When the twins first came to the USA in late 2024 we enrolled them in kindergarten and they were NOT ready, especially Thania. Thania was born a preemie at only 1.6 lbs, so she’s 6 years old by the calender, but more similar in development to a 5 year old child.

Mary Ann and I decided to have both girls repeat kindergarten, and this summer Mary Ann worked hard to make sure the girls were farther along in terms of the the alphabet and basic reading. This past week they started kindergarten again, and they seem to be doing well.

The teachers and admin folks at the local elementary school have really been helpful with the girls, I don’t regret putting them in kindergarten 8 months ago, because it showed us what they both needed to work on in terms of their writing and ability to communicate in English.

At 6 years old both girls still need to learn more English, but after 8 months here in the USA they are getting better at communicating and expressing their needs. It also helps that they are older now, with better ability to manage their emotions.

They are happy girls, overall:

I just made that this morning, thought the music was cool.

A little background on the twins; their father died a year before I met Mary Ann. I knew when I met her that I was stepping back into a fatherhood role.

I asked God for a Christian wife and He blessed me with these precious girls ALSO.

I was NOT a perfect Dad to Claire and Grace, who are now in their 20’s. Perhaps this was my 2nd chance to do it better this time, walking in Faith, praying everyday with my daughters and being a far better example to Thania & Thalia.

God tends to over deliver, but He never gives us anything we can’t HANDLE.

In many ways I could have stayed single, with no responsibilities just living my life like many men after a divorce, maybe occasionally dating, or not. Not dating is always the simplest way to exist, really.

But God knew that I had ample room in my heart for these little girls, as well as their mother.

After our last breath we will be judged, probably by how much we LOVED others in this lifetime.

I hope y’all have a great weekend!

8/16/2025