Thinking Names...

I put a poll on the side and we would love to see what our fellow bloggers may like! Chad and I made a list between the two of us. What do you think? I have thought about letting her pick between the names as well... I thought I had to have a name picked up for her paperwork before I get her? Anyone know?

"Gotcha Day" One Year Ago Today

Aidens "finding spot"



















One year ago today, our lives were changed forever. Adoption is just such an amazing journey. All the hardwork of the paperwork, the trials and tribulations we have faced, fade away when I look at our happy boy Aiden. He is such a delight. To say Aiden has fit right into our family would be an understatement. He is all about letting us know who is boss and what he wants. The things is with him, he does everything with a smile. He is one of those kids that if are not in the greatest mode he can make you smile. I love now that he can say, "Mom, I give a big hug"... it is music to my ears. He really is blossoming more and more everyday.

I can hardly believe that we have had this little boy who was once called, "Gong Gong" in our lives for a year today. It seems as though it was a lifetime ago, and then on the other hand not really. Our time in China was so great, I just loved it. It is so amazing how far these little ones come in a year. When we first saw Aiden he was just so weak, meek and mild. But yet he had this happy little spirit about him.

I will never forget the day we showed up in the civil affairs building and saw Aiden for the first time. We had no idea he was there as we were expecting a big group of people... he walked out and Chad goes, "There he is". I turned around and just couldn't believe it. All the years of planning to adopt, things that happened and then joy of what was happening. It really was a surreal moment. An awesome moment. I wanted to cry, but I didn't want to scare him as he looked so innocent and scared, but did yet he did not shed a tear. He walked over to us, took the ball and backpack and hung onto it for dear life.

Aiden, is just such a blessing to all who meet him. I truly believe God had a hand in choosen this child for us. He is just so happy all of the time. I know he just loves so many of our extended family and friends. He gets excited seeing everyone's pictures on our screensavers. Especially his "poppy". I would have never guessed they would have the relationship they have even being this far apart. Thanks to poppy, "Aiden, growls all the time".



Aiden had his heart checkup today and he is doing great. When I was sitting there listening to the doctor talk about what "could" happen years from now (if he would need another surgery), it started to sink in like, "Oh my goodness I can't even think of life without this little guy". - I just felt at that moment how truly connected I feel to my little sunshine. The great thing is, he has a normal life ahead of him and we are just so very blessed.

Sorry if my pictures are a little off on here. I loaded them from different computers and it isn't exactly like I wanted but hey... I just had to show where he has come in a year with us. I can't say enough good things about our little guy from China.

Party

Yesterday, we went to my friend Maggie's house for a birthday party. Aiden just loves Leah, we kid each other that they are our future daughter/son in law. We had a great time together. I can say that people here really are so friendly. It makes moving here so much easier. They have been such a blessing to us. ( I know I have said that a lot but I can't help it) I am grateful! It is just amazing that a year ago Maggie and I were talking on the phone about our adoptions, living across the US from each other and I end up 15 minutes from her now... I think it was a "God" thing... he knew I needed someone.

So today, my goal is to get myself organized - I should say my week goal is that. My sewing/craft room is still quite a mess. It is easy when it is the room in the basement to let it be like this. I am trying to get myself back in the business mode again. I am going to be starting another blog with all that on here soon. I am trying to design my own blog this time so it is taking me a little while. Please email me if you would like this link ( heidshosh@aol.com ) . I am going to be sharing some good recipes that I have been making and some clothing design. I think Taylor is into it as well. She picked out her colors already. Now I just have to sit down and put it together.

The Zoo Today!

We had a great day at the zoo today. The St. Louis Zoo is one of the nicest zoo's I have been too - and its free at that. The kids loved it. It was sort of like Central Park in NYC but much nicer! So much to do, we will be going back for sure. Tomorrow is another day on the run. Church and then a birthday party!

Magic House St. Louis

I have been meaning to post these on here as well. A few weeks back we went to the Magic House in St. Louis. It is a children's museum. They totally loved it, we took 2 of my friend Maggies' kids with us. They had such a good time.

School Pictures

I was a little slow at getting these back to school pictures up on here... Aiden just loves school, he thinks he is a big kid everyday. Not too much is going on here. I am so excited my mom is coming out at the end of this month and then we are going home for a few days in October. My parents really miss the kids, my dad calls Aiden and they do this bear growl to each other on the phone. So now in school, Aiden goes around growling like a bear to the teachers and kids... I had to explain how that came about. He is really talking more too.. he came up to me the other day and gave me hug and he goes "A BIG hug mom"... I was like speechless because his speech has been somewhat slow but it is picking up all the time. He has advanced so far since last year it is so amazing.

Taylor and Aiden are funny together. For the longest time she kind of picked up on him (like sisters do), well now he is figuring out what makes her yell. Every morning when they are sitting together I hear some yelling and it is Aiden sticking his tongue out with food on it and showing Taylor. She gets so grossed out... kids, it doesn't matter what country you come from they are all the same.

Catching Up...

It has been awhile since I blogged so I thought I might start back at it. We have been busy with school starting here so early (August 12th). It has been an adjustment to say the least for Taylor with school but we are praying everything works out. I think she misses her friends and teachers from back home - she also says that school is way to easy for her right now. So, I have been praying about what should I do?? I think I may start supplementing her with homeschool and see how that goes. It is hard knowing what to do with your kids sometimes. You would think I would know what to do since I went to school for teaching - but it is so different when it is your kid.

Aiden started his "special" preschool also. He loves it. It is through the school district and he gets speech therapy and alot of one on one attention. He thinks he is big stuff now. Everyone says, "He is so delightful"... He is the first one out of bed in the morning and then he stands over Taylor telling her she needs to get up... or should I say yelling at her. It is so funny to hear this 20 pound kid yelling at his big sister to get moving.

~ this has been edited ~
I just want to say, my blog is my way to express myself. Maybe sometimes I "express" myself to much and I apologize for offending anyone. I guess when I get hurt or let down I let it fester and that isn't always a good thing. I know my blog has helped other people who have gone through something similar and I know it has helped me. It is real, it is what happens in life. Yes well, keep pressing on right?

Well enough with all that... I am going to be trying to update more and also get back into my business stuff. I have also treaded back into the exercise routine bit again. We have been biking and walking everyday. Taylor loves it too! I sure miss everyone back East, hope you are doing well! Look out for my new blog I will be creating.