July Progress Report

We received Ranjit’s progress report for this quarter yesterday and it was SO FUN to see his little face (although the stinker does not like to smile for pictures) and hear how well he is doing.  We knew that he is tiny but I guess I didn’t realize how tiny.  He is currently 3’7″ and weigh 39 lbs!  I know that Indian people are on the smaller scale anyway and then kids from an orphanage are smaller as well but WOW!  Jackson is a whole head taller and weighs about 15 lbs more and he’s a year younger.  That could have something to do with Jackson’s strong Dutch genes but it really does make me wonder if they have his age correct.  Time will tell I guess.

The report says he has improved a lot and is showing progress.  He’s left handed (like his momma :) ) and can speak a few two word English sentences like “give me.”  He knows the English names of month, year, vegetables, fruits, animals and is starting to recognize some English letters and is learning to write them.  His speech is sometimes unclear but there are so many variables with that it will just take time to see if there are real deficits.  The language barrier and his hearing problems could be HUGE factors.  He is easily distracted but is categorized as being mature and helpful when dealing with younger children and especially other children with special needs.  He can count up to 20 and write his numbers as well.  It also says he’s been enjoying some summer outings and activities.  This orphanage is so great about helping the child prepare as much as possible.  They take them out so they can try to minimize shock when they leave with us.

I have been obsessively checking my email and my phone just hoping for some news on the court date.  When I got the progress report yesterday I gave myself permission to use that as an excuse to respond and ask what’s up and Holt said they haven’t heard anything yet.  It’s possible there’s not even a judge yet.  I want to meet my son so bad!!  I want to hug him and hold him and am so jealous of my friends who have been there and been able to do that already.  We’re looking at airfare and hotels and drivers and dreaming of the day (hopefully soon) that we can get things moving for travel.

Please continue to pray with us about whether or not to bring Jackson and Emma with us.  We will have to decide soon because even if they don’t come on the first trip, we will need to apply for tourist visas and if we’re doing that for Jack and I then we should just go ahead with ones for the kids too.  I think we are leaning toward taking them but know how expensive that will get.  Can you put a price tag on attachment and understanding for siblings?  This could be a once in a lifetime experience for them to understand their brother’s heritage.  Ugh, I just don’t know.  Please keep us in your prayers for that and also for the courts to get a new judge quickly, that he’d be adoption friendly and that we can hear something soon.

Thanks!!