One Day at a Time

Each day is more challenging (and fun) than the day before. As Amber mentioned in a previous post, our dilemmas are because of all three at the same place at the same time. We just have to learn the best methods for three kids within 16 months of each other.

I took Matthew and Patrick to my wrestling practice the other day and they had a blast. Since Matt is a little guy and Pat is pretty big, I believe that I am preparing my future super light weight (103 lbs.) and heavyweight (216+ lbs.) by taking them with me.

Matthew...he is doing VERY well. His english is growing by the minute (thank you Sponge Bob). On the flip side, he is frightened of ANYONE who speaks spanish to him. Every time someone tries to talk to him in his original language he cries, runs away, and says, " no quiero Guate" (translation: I don't want Guatemala).


Hugs,

Todd

We are learning day by day

Well, we have been home with Matthew for one week now. He is doing quite well. He has no trouble sleeping and has a hearty appetite. Every day is a new adventure. The honeymoon is over now and now the kids are fighting.
Matthew is learning new english words all the time. Sometimes he says "it's okay!". He knows his numbers to 20 and his colors. He will speak in spanish sentences but use one random english word in the sentence. Today he told me the trees were "mucho yellow". He says please and thank you. He seems to understand some of the things I say. We fight about clothing all the time. He never wants to wear what I pick out. He rattles off in spanish and I just tell him no..you are wearing this! We have small struggles and most involve the language barrier. Things are going well. The major problems I am having at this time are not because of Matthew, but because of the combination of the 3 children. They are a handful as a group!
Today I took him to Walmart. He has never seen such a place. He seemed mezmerized by all the STUFF! Next week he will start school, but he keeps telling me NO ESCUELA. Again, yes you are going to school!
I have seen a change in Matthew. He seems very happy here. I have never seen him smile and laugh so much. We put him on a bike with training wheels and he wasn't sure what to do. He had never seen a bike before. He loves it and is doing very well with it.
He loves to take baths now. It used to be "all business" in the tub, but now he sees the other kids play toys and put bubbles in the tub and he loves it.
Last night was the first night he came into our room crying. He must have had a bad dream. He kept saying (in spanish) he didn't want to go to "Guate" (I think this means Guatemala city). Todd asked him if he wanted to stay with Papi forever and he said "SI".

Nieve!!!!!!!

Nieve....it's snowing in Northwest Indiana. Matthew is beyond excited.

Just thought I'd add that...what fun!!

Finally Home

The flight home....

Finally Home...

The Embassy: The Embassy appointment was as smooth as silk. We were there for a total of an hour and 45 minutes. The infamous interview portion lasted about 2 minutes...all that worry and lack of sleep for nothing.

The journey home: We left Guatemala City at 7:30am and arrived in Houston at 10:15. We had the dreaded customs interview, which was a piece of cake, followed by a 3-hour layover. From there we left for Chicago and landed at 5:15pm. Then, we loaded up in the van and started for home. We had a brief stop over at Ninnie & Papa's house (my parents) to pick up Patrick and Jillian. We walked in our front door at 8:51pm.

The kids: The cutest thing EVER....when we got home, all three kids looked like they have always been together. Matthew, speaking only spanish and Pat & Jill, speaking only english, somehow held entire conversations and understood one another. As I sit here typing this blog entry, Patrick and Matthew are playing with their cars and talking to each other. I don't know how, but they are communicating.

We will have an open house sometime soon but we want Matthew to adjust to his HUGE change first. If anyone would like to come by in the mean time, please feel free to stop in.

Paz,
Todd

We're Home!!!!

I just wanted to post that we are home!!!!! Everyone is well!

I have so much to share but there is a pillow with my name on it. I'll update the blog tomorrow.

XXXOOO.....

Todd

We have made it to Guatemala!

We arrived safely to Guatemala City yesterday after a long trip, where Todd and I didn't sleep the day before. We totally crashed last night!
We picked up Matthew yesterday from the orphanage and it was bittersweet. Matthew cried when he hugged his friends goodbye. Then I cried because it broke my heart to see his sadness. I can't imagine how it must feel to have your entire life change like this. He was fine once we arrived to the hotel. We took him to eat...and he can really eat! I don't know how he is so little with the appetite he has. Yes, he will fit in great with the Adamczyks!!
Matthew is doing very well. We have been explaining to him in very broken spanish/words about how is life will be different. He now has mommy, daddy, Patrick, Jillian, a whole family. The adjustment will be hard, as he is not familiar with how to function in a family. He is a great little boy, but he doesn't like hugs and kisses. We do it anyway though, because that's "how we roll" in this family.

:)
Amber

Going to Guatemala

We will be leaving for our trip on Saturday the 15th. We will be back on Wednesday the 19th. They have a computer room at the hotel and we will update the blog while we are there.

Also, our flight comes in at 5:19pm at O'Hare and we should be home around 8pm on Wednesday. Please feel free to call us. Don't feel like you would be a bother if you rang the phone.

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. God is good!!!!!

Paz,
Todd

P I N K

PINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our appointment is November 17th!!

Matthew is coming home!!

Praise God from whom all belssings flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise him above ye Heavenly host.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

AMEN!!!!