June 17th

We started off the day at school.
We talked about little Gs sensitivity issues. They showed us how they put lotion on her and rubbed her with various textured mitts to try and desensitize her.
They showed us simple games to play to teach her how to follow directions, allow her to make choices, develop her pincer skills.
Then in the evening we went to see the older part of the town.
It was great fun for, Sandra, Silvia, Andrea, Paul, little G and I.......
Im pretty sure this was the day that E went out with our room mate. She was part of world teach and took the teachers that had just arrived out for a tour of the town. he had a great time with the college students.

Ive been promising you photos of VBS this week.
I remembered the camera.
Can you believe the battery died mid way through.
So no photos of her IN the bouncy castle.
I was shocked. She went in and had a blast. (I did request an over ride on the rules. no teens allowed- so they wouldnt hurt the Children. Our group helper went in with her. THEN once the other 6 jumpers got out I asked if she could just had a min or two to jump alone since She wasnt able to stand the time they were in. She had a BLAST Once she got out kept signing "Fun! Jump! Fun! Jump!"
Of course she danced round and round the rest of the time.....
it was set up in the old sanctuary with great praise music playing.
I saw an adult taking photos of her and wiping tears from his eyes.
I just dont have words to express how thankful I am for the community of believers I love so dearly.
I knew they would be a perfect fit for us as we walked this journey together and Im so thankful they arent letting me down.
A few people even know of our latest struggles
and have been so so kind.
Its very humbling.

One year ago today- June 15

Lil G watching movies of herself- a video from the day before at school.

Outside in the driveway. Getting some fresh air and exercise.We walked to a small playground and played on the swings. We encouraged G to go up and down the stairs each trip we werent dashing out the door to catch a taxi!

Mom and babe napping.( I think Papa needs a class in taking photos.....Its not like we were moving!!! ha ha!)

You can see a project I was able to knit while in Ecuador. Our roomie designed the pattern. I had brought yarn that was perfect for the shawlette.(I gave it to my MIL as a gift) Its called Ruffle my feathers. Caryl has a website here. Tomorrow I will post photos of me modeling my shawlette. I miss it.....


E trying to get on the internet or playing a game.

I was going to post photos of VBS today
it helps if you take the camera.....
Tomorrow is a new day.

A year ago today- June 14th

We were up bright and early to head off to school.
I laughed that Papa and I learned alot while we were at school with little G each day.(you can read more about the Fudrine There was a young student there that knew English pretty well. She helped translate back and forth. I had a little notebook and my camera each day to take notes/videos. They started working with little G when she was a little baby at the orphanage. Then they asked the orphanage if they could start teaching her at the facility. Many of the other children at the orphanage get to go to school as well. Wouldnt her teachers be surprised to see her today!

This day I learned how to tape her papers onto the table for her to color. Isnt that a great idea! We played with colored pegs, tearing and crumpling paper, playdough... lots of games for strengthening her hands and fine motor skills.



Then we went outside for a walk. They were teaching G to walk with her hands down, not up in the air like a baby. Uphill and downhill we went. She practiced climbing the stairs. We did alot of that in Ecuador.(Getting her new glasses helped immensely)
I love seeing the photos and remembering those beautiful days turning into weeks and months....... we are just so blessed to have such a beautiful daughter and community to raise her in.

Vacation Bible School!

"Its 2pm and Ive had more fun in the first four hours of my day than I typically get all week!" These are my words by the way!
I am sure my neighbor was wondering what was going on to see me puling out of the driveway before 7 this morning. My son and daughter convinced me that little G needed to attend VBS. The only way that I would let her go is if I joined in. Im trying hard not to be one of those parents. I feel like I have a right tho'. You cannot understand what she is trying to say, people dont understand that when she is in a group of little ones she is pushing because she doesnt want anyone in her space. Not to be ugly, but whey you have vision problems you can end up hurt if someone else gets in your space at the wrong time.Or when they were talking about the bible verse, asking questions about how we can see God love in our friends. G signed nice and share. Hey little G just said that when our friends are nice and when we share we show others Gods love!!! Right now, until others learn sign language, or her verbal skills become more refined, one of us needs to be with her to facilitate things. One little boy yelled at her because she blew bubble soap at him. Well...... not really. She cant control her movements enough to do something like that ON PURPOSE. Um sorry she just touched your hair, we are trying to teach her not to do that.BUT, One little girl shared her baby doll. And another little boy, oh my gosh. He looked to be seven- ish. She reached out and grabbed his hand to walk into church.(she is pretty fast sometimes....) He asked her name and I answered for her.(he told me she had a special name, especially if you go to church.) The rest of the day we crossed paths with him numerous times and he pointedly said, "Hi G" I am in love.....
So, I am faced with a small dilemma,
do i move her down into the 4 year old class?
She is at least a head shorter than the 5 year olds and light years behind them developmentally. Oldest daughter is a Special Ed teacher-to-be and she feels like little G needs to be with her peers. This is what it needs to look like for her, and for them. Little G is oblivious. But she is so delayed I think even being in the 4 year old class will be a stretch. What would you do????

