Problems with Blogger--family update

Sorry that I have been such a slacker with posting. Although I am not too sure how many of you out there are still reading.

I have TONS of pictures that have been taken lately but I haven't been able to upload them on to blogger. VERY FRUSTRATING. I know those of you who read, primarily come to see those two pretty faces LOL

We have been very busy around here. Our Fall schedules took some getting used to and I can finally say....I AM EXHAUSTED. Alyssa goes to school everyday and goes to Dance class on Saturday mornings. Emily of course is in school and doing great. I have our Fall conference with her teacher this week, so I am anxious to hear what she has to say. I ran into her Kindergarten teacher last week and she was so proud to tell me that she hears that Emily is "doing Fantastic." That's what I hear.... Her grades are great and she seems to really enjoy her teacher.

Emily is also involved in Karate two days a week after school. She also has Brownies every Wednesday. I am also a co-leader for the Troop. It is a lot of work, but the girls are cute and seem to be enjoying it. We will be cutting it back to every other week meetings come January. Emily also started PEP 1 religion classes. I guess some Churches call this CCD. She is in the 1st year of the 2 year program preparing the children for Holy Communion. She enjoys this as well.

We have been trying to improve our attendance at weekly Church services. Truth be told, it is a bit of a stressful event for me. Alyssa is not quiet and restless throughout the service. For the most part she is doing better, but the occasional glares I get from the nice elderly couple is a bit much. It may not be very Christianly of me, but if you don't like little kids...DON'T COME TO THE CHILDREN'S SERVICE. There are no less than 5 other services throughout the weekend that they can go to. LOL. She isn't really THAT bad. But it isn't the calm, reflective time that I attribute with going to Church. Emily goes to Sunday school and enjoys it. This is a new parish that we are attending and I really like the feel of this community. Much more family focused then our previous parish....aside from the
"gentleman" this morning. LOL.

Alyssa has been....um....well.....okay. I love this kid so darn much, yet I can get so very frusrated with her. Her behavior has always ebbed and flowed. I am at the point where I can honestly say that I am not sure when her "special needs" and "sensory integration difficulties" are really the primary problem here or if she is just a BRAT! There I said it. Not very motherly of me. But she can keep it together SO WELL at times and at other times, I am just exhausted trying to keep one step ahead of her. Tyring to difuse her meltdowns can become time consuming. Just when I think I am at the end....that I have nothing left to give...she crawls up on my lap for a "family hug." She can be SO SWEET!!!! Those are the moments that get me through those days when I leave the house in the morning in tears because getting her dressed and ready for school can be like a battleground. If my windows were open, you would think I was killing her. I am not. I promise.

As I type this, I have been reflecting about what I was doing during this time 3 years ago. I had just gotten my travel approval to travel to Chian to bring her home. I had such anticipation and hope for us as a family. The last 3 years have been trying yet rewarding in more way then I can count. I love both of my girls with all of my heart and there isn't anyplace in this world that I would rather be than sitting here, in my living room with them each sleeping paeacefully in their beds. I knew that parenting would be hard...........but, wow, is it ever hard. But, worth every single tear, every single tantrum, and every single "family hug."

Hopefully blogger will cooperative soon and I can upload some pictures. I know that is the real reason you visit!! Over the next few weeks I am going to post some of the posts and pictures that I sent from China. I am feeling rather reminisent lately.

XMAS 08 photo shoot

They came out pretty good. Last year's photo-shoot is still my all time favorite.