They say so, but really I just want to combine our blogs to make things a little easier to update! Please head on over to our new blog and add it to your 'favorites!'.
http://www.ourcontinuingjourney.blogspot.com
Here are a few pics of our Trick or Treaters!
Mara-Grace is a cat....
Victoria is a surgeon.... Actually more specifically, she is Izzy off of Grey's Anatomy. Looks like her!
As a mother, I have often felt proud of our girls. The kind of pride that makes your eyes well up in an instant....
Today, I experienced this motherly pride, but it was different in a sense. It struck me that Victoria is getting older. Of course I knew this, but her conscious desire to make a difference in such a worthy cause was so wonderful. It was such a feeling of intense pride in the person Victoria is. She demonstrated such courage, poise, dignity, selflessness and inspired me with her shining spirit. Victoria raised over 2500$ for Breast cancer research and awareness with much hard work, and today she participated in the Shave To Save event at her school. She had her head shaved in front of the students, family and staff at her highschool. Not for one minute did she show fear, regret or any sign of insecurity beforehand or afterwards. She possessed such a grace about her today that took my breath away. She astounded me and inspired me and I am bursting with pride.
xoxo
Our Mara-Grace's actual birthdate is November 1st. However, since we may be travelling (OOOHHHH) we decided to have her party early this year. She wanted a Mickey Mouse party and we had a great time with this theme.
Here are some pics of Mara-Mouse's special day!
We had a lovely evening last night. We dropped Tori and her friend off at their Mini Medical School and drove over to the lantern festival. After a week of much rain, it was a clear, crisp, lovely night. We enjoyed the lanterns very much, and Mara-Grace also enjoyed some mooncakes! It certainly made us nostalgic for China and we look forward to being there soon. xo
We have always tried very hard to tell Mara-Grace her special story about her birth and history etc...
So, last night we were meeting Kevin and as we were waiting for him (in the car) Mara-Grace totally out of the blue (that seems to always be the way) says, "So, Mama, I forget..... when you were born in China who met you to bring you home again?????"..... Wow..... So I say, "Well, remember Mara, Mama grew in Granny's tummy. I wasn't born in China." Before I can say anything more she says, "Oh that's right Mama. And I grew in your heart. And your heart is big enough! Big enough for me, and for baby Hannah, and Tori, and Daddy and Lady... everyone!"
Such an incredibly sweet moment........
xoxo
Ok, I am truly having a great time changing the backgrounds! Anyone who really knows me knows I adore decorating the house for the different seasons, and well, here we are! LOL
Fall is in the air.... I am definitely in the nesting mode lately. I have been sorting, cleaning, getting ready for Miss Hannah to come home....More on this later.
I have just posted on our other blog the wonderful news that we have received our "letter seeking confirmation" today. We expect to travel to China in 6-8 weeks from now. What an incredible gift..... we are so so thankful tonight.
xoxo
It is so hard to believe that summer is over..... Victoria heads back to school on Tuesday. She has had a great summer but is definitely excited to head back to school. Her focus is something that amazes me and it is so wonderful to see her so organized, full of excitement etc. about her future, her school and of course her friends. This year, she is rotating 'study night' with 3 of her closest friends. Every Wednesday the 4 girls will take turns having one another come over immediately after school. They'll have supper and then do some studying. I know that they are all dedicated students, so I am sure they will actually accomplish some work! This Wednesday is our turn.... It is with these same three girlfriends that each Friday (also rotated between the girls) will have supper and host movie night. Also, Victoria has enrolled in a Mini Medical school which will meet weekly and they will have different topics and guest speakers. This will take place at one of the Hospitals. She is BEYOND excited about this!
As for Mara-Grace. Well.... she is into dinosaurs lately. I promised her that when Tori goes back to school we will do a little project on them. Go to the library etc... and also when we finish our project, we'll make a point to take in the dinosaur exhibit at a local museum. She is very excited about this. Also, I have her place reserved for craft and story time at the library this year and we'll also head back to playgroup. There is also storytime at the Ecomuseum and we will get back into our weekly outing there. We were hoping to enroll Mara in gymnastics, but I am still waiting on the info. We'll see. I am toying with the idea of delaying that until the spring and taking her to a class which is closer to home and is held weekly with Parents and Tots. Given the fact that we will be heading off to China, and I don't expect my Mom to drive all over the place, I am trying to find casual commitments close to home!
We talk about Hannah Faith every day and we are busy preparing for her arrival! And also for our trip! I wish I knew EXACTLY when we would be travelling. As it is, we are trying to get everything prepared both for her arrival and the trip there, but also at home. We will most probably travel in November. I would like to be ready for Christmas BEFORE we travel. Before that is Halloween and Mara's birthday. We have been talking a lot about both. She is going to be a Kitty cat for Halloween and we have the costume! And as for Miss Mara's birthday..... well.... I love to have a theme. It makes decorating and planning so much fun! I LOVE planning! So I have been talking with Mara about some possible ideas.... Here's the kicker! When I asked her where she would like to have her party and named a few places she said, "Nooo..... I really want a 'home sweet home' party." OK.... At home it is! And I asked her what she would like to eat.... She says, "Some nice cosy cake". ALRIGHT! Now, who would she like on her napkins (and of course this sets the tone for the other decorations)?????? Her answer is one that hits it out of the park for me! She said, "Tori". TORI? I know she loves her sister but really??????? She is absolutely adamant! She would like to have a picture of Tori on her napkins. LOL OK! So.......... I have been trying to convince her of something/someone else. Barney? Little Bear? Kai Lan? Dinosaurs? Farm again????????????? Zoo?????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO--------------TORI. Actually, tonight she said, "How about all our family?" Victoria is so impressed that she was her choice! She even suggested we play pin the hair on Tori- as she will just have had her head shaved for breast cancer awareness! LOL
May it be a safe, healthy, enriching year ahead at school! Enjoy!!!!!!! xoxo
Please head on over to our other blog for some exciting news!
xo
http://www.ourchinadreams.blogspot.com/
Tonight we were in the restaurant having supper and Tori was talking about her future. She wants to be a surgical oncologist in pediatrics preferably. She has strict goals set for herself and I admire her for that. I know that she will make her dreams come true. I then asked Mara-Grace if she has any idea what she would like to be when she grows up. She replies, "A Mirror"...... A Mirror???? She then continues on to demonstrate how she will put her arms, legs, head..... She was certain! She never ceases to amaze me!
As a little add