With a Little Help From Our Friends

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. --Richard Bach

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, an success achieved.
--Helen Keller

Days 17 & 18
As some may have noticed, we sometimes get our spirits down a little and it shows in our posts. Yesterday I got kinda bummed talking and thinking about the process and the wait. However, as it always goes we have our "ups" with our "downs."
We learned that Anna is very close to finishing her process so we asked her to join us for dinner somewhere. The Spainish couple (Carlos and Coral) also joined us at the pizza place that none of the three had been to yet. With all the English/Spanish/Russian speaking and us communicating with the staff, we had a great time. Carlos is especially very animated and not afraid to embarrass himself. We had invited the couple from Israel but "hello" the whole "can't eat any foods made with animal products" belief came into play. Our family has been spending more time with their families in the gym recently also. Everyone is comfortable and we share many things from our cultures with one another. It is a very broadening experience. To recap...Carlos and Coral from Spain adopting Olivia, Anna from Peru adopting crazy Victor, and Michael and Judith from Israel adopting Elielle(spelling?). All of whom speak really good English...the universal language between us all. BTW Kay and Mom...Anna is a Spanish/French translator. Interesting tidbit.
Then, I get back on here and reread some comments and read the new ones and "BAM" I'm back in great spirits regardless that little has changed...except the weather. Cloudy and drizzly once again. I won't trade it for tornadoes however.
I say things like this all the time..."You always have a greater appreciation for the good things in life when you experience the bad." Like waiting 6 years to beat t.u.(WHOOP!), 3 years to finish P.T. school, or 4-6 weeks to be blessed with a son! I have to believe that Boston Red Sox fans have more appreciation for their '05 world series championship than any other fans do for theirs. OK, off of sports.
Preserverance and endurance?.....most definitely! I love those attributes and to hear someone(Kate) say we are examples of those it makes me feel very appreciative and blessed that God is using us in this way. We keep patience and belief in God using Olga and tinkering the powers that be, and we will be fine. We have court Thursday at 9 a.m. and are getting other appointments lined up for afterwards. After Thursday we will switch our departure dates and purchase a ticket for Lance. We will have a clearer picture of "WHEN" after court!
Yesterday was a good day for Lance. Tantrums have subsided and his naps are coming earlier in the day. Maybe getting into a routine?...or Karen has the magic touch! Either way I'm good with it. To clear the waters (something I'm not use to doing...;)Unc) Lance has been fed warm soup-type dishes his whole life. When we fed him room temperature and cold foods he accepted them well. Then we had a warm dish and cold dish together and that is when things went bad. Guess he had a flashback and panicked. All is well now however. He likes all temperatures. Textures and tastes are the issues and will continue to be, probably. We are still working on sounds and still swinging. As always, thanks for the encouragement. Till next time.

Oh, Susan, thanks for the extra nudge in the direction of exercise. I think it was enough to send me into a "I HAVE to do something!" We have run the last two days and plan on continuing. Please keep up the encouragment/motivation so that we are held accountable.

Jennifer, Lance is wearing about 18 months. Some are still a little big, but probably not for long. :o)

JM and Karen.......sorry this is a novel. Ha.