Pumpkin Day

At the end of September we got out to a pumpkin farm. Wow, never seen quite this big a pumpkin harvest before. It must've been a good year. The kids enjoyed looking around and there was a big play area with all kinds of games, fun for all. It was a beautiful day. Sun was shining and it wasn't cold at all like some years. Maya fully enjoyed the day as well, not sure if she'd ever seen this many pumpkins if she'd seen any at all in China.

First Year

2015 also marks the first year of school for this kindergartener. Brandon's first days in school went well but soon came the time he didn't want to go back. It took a few days more for him to realize he had to go to school. Of course he wanted to be at home with mommy and baby brother and daddy but everyone eventually has to start school. He still didn't want to go and begged to stay home however as all things go with school Brandon caught a cough from another child and had to stay home for over a week. Just as will because when he returned to school things got much better.

Grade 5

Just to take a few minutes to note Maya's first day of school of Grade 5. It was on September 8th this year. It was a very nice day, a bit cool and wet but still nice. Maya had more confidence getting out and starting school again than same time last year. We had no problems breaking it off when ready to go inside, a complete opposite of grade 4, understandably so. Last year she had no friends, knew no one, everything was intimidating but this year she has some friends to come back to, a few of the same kids from last year are in her class this year. She has more homework this year, real homework. As her English improves she is able to join the kids in most everything they are doing, which takes away the boredom. Mind you she still has a lot to learn. She speaks a lot of the simple language and now time comes to introduce the bigger and harder words and ideas but it will come all in good time. We'll keep working at it Maya Lanlan. You're a very smart girl and I know you can do it.

And it was my birthday too, so two things going on today making it a full day. After school we went out for supper to celebrate both. It was a good time with family and especially with a new daughter to love.

First Meeting in October

Haven't got to a lot of events yet. We're just so busy, all the time somewhere to go and something to do. The kids had fun again with Halloween though they were separate, though not as many kids go around as they once did. Other memorable events happened as well such as little Jaxon met his great grandparents for the first time on November 14, 2015. It was a surprise for both especially for the great grandparents as they didn't expect him to be so big already but he's putting on the chub pretty good. He is on his way learning how to sit and using his bouncer and exerciser which he loves. I know October is over but there are still some pictures worth looking at.

And look at this cute little pumpkin.

And here is that very first meeting with their newest grandson Jaxon and there is his big bro Brandon right beside him.

Nov 9th

As far as I read on the Internet this is only the 2nd World Adoption Day which was started in 2014 by a pastor Hank Fortener in order to raise awareness for adoption and celebrate family. We got together and celebrated on Saturday with some family and friends.  The little green ball that is in front of the cake, most people who've adopted from China will know what it is but for those who don't know it's the Family Ball made from Jade.

And today Maya's School photo came in for Grade 5. Such a beautiful girl.

World Adoption Day

It's coming up, on Monday November 9th and we are having a little shindig tomorrow because we are aware. We are aware of adoption and what it could mean for a child who is facing a bleak future. It's hard enough for a child just to be a child under normal circumstances but for a child who is alone to be facing the many ups and downs of life cannot be easy. The term Waiting Child speaks of so much loneliness and uncertainty. The reason we adopted was because we thought if more people stood up and too in one child there would be no more orphans, no more waiting children, no more loneliness.

Draw a smiling face on your palm in support of World Adoption Day and consider if you could could bring a child home and stop the waiting for that one child.

I used to think that people who adopted, especially those who already had children were some special people, or rich people who lived and breathed their religion and then I realized they are just people like you and me, just ordinary people whose eyes and hearts were open to love a waiting child.