast, but that being said he has not been educated at all so school is going to be extremely difficult. We dont know where to place him or what to do right now but I am praying that the good Lord will show me the way and help me to know what is right.

Our house has been forever changed by Luke being here and the change has been amazingly huge. Luke's joy and happiness is truly contagious, you cant be in a bad mood around him as isnt possible. Everyone that meets Luke is immediately taken by him and falls in love with him like we have. Luke has blended into our family with ease (actually so much so that it is a little scary). Watching Luke wait with joy for 2:30 when Paige comes home and then 3:30 when Tommy comes home is a riot, the boy just cant wait to see them again and then the playing begins.  Him and Tommy have become good wrestle partners and it is funny to watch them wrestle each other.  Paige and Luke get along so well and he is such a helper with her. He even helps me read stories to her at night before she goes to bed. 

We have been truly blessed and are grateful as a family could be for our blessings.  This weekend Luke should meet my parents if all works out well and I am excited for them to meet him as he is gonna love them and them him.  This weekend we will also take Luke to church for the first time and I am excited to see how he handles that and what he thinks of our church and our church family. I think he is going to be in for a good weekend. This Saturday we are also taking Luke to Tommy's wrestling match, (were supposed to do that last Thursday when I got rushed to the ER.) and I know he is going to love watching the wrestling match! I will write more soon, but so far so good. We are loving life! Thank you to our Heavenly Father that watched over our little blessing for 10 years and kept him safe and his heart ready for a family and prepared his heart for his new life and new family here in America! 

                                                 Getting ready for his 1st Superbowl

                                               Brothers getting ready for the big game!

                                                                 They truly are pals!

                                       Tommy and Aaron getting ready for the Steelers!

             The Worrell Family men! Man I am so lucky to have such a handsome group of men around me!

                                                              Gooo Steelers!

                                                       Let the games begin!

                       Luke was just a tad excited for the game (can you tell? heheh)

                 Aaron, Aarons friend, Nick and Luke chowing on some good Superbowl food!

                                                        These wings ROCK!

                                   Aaron showing Luke how to play some games on his Laptop

                                         Luke with his older brother, Aaron

             Dont know if the Terrible towel doubles as a skirt or not but Tommy thinks it does

     A little ballet action from the Princess amidst the football guy, testosterone filled night

                                                   The boys checking out some games

                                              Baby Katelyn loves the Steelers too!

                                                   DO you see the resemblance?

                                           We love each other and Love Football too! 

                                                Yeahhhh Steelers.. Wave that Terrible towel!!

                                                          Loving the game!!!!!

                                                              Go Steelers! GO GO GO

                   Luke learning the art of "yelling at the TV to make the team play better!"

                                                          A great time was had by all!!!!!!!!