Face painting!

In case you were wondering what was on all of the kids' faces in the last picture...

The other day, I got out some face paint we had and painted the kiddos' faces!

Annaboo picked a butterfly for one cheek and a ladybug for the other...

Kate, our super girly-girl chose a princess, of course :)

Gracie said a bunch of stuff in Chinese to Charlie, he answered, and she said, "panda!" so Mr. Charlie sported a panda bear...

And Gracie told me TIGER for the first cheek, and PANDA for the other one!

So there you go. They weren't happy about bathing that night and washing off their beautiful face paintings!

It's the little things that bring them so much JOY!

And yes, I will be back to answering the rest of the questions, don't worry! I just wanted to stay up to date on posting pictures :)

July 22, 2006

4 years ago today.

The day our dossier was logged in at the CCAA.

Our dossier for AnnaClaire.

You know what's crazy?

We'd still be waiting. Still.

And so today, on this would've been 4th year anniversary of a momumental day I look at my FOUR sweeties from China and just praise God that we are not still waiting.

Four years ago, our first dossier was logged in. Yesterday, we celebrated month with Gracie. Our fourth addition to our family since that time.

4 years. 4 kids.

All while people still wait...

and wait...

and wait.

I'm not here to make a post going off about special needs adoption and how I don't understand why there are still families traveling to China to adopt "healthy" babies.

No, that is not my intent.

Because honestly, every orphan needs a family.  

Instead, I want to focus on praising God.

Praising Him for showing us a different route.

Praising Him for blessing us with FOUR wonderfully amazing children in the past four years.

For showing us that "special needs" is merely a classification

But nothing more.

Maybe an extra dr. appt here and there.

But that is all.

And beneath that classification,

there is so much more.

And the truth is...

We could've waited years and years for ONE child.

But in that amount of time, we have been immensely blessed...

FOUR times over.

Wordless Wednesday

Answers: Part 2

Well, since yesterday's anwers took a bit more thought :) I thought I'd answer some of the basic ones today... So here you go!

Do you have any hobbies that you enjoy in addition to your photography? Do you participate in any sports or clubs at school besides swim team?

*Yes, I love taking pictures! I also love being with friends, writing, playing ultimate frisbee and other things outside, baking, and babysitting! The school sports I do are swimming and track (I do the throwing events... ha!) As for clubs, I'm in Beta Club and National Honors Society.

Anywhere other than China you would like to visit?

*I've been to Romania on a missions trip and had an amazing time there. Would love to go back sometime. I also still really want to go to Haiti (I was supposed to go on February, but we weren't able to because of the earthquake, and the trip was rescheduled to dates that we were in China) and would love to go to Africa. Really, anywhere. I LOVE traveling. I went all over Europe with my dad during my 7th grade year, and there are places there that I would love to go back to! I also have a goal of going to every state in the US!

Where do you get the little girls' clothes? They are always dressed so cute! Love the striped PJs in the "pancake" photo too. Do you help pick out the matching outfits?

*Of COURSE I help my mom pick out the clothes! She runs everything by me before ordering! :) We order most of their stuff from Boden, which has the cutest clothes ever. We also buy a lot from HannaAndersson (that's where the striped jammies are from). Most of their smocked dresses are from little shops here.

how's it going with the giant new van?!

*We're loving our van! It's hard to park, but it's so nice that we can drive as a family to Church in ONE car! It will be really nice, too, when we roadtrip!

Since we live close by what is your favorite place to shop.

*I adore everything from J Crew and Anthropologie. Sale racks, of course :) I also really like a store called Franchescas, which is a little boutique and has such acute clothes!

Do you have any desire to learn Chinese? What about any plans to keep Gracie fluent?

*I would LOVE to learn Chinese some day. If my school offered it, I would definitely take it! Unfortunately, I have to stick with Spanish for now. We would love for Gracie to stay fluent, but at this point, we are really just trying to work on English with her. It is coming VERY slowly.

