I've made "Sarah's Journey Home" into a book so now she has the whole story from beginning in China, to a year later when we celebrated 4th of July as a family and all the special moments that made up this last year.
So this chapter and blog is finished but the story continues on in "Rachel's and Sarah's Journey. If you would like to follow along clink on the flower on the right.
My hope is to keep a record of what the girls are up to and hopefully impart some of the things I have learned along the way in my own journey through life.

Happy 4th of July

What a year, so many memories! My favorite and most meaningful memory, besides going to China to get Sarah, was going to the 4th of July parade in the morning and fireworks at night. I was a bit concerned about the traffic jam and getting out of the park after the fireworks, as we needed to get to the airport for our flight to China to meet Sarah. After finally making it out of the park, we made a stop at the house for our bags and Pete drove us to the airport for our 2:00 AM flight to China.
So this year as we planned our 4th of July celebrations, I was reminded of last years travel and how truly amazed, I am that one year later, we are celebrating 4th of July with Sarah in America.

When we met Sarah in Shanghai, I asked her if she knew where we were going and she stood on the bed with one hand over her head and the other on her hip and said "America". Obviously she had been told and shown that America was represented by the Statue of Liberty. Unfortunately while we were in China as many times as she showed us, we didn't get a picture, so I thought we would react her pose and take a photo for her book. We are truly thankful for God's faithfulness and amazed that each year we get to celebrate 4th of July and be reminded of our special trip to China to get our amazing, most favorite youngest daughter in the whole world and we get to celebrate with a parade and fireworks each year. We love you sweetie!

The Joy of Face Painting - It's Washable

Tea Party with the Girls

Fun in the Sun

Enjoying Summer Days at the Park

Visit to the Science Academy

Time with big brothers - PRICELESS!

Visit to the Aquarium

Fun with Bubbles!!

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Dads like you....make the most simple things wonderful!

Molly Dog getting a Bath

Cooking Together Can Be Fun!

Lessons learned from children

"What we see in life often depends on what we're looking for. "
I've noticed since becoming a Mom, that I am truly awed at the girls ability to find joy in the simpliest things. I have never been disappointed when they have called me to "come quick" they have something to show me and I haven't said "just a minute", but I've dropped what I'm doing to go see.
I am amazed at their ability to notice the things around them that I miss because I'm too busy. I am thankful for the gift children are as they teach me to enjoy each moment, because there is no guarantee of how many moments any of us have left.
They have taught me that the house doesn't have to be perfect, things don't need to be perfect, I don't need to be perfect, that I can enjoy the memories that come from whatever we can find in life to do.
I've watched them enjoy sitting by the ocean, digging in the sand, flying a kite, searching for ladybugs, climbing the highest tree they could find, building a sandcastle, eating s'more, enjoying a sunset and just enjoying life.
Children are certainly a gift from God, who else could show us how truly precious life is when we slow down and see life through their eyes. May I continue to learn all they have to teach me about life and to come right away when the say they have something to show me!

Visit to CT to celebrate Papa's 85th Birthday

A visit to Nana & Papa's house is always fun. This visit, we got to celebrate Papa's 85th birthday with a party. It's always wonderful to go back to where I spent my childhood and watch our girls play in the same backyard that I played in as a child and be reminded of all the time spent helping my Dad in the yard.
My Dad and I built a deck together for around our pool, lugged trees from the back woods to plant in our yard, grew vegetables, raked. It didn't matter, I got to spent time with my Dad., so thanks, Dad for giving me a love for planting flowers, enjoying the birds, and gardening, so I can pass the joy on to my daughters. May they always take the time to "smell and enjoy the roses".