S to the Power Of Six!!!

Happy Holidays......

First of all, we have got to be the absolute worst people at making, writing and sending out Christmas Cards. I would like to take this opportunity to say, sorry about that. Anyway, this one way to make sure everyone knows what has been going on over the last year in our super busy, sometimes crazy, household.

First up, what can we say about Sawyer, Saxton and Saffi beside how good these kids look in pictures? They are just as good, most of the time, in person too. It has been a very busy year for all three of them.

This past year, we have seen a tremendous amount of improvement in Sawyer's behavior growth. For instance, last year at this time, he was not saying a word. Due to the fact that he has been in intensive speech therapy four times a week, he now can say over 40 words, consistently. This is huge for us. He can now call us Mommy and Daddy and tell us what he wants, verbally. He still will use his speaking device, but only if he is not getting his point across with his words. We are loving hearing his sweet little voice on a daily basis. It is sweet music to our ears.

Saxton has also been doing really well in school. His teachers have been really impressed with his imagination and drawing skills. Almost everyday he comes home from school with a new picture of his family. Of course he will tell us who is who in the pictures because sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between the dogs and us. One of his favorite things to do is follow Saffi around. He will follow her from room to room and try to do everything she does. It can be really cute, sometimes. Health wise, he will have tubes put in his ears , for the forth time, on January 5th. Wish him luck!!
We have seen an unbelievable amount of progress with Saffi since coming home Thanksgiving of 2008. Everyone who has just met her always asks when did we bring her home. When we say, "just over a year ago," they take a step back in amazement. She is speaking fluent and correct English with very little problems. We do have to give credit to her amazing teachers she has had at her school. It was really rough in the beginning when Saffi did not want to do anything they were asking. But since February, she has been making enormous amounts of improvement. She is now helping other students in her class with math and, believe it or not, language and letters. We could not see a day without her -- she is our little Angle, who some time breaks out the pitch fork and horns just to ornery.

After going through the pictures from this past year, I have found some that I did not include on the blog. I have n o idea why..., oh wait..., that's right, I barely blogged this year. Hopefully next year will be different. Anyway, here are some of those pictures:

Sawyer's 5th Birthday picture from his daycare.

We celebrated Saffi's 8th Birthday on Christmas Eve with some friends. This was the forth time she blew out the candle since missed the first three time trying to find the camera.

At the end of the school year in June, Sawyer's and Saxton's daycare have a graduation ceremony for those children who are moving into kindergarten or first grade. At the end of the ceremony, Sawyer could not resist but to go up to the graduating bear and give him a big hug. Too Cute!!! Hey Mr./Ms. Bear, watch that hand!!!

Saxton and Saffi enjoying their first cup of hot chocolate on the train ride for Sawyer's birthday.

Finally, here are a couple pictures of someone most of you have not seen. Most of you know we are in the process of adopting our forth child. Introducing Saige Xue Lian.

Saige was born with tibial hemimelia and a missing digit on her right hand. Otherwise she is in perfect health. When she gets home, we will take her to Baltimore to see one of the leading doctors who specializes in limb differences, specifically, differences in the legs. We have already received her X-Rays and have sent them to this doctor who seems to be pretty optimistic about her treatment. This treatment could range from leg lengthening procedures to double amputation and prosthetics. But, of course, he will not know for sure until he sees her in person.

What makes this adoption even more special, she is from the same area as where Sawyer is from. She is currently in a foster village outside of Kunming, Yunnan, China. We can not wait to bring this little bundle of joy home in 2010.

We hope you all have had a wonderful Holiday Season and have a safe and Happy New Year.

Scott, Shelby, Sawyer, Saxton, Saffi and soon Saige.