Thursday, August 23, 2012
Bangs!!
Yesterday I took Ainsley, Sienna and Ruby to get their haircut. We have gone all summer with no trims, and to say everyone was looking a little shaggy is an under-statement! (Emme and I go next week!) Anyway, Sienna decided to go with a new look, BANGS!!!!! I have to say, she looks so sassy!!! I love them on her! ( Here's a little inside scoop on Sienna Grace.. She is a closet fan of "Katy Perry's music.) So, I think the bangs may be inspired by her cover shot on Elle.. Minus the purple hair! Regardless, it's a fun new fresh look for our soon to be first grader!!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
How is it.....?
How is it that my 11 year old is starting sixth grade next week? Seriously, it does not seem possible that she could be in middle school.. Ainsley's school goes up to 8th grade so she is not changing schools yet... I have a feeling when it is time to move to high school she will be ready. Ready to spread her wings!
I don't say it enough how special Ainsley is. It's not easy being the oldest in this crazy house. Something has changed this past year. Perhaps it's two trips to China, perhaps it's the responsibility of having three little sisters... She has grown up before our eyes.. So sweet, funny, and polite too. Often we are told how mature she is.. She is comfortable talking to adults, looking you in the eye, and having a real conversation... I am so proud of who she is growing up to be.... She has been given some special gifts. I look forward to seeing how she uses them!
Ainsley took the "Safe Sitter" babysitting course this summer! She is ready to get out there and start babysitting in our neighborhood.. I think once the word gets out, she will be busy! Ainsley will play volleyball for her school this fall. And, rumor has it her Daddy may help coach her team! Of course the side-line quarterback (me) can't wait!!
Ainsley is not quite as thrilled about school starting Monday as her Mama is!!! We laugh about it all the time... We have had a great summer.. But there are a few "middle" people around here who need to get back into a routine!! And, one "little bean" who can't wait for school again!
Ainsley, you are such a blessing! I know God has big plans for you! I will be praying you have a fantastic year!!!!! Thank you for all of your help this summer!!! I think you are amazing!!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
She is so excited!!!!......
We always told her once she mastered it, she would never look back...
I don't think I have ever seen Sienna so animated as when I arrived at the cabin today. You see she has been waiting a long time to be riding her bike with no training wheels.. Her hard work finally paid off!!! And, as we predicted she has not looked back! Congratulations Sienna Grace on this major milestone!!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
New Friends!!
While I was waiting for Emme Jade I was introduced to a special blog. At the time these parents were in China adopting their precious son. Their journey while in China touched me. Fast forward, I connected with this Mom through email.. And, then recently in a photography class. I hoped she and I would have an opportunity to meet one day...
Friday night, Julie and her family took time out of their mini family vacation to spend time with us. We had a wonderful time... When our fun evening came to a close we were all a little sad. Especially our kids! When I put Emme Jade to bed she said, "I miss boy!" She and Max became quite the buddies in one short night! They were pretty cute together!
Julie and Eric thank you for sharing your evening with us! We will be praying for your sweet baby Ellie while she waits for you to bring her home forever! We look forward to doing it again soon!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Something Special!
My guess is many of you have an old friend that you only see once a year, or even less. But, when you do have the chance to get together it's like you were never apart. This is understandable for someone my age. But, when you are only six and seven, I think it's pretty remarkable! This is the case for Nadi and Tung Tung. Best friends long before we ever met them. Best friends in China, and re-united after a four month separation back in 2010. These two friends have been through more than some adults. They define the phrase, "Best Friends Forever!"
No longer neighbors in foster care, but the connection is still there for these two pals. We have been blessed to keep them in touch with each other. Nadi just came to visit us for five days. We loved having her.
If you need a little hope today, read their story! It is always a constant reminder to me that God is involved in the details of our lives. And, that when He closes a door in our lives, He has a better plan! In this story, He has used two little girls to do mighty things! My guess is, He is not done yet!!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Forever Ours - One Year Ago!
Back at the hotel in Nanjing, August 8, 2011
One year ago Jeff, Ainsley and I were in Nanjing, China getting ready to meet Emme Jade. For those of you who have experienced this type of delivery before, you know the high emotions you experience while you wait for the first glimpse of your child. On this day we were the only family in the Civil Affairs Office.. We had a front row seat to watch our tiny little girl get out of the car that morning. When her foot hit the curb, she had no idea how her life was about to change. She walked bravely into the room, and she had us forever at, "Ni Hao!"