If you could travel to any country in the world, where would you go?

*China, of course!

I know your siblings have special needs and you've never mentioned what it is. Is there a reason? I know you're not the only person to not disclose a sibling/child's special need.

*I don't talk about their "special needs" because that's not what defines them. I want people to know them for the AMAZING little people they are. Honestly, we rarely even think about their "special needs!"

Is there any reason that you've only adopted from China?

*Because that's where God has called us, and that is where he showed us 4 sweeties that he had planned for OUR family! :)

You obviously have an immense love for and bond with your younger siblings. Do your brothers have the same?

*My brothers might not have a blog all about the littles, but yes, they adore them! They are such good big brothers, too! They don't get to see them as much as I do, but that doesn't change anything!

List your favorite...food, song, book, movie, thing to do on the weekend, vacation spot, subject in school, Bible verse, thing to wear, time of the year, and websites/blogs!

*Food- pancakes

Song- mostly anything by the Avett Brothers

Book- anything by Nicholas Sparks! The Choice is probably my favorite. (Yeah.. I'm not much of a reader!)

Movie- My all time favorite is probably The Parent Trap. I just love that movie!!

Thing to do on the weekend- hang out with friends!

Vacation spot- Fripp Island. It's a small island outside of Beaufort, SC!

Subject in school- English. My favorite class I have ever taken was AP Language, which I took this past year. I love to write and it is a LOT of writing. I also had an awesome teacher, which helped a lot! :)

Bible verse- there are a lot of Bible verses that I love, but my favorite is probably Phillipians 3:8-9. "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."

Thing to wear- nike shorts and t-shirts!

Time of year- summer, because there is no school and I love just sleeping in and being lazy! Aside from that, probably spring. I love the feeling of it getting warmer, being able to wear shorts again, the flowers blooming, the BEAUTIFUL weather, and school coming to a close!

Websites and blogs- I spend entirely too much time on Facebook. As for blogs, I follow a lot. I love following the ones of families who we met in China and have traveled with during our three trips. I also love following the families that we know personally. Ni Hao Y'all and No Greater Joy Mom are two of my other favorites. Not only because they take amazing pictures and are about two amazing families, but I also feel like they speak a lot of my heart in ways that I could never express.

And thirdly, what are a few of your favorite/least favorite things about China?

*My favorite things about China are the people, the food, the history, and the culture. The people there are, for the most part, just so sweet. So generous, honest, and helpful! The food, I just love. There's something about the way they prepare everything that just makes it good. Of course, that is if you stay clear of chicken with bones and other things that you wouldn't typically see in the US! I love the history there, because it goes back so far, and admist all of the modern parts of the cities, there are little reminders of how ancient the cities actually are. I also just love the culture... the big shopping areas, food being cooked on the streets, horns honking, the hustle and bustle of people... The things I don't like about China are "gross" aspets of it. Gross as in people spitting anywhere and everywhere. Kids just squatting right where you are about to walk and going to the bathroom. The sewage smell as you are walking down the street. I also hate the amount of pollution and how the sky is rarely blue.

How about, what do you want to name your own babies?? :)

*Esther, Ava, Daniel, Henry, Hannah, Jack, Noah, and Lilly.

How often do you look at the WC lists?

*Way too much. :) Any and every list that I can access, I look at. And it is heartbreaking to me to see how many kids wait and to also know how many families are waiting, too. I wish people would open themselves up more to the BLESSINGS that these older kids, boys, and kids with more major needs are. But anyway, yes I look at WC lists too much. It's hard to pinpoint an exact amount of time, but it's a lot :)

What jobs have you had growing up?
*When I was younger, my two best friends and I had a lot of petsitting jobs. We would put out flyers every summer all around our neighborhood and actually made a lot of money doing that! I was a lifeguard last summer. I loved that job! It was at my neighborhood pool, which I've grown up going to. I knew all of the other guards and we had so much fun! This year, I couldn't work there because I would've had to ask for too much time off. I have recently started working at a nearby jewelry store. So far, it is fun! The people I work with are so sweet, but I have to say, working in retail can be sort of annoying! I think it's a good experience though. I will have this job throughout the school year and next summer, too, and it will be nice to have a steady paycheck during school!!!! I also babysit a lot, which is by far my favorite job. I LOVE the kids, I LOVE the families, it is easy, the pay is so much better, and there are no taxes!

