Going to Chicago!

We are so excited that we are taking a last minute trip this weekend to Chicago to get together with our China family buddies AND...now here's the REALLY COOL part...visit our social worker from Nanning, China!!! We just found out she is in the States for some training with Holt and that she will be in Chicago over the weekend. So, of course we are going!!!

I think this is her first trip to the US and the first time she has seen children she has placed in forever homes after they have been home! How totally awesome is that? And how lucky that we are part of that:)

Now, all I need to do is some laundry so that we will have clothes, dig out the winter duds (heard Chicago is gonna be cold this weekend - YAHOO!), and head off for the windy city!

Growing Up So Fast - AKA First Day of School

So yesterday was Hannah's first day of high school and Governor's School! Sounds like she had a blast, but I am still a bit freaking out. What am I doing with an all-grown-up high-schooler? Am I really that old? Ah well, I guess so...

Lilly started kindergarten yesterday, too. That was a bit hard for me as well. She is so ready and so excited, but I have not had time to mentally prepare myself this summer. She is going to a private school because she misses the county cut off by 5 weeks and I guess I haven't wrapped my mind around the fact that she is at school all day, everyday. Fortunately, she loved it and could not stop talking about it all last night! That makes it a bit easier to take.

And Emmett began preschool this morning. He was so excited about going to "Emmett's school" and using his back pack. He even insisted I pack his lunch when I packed Lilly's last night (he will still eat it at home, but he just had to take it with him!).

The only sad part was when he actually went in the room and I could tell he was a bit unsure of what was going on. He went and sat down like he was asked, but he was sucking his thumb and pulling his ear. I almost took him home right then because he looked so confused! Maybe it was bringing back some memories of institutions in China...I don't know. I called Eric to ask his advice and we agreed it will be good for Emmett to have me drop him off, and then come back to get him. I think after 1 or 2 times, he will understand that I always come back for him! Then I am sure he will be his normal lively self! I guess we will see...

China Reunion

We had a great time getting together with 4 of the families we traveled to China with. It was so fun to see all of the kids four months after coming home! They all have adjusted so well and have picked up the language like linguistic pros!


We spent the weekend visiting an Amish farm where we saw all kinds of animals and had fun feeding them, eating at an Amish restaurant, swimming at the pool, enjoying (or in some of our cases, enduring) a catered Chinese dinner, and just hanging out together. It was so wonderful to share memories and swap stories. And our friends the Heckys have just announced they are adopting their third child - a boy just a week younger than Emmett! How exciting - but not too surprising because they thought Emmett was so much fun in China that they kept kidding around that they needed to get a boy, too. Looks like they weren't bluffing! Congrats Hecky family!!!

But the best part of the trip was that all the kids had friends to play with. Two of the families had teenagers - the Kruits and the Hecky's. So, Hannah had a great time hanging out with Melia, Brienna, and Ryan. They have all become texting and Facebook buddies.

Lilly and Mariah (formerly known as Jon Jon) had a blast playing together. They played house and school, but Lilly's favorite activity was swimming in the pool for 5 hours straight! We seriously had to force her out of the pool to eat lunch and dinner.

And Emmett had Mia and Mikenna to play with. But, in true Emmett fashion, he was more interested in running around playing with as many things as he could in the least amount of time! He is such a busy little mess maker. If we leave him alone for five minutes he will have the whole play room in shambles!

Lilly's First Haircut

I am so happy to announce that Lilly (and I ) have taken the plunge! She had her first haircut a couple of weeks ago. For several weeks I had been tossing around the idea of cutting her hair into a chin length bob. I know it will come as a shock to all of you who have always admired Lilly's long curly spirals, but I have to say, those curls were a chore! It took about 10 minutes every morning to comb out the previous day's tangles and even longer to decide how to style it. Then there was the yelling fits when I tried to do something different that Lilly didn't approve of. So much drama over such a little thing!

Then, I found a picture of the exact cut I had in mind in a PB Kids catalogue. The little model had curly hair and everything. So, I showed it to Lilly and she loved it. Her first response was (and I quote) "Does this mean I don't have to wear pony tails anymore?" So, with a deep breath for courage, we went to the hair salon.

