4 month reunion

On Thursday, August 6th, our van headed to Hartville, Ohio. Our destination was the Hecky's house. We were meeting a total of 3 other families that we traveled to China with. A few families could not join us this time but we had such a great time that another reunion is in the works. On Friday we just hung around the house and pool. Mikenna was so excited to be with Zhan-Zhan(Mariah) again. We waited for the next family to arrive from VA. Mikenna was again happy to see Qi Fu(Emmett). She was in her glory with her little friends from China. On Saturday, the 3 families went to an animal reserve that is owned and operated by the Amish community. Then we went to an Amish resturant and enjoyed some delicious food. That evening we spent our time by the pool and BBQ'ing and the kids had a ball. The 4th family arrived from MI with little Mei Li. She experienced the pool for the first time with her Dad. It was so much fun to see the kids and how they have adjusted to the American way of life. We have such wonderful new friends from our adoption. The Lord really placed each family in our group for a reason. We loved and supported each couple and child throughout the trip and that relationship continues. Most of the families had older children and all the teens hit it off really well. In fact, Brienna felt so comfortable that she even played a prank on the one and only teenage boy. All in all, it was a wonderful trip. Before we left, we shared a lunch of Chinese food. Some of the families had had Chinese food since returning to the states and some of us hadn't ventured out to ordering Chinese quite yet. But it was very good and we really enjoyed every bite. It was sad to leave our adoption family/friends and Mikenna really didn't understand why we had to leave her friends. We all can't wait until the Spring when we see each other again. We had a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LET FREEDOM RING !!!!

As I get older, the more sentimental I get. For the last two 4th of July's, I have been very emotional thinking about our future daughter over in China. It was hard to think about our daughter being born and raised in a country that very much dictates their people. This 4th of July, I find myself so very grateful that Mikenna is home in the US with us and she will grow up in a country the celebrates its freedom. She will only remember the freedom we have here in the US. Our freedom did not come without a huge sacrifice. Many men and women gave their lives for our freedom. Thank you to all servicemen and women that have protected the US. I have always loved history, but until I traveled to Russia and now China, I never realized what a privilege I have, being born and raised in this country. Our founding fathers established this country for religious freedom and God has blessed us greatly. I pray that He continues to bless this great country that we all live in. I hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July. Enjoy the pictures our newest citizen of the United States of America!

IT'S FATHER'S DAY !!!!

Well, Happy Father's Day to all you great Dads. I hope you have enjoyed your special day with your kids. Paul's day started off at church. Is there a better way than to start the day off with worship? I always feel like the Dad's get ripped off because our church always honors the Mom's with flowers but the Dad's seem to get little recognition. Anyway, Paul doesn't complain. He is now at softball(what he loves to do in his spare time) and then we are having dinner and a volleyball game with family. As far as Paul and Mikenna's relationship, some days it is going well and then some days she wants nothing to do with him. She will only approach him when he is on the ground. Sometimes we don't know if she is just playing a game with him or if she is still not ready to fully trust him. It is hard to tell because her emotions are still unpredictable and her language isn't far enough along to really express what is going on inside that little head of hers. As I wrote in my Mother's Day blog, I had a host of emotions on that day. I have to admit that I really haven't given much thought to how Mikenna's birth Dad must feel. Does he mourn the lost of his daughter? Does he and his wife regret leaving her? Have they had other children? Let's remember all our Dad's in prayer as they are such a vital part in raising our children and giving them a sense of security. Thanks Dads!!!!

Mikenna having some fun!

Mikenna is loving summer. She loved being outside in China and she longs for the nice weather when she can just be outside to play with bubbles, mow the lawn or play with friends. She is the happiest when she is allowed to be out and about. Here are a few pictures of her. Enjoy!

Welcoming Mikenna to the Neighborhood!

New Photos of Mikenna

Where has the time gone?

We now have been home 2 months and Mikenna has made so many adjustments. She is speaking English in 2-3 words per sentence. That is average for a typical 2 year old. She understood English shortly after we arrived but I think by 1 month comprehension was all there and then the speech followed. She has experienced a lot of new sights, foods and activities. We went to a minor league baseball game and she loved all the people, eating the junk food and at the end of the game, there was fireworks- she was mesmerized by them. She knows if the girls are gone that they are either at school or soccer. She is working on her ABC's and she has started to count up to 3. She is so smart (sorry that I'm bragging). She really remembers things that we say and she'll repeat it back to us. She loves to pray at dinner and I think that is the cutest thing that she has picked up from us. A big answer to prayer is that she no longer asks for her foster mom. While we were in China, she constantly asked for her and that broke my heart. I think this past month she hasn't asked at all for her- praise the Lord! I'm not sure if she has forgotten her foster mom, but I definitely see a difference in her attitude. She sometimes has problems sleeping thru the night but I'm not sure what causes that. She still is cautious around Paul, but she will play and goof around with him.(It's all men that she doesn't go to, not just Paul.) She needs to let him hold her and see that he isn't such a bad guy! Her personality has come out and she is a complete ham. If she knows she has peoples attention- look out for a show. I will try to have Paul attach some videos for you all to see a silly side of Mikenna. We will be going to Children's Memorial Hospital this month to have her ear checked out. The head of the dept. will be seeing Mikenna. (It is a female Dr., thank goodness.) We really do not know what to expect from this appointment. I just hope Mikenna will cooperate and that they can get an accurate exam. I am so thrilled that Mikenna is adjusting. Our girls are SOOOOOOOO in love with her and are still excited to show her off to their friends. We are all so fortunate to have one another. Summer is coming and I think Mikenna is in for a couple of months of a lot of attention. Have a great summer!