First Day At The Pool!

We went to the pool for the first time on Saturday!  Fun was had by all...except me cuz' I LOATHE wearing a bathing suit (anyone with me on that one?).  Anyway, I took a lot of great pics...here are just a few! Enjoy your summer everyone! R.

Testing, Testing, 1,2,3...

okay, blogger has changed how they do things which requires a test run from me...that is what this is. I am even misspelling words to see if I can figure out how to use everything! hehe...I am so computer illiterate...R.

Beginnings and Ends...

                                            Taryn turns 3!

                                       Taryn and "Miss Cole"...

     Wesley getting one of his awards at 5th grade graduation!

      Garrett getting one of his awards...he looks thrilled doesn't he!

We have had some major things happen here lately!

Taryn turned 3! Yes, she finally got to have her own party! She was so cute in her birthday outfit...she even bowed after we sang to her and she blew out her candles. She has been watching her cousins have birthdays all year...and it was finally her turn!

We also "lost" our speech therapist "Miss Cole". First Steps only goes through the age of 3 and Taryn starts Preschool in the Fall...so, it was time to say goodbye to someone who has had an integral part in Taryn's speech development for 2 whole years! It was hard...I even got teary when it was time! I don't know how speech therapists do it over and over again...say goodbye to "their" kids like they do! It would be hard for me!

Wesley graduated 5th grade into Middle School this week! He was "honored" in Math and Computer (something he does NOT get from his Mother!). Garrett graduated from 3rd to 4th grade and was honored in Math and Art (he uses both sides of his brain!). We are proud of both of them and are looking forward (well, kind of ) to this new chapter in our lives. I have to say that Middle School is a little scary though! Wesley is starting to "change" into a pre-teen...YIKES! It is scary and rough at times...I am sure you will hear me blog about it at some point!

I also have some MAJOR news to share but can't really do that until July! I know, I know, that isn't really fair...but it is MAJOR and really exciting for our family! So, check back in July and you will see what it is I am so excited about...MAJOR! :)

Okay, that is it...short and sweet! I have actually blogged this same post 3 times now. Blogger has changed and it kept "erasing" on me! So, if this post gets erased again I think I might scream and throw my computer off the deck! I can't keep writing the same thing! It has gotten shorter each time though! I am lucky to get this posted!

Peace...R.

Easter 2011!

Okay, okay, I KNOW it has been a bazillion days since I have updated this blog! I am so sorry about my less than stellar blogging skills! But, here I am, Easter Sunday finding myself with time to update a little!

How has everyone been? Our lives have been so hectic lately. I HATE when we are so busy that we don't even have time to breath! That is where we are right now! The boys are in music and 4H clubs. Taryn is now in a Mother's Morning Out program (WHOOT! WHOOT!) which has been wonderful for both of us! Gives her time to play with others and me time to go shopping or whatever, by myself! LIFESAVER!

Today is Easter and we spent it with family. Right where we wanted to be...hectic or not! The weather here in Ky. has been Tornadic now for 3 days! Our egg hunt was canceled at our church yesterday due to weather so we had one today in Grandaddy's back yard. This was Taryn's first egg hunt...she got the hang of it very quickly though (as you can see by the pics). The boys had like a "ninja" egg hunt. :) We tried to hide the eggs in the hardest of places for them (cuz' that is the kind of parents we are!) and the harder the better according to them!

Anyway, I just wanted to stop in and say Happy Easter to everyone! Hope your day was filled with family and friends and that you took time to remember the reason for the day...the gift of Resurrection and eternal life granted to us by our Lord! Amen, and until next time...(which hopefully will not be too long!)...

Gotcha Day #2!

Taryn showing the book she recieved for Gotcha Day!

The girls!

Awe! I love this one!

I can't believe it has been 2 years! 2 wonderful, fast years since we brought Taryn daughter into our family. I know that celebrating "Gotcha Day" is a controversial subject in the adoption world. But, for our family, we have chosen to celebrate this special day! I bought 18 gifts in China while we were there to give her one special gift a year from her country. We DID eat Chinese food last night, but I decided (after the plans were already made) that eating Chinese food specifically on Gotcha Day is a little "hokey", so we might not be doing this one anymore! We will let her pick the restaurant from now on I think! However, we DID enjoy the Chinese food with the wonderful family we traveled to China with! This little girl and Taryn were in the orphanage together so we have a special "bond" with this family. Fortunately, they live close by so we can see them every once in a while. The girls are very cute together, at least I think so!
2 Years! 2 Years! It is just so hard to believe!
Until next time...

Living Cinderella...

Lately my days have been the same. Wake up, get the boys off to school and then wake up Cinderella. Yes, I said Cinderella...our beautiful Asian Princess has taken a fascination lately with the beautiful, blond Icon...Cinderella! I have to admit, she IS my favorite. So, when I bought the movie for her this Christmas I had no idea that I would be starting such a phase! She wears her Princess gear EVERY day! I mean EVERY day! No breaks...except for when we go out in public! I probably wouldn't care if she did wear it in public, except it is getting a little stinky! She tops off the ensemble with a tiara and heels...it is very cute! We have also taken to dancing like I am the Prince while singing "so this is love..." now THAT is a sight I tell you! ;) I am hoping though, that soon we will branch off into other Princesses...Belle, Ariel, Tiana, Sleeping Beauty...just for a variety! So, for now I live with a Princess...but, don't we all?

Christmas Time Is Here!

It has been way too long since I have posted and pretty much feel like a non-blogger right now! But, here I am ready to redeem myself! Wow! Has this season not flown by! It seems like just last week was Thanksgiving and now we are embarking on Christmas! This is the FIRST year I have actually been "ready" for Christmas in time. Meaning, I have bought and wrapped ALL of the gifts already...no last minute shopping for me! Can you believe it? I sure can't...usually I am wrapping or doing something crazy like that Christmas Eve night! Anyway...yay me! :) The boys are beside themselves excited and Taryn is just along for the ride with it all! I don't think she really understands yet. It is so hard to know how much she actually does understand because of her speech delay. I would say she knows that "Christmas" is something special and that some of the presents under the tree are for her...but, that might be all she gets out of it.
She is STILL so delayed in her speech. She is talking on an 18 month old level (she is 2.5 yo!). We had her hearing checked again in the beginning of December and everything came back okay...again! So, it definitely is NOT her hearing! She is just not "getting" it when it comes to talking. She IS getting better though. She is saying 2 word phrases "I do...", "I can..." etc... So, that helps her get her point across most of the time. And she is right on age level appropriate in every other level of functioning...just not the speech! I will have to record when she starts talking and post it on the blog...because it will be a HUGE deal when it happens!
Well, I hope everyone has a blessed and Merry Christmas! Remember the reason for the season and that adoption is the center of the whole Christmas story. Maybe you and your family could help a child this year by giving them a forever family. Or maybe you are waiting to bring your child home and it feels like just another lonely Christmas without him/her...Take heart and know that YOUR CHILD IS OUT THERE! She is (or he!)...I promise and hopefully this will be your last Christmas without them. God bless....
Rebecca