It's been awhile since posting...March and April have been BUSY! Easter was a good time. We changed our usual plans and went to a Chinese church for Easter service. Our good friends the Sanders came too, so the boys, Seth and NingNing, could listen and really understand the true meaning of Easter. It's so heartwarming to see them pay attention and have found a way to share the love of God and Jesus with these boys. Even if they don't choose to accept Jesus into their lives, we will do what we can to provide them with enough knowledge to make the decision for themselves. After church, we went to my Dad's house and had an Easter Egg hunt. We weren't sure if the boys would do it, but when they saw James start running around grabbing eggs, they jumped right in, and then started stealing from each other's baskets! It was a great time spent with wonderful friends and fellowship. Enjoy the pictures and video.
There is a little more blogging after the photos :).
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| checking out the candy haul |
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| getting a push from Jayden |
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| James and NingNing playing "catch me if you can" |
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| Hmmm....any more eggs? |
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| Our baby girl, Judi |
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| Our Family...Easter 2013...doesn't Ning look just thrilled to be having his picture taken?? |
It's been a time of ups and downs for NingNing, but we think of it as a mountain we and he are climbing. Little step by little step, we are inching toward the summitt, with an occasional backslide. He seems to have a much easier time doing things outside his comfort zone, like an upcoming piano recital. He doesn't REALLY want to do it, but is not refusing like he did with the Christmas concert. He's still not using English much, but we've done some things to figure out whether it's a physical or psychological issue, or just his unique personality. It's becoming pretty obvious it's more personality and he is just a very quiet, shy, introverted person (total opposite of his description from China) who doesn't have a lot to say (his own words translated). We did have the opportunity recently to talk with him through a translator and told him that it was fine to be quiet sometimes, but as he grew, he would need to speak up for himself, as others would make choices for him if he didn't, and he might not like those choices. So yesterday, we were at McDonalds...I asked what he wanted, expecting to have to run through the choices until he nodded, as usual. To my utter amazement, he piped right up and said "Number 2, no cheese!". Now, to most people, I'm sure it's like.....uh, what's the big deal? For our son, this was HUGE! For him to not only respond that quickly...in ENGLISH...and voice a specific desire....IS a big deal, for him and us.
Also, NingNing has chosen to play baseball, something else that indicates he's coming out of his shell little by little. He has NEVER played.....NEVER.....so to start at the 8th grade level, at something he's not done before, just amazed us! He is enjoying it so much, and interacts so well with the other boys, his friends from school. I just worry he will get hit by a stray ball; he has no meat on his bones to absorb it! However, other than a little hesitation when the ball is pitched or hit very hard to him, he is really doing well.....and it looks like he's got enough natural talent he might be playing second base. We are so proud of him getting out there and trying it.
