Lilypie Waiting to Adopt tickers

Thursday, August 30

Gifts from Eden


There are many hardships, stresses, and emotions involved with adoption. I have had some pretty down days just wishing she could be here with me, frustrated with China and how long it is taking for referrals, angry at how no one can tell me WHEN I will have her in my arms, and sad to think of how many Christmas mornings and other celebrations we will have without her. I realize that I need to step back and look at all the blessings she has brought into my life during this whole crazy process. I continue to be amazed at how our Eden has already changed our lives for the better. She has filled my heart with so much love, has brought an awareness about the world that I hadn't had before, strengthened my faith, and brought wonderful people into my life. My sweet daughter, who has not even been born, has given me so much. She has brought out such thoughtfulness and generosity from friends and loved ones. We have received so many kind gifts and cards.... some from people we have never even met. Yes, I still get down about the wait. That hole in my heart is hard to bear sometimes... but the gifts she has given are worth it... and I know that there will be so many more gifts to come.

Monday, August 27

Toledo Zoo Trip


What an awesome day! We went to the Toledo Zoo with our friends Lynn and Chris. Lynn and Chris have been many times but this was our first. We LOVED it! The animals were amazing! I have never been that close to so many animals before... they were RIGHT behind the glass. I can't even pick a favorite... the chimp was posing for us, the sloth bear was eye to eye with me, the polar bears were so active and came right up to the glass... it was incredible. The zoo was so clean and beautiful. Adrian loved the reptile house and also that he had a buddy to hang out with for the day. Luca went crazy for the seals... so much so that we had to see them one more time before we left. It was a great way to end my summer vacation.

Back story on how Lynn and I met...
Five years ago Chris was in my class. I remember him as being a cute, friendly, bright kid with a very nice family. I remember his mother (Lynn) sharing with me that she was longing to have another baby and that things were not going well. I could tell that she was in a lot of emotional pain and really felt badly for her because she is such a nice person and a great mom. Fast forward four years... I ran into Lynn in the hallway at school. She shared that they were adopting from China. I was so happy for her! Shortly after that we began seriously talking about adopting. I really wanted to talk to someone who was adopting from China so I called her up one afternoon. The rest is history.

Lynn, I am so lucky to share this experience with you. Thank you for today and for being such a wonderful friend. I am so looking forward to going back with our daughters.

Visit Lynn's blog... the link is on the right called... Waiting For Hope

Luca




Just wanted to post some of my favorite things about my Luca. Luca is three years old and his the funniest kid ever. He loves to make people laugh. He is also a huge stinker. He GETS INTO EVERYTHING and can make a GIANT mess in the time it takes me to use the rest room or answer the phone. He is sweet, smart, and so loving too. Here are some of my favorites...

* Last night he ran out of the bathroom naked saying, "I have a bunny tail!" He then turned around to show me a toilet paper pouf he had sticking out of his butt. Couldn't help but laugh... and dive for my camera.

* He names all animals Sonia. Not sure why.

* He calls Adrian "Bo", "Bobo", or "Bobostink". He has never called him Adrian.

* This week Adrian got a shot at the doctor. I had to bring Luca with us and I could tell he was worried about Adrian. He sat and watched wide eyed and I held Adrian. On the way home there was a quiet moment in the car and I heard ever so softly... "I love you Bo."

* The other night I let him lay in bed with me at bedtime. He lay down next to me and said, "Your beautiful."

* He loves babies... especially his new cousin Griffin.

* He loves to "read" and be read to. I will read a book and then he wants a turn to read it. I am amazed at how much he is able to remember from each page. I will post some video sometime of this. Also, if he doesn't remember the words he just makes up nonsense words and says them in a sing song reading voice. Adorable.

* He will eat just about anything.

* He is always happy.

* The way he says these words... lilo (little), bery (very), Mister Grain Bar (Nutra Grain Bar), lickerlish (licorice), Uncer (Uncle), "goo nite" ( good night complete with Italian accent, channeling his inner Nonno), "poocock" (peacock), "buttcrapt" (butt crack), "rest-er-not" restaurant, "buge" (huge)

* He lives life full force and has the scrapes and bruises to prove it.

* His passion for ice cream.

* He loves to water the flowers with me.

* He made up this little game where he says "We are..." and I have to answer "sweetie pies". Then I say "We are..." and he answers " shweetie pies".

* I have included a picture in the slideshow of a mess he made last week. He was throwing a fit in a store because he wanted a plastic frog. We have a million toys and don't need one more plastic frog so I didn't buy it. My mom was with me and to calm him down she distracted him with some chocolate. He settled right down and my mom and I were able to have a nice conversation for the ride home. When we got home I opened up his car door to see his face, hands, clothes and some of his car seat covered in chocolate. The chocolate had nuts in it that he obviously didn't care for so he decided to suck the chocolate off and keep the nuts as a nice little gift for me. He literally held out his hand with a huge grin as if he was giving me a present. He looked so funny I couldn't be mad. Again, I ran for the camera.

* Adding on from the plastic frog story from above... We went and saw The Wiggles Live. We took a limo to the show. While riding in the limo he proceeds to tell his Tete (very dramatically) about the plastic frog that Mama wouldn't buy him at the store earlier that day. My sister cracked up, "Oh you poor deprived child... sitting in a limo going to a Wiggles concert complaining about a plastic frog." We still are laughing over that!

* He loves my dad. He has always gravitated to him even as a very young baby.

* He is my twin... not only do we look alike but we have such similar personalities, likes and dislikes, expressions, energy level, etc.

There is so much more I could write but now that I just wrote all that I have to go smooch his face!!!!!!!!!! He is just such a blessing to me and I am such a lucky mommy to have him.

Smile, It's Monday

Enjoy!

Saturday, August 25

Soccer Stars



Adrian attended a soccer camp this summer. These are from his last day. Luca had to join in the fun too of course! It was a great camp! The instructor was very high energy, kept the kids motivated, and was a lot of fun. If you are interested the camp was through Kid Kicks... http://kidkickssoccer.com/.

Wednesday, August 22

Our Backyard









The other morning while we were all sitting at the kitchen table Ron noticed something in our yard... deer! We have seen lots of animals in our yard since we moved in... rabbit families, lots of toads and frogs of different varieties, bluebirds, and all kinds of strange bugs... but nothing compares to seeing deer. Just had to post for you to enjoy too!