A look back......

Eric won't be trick-or-treating this year. He's going on a retreat with his youth group. Last year he missed it because we left for China on Halloween. He thinks he's to old now at 14 anyway. I thought I would post a photo of him at age 5, the year he was a lego. I wish I could find a photo of the year he was Weird Al Yankovic, I'll keep looking. Tomorrow I'll post Ellie's first Halloween!

I hope she writes back.

This is a letter to Ellie's foster mother. Can YOU read it? Neither can I but luckily since I wrote the English version I know what it says. I have had the address for quite awhile but haven't sent anything. I just wasn't sure what to say and how to have it translated. Last week we were eating at our favorite Chinese restaurant. When the owner brought Ellie back to our table after taking her to the kitchen to show her around I asked her if she would mind translating a letter that I wanted to send to China. She was very happy to do it. I picked it up today and was just amazed at how it looked. The letter I typed was about a quarter of a page. Chinese writing is so intricate and beautiful. Wouldn't it be cool to be able to read Chinese?

Don't you just want to take some scissors to that head of hair?

Ten little monkeys, I mean girls

What a fun weekend! Ellie is still asleep and it's after 8am. She should be exhausted. When do kids start sleeping well on overnight trips? Only one family didn't make it to the reunion but hopefully they will next year when we meet at Kathleen's (just kidding my friend!) All the girls are doing well and are adorable. I hope we are able to meet every year so Ellie can know her China Sisters.

Our travel reunion is nearly here! We haven't seen anyone since last November. It's going to be so much fun seeing all 10 girls, oops make that 11 (there was a set of twins)! We are going up a day early to visit Kathleen and Scott and so Violet and Ellie can play. The photo is of Kathleen and me moments before they handed us our daughters.

Isn't this the cutest thing?

My friend Pepper knitted this hat for Ellie and I LOVE it! Everyone needs a crafty friend like her. She has made so many special things for Ellie and they are all keepsakes. I had been looking for a super cute hat with bright colors and then Pepper gave this to me today. Perfect!

One year post adoption visit

Yesterday was our 1 year and last post adoption visit. I wrote our last check to our adoption agency, YIPPEE! It went just fine as we expected. Ellie has adjusted wonderfully and is the funniest member of our family (besides her brother). Sometimes I wish we could do it again but we are done. Back when we started the process it seemed like almost everyone decided to adopt a second child from China but not so much now. I have to admit I am so relieved to be done with the whole process. It was the hardest best thing we have ever done!

I'm a good momma but not a good blogger!

I love to read everyone elses blogs but can't seem to keep up with my own. Oh well. Here's a pic of my sweetie with her surprised face on. She has also slept in her big girl bed for the past 5 nights! I think her crib may be out the door.