Catch-Up on the Hood's

We are sitting around the table enjoying pictures of Kylie Calame and thought that we would update the blog. Kylie, Kea and Lee prayers are answered. Get some rest. The pics on the blog are great.

From Olivia: "Bad Papa, Good Mama. I like bicyle, swing, swimming, and for Papa to get a spanking. Hello to Grandmother and Fred and Sugar. Hello to Huney and PawPaw and two keiskas. Baby Kylie and two dogs. I want to play the piano.

From Christian: Big cars, airplanes, football, lion and tiger at the zoo, power rangers, karate, guitar and drums. Adding and subtracting. Space and space ships. McDonalds.

From Daniel: Mama and Papa good. Everybody I love. Fireworks, beach, and clothes. Eating . I can eat popcorn after my teeth (come in). Later explaination. I love Huney and PawPaw. Grandmother E Fred and Sugar. Nemo. Sabbasca and Aunt Kea. Thomas {the train}. Baby Kylie.I love say blessing.Mrs. Martha,Chips, and shoppin poppin. I was on TV with PaPa. Going to Papa's School and money.

From Vica: I love Papa and Mama. Mama school, mama's. 1 and 2. Samson {fake dog} Cockit (poop) in the potty. Swimming. Soapey soapey. Clothes, big girl panties.

It has been two months since the last update. Here are some of the highlights. We have been to the beach twice. The kids have been dedicated at church. We spent our first 4th of July watching fireworks and very proud to be Americans. We have had nine teeth extracted, tonsils (4) taken out, and three ears pinned back, as well as multiple testings and placements. Olivia and Christian have learned to read in English. Daniel has had staples in the back of the head after a fall. We play on the swingset and ride bicycles everyday. We have also been to the zoo and the movies for the first time.

Mama has no patience Here she is to finish my great literary work.

Hello all! We wanted to give everyone a quick update on how things have been going.

Olivia is like a different girl. She smiles and is very affectionate. She loves to shop and had made some friends in the neighborhood. She is very anxious to start school and has been working very hard on her English. Just last night, Olivia and Christian read several stories in English. It was very exciting. She has gotten her ears pierced and had her tonsils taken out this past week, as well as had some cosmetic ear work. She is a joy and has continued to change throughout the summer. She already knew how to swim and loves the swimming pool!!! She loves to dress up to go to church and works very hard to keep her room clean. She had learned to ride her bicycle and is VERY good it now!!

Christian also had his tonsils out and had both ears worked on. He looks like a different boy. He has just discovered football and had begun telling Papa that he wants to play-we'll see. He also loves to swim and is a pro at the bicycle now. His English has progressed a little slower but he can read English and sounds out words very well. All of his doctor appointments have gone well and we hope that school is a success. I think he is very anxious but will do great!! Christian loves to watch movies and has become a very affectionate child with Mama. It has taken longer with Papa. I hope that we continue to see him emerge over the next several months. He is definitley our shyest child!

Daniel-where to bgin!! Daniel is full of personality and is so much fun. He has gotten new glasses and had 9 teeth extracted. 5 were abcessed. He is like a different child now that his teeth feel better. He will be getting a bridge ont he top and bottom in 10 days. He can not wait to eat popcarn again!! He is definitely small for his age and developmentally a little behind, but we are working on things every day. He is sleeping in his bed like a big boy and VERY excited about starting school. I think that we will see huge changes in the near future. We have already had huge successes with Daniel, like pedaling a bicycle and writing with a pencil. He can also dress himself!! None of things were even a remote thought 9 weeks ago. Daniel loves to help Papa in the yard and generally loves to work. He had a wonderful imagination and has become very independent, which is also a long way from where we started.

Vica is no longer a baby! She is now a little girl! She is officially potty trained and can dress herself in the mornings. She wants to be as big as Olivia. She loves to play dress up and play in the water. She is extremely affectionate and loves to cuddle. All of her doctor appointments have been great and we have had no surprises!! We have been talking with her about starting school in a few weeks and I think she is getting used to the idea. She loves dogs and cats and we are working with her on her numbers and colors. She makes the funniest faces and is very tough. We do not have to worry about anyone running over her at school! It is them that we have to worry about!

Anyway, that is an update on the children. We are really doing great and have not had any surprises so far (knock on wood!!) The kids are wonderful when we go shopping or out to eat. I think they will love being around the other kids in school! We have had a lot going on this summer with taking four kids to multiple doctors but we have just been trying to get it out of the way.

Thank you again to everyone who had continued to check-in on us!! We are hanging in here and loving every minute of it!!! We are very lucky to have these four children. They feel like they have been ours forever. We can not even imagine life without them!!

Amanda