The Adaptation Continues

Shen is growing rapidly and he is learning english quite well. Jodie spends a lot of time with him, teaching how to enunciate words. It warms my heart to watch her say, "look at mommy," as she teaches him to use his tongue to make a "th" sound like in the word THE. And, then the difference in a 'B' and a 'V', a 'T' and a 'D', and on and on.
Since this is one of the coldest and snowiest winters that I can ever remember in my 42 years of living in Illinois (yes, 15 in Florida), Shen is doing really well. He doesn't necessarily like to be cold but he knows that he has to "dress up" to go outside and he loves going "shopping" with mommy and/or daddy whenever possible.
He continues to be incredibly creative with his toys, making new and innovative train track designs, tinker toy creations, and lincoln log houses. We all love watching what he will do next.
Connor is growing by leaps and bounds but takes his big brother role with Shen very seriously. I know that Connor will be a great mentor to Shen when the time is appropriate; there is just so much love.
I am attaching a picture of Shen after he got dressed up one day to be a conductor for his train set. He even has all the sound effects down; likely from watching Thomas the Train Engine so much.
We pray that all of you are well.
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen

As Winter Continues.....

I have lived in Illinois most of my life but this has been one tough winter already and it's basically half over! Whew! Shen is doing great. You would never know that he has spent his previous 4 years in a climate that basically never gets below 50 degrees as the coldest temperature. He is a trooper and really keeps himself busy with puzzles, games, Public Television, and movies. His english continues to improve as well.
I am attaching a couple of pictures that clearly show his creativity. One is with his Lincoln Logs. Notice the precision in the building and how he even makes space for windows.
The other picture is of his train set. EVERY day he builds a different configuration for his trains. It is almost as if he decides, "OK, how can I top yesterday?" The picture shown took him about 15 minutes to build.
Enjoy and know that we pray for all of our friends and family!
Stay warm!
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen

Another Cold Winter Day!

Hi everyone! I am in the midst of a pretty rigourous travel schedule right now but everyone is doing well. Shen is getting much more connected to mommy and to life in our home. Jodie, Shen and Connor went to our Church Small Group meeting this past Sunday and little man apparently had a great time running around and playing with new friends.
We are having a incredibly rough winter season so far; more snow already than in past recorded years and still A LOT more of winter to go. Shen has only been sledding once but I'm sure there will be plenty more days.
Connor is doing great with his cast but obviously can't get it wet so he's careful with all the snow and ice.
I have attached a typical picture of life in our home on a weekend. Connor watches a little TV, and Shen usually gets really caught up in his train set or in other games. Notice our little black Dachshund on Connor's lap.
Love to all of you!
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen

Connor breaks his wrist

For those of you who do not know, Connor broke his wrist while snowboarding on December 31. He was taken to the emergency room and xrays were made showing a "greenstick" fracture on the radius bone in his forearm. This morning we took Connor to see an orthopedist who was great! He did a complete avaluation of Connor and then opted to cast the arm for four weeks. Connor chose "kelly green" as the color of his cast. Enjoy the pictures of the moments with Connor and Shen in the doctor's office. The first is with the splint on Connor's arm from the emergency room, then the assistant cutting off the splint and finally Connor getting the cast put on.
On other fronts, I begin traveling quite a bit so prayer is requested there. It isn't too bad but enough to make things a little rocky for Shen. Jodie is doing a wonderful job at connecting with him, but there continue to be challenges as we learn more and more about his behaviors and try to understand any pain from life in the orphanage.
Jodie is making a turn for the better as she seems to be getting a handle on her health issues. She's working out a lot and has a better outlook on where God is taking her in her life.
We hope and pray that all of you are well and that the initiation of 2009 has been a good one for you.
Love,
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen

New Year's 2009

The little man's first New Year's celebration in the U.S. went really well. Earlier in the week, Shen was tested for his hearing to see how well the tubes were working. The result was tremendous. His hearing has improved dramatically over what it was. He got fitted for special ear plugs and an ear-protection head band so we can take him swimming (not too much actual swimming, more like playing in the water) soon.
New Year's Eve was fairly uneventful but we all had a good time. Connor is with his dad on a ski trip to the Northern Peninsula of Michigan so it's just Jodie, Shen and I this week.
New Year's Eve was spent with a Steak & Lobster dinner at home (Shen had popcorn shrimp). Then, Shen took his bath with his new ear plugs, and went to bed around 8:00 pm. Jodie and I watched the ball drop in Times Square on television and then I said good-bye to 2008 and Jodie watched the fireworks in Chicago on television.
New Year's Day was spent at the fitness center and watching football. Shen is doing really well by staying in the kid's area and playing there by himself or with the other kids and caregivers. He really is doing well!
On another note, we watched some football but it was hard watching the Big Ten take it on the chin all day (except for Iowa). Anyway all is well on our end. And, we wish all of you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!
God Bless You!
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen