Happy 6th Family Day, Emily Hope

Six years ago today, my sweet girl was placed in my arms for the first time. We haven't spent a night apart since. I love this child more than words can express. SIX YEARS!!! I remember the sights, the smells, and the anticipation of every second of that day....like it was yesterday. Promise to post updated pictures soon.....

Happy Family Day, my sweet Zhongyan. You are the light of my life and you make me proud every single day!!

XOXO,
Mommy

Happy Birthday to my little Lephrechaun

Today was Ali's 4th birthday. She was SO excited. She enjoyed every last minute of it from the time she woke up until she went to bed. LOVED being the center of attention. LOVED everyone singing to her ALL DAY long. LOVED that she had a pizza party and cupcakes (yes made by me....close your mouths now)at school. LOVED all of her presents. She "got it" this year. The festivities will continue on Saturday for her birthday party. I have kept it small so as not to overwhelm her too much. But, she amazes me every single day. She has grown up so much. In the past, every single thing that she LOVED today, would have caused her so much stress and anxiety. It does my heart good to see her so HAPPY. Truly HAPPY! Ahhhhh....I have waited so long to exhale, and I am sure my girl has too. I have lots of pictures, but I can't find my cord to download them. My house is a total mess. I cannot find a darn thing. The painting has begun.

Pictures to follow as soon as I find the cord....they must be with Ali's tights somewhere, because I can't find those either. I don't know how people function in houses that aren't organized. Don't get me wrong, I am far from orderly, but I typically have a place for everything. Not sure why having two dressers in the kitchen and a bed on the playroom floor is causing me such angst.....lol.

Hope you had a great St. Patrick's Day!!! We sure did! Unfortunately, Ali does not like corn beef and cabbage, so her choice for dinner was Eggplant and Macaroni. Requested like a true Italian. LOL. I have to say, I don't like corn beef and Cabbage either, so I can't say I was disappointed with her request. THANK YOU Nana for making it for her and thank you for putting signs and balloons all over your house! She made is so special for Ali and I thank my lucky stars every single day that I am so lucky to have my Mom. It is such a relief knowing that when I go to work, my girls are cared for by Nana!!!

Stay tuned for pictures...I am so behind in posting those.......

How can you say "NO" to this face......

Well, apparently my school district can't. I shared Alyssa's adorable picture with the committee before the meeting began, which I always do. She is way more than a bunch of test scores on a piece of paper, she is an adorable little girl who deserves the best shot to do well in school. They agreed LOL. She will go to my neighborhood preschool and she will have a support teacher with her for part of the day 3 days per week and she will continue to get vision services. My girl has come so far and I am so proud of her. I am so optimistic that she will do fantastic next year. They dropped her OT and PT as of next week...boo hoo, but she really doesn't need it and her time in the classroom is the priority at this point! I can't say that the OT is helping with the "sensory issues" much anyway.

I am nervous about the changes for next year, but I know this is a necessary step toward preparing her for kindergaten in 2010!!! In exactly 7 days (yes we are counting---daily), my baby will be FOUR years old? How can that be possible?

The next couple of weeks will be full of celebrations (Alyssa's birthday, Emily's SIXTH family day, and two wonderful little friends have birthday parties as well). This is what it is all about.....

We are in the middle of shifting rooms around. The girls are taking over my (much larger) room and it will be painted next week. It is sure to be a loud and fun room, with all four walls painted a different color!!! YIKES. I hope it comes out as well as I envisioned. Oh well, if it doesn't. The girls are soooo excited. I will be sure to take before and after pictures. My new room with have cute little bunnies and little cottages all about...it may be a while before it gets a facelift. LOL. We'll see, I may just go for it and have it painted while the painter is here...I am not sure I can sleep in a pink room ;-0

Grab a kleenex

Bring Me Hope

Moving Chinese Adoption Video

© 2009 YouTube, LLC

While I don't particularly like the idea of my adopting my girls described as "saving them," I do love this video. As I watched it tonight...again...a special boy is in my thoughts as I pray that he holds on tight until his Mommy, Daddy, and big sister can bring him home.