On the Road Again... Destination Michigan

Well, we are soon rounding down our summer. It seems like we have been so busy but busy helps time pass by. It seems like the past year has been a year of trials and tribulations but I am still thankful for the blessings we have. My dad last year came down with Lyme Disease - which he didn't know he had for two months, which turned into a life or death situation. He has had to retire and adjust to some short term memory issues, and being tired all the time. I am just so thankful he is here because it did not look good for awhile. Now Chad's dad is also dealing with his own battle with severe pancreatitis. Praying for a miracle that he gets healed... He is 8 weeks into being in ICU right now but slow progress is being made.

When you have these life or death situations it really makes you appreciate the time you have with loved ones. Even though it can be a pain to travel with 3 kids, find someone to care for our 2 dogs and other things - it is worth it once we arrive. I do feel like I am ready for a vacation from vacation sometimes! 3 kids are definitely more then when I just had one three years ago! I love it and feel blessed though... but packing for two girls - ugh lots of clothing and shoes.

We are almost 4 months out till Chad returns to. Thank goodness for Skype and Skype on my IPHONE is awesome. We can take Chad anyplace with us! Compared to when we first came into the military 17 years ago life has definitely changed with technology. I hope to get more into blogging again once my life settles down in another month. Really my life never settles down and that's okay! Here are a few pictures of our summer so far!

Blessings in Heartache... Remembering Chase 7/16/2007

Not that I need a day to "remember" my son Chase but I like to honor him on his "birth day"... today would have been #4. I remember one of my friends who also lost a baby telling me, "The bleeding stops but the scars always remains", this is so true - but I can say that God has been so good and faithful. When I went through losing Chase (1 day before he was to be born after years of trying to have another child) I just remember laying there thinking, "Please God fill me with your peace to get me through this". Somehow someway with God and my family we were able to get through these years.

Don't get me wrong - it still hurts knowing one is missing at different times of the year, but I can celebrate because I know one day I will see him again. He was our son, a brother, a grandson - you just don't forget that... I will never forget calling Chad in Iraq to tell him this news... I am so thankful for family that could be there - and who has always remembered... that means more the words can say. I always tell people if you know someone who lost a child or anyone for that matter, don't be afraid to say, "Hey I was thinking of you" "How are you doing" ... I remember seeing a quote one time and I find it so true, "Stillborn means Still Born"...

So my way of remembering that day - is to also honor it. I have always felt that there is a reason for everything and although I still don't always understand why God allows pain - I do KNOW that it makes me think of others a little more. Sometimes I think God allows heartache to wake us up and make us be better people. So now we live life to the fullest, take chances, don't be afraid to break the mold.. You have one life and you never know when it might be taken.

Love you little guy... Thanks for remembering with me friends...

Hard to believe she has only been here not even two months

Practicing for VBS... love this site! Getting ready for Chad to deploy for 6 months - these kids are such a blessing when he leaves! How they will miss their dad but have such a great church family!

~Easter~

My parents drove in from PA for a quick 4 day weekend. They were so anxious to meet Summer. She took to them like it was the most natural thing in the world. I truly think sending over our photo books, labeling pictures really helped her in her transition. She amazed me with knowing who everyone was while we were in China... We had an awesome visit and I am so thankful they came out.

Back home...

Well, we made it back to the US on Saturday and since that day I still have been trying to recover from jet lag... not sure why this time around it has been so much harder. Maybe having three kids now has something to do with it, ha ha. When we came home some friends of ours decorated the outside of the house with decorations and then my mother in law and Chad decorated the inside. Summer was just elated with her new home. She ran up to Chad from the airport and gave him a big hug and Aiden. Needless to say Aiden and her have been little buddies. Every morning when Aiden wakes up he can't wait to see Summer.

It has been great - but I want you to know also there are times where you are like, "What did I do?"... especially when there is some friction, whining and crying from the kiddos. That is usually short lived but it IS an adjustment period. Taylor has had her feelings hurt with Aiden wanting Summer, we get the "Everything is about her now" or "Aiden wants Summer all the time"... but for the most part (95%) of the day things are running smoothly. I just am needing to get back into the swing of life. I have been SO SO tired since my trip home. I think the excitement of China and the whole adoption process has you all vamped up then when you get home it is a let down for awhile. Which is good because I am SO glad to be done with the paperwork, waiting on approvals, financial things etc... but now it is a new adjustment.

As for Summer, I still am waiting for her to grieve - I have not seen one tear yet which makes me worry if she is really internalizing things to much. Yet, I see a kid who LOVES to play with her siblings, loves her dad, has done well with meeting church friends - etc. It is almost to good to be true. OR I can think that God worked through and really prepared her for leaving all she has known for a family. I do think they realize at this age what they had to look forward to in China being in a foster home compared to having a forever family, I think it helps rationalize things. She is so sweet and has just been great. It is also so cool to see how many people in our church have opened their arms to her. She has so many people pulling for her and just loving her. It really brings tears to my eyes, I love this area for that reason alone!

