6 months

J flew into the states on Aug. 29th and we drove home on the 30th. Since Feb. doesn't have a 29th except for every 4 years or a 30th, today is his 6 months home day. We went to a hibachi grill place after church, not necessarily to celebrate but just to spend time together. It was the four of us plus A's friend, E, my parents, my brother's family and nephew's fiance. So, twelve of us. Boy was that fun. J and T are already planning what they are going to make for supper and how they will cook it. Too funny.

We sent J's 6 month update to his O. It got me thinking of all the things he's experienced in the last 6 months. Wow. We may not have been there for his first words or his first steps but we were there for his first hibachi grill experience, happy meal, beach, camping, indoor pool, being a ring bearer at his sister's wedding, elevators, escalators, self-flushing toilets (still pronounced "twa-let") sinks that turn on by themselves, doors that open by themselves, movies on the big screen, drive-in movie, a birthday, Christmas, snow days, snowmen, "red-neck open sleighing" (horses pulling the sled), sledding at uncle C's and aunt S's, helium balloon (oh my word, was he excited about that) school, jump houses, trampolines, being on a basketball team, going to an army graduation and getting his pic made with "de captains", his own pet (a betta fish), cooking his own food (he loves to "cook" and has come up with some pretty interesting things-almost all of which he has eaten-he loves salsa or cajun seasoning on everything). I'm sure there are more things but I can't think of all of them. See, adopting an older child still has a full set of "firsts".

Even though he came home speaking fairly good English he still regularly cracks us up with those things that just get lost in translation. Just this morning he had his box of candy that he's selling for school and he said it looked like his suitcase. I said it looked more like a briefcase and he said, "You have a case for your breaf (breath)??"

He continues to love, love, love tv and gum. If we need him to "earn" something, it's gum. If we need to take something away, it's tv. I don't know how long it will last but it's working right now. He still asks now and then if we will send him back to Haiti. T always tells him that we won't send him back but we might send his dirty underwear back. He thinks that's funny and it reassures him at the same time. It must be horrible for the kid to have those thoughts in the back of his mind.

He's doing much better with all of his fears now that he can recite 2 Tim. 1:7.

He bothers his sister on a regular basis so I guess they are pretty normal as far as that goes.

Happy 6 months anniversary, J.