A day in the life!

Lots of outdoor activity with the beautiful weather yesterday.  We are looking forward to the school German Festival on Saturday.  

Happy Birthday Nana!

After weeks of 90 degree weather , we finally had a day in the 70's! It was beautiful!  Nana's birthday was Tuesday, but her 'party' is this Friday...yay!

We think that Tessa is finally over the stomach bug.  It has been a rough 4 days.  She is much perkier now.  We are very excited because we found a 'sound machine' today.  Being as how sleep is highly valued in our household, this is a new route that we hope will work.  Please keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for us.

Happy Wednesday!

Birthday Wishes.....

My family surprised me with a wonderful dinner, some special gifts, outdoor fun, and cake.  What more could a girl want???
Sweet Tessa unfortunately is fighting a little stomach virus.  She blessed me with emptying her stomach contents all over me -twice.  Poor thing is a little under the weather. You wouldn't know it from the pictures.  She always has a blast with her 'POP'.

The best 'word' in the world!

The answer to most everything when you are fast approaching '2'!

The importance of human 'touch'

Never underestimate the importance of touch.  Tessa is a very tactile child.  She constantly wants to be held, touch people, hold hands, and of course suck her finger/twirl my/her hair.
The more I think about it, I am reminded of how a hug, pat on the back, and touch of an arm can means so much in a world where we communicate by email, facebook and the like.  This little girl has taught me so much about trust, love, and the need for connection.  Take some time today to reach out to someone in the form of touch.  It is so important.  God is good!

Welcome Home Tessa!

a year ago!

Today a happy little girl!


So many milestones and such a long road home, but worth every minute of waiting.  We love you Tessa!  Welcome Home!

more birthday pictures thanks to Popi!l

helping my brother open his presents

lethal icing

now that's a candle

Happy Monday!!

Taking time to smell the flowers and play with the kitty!
Oh, and one last late addition - this is one of the fun candles that we bought in China for each of the kids' birthdays this year!

Happy 12th birthday - Graham!

Weekend recap:

Bowling party with the boys makes for some happy 11 and 12 year olds.

Shoe shopping with the girls.  A little girl just must help herself to some shoes.

Sisterly love.  Ah, what a wonderful weeekend!
Present opening with the help of one's sisters is the best!

Meant to be!

We were all meant to be family!  What a beautiful song!  Oh how the words ring true.  We could never imagined how our family would look these days.  Oh how God had a plan for our family.  We were meant to be together!  Blessings!

Last year:  Old Town Chongqing

This year, Tessa has grown up to be independent.  She can stand in her highchair, lead her Nana 'all over', and push her sister out of her seat in the car.  Oh what changes have taken place!

one year ago today

Finalized adoption ceremony

Where did the time go?

Happy Gotcha Day!

One year ago today, 

Tessa joined our family(9/07/09).

Today (9/7/2010) we celebrate her Gotcha day with a little cake, a small gift, and of course some dress-up shoes!  What a beautiful year it has been! 

Pixie Dust

This time last year we were climbing the Great Wall of China  (9/05/09)!

Now (9/5/10)we are enjoying every minute with Tessa!  She is a beautiful addition to our family.  We are blessed!  She spreads her pixie dust wherever she goes!

Our little pixie is feeling much better after an awful day of crying yesterday due to ear pain.  Nothing will break your heart faster than a little one who is in pain and you can't help.  She seems back to her spunky self today.  Let's keep our fingers crossed.

A little sister time!

Some swinging time was the perfect ending to a hectic week. We are looking forward to some down time this Labor Day weekend.  Happy Labor Day!