Busy Weekend

Wow – was it ever a busy weekend.  It has taken me until now to recover and get pictures uploaded!  It was the weekend of our adoption agency’s annual reunion.  For many of us, this is the only time during the year that we get to see others from our travel groups. 

On Friday evening we got together for a pizza and pool party with EB’s travel group.  It was held at the grandparent’s house of one of our travel mates.  Several of our group could not make it this year.  We really missed them.  One of the family’s who could not make it made me promise to take lots of pictures so she could see how the kids have grown.  Not only have the kids grown up, several in our group have had other children join their family.  Even though there may not have been a lot of families, there sure were a lot of children.  I think everyone had a really great time.

We all know how fearless JB is – but could someone please explain to me how she knows how to dive and she does not yet know how to swim?

DIVING?????

On the way back to our sleeping quarters our car broke down.  2.5 hours later AAA shows up to tow us.  I am glad there was a little breeze since it was still really hot and we had no power in the car. Unfortunately there was not enough of a breeze to keep the bugs at bay, so we all were a little chomped on.  By the time we laid our heads down on pillows we were very tired. 

Saturday was the big agency reunion.  The girls had fun with face painting, tattoos, games, and popcicles.  Boy was it hot!  At least there was a breeze. 

Girly girl could use some expression here!  This is her mysterious look – or maybe it is the just tired of mom always shoving a camera in my face look.

After wilting at the picnic we headed to the house of one of our travel mates from JB’s group and had another pool party and a cookout. None of the pictures from the pool turned out very well, but the girls all decided to have a “fashion show”. So they all strutted their stuff and generally had a good time. EB attempted a couple of pictures during the show, but the models were way too quick for her!

Sunday was breakfast with some of EB’s travel group, a play date with another member of her group,

and then home for a much needed nap!

It was so nice to see have all these gatherings and events. It was great to see how the kids are growing and thriving. But most of all, it was wonderful to reconnect with family – a part of family that those outside the adoption community don’t understand.

…Sense

OK, during my break I was reminded how funny this is. 

Then I found this one….

Now that you have had a great laugh – enjoy the rest of the day!

Another change

OK, I got a little bored with the old look.  So I changed the template again!  I sort of like the dramatic black – makes the photos stand out more.  What do you think?  Have been trying to keep my head above water the last few days.  Trying to get things tied up at work so that I could enjoy fun times with the family.  This last weekend we got together with our travel groups from both adoptions.  We had a blast!  The pictures are still on my camera.  Hope I can get them off this evening.  The weekend was filled with swimming, heat,  friends, food, heat,  more swimming, more food, heat, a few showers, and did I mention some heat?  That just made swimming that much more fun.  The girls became fish this weekend.  JB would slip off her floaties whenever she could, and then she would forget that she sinks when she is not swimming (does not have the float or treading water thing down yet).  But she does move when she swims with her head down!  EB, of course was a fish with what else – pink floaties that went along with her pink ring and her rainbow with lots of pink swimsuit. 

I have not actually scrapped anything in so long!  Maybe I can get an actual page done tonight, too! 

Well, I had better sign off here and get started on dinner.

Who are you?

The other day when DH was painting EB’s toes, JB and I had some time rubbing in body lotion and drying hair.  I guess I should say that she had time drying hair – I just watched.  She stood so tall and proud on the vanity and brushed her hair and held the blow dryer.  Let’s not confuse what she was doing with drying hair – the dryer must actually be aimed towards the wet hair to be effective, but we ignored that little fact.  Anyway, I digress from my main point.  There stood my little 38.6 lbs 6.5 year old.  She is no bigger than a minute.  She is full of fire and passion and is constantly in motion.  Her mind never shuts down.  She, like most children, is a mental sponge.  I just happen to think that it is more amazing because she is mine.  But as I watched her I began thinking about 2 other people.  I wondered where she got her tiny, delicate physique.  I watched her long fingers grip the brush and wondered about the person in her genetic background that had such wonderful dexterity and grace of movement.  I looked at her tiny toes (we call them bud toes, because they are so short, just like a flower bud) gripping the vanity as she turned and decided to dry my hair.  Where did she get that innate sense of balance and physical presence?  As she stood there my eyes were pretty much on the level her belly button.  I wondered about the woman whose body had nurtured and protected JB for 9 long months.  I wondered where she was when she gave birth to this child that I now call my own.  I wondered who cut the umbilical cord.  I wondered what she and JB’s birth father would think of this little fireball that flies through my house, snuggles with me at night, and so sweetly sucks her thumb when she is tired.  Which one of them had such a tender, giving heart as my little JB?  She came to us open, trusting and giving.  It is not something that she learned. While working on my hair JB would occasionally  aim the hair dryer down the back of my nightgown and ask me if I was warm enough, just like I do to her.  I know that I am making an impression on this child.  I know that there is a big part of me in her. I know that the continuation of her gentle heart is directly related to her doting and wonderful father.  I know her innate sense of humor is honed by me.  But I also know there are parts of her that directly came from them.  There are parts of her for which I will be eternally grateful to her first parents.  I wish there was a way that I could show them the miracle that they created.  I hope both of them  are granted some measure of peace  -

 

I pray that God is able to reach you somehow and give you some sign that your child is loved and cherished.  I realize that the completion of my heart was a loss for you.  I never forget that.  Thank you for giving her life.  I don’t know why you were unable to raise her, but thank you for making sure she was safe.  Thank you for the miraculous gift of our daughter.

 

Mats used for the photos are “Fancy Mats” by Teriann Hanks

Cont. with awfully cute

I am very content most of the time.  There are things that I really would like to have, but don’t have the money, and even if I did am not sure I would actually spend it.  Saturday was one of those days that I really wished I had a terrific DSLR camera.  DH disconnected the sprinkler and hooked the sprayer and was watering some plants he had transplanted while the girls were playing.  They thought it great fun to get squirted by dad.  Understandably with all the running and playing and sweating from the day, they soon proclaimed there were thirsty.  So he changed the setting on the sprayer and kept the pressure very low and made it into a drinking fountain.  It was one of those moments, both girls were huddled around the hose, taking turns drinking,  huge drops of water were bouncing around and the smile on DH face said it all.  I really wish I could have gotten a photo of that.  But I do have it in my mind, along with the sweet chatter of the girls, their squealing, and even them asking if the water from the hose was clean enough to drink. 

After the girls were done playing in the sprinkler we got them in the shower for an actual scrub down.  I decided to jump in to the shower too.  As I got out of the shower I realized that things were way too quiet around the house.  JB was still in the bathroom with me, waiting to put on lotion and dry hair.  But I did not hear the usual giggles that accompany the interactions between EB and DH.  I peeked around the corner to find DH sitting on the floor with EB resting her little toes on his leg while he painted her toenails.  Before long he moved to her fingernails.  It was the sweetest sight ever!  She was quietly telling him exactly what colors to put on her toes and which to put on her fingers.  He was intent on not making a mess, since of course she does not actually hold still for this process.  I just backed back into the bathroom and spent some with with JB.  There was no way I was going to interrupt that little moment!