Waiting Period: Day 1 of 10

Today we went and played with the kids for the first time as their "official" new parents, it was very exciting for all. We were wondering if they would remember us or react at seeing us again, and we were richly rewarded (well mostly). They brought all 3 kids out to us in the playground, and upon seeing us Alex and Vala yelled PAPA/MAMA! and ran towards us with arms open wide and gave us big hugs. Alex then gave papa our customary "gimmee 5" handslaps that we used to do upon greeting each other...he hadn't forgotten. Talia, being true to her independent self, seemed happy to see us but ran right past us and straight to the playground, a little work to be done there still on the greeting manners.

Anyway, we broke out what little toys we'd acquired or made from the previous day and the playing began. We'd also snagged a banana and some yogurt from the breakfast bar this morning, so that was a hit as well. We forgot to bring our sippy cups for drinking water, so drink time was a bit of a mess but still it worked...we'll plan better tomorrow.

Jeanete and Michael Scruggs from Mississippi were there as well, and their cab arrived at the exact same time as us. Their new son Samuel Daniel was happy to see them, and he had a great time playing with our kids as well, they are good buds. Please pray for the Scruggs family, their court date was a couple of days before ours, but the decision was delayed till this Friday due to some incorrect paperwork...our heart goes out to them as they go through this process alongside us. We hope to hook up with them for dinner (not McDonalds) tonight.

Playtime outside was enjoyable albeit a bit of work since it is outdoors (mid-50s, a pleasant fall day), but the kids seem to be minding us a bit more now and I have the ability to keep up with them since my back is about 90% healed. I had fun lifting them up (even Alex) and swinging them around time and time again as a fun game. That would have been virtually impossible only 5 weeks ago, God is good!

Anyway, without further ado here are some of the photos I took, and some video. Enjoy!


This is Alex doing his best DiNiro imitation ("are you tawkin tah me?!") Actually I think he's just got food or something in his mouth. :)





Talia waiting for more yogurt, a good bonding exercise, and oh so tasty! JoEllen thinks she resembles a babushka in this hat.




Vala having fun on the teeter totter.







A bit of a close-up, but ain't she cute! :)








More lessons in the word "please," I like how they nod when they say it:


I pretended they bit off my finger every time they had a bite of banana, Alex got the giggles so much he couldn't stand up. We did this for quite awhile, it was pretty funny in a morbid kinda way...hey it is almost Halloween!


We've decided that Talia may have a future as an Olympic rowing captain, she takes fun so seriously! :)