Fabulous Thanksgiving

2012 will be a Thanksgiving I always remember...
Not only because it was Ani's first Thanksgiving, and the food was unbelievable.
But because I got to watched as our family totally embraced our girl.  I knew they would be wonderful, but watching it happen was pretty fabulous.


During our adoption process we discovered that Ani had some hearing issues.  Issues we hoped were correctable.  We have now visited specialist, had tests, had procedures and recently been told that she may be permanently hearing impaired.

Pretty big news...

I was sad when I first heard the words, but the truth is the more I have gotten to know my daughter this isn't such an issue...

I am learning all her unique details and the more I learn the more I love...

Her hearing impairment has shaped her...

It's part of her...

and she is perfectly made...

This is still a journey, but one we are okay with.


Well, throughout all of this our family hasn't missed a beat...

 
During our first Thanksgiving Blessing (we get to celebrate with Brad's family & my family) Brad's family took turns sharing a sign they had learned for us and for Ani! 

Wow, isn't enough... it was pretty wonderful!  

Their acceptance and willingness to jump into the signing world left me speechless...

It was never an issue...

And Ani fit right into the mix...

she may be the smallest of the bunch, but she packs some spunk!

 It feels good to feel so loved!

And Thanksgiving didn't stop there...

Some very special people traveled to be with us this year.  
My Aunt Em, Uncle Kieth, GG and GG Pop traveled from Texas to celebrate.

I can't tell you how good it felt to have them here...  they are beautiful people inside and out.
We played games, ate yummy food, celebrated Ani's birthday, told stories, and just had fun being together! 
I LOVE being with them!!!

Our Thanksgiving was complete...
and it was one I will always remember!

feeling very thankful- Cindy

My niece

My new niece.............Words cannot begin to describe how precious she is. Watching her brings so much joy to my heart. Not only watching her............but watching Brad and Cindy with her. Its like they have always been together. 

She came into Yaya's house at Thanksgiving kissing everyone. She has a sweet little spirit that you can feel as soon as she enters the room. She makes my heart melt. 

When children get adopted we tend to think how lucky the child is to be adopted by such a wonderful family.....and I so agree........but being involved and watching this precious angel enter our family...............It makes me think we are the lucky ones. She is such a huge blessing from God.  And GUESS WHAT I'M HER AUNT........HOW BLESSED AM I? 

                                                 Tara

The Good Life

We are having so much fun together...

Ani has been such a CHAMP...

She is sleeping well, she is eating, and she is HAPPY...

She enjoys all the little things life offers and is quickly giving us all a new perspective...

Transition (for Ani and us) hasn't been all easy...

But the good times definitely out weigh the hard times...

Brushing her teeth each morning and night is no fun...

It hurts her, we try, we struggle, she cries... we hug and hope next time is easier.

Getting her out of bed each morning is a treat... she is always so happy :)

Trying to figure out what healthy food she will eat isn't always easy...

Letting her have her first Oreo is so fun :)

Interpreting if her not so wonderful behavior is related to being in a new place and situation, or related to her history, or related to the fact that she is a two year old is confusing and hard...

Receiving sweet hugs and kisses out of the blue from her is like heaven :)

We are all learning and enjoying the journey...

Here are some of my favorite pictures of our recent time together...

She is eating GRAPES!  This is a big deal... In China she ate every fruit we gave her, but it has taken us two weeks to get her to try American fruit...

She finally gave in and tried her chicken...  she thinks chicken is boring too :)

Ani has a funny "big step" walk she does when she is silly...  she loves to  be silly...

Ani runs to Brad when he gets home from work each night...
She loves him ... and he loves it!

Just a typical afternoon where Luke is scaling our rock wall with his weapon... part of being tough

We went fishing at a friends cabin... Luke caught 2 fish including this nice bass

Hope talked to the fish she caught...

Eli collected clam shells and found every stick in a 3 mile radius... he had a blast!

Both girls played with the bait...  must be a sister thing

Our big kids had a school performance this past week.... they all did great.  Hope was a natural star & loved performing :)

My kids all together!

Random picture, but I love it...
Hope has become a reader...
I am so thankful, because it has been work getting here...






Life is good :)))

Small Steps... in a New World

We have had a full weekend...
We have stayed home, but stayed very busy :)
 
Our little Ani is too much fun...
Our normal is still so new to her...

She got her nails painted for the first time, and squealed in delight.  She was so happy...
After she had looked at them for several minutes she walked around the house with her arms outstretched and fingers spread wide just admiring them and sharing their beauty with the rest of us...

 

The boys made a tent with Ani and played forever...she absolutely LOVED it...  

Since we have been home Ani has been sensitive to change in terrain..  
She pauses when she steps from our tile floor to the wood floor.  She handles it very quietly and does what makes her comfortable to cross...
No fussing just cautious... 


Well, I didn't even realize that we have a couple cracks in our driveway...
Ani, noticed...

This is amazing to me because it's a big enough deal to my girl that she crawls over on her hands and feet, but she doesn't say a word about it.  
She just pauses, plans, and conquers.  

Makes me wonder what else she see and feels as big that I don't even notice...

She is brave and could just conquer these things on her own...
that's what she has had to do in the past...

But I am hoping and praying that she is beginning to understand that Brad and I are here and ready to help her take on the world...

I desperately want her to understand that she is NOT alone...

After almost three years of taking care of herself this leap may take some time...