Gotcha Day for Iris - 4 years Later

This week, June 11, 2014 we celebrated Iris's Gotcha Day.  It is four years later and she still continues to surprise us, bless us, and love us.  She has brought unimaginable joy and love to our family.  Tonight at our celebration dinner at Schlotzsky's we played family trivia (Melissa and I ask questions about the family and the kids love guessing who we are talking about) and Iris and Owen started asking questions about when they were born.  Melissa explained how God blessed our family by taking us all the way to China to pick up two special kids to join our family.  The kids also love watching their videos and asking lots of questions about the pictures.  So as I type the family is watching the videos and asking Mom questions about each picture.  Brings back memories and reminds me how awesome adoption is!

Melissa & Iris

So now I will bring you all up to speed on the Chambers family.  School is out and we are getting into the summer routine.  Iris and Elliot are taking summer school a few days a week (Iris loves it, Elliot hates it).  Another two weeks and it will be over.  Iris is doing very well in school (her biggest challenge is just sitting still and being quite).  She will be starting 1st grade in the fall and we are hoping she can handle the work as they start a lot of reading in 1st grade.  Her challenge will be keeping up with the reading as it takes her a little longer to read and it is a lot of work for her to focus.

Owen will start pre-school this fall a few days each week.  He is truly an amazing little boy.  The medical issues seem to be behind us (other than the bills) and you would never know he ever had any issues (unless he takes his shirt off to see the scars).  Owens personality is simply awesome!  His brother and sisters all love playing with him.  Owen started ballet this spring and may be the next great performer.  Ansley takes ballet 3 days each week so Owen has spent a lot of time watching and practicing.  We asked if he wanted to take a class and he loves it!

"Big O"

Elliot is going to be in 3rd grade!  Wow, seems like yesterday he was about 2 years old.  Elliot had a little accident with a window and ended up getting 6 stitches in his hand this week.  He is so proud of his battle scar!  

Elliot

"Wounded Elliot"

Ansley is now less than a year away from being a teenager!  NO!  Ansley is such a joy and is just easy to parent.  Ansley is learning to sew (thanks Aunt Sue) and she loves it.  She has produced a pair of mittens and a shirt so far.  Santa brought Ansley a sewing machine for Christmas and loves having Aunt Sue as a teacher.

Ansley

In other big news we completed our home study a few weeks ago and are trying to come up with the money needed to send our documents to Haiti!  Yes, we are adopting again.  We are approved for a sibling group so we might be adding two more of God's children to the family.  We are going to have to also buy a bigger van!  Please pray for funds!