I DID IT!

Here we are. Day 30. Do I have any cute pictures to post? Nope. Any major life altering revelations? Nope. Soap Boxes to stand upon? Nope. Just a pat on the back to myself for actually getting (more than) 30 posts up this month and a renewed commitment to posting on my blog. Thanks to the few of you who are still checking in (Hi, Mom and Dad!). I do this mostly to keep myself sane but it is also fun to know that people check it out every once in awhile.

A little comparison

B's a bit more comfortable around strangers.

And his hair is a lot longer.

He's grown several inches, too.

I was having so much fun reflecting on the changes in B since our last trip to Disney, that I almost missed a more important change. I know that T continues his journey toward living a healthier life. He is at the gym (at 4:30 am) 3 days each week. He makes healthy food choices every day, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. I know his clothes are a smaller size. But in my eyes, he's always been the most beautiful person, so I have a hard time noticing the physical change he's made. These photos, however, are a great reminder.

HUG

Not only is HUG one of our favorite kids' books, but it was also one of G's favorite parts about seeing the characters in Disneyland. She'd wait in line. Hand them her autograph book. Then give them a hug. She seemed to be following their cues, because she stayed very quite. (Most characters don't talk when you meet them in person.)

This cuddle with Winnie the Pooh lasted longest of all. Despite the growing line behind us, this silly ol' bear just held on as long as G wanted, which was for quite some time.

Not to be left out...

The kids were arguing over whose turn it was to be Daddy's weight!

Baby bench press

Boy have our holiday activities changed in recent years!

Black Friday

Instead of fighting crowds for deals at the mall and Toys R Us, T and
I spent a good part of the day getting deals on wine (in the form of
case discounts). I'd rather stand in line for the tastes, cheese and
crackers than ties, sweaters and slippers.

Oh, the Power of Marketing!

Sorry we forgot your cool (and small and quiet) light toy back in the hotel.

Here, have this (huge, obnoxious, blinking) replacement toy.

Just please stop hitting the nice people in front of us.

Dessert in the Desert

While gone last week, we had the pleasure of spending some time with Pam & Don, our former neighbors and dear friends. We really miss seeing them across the fence out back or working in the yard out front. For the longest time after they moved, any time G saw a gentleman with white hair, she'd call out, "Hi, Don!" Oh, how we all miss them. They were the first adults (who weren't relatives) that B would really speak to on his own or ask to go say, "Hi." I know that friends like that are rare, and neighbors like that are one of a kind. They hosted us for the day in their beautiful new home in the California desert. Luck would have it that we got to help celebrate Don's birthday, including some delicious PB&J cupcakes.

Thank you, Pam and Don. We so enjoyed the day!

The Princess and the Frog

Disneyland was gearing up for the arrival of their newest Princess - Tiana - from their new movie "The Princess and the Frog". We had the pleasure of a meeting with the Princess and her Prince, Naveen. I think this movie will be G's first in theater experience.

A Bunch of Characters

Home Again Home Again

What a great time in the Magic Kingdom. Happy to be home, but we had a great time. More photos to follow.

We got home early enough that T and I went to a movie while B & G spent some time with their grandparents. We saw "The Blind Side". It's about football. And love. Family. Adoption. We both really enjoyed it. Like need-to-own-the-DVD-so-we-can-watch-it-any-time-we-are-in-a-funk loved it. It won't win an Oscar. It probably won't be represented at the Golden Globes. But it is a great story. A mostly happy story. A true story.

It didn't beat you over the head about transracial adoption or relationships. It was about a boy who needed a family and a family who was lucky enough to fill that void.

Just because I love it...

Oh the centripetal force!

Unfortunately (or fortunately) I get motion sick when spinning in
circles so T gets to ride on these types of rides.

They've come a long way, baby!

World's Strongest Man

Oh, and Mr Incredible too

The Keeper

One of the most important responsibilities of adoptive parents is keeping the information about our child's first family close to the chest. This is important, private information. With a child who has no memories about her time in her birth country, we play a big roll in keeping the information in a safe place until she can understand it. Some families have very little information. Some know everything. We are blessed to have a DVD that explains G's birth story and the circumstances that surround her adoption plan. Every bit of information we have is G's to know as soon as she can understand it. Now that she is two, we decided that we wanted to start showing her the DVD regularly, so that some of the big issues will always just be a part of her story, not be some big surprise that we reveal on her 12th, 16th or 18th birthday. We struggle with this responsibility, because we'd love to share all of the fine details, because so much of the information is so beautiful. Yes, there is tragedy, but there is so much love, too. It is a tough job - being the keeper.

Kudos to those with 3 plus under 5

This week has taught me that, without any doubt, they will not
outnumber us until they marry or procreate. I love having little ones,
but the constant tattling ("G is cutting in line"), the inability to
share ("MIIIIIIIIINE!") and just general bickering is driving me to
drink!! Our mother has been elevated to Sainthood as of this week.

WW - Pacific Ocean September 2009

Princess Lessons Part 2.2

Princess Lessons Part 2.1

If one must accompany the Royal Highnesses to the Princess Fantasy
Faire, at least get something cool painted on your cheek!

Princess Lessons

After putting on a ballgown and slippers, one must allow the Royal
Attendants to apply make up fit for a Princess.

Compare and Contrast

At the time we went to Ethiopia, I was thankful for our end of the week reservations at the Sheraton. It gave us some much appreciated creature comforts as we prepared to return to life in the states. As I look back, however, I wish we'd spent a little more time living in a less opulent area.

Well maintained gardens of the Sheraton

An apartment complex and some small houses just behind the grounds

Beautiful flowers in bloom

They play music and the fountains create a show at night (like the Bellagio in Vegas)

Village of houses set up just across the street from the hotel

Princess Time

After her beauty sleep, this Princess decided to join us on the train.

Go Astro Blasters

While G naps, the two big cousins go enjoy some Astro Blaster. My
score was 114800, but who's counting?