Answers: Part 1

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about all of your questions! I have been working a lot lately, my friend is in town from Pittsburgh, and I was at the lake this weekend, celebrating a friend's birthday, so that is why I haven't posted yet. :) I'm thinking I'll do the posts by categories, as there are a lot of questions to answer for just one post..

I figured I'd answer these first, since this is the number one question I have been asked lately, both in "real life" and on the blog! As I'm sure you can guess, this post is all about college.

What are your future educational goals?
*I just have to finish up this year of high school and then I definitely want to go to college. I am also praying about possibly defering a year to do some missions in China before heading to college. We'll just see where he leads me throughout this year!

Where do you plan to go to college? Do you have a major picked out yet?

*Right now, I'm looking at Baylor, Auburn, Clemson, and UNC. I'm really not sure what I want to major in. I guess I'm looking at social work or something along those lines!

Just wondering if you think you'll go to Baylor?!?

*If Baylor were closer than a 20 hour drive away, I think so. I absolutely love it. My mom always tells me to pick a school for the school and not for the distance, but I really would love to go somewhere that is a drivable distance from home. I also haven't been on too many college visits (I have seen all of my top schools' campuses, but when I was younger for swim meets and not for an actual tour) and I feel like I need to go tour all of those places, too. Things just got a bit hectic this year to do it all with the adoptions!

I would like to know if you plan to go away to school, and if so how will that affect things at home. My daughter is going to college in the fall and I am very worried about how it will affect Lilly. They are sooo close.

*I am worried about this, too. This is the reason that I am trying to look at schools that are not quite as far as say, Baylor. Not that I want to be home every weekend, but I do want to see the littles (and my parents!) more than at the big holidays. I am obviously very close with my little siblings and want to remain being a huge part of their lives. They will miss me! I think my mom will miss me and my help, too. :) Or I'd like to think so! I just don't know how I can be away from everyone for such long periods of time... but I know it will work out. It will just all be really different! I will OF COURSE plan to talk/skype with them a lot :)

How do you think it'll be when you go off to college... assuming to go far? How hard will it be for not only you, but also your siblings?
*It will be hard for me, and I do think it will be hard for them. I will miss them all so much. As much as I will miss them, I am also really excited for a new season in my life!

If you are going to go away to school (Baylor), who is going to keep us up-to-date on your precious family?
Hopefully my mom. If all the chanting for her works! :)

Ask me anything!

On my last post, someone had commented asking if I could feature myself on the blog. I had actually been thinking about doing something along those lines. So, in this post, leave a comment and ask me any question(s)... Anything you want to know about me! I'll try to answer each question and I'll make a post with all of the answers, that way you guys can know a little bit more about me!

About time for another update

Dad took the kids for a hike over the weekend...

Something set Charlie off. Who knows what! According to Dad, he did this the whole time.

The big girls had a blast, though!

These two are my posers! They LOVE to have their picture taken. They were helping me make pancakes in this one!

And we discovered that our little man LOVES pancakes! (don't mind the bib. He likes to wear them and we have no boy ones.)

We are still doing well. I think this has been our easiest adjustment yet. Seriously. I never EVER would've thought this would be so easy considering not only did we adopt "older" kids (although seriously... do people consider 4 old??? Even 10... still so young!) but we also adopted 2 at once. But there must be some serious prayers going up on our behalf, because we are doing great! I keep questioning myself how long we've been home... because it just seems like we've been back with Gracie and Charlie for so much longer than just 10 days!

