SNYDER

This caricature was shower gift from Amber's friend Jessica.  The artist is Jessica's broter, Aaron Philby.  For those of you who expressed interest in having a picture done, here is Aaron's info:  aaronphilby.blogspot.com (aphilby@gmail.com)

Easter Sunday

Snyder is BACK!

Sorry it has been so long, but here are some recent pictures of Snyder.  Everything is going great!

SNYDER NEWLOVE

more pictures...

Everything is going great.  We are all adjusting very well.  Snyder seems to be settling in.

pictures

He was having fun in the snow until Beanie took his glove!

Playing with Grandma

Snow day

Snyder had his first day in the snow on Saturday, but he wasn't too sure of the white stuff getting on him.  He lasted about 30 minutes though as I shoveled the driveway.  The rest of the day we played inside, as the Vermillions boys came over to visit.  The most popular toy was an empty box.

a couple firsts

Snyder had a couple firsts today as shown in the pictures.  He went shopping with mom in the morning and Friday night he stayed with his cousins while we went to the basketball game and got to go to the barn and see some baby lambs.  He had a great day.

generous friends and family

Arlington Girls Basketball Team

Well on Wednesday night my girls basketball team had a party for me, Amber and most importantly Snyder.  We had pizza and cookies.  The girls got Snyder some awesome clothes and some toys for the tub.  It was very cool.  He wore his new Nike tee shirt to the game tonight.  Then today my co-workers gave us some books to read to Snyder, as well as a very generous gift card to Toys R Us.  Everyone has been so amazing with all of this, other friends have dropped off gifts throughout the week.  It is such a blessing to have good friends and family.  Our thank you list keeps growing and growing.  We appreciate all of you very much.

pictures

Tonight I'm just going to post some pictures.  Today was a great day.  Snyder was in a good mood all day and is having fun.

Snyder's first Sunday in Church




 










Grandpa & Snyder playing















Mommy & Snyder watching a movie

Snyder & his oldest cousin Griffin

Toys

Amber and Snyder had a great day today.  He is learning so much, so quick, and he is starting to know different people by name.  Also, his room is starting to get quite the collection of toys as you can see in the picture.

new week

Well, unfortunately I had to go back to work today, so I missed out on a lot of the fun at home.  Amber gets 6 weeks off work though so her and Snyder hung out all day.  He is definitely active!  He seems to be doing much better eating our food, and we are working on his English.  Amber and I have learned a few common Creole terms too, like rete (stop) and monje (food).  He really does seem to understand what we say in English...though that doesn't mean he always listens, but he seems to understand.

sorry, Amber made me post this...

Quiet day

On Saturday we finally had a much needed quiet day.  A few of his cousins came over to play and he got some new toys, but Snyder never left the house.  Everything is going good.  He loves to eat bread and fruit right now, but not a whole lot else.  He eats a lot of that though.  Snyder sings one song all the time that we have no idea what he is saying, but it is pretty cute.  He also loves to help out around the house and put things away.  And after a few days of hesitation...he and Beanie (our dog) are now buddies.  Tomorrow we'll try church for the first time, we're not sure how he'll be, but we're anxious to be in church.

First Basketball Game

Snyder went to his first basketball game tonight at home vs. McComb and he saw an Arlington victory and got to finally meet his aunt Tara who had been on a trip.  After the game Snyder came in the lockerroom and hit the rock with all the girls.

Day 2

All is well at home with Snyder.  There's a lot of things we probably aren't prepared for and all the attention has certaintly been one of them.  The Courier was here yesterday, the Kenton Times called and now today WLIO news out of Lima is coming.  We don't love the attention, but hopefully our story can bring glory to God.  We are trying not to overwhelm Snyder, but we think he is used to the chaos...at the orphanage chaos was the norm.

Tonight Snyder will attend his first of many Arlington basketball games in his life, I'm sure he'll get a little bit of attention there as well.  As you can see in the picture he is a little worn out...this is actually how he was sleeping on the floor this morning.

Psalm 91:15-16  - They will call to me, and I will answer them.  I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them.  I will give them a long, full life, and they wil see how I can save.

busy day...

Today was a great day, but very busy for Snyder. He got to spend time with his grandparents, aunts, and cousins...and he seemed to enjoy the chaos of all the boys.

Amber took him to the doctor for a checkup which went well, except for the shot. Snyder was a little apprehensive with his first bath in the tub, but once he got used to it he was dumping water over his own head.

Sound asleep by 8:00 PM...could mean an early morning, but who cares!

1st day at home

Snyder slept great last night, didn't wake up til almost 8:00 AM. We played with him all day and he doesn't go anywhere without his teddy bear and basketball (as you can see with his nap). The Courier came today to take some pictures and after that he went down for a nap. Everything is going great...he is a little unsure of Beanie (our dog) right now, but I'm sure he'll get used to him.

We sure are happy and he seems very happy too.

Home sweet home

Amber and Snyder arrived home about 11:15 PM. Amber brought him in and gave him to me and it was awesome...he was so tired, but he has an awesome smile and giggle. As you can see in the picture though we still had some time to shoot a few baskets before bedtime. He is sound asleep now. What a day, and I can't wait til tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

Psalm 37:4-5 "Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want. Depend on the Lord; trust him and he will take care of you"

best day ever...

my girls basketball team truly made this the best day ever with our win over Riverdale tonight 60-57. Thanks girls, you're the best!

Amber said Snyder slept the whole plane ride home and now is on his way home...should be home any minute... I am soooo anxious.

Flying home...

Snyder and Amber are on their way back to Miami airport where they will be flying home this evening...plane gets into Detroit at 9:00 pm

about Snyder

I finally got to talk to Amber and I had a ton of questions.

Amber said:

• Snyder loved the teddy bear she had for him
• he was very lovable and receptive right away, I guess he let her hold him right away
• very playful
• long and has big feet (of course I'm thinking basketball)
• he devoured a piece of chicken they got for him
• Snyder is saying something, but its not English (Creole)

Snyder meets his mom!

Amber was on her way to visit Snyder with other parents and she got called back because his paperwork was done. We were the first ones to get this done. So a gentleman took Amber to see Snyder and get him. Still need to get some stuff done, but I think they both look pretty excited in this picture...we are still trying to figure out when they can get on a flight home. Hopefully tonight. PRAISE THE LORD!

visitation with kids

Amber just sent me a text saying they are getting ready to call the parents back for a visitation with the kids. So nervous...we have never seen Snyder in person before.

Amber flies to Miami

I got a call Monday at 2:00 p.m. from the orphanage director's daughter and the first thing she said was "we got a problem." but then she said everything is okay, but you or Amber need to be here in Miami because they won't release the kids to anyone but the adoptive parents. So, I got Amber a plane ticket and she flew out of Detroit at 7:30 last night and arrived in Miami at 10:30.

Once she got to Miami they told her to get to concourse F and hurry because they were leaving, so she was running across the airport. Then they bussed the parents to His House shelter where they were taking the kids for more processing. They took everyone to the shelter in some part to stay away from the media. Well, the kids arrived about midnight and most were sleeping. At 3:00 AM they decided to call it a night and nothing more would be done. So, the parents were bussed back to the hotel. Amber said she checked in at 5:00 AM and slept til 8:00 AM. Then they were leaving this morning at 9:00 to go back to the shelter. Hopefully, to finally meet Snyder. The kids especially have been through a lot the past 30 hours, not to mention the past week.