Happy Family Day

3 years ago today we met Michelle for the first time! It's hard to imagine life without her. Yet, when I think about that day it still amazes me how much I remember - how I felt, everything we did. I am still in awe of how easy Michelle was, from day one. (She was saving it up for kindergarten! Just kidding.)

When we met Michelle, all I really knew about her was that she had a cleft palate in need of repair, and that supposedly she liked to sing and dance. Of course, we didn't discover that for ourselves until about 6 months later. She did great from day one, but it really did take her about 8 months to "settle in". I didn't even realize it those first months, but I could tell a difference when she finally relaxed, finally settled in, finally gave us every part of herself.

Today, 3 years later, I know so much more about this precious girl. Pink is her favorite color. She lives to be outside and play. She adores her big brother Josh. She can read about 50 sight words, say anything she wants... this, from a girl who could say nothing intelligible when we brought her home. And we were told might never speak clearly - boy, were the Doc's wrong on that one! She has a sweet tooth, but her favorite food is still noodles. She hates to have her hair brushed. She has a great sense of humor.

She completes our family! I can't imagine my life without her, and I thank God every day for the miracle of adoption!



We had to celebrate a day early - tonight Bill Jr. has a guitar concert at school. We celebrated in what has become our tradition - ordering Chinese food from our favorite take out place, red velvet cake, and singing "Michelle" - the Beatles version. (of course, we didn't put quite enough red dye in the cake, so it was more like a pink velvet cake. Michelle loved it - she told me she hoped she turned into Pinkalicious!)

Update from the World's Worst Blogger - or in other words, "Fall"!

These pictures should probably be divided into several different blog posts, but at the rate I am going, I think we better just get them out there and be glad to have anything blogged at this point! I thought I would have all this time this year - Michelle is in school all day, I had images in my head of an immaculate house, time to catch up on scrapbooks (which are now 3 years overdue), lunches with friends and time to read books.

I have no idea why I thought all this would happen! I am busier than ever! I am teaching music at Michelle's old preschool 2 days a week, I have almost as many private students as last year, and I took on several homeschool kids during the day. Bill and I sat down one day recently and figured out how many hours I put in each week, and it was significantly more than a part time job. I'm not quite "working" 40 hours a week, but if you put in my other job - being a mom, then I am way into the overtime department.

So, forgive me if I haven't blogged much lately.

Hope you feel a little caught up after this.

I did get the chance to chaperone Michelle's Kindergarten field trip to the farm a few weeks ago. We had fun on the hayride, visiting the farm animals, and riding a couple of slides. Michelle's BFF is Caitlin - she is a cutie-pa-tootie! She sends Michelle little notes in her backpack. They play together all the time. I love Kindergarten!

I did get the chance to attend the Army Acquisition Ball with my good looking husband. I think I might have already blogged about this, but I really liked this picture so I included it again! I have been to many of these type of formal events over the years, and to be honest, they aren't usually that much fun. Normally, they are kind of stressful, and I hardly get to talk to my husband. I would rather put on a pair of jeans and go out to PF Changs with Bill and have a meaningful conversation over some honey crispy chicken. (This is sooooo not real Chinese food, but we love it anyway! Sorry... I digress....) But, I actually enjoy the Acquisition ball. I think it's because "we" have been in the Army for a long time, and this area is kind of different from living on a military post. We don't see our Army friends on a daily basis, and it's fun to catch up with friends we only see once a year.


Recently we went to see Lizzy sing at school. This is the first time she has performed that we have been able to attend, the first time she has had any solo/just her/ time on stage. It was really neat to see how she is blossoming and developing as a singer! Wow! She is really a young woman now, and it's fun to see. She did a beautiful job with her opera scenes.


We had some fun exploring Pittsburgh - it really is a fun city! We all went to the Science Museum.


This week Michelle's class put on a Thanksgiving play and "feast" with her class. They sang some cute songs, reenacted the Pilgrims coming to America and being welcomed by the Native Americans, and had some turkey and pumpkin pie.

