Keeping Cool

A Fred's pool--$8, a hot May day and pool toy, and memories in the driveway--priceless. If I remember correctly, MaiLin was still in school and we went to Fred's to purchase a little pool. The kids had been begging me to go to the pool but I don't like the water in May. It is too cold. So, this was Mommy's way to satisfy them. AnnaLi and Adrian had a lot of fun.




It wasn't big but it got the job done!!!

Just Plain cute

I bought the kids matching outfits for church. Of course getting pics is always a challenge but they are adorable anyway.

Just for fun moments

One afternoon I found MaiLin and AnnaLi lying in the driveway (with their heads at the bottom of the driveway) looking at the clouds. Adrian of course went and did the same. I ran for the camera. When I returned, of course they had moved. So, I sort of re-enacted the event. It was too cute.

Me and my cute hat. Mom fought me about wearing it but I finally gave in because I just know I look so incredibly cute!!!

Our neighbors have a dog that the kids love. Well MaiLin LOVES her and the other two are coming around. AnnaLi is now not totally terrified. Adrian keeps his distance. They have an underground fence so he is standing right on the line because he knows she can't come over it. Today we were outside and the dog started barking and he screamed from our yard--"Bad Doggie". Too funny. I didn't even know he knew how to say that.

While we were in China AnnaLi learned to ride a bike without training wheels. New Day had one and she learned to ride. We had not taken the training wheels off at home but the week of Mother's Day she wanted to get out and go. She was a pro after minutes.

AnnaLi and Adrian spend the majority of their time fighting. So, when I can catch a sweet sibling moment I try to relish in it. I actually caught this one on film.

Cool Dude.

Adrian got a new John Deere tractor from grandparents. This was pretty much his position for about two hours that afternoon. He pushed that tractor all over the yard and the cul-de-sac. He was too cute.

This is the Chinese squat. All of my kids do it. It is amazing how they do that.

Every afternoon we spend our time in the cul-de-sac playing, riding, petting the dog, etc. The kids are definitely outside kids and would rather be out than in. So, we are usually out. It is so much easier that way and plus it gets them really tired :). We are so thankful that it is now nice weather and we don't have to stay cooped up inside.

Neighborhood Water Park

Every water toy that we had was in the front yard.

Adrian thought he would spray a little more water on the slide for the big kids.

Not just for big kids.

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

One day I was shopping and saw this water slide 1/2 price. I knew that it would be fun for the neighborhood kids if they used it in our front yard since our yard has such a big hill in the front. I figured that if they played with it even one day it would be worth the price. Well, Chris and I were doing some yard work one Sat and all the kids were out but complaining of the heat. I thought it was a good day to break it out. The deal was they had to at least play with it long enough to make it worth my while. They entertained (and thoroughly wore themselves out) themselves for a good couple of hours. They would start at the very back of our property (in the back yard ) and run for the slide. Adrian didn't miss a beat. He was right behind the group every step of the way. The first time that he ran down the water slide and wiped out he wanted to cry but then he got up laughing . He would run to the end and then slide down in the puddle of water at the end. Too cute.

First time to church

By far, my favorite picture of Adrian so far. This really shows his personality.

Silly boy

This pretty much shows how our photo session went. Not a lot of cooperation.

Monkey see . Monkey do.

Today I took Adrian to the worship time at church just as a first introduction to church. Truth is, I couldn't stand missing worship time anymore. He was a little overwhelmed by the amount of people. He did pretty well but kept a death grip on my neck and waist most of the time. Chris was in the choir and Adrian could see him. He couldn't understand why he couldn't go see Chris. Right before the prayer when it was quiet, he yelled, "BABA". Chris heard him from the back of the church. It was too cute.

Since they were ALL dressed for church. I had to take pictures, of course. But since I'm not a great photographer and the subjects weren't very cooperative, it turned out like any "session" with 3 kids.

This can't be comfortable

I took this picture of Adrian the other day during his nap. Sometimes he throw all of the stuff in his crib onto the floor. Other times he piles it in the corner and gets on top of it. This can't be comfortable. But, hey if he is sleeping, who am I to complain?

Friends

I'm not up to anything--REALLY!!!

Our friend Emma. Her mom and I are thinking--cute grandkids. Just kidding.

Funny kids.

Adrian singing "Where is Thumpkin"--a song we sang about 1000 times in the early days of our life together. I think songs from preschool in China gave him great comfort. He still loves for me to sing them to him when I rock him.

We are so blessed to have many Chinese friends for our kids. We have a great, sweet , precious group of incredible families who have adopted children from China . These families are invaluable support through all walks of adoptive life. Adoptive families have many of the same challenges as any family but many of the challenges are unique to adoption and specifically international adoption. We become a sort of support group for each other. This family is one of those families. We have been able to get to know them as we waited. They were with the same agency as us. They traveled about a month ahead of us to bring home their precious Emma. With each child the Lord has put a family in our lives that came home within a month or so with our agency. Those families have become very close to us and our kids are great friends. Our families need each other and the kids need each other as they grow up facing some unique challenges. Our Lord provides.