We are a "Berry" Blessed Family: August 2012

It's the unofficial end of summer....School has started! This year not only am I sending the boys off, but Eva will also be going to Preschool two days a week :(

Eva went to her first day of school on Tuesday. She was very excited which made it much easier for me to leave her.

She's attending PreK-3 at the church we attend so that does make her more comfortable and I'm happy to have a few "spies" in the building who pop in, check on her and text me pictures!

Having a little one back in preschool is also fun for my crafty side! Nicholas and I enjoyed putting these first day of school "pencils" together for Eva's class.

The boys first day back was on Wednesday. I cannot believe that I am now the parent of a middle school student! I told him to quit growing up...how dare he not listen to me!!

At least this year the boys are both at the same school!

Thursday left me feeling a little "empty" with all three of them gone. No matter how old they are, I still get emotional on the first day of school. I'm already looking forward to our next summer break!

According to my online calendar, as of today, Eva has now been with us, her forever family, for 752 days. Why would this be significant you ask? Because it's one day longer than the 751 days she spent in China!!

July 11th marked two years that we became a family of five! As special as that day was, I held off on the blog post until today. I just can't help but feel the importance of this milestone and the new phase of Eva's life.

I never want Eva to forget her Chinese heritage. I think it's important that she always knows where she came from, and apparently she does, because while on vacation recently people would ask where we were from; we'd reply "Louisiana" only to hear Eva add "and I'm from China"! She likes to tell us about when she lived in China, most of which seems to stem from a combination of a very active imagination and stories she's heard us tell, but she consistently talks about how in China she had many mommies (assuming she's referring to the ayi's and volunteers); she'll tell me that she was sad there and that she liked to eat noodles (which she still loves to eat with chopsticks)!

Last year I chose the word "transformational" to describe our first year together, and this year I would have to choose the word "confidently". Eva has walked with a new found confidence this past year. A peace has surrounded her and she seems to have a greater sense of security in most surroundings. Although we, and those in her little bubble, knew what a great personality she had, it hasn't been until this past year that she's allowed "outsiders" a glimpse of the silly girl that is Eva. She can still be timid and unsure at times, but she warms up quicker to new people and ideas then she had. Her laugh these days comes from a place deep down in her belly, her smile is brighter and she's shown such strength of character when dealing with situations like her eye surgery and the recovery that followed. I think for her the greatest accomplishment this past year is turning 4! Now she can do all things confidently because she is a "big 4 year old" as she proudly proclaims with every accomplishment!!

To say we are proud of her is an understatement; to put into words how much we love her is impossible and to say that God has blessed us is evident every time we look at her face and that of our boys! I look forward as Eva begins this second half of her life in a much different place than it began. With the changes we've seen in the past two years, I can only imagine what the years ahead will bring!!

Here's a look at the past year in pictures: