Mason & Kenzie came for a visit, and the four cousins went to open swim at the PHS pool (one of Daniel & David’s favorite activities this summer). Sary-Jo was there, with the camera of course, and got some good pictures and video. We selected the best pictures and edited the video down to provide just a sampling. Click on the picture above to see more, and watch the video below.
We returned from our vacation to Phoenix and Disneyland on July 3rd, so we weren’t really ready for a “big” 4th of July. We didn’t make it out to our friends’ home on Lake Tapps, as we typically do. Instead, we stayed home and had a relatively peaceful celebration of our wonderful country’s independence. The boys spent a good portion of the day playing with their new remote-control cars, courtesy of Sarah and Kyle.
That night, we spent time with our neighbors. They had enough explosives to defeat the British again, so we enjoyed the show. Here are a few pictures.
After our trip to Phoenix, we went to Disneyland for four days. It was so good to spend time with all of us together: Kyle & Sarah, with their exchange student Diana, and Ryan & Janel. Daniel & David got a bit of bonding time with the rest of the family. And, of course, it was Disneyland so you know we had to have a good time!
As far as the rides are concerned, Daniel is always ready and eager to head to the biggest, the fastest and the scariest! David takes a bit of time to warm up to some of the rides, but then he jumps right on board as well. At times, the stimulus-overload introduced some challenges as the whole experience can be a bit overwhelming. Keep in mind that these boys are less than two years removed from their situation in Ethiopia. But, all in all, we had a great time.
Click the photo above to see some of the favorites from our cameras. Click the one below to see the photos taken by Disney photographers on Photopass.
Daniel & Randy
The weather this year has been somewhat short (as in, the opposite) of fantastic. However, we finally got a beautiful weekend so we decided to spend some time at Point Defiance / Owen Beach. We rented a kayak and both Daniel and David enjoyed it quite a bit. David went swimming in Puget Sound and personally discovered that the temperature in this deep, ocean-fed body of water stays in the low 50’s year-round! Click on the picture above to see more, and enjoy the brief video.
Sary-Jo & the boys met up with a good friend from school and his mom (also a teacher at their school) at Wild Waves water park. It was a beautiful day to be at the water park and they had a great time. Click the picture to see more.
Sary-Jo’s mom, Sary, recently had a birthday. Her four kids, and their families, planned a surprise party for her in Phoenix. Preparations took place over several months, with invitations going out to anyone we could locate (sorry if we missed you) without tipping the surprise. Guests arrived from several states and Puerto Rico. We gathered at the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale and enjoyed time visiting and playing in the pool. Sary was floored as people arrived over the course of a couple days – and she still had no idea about the party. The party itself was held at a fascinating place called the Boulder House, which is a large house built right into the existing boulders in the desert just on the edge of Scottsdale. Dinner was amazing, thanks to Kerry’s brother the chef. The best part was all the friends and family that came in to make this special for Sary.
Click the picture above to see the pictures from the party. Click the picture below to see our other Phoenix pictures.
Our agency (Adoption Ministry of YWAM) has blessed us by keeping in touch with Daniel and David’s older sister, Tigist. They have helped her with medical care when she needed it, and they made sure she got some schooling – she will graduate as a hairstylist this August. We are so happy that they are able to help her in real ways. That’s one of the many things we appreciate about the agency.
On top of all that, we are able to send updates of our family. We hope and pray that being able to see the boys’ progress is an encouragement to her. She did her best to look after them when they were younger (she was probably about 11 when she became head of household), and we know she cares deeply for them. Recently, we sent some letters and pictures with Joy. When Joy returned from Ethiopia she shared pictures that were taken as Tigist read the letters (with translator) and looked at the pictures. These brought smiles to our faces and we think you’ll enjoy them too.
We’ve long known that Daniel and David are extremely athletic. They took on basketball and baseball this year, and they both excelled (to put it mildly) against other kids, many of whom have played the games before. They also had a season of soccer, experiencing their first team and season in a sport they have loved since a very young age. They are stars in that sport and they enjoy working hard to remain that way. This Spring we had an opportunity to see them compete in track and field, and it too was an eye-opener for us.
