Flashback Friday

Happy Birthday Ladybug!!!

Four years ago a beautiful baby girl was born in Guizhou, China. That little girl was you, my little Ladybug. You soon went to live with an amazing foster mother who took care of you and loved you for 7 months. It was then that we finally got to meet you, and we all became a forever family. You were so tiny and delicate. Being able to hold you for the first time was a dream come true.

Over the past four years you have grown into an amazing little girl... spirited, silly, intelligent, funny, beautiful, honest, loving, musical, and so much more. You are a best friend to everyone, and find life a wonderful adventure. You are no longer a toddler. Instead, a full-fledged little (big) girl. Recently, you are most excited to be taking on a new adventure, that of big sister, and I cannot wait to watch you fulfill that role to a T. Life is absolutely wonderful with you little girl, and I cannot wait to see what life has in store for you.

Keep smiling Ladybug, keep hugging, laughing, dancing, singing, and bringing joy to everyone that you meet. Happy Birthday little girl, my little Ladybug. Enjoy!

First Birthday!


Second Birthday!


Third Birthday! (The Princess party)


The Ladybug's First Year video.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

~~Aloha!

Flashback Friday

This week I chose to go back further than when we first brought the Ladybug home. All the way back to my honeymoon with my dear husband.

My husband and I met and dated for four years before we finally tied the knot. We were wed four years to the day from the date of our first-date, the same day that we celebrated as our anniversary up until that point (I was just trying to keep it easy for my husband-to-be at the time *wink*). We celebrated with various close friends and family and enjoyed a wonderful ceremony and reception. Unfortunately, we soon had to part ways.

At the time, I was finishing my last year of school in California while my husband was enjoying his first year of teaching college in Colorado. Since we were wed in the month of October, we ultimately ended up spending the first nine months of our marriage apart from each other. We knew this fact when we planned the wedding, and although it seemed a bit unorthodox to some, being apart actually worked out perfectly for us. My husband was able to focus completely on his teaching without having to deal with newlywed issues as well as me monopolizing his time. I was able to focus on my final papers and student-teaching, both of which kept me away from home quite a bit. For us, spending the first nine months of marriage apart was actually perfect and I don't regret it in the least... after all, we spoke on the phone every night and spent every holiday together, so it wasn't all that bad.

After my graduation and the end of his first year of teaching, my husband and I set out to finally enjoy a honeymoon. Our destination, Alaska. We chose a one week Royal Caribbean cruise through the inner passage of Alaska. We thoroughly enjoyed every single day of the cruise. Alaska was gorgeous, and the people were so friendly. Who knows, maybe some day we will make it back there. The photo I chose for today's theme is of the "newlyweds" on the balcony of our room, in front of the quaint town of Ketchikan. Wow, I just have so many memories from that trip, and our life together. It is amazing to see where our life is now... and I don't regret a single moment.


~~Aloha!

Flashback Friday

Oh, how I remember this day.

November 2006, the third day that the Ladybug was a part of our family. The Holt families (the families with our adoption agency) visited a Buddhist temple located at a peaceful lake. Fog had rolled in making the place feel even more serene. The Ladybug and I wandered around the temple and grounds together. I carried her around in a baby-sling, where she nuzzled up next to my chest, listening to my heartbeat as we wandered around. She was still very unsure about everything that had happened to her, not sure of who we were yet, but she did know that cuddling up close to me made her feel safe.

That was a time that I look back on so fondly. She was so tiny and fragile, scared and unsure. But, she found comfort in her mommy. I like to think that she loved her mommy... after all, I love(d) her more than she could ever know. I remember this time so well, it was the first time I was a mommy, this was my dream come true. My little Ladybug was my dream come true.

Yes, I remember this day.

~~Aloha

Flashback Friday

Last week's flashback was of the Ladybug, snuggling on Daddy's lap, drinking from her bottle. That day was so special for all of us... including her two Nana's, who traveled with us to China to welcome the Bug into our family.

