Halfway Point

Alexis has been with us for 2 weeks (and 1 day). So we are at the halfway point now.  We take her back to the airport on July 22nd.  In some ways, it has been a fast 2 weeks and in other ways, it has felt long.  Ever had that feeling?

Alexis LOVES to go and do...she is much happier when we are going places.  Thankfully, that suits my family's style.  We all seem to do better when we are out and about.  Alexis is very curious about the world and people.  One Chinese phrase that I quickly learned was, "Where are we going?"  She asks that a lot!  So where are we going?

The Children's Museum:

Paint to your heart's content...just not in my kitchen! :)

Working on our fear of animals

Double Trouble

Apple picking was one of her faves!

 Blueberry Picking:

Alexis rocked at blueberry picking!

Can you tell we were HOT?

The pool:
Alexis has become quite the water baby.  I don't have any pictures of her IN the water because she's SO pumped up about the water that I have to stay very close to her all the time.  If I'm able to devote a lot of attention to her, I take off her life jacket in the shallower section. She loves for me to hold her while she floats on her back, and she likes me to take her to the deeper sections.  She LOVES to go underwater.  I didn't expect her to love the water so much so quickly.  We are at the pool a lot so this is great, but I have to be vigilant when all the kids are at the pool.

Taken before she bit the bottom off of the Drumstick - yikes!

Sweet girl

The SPCA (friend's birthday party):

Working up her courage to pet "Wednesday," the cat

Trying to get used to a dog

Keeping a safe distance

The movies:
 I was so proud of Alexis.  She sat still for most of Finding Dory.  Sitting still is not her strong suit so we were nervous to try a movie.  Overall, I think she liked the movie...I know that she liked the M&Ms we brought. :) But in this circumstance, I was glad that Alexis cannot speak English because I think the movie may have been hard on her heart.  I know it was hard on mine.  I won't spoil the movie for you, but it is primarily focused on Dory getting lost from her parents and the quest for them to find one another.  One line Dory's mom or dad says is something like, "We will never stop looking for you. We will always come for you." (I am paraphrasing).  Because I had an orphan sitting next to me, I was especially sensitive to this theme.  How would it feel to not have a parent who will always look for you or always come for you? It hurt my heart to think about this, and I sat there thankful that Alexis wasn't understanding the words.  Ultimately, I rest in knowing that our Heavenly Father never slumbers and always pursues us.  Lord, please help Alexis to know that kind of love.

At the entrance to Finding Dory

Everywhere in between:

Adapted swing was a BIG hit

We have spent an embarrassing amount of time at Chick Fil A (several of them)!

Being silly

  Observations:

• Alexis understands a lot more English than she can speak.  My mom and I have both noticed this.  She is eager to repeat English words and demonstrates ability to learn language (although I know that it would be a lengthy process). She regularly uses the English words "Hello, Bye-Bye, Mama, No, Ok." 

• She is improving with her attention span to toys and television.  My mom worked with her on puzzles for 30-40 minutes this week.  My mom has worked in Special Education for 30 years, and she was encouraged by this.  What is challenging, however, is that you need to be one-on-one with Alexis for her to "play."  If I just put her in front of pile of puzzles, she may make it a few minutes.  But if I sit with her to do the puzzles, she will work them for much longer.  Unfortunately, there are very few times during the day when I can be one-on-one with someone, and sometimes (many times), I just want to zone out during those down times.  

What we need:

• Please continue to share the blog liberally.  The blog has had over 5400 views!  Wow, thank you!  

• Continued prayer for a forever family for Alexis. Anyone interested in pursuing an adoption of Alexis can contact me and I'll get you connected to the right person.

• Continued prayer for endurance for our family.