What a Difference a Year Makes!!!

Peter at 6 months of age

On June 7, 2008 a little boy called Man-Yu Chen, was born in Hong Kong.  He was born with an extra chromosome and therefore was placed into the system for adoption.  By the time he was 1 1/2 years old, a family half way across the globe saw his picture and heard the call from God to give him a forever home with them.  16 months later, Peter Yonah Inglin was transported by us, his forever parents, to his forever home. 

3rd Birthday in Hong Kong 6/7/11

Peter's 4th Birthday 6/7/12

Peter's 5th Birthday 6/7/13

We celebrated Peter's 3rd birthday apart because of a paperwork error.  However, his 4th birthday was celebrated with family and friends.  As I look over the pictures from that birthday to now, the phrase my mother would always say to me, "Jill, a year makes a world of difference" rolled over in my mind.  It has been a banner statement for me during the whole of our girl's home school education and in every other area of life where applicable.  Peter's 5th birthday was celebrated over the whole weekend.  Starting off with some significant Super hero time with his favorite super hero, Eliot, and ending with a birthday bash at Chic-fil-a with friends.  Saturday also was packed with fun.  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) had it's annual Rock for CHOP fundraiser, where we played for prizes and danced to live bands.  Sunday after church, we packed a picnic supper for an evening of music at Grings Mill Park.  Steven Courtney was excellent with his lively, engaging kids songs and then some blues at the amphitheater.  Lots of fun was had by all.

Last year began Peter's various therapies.  He grew slowly as he continued to trust and attach to our family.  There were God-ordained set-backs and interruption to his process.  But God provided for us a team of qualified therapists to help the process along.  They are true heroes to us.  Their expertise and attention to Peter's specific needs paid off as we headed into Pete's I.E.P. meeting 2013.  He grew in all areas, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, speech and pre-educational skills for school age.  Our team is amazing and we thank God for them in our prayers each week.

We used to call communication with Peter, Peter language.  We got it. . .but that was about it.  As he has continued to feel safer with us, he also began to want to communicate.  I believe this is one of the most critical turn of events in Peter's life and growth.  The safer our little adopted ones feel, the more secure their footing, the more they unfold to their families.  When he calls for us, he wants his Daddy and Mommy to come, not just those nice workers who feed, cloth and care for his daily needs.  Specifically us! And what a great gift that is to us.

Peter has also grown in his knowledge of Jesus.  Often, as the hustle and bustle of getting the meal on the table happens, Peter is the one extending his hands for the family prayer.  He prays in his own language, but clearly ends with, "in Jesus name, Amen."  We learned the song God Is So Good using sign and again he initiates the singing of that song.  And, the biggest praise we have is his willingness, eagerness, to enter into Sunday School.  He has friends, he completes his crafts and helps clean up the mess at the end of the time.  He even gets into trouble.  How marvelous is that!

Home school has been a real blast as Peter, Eliot and I descend the steps each morning to learn.  Many times this past school year, as I was working with Eliot on a particular concept, I would catch Peter out of the corner of my eye repeating what he heard me say to Eliot.  He has mastered all his noun flash cards, the "p" ending sound, verb cards and various other flash cards.  He recognizes his name and loves it when we sing;

"There is a boy who's awfully sweet and Peter is his name - o, P-E-T-E-R, P-E-T-E-R, P-E-T-E-R and Peter is his name - o."

He interacts with different stories as well.  Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See? by Eric Carle is one of his favorites.  By following 2 and 3 step directions, Peter has shown that he comprehends what is read by picking the correct animal from the choices given him each time.  Puzzle manipulation, matching colors, stringing beads, imitating our actions are just a few of the ways he has grown educationally.  We have also required that Peter use his words more and in doing so, his language has come along way.

We still have a long way to go, and don't we all! But Peter continues to love to learn.  Our process IS, 2 steps forward, 3 steps back and we accept that as good from God.  We learn, relearn, do and redo, all as a family.  And we realize that this year wouldn't be such a banner year if it weren't for all the folks helping to make it happen.  Thank you BCIU team, DS Support Group of Berks Co., Post Adoption Support Group of Berks Co., Inglin Family, Biblical Parenting.org, Paul David Tripp, Christ Community Church, Emily, Megan, Eliot, Daddy, Mommy, and most of all God.  You have all made a difference in our boy's life and we are eternally grateful.

Some other highlights from Peter's 5th Birthday!

Hulk Smash

Super hero Time!

Rock for CHOP Concert

Outdoor Concert