First Time Swimming?

We have some very good friends who have an inground swimming pool and they are gracious enough to have us over frequently during the summer.  We had our maiden voyage for 2011 this past Sunday when the weather was finally nice enough to go!

Let me back up and tell you that Abigail has been taking swimming lessons these past few months and Olivia has gone to watch a couple of times.  This past week, Olivia expressed the STRONG desire to "yo yong" like her sister does.  We held out hope that the weather would break and we could let her try it out. 

Well, let me tell you...she took to it like a fish to water, after the initial "wildness" since she was nervous and excited. 

As I've said before, she has a tendency to copy everything Abby does, so she tried it ALL.  She even jumped off the diving board, no wings, a few times until she stayed under just a.little.too.long.  It was a great day and I am certain this is the first time Miss Olivia Zijing has ever set foot into a swimming pool...what a joy to watch!

Abigail has come a long way in her swimming abilities over the last couple of years.  She is moving up to "EEL" now at the Y and is very excited!

Here's to a very warm summer this year, so we have lots of opportunities to swim!

Not Just Any Mothers Day...

Four years ago today, we became a family of five with the adoption of our precious Abigail Xin Ru. 

God knew what a blessing she would  be to our family, even when we didn't.  {He told your baba!}

 It hasn't always been easy; in fact, looking back, it was darn hard. 

Having recently adopted Olivia Zijing, many of those hidden away, long forgotten "sore spots" have come back as reminders that this road is NEVER easy, but the joy we have received from having Abigail in our lives is immeasurable. 

 I can't even imagine what life would have been like without her in our family, ours...or hers...

THANK YOU Lord for this gift we love so very much.  You've come along way baby!

Happy Gotcha Day, Abby!

One Month

One month ago today we were greeted by a nervously giggling little girl who was chanting "baba, baba"...

and now...shes's still that nervous giggly girl who loves her baba, but she's becoming more self assured.  She loves LOVES school, she loves our dog Zeus, she is generally happy, sleeps well and loves being outside.  Her obstinence shows up when we don't expect it.  "No" is a favorite word, whether she understands its meaning or not...food is a challenge at times, and she has a bit of a mean streak where her sister is concerned; not always, but not expected so it cuts deep.  Abigail has been very patient with her, but Ab's a bossy gal and that isn't helping the bond.  We are working with Ab to not be such a mother to Olivia, its hard for her.  The idea that just because Abigail has something, Olivia should as well is difficult too.  We are working through all this, loving on her whenever possible, trying to keep in mind where she came from, what she's been through...life is a bit hard right now, but there are glimmers of the sweet little girl we know is in there...

We are reminded in Matthew 18:5 that "whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."