A few of my favorite things!

To celebrate nearly 9 months home I wanted to post some pics of my sometimes silly, sometimes serious and always sweet daughter. There are so many things I love about her and I am so grateful to have found her in this great big world. We were definitely made for each other. These are a few of my favorite things about her...


I love the crinkle in her nose when she's being goofy.



And how her eyes light up when she's trying to make me laugh.

How her long eyelashes lay on her totally pinchable cheeks.

How her smile is irresistable.



How her hair is so soft and shiny and totally unruly without a barrette.



I could go on and on...Oh, how I love this girl!





Summer in Review...

Wow, what a summer! Great weather, lots of fun adventures and we're only half way through! Here are some things we've been up to...

 Hamming it up with friends!

 

Loving the beach!

Hanging with Dad on his 39th birthday!

Hugs with Meme!

Aidan graduated Kindergarten!

Celebrating the USA!

Posing for pictures!

Cuddling on the couch with big brother! Look at that smile!

Growing Flowers....

And picking flowers!

Playing in the rain!

What's more fun than that?!

Fish, fish and more fish!

Water gun fight!

Playing in the sprinkler trying to avoid the water gun fight!

Asa's 10th Birthday!

Wearing our new shades!

Painting our toes!

Watching Dora and learning the word "backpack"!

Slowing down once in a while and getting our beauty rest!

Kitchen Renovations! Yuck!

Rides on the tractor!

What's a summer without some slip & slide action?!

Climbing a mountain! 

With the whole family! I sure am one lucky mama!

Ava did it the easy way! Thanks Daddy!

We made it!

The top of the world! Well,Vermont anyways!

I'm an Aunt!

I'm an Aunt and my kids have a cousin!
Welcome sweet little Willow Charlotte - born 7/1/12, around 9:30 a.m.- 7 lbs13 ounces.
Just met her yesterday and she's amazing and healthy. May she have a happy life filled with all the blessings the world has to offer!

Adam's turn...

Adam's turn to get his fish picture posted!

Great job! Unfortunately they were both too big to keep so the challenge next time will be to get something home for dinner!

Fishing!

The boys love to fish. They belong to a club where they compete against other kids for "lunker" (for those who don't know, and I didn't, that just means the biggest fish) and they even win money sometimes! Adrian, Adam and Asa are part of the club and this year is Asa's first year. So far he is looking every bit a natural at it, just like his brothers. The first tournament brought him $20 because of a lunker small mouth bass! A fortune for a 10 year old!

This weekend he caught two nice bass with his grandmother and yesterday, from Maine, I got a pic of him with a striped bass he caught with Pepe!

By the way Asa wanted to remind me again, before I got off the phone, that he caught the 33" striper and Adam caught the 32"... Ahh yes, there's that sibling rivalry...

I have to say fishing is my favorite sport for the kids- nothing says summer like a day fishing!

Six Months Home and a Happy Mother's Day!

In six months my little girl has gone from sweet, quiet, withdrawn, shy, "just like a little adult" as her referral said to expressive, outgoing, LOUD, whiny, joyous, attention demanding, affectionate, confident and happy. While I'm loving the new changes a small part of me does miss the quiet. Did I mention she is LOUD? She talks loud, she asks for things loud, she eats loud, she laughs loud, she cries loud.... But, of course, I do have to remember that she has four boys to compete with and sometimes to just keep away from her at all costs. I totally get that. However, I completely underestimated what a little girl's ear piercing screech could do to a mother's sanity. And it's not like I wasn't told. I was. And so I practice patience. Breathe mama, breathe...And then I practice some more... I have come to the realization that while we became comfortable with Ava immediately upon meeting her it is only now, 6 months later, that she has just become comfortable with us. Without a doubt. But with the hair-curling screeches and whiny demands also come the unexpected hugs, kisses, small pats on my arm and sweet caresses on my face. And most recently an obvious declaration and determined point of her finger that I indeed was "mama". What I mistook for her personality before I now realize was only a little part, the part she was comfortable showing us. Her developing trust of us has given her the freedom to be something even richer and more complex. On this Mother's Day I am grateful for unexpected surprises and the gift of change.

Also fitting for Mother's Day- to share an overheard conversation. On the way to town today to run some errands Ava and Aidan chattered in the back seat.
Aidan: We have the best mama in the world!
Ava: (something unintelligible but no doubt very important)
Aidan: Well, she's the best mama because she brought home such a nice sister.
Me: Awwww.....[Smile]

Happy Mother's Day to all you "best mamas in the world"!

And some 6 month pics...

Helping Daddy with a chalk line- learning the ins and outs of kitchen remodeling!

Did I mention how terrifying bubbles used to be?!

An Inspirational Adoption Announcement!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKoV1HGGe28&feature=plcp

You have to see this video- I was crying and laughing all at the same time!  An amazing family with a huge heart and not to mention great dancing and singing skills ;-) !!

A funny and oh so true adoption video...

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13341272/adoption-conversation

This one had me cracking up. And yes, I have heard all of these statements.