The most awesome thing is; the theme song "Oh oh oh oh, Oh oh oh oh..... Jump jump jumpin in...... She can say "Oh and say/sign jump."

Many of the adults/ teens were thrilled to see her there and one person even commented on what a blessing, to have prayed for her through the whole process of the adoption and now be blessed to see her here at VBS. sniff sniff.

I bought her a shirt to wear tomorrow.
The smallest size they had looks like it will fit her when she is an adult!
ha ha! Just kidding.... it is huge tho.
I am going to try to take it in somehow.
I just wanted her to not look so different.
A little more like everyone else.
Im off to take a nap.

Dont forget

Dont forget Ive been posting mainly on my other blog. I have limited computer time and I feel its important to tell the story......

the weekend was full at our house. You can see here and here

Little G was given a little pink Bible with her name stamped on the cover.
She kept saying "oooooh. WOOOOOW."
Its beautiful.
Her dedication/baptism really was better than I had hoped for.
I knelt down next to her and was able to experience it how she saw it.
She wasnt really happy about having water on her beautiful hair do
but I was so glad she didnt screech "no" at the top of her lungs.
A dear friend let us borrow an heirloom hand smocked Silk dupioni dress that her daughter wore. Older sister made a beautiful bow..... she looked like a princess.
My aunt and uncle drove to celebrate with us. All the children and significant others were present and my friend and her husband stood with our family.

A year ago today- June 13

Eating breakfast together.......










Oh, Sunday was my favorite day of the week while staying in Ecuador.
I have to tell you that each week was a new adventure. Marco was off work and we all loaded up in Sylvias truck and had such a grand time together!Today we made a huge circle....Otavalo- big market, Cotapaxi- looking in stores at the leather goods, Ibarra for Helado (ice cream). Much eating was done. At home we attend church every Sunday. We tried really hard to make it to church a few times but it never happened, its odd when you consider what a huge role it plays in our life at home.
Each morning little G has such a good time playing in the bath. We purchased a big green laundry tub at Megapica to put in the shower for G to bathe in each day. She LOVED splashing and I enjoyed lathering her up with sweet smelling soaps.

This evening after our travels she watched her signing time videos and then we went down to eat a sort of oatmeal drink. Its served warm. Whole milk and the oatmeal pureed with cinnamon.
Little G drank more than I did.
Its something I miss and need to learn how to make......



Just in case you were wondering....
this is what weve been up to.
Little G was terrified of the pool in Ecuador.
We are hoping by the end of the summer she will be comfortable in the water
Maybe even swimming????
Son has a pool at his apartments so we were there to swim with him and his fiance twice over the weekend.
like usual I am behind the camera and not in any of the photos.
But I know you dont come over here to see me!

June 12 2010 and 2011

I hope my sweet readers have been enjoying this look at a year ago with me. Its really been sweet to reminisce
The day started with Marco playing "Aserin Aserran" with Marco
Then a trip to the Market.
This is where our host purchased the fruits and Veggies for the week.
My eyes couldnt get enough of the colors.











A snack.... fried pork, something like hominy and corn. Yummy!



The next adventure was a trip out for lunch.
The food was incredible.
Typical Ecuadorian foods.
And coke in bottles- make sure to use a straw!!!


Then sweet little G had a nap.


Today.......
infant Dedication/ baptism.
All my senses were in overload.
All my children and significant others were there.
Something I never take for granted.
Special friends and family.
Little G did well.
She enjoyed the noise her shoes made on the platform
I knelt down to gently help her quiet down some.
I will never forget her leaning over
kissing me twice
right on the lips.
I am so so blessed.
Im hoping someone else got some good photos.(I will post when I get them)
Heres a glimpse from my camera.



Under His wings,
Anna




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