Wingin' it on Wednesday

My girls left for their mini-vacation with my parents yesterday. They were going to Knoxville to visit family then off to the mountains. Kendall called yesterday to give me the details... a neighborhood dog found it's way to their porch (black and white and in love with Kendall), there are 2 beautiful trees in the front yard(she sounded just like my mother) and a pretty cool pool table. She sounds so grown up on the phone, for a minute I am sad to realize this. But then I remember I am standing outside of TJMaxx where my new shirt is surely waiting for me and my sorrow is replaced by gladness...for Kendall's exciting new adventure and for my opportunity to actually shop!! It is good to step away from each other, even mother and child. Distance makes the heart grow fonder (and Brian would say makes our checkbook grow slimmer). So they are enjoying their special time with Nonna and Pop, I couldn't be more happy for them both. Mallory caught a brim at the nearby pond, they swam in the hot tub before bedtime and this morning they are heading to the aquarium. Kendall's new puppy-love hasn't shown yet, she's sure he will though. I, on the other hand, stayed in bed until 9:45 this morning....with the remote in hand flipping channels. It was great! But now I must do something every mother dreads...clean out the girl's bedrooms. There is no way to do this when they are home so here is my chance, guess I'll peel myself out of the bed and get moving. Or maybe I'll check out Lifetime..it is a rainy day....

Inspiring...

I stumbled upon this clip while checking out another family's blog (they had adopted their son from Ethiopia in June 2008). Mochaclub.org is a great site. Hope you take a second to check it out.

Bubbles

Our friend Kayla shot these pics at our pool a few weeks ago. I must say she is the most technically talented kid I know! I want a phone-camera-radio-arcade-calendar-phone book-email gadget like hers!! Problem is I wouldn't have a clue how to use it! Guess I'll just have bring her and her gadget with me.
Thanks Kayla!

Jumpin' n July

Aunt Amy with Kendall, Mally and Aaron

Catching up on Cousin Time

Kendall and Mally hangin' with (and on) their Nina

July is in full swing here! With Nina arriving on the 1st, July 4th activities and now my sister-in-law's fam in town we are definitely immersed in summer fun! It's always fun to spend summer with cousins. As a child I looked forward to each summer when I knew I'd get to stay at my grandparents for a few weeks. My cousins would meet me there and we would spend hours playing, talking, fighting, and eating everything in site! As we got older we compared music interests, books, boys, schools, etc. Now as adults we don't get to spend full weeks together so the time we do see each other is precious. I love seeing who they have become. Of reuniting with them and again sharing our experiences with our lives, marriages, and kids...and as always there is food! My oldest daughter loves these family reunions, she is much like her mother. At age 4 she really began to understand the term 'cousin' and the benefits of having an extended family. It's the best gift really, knowing you have people in different towns/states who will welcome you no matter the time of day!
So this week my girls get to reconnect with their cousin Aaron. They started it off right, a big hug then they immediately hit the toys, a game of hide-n-seek, chow down at dinner topped off with popsicles. The day ended the way it should..wishing for just 10 more minutes!

Gotta start somewhere...

As most know we are seeking another child through adoption..a son this time. Anyone who begins this process is familiar with the hours you spend searching the internet for other's stories..good or bad. Blogs were the most helpful and most inspiring by far. I am blessed to know several wonderful friends who have expanded their families through adoption and all of them agree that blogging is a great tool for adoptive parents to engage. So here I am...blogging...CJ can you believe it?? It really is not that difficult ( if you don't count the week it took me to simply name my blog...) I have invested mere minutes in set up and then the fun begins! The pressure of the name...UGH!! I searched all cool 'catch phrase sites', sites with family, ocean, waves, parenting, etc. and although I did cross many inspiring possibilities none stuck with me. Then as I was passing through my room I took a glance at a picture my mother in law snapped of Brian and I while visiting RI many years ago. We loved the picture, claiming the sign was our favorite part. Such a great reminder and for us it has become our motto....The Grateful Heart. So it was right here, in a cheap frame on my old dresser staring at me all along. I'm sure there is a lesson to be learned here....hmmm.....
I hope to use this site to keep all of my family and friends updated in our chaotic, non-stop, sincere life. I am hoping to post all of our adoption updates and more information about our experience so check back often. Of course my 2 little beans will be all through this blog...they leave their sticky finger prints on everything, this will be no exception I'm sure! Thanks in advance for your support and encouragement!!