4 Years Ago

Four years ago today we held our dear Maddie for the first time. She was so brave when her nanny handed her to us. She let one little tear run down her cheek but made no other sounds. Abby and Ellie were just in awe of her and she was pretty interested in them too. She wasn't walking yet but it didn't take too long for her to learn to run to keep up with her big sisters.

Sisters meeting for the first time at the civil affairs office in Changsha, Hunan

Back in our hotel room -- very serious and very quiet -- and very bundled up in four layers of clothes and bright red boots!

Our first official family photo with three daughters -- taken the next day at the adoption finalization at the civil affairs office.

No longer serious, sweet Maddie is our giggle bunny!

Today Maddie is still our quiet girl but beautiful smiles have replaced that serious little face we first saw four years ago.

Happy Forever Family Day Maddie!

I Goofed

Ellie's tooth was so loose that it was literally hanging sideways in her mouth. She willingly allowed me to do the quick and painless "floss around the tooth" extraction method that I have perfected over the years. Sadly, I goofed -- as her heartfelt letter to the Tooth Fairy will attest.

THREE missing teeth on top!

Look Who's TWO!

Happy Birthday RubyJane! On your first birthday we were only able to send you special wishes from afar. Today we joyously celebrated your second birthday with you home in our family. How blessed we are to have you as our precious daughter and littlest sister!!

Relaxing after a day of running everywhere at full speed -- turning TWO is hard work!

By the third present, she was a pro at tearing off the wrapping paper.

Mmmmmm

Ruby is a very picky eater but obviously CAKE is on her OK foods list.

Six Months Ago Today

Six months ago today, in the civil affairs bureau in Guangzhou, China, a tiny little baby girl was placed in my arms. She cried, she pushed me away, she kicked her wobbly little legs, and then she shut down. She didn't make another sound for two whole days. And her eyes held such sadness. It simply broke my heart.

Today that sadness is long gone and in its place is a whole lotta mischievousness! RubyJane is a happy, independant, determined, and loving little girl who has grabbed life by the horns and isn't going to let go. Our family definitely revolves around her and she knows it!! I can't wait to see what the next six months has in store for us.

Happy Birthday Ellie!

Today our Ellie turned SEVEN. How on earth did our little girl get to be seven years old so fast? To celebrate her special day she got to choose her favorite meals for lunch and dinner. We then had a little family party with presents and cake after dinner.

Ellie's is the first birthday in the "birthday week" for our family. Ruby and Maddie will each have a birthday in the next week. A big party for all the birthday girls with their friends will take place this coming weekend. Of course all the girls are really looking forward to it and pretty much talk about nothing else.

Thank you Yaya and Grandpa Rick

for the surprise balloon and presents left on our front porch!

Seven Years Old!


Opening presents

Making a wish

Blowing out the candles.

May all your wishes come true sweet Ellie!

Spider!

Yesterday I had just gotten out of the shower and was starting to get dressed when Maddie started calling me from the front entrance hall. Our conversation went like this:

Maddie: MOM!
Me: What?
Maddie: There's a spider in the hall.
Me: What does it look like?
Maddie: Big and black.
Me: OK, I'll take care of it as soon as I am dressed.

. . . . a minute or so later

Maddie: Nevermind.
Me: What?
Maddie: Nevermind, the spider is in the closet now.
Me: OK, I get it when I am done in here. (and at this point I promptly forget about the spider)

An hour later we are ready to leave and I go to the hall coat closet to get the little girls' coats. I open the door and . . . . AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

After I got my heart out of my throat and beating at its normal rate again I actually looked again at the "spider". At this point I could hear little giggles from the top of the stairs. Oh Miss Maddie got me good!

Does this look like the face of an expert practical joker?

Reminder to self -- keep Maddie away from plastic Halloween spiders!!

Ladybugs in Paradise

What a fabulous way to end the summer! Relaxing on warm, sandy beaches. Eating shave ice in a dozen different flavors. Hearing constant giggles from cousins in the hammock under the coconut trees in the yard. Being entertained by plays put on each night by the girls to the delight of their captive audience (moms and dads). Ending each day by watching the sun go down over the western horizon while listening to the soothing waves lap the shore. It was so hard to come home!!

Seven cousins getting reacquainted -- this hammock got lots of use every day!

Ruby LOVED the beach! She loved the sand and the water and had no fear of either.

Hunting for lizzards in the front yard

My favorite beach - Kailua

Maddie and Abby - Kailua

Waiting for the train at the Dole Plantation

Ruby had fun no matter where she was!

My gorgeous nieces

All the cousins waiting in line for shave ice at Matsumoto's Store in Haleiwa.

So what do you do when you are tired of the beach? Nintendo DS of course.