Now, I have to confess, I tend to choose my hair stylists based on their appearance. I know it is judgemental, but I can't help it. When I walk into a new salon, I look around for the person with the best hair - usually something a bit funky and modern. That is the person I have cut my hair.

Ironically enough, the person who came forward to cut Lilly's hair that day was the exact opposite of what I usually look for. She was - no joke or exaggeration - stuck in an eighties time warp. She had - are you ready for this?- a mullet!!! Her hair was short and feathered in front with poofy bags, and the back hung to the middle of her back. I told her I was really nervous about Lilly's first haircut and she reassured me that she has been cutting hair for 23 years - which is about the time her haircut was fashionable - and that she was very good at cutting hair. Then she told us that Lilly's hair was long enough to donate to Locks of Love. That sealed the deal. I told her I was ready and before I could change my mind, she whacked off Lilly's ponytail!

Obviously there was no going back...and Lilly's hair looks beautiful. The stylist really was pretty good - a point she proved when cutting Emmett's hair next. As you can imagine, Emmett does not sit still for haircuts and this lady just moved right along with Emmett never missing a beat! It was pretty fascinating to watch. So, happily both children look adorable after their haircuts. And Lilly can not be happier to have short hair that is tangle-free and practically self-stying!

Where Oh Where Has The Time Gone?

Well, we have been home for over two months now and I am amazed that it has just flown by! So much has happened. Emmett is doing so well, it feels like he has been with us forever. It is so fun to see his personality coming out and watch him learn more about his new world every day!

Here is a quick update of the past 2 months for all of you have been wondering:

1.) Emmett had his first emergency room visit a week after we got home. Yes, it is true. And for all of you who knew little Qi Fu in China, I am sure you are not surprised! He fell off a chair that he was standing on and hit his head on the corner of the wall. The cut was superficial and didn't need stitches, but we took him in anyway just in case. Hope this isn't a foreshadow of the years to come!!!

2.) We went to the Temple and were sealed as a family on May 2, 2009. Eric's parents, his two sisters, Kelly and Sandy, his brothers, Craig and Brian, and our sister in law Crissy were all able to attend. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! To be in the Temple with all three of our children was something I will never forget nor ever be able to fully put into words. Almost too good to be true.

3.) Emmett saw the orthopedic specialist and we were happy to learn that the surgery he had on his feet in China looks good! The only continued "therapy" he needs is wearing a corrective shoe at bedtime. And, surprise of all surprises, he loves to wear it! Go figure.

4.) And speaking of his feet, they are giving me much trouble! He has the smallest, fattest, WIDEST feet I have ever seen!!! I have looked everywhere for shoes for him. We went to Stride Rite and they measured his feet ( he was a 3 baby/toddler) but could not find any shoes that would fit. They even tried him in a 51/2 - 2x wide and his foot wouldn't go in! I am now looking into custom shoes and have begun to rethink our future retirement plans and Hannah's college fund as I plan ways to siphon money from them. What can I say, we all have to sacrifice? Hopefully, his feet will even out as he grows...

5.) Emmett's circumcision was a success. And by that, I mean he had very little discomfort or complaints. You wouldn't even know he had anything done by the way he acted. Yeah!

6.) Emmett has picked up English so quickly! It amazes me everyday. He is now putting together 3-4 word phrases. My favorite is "I dub dew" (I love you) and "Ninny, no!" (Lilly, no!). He begins every day with asking to "eat dereal" and have a "dwink". I actually forget that he has only been speaking English for 2 months because he sounds like any average American 2 year old! He and Lilly talk my ear off all day long. It's a wonder I am not insane yet...Or maybe...

7.) As has been the situation since we first picked up Emmett, everywhere he goes he is Mr. Popular. People at church, at stores, at doctors offices, at the gym, etc. can not resist his charm. He is the life of the party and usually the center of attention. He loves it...mostly. Sometimes he gets frustrated when other kids try to mother him and treat him like a toy. But, he usually just tells them no and runs away when he has had enough.

