1.21.2009
1.16.2009
SLC Event with the Beau's and missing the Mac's
If you follow Ramona's blog, you know that we spent the past weekend at an SLC event held by our agency. We didn't get any good shots of our family, so do enjoy the ones of the Beau's! We all missed Jackie, Lucy, and the MacBOYS, but we are certainly glad that Brady is back to himself! Can't wait to get the girls together again! Will we get that Princess photo we planned so long ago?!
Traveling back in time before these girls were home. . .
Both Ramona and Jackie have seen the best and worst of our journey. I still remember e-mailing Ramona in an absolute panic while I was in Taiwan. Ramona is super calm, super informed, and knows how to roll with the punches. She was there to ease my fears. Jackie and I missed each other in Taiwan by a day. She was willing to hand carry our missing document and meet me in Taipei! Boy, that sure does feel like a lifetime ago!
While Gracyn never lived at SLC, SLC was a big part of uniting her with our family, and for that, we will forever be grateful. I sometimes wish she shared in that SLC bond, had those same pictures with Santa, or that pacifier tied to a towel around her neck. We sometimes wish we knew the crib she slept in, or that we'd have an opportunity to actually show her where she lived the first days, or in her case, the first years of her life. . .but that wasn't the plan He had for her. And either way, she still has the same tantrums, down to the dropping to her bottom, throwing her head back, and screaming! And she has the same infatuation with tearing paper! One thing for sure, this journey sure has provided an amazing opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. A special thanks to the 2007 and 2008 SLC ladies and our blog followers!
Traveling back in time before these girls were home. . .
Both Ramona and Jackie have seen the best and worst of our journey. I still remember e-mailing Ramona in an absolute panic while I was in Taiwan. Ramona is super calm, super informed, and knows how to roll with the punches. She was there to ease my fears. Jackie and I missed each other in Taiwan by a day. She was willing to hand carry our missing document and meet me in Taipei! Boy, that sure does feel like a lifetime ago!
While Gracyn never lived at SLC, SLC was a big part of uniting her with our family, and for that, we will forever be grateful. I sometimes wish she shared in that SLC bond, had those same pictures with Santa, or that pacifier tied to a towel around her neck. We sometimes wish we knew the crib she slept in, or that we'd have an opportunity to actually show her where she lived the first days, or in her case, the first years of her life. . .but that wasn't the plan He had for her. And either way, she still has the same tantrums, down to the dropping to her bottom, throwing her head back, and screaming! And she has the same infatuation with tearing paper! One thing for sure, this journey sure has provided an amazing opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. A special thanks to the 2007 and 2008 SLC ladies and our blog followers!
1.15.2009
Clown or Criminal?
My dad yells, "Where's the camera? Take a picture - she looks like a clown." - Result of a fruity push-up thingy. She reminds me of my pictures from Halloween as a toddler when mom dressed me up as a clown! I soon realized that her face was beginning to actually turn colors - not to mention our SW was due for a visit the next morning - fun was over quickly! Didn't want her to have a "blue" face.
The Mysterious Crime. . .a brand new roll of toilet paper absorbed the entire toilet bowl of water. North*rn Quilt*d - go figure.
So, is this the Detective with a flashlight in hand, or the Partner in Crime? Gracyn, did you do it?! She nodded "yes," but then again, she likes to say "yes" if it sounds like something fun is going on! My little Clown the Criminal.
Honestly, I think it either fell in when Gracyn was stacking the spare rolls on the shelf, or she dropped it in there - Brother has never dropped anything in the toilet. . .well, not intentionally anyhow. He did drop my in-laws cordless in the toilet once, and a pacifier, but we didn't discover that until we remodeled the bathroom and removed the toilet!
Kids are great, aren't they? Such entertainment. Best part of it was watching DH take the roll out and dump it in a bag. He then said, feel how heavy it is?! GROSS, he made me hold the bag to see how heavy it really was. . .we do the same thing with SUPER DUPER HEAVY DIAPERS too - quite amazing how absorbent products are these days.
The Mysterious Crime. . .a brand new roll of toilet paper absorbed the entire toilet bowl of water. North*rn Quilt*d - go figure.
So, is this the Detective with a flashlight in hand, or the Partner in Crime? Gracyn, did you do it?! She nodded "yes," but then again, she likes to say "yes" if it sounds like something fun is going on! My little Clown the Criminal.
Honestly, I think it either fell in when Gracyn was stacking the spare rolls on the shelf, or she dropped it in there - Brother has never dropped anything in the toilet. . .well, not intentionally anyhow. He did drop my in-laws cordless in the toilet once, and a pacifier, but we didn't discover that until we remodeled the bathroom and removed the toilet!
Kids are great, aren't they? Such entertainment. Best part of it was watching DH take the roll out and dump it in a bag. He then said, feel how heavy it is?! GROSS, he made me hold the bag to see how heavy it really was. . .we do the same thing with SUPER DUPER HEAVY DIAPERS too - quite amazing how absorbent products are these days.
1.05.2009
Celebrating Gracyn - No Red Eggs or Ginger
In observation of our Chinese culture, typically we celebrate and honor our children with a Red Egg & Ginger Party around the age of 1 to 3 months. The time after baby is born, but before the baby is announced to world, is to allow Mom to heal from birth, and to ensure baby is healthy enough to survive. Boiled eggs, dyed red, are handed out. The color red for good luck, the eggs for fertility. Pigs feet, yes, pigs feet are made and Mama is supposed to eat it for rejuvenation. With Peyton we had a Red Egg and Ginger Party, handed out the eggs, served pigs feet, but no, I didn't eat it - at about 3 months of age.
