Easter {He is risen!}

What a wonderful weekend it was! 

The girls and I colored Easter eggs on Saturday, I forgot what a mess THAT can be!  They had gotten kits from Build-a-Bear and we had a fun time putting tattoos and stickers on our eggs.

Then Sunday morning, we started out with Easter bunny surprises, which Olivia just couldn't grasp.  She came home right before Easter last year and doesn't remember it at all.  Trying to explain the Easter Bunny to an almost nine year old sounds, well, ridiculous.  So I didn't try too hard, just let her enjoy the candy and small gifts the EB left!  That was enough.

{Notice the Easter baskets Grandpa Bernie made for my boys many years ago}

We then got all dolled up for church and headed off to hear wonderful worship music and an awesome message, He is risen indeed!

After lunch, we headed off to Uncle John and Aunt Ellen's for an Easter egg hunt (x 3 or 4) and a feast fit for a king!   It's always good to be with family and this year didn't disappoint.  Everyone seemed truly glad to be together.  The girls enjoyed running around with their cousins Liz, Emmie and Maddie, letting off some steam!  And my boys hung around all day, spending time with us; that doesn't happen too often so we savored their company as well. 



waiting not so patiently to eat so we can go hunt for eggs...sigh*





My girls on the hunt!





Tried to get everyone looking at me, not so much!



It was a great day, perfect way to celebrate a risen King!

One Year {HOME}

I cannot believe it has been one year today since our Olivia joined our family.  In some ways time has gone sooo fast and yet, others, it stands still.  Livi has come so far in 12 months, we take it for granted. 


We had conference with her teacher the other night and discussed her reading and where she is on the "scale" for our state.  This scale doesn't take into account that Olivia spent the first almost 8 years of her life speaking a completely different language (or two).  It doesn't matter that she knew no English until a year ago.  The State only looks at her as a first grader who is behind.  It's very frustrating but we are so thankful and blessed to have a battery of teachers who GET IT!  They see how far she has come and recognize that she will only continue to blossom. 


The biggest challenge for Livi now is, she can say a word, sound it out perfectly, speak in fluent sentences, but she doesn't know what the heck some of it actually means.  It'll come.  We try to point things out to her on a daily basis so she knows what a flag is or what a jacket is (vs. a coat) etc.   I try to put myself in her situation as often as possible and understand her frustration.  We are so very proud of her! 


There have been so many firsts this past year, too numerous to name them all.  The ocean, swimming, dentist, motorcycle ride, birthday party, her own clothes, her own toys, major surgery, LOVE, RULES, FAMILY.  And through it all, she has kept that winning smile. 


We love you Olivia ZiJing!  You have blessed us greatly!

{and we obviously need to take some new pics, thank goodness Easter is almost here}

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him."

1Samuel 1:27