It is so nice to be home. To have our own space. To sleep in our own rooms. To eat our own food. To have a yard to play in. After spending 24 days in China, these are all things that just feel so GOOD!

Charlie has calmed WAY down now that we are at home. We seriously thought that being home was going to be a nightmare with him. We thought he'd be into EVERYTHING in sight. Honestly, he has been pretty perfect. He doesn't really get into anything he's not supposed to. He isn't bouncing off the walls. He plays pretty nicely and loves a good snuggle, too. He is SUCH a sweet boy. He also folds his hands at every mealtime until everyone sits down and we pray. It is precious. He has even learned the little song we sing (God our Father) and sings along. He has the BEST manners, too. He is always thanking Mommy everytime she gives him something. It is soooo cute the way he says, "xie xie Mama!" Like I said yesterday, he can be stubborn... and when he is, he doesn't give up easily. Even this has gotten MUCH better in the past few days. I'm telling you... this is one sweet boy. He, for the most part, is very flexible and goes with the flow. He understands a lot and will do what you ask. It will not be long at all before he is speaking English. He amazes me how much he already knows! He LOVES to go bye bye and gets all excited whenever it is clear that we are going out. He is a really sweet brother! It is especially fun to hear him and Gracie communicating. I love that they have eachother even when they can't understand much of anything around them!

Gracie is doing great, too! She is not very good about finding things to do, which is especially hard when the other 3 are napping, since she does love to play with them. Mom did buy a few games and she LOVES to play games. She and Mom played trouble for almost 3 hours the other day while AC, Kate, and Charlie were napping. She LOVED that. She also enjoys watching movies. Today, she helped me make double chocolate chip cookies! She loves to draw and color. We are still making daily trips to the pool, which is a huge hit for her... and everyone. I might've already posted this, but she has mastered the diving board and she and AC spend a lot of time jumping off, swimming to the ladder, and doing it again. She is quite the swimmer, but is struggling with breathing while she swims! We took her to Chinese Church the on Sunday, as a nearby Church has a pretty big Chinese ministry. She loved following along in her Mandarin/English Bible. I'm sure it was all pretty confusing, as it's not like she has heard anything about Jesus before. We will definitely keep taking her there! She is such a sweet girl. So lovable, fairly shy, very flexible, and extremely helpful. It is not nearly as hard for Mom to go out with the 4 of them, because she has the stroller for Charlie and Kate, and Gracie always stays close by, and hold AC's hand! Like I said, langugage has been our only stuggle with her. In China, she would repeat a little bit of what we were saying, but she hasn't repeated much of anything at home. She really hasn't picked up on much since we've had her, either. Language will either be slow, or she will surprise us, we'll just have to see. I cannot wait to understand what she is saying... and for her to start opening up to us what is going on in that sweet little mind!

AnnaClaire and Kate are doing well, too. It is much easier being home, let me tell you. They both, AC especially, had really difficult moments in China. I think AC was just having a lot of trouble with the whole giving up her "big girl" role to Gracie. She is doing so much better now and is back to her sweet self. Yes, she still has moments. But what 4 year old doesn't? She ADORES Gracie and loves playing with her. They are 2 of a kind! Kate is one who likes her space. Of course, being one of 7, there are constantly people accidently bumping or touching her. That's not to say that she doesn't love her newest siblings... she adores them! She just needs to have some time to herself, as that is just part of her nature. They have both really done well, because adding a 4 year old brother and a 10 year old sister is not easy when you are the ages that they are!