Chasing China

I just finished the newest book by Kay Bratt - Chasing China. If you are looking for something to put on your Christmas list, this would be a great choice! I read this book with such mixed feelings. It is a beautifully written story, and I was immediately captivated by the characters and places Kay describes. It was also emotionally charged - it deals with all the "hard places" in adoption, but still very much worth it.

It's the story of a young woman, Mia, who goes to China looking for her birth family. It's got a little bit of everything - romance, adventure, and such detailed descriptions of the people and places in China.

It's a "must read" for those of us whose lives are touched by International Adoption, but I would buy this book for anyone.

Here's the link-
http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-China-Daughters-Quest-Truth/dp/1466478578/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2

Every once in a while, we have to leave the "brats" at home and have a little grown up fun! Each October we have the chance to go to the Army Acquisition Ball. We are so fortunate that it is held right here in the D.C. area. It's kind of like homecoming week for us - we see so many old friends. This year Bill was nominated for an award. He didn't win, but it was an honor for him to be nominated. It was a fun night.

And, I get to hang out with this good looking man. Hubba-hubba!

Back to School!

Everyone had a good first day of school. Bill Jr. seems happy with his teachers and schedule. He said he had a friend in each class - that's a first for him! I think last year he didn't have any friends in any classes. Hard to believe he's a Senior!

Josh said he was happy to be going to school today. I almost fell in the floor! That's a huge statement for my non-school child.

Michelle was happy and ready to go to Kindergarten. I walked her to her classroom, helped her find a place to hang up her backpack, located the bathroom (very important for 5 year olds!) and found her seat. She started coloring a paper, and told me "bye mom". All the other parents were taking pictures, standing around, waiting. So, I started talking to another mom I knew, and after a minute or two, Michelle looked up from her coloring and said, "Bye mom! I will see you after school." So, I took the hint and left. Yep, I was the first mom out of the room. Guess she's ready for kindergarten!

Everyone was happy when they returned at the end of the day. Happy kids make a happy mom.

Happy Birthday - Part 2

Yesterday, we started Michelle's birthday with a few presents. Then, we went to her school to meet her Kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Busch is new to our school, but not new to teaching. She and her aide have taught together at a different school (which recently closed) for 11 years. And that is a good thing, because Michelle has 29 kids in her class. Yikes! I better add Mrs. Busch and her aide to my prayer list. She seems very nice, and we saw a few familiar names on the class list. I think it will be a good year. Josh met his teacher too - we have heard 5th grade has tons of homework, but mom is trying to have a positive attitude. I'm a firm believer that is mom approaches things with a positive attitude, it rubs off to the kids. (at least for a while.) Bill Jr. went over to get his locker assignment - he got to report a little early since he is a Senior this year. Wow! It's going to be a busy, crazy, fun kind of year.


We all regrouped at home and then headed over to a local park. We started off with a ride on the little train...

...followed by a little putt-putt. Michelle took about 5 strokes per hole, and she jumped around with such enthusiasm as she said, "5!" each time. I think she is having fun being 5!


We then headed out to one of our favorite places to eat and celebrate, PF Changs. She, of course, had the noodles. This child would eat noodles at every meal if we let her.


She ended the evening with a mini-birthday-dessert. We will do her party next month with her best friend Luke, and hopefully by then we will have some new friends from Kindergarten to invite. It was a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday 5 year old!

We had an early riser at our house today! "Michelle, why are you up so early?" Oh, that's right - it's your Birthday!!!

;
"And how old are you?"


Five! That's hard to believe!

We let her open a couple of presents this morning. Every little princess needs her own Disney Princess collection. I love playing Princess with Michelle, because she always calls me "Queen Mommy". I LOVE having a Princess Michelle, and I will admit, I LOVE to be called Queen Mommy!

We are going to meet our teachers today at school. It's hard to believe Michelle will be in Kindergarten this year. She is excited - I am too, for the most part. I think mixed emotions for Mom just goes with the territory.

After the school open house, we are hoping Daddy can come home early. We are planning to go play putt-putt, and then go out to eat somewhere special for Michelle's birthday. We will let her choose - I'm hoping for PF Changs!

Today will be a family day - we will have a party a little later, after we have made some new friends in Kindergarten.

Happy Birthday big girl! I love you!