Settling in, and a bunch of "firsts"

Today's Wednesday, and we'll be attempting our second visit to church, this time for our "Hour of Power", which is a praise, worship, and prayer service at Apostles, very informal. But it will still be a first for Dub & Lena. We're still a bit overwhelmed at the attention they got on Sunday!

Well, July 4th fireworks were completely rained out, but we did get in a few other "firsts". We went to our neighborhood pool, and put D&L in a real pool for the first time. They seemed to know what it was all about, or at least they are really good at faking it. There is a small (about 10' in diameter) kiddie pool at Umit, and we were told that they let the kids swim in it during the summer, but we never got to see that. Anyway, both Lena and Dub were very comfortable in the water, and both loved "READY...JUMP!" off the side into Mama or Papa's arms. Angel got them some great floaty swimsuits. Lena's works fine, but Dub's little floats get all up in his face, so we'll try something different next time.


Does this bathing suit make me look fat?


Daddy! Get a tan!


I don't think they've ever seen such a lawn, or any other wide open space!


So, as if I were herding cats, I had to go round 'em up!


Then we went to have dinner with the Lucas family in Marietta. We went to Taco Mac, where Mama and Papa chowed on some wings and Lena & Dub chowed on their first taste of good ole American Mac&Cheese! They ate it all up, and sucked down a large glass of lemonade (another first) to boot. They crashed hard in their carseats on the way home, and slept through the night.

Tuesday was the first day of "reality": Papa back to work (albeit in the basement) and Mama taking on the 2 monkeys on her first day as a full time Mommy. There were a few incidents, but everyone came out unscathed, and both Monkeys were fast asleep a little after 9pm. We're slowly going to pull that bedtime back, but since it's summer and that's what they've been used to for all their lives, we won't worry too much about that one just yet.

I mentioned earlier that Fezzik (aka, Pie Boy) has assumed the role of "MSS", or Monkeys' Secret Service. Well, he continues to refine that role. He goes where they go. He sleeps in their room, and WILL NOT leave until they are asleep. He is their body guard. He knows their value. Fezzik is one very special dog.

Below are some more pictures from the rainy July 4th weekend. For now, please pray that we will continue to be able to communicate well with L&D, and that God would enable them to grow and thrive in our new home. God is good.

Blessings,
Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bears


The Barnetts have Monkeys too!


Not sure where D&L picked up on this little thing, but they like to make this funny face like they're going to blow their top. Odd...but that's what makes them fit so well into our home.


NayNay got Dub & Lena new hats from Guatemala. Dongo, NayNay!


Sparklers are now legal in Georgia.


You'd think they'd be scared of something other than cats...like fire, maybe...not.


Mama dressed the monkeys up all red, white, and blue for Independence Day.


When all else fails, take a long drive.


Not sure how we got this shot, but Lena somehow stopped for a photo in the middle of all the action.


A whole new generation.


Lena and Dub LOVE their new toys. So does Papa, because Lena and Dub LOVE to push their little cars up the street, then down, then up, then down, then up, then down, and then it's nap time, just like that.