This Little Piggy

This little piggy is having a great summer and so are her mom and dad. We've had a vacation, a reunion, three weeks of swimming lessons and time spent in various pools, two vacation Bible schools, daytrips, and we still have a few birthday parties, including one extra special one, in the near future. I will admit I faced summer vacation with a little trepidation, but it has turned out great, and just like when I was a kid, I hate seeing Back to School signs already.

The reunion we attended was special because we saw a few of the families we met in China last summer. We saw firsthand how well all the children are doing and how they have thrived and changed over the last 11 months. We have a strong bond for having shared such a life changing experience, and it was wonderful to be with them again.

A highlight of the reunion for me was meeting a woman with whom I connected through the internet. Not only have I followed her blog for more than two years, but she was also a calm, funny voice of experience for me during the stressful time between our referral and our trip to China. Her darling daughter shines through pictures and her mother's words, and everytime I read her blog, I feel like I just sat on their front porch in a comfortable chair and enjoyed watching their lives happen before me. When we were at the reunion, I saw that little girl's sweet face run past me, so I called out her name and said, "Take me to your mommy." When I tapped her mother on the shoulder, and she turned around, it was pure delight to tell her my name and witness the look of surprise on her face as she connected the dots. How great to share a hug and marvel at how extraordinary it is that our lives were brought together. We had only bits and pieces of a few short hours to visit, but it was well worth the trip, and I'm sure at the close of day we both smiled remembering how special it was.

Locks*of*Love and Cousins Two

We went to the beach the other day after Jen's Locks*of*Love haircut with strict instructions for her - DON'T GET YOUR HAIR WET! That's a cruel thing to say to a kid at the beach, but we wanted to enjoy her fabulous cut for the rest of the day. This is the third time she has donated 10 inches of her beautiful hair to the organization, and it was a great reason to do something fun for the day. They gave the sand toys a workout on the beach while Ame and I sat and enjoyed watching them enjoy themselves. We finished the day with a gorgeous sunset as we walked back to the car. We're looking forward to spending a late afternoon at the beach again soon.

Hand Me Downs

We love hand me downs, especially when they are as cute as this one. We came home today and found a bag on the kitchen table that daddy brought home from work. Maryn took a look inside, found this dress and right away she wanted to try it on. I told her to put it on and give me a fashion show. She added the accessory, a purse that came from Jenny, and when I saw her I said, "You look like you are on your way to college!" I'm not ready for that yet. How about second grade instead. Last week we received two large shopping bags filled with cute clothes from the 14 year old across the street. I told her we will take everything she gives us and now that she's going into high school, that includes all the formals, too. We are set.

A Happy Father's Day

Tom enjoyed the day with his girls and his dad. That was special, and it was a great Father's Day.

WHOOPIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!

No matter your age or social status, a Whoopi*Cushion is going to make you laugh. Watching an 8 year old experience one for the first time, now that's a rip roarin' good time. Click on the arrow and enjoy.

You Had Us At Hello

I'll never forget the sound that a cell phone makes when it vibrates on a desktop. That's the sound we heard one year ago today when we received The Call from our adoption agency. It was 7:01 a.m. We were on vacation in a hotel, laying in bed, having just opened our eyes one minute before. Tom's phone vibrated, and we looked at each other wondering who would be calling so early in the morning. I picked up the phone, said hello and heard the words about a little girl we had waited so long to hear. It was a stunning surprise, and we were completely unprepared. There were tears to shed and there was paperwork to process in a short amount of time. Our favorite hotel desk clerk, Sasha, helped us tremendously, and, although we never anticipated he would be the first person with whom we would share our good news, it makes the story all the more special. It's impossible to believe it's been one year since that moment. The memory remains fresh, and we live everyday knowing we are truly blessed.

Rooted in His Love

Last Sunday the children performed their Easter program in front of the congregation. I don't need to tell you how sweet it is to listen to angels sing. One of them has been riding around in my car in recent weeks requesting the practice CD on most of those trips. It doesn't matter that she doesn't know the words, Maryn loves to sing, and she does it with gusto. On a recent roadtrip, the three of us were enjoying the music, and as the CD played the refrain I am rooted in His love, from the backseat Tom and I heard "I am weally, weally slow." However Maryn sings it, we are dazzled by her talent, and it's all the more touching when her daddy turns to me with a big smile on his face and says, "Don't you suppose God is smiling right now." I had to agree.