Letters of Luke: March 2014

To say we have gone through an adjustment phase, would be quite the understatement. Just as bringing home a newborn is a total life-changing, schedule altaring time- likewise adoption brings about the same. The newness of our family dynamic and the emotions of having a whole other little person to be fully responsible for- has brought incredible responsibility and trying times for sure. We are daily reminded or reminding one another about grace and the gospel which gives us hope in Jesus and is currently what sustains us on the hard, challenging days.

As I reflect on the past 5 months, I see so many changes and ways that Luke has begun to mesh into a true little Perry... He's silly, energetic, loves outdoors, talkative, outgoing, loves music, and extremely strong-willed... all of which describes our family!

This past month Luke:

1)Initiated kissing us for the very first time

2)Is identifying some pictures in a book when named

3)Learned to draw a circle

4)Is showing an interest, briefly, in having books read to him

5)Successfully stayed in Sunday school for the entire morning- praise be to God Craig and I were together for the entire church time, first time since Luke got home!

6)Played with sidewalk chalk

7)Is learning to say new words each week

8)Imitates most words he hears

9)Beginning to show a little interest in puzzles

10)**Recovered extremely well from his surgery

11)Is becoming extremely comfortable with his daily routine

12)Allows us to wash his hair without bad fits

13)Leaves food on his plate when he's full

14)Is showing more and more food preferences- which is good, he's not concerned about hunger anymore.

15)he continues to LOVE music

16) asking to potty- hooray

17) he has learned to say his own name

Seeing the progress both developmentally and emotionally gives us so much encouragement. To think 5 months ago, this sweet little guy wouldn't let us hardly comfort him or rock him.. and now he's extremely affectionate and seeks us out when hurt, afraid, or tired. This gives us much hope that we will continue to see him overcome so much as time goes on.

I'm reminded of a passage that has hung on Craig's mirror in our bathroom for almost two years now.

What a reminder:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV)

The eternal perspective in parenting must be our primary focus-which is the condition of our children's hearts and not their behavior. This is much easier said than carried out, for sure... but something we are working towards as parents.

HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!