Since the boys were out of school Monday and Tuesday this week, we decided to take advantage of the long weekend. David's father hasn't had the chance to meet Eva, so we made the 9 hour drive to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to introduce the two of them. They seemed to hit it off pretty well.
We also celebrated Halloween while we were there. The town that we were actually in is very small, but had a community trunk or treat that all of the churches got together and sponsored. Along with that there were also games, fun jumps and a hayride. The kids had a really good time!
Strangely, Eva has wanted nothing to do with playing in the grass, not even walking in it, since we have been home with her. For some reason, this weekend, that changed and they all enjoyed the Fall temperatures playing outside. She even laid in the grass and let me snap some pics!!
Although a rather quick trip, I am thankful for the time spent with family and for the cooler temperatures outside! I'm also thankful that we have such awesome travelers! Since we left late on Friday, we divided the trip up over two days going to Alabama, but coming back we made it home all in one long day. The boys have their DS's and movies so they are happy and if Eva's not watching the movie with them, she's sleeping or just looking out of the window. They handle it much better than me!
Our Asian Princess!
Her Beautiful Smile Captured!
A Girl's Got to Have Pearls!
Her Favorite Blanket!
Looking at her still takes my breath away...at times it's so surreal that she is really here. I continue to marvel at God's plan for her and our family. To think that four years ago when we began this journey Eva wasn't even born and how in His perfect timing she came to be part of our family. I praise Him that He is our Sovereign God!!
(Practicing Her Wink!!)
We also took her to an appointment with a Pediatric Opthamologist. He pretty much confirmed what we were expecting to hear...she will need multiple procedures on her eyes, but the good news is that he doesn't want to start them for another year or two! That will allow us much more bonding time before putting her through surgery. We go back in December. so please pray that we'll receive another good report then.
Starting a Mommy & Me gymnastics class. It's low-key but gives Eva the opportunity to socialize once a week with three other children her age and to work on building her physical development. She loves to crawl under the ropes;
can hang from the rings all hour if you let her,
likes to flip over the bar, and
the best part...it all ends with a donut hole!!
Last weekend we were treated to a little bit of cooler weather so we got out the bikes! Eva wasn't too sure at first, but
she loved it once we got going!
She also loves to be outside in her swing.
She also really enjoys weekly playdates with friends, including her new friend Maddie!
Just this evening, we decided to take advantage of nice weather, and went on a picnic at our local park
then played in the splash pad. Eva even let us take her shoes off to play! This is a big deal...the girl really does not like to go without shoes. They are the first thing she wants when she gets out of bed in the morning and leaves them on all the time!!
On a personal note...each day as I watch Eva blossom and experience life in a new way, my heart breaks for orphans all over the world who will never know the love of a family. Each day as I hear her say "Mama" my heart weeps for her birthmother, and all women, who due to cultural or societal reasons are forced to abandon their children. My mother's heart is overwhelmed with the emotion of a women leaving her six day old infant, wrapped in a pink blanket, on the steps of a hospital in Suzhou, China, knowing she'd never see her again.
Our Princess in Training!
