Home: One Year Later

December 30, 2025

I didn’t realize it’d been a full year since posting to the public-facing side of this page. So, on this day of celebrating my birthday (Michael), I take the time to celebrate the year that has been, and the “birth” of the twins into the Stewart household. We’re just passing the 9-month mark of them being home, so we’re celebrating birthdays of sorts. For so long all we could say in reference to them was “the twins,” but now are able to share so much more about them. So below, you can read about Kevin and Evelyn Stewart, two clever 4-year-olds who’ll undergo kindergarten screening soon, and embark on their first full year in America.

For all of you who’ve supported our journey to get to Hungary, and continued to support us with friendship, prayer, donations, meals, etc.—we thank you for your help and continued support in this gospel endeavor.

January–February (Hungary)

We met Kevin and Evelyn at a children’s home in January, and spent most of our time in Hungary in the western part of the country, with the exception of the final 10 days in the capital of Budapest.

Michael signing the final adoption paperwork in the city of the twins’ birth.

Kevin and Evelyn pretending to do their own office work while Mom and Dad signed papers.

Elizabeth signing the final adoption paperwork in the city of the twins’ birth.

The leaning tower of Snowman. Having some fun on a snow day our last week at our rental in rural Hungary.

40 degrees and non-waterproof wear weren’t stopping Kevin from going in… he made it knee deep before Dad called him back. Future duck hunter.

We are unintimidated. Here Evelyn is saying to the water buffalo, “Am I small?” We went to as many zoo/animal parks as we could find.

We frequent this restaurant that’s within walking distance. The name translates to something like “Outlaw Tavern.” The owner, Balosh, speaks English, which he thinks is broken, but I am delighted to hear. Took twins for the first time today (take away only… not quite ready for the sit down experience). Upon entering, he gave the twins some cookies and Michael some brandy… Michael keeps going back.

March–April

We returned home on March 1, and Kevin and Evelyn were introduced to many of things that are regular parts of our lives.

Summer (May–August)

May brought many firsts, which continued all summer.

Evelyn was the flower girl at her cousin Shauna’s wedding.

Fall (September–November)

By fall, we could see that the twins were even more assimilated than we thought they’d be at this point. While they were fluent in English by summer, by the fall, all but a few words of Hungarian had disappeared. Our big plans to meet the rest of the family in Mississippi were foiled by more sickness—we’ve learned to do the best with what comes our way.

Kevin helping landscape our front yard (lots of projects to catch up on from being gone in Hungary!)

Grave Digger and the Ballerina at Halloween.

Kevin, the lumberjack, prepping for a fire.

Introducing Kevin to the annual debacle that is the Egg Bowl.

Little did we know we’d be adding even more life this year… our dogs surprised us with 7 puppies! (we still have one left, if you want it!)

Every season means new critters to catch.

“Rolling” with our last-minute Thanksgiving adjustment.

Kevin and Evelyn have loved meeting new family. Aunt Alyson visited us for a few days in South Carolina.

December

Like everyone else, December is dominated by Christmas. We’re glad to have the chaos of little kid Christmas again. And we’re closing the year grateful for what God has done.

Evelyn and Mommy go to see the Nutcracker.

Evelyn and all her paraphernalia for seeing the ballet.

Daddy reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Getting the tree into the house is always an adventure.

We finished! (We never did find where we shoved last year’s ornaments in our haste to leave for Hungary!)

But the ones we did find were concentrated at the bottom (4-year-olds can only reach so high!)

Princess Elsa didn’t take this dress off all Christmas day.

The night before my birthday I shared with the twins a photo of their birth. They were excited. We’re grateful to a foster mom who saved this for us.

I don’t know that I’ll ever post updates to this site again, but I’ll leave it up as a reminder of the goodness of God to us and to the world, and as a tribute to the hope of adoption that gives life to the soul.