Charlie and Gracie both had dr. appts on Monday, and everything looked good! Charlie was 31 pounds and 38 inches and Gracie was 52 pounds and 50 inches. Gracie isn't even on the charts for height or weight. Charlie is in the 5% for weight and the 25% for height! So they are both pretty little! They were both really good throughout the whole appt. I translated to Gracie before that she and Charlie had doctor's appts and they wouldn't need any shots, but would have to get blood drawn. She kept repeating some of the words over and over and making a sort of wincing sound and holding her arm. She then went and said it to Charlie and Charlie says, "ow ow ow!" Anyway, they were both VERY good, according to Mom. They held their arms out and didn't make a peep. Hmm. I could take a lesson from my siblings! (I'm one of those people who is about in tears at the thought of getting my blood drawn... and needs juice right after because I feel faint! I know.. I'm a wimp.)

Charlie Man

I am convinced he is the cutest little boy I've ever seen. I mean, who knew little boys were so cute?!

He gives the BEST kisses and puckers his lips way up. It is precious.

He has us all wrapped around his chubby little finger already.

When he's cute, he is REALLY cute. When he's mad, he is not so cute.

He understands so much already and I know it will not be long before he is speaking English.

He is an incredibly sweet little boy.

He can be stubborn. Really stubborn.

He was obviously loved in his orphanage. He just knows how to show love so well. It melts my heart. He was also obviously very spoiled in his orphanage. Hmm.

He is SO happy and is typically always smiling. And his smile just melts. my. heart. We waited so long to see it (in the year we waited for him, we never had a single picture with him smiling) but it was well worth the wait to see it in PERSON!

Everyone thinks he is adorable. And I'm going to have to agree.

I can't believe it's nearing a month since he became ours. Like with Gracie, it honestly feels like we've had him forever.

I'm blessed. Blessed to have this little boy as MY brother. Blessed that God would allow us to find him and to bring him home to be a part of OUR family. I just love him so much... and everytime I hear him say, "ELLO Jie Jie," with a big smile on his face, that love just grows even more.

Gracie

She is beautiful on the inside and out.

She has a huge heart and she is not afraid to love.

She is amazing. She is brave.

She might be little (had her dr. appt today and didn't even make it on the charts for height or weight!) but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in personality!

She wanted THIS. There is no doubt in my mind she wanted to be a part of a forever family. And she isn't letting the struggles take away from that desire.

She is easygoing and laid back.

She isn't afraid to try new things. And I love seeing her enjoy these things.

She takes my breath away.

She's only officially been a part of our family for 3 weeks, but it seems like it's been forever.

Our only "issue" really is language. And that will come.

I love this little girl with my whole heart and can't beleive how blessed I am to be her big sister.

No words necessary

Bulletpoints

Well, after reading my LONG posts in China, I never thought people would be asking for more updates! :) Also, I am 17 and was missing my friends for almost a month, so I haven't been sitting here writing updates! :) Sadly, you will only find two pictures in this update. I feel like Gracie and Charlie think that all I ever do is take pictures... so I'm trying to live the moments without always having the camera!

*We are doing GREAT! It's hard to believe that we've only been home with our newest additions for 4 days. It seems like they have been here forever. They are really amazing additions to our family.

*Everyone is pretty much adjusted to NC time. The jet lag hit me HARD the first 2 days, and even yesterday. I am feeling MUCH better today and am very thankful for that. Mom has felt no jet lag at all!

*Charlie was up overnight Monday and Tuesday night A LOT. We were a little worried after his perfect sleeping in China. Last night, he didn't get up at all and woke up at 8 this morning! Naptime yesterday was a struggle for him, but he napped very well today. Gracie has been sleeping well, but getting up pretty early! Considering in China, she was waking up at 9:30, I'm not too worried. I'm sure once she's used to our time, she will be back to sleeping in. That is, in fact, one of the big questions she had for us when we talked with her before we got her- "Will I get to sleep in late?"

