Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird, I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
- George Eliot

The days are flying by, Shi Shi is growing and changing daily, and there are just so many little "Shi Shi-isms" I don't want to forget...

• He's learning some of his letters: A, O, P, T, Y, and of course, D, "for Daaaaaaave!"


• He's such a compassionate little soul. If he sees someone is hurt or upset, he goes to them, gently touches their back or arm and says, "K? K?" (As in, "Are you OK?")


• Even though he can say her name properly now, he still calls Hannah "Nani".


• After seven months, he will finally sit and let me read a book with him. Up until now, he just couldn't sit still for more than a couple of seconds to focus on a book. We are now looking at board books together before bed. After each one, he holds up his little index finger and says, "One more!" - about a dozen times! And he brings me books and pleads with me, "Reeeeeeead!" like Rachel used to do when she was his age.


• Speaking of pleading, he has mastered, "Pleeeeeease, Mommy!" when he really, really wants something. Soooooo hard to resist...

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember.

Hosted by Soulemama.

One Year Ago Today...

...I read our adoption agency's e-letter to families waiting to adopt from China. The letter mentioned that they had little boys on their waiting children list. I made my first inquiry on that day. Just five months later, our Shi Shi became a member of our crazy, wonderful family.

I re-read those early emails this morning. David bounced over and gave me a big hug and kiss while I was reading. I think he was wondering why I was crying. Sometimes I look at him and I still can't believe how it all fell together so perfectly.

Coincidentally, our agency's e-letter this month shares a link to their Waiting Child program. David's picture is shown along with that information.

It's amazing what miracles can happen in a year!

Doesn't Every Little One Paint With Apples in the Fall?

Welcome Fall!

Our neighbors across the road operate a pumpkin stand every fall. My Nikon and I were feeling a bit "artsy", so we headed to the corner to get a few shots. I was planning to use one for my Friday photo, but I couldn't choose just one to share with you, so here are a bunch!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (Hosted by SouleMama)

Thankful Thursday

Last week, Hannah and I had the opportunity to serve together at the Feed My Starving Children facility in Aurora. We helped pack food that will be sent to hungry children in South America.

Hannah is suited up and ready to help!

We were given samples of the soy and rice mixture to try - very tasty.

At the end of our packing session, our group of 50 volunteers was given the stats of the meals we packed. It was very humbling to see what an impact our 1 1/2 hours of work will have.

On this "Thankful Thursday", I am thankful that I don't have to watch my children go hungry. That in addition to the three square meals they get every day, we have plenty of snacks and sweets to enjoy. I can get to the grocery store any time I need to, and no matter how much I may complain about the cost of food or try to find more ways to trim our budget, we never have to do without. I am grateful that, while annoying to me, my children are privileged enough to be able to wrinkle up their noses at some of my menu experiments and can always fix themselves something else to eat for that meal.

I see some of the results of not always having enough food in some of David's behaviors and it makes me crazy to think of our little boy being hungry.

I am also thankful for the opportunity to spend time serving others in the name of Jesus with my sweet daughter. God has given her a big heart for suffering people, and I look forward to seeing the great things she will do through her compassion.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (Hosted by SouleMama)

Six Months

Six months ago today, a screaming, crying, fighting, angry, frightened little boy was thrust into my arms. Thus began the huge adventure of parenting David Heshi!

Six months later...

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (Hosted by Soule Mama.)

Our Family's Story

Our adoption agency, Sunny Ridge Family Center in Bolingbrook, IL has a new page of stories of families who have adopted a waiting child from China, to help encourage families who are considering this wonderful program. Our family's story is currently on that page. Go read it here!

First Day of School, 2010 Edition

Yes, I've been totally MIA this summer. I'll come up with some good excuses at a later date. In the mean time, we've had school to think about!

Monday was Meet-the-Teacher, Supply-Drop-Off day. I managed to survive getting all three girls to their new classrooms and to visit last year's teachers, all with a wild toddler in tow.

Abbie and First Grade teacher, Mrs. D.

Rachel and Third Grade teacher, Mrs. L.

Hannah and Fifth Grade teacher, Mrs. S.

Two days later came the Big Day! As the girls put on their shoes and gathered their things to head out the door, David realized he needed his shoes and backpack, too!

Official First Day photos (to be seen again on the last day of school for comparison purposes)!

Fifth Grader

Third Grader

First Grader

Wishing he could go to school, too!

Waiting for the bus...

Each year, on the first day of school, I give each girl the option of either riding to school on the bus or driving them. Except for Kindergarten - I reserve the right to have Al and me drive the child to school and to have a good cry on the way home. This year, Hannah and Abbie rode the bus, and Rachel asked me to drive her to school.

Meeting up with friends.

Big shot fifth grader, ready to roll!

David ran to Abbie when he saw her in the first grade crowd. She was more than happy to give him a big hug. Made me cry...