Daniel, especially, was able to demonstrate his ability. As a 4th grader, he was able to compete in the Puyallup School District’s elementary track meet (open to 4th grade and up). His coach placed him in the 800 meter, the 4×100 relay, and the softball throw. The 800 meter run was an amazing event – there was a mass of humanity at the starting line (probably 60 to 70 kids) and Daniel got tripped up – twice. He went down briefly and then came up limping and in last place. After a few steps limping, he got moving to try to make up his 100+ meter deficit. Watch this (somewhat shaky) video as he proceeds to pass almost everybody in the remaining 700 meters. He finishes in 2nd place!
The next week, both boys competed in the local Hershey Invitational meet. This meet allows kids to compete, by age group, with other athletes for an opportunity (top 2 in each event) to advance to the state meet. Winners from state then have their times compared to the winners from other states to see who advances to the Nationals in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This attracts the most talented runners across the nation.
David competed in the 400 and the 200 meter runs, finishing 3rd in each. He was in the 9-10 age category because he turns 9 this October. We have video of the 4oo meter (below). He ran a good race and I think the top 4 times of the meet were in his heat, so his third place finish held up. Unfortunately, this did not qualify him for state.
Daniel ran the 800 and the 200 in the 11-12 age group. We did not realize that those events are back-to-back, since very few athletes attempt the two, very different, races. He did well in the 800, finishing 2nd and qualifying for state – watch the video below. But he was out of gas for the 200 and finished in the middle of the pack.
In the Hershey state-meet, Daniel ran into a bit of trouble at the start. There were two slower runners than unintentionally boxed him in. By the time he broke free, he was well back of the leaders, and his third-place finish is quite impressive! The video is here.
What a year it was! Daniel and David each had an excellent school year, with Daniel in 4th grade and David in 2nd. The growth, academically and socially, was phenomenal and they both seemed to enjoy themselves quite a bit.
By the end of the year, they had each tested out of ELL (English Language Learners), meaning that their proficiency in English is no longer a barrier to learning other material. Completing this program in less than two years is almost unprecedented!
Academically, Daniel is approaching – or at – grade level in nearly all subjects. Considering he started school in the middle of 3rd grade, this is quite an achievement. We expect him to continue to make steady progress toward the goal of “catching up” by high school. He seems ahead of schedule, and he pushes himself appropriately. We’re thrilled with his growth. David, having started in 1st grade, had much less catching up to do. He is at or above grade level on every single line item on the report card! Both of these boys are incredibly intelligent, and they are motivated to make the best use of their God-given abilities. We are simultaneously proud and humbled.
In Accelerated Reader (AR), David was in the 20 point club. To earn points, kids read books at their level and then take a test to prove comprehension. We are very proud of David. Daniel read the books, but chose not to take the tests; we’re hoping he will take the tests next year.
Socially, they fit in quite well. Perhaps “fit in” understates things a bit because they are quite popular. David is much more outgoing and it seems that everyone in the school (K-6 plus staff) considers him their friend. He gets hellos throughout the halls. Daniel is much more reserved and doesn’t realize how popular he really is. He has a great heart and tremendous smile that draws others to him. He enjoys other people but seems a bit tentative and is reluctant to form strong bonds. This will take time and healing.
Athletically, they are amazing. We’ve posted a bit about baseball and basketball, and I think everybody is aware of their love (& skill) at soccer, but we haven’t yet written about their running talents. Expect another post soon that details success on the track – I’m running out of adjectives!
We’re looking forward to a great summer (it started with a vacation to Phoenix and to Disneyland – more on that later) and then jumping into 5th and 3rd grades. These kids are doing very well.
On May 21, we went to see the Tacoma Rainiers in the newly-remodeled Cheney Stadium. The ballpark is beautiful and all seats give a great view. It’s so much fun to be close to the action, and it was great to see Daniel and David experience a different kind of excitement than at a Major League game (which we also love). Click on the picture to see a few more.
