First Week of School

Well, I guess summer is officially over at our household :(  This week both of the boys returned to school.

Noah went back to school on Monday, August 15th.  He is in the 5th grade and part of the French Immersion program at his school.  He was so sweet to humor me and not only did he let me drive him to school but he also posed for a few pics.  It struck me as I was taking the photos that this would be the last time he would have a first day of elementary school (tear, tear)!!

Nicholas went back to school on Wednesday, August 17th.  This year he is attending a new school for 3rd grade.  He decided towards the end of last year that he no longer wanted to be in French Immersion.  He's very excited about his new school and in a year Noah will be joining him there.

Eva was okay on Monday and Tuesday because Nicholas was still home.  But Wednesday was another story!  After dropping Nicholas off at school, she would not talk to David or I the whole way home!!  She continued to be a little out of sorts with the whole thing for two days...asking throughout the day for the boys.  She has decided that she wants to go to school too and do homework!

Sorry Eva, but I think you're going to be staying home with me a little longer!!  :)

 

Good Luck Boys...Praying for you Both to have a Wonderful School Year!!

ONE YEAR!!

 One year ago today, we witnessed the answer to our years of prayers...

and our lives have wonderfully not been the same since!

I can still feel how my heart was pounding as we anxiously awaited her arrival that morning.  I remember how fragile she seemed and how her eyes revealed nothing of what was going through her mind.  I can still hear her screaming ringing in my ears from our early days together and how raw all of our emotions were during that time. 

As I have thought about this post and all I want to say, I've tried to think of one word that would adequately describe our past year and I think that I have the perfect one..transformational.   We have watched our daughter emerge out of a cocoon and change into a beautiful butterfly!  To watch a child blossom into the person that God always intended for her to be is miraculous.  It still amazes me that this personality was locked inside of her for two years! 

Eva has gone from a child who could barely walk, was not talking and very much a loner to a little girl who runs through life with curiosity and a smile on her face.  To say she is smart is an understatement!  We constantly hear the word "why" coming out of her mouth and no simple explanation will do.  She now much prefers being with others rather than alone. She loves music, gymnastics, Mickey Mouse, Princesses, and of course, to eat!  She's a ball of incredible girly energy!!

Not only has Eva transformed over the past year, but so has our family.  It still gives me chills when we make reservations as a family of 5 and that I'm the mother of 3 beautiful children!  David definitely has a "Daddy's Little Girl" and according to her he now goes to work each day to "make money for Eva"! Noah has become the protective big brother of a little sister; he takes this duty very seriously. Nicholas has not only become a big brother but given up his throne as baby of the family.  It's not to say that all transformations have come without challenges but even those we accept as part of our growth. 

Our faith has also been transformed.  I thank God for His work in our lives and for covering us with His mercy and grace.  I thank Him for giving our family this testimony of His faithfulness.  I am very grateful that my boys have been able to visibly see their prayers of so many years answered in such a glorious way. I thank Him for all of the lessons that He has taught, and continues to teach, us as a family.

I have so enjoyed going through pictures of the last year, finding some without all of the cute hairbows, etc. was a little challenging especially as the months went on, but it's truly amazing to visibily see Eva's physical transformation over the past year:

July, 2010 

August, 2010  

September, 2010 

October, 2010 

November, 2010 

December, 2010 

January, 2011 

February, 2011

March, 2011

April, 2011 

May, 2011 

June, 2011

 

July, 2011

So, Yes...transformational...our word for the past year.  A year that I wouldn't trade for anything!!  I can't wait to see what the years ahead have in store for us!

Congratulations to all of our China travel friends who are also celebrating their first year together! We think about each of you often and pray that your year has been blessed with much happiness!!

While we were in China I bought gifts to give Eva each year on her Forever Family day.  This year she received a wooden China doll and a cloisonne bracelet.

Happy Forever Family Day Eva!

Party Time!!

 

Last Saturday, June 25th,  we celebrated Eva's 3rd Birthday surrounded by family and friends!  What a happy time for Eva and our family.

We are so fortunate to have a wonderful church home with beautiful facilities.  Part of which is an indoor soft play area that we used to host the party.  Perfect for when it's close to 100 degrees outside these days!

Eva's favorite part was the two story slide that she somehow managed to sweet talk Mr. Tom into going down with her again & again!!

Brunch was served admist ladybugs that had landed in our garden!  The delicious menu included shrimp & grits, egg casserole, sausages, tea biscuits, fruit and juices.



After filling our tummies, it was time to open gifts.  First, each card had to be opened to see which made music; then every package was a treaure waiting to be discovered!



After all of the paper had been removed, then came Eva's favorite part of the morning.....CAKE!!

Some chose to use a fork to partake of this sweet treat...while others dug in and got their hands a little messy!!  



It was a beautiful day for our ladybug princess filled wih priceless memories that we will always treasure!

Thank you to everyone for coming and celebrating our girl on her special day!  Special thanks to Dawn & Vonceil for all of your help with the decorations and food preparation...I couldn't have done it without you!

How Eva Spent Her Birthday...

Our little China doll celebrated her 3rd birthday American style!  We woke her with all of us singing "Happy Birthday"...which I'm sure sounded like a pretty rude awakening!! 

The boys each had picked out cards for her.  After she opened them, we noticed how she kept opening and closing them, going back and forth from card to card.  Finally, after doing this for a little while, she looks up at us and says "No Music"!  This girl doesn't miss anything!!  She remembered us looking at Father's Day cards and of course the boys had to listen to all of the ones that made music.

 

Fortunately, Tom & Sue saved the day later that afternoon when they showed up with a singing card!!

After getting her up, it was time to head outside and unveil her birthday gift from us!

At first she was a little hesitant to climb or slide on it by herself, but by the end of the day she was all over it!  She loves being outside so this should get lots of use!!

We had lunch with Nana & Paw-Paw, where she was so excited to eat pizza!

Driving home from my parents, I asked her what she wanted for her special birthday dinner.  She quickly replied "hot dog"!  This is a very strange request, because I never cook hot dogs.  We went to the grocery store and I showed her hot dogs to make sure that was what she wanted and it was...so hot dogs it was for dinner!

A surprise package from a friend was very exciting to find on our doorstep!  Oh how I wish I'd had my camera when I told Eva the package was for her.  Her eyes and mouth were as wide as saucers and she kept saying "Eva prize, Eva prize"!!  This special gift was from her friend Sophie, who is also from Suzhou and the same orphanage as Eva, along with her siblings Isaac, Avery and mom, Mrs. Kristen.  It's a really cute bracelet with heart charms!  Our girly-girl LOVES it!!  Thanks so much!

We ended her day at the park where my very talented neice Kristen took pics of the birthday girl!  They all came out so great that I had a very hard time choosing so I'm putting several here on the blog.  Thanks Kristen for these special treasures!!

After a little playtime with her cousin Brayden,

no birthday would be complete without cupcakes!!  Unfortunately it was so windy we couldn't get a picture of her blowing out the candles, but I think it's safe to say the cupcake was a hit!!

Before bed, she played with her magnetic paper dolls from MarMar that she loves!  So fun to watch how intense she is getting the clothes and shoes just right.  We might just have a little Fashionista on our hands!!

Her new book from Molly was the perfect bedtime story!!

Now we look forward to Saturday, when we will celebrate some more with family & friends.  I love planning birthday parties for the boys, but I have to admit that planning one for a little girl has been lots of fun!! 

All in all, I think it was a great day for a 3rd Birthday!!

We love you Eva!!