*We have gone to our neighborhood pool everyday and it is a huge hit. Gracie LOVES going. Our neighbors (the ones she played ping pong with) were there one of the days and she had the BEST time playing with Ella and Riley. I think she was glad to have some people her age to swim with! :) They showed her all the different strokes, and she is now swimming freestlye really well! Charlie likes the pool, but mainly just likes sitting on the steps with the watering can and his trains. He loves splashing himself and drinking the water (ugh). AnnaClaire is loving being back at our pool and has now mastered going off the diving board without her floatie and is swimming to the ladder!!!! Gracie wouldn't go off at first, but today, she was even doing that! She has come so far since her first time in the pool... less than 2 weeks ago! Kate likes her tube :)

*Last night, Mom read the our "Big Picture Story Bible" to the girls. This morning, we found Gracie sitting in her room with the translator and the Bible, translating the words!!! It was sooooooo sweet. Mom ordered her a Mandarin story Bible shortly after:)

*We went to the mall today to get some new shoes for Gracie. The only shoes she has are the pair she had on when we met her. They are very cute tennis shoes, but they are starting to smell from wearing them everywhere and having to wear them to the pool, too. We "asked" her if she wanted Crocs, and she got really excited about them. She picked light pink and kept looking down at them the whole time we were at the mall (she wanted to wear them after we bought them.) They are so cute on her! We tried to find her some sandal type shoes for Church and such, and she is picky about her sandals! They were all way too girly for them... even though they were just basic white CUTE shoes! We did finally find some that she likes :) Oh by the way- she has TINY feet!!! One measured an 11 and the other was an 11.5!

*We do not use a translator very often. She does have one that we think her FF bought for her, but it has to be plugged in and is big, so we don't use it often to communicate. We do type things to her on Google Translate if we need to, but we probably don't use that as much as we should either. We typically just use words we know she knows and do a lot of pointing. We laugh so hard because AC will get really close to her and slowly pronounciate everything to her. Like that helps! It's hilarious!

*I think that Gracie has a crush on Joel :) I was looking at their blog today, and she was on my bed and got all shy when she saw a picture of him. It was hilarious. She smiles so big and then tries to hide her face whenever we show him to her. I told her (on google translate) that I know a cute boy when I see one and I thought Joel was VERY cute. She looked at me with the biggest smile and started saying all of this stuff in Chinese, rolled her eyes at me, said "JOELLL!" and shut my computer! She was so embarassed :) Oh to be 10. L. we HAVE to let them skype sometime!

*Gracie can REALLY play soccer, which doesn't surprise us at all! She is SO athletic.

*No, we still haven't gone to Chi*ckfila since we have been home. We are saving Gracie and Charlie's first Chi*ckfila for tomorrow... because it's Cow Appre*ciation Day! Two of my friends and I are getting them all dressed up to go and enjoy FREE meals! What a perfect first Chi*ckfila!

*AnnaClaire and Kate are doing fairly well with everything. AC is struggling the most of anyone. She's just having a hard time with the fact that's she's not as big as Gracie. She wants EVERYTHING that Gracie gets and it just doesn't work that way. She is, after all, 6 years younger. She is also craving attention and it makes me sad that she is doing things she knows annoy people JUST to get attention. She is normally SO sweet. I know it's just a phase and it will get better.... just all part of the process.

*We have had little issues with food. Charlie has had GREAT breakfasts and lunches, but is struggling with dinner. He will not even try it- just pushes it away. Gracie will eat whatever you give her. We give her options and she will point to what she wants for breakfast and lunch. She LOVES fruit and so we have stocked up on that. For dinner, she eats whatever we are having. Lasagna last night, and soup the night before (both thanks to Aunt Linda!!!!)

*I am missing the round tables with lazy susans in China. We can't even all fit at our table! We brought the plastic picnic table inside, and Kate and Charlie sit at that and everyone else is at the table. We NEVER thought that we'd outgrow our table!

*In ways, these adoptions seem to easy. I'm just amazed at how well both are doing. It's hard to believe we've ONLY had Charlie for 3 weeks, and Gracie for 2.5. Absolutely crazy.

