Journey to Luke

Friday, August 19, 2011

Part 1 of our Creation Northeast trip

Part 1 of Our Trip to Creation NorthEast 2011 in a photo journal... Wow What a trip!

As Luke is signing "WOW" doesnt even begin to describe this trip!

Packed and on our way to get the RV

In our RV and driving to AGAPE farms for the beginning of 8 glorious days!

Getting close!

Are you all ok if I drive?? Who cares if my feet dont touch!

Set up and crashed for our first night

One of Luke's favorite things is golfcart rides with Mr. Ryan

PFFFTTT mom!

Tommy.... my never upright child hahah

Andrew, Tommy and Josh making our first Creation pyramid!

Hmm can you say cheating???

Creation before the 130,000 people show up.. It is surreal

Creation fest becoming Creation fest.. Never experienced this before. Very cool

The main stage going up

One of the empty vendor areas

The View from the "Lookout" when most people are not here yet.. just a few staff so far!

My hubby in the gorgeous view.. he looks pretty darn good too!

Our gang! Our friends were with us and we LOVED being with them!

Luke, Tommy and Paige at the Lookout! My gorgeous children in God's glorious setting

Almost my whole gang.. Minus Aaron he hadnt arrived yet

Tommy and Andrew.. Definitely 2 peas from the same pod!

See ya guys.. I gotta ride back down while you hike your butt off hahah

Momma and Luke! :)

Paige and her Pal, Joshua

Luke looking all cool and getting ready for some concerts!

Luke and Paige

My girl.. I love that face!!!

Luke and Emily at their first Creation... and their first year in America with their families!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

The journey of the last 6 Months

The last 6 months of our lives have flown by!! The first 4 months of Lukes new life here were miraculous and pretty much picture perfect. The 5 month was pretty darn rough to be honest and certainly had it's share of ups and downs. We are now home 6 months and this last month has been an improvement but has had its share of stressing moments for sure. When I think of the crazy changes Luke has made in 6 months I am really sorta thinking how has it not been more insane and had even more bad moments? The interesting thing about Luke is that at times when I think it is going to be really hard for him and he wont handle things well.... HA he always proves me wrong and handles those situations like a champ!!!!! It is the times when I think things are all good or things seem like "what could possibly go wrong?" that Luke tends to meltdown. When I think of all the changes in this little boys life it is mind blowing for me to wrap my own adult brain around.

Left China and all he knew.... (even though it was a bad situation he was in and he had no language, no education and faced all sorts of abuse and neglect....it was still all he knew for 10 and a half years of his life) Suddenly has parents, 2 brothers, a sister, , A Nan and pop an hour away, Mom-mom 2 miles away, grandparents in Texas, Aunt that lives 2 miles away, Aunts in Florida and Texas and an Uncle that lives a few hours away. All sorts of cousins. He is now a member of a strong church family with a growing Deaf ministry that loves us and Luke very much. Luke has a home, a dog, a room that he shares with a brother. Toys, belongings (these actually bring on a pretty good amount of stress as he doesnt play with his things just hordes them all). Has been in school and now out of school. Has no current placement for school and knows we are fighting tooth and nail to get him in the right placement and has also seen a few placements that scared him and he doesnt want to go to.. thus bringing on more stress. He went to a HUGE Christian music festival for 8 days with us in an RV, went to a camp for Deaf children with his brother and sister for 5 weeks (that was truly a highlight.. but it is now over). Mom was also back in the hospital last Friday with a severe anaphylactic shock reaction that kept me in the hospital for 3 days and definitely not myself yet.

WHEW makes me exhausted just to post all that and trust me it isnt all that has happened in the last 6 months home! SO gee why would a small boy possibly have reason to have some melt downs once in a while??

I have had my adoption agency hook me up with an adoption support group and am going to start meetings there this month. I do believe that will be good for me to do. Luke has been doing very good lately and things have mellowed but one must keep on their toes in this house ha!

I do have amazing news! WE FINALLY GOT LUKES SCHOOL PLACEMENT SETTLED TODAY!!!
We have been fighting since the day Luke came home and we finally got the answer today we have been fighting for. Luke is going to attend the Delaware school for the Deaf and will be transported daily there and be home everyday like he should be! We are so happy and know that this is going to really make a difference in Luke's future! He cried when I told him the news and he is so relieved as he knows we have been fighting like crazy on this. I am so happy Luke is going to be educated in a place where my husband and I felt that he will be given the best options and the best possible education and chance for the most successful future!

Well I have posted alot today and know most people hate reading books so I will try and post another update soon. Sorry it has been so long, life got nuts and my health took a dive!

Luke boating with his daddy! We have done a ton and promise to get some more photos and updates moving! Life is good and Luke is great! God has been so good to us. We cannot imagine our lives without our precious Luke! Thank you Lord for such a blessing!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Luke's progress with ASL

This is a video that Luke made about 2 months ago and I want to keep it on here to document his progress in learning ASL. He came to Tom and I January 17th, 2011 with no language, no gesture system nothing and this was just a few months after he came home. He has progressed even more so I will have him make a new one in a few days to compare the difference.

Here is hoping this worked!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Luke's first trip to the beach!

Luke's first time at the Beach and in the Ocean! I dont believe I need to say much as my pictures say just about everything!

We were afraid that Luke would not like the sand and the Ocean and the beach is one of our favorite places to go! Our fears were unfounded as Luke claimed "This is the best place ever!" Oh Luke how your family agrees with you!!!

I will post of our Trip to Creation Northeast from June 25-July 3rd in my next post as there is SO much to say and show you!