Eliana and I tag-teamed tonight and helped Zane get through a 5-page Geography reading assignment.

When Zane came to a word he couldn’t pronounce, Eliana would read it aloud. On the few occasions that she couldn’t figure out a word, I would help. It was a great exercise for both of them.

It took us probably twice as long to finish as it should have, though, because they both would get tickled everytime Zane

mispronounced a word.

OK. I giggled a few times myself.

But Lord knows he’s had a fair share of laughs at my expense whenever I try to speak Chinese.

Green Acres is the place to be…

Zane will probably want to shoot me for posting this photo but…

I just had to show you what a massive cowlick this boy had when he got up this morning.

He’d make a peacock proud.

It had to happen sooner or later. It just happened a little sooner than I expected.

I was helping Eliana get ready for bed tonight when I asked, “Can I come and eat lunch with you tomorrow?”

“Ummm…”, she stammered.

“What? You don’t want me to come eat with you?”

“Nnnnnot really. It’s a little embarrassing.”

[sigh]

I realized just this afternoon that it was exactly 6 months ago today when Carmi and I boarded a plane with Eliana and Karys to begin the journey of bringing Zane home.

To say that Zane has made amazing progress would be an understatement.

6 months ago, he didn’t speak a word of English. Tonight, he read a sentence in front of a small crowd at church during a special recognition service for our Wednesday evening children’s mission study groups. Once we came home, he sat down with his shiny new Mac and typed out a one-page homework report telling what he did after school today.

The structure of his sentences wasn’t very good and he asked how to spell a lot of words, but he did it on his own.

He was so proud. And rightfully so. But not nearly as proud as I was of him.

Meanwhile, Eliana was in the Christmas spirit. She stuffed poor Maggie Mae and Sagwa into a Christmas elf’s hat and hauled them around like a sack of potatoes.

Once Carmi came home from work, I went outside and mowed the front yard. Even though it was cooler outside, I worked up a pretty good sweat and soaked my shirt.

Karys is just like her momma… she doesn’t want me anywhere near when I’ve been perspiring. Usually because I try to hug her.

So what did I do?

I came in the house and held out my arms to see if Karys would come to me. She reached for me and I scooped her up.

And it took all of a split-second for her to realize that I was wet. Actually less than a split-second.

You’ve heard of stiff-arming in football? She stiff-legged me and started kicking at the exact moment that she let out an ear-piercing scream.

It was funny after I caught my breath.

Both Zane and Eliana seemed to have a great first day of school.

Poor Zane. He already has homework.

Eliana? She’s just prepping for day number 2.