*Gracie is still really sweet with all of the littles. It's so fun to watch her and Charlie talk and interact. I love that they are going through all of this newness together. I also love that they can understand eachother (even though Gracie does pretty much all the talking). This is bad, but it is hilarious to watch her "scold" him, too. She hears Mom do it so much that she has the "No, Char-lay" thing down pat! She also adds a bunch of Chinese to that.

*Charlie is incredibly sweet. He will just walk up and give kisses and say "ello!" It is precious. He and Kate are quite the pair. They are young and this is cute. :)

*He hasn't had as much trouble with the stairs as we had thought. AnnaClaire showed him how to go down on his bottom, and he goes up on his knees! He also doesn't mind his carseat at all and has already learned how to buckle the top!

*Gracie loves to watch movies! She was laughing so hard at Cars yesterday, and Shrek, today. Charlie is so uninterested. As much as he likes electronics and turning the TV on, sitting still and watching it is just not fun in his opinion!

*I don't know why in the world people think that adopting a 4 year old is adopting an "older" child. 4 is still so little. I just love this age... and our sweet little guy who just so happens to be this age! He's actually officially 4.5 now... as of Monday.

*I think I've thought of everything. I'll post again tomorrow with some pictures of our cows :)

Adjusting

We are doing well. The jet lag is TOUGH! I forgot how bad it is coming home! Dad and I are really struggling with it. Mom says she is feeling pretty adjusted. Gracie and Charlie have both been up fairly early (5 something). The little girls have been champs! They woke up at 8:30 yesterday morning and 7:30 this morning (but I think they would've maybe even slept longer if a certain someone hadn't woken them up!) We will get there! It is 9:15 though and I am already ready for a nap...

Our first day home yesterday was great! Charlie and Gracie both slept well! Charlie was in the portacrib in Mom and Dad's room, and Gracie was in her room. She loves her room. I was a little worried because it's so girly and she's so not girly, but she had the biggest smile when she saw it for the first time. It was so sweet. All 9 of us were home yesterday and it was such a good feeling. Charlie has really taken to his big brothers, especially Drew.

Our house is full of food, which we are so grateful for! We did end up going to On the Border yeseterday for lunch :) Hey- after almost 4 weeks without it, we were craving it! Grandma, Aunt Linda, and Uncle Peter met us there before they headed back to Atlanta. We had such a good lunch. I don't think Gracie and Charlie are huge fans of Mexican, though! Charlie didn't eat much, and Gracie picked a chicken sandwich and french fries.

I was so mad I didn't bring my camera to lunch... I didn't even think about it. Grandma had hers and took some really cute pictures of everyone, so eventually I will share those when Grandma gets them to me :)

Last night, Will was out with the girls and our neighbors were outside. Gracie had a BLAST with them! She is amazing at hula hooping and jumping rope! They have a ping pong table and we learned that she is really good at ping pong, too. It was so fun watching her play ping pong, as in her camp interview, that was listed as being her favorite activity! She had so much fun with our neighbors (twin girls who are 8 and boy who is 10) and one of the girls even said, "even though she speaks Chinese and we speak English, we can still have SO much fun playing together!"

So anyway, we are doing well. I am amazed at how well Gracie and Charlie are doing with it all. Everything about this is so different from anything they ever have known... they love their new house!! We thought Charlie would be into EVERYTHING and we would be having to baby proof a bit, but he actually has been really good and hardly into anything he shouldn't be in to :) He is such a good boy! (Joy and Dana, that's for you)

Thanks for all of the prayers!!

A very memorable 4th

Not everyone can say they become a US citizen on the 4th of July!

A tired (but still smiley) Gracie taking her first steps on US soil!

Sweet friends and family who came to welcome home Charlie and Gracie! We appreciate you guys taking time out of your holiday to make their homecoming special! Even Grandma, UNcle Peter, and Aunt Linda made their way from Atlanta (and Grandma went there from Texas!) Love you all!!!!!

And finally, a family picture... and now there are NINE!