Some of the little things we have learned in the few days we have had her at home - put the child safety locks on in the car. We were going down the highway and she opened her door, thank God Chad was with to grab it quickly. The other thing is - we should have had her foot measured sooner, she came to us in a size 2 and is a size 4 shoe! I asked her over and over if her feet hurt and she said no! And lastly - as we went out to eat the other day we were paying our bill at the cash register and I look down and she had no shoes on! - She left them under the table... So important lesson - make sure kids have shoes on when exiting the diner!

Banana Leaf Restaurant Guangzhou

Any of my adoption friends following this blog - the Banana Leaf restaurant across from The Garden Hotel (in the first Frienship store level 5) - awesome restaurant good food!

Jumped on me for a ride... love it!

I was walking by our bed and next thing I know Summer jumped on my back and gave me a hug! I couldn't resist a picture...

My crazy daughter...the laughs continue

The laughs continue.. fun day at the park today... Thai restaurant with friends tonight! Three days left and then back to "normal" life - whatever that means! Chad is home for a day and then leaves or a week... gone for a week in May and then gone for 6 months! One good thing summer coming up... I love the sun and warm weather... ready for the beach!

A day at the park..with friends

Today has been a fun day... thank goodness for good sleep that can do wonders. Yesterday just was a long day - sometimes it gets old being by yourself and yesterday was one of them... Today we went to one of my favorite parks we have been to in China. We were there when we got Aiden and it brings back a lot of good memories. Beautiful park where the Chinese exercise together young and old and then there are rides in it for the kids as well. Wish we had one of those!

Tomorrow we go to the US embassy to go to meet with the Consulate worker about Summers Visa... then we get it Thursday and that will be it for the paperwork. We take off at 12:30PM on Friday and get back to the States in St. Louis at 9:00 PM (China is 12 hours ahead in case you are wondering). Looking back at my pictures it has been a great trip - just long. I have tried to soak in as much as I can and have Taylor experience as much as she could as well. I REALLY hope with my kids that I teach them not to be afraid to do things... that life is an adventure.

Today, Taylor and Summer have been buddies again... It is bound to happen hurt feelings etc. Wait till they share a room! Tonight we are going to the "Banana Leaf" Thai restaurant with the friends we have met here. I have to say it has been nice being in a group this portion of our trip - it helps pass the time.

I was thinking I need to soak up everything because soon we won't be here any more... and soon Chad will be leaving again for 6 months and I will be having all the kids... People wonder how I do things alone so much - well, if I didn't do it I wouldn't have what I have - or see what I have seen, and being a military wife what choice do I have right? Sometimes conditions aren't what I would like but it has made me into who I am and I hope to pass that on to my kids - to rely on themselves and the rest will fall into place.

No matter what life has thrown at me I always have one person with me all the time - and HE never leaves me... God is good! One day Chad and I won't have this crazy life of the Air Force and then we will look at each other like, "Now what do we do - this is boring!" - just kidding!

Down Day... getting ready to come home

Today, was one of those days were we went had one quick appointment this morning (TB test reading) and then we were dropped off at a shopping area. I have been to this place before and it isn't one of those markets were they are grabbing you to go in the back room to look at their watches and purses (well there were a few but not many) After looking around and navigating the stores that are 9 escalators tall and getting sandwiched in an elevator one to many times we decided to get a taxi and head back to our hotel... I have TRULY enjoyed my time here and am soaking it all up but it is just one of those days were you long for people not pushing you, feeling like you aren't going to get run over when you step onto the street and just to be able to have a good American meal besides Pizza Hut, Italian, KFC... etc. Okay now that I got that out I feel better, lol. Yes, I am only human... maybe I feel this way because when we flew into our taxi I banged my head off the door so I wouldn't get left behind and now I have a splitting headache!

It has been such a great trip but I am ready for "real life" to begin again. I feel SO blessed by experiencing China again for the 2nd time. I know we will be back again to bring our kids to their homeland. It really is a lot different then what we as Americans think of China. I love learning about the culture of my children. When I start to feel anxious and miss my familiar things I think of what Summer feels like being with us and what she will experience at home in the USA. Can you imagine not knowing much English and have no idea what anyone is saying around you? I can't imagine giving up so much just to have a family. Hopefully we live up to her expectations!

People wonder what we will be doing as far as English - well activities, church things and of course good old language programs... We are lucky to get Rosetta Stone through the Air Force for free - so that is something she will be trying out. I also have several apps that she can translate to us and vice versa. She already has the phrase, "Let's go" and "Taylor!!" down pat. Taylor and her had their first "tiff" today. Just normal kid stuff but it will be an adjustment. Taylor wanted her to play Chinese hackysack and Summer just wanted to do a puzzle... well Taylor got upset and then Summer threw the puzzle at Taylor... I am thinking "Well, they act like siblings already"! Then 30 minutes later they were playing together beautifully.... Seriously, being in a hotel no matter how nice it is after 2 weeks gets to anyone!

I am just going to upload a few photos I have had on my iphone... Hope all is well friends!

P.S. I love the video of Taylor playing hackysack - kids no know boundaries when it comes to fun!