Adoption Update!

Hi everyone!! This past month has been completely amazing!! We got to witness our two sons with one personality upon arrival and today they are utterly different boys... and it's only been 7 weeks since their arrival!!


When we first met Ryan he was fearful of what it meant to be a part of our family. Ryan would throw temper tempers so loud that you could hear him from a mile away...I'm sure of it! He also would distance himself from us out of fear of what life held next. He was unsure, broken, hurt, and felt unloved from being in the orphanage. However today he has dramatically changed! With being in a home full of love, he now no longer feels the need to throw those temper tantrums but instead when he gets in trouble he runs with open arms to his mom and dad and embraces us for a hug! He is glued at my hip and for at least half the day he maintains a smile on his face and believe me when I say, that his smile can change the mood of a crowd! It's contagious and will grab the heart of any onlooker! At least twice a day he asks to be tickled...it's his favorite activity! And I don't believe he has ever laughed that much in his life. He just loves it...as do we!! Every morning when he wakes up he leaps into our bed and gives us 'that' smile! His eyes gloss over with as if to say "this is the happiest day ever!" There is so much love and excitement in him, it's heartwarming!! He is one happy little boy, not as broken, not as hurt, and not as sad as he once was. He is full of love and joy!


When we first met Shane he was crying out for attention with his actions and very lost in thought. He was sad, hurt and broken from his time in the orphanage. However seven weeks later he has reached mile stones!! He no longer cries out for attention with his actions but instead his personality has been shinning through like never before! One of his favorite activities is repeating daddies words. Darryl will say some funny slogan and Shane repeats it. He will giggle and laugh for at least half an hour and repeat the slogan throughout the day. He also loves to ride in the car. As we drive he yells mommy, daddy, and of course we respond, but he just laughs and giggles. One of the most precious things is does is every time he gets a 'bobo' he asks mommy and daddy to pray for him!! It is a beautiful thing! He too is glued at my hip and becomes so heartbroken every time we leave the room. He loves to cuddle with us when it's bedtime and wants us at his side. It just melts my heart! There is much love and excitement in him. He to is not so broken, not so hurt, and not as sad as he once was. He is loved!

Speaking of a life changing moment. This reminds me of what God has done for me. I was once broken, hurt, sad and bound in my sin; but God changed all of that in me! He brought me from darkness into his marvelous light!! Jesus is the true light, sent from the Father, that we might have spiritual enlightenment. He is the morning star, who has come: "To give light to those who sit in darkness... to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79).

As for the girls they are doing very well also!! Tessa loves to push her brothers around in the stroller and to read to the boys. Ayva would sing and dance to her brothers for hours if she could. Both of the girls are bonding well and just enjoying their time together.

As for us... well we are doing good also. At first it was a little hard because of various obstacles, but with time things have gotten so much better. We are still in awe with what the Lord is doing and in Love all over again!! Our boys and girls all bring such joy and happiness into our lives and our family just would not be complete without them in it!! Love is pouring out from both Darryl and I and there is no way to stop the flow!! It's a wonderful thing!!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate." Psalms 127:3-5 ESV

Breaking the Language Barrier...

As for the language barrier, the boys are picking up some English already!! Little Ryan has managed to teach himself the alphabet!! Yes I did say that right!! We have a toy that plays the alphabet song and today he can sing the entire song to you!! It's AMAZING! He is very smart and I am convinced he can learn anything through song!! (Which will help a great deal when we homeschool). He not only learned the alphabet, but also the days of the week, and twinkle-twinkle, little star, all because he heard the songs play a few times!! Its great!! As for Shane he also is very smart and has also learned parts of the alphabet as well. His new favorite word is,"pizza, pizza!" (thanks to a friend of ours...wink, wink). He can repeat almost any word we say and loves to make up his own words for things.

Will you Pray for us?

One thing we would love to ask of you, is for prayer for Shane, he is doing so much better than before, but we still struggle with trying to get him to eat. He is not eating enough for his size. He is very underweight and undersize. So please pray that God would intervene. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Other than that, we are still adjusting. So please continue to pray for our family as we get adjusted. We firmly believe in the power of prayer and would Love it if you prayed for us! As James 5:16 puts it, "..the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective!" So thank you in advance for your prayers!

"He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and the lives of the needy he will save." Psalm 72:13

Thank You,
The Hill Family