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Summer's over and back to school

Well, summer is over once again and soon the leaves will be turning and another season will be upon us. Time does go by so fast and these girls are really growing up. Everyday is a new adventure for them and for us as parents. It is so different this time around with raising our second family. It was such a struggle raising the other 4 . Little time and very little money. Life has really blessed Robin and myself and we count our blessing everyday. The girls both love going to school and we are keeping them active after school also. Addison is taking Piano lessons and they are both in Hip Hop dance class. They are also both starting in a Chinese dance class so they will be able to preform for Chinese New Year. They have become so close and get along very well. Addison started school a week before Ali and boy was Ali lost without her sister. Addison tells us stories all the time of her life at the orphanage and it is really sad to think that there are still children living the way that she did. The other day I was trying some new jeans on her that I had bought her for school and I commented to her on how big she was getting. She became sad all of a sudden and said to me, "I don't want to get big and grow up because, I want to stay here with you". People ask us all the time why we adopted after our kids had grown up. All I can say is what could we have done in our life that would have been any more rewarding then giving these two girls a loving family.

Back to School

Another Wedding

Summertime

Out latest additions

This girls have been begging and begging for a pet, so why have one puppy when you can have two. We only had Addison's for 6 days when we had to go to the Vet for a broken bone in his foot.

Having a good time at Disney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Addison catching her first fish(little fish)

Getting ready to put the pool up.

Home for Six Months

Boy has time flown by. It has been six months since we first met Addison and I can say with conviction that she is one happy girl. She is doing great in school and loving it everyday. She was so ready to go back to school after spring break. I was planning on holding her back in first grade next year but, I met with her teachers the other day and they feel she will just be fine going on to second grade. She is going to school feeling very confident now and is really wanting to learn. I will put her in summer school so she can keep everything that she has learned fresh in her mind. We are so ready for Spring at our house and we have had a slight taste of it the last few days. The girls acted like wild animals let out of a cage the other day when I said that they could go outside and play. They just wanted to do everything. Ride bikes, big wheels, Princess jeep, swing, play in the sand box and just run. They have been out playing the last three evenings after school and Ali has yet to come in without two grass stained knees. I might want to invest in a case of Shout-It-Out.

We are taking the girls to Disney next week and we are all so excited. We are meeting up with a family from New Jersey that we met when we adopted Ali and have become friends with. They have 2 adopted girls from China also so we are sure to have a great time. Addison can't wait to get on a plane again. A 2 and a half hour plane ride is a piece of cake compared to our flight to China.

So the last six months has been a growing experience for our whole family. Robin and myself had to adjust ourselves and our time to another child needing a lot of love and Ali had to learn to share her Mommy and Daddy that she had full time. Our big kids and grandkids once again had to share some of there time with us. So much pressure for one Mom and Dad. Making sure everyone is getting just what they need from us and not leaving anyone out. Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed with it all and hope that I can keep with my families wants and needs, but then Addison said to Robin and myself the other night, "Mommy, If I am a good girl can I stay at this house because I really , really love you and Daddy". Talk about making my heart melt. That is what makes it all WORTH IT.

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Birthday Pictures

We rented the Pool at the Hampton Inn for the girls birhtday and had the Grandkids all come. They all seemed to like the whirlpool better because it was real warm. After a couple hours of swimming we went to our house for cake. The kids all had a good time. The weather has been very cold and snowy the last couple of days and school has not been in session for two days now. Talk about Cabin fever, I have it. Come on Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Catching Up

Time sure gets away from me now that I have a couple of young ones to take care of. Ali started pre-school in Jan. and just loves it. She goes 3 days a week for 2 and a half hours. I couldn't talk them into keeping her longer. The first day I walked into the classroom to pick her up there she sit on the carpet with her coat and backpack on waiting for me. I told the teacher it was worth the months pay just to see her sitting. Addison is doing great in school and amazes me with her language. She got a calendar out last night and was going through the months of the year. We have all had colds at our house but nothing a little vicks wouldn't take care of. We are very ready for SPRING. Addison told me the other day she didn't like it cold. (just like her MOM.). The Girls are both taking swimming lessons at the local YMCA and they love it.

We went to two Chinese New Years dinners and we always love seeing all the little girls. Addison and 3 other little girls did a Chinese dance . The lady that teaches her at school taught them the dance. It was very nice and she loves to dance. She also got to do her dance at school for the kids and then went around to the classes to show them her Chinese Dress. She felt pretty special.

Addison't birthday was in Jan. and Ali's is in Feb. so we are having one birthday together. I rented the Pool at the Hampton Inn so family and friends can come and go swimming then onto our house for cake and Ice Cream. I will try and post pictures from that event.

Happy Chinese New Year