Six years and counting

It's been a long time between posting and so many milestones have been met.  It's hard to believe that it's only been six years since we traveled to meet our youngest children.  Marin and Tristan have grown so much and in so many ways over the past number of years.

Marin, still that ball of light and excitement, is now 8 years old.  She's preparing to enter the 3rd grade and is excited and nervous at the same time.  She is adventurous, playful, kind and generous and still has a smile that lights up a room.  She is  a caretaker and comedian rolled into one petite package. 

In 2015 she blew through her tibia lengthening like a champ and worked her way through a couple of different prosthesis.  In 2016 she needed hip reconstruction and in usual Marin fare, came through with flying colors.  She's been happy and relived to not need any surgeries since her hip but will require a significant one, where both her tibia and femur will need to be lengthened simultaneously in 2019.

This little lady has given dance, baseball and soccer a go.  She loves to travel with the family and especially loves Disney (like the rest of her clan).  You can find her outside most days, running around the yard with her siblings and neighborhood buddies. 

Tristan is still that quiet and reserved little man who recently celebrated his 9th birthday.  When it comes to mom, he's still game for a lot of snuggling and kisses, which I happily take in.  He'll be moving into the 4th grade this year and his first chance at switching classes during the day.  He's a little nervous about getting to the right place at the right time, but once he gets his routine down, he'll be a pro!  He really enjoys school and the structure it provides him.  He loves to learn and has a penchant toward math. 

He played travel soccer, is a Cub Scout and is on the same baseball team as his brother and sister.  He's a gamer and will use his screen time to take in a game or two or watch videos of pets.  He's a definite lover of all creatures, big and small, and hopes to be a veterinarian when he's grown. 

They have brought so much joy, excitement and love to our family.  They were the missing pieces, we didn't know we needed to round out family of 8.  We enjoy watching them grown, learn and thrive and the gift it is to be witness to all that. 

Until the next time...