Before we brought Gracyn home our intention was to give her a belated Red Egg and Ginger Party. Four months after arriving home, similar to period after giving birth, Mommy recovered from the trip, and Gracyn had time to heal emotionally, so it was time to honor Gracyn. Since we brought her home after the age of 2, we opted to celebrate Gracyn, but no red eggs or ginger, rather a celebration of her being home forever! We were blessed to have so many relatives and close friends join us!
Here we are a family of 4!
We proudly displayed the photos we cherished of Gracyn during our wait.
We asked for thoughts and prayers for Gracyn to cherish in years to come.
DH and I ordered the supplies to make these favors.
Because Gracyn loves candy and chocolate the most, we filled them with Kisses. Afterall, the "kiss" in Taiwan was the highlight of my trip!
Here we are with the Beauregard family. I met Ramona just after we received our referral, and before they received theirs. Here we all are with our babies home forever!
Darryl and Gracyn with Darryl's Mom
Peyton eating. What else is a growing three year old supposed to do for 2+ hours in a restaurant!?
Jaden, Ramona's daughter, let me carry her just long enough for a photo! I think it was the Dora cell phone she really wanted, but hey, I got the picture!
A little love for the "big brother" - it was a long afternoon for him.
Lori with Samantha! We followed Lori's journey to bring Samantha home. She and her girls were so perfectly coordinated in purple.
Kimi resting on her Mama Megan's shoulder. This is the little girl I fell in love with as I watched Megan bring her home.
Didn't I tell ya? Perfectly purple. These are the best behaved girls I know. So glad we met this family along the way!
Jaden and Gracyn. . .While I waited to bring Gracyn home Ramona let me get a "baby fix" by visiting Jaden when they arrived home. I think they were still jet-lagged with suitcases still packed and she opened her home to us. Thanks Ramona!
Before hitting the road for a long drive home, Kimi came over to burn off some energy! Are these 3 munchkins dancing to Hannah Montana? Absolutely.
Megan doing double duty. Megan is waiting on baby #2, so we thought we'd give her some practice!
Gracyn, Mommy is so overcome with joy to call you my daughter. I know it's been hard on you to leave everything familiar behind. You are so strong, so brave. You are beautiful, and sweet, and stubborn too! I love that you're always so happy to wake up in the morning. I look forward to your soft pitter patter, and those big eyes and smile every morning. I love that you'll eat almost anything, and that you love mint chocolate and snackies just like Mommy. I can't get enough of your "girly-ness" - the way you sit still to get your hair combed, and how you don't mind changing outfits (sometimes 3 in a row) if Mommy doesn't think it fits or looks quite right! I'm still learning how to coordinate toddler girls clothes!! I know you're 2, but I've been dressing a boy for nearly 4 years, and let me tell you, they are much easier than girls. But girls, they are oh, so fun. My "baby girl," my "girlfriend" - you are home - Forever. With love and kisses, Mommy
Before we brought Gracyn home our intention was to give her a belated Red Egg and Ginger Party. Four months after arriving home, similar to period after giving birth, Mommy recovered from the trip, and Gracyn had time to heal emotionally, so it was time to honor Gracyn. Since we brought her home after the age of 2, we opted to celebrate Gracyn, but no red eggs or ginger, rather a celebration of her being home forever! We were blessed to have so many relatives and close friends join us!
Here we are a family of 4!
We proudly displayed the photos we cherished of Gracyn during our wait.
We asked for thoughts and prayers for Gracyn to cherish in years to come.
DH and I ordered the supplies to make these favors.
Because Gracyn loves candy and chocolate the most, we filled them with Kisses. Afterall, the "kiss" in Taiwan was the highlight of my trip!
Here we are with the Beauregard family. I met Ramona just after we received our referral, and before they received theirs. Here we all are with our babies home forever!
Darryl and Gracyn with Darryl's Mom
Peyton eating. What else is a growing three year old supposed to do for 2+ hours in a restaurant!?
Jaden, Ramona's daughter, let me carry her just long enough for a photo! I think it was the Dora cell phone she really wanted, but hey, I got the picture!
A little love for the "big brother" - it was a long afternoon for him.
Lori with Samantha! We followed Lori's journey to bring Samantha home. She and her girls were so perfectly coordinated in purple.
Kimi resting on her Mama Megan's shoulder. This is the little girl I fell in love with as I watched Megan bring her home.
Didn't I tell ya? Perfectly purple. These are the best behaved girls I know. So glad we met this family along the way!
Jaden and Gracyn. . .While I waited to bring Gracyn home Ramona let me get a "baby fix" by visiting Jaden when they arrived home. I think they were still jet-lagged with suitcases still packed and she opened her home to us. Thanks Ramona!
Before hitting the road for a long drive home, Kimi came over to burn off some energy! Are these 3 munchkins dancing to Hannah Montana? Absolutely.
Megan doing double duty. Megan is waiting on baby #2, so we thought we'd give her some practice!
Gracyn, Mommy is so overcome with joy to call you my daughter. I know it's been hard on you to leave everything familiar behind. You are so strong, so brave. You are beautiful, and sweet, and stubborn too! I love that you're always so happy to wake up in the morning. I look forward to your soft pitter patter, and those big eyes and smile every morning. I love that you'll eat almost anything, and that you love mint chocolate and snackies just like Mommy. I can't get enough of your "girly-ness" - the way you sit still to get your hair combed, and how you don't mind changing outfits (sometimes 3 in a row) if Mommy doesn't think it fits or looks quite right! I'm still learning how to coordinate toddler girls clothes!! I know you're 2, but I've been dressing a boy for nearly 4 years, and let me tell you, they are much easier than girls. But girls, they are oh, so fun. My "baby girl," my "girlfriend" - you are home - Forever. With love and kisses, Mommy
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