Emme Jade has proved to be just what we needed around here. She is adorable, funny, sweet, sensitive, stubborn, and sooooo cute!!! I could throw the adjectives bossy and a little sassy in there too! She is social and fun to be with! She is our little extrovert! Her favorite question is, "Why?" As the baby in this family she is flexible. We are so thankful for her ability to, "go with the flow!"
Emme has had a big first year. I am amazed at how well she has adjusted! God blessed Emme with a joyful disposition and it shows in most things she does. She is definitely our most enthusiastic child! Emme loves big! She gives the best hugs, she cares for others, and she is a big helper! She is fiercely independent too! There is something funny about seeing our tiny 28 pound girl stomping her foot to get her point across! And, that she does very well!!! Emme may be our "Little Bean!" but she is no push over!
Much could be said about the way Emme has stolen our hearts! All the credit goes to a loving God who opened our hearts up to one more.. And, a very loving Daddy, who said, "yes" even when bringing one more home seemed crazy! Thankfully we stepped out in faith and trusted God's plan for our family!
Today Emme has a follow-up MRI from her tethered cord surgery. Routine we believe! Not a super fun way to celebrate your "Gotcha Emme" day.. We will make it up to her!!
Thank you to all of you who have fallen in love with our little girl in the past year! She truly is our tiniest gift from God!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Ruby's Birthday, Goodbye Tooth, And A Fun Surprise!!!
July is behind us! Four birthday celebrations in sixteen days! Three swim meets, lots of swim lessons, and a visit from our special little friend from Arizona, Nadi! It was a great month!
Now we shift in to August. It feels like school is around the corner as I type. The temperatures have dropped. It's a gorgeous morning here in northern, MN. The windows are open, and I can hear the loons talking to each other on the lake. One of my favorite sounds! I have to close out July with a few photos from Ruby's sweet birthday lunch at the American Girl store. It was a fun way to celebrate our last July birthday....
Daddy in the sun porch early on July 31st, making a special card for "Her Rubiness!"
Now we shift in to August. It feels like school is around the corner as I type. The temperatures have dropped. It's a gorgeous morning here in northern, MN. The windows are open, and I can hear the loons talking to each other on the lake. One of my favorite sounds! I have to close out July with a few photos from Ruby's sweet birthday lunch at the American Girl store. It was a fun way to celebrate our last July birthday....
I love this photo.. I guess we need to work on our "b's" and "d's!"
Daddy in the sun porch early on July 31st, making a special card for "Her Rubiness!"
The Birthday group and their dolls ready for lunch!
Nadi, Ruby, and Sienna with their special guests!
The beautiful birthday girl!
Forever Sisters!
Ruby's Birthday Cake!
An un-planned bonus on Ruby's 6th birthday.. She has been waiting for her second tooth to fall out for weeks... Jeff came to the AG store to surprise her.. When she saw him, she showed him her little stubborn tooth hanging by a thread.. He grabbed a kleenex and pulled it out right in the store!!!! She was so excited... FYI - The tooth fairy pays double for birthday teeth!!
When we walked out of the AG store, look who was standing there! They were excited to rush up and get their picture taken!
Ruby's Birthday Cake!
An un-planned bonus on Ruby's 6th birthday.. She has been waiting for her second tooth to fall out for weeks... Jeff came to the AG store to surprise her.. When she saw him, she showed him her little stubborn tooth hanging by a thread.. He grabbed a kleenex and pulled it out right in the store!!!! She was so excited... FYI - The tooth fairy pays double for birthday teeth!!
When we walked out of the AG store, look who was standing there! They were excited to rush up and get their picture taken!
Lastly, since the summer began, Sienna and Ruby have asked if they could get their ears pierced. We told them would consider it... We never promised! The day before Ruby's birthday she asked if she could get her ears pierced.. I thought this was a well deserved surprise after the great summer they have had.. So after Ruby's birthday lunch I told them we had a surprise.. We walked over to "Claire's.." I said, guess what?.. You are getting your ear's pierced today!!! The look on their faces was priceless!!! A combination of terrified and excited!!!! It was over quickly, and they both did great!!!! They look so pretty with their new sparkly flowers!!!! Ruby's already counting down the six weeks to changing them!
We had a great visit with Nadi. I have some sweet pictures of these special best friends in my next post! That wraps up our busy July!!
We had a great visit with Nadi. I have some sweet pictures of these special best friends in my next post! That wraps up our busy July!!
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