It Matters to This 1: September 2014

Family of 5 at Farmer's Inn

Allison has been home with us for a little over three months now. The time has gone by so quickly, and I have intended time and again to update the blog. As a result of my time away, we have a lot to share and much of this post will be pictures. Summer was amazing but fleeting (as always). We were able to share with Allison so many things that were new to her. We enjoyed time at Busch Gardens, Water Country, and the beach. Our best times were spent introducing her to family and friends while visiting Pennsylvania in August. Allison loved every minute of this trip and enjoyed all of the attention she received.

Allison has also begun to face new challenges. She has started kindergarten, and we are so grateful for her amazing teacher, Mrs. George. She is clearly committed to helping Allison have the most successful year possible. We are also grateful that Allison is happy and willing to go off to school each day on the big yellow bus. It helps that we have four neighbor girls looking out for her. She is continuing to adjust to the expectations of school and is learning how to cope with being surrounded by a number of other students who speak fluent English. Someday we will be able to look back and chuckle that she colored her fingers and toes with her highlighter, had a bit too much fun with her scissors, and thought her classmates lunches were a buffet. Until then, we are taking it one day at a time and focusing on the positives.

In five days Allison will have her first surgery since joining our family. She is having her ENORMOUS tonsils removed, tubes put in her ears, and extensive dental work done. Please keep her (and Mama, Baba, & her brothers) in your thoughts and prayers. We are hopeful that she will have a comfortable and speedy recovery.