Our Vacation Music Video!

We took vacation.  A pretty cool one at that.

12 states

2 countries

2 silly little girls

2 fun-loving parents

1 AWESOME vacation!!!

So, to remember our fun-filled time, we created a music video of our journey.

This is our Holiday Road!

~~ Bailey

The Butterfly is About to Start Kindergarten!

The time has come (all too quickly it seems), and the Butterfly is raring and ready to go.  Hard to believe that our little baby girl is now ready to start Kindergarten.

She is growing so quickly and has turned into quite an independent spirit in the last few years.  I love that she fiercely sticks up for what she "thinks" is right and doesn't let people walk all over her.  However, as her mom, trying to parent this head-strong little girl, I have definitely earned a few gray hairs!

Despite her maverick personality, Mommy is a little worried about her new adventure.  There are so many what-ifs and possibilities for what could happen, and of course my mind wanders toward the negative stories I have heard about from other mothers (there are also amazing stories I hear as well).  She will be starting a new school and meeting many new people who do not know anything about her.  They don't know why her hand is different.  They don't know that she was born this way.  They don't know (yet) that she doesn't need extra help and she will get rather frustrated if you don't let he do things for herself.  They do not know that she can do anything she sets her heart and mind to.  They also don't know that she is just a normal kid who does normal things.  She is just like other kids, each unique in their own way, but also just the same.  They just don't know her yet.

So, her daddy and I decided to create a book about her that we plan to share with her class on the first day of school.  This book should take away any stigma about her hand and open the door to a conversation with the students, teachers, and parents that our little girl can do anything and everything her classmates can do... and more!  Nothing stops her.

Here is the book:

Good luck little girl!  Enjoy Kindergarten and make them see that you can do anything!!!

~~Mommy

Butterfly's Forever Family Day 2013

Amazing.

It has been three years since we were in China to bring the Butterfly home..

Three years since we finally got to see the Butterfly in person for the first time.

Three years since we finally got to hold her for the first time.

Three years since we heard those whimpering cries for the first time.

 Three years has gone by so quickly, it seems.  We have all experienced so much in that time.  So many things have happened, so many blessings.  Yet I am sitting here wondering what happened to my little baby, where did she go.

That little baby is now a strong-willed, four year old little girl who is finding her way in this world.  Three years ago she found her way into our hearts, then found her place in our family.

That first week, at fourteen months, she couldn't walk... she couldn't  even crawl.  But, she quickly found strength.  Within a week she was crawling.  Within a month she was walking, and she never looked back!

So, as I sit here writing this.  I look down at my little baby, curled up in my arms and remember the first time I held her.  I remember her frightened eyes and delicate little features.  I remember a baby yearning for love.

Yes, she is still a little baby to me, she always will be in my eyes.  But there are special times that we share.

When she crawls up into my lap,

hugs me tightly,

kisses me softly,

rests her head upon my chest,

and falls asleep in my arms. 

Those are the times when she is my baby.

July 2010

July 2011

July 2012 (We were on vacation and completely forgot to take a photo.  So, I made a little collage of us at that time.)

July 2013

So as we celebrate this special day, the Butterfly's Forever Family Day, I remember that first day.  I remember it all, and I am so thankful for that special day.  My little baby ChenChen is now  my beautiful Butterfly, my little girl... my baby.

I love you little one.

Love always,

~~Mommy

Ladybug Turned 7!!!

Hard to believe how quickly time is flying by.  We were in China almost 7 years ago, and now my "baby" is turning 7 years old.  The Ladybug is so happy to no longer be toddler (though I am really missing that phase with her,, and yes I know she passed that phase a few years ago), and moving very quickly into becoming a young lady.

At seven years old she loves school, is reading incredibly well, loves watching Doctor Who with the family, enjoys time by herself (away from her sister), enjoys being a tween with the silly attitude that comes with it, plays on her (dad's) IPod, is totally into peace signs, tie-dye, and sparkles, and thinks that her family is the greatest thing in the world.  I love this age, though I do long for the time when she was younger.  She is such a studious little girl who really enjoys school.  She is a kid who loves to make her family happy.  She is amazing.

For her birthday, Daddy and I decided the best gift for her would be something to help with her studies.  Her very own desk.  Daddy was crossing his fingers with this gift, feeling that it could be hit-or-miss with whether she liked it or not.  However, his worry was useless.  She LOVES her new desk!

The Ladybug did enjoy a fun party with her friends.  We all went bowling and enjoyed a fun afternoon of falling pins, pizza, cake, and presents. 

The Butterfly trying her hand at bowling.

Yummm, pizza (click to see larger images)!

Time for cake!

(A friend of the Ladybug's who looks an awful lot like my niece).

Presents!

Friends!

  

The ladybug's 7th birthday was such fun!  The girls all seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly.  I still just cannot believe that she is 7!!!

~~Aloha