8.) Emmet has seen more doctors in the past 2 months than I have seen in my whole life. He has been to the pediatrician twice (for check up and shots), the urologist several times, the pediatric orthopedic specialist, the lab for blood work and both urine and stool samples (let me tell you how fun that was!), and the orthopedic shoe guy (don't know what his official title is). We still have a plastic surgeon (to remove the skin flap on his ear), another round of shots, a follow up orthopedic appointment, the dentist, and one more urologist visit to look forward to this summer. Whew!

Well, I think that sums up our busy lives with Emmett. Of course this does not include all the events revolving around Hannah and Lilly. I could go on and on...but let's just end with a reminder that we are so blessed to have such a wonderful family and great friends who love and support us. Thanks to everyone!

Our First Day Home

Let me just start by saying: I love my bed! I guess it's the little things like nightly comfort that you take for granted until it is taken away. For the past two weeks we have been sleeping on the hardest, pokiest mattresses ever made. And for the 6 days in Nanning, we had 2 twin beds for the three of us (Emmett had a crib that we would move him to after he fell asleep). So, every night we would rotate so that someone got a bed to her/himself. That was the worst. The night in Hong Kong was the exception. There we had a huge bed - I swear it was larger than a king, or maybe I was just desperate after the twin beds - and a crib. It was very comfortable and we all slept well. But, still, doesn't compare to home.

And speaking of home, Emmett has done really well. We did not get home until after 10pm and we were all exhausted, but he still walked in the house and began to explore cheerfully. I think he was amazed at the size of our house compared to what he has been used to.

He did not, however, relish the idea of sleeping alone in his new room. The poor guy cried in his new bed even though Eric slept with him (at least until he fell asleep). I can only imagine how confusing it all is for him. And he woke up several times during the night crying and disoriented. I had a very disrupted night, but I actually expected it. Kind of like coming home from the hospital with a new baby. The funny thing is, Eric slept through it all! Once he fell asleep, nothing woke him. He was surprised the next morning when I was describing the night to him! Go figure.

Emmett's first day home was great. He and Lilly ran around laughing and playing all day. He ate well, and even took a 4 hour nap (after his initial crying - this time Lilly volunteered to lay down with him). I think he is getting used to his new surroundings and life. Our only problem is finding clothes that fit. Today I put on him some 18 month sized jeans and they fell off! Luckily, my friend, Heather, loaned me a box of clothes and there was a pair of 12 month jeans in there that fit perfectly. It was kind of ridiculous! I mean, come on, the boy is almost 3 years old!

Lastly, I just want to say thanks to everyone who has supported us and encouraged us over the last 4 years - especially Kathy, Jana, and Nicole. You guys were there when I started talking about adoption and I could never ask for a better support group. My only regret is that both Jana and Kathy moved away this summer and were not here for our homecoming. But, I know you both were here in spirit and love. So, thanks! And a HUGE thanks to Nicole and her family for happily and lovingly keeping Lilly while we were gone. I can not even express my gratitude for friends like you guys. It was so nice not having to worry one moment about Lilly while we were gone. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father has given us friends that become our family. And thanks to everyone for the balloons and banners when we got home. It was fun to know people were routing for us!

We're Going Home!

We are now officially finished with our adoption! Yesterday we went to the US Consulate to pick up Qi Fu's passport and Visa and swear our oath. And now we are heading home after a 2 hour train ride to Hong Kong. And speaking of Hong Kong, this city is amazing. We opted to not spend a day here, but maybe someday we will make it back here to explore. But, our hotel here is the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in and that includes the Hilton Time Square and the Ritz! It is very modern with lots of chrome and frosted glass - very posh...I love it!

Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. I am so happy to go home - especially to see Lilly, but it is so sad to say goodbye to people that we have become so close to in such a little bit of time. It is amazing how quickly you bond when you share such an emotional journey together. We have cried, laughed, complained, toured, and eaten with our group of families everyday for the last 2 weeks. I am thankful that we are all on the east coast so that we can have reunions and get togethers. And "yahoo" for the Internet and facebook! Makes the world a lot smaller.

Now we are on our way to the airport to begin our 19 hour journey home. It should be an adventure that we will never forget - especially considering we will have a very active little boy to try to keep in a seat! And I am not happy because there was a mix up with our seats and I have a window seat - I know a lot of people like that, but I am an aisle girl all the way. We'll see what we can negotiate...

See you all in a little while:)