The photo below is so very special, the Ladybug, resting on the bed, being gently caressed by both of her Nana's. The Bug seemed so at ease, playing with her Nana's fingers, something so simple and yet comforting to a child who was suddenly placed in a room with people whom were so unfamiliar. These gentle touches really helped calm the Ladybug and brought a very tender, touching moment to the day.



~~Aloha!

Flashback Friday

I remember this day like it was yesterday! Out little Ladybug was REALLY hungry and didn't want to wait for lunch. Before we knew it, she had gone into the pantry, grabbed a fruit cup, opened it (to this day we still are not sure how she opened that cup!), and poured the fruit on the floor. The floor became the perfect plate from which she could eat her mid-morning snack. A few minutes later, I caught her devouring her fruit and loving every single morsel.

As I look a this photo now, I remember how tiny she once was. She was wearing the special shoes we purchased for her from her province, as well as the adorable summer jacket. She also still had her natural curls that gave her awesome, wild hair. The curls have tamed through the years, but she is still a little girl with a great appetite. No longer a tiny girl... rather, she is long and lanky. I love the little girl that she once was and I love the big girl that she is becoming. Just don't grow up too quickly little Bug!


~~Aloha

Flashback Friday

Wow, I remember this day like it was yesterday.

Back in November of 2006, our first night with our little Ladybug. She was so itty-bitty at the time. Her tiny, fragile hands held the bottle close as she rested securely in daddy's lap. She was so unsure at that point, unable to make sense of what had happened to her that day. So many new faces, sounds, and smells. And, although she rested comfortably in the arms of her daddy and I that day, she was still scared and nervous. She did not know the incredible amount of love that we already had for her and planned to give her for the rest of her life. She was (and is) our tiny little treasure, our baby with, "...the wild hair, and the soulful stare." It was this day that we became a family. A day that is very dear to my heart, and will go down as the best birthday I ever celebrated. Thank you little Ladybug for lighting up my life!

~~Aloha

Flashback Friday

I looked through old photos of the Ladybug, and by old I mean anything within the last three years! I found these cute photos of her, wearing a "Smart Little Chick" t-shirt. I like these photos for a couple reasons.

First, she is definitely living up to the t-shirt's message. She is a smart little girl who keeps us on our toes all the time. She surprises us with her intelligent witticisms on a daily basis. For example, our little 3-3/4 year old girl was talking with her Nana S. last night on the phone when she asked, very articulately, "Nana, are you planning on traveling with us to China to bring the baby home?" Both my husband and I looked at each other in awe. She didn't ask, "Nana, you go China with me?" (The exact kind of inarticulate, choppy language I have heard from numerous children her age at school). No, instead she used a very mature, articulate question that surprised both of us. Way to go girl!

Second, you can see the Ladybug's personality seething through these photos. She is being so silly and giggly, two things about her that I love. There is not a day that goes by where our house isn't filled with joy and silliness. She knows how to brighten our days with her smile and laughter. She is a funny, affectionate, silly, loving, goofy, and amazing little girl with a heart of gold. I love you little girl!

~~Aloha!

Flashback Friday

When we were in China in 2006, we had the opportunity to meet the Ladybug's foster mommy. She is a wonderful woman who took care of our daughter for the first 7 months of her life. This lady loved and cared for our daughter as if she were her own. They shared a very special bond, that only a mother can truly understand.

We were told early on in the adoption process not to expect any photos of our little girl from before she was united with us. So, we planned on just that. However, the day the Ladybug was placed in my arms by her wonderful foster mother, this amazing woman also gave us a very special gift... a photo album filled with photos from our daughter's first 7 months of life. We treasure these photos because they are a link to her past and a time before she was our daughter.

For this first Flashback Friday post, I want to share with you a photo of our daughter. The photo is a special piece of our daughter's history, a history that we cherish dearly. This little girl is so precious to us. We are so very blessed. I hope you enjoy.

~~Aloha!