Much to talk about

So much has happened in the past week. Tom and I spent just about everyday last week either visiting a school for Luke or bringing Luke or myself to the doctors. We are getting worn out, but have had a good outcome. Luke did great at the doctors and they are very pleased with how he looks and he is adapting here. He certainly doenst look like he hasnt even been here a month yet, he is just so darn comfortable everywhere we go, EXCEPT schools and doctors offices hahah. But we did finally take him to the school that he is going to start tomorrow and he loved it! He was so comfortable and happy and didnt want to leave. We know this is going to be a great start for our son. The sad news is that the program is slated to close this June and if that happens then we will again have no place for Luke to attend school. We are praying hard on this one and watiting to see what door the Lord opens come June.

Luke has been learning a ton recently and I just cant seem to be able to answer his 6 MILLION questions a day.... so school is going to be good for him, if he can relax and adjust. I believe the day is going to wear him out and he is definitely going to be tested in ways he never has before and frustration is more then likely inevitable when you have a 10 year old with no language going into 3rd grade. Life would be different for Luke if he received schooling in China but he did  not so we are dealing with that the best we can. He is going to have the teacher of the Deaf pretty much to himself every afternoon so that will be good as she can focus on him and him alone. During the mornings he will be with the other Deaf students and he seemed to be ok with that. There are 6, well now 7 kids in the program and Luke seemed to like them all. I am praying hard for Lukes transition and would like anyone that can to add him into your prayers for awhile as we dont expect this to be easy for him.

Luke has been having loads of fun around here and cant wait for the weather to break so he can get more outside time in. He has been having a ton of fun playing games with us together as a family and also with his brother, Tommy. He is picking up the games pretty quickly (Uno, Checkers, War etc..) and seems to love playing games together. He is also very fond of our trampoline and loves going out there jumping with his brother and sister. Their laughter when they are all on the trampoline is priceless. Luke has also discovered that he likes watching movies together as a family and he laughs so hard at the funny things the animals (we mostly watch disney stuff or animated animal kind of movies like Air Bud, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Madagascar that kind of stuff) do in the movies

Luke has discovered the joys of money in America hahah. My kids have a huge chore chart and Luke was added to the chart and he couldnt be happier, funny thing is he didnt know he got paid an allowance and that was an even bigger bonus then just being allowed to work. The boy loves chores and loves helping out (dear Lord let that love stay ok?) heheh. We took him to the mall with is allowance and some money he got for Valentines day from family and he bought his very first toy for himself. He bought a Buzz Lightyear! He was so proud of himself that he worked hard for his money and then got to buy something for himself.

Luke is also LOVING going to church on Sundays. He cant wait to go and loves seeing everyone there. I do beleive that even with his limited language he is aware this is a special place so full of love. He knows for sure that God loves him and has pledged to tithe 10% of his chore money to give to God. Ofcourse he cant wait to see his money go up to God in the air.. so we shall see how it works out, but he knows mom and dad give money to the church in our special envelopes and now wants his own envelopes to give his money in. Tommy and him decided they will tithe together and see if they can help someone in need.

Today we went down to my parents house for the first time and Luke was so happy to go! He couldnt wait to get there and see where Nanny and Poppy live. He loved the house (it is a 3 story on 3 acres of land.. hard to not love) and loved watching all the cats come up to the house from outside. He counted 13 hearing cats and 1 deaf (yes she has a Deaf cat) Luke loved it, the deer also came to visit too and Luke got the see the pool he will spend much time in this summer too! He was sad to leave but happy when I said we would go back many many times. Luke thinks his Poppy is the coolest and funniest man ever hheheh. He is a good kid and loves all he meets but he really seems to love my dad, which is pretty interesting as my dad cant sign but sure does try hard. Luke doesnt seem to care if Pop can sign or not he still thinks pop is a riot.

Ok off to sleep so I can get my gang out the door ontime tomorrow. Hopefully I can load some pictures tomorrow of the last week and of Lukes first day of school tomorrow if he lets me take them! Good night all!