A summer to remember...

Our summer break has almost come to an end. July started out on the mountain top and ended in the valley. We began the month by singing happy birthday to our daughters and the wonderful country we are blessed to live in.

Birthday #1 of the Weekend

Birthday #2 of the weekend...

Monkey celebrates America's birthday for the first time...
(He wasn't too keen on the fireworks!)

We ended the month by saying "Good night, nurse!" to someone who touched more lives than she ever knew...my grandmother. Gra passed away on July 30th.... just 14 days shy of her 98th birthday. To say that I miss her would be an understatement. Most of the month of July was spent by her side...trying to make her "laff" whenever she started to feel blue. Apparently I had an uncanny ability to cheer her up even when she didn't want to be. =)

As I read over the cards from those who were saddened by her loss, I find myself deeply touched-- yet saddened-- by their loss. Gra lived a very full and blessed 97 years. To a certain degree, I think it was taken for granted that she would always be with us on this Earth. I don't know how many times I heard someone say, "I've been meaning to stop by to see her." I could fill the pages of a book with the many things Gra taught me over the years, but the last lesson she left me with was to make every moment count and live with no regrets. And I am at peace knowing that I made every moment with my grandmother count and never left anything unsaid. For that, I have no regrets.

Two Madelyns and a Nana...
July 2008

Gra and her little "Brown-eyed Susie"~ July 2008

Celebrating Gra's 97th birthday on August 13th, 2008


Gra and her littlest angel...Katy.

Singing "Barney Google" across the heavens...together again.

One of Gra's favorite things to do was crochet. It was amazing what she could create with a crochet hook and a ball of yarn. How fitting, then, that just as we were saying our final goodbyes, a red thread was beginning to wind its way toward an unsuspecting family...

For the rest of the story, visit....

www.family4kassidy.blogspot.com

10 month anniversary... riding the roller coaster

This month was like a roller coaster! June got off to a very rocky start for us. Our littlest angel would've turned four years old on June 2nd. This is the third time we've spent her birthday without her. It was, by far, the most emotional one.

I hate to admit it the many things that I took for granted with my daughters...like time. I thought, 'There will always be tomorrow." Looking back, I see how foolish I was. And thankful for how much I have changed since. I savor my time with my family much more than I used to. and try my best to make every moment I have with them count because things could change in the blink of an eye. After losing Katy, I doubted myself as a parent-- if I even deserved to be one. And then God blessed me with a son. Worried about tomorrow??? No. Tomorrow will take care of itself. I'm HERE today and savoring every little one of life's moments.

My "Blessings" sending birthday wishes to their sister and her angel friends.

Also during the month of June, however, Spunky Monk grew by leaps and bounds. Here are some of June's notable firsts:

First food that he fed himself... applesauce
First time drinking clear fluids in a bottle... Wow!
First sign: "More"
First steps:June 16th!!!

Spunky can really get into his dinner!
~ The first time feeding himself~

Because of the language delays, we started using signing to help Spunky communicate. He comprehends so much more than he is able to express. How frustrating it must be! I can only imagine what I will do when I hear him say "I love you" for the first time.... better stock up on the tissues!

The personality continues to explode. He really is quite the character. He doesn't like the way that his daddy makes his dinner, so he'll take the bottle from Dad and sit it in the palm of my hand. Heaven forbid it be in a tinted bottle or have anything other than a purple ring on top because he will absolutely refuse it. He will inspect it to make sure you have it right too! I just love his little quirks.

Spunky and his trusty little sidekick "Gentle Ben"
Nothing gets past these two!

He is SO much like his big sister...

It has now been ten months since we first held our little boy...and it is still surreal. At this time last year, I was eagerly waiting for the Fed Ex stork to deliver our confirmation letter from China. I had already packed for our trip several times over and couldn't fathom the enormity of our impending adventure. Just one year later, here I am... trying to post a new entry before my sleeping giant stirs this morning. There are several things that he simply can't resist... tractors, telephones and technology! And, of course...his mommy. =)

Tractors...don't leave home without 'em!

Then: June 4th, 2008... XuZhou City SWI

One year later...

Time to go! Spunky Monkey is starting his day!!! =)

I'm walking...yes, indeed!

For some strange reason, I have found it very difficult to actually sit down and update my little guy's story. Maybe it's because I've become increasingly guarded of my spunky little monkey. And, then...something happened that sent me into a whirlwind of emotion.

He walked!

There were those who doubted he would walk. And to those individuals, all I can say is that our God is a mighty and gracious one. As I gaze upon that smiling little face toddling towards me, I can't help but thank God above for choosing us to be "Monkey's" family. This little boy was perfectly designed for our family long before we dreamed of adopting from China.

Just when I think that I can't fall further in love with my little boy, I am reminded that I "ain't seen nothing yet!"

Bug Hugs and Sunshine...

--Bug's Mom