June.

I thought I was doing better at keeping up, until I saw the last post

was a month ago today. June was clearly not documented as well as I 

thought. Sorry about that.

Life at En Gedi has been busy but so blessed.

 Big J continues to make positive strides

in both physical and cognitive development.

He still doesn't talk, and has very few letter 

sounds/ words, but he continues to develop new

words via sign and uses that to communicate.

 When Neiah is home these two are

best buds (if Neiah doesn't lose 

patience with his wanting to do every

thing she does:). She always asks to 

dress him so they can match the days she is home.

 This guy loves to be outside or on the 

porch, and is daily learning as he takes

things up to put in his box... then carries it

around, sets it down, and takes out whatever

it was he puts in his box. This is repeated for

long lengths of time.

 This girl is growing and learning so quickly.

She is now moving at a very quick 'scoot' along

the ground, and has learned to sit up, and lay back down.

She is very proud of this new 'trick' and does it over and over.

Praise Jesus food has been started, and she loves it. She is finally

gaining weight at at 7 months she has moved out of size 1 diapers

and 0-3 month clothes!

 Neiah continues to take her responsibility

of nightly devotions with Big J very seriously.

Even if she is 'grounded' for the night for bad 

behavior she asks to come out to do devotions with

him before bed.

 Last week Tuesday we welcomed little D. to En Gedi

She is one month new. We picked her up from the hospital,

(where she has been since birth) and took her right to court.

The court then placed her with us for the next month.

This court visit was hard. I was able to visit with the birth

mom a few mins. after court and the mom just cried and 

cried as she held little D. She seems to be fighting for

little D and my prayer is that the bio mom can get

everything in order so July 16 (little D's next court date)

little D can go back with family. Prayers appreciated.

 This girl LOVES to be held, and quickly lets you know

she is not happy if you try to set her down.

But I can't blame her after she laid in a hospital bed for a

month. So we take her up and love her to the best of our 

abilities. ( Praise Jesus for Moby Wraps and other baby

carriers that make it possible to 'hold' her and still

give us use of our hands.)

 We love seeing this gummy smile but are so ready 

to see the bottom teeth pop through. They have been

'growing' for what seems a very long time.

 Little D is so strong at just a month old. She is able

to push herself so high that we often come back 

and find that she has rolled over on her back.

We also learned she can't be left alone on the boppy

or she uses her strong legs to push her over and ends

up on her head.

 Over the last month we have had some 

work done in the back yard. We added a 'garden' 

shed to clear out the garage of all the extras that

have accumulated (mowers, weed wackers, wheelbarrow

ect.) this will help in cutting down on the obstacle course that

we now have to work through to get babies in and out of the car.

Jacob loves to sit and watch the workers, and now signs "work"

to me when I check in to see if he is ready to come out of his chair, or

continue to watch them work:)

We are all ready and very excited (It should be finished

today or early next week) about this new outdoor play place

for the babies to play. And just in time for summer vacation, and

getting the pool set up for the littles to splash in (without fear of the 

dog trying to join in or pop the pool:)

Thanks for all the prayers, love and support.

Blessings