No Ordinary Family

One year ago today/tomorrow (the time change always confuses me) we were getting ready to be introduced to our daughter for the first time.  She had no idea what was going on.  She rode a train with a caregiver (not her normal nanny) and the director of her orphanage for the first time.  The changes in her little life were just beginning, as were the changes in ours.  It was a rough 2 weeks in China, getting to know each other but we survived and started our life together as a family of 3.  Our internet connection in Changsha was horrible so we didn't post many pictures so many of these may not have been on the blog previously. Nerves and excitement show more on my face than I ever knew.  Walking down the hall to meet Chloe! Our first moments. First family picture. And just like that we are back in our hotel room, suddenly a family of 3. Just a glimpse of the Joy that we will see again but not for weeks. Thank you Angie and ...

Last year my post was of a  lonely cupcake , this year has a completely different feel.  I so wish we could have spent her first birthday with her but I think we made up for it this year.  2 is more fun than one anyway, right? Sunday afternoon we had some family over to my parents house and had a blast!  I think Chloe had a good time!  Do you have a Clue what the theme was? Just some of the gifts!  We had to make up for last year, right? Oh this tutu is perfect for twirling! She was so happy Blue could make it to her party! Blowing out her first birthday candle! This is pretty yummy! YUMMY! I think year 2 will be the best one yet!  

I almost forgot thinking it was closer to her Birthday but one year ago today we got the referral for our spicy Hunan girl it was a crazy good day.  The wait for approval seemed forever, now life is flying by. I could never imagine how much life has changed in a year!    We love you Chloe Joy QiongFei!  You make every day brighter and crazier :)

I simply can't believe how much this little girl has changed in 7 short months.  I was downloading the flip today and Chloe and I were looking back at some home videos from February.  I thought I would share one that I don't think I have shared before.  She was such a baby when we got home and now she is such a toddler.  Jim took the other video this morning at breakfast, she loves her berries and raspberries are her favorite.  It is going to be a sad day when we can no longer get fresh raspberries for the year. Yesterday I went through her toys and boxed up the "baby" toys.  Do you ever stop feeling like everything is in fast forward?  Dressing herself is the newest venture and she is getting pretty good at it.  It makes getting ready in the morning a bit more challenging but we will get through it.  I have found just leaving her alone with her clothes while I get ready is the best strategy, so far.  Even...

I have not been posting much but I could not let today go unmarked.  Life has been incredibly busy and it does not show signs of slowing down.  Today marks 6 months Since Chloe was placed in our arms.  There have been so many changes in the last 6 months it is truly hard to believe that it has only been 6 months. Our family is really starting to get into a grove. It was not an easy six months but as they say it is worth it.  Chloe is going to be 2 in a couple months and boy can we tell.  This morning she almost had a full on kicking screaming throw yourself on the floor tantrum because daddy did not understand she wanted her bracelets. It must be so frustrating to be a toddler. We still have rough nights now and then (like last night) but for the most part sleep issues are fading.  Eating is MUCH better although do not even show Chloe a strawberry if you want her to eat anything else. She loves strawberries and dill pickles.  She prefers to craisi...

 

I need to be there, doing that! Expect very similar pictures this time and I don't even care if they look the same to you.   Although I think I should invest in a rain coat just in case and after seeing these pictures I might pack a few extra towels for the dogs.

Happy Memorial Day everyone!  I am so thankful to have the day off of work today! I really needed an extra day. I am thankful for all the service men that have fought and will fight for our freedom! But today I would like to give thanks to one serviceman in particular, my Grampa L.  I want to thank him for angel food cake!  I know it seems strange but he is the one that taught me to love this wonderful dessert, simple.  It only had strawberries on special occasions and even then I liked the simple version better.   He was a wonderful cook and always had wonderful things for me to eat in his kitchen.  I miss that.  I miss him.  He was gone way too early from my life but I feel so blessed to have known him and to have been loved by him.  He always had Vienna Sausages in his pantry for me (or so he let me think), I no longer eat those but I L.O.V.E angel food cake.  At only 128 calories per slice it is something I don't hav...

As I reflect on the past 12 months I realize that there are so many memories that have been created this year. The memories are happy, sad, funny, interesting, weird, wonderful and more. But what do I think of when I think about my memories from this year, clock, duck, ball. Some of you may remember that Jim and I had to go through a Psych evaluation earlier this year as a part of our documentation to adopt from Burundi. He interviewed us and gave us a test to make sure we were fit to be parents. I was extremely nervous because I felt that everything hinged on this evaluation but now that I have perspective it was not that big of a deal (except to our pocketbooks). Anyway one of the tests he gave us was 3 words and we were supposed to remember them. The three words were clock, duck, ball. So I remember these words for the length of time that I thought was required and then the interview proceeded. I was not expecting the “Now, what were those three words I asked you to remember?” My an...