Time keeps ticking....
Progress has been made....
Where do I start?
Danil, my dear sweet Danil. Oh how our road travels to the most delightful places. Our detours are getting few and far between. These days, more days than not, Danil has found his cozy place. He's kind, helpful, and full of joy (and still complete randomness). Lately, he's been very eagar to please and take great joy in the peace that it brings to our home. The potholes are quick and the detours are short. He still struggles with feelings of "everyone is out to get me, surely it can't be my fault" and feelings of greif. But when I look back over the last 2 1/2 years, my heart smiles at the progress we have made.
Danil turned 8 years old in December. He's gained 11 lbs and grown 6 inches since coming home.
Thankful when he made his birthday wish, he wished it out loud. It was such a shame that he will not be getting 1,000 puppies anytime soon.
As you know, we have had lots of trouble getting Danil to eat because of control and anxiety issues. But we are making lots of progess. He ate soup for the first time (since coming home) about a week ago without one mutter of disapproval. The soup contained parsley flakes, carrots, and celery. A year ago, there would have been a total meltdown, and perhaps vomiting, had this been placed in front of him. But at this meal, he simply picked out the celery and carrots and at the parsley flakes. This was huge for Danil and huge for our family.
Danil has experienced a lot this past year.
He got nibbled on by some birds.
He milked a cow. Remember when Danil first came home and started to gain his English. One of the first questions was "Why you not have a cow?"
He found "his" sport. The first practice he walked away with a black eye but we were so proud that he stuck with it. He loves baseball and is so excited to start this next season.
He ran his first race. I was messy and colorful, just like our Danil.
He started the 2nd grade. And boy has he blown this one out of the park! The boy who came home with so many red cards in Kindergarten is now reaching the top of the behavior color chart so many times, I've lost count.
Danil, Abbey and Grant were baptized by Kevin. What an amazing moment to watch our kids outwardly express their love for Jesus.
He's sailed the ocean and swam in the carribean. He's trusted me to snorkel in water where he couldn't touch. And he's become quite the swimmer.
He got a new friend on Christmas morning from Santa. He exclaimed "Now I know Santa is real, because Mom and Dad would have never got me a giant Teddy Bear!"
And finally, He grew his 2 front teeth!!!! We were beginning to wonder if we would ever see them!
So that is our "Google Earth map" of the last year with Danil. We are so grateful that God placed him in our family. We look forward to the many road trips ahead. Even if there are still a few bumps and detours, the end destination is worth it.
We love you Danil Krulik, thank you for being a part of our journey.
Love you bunches Danil Krulik, Glad god put you in our life.
Posted by: Grandma Apple | Monday, February 17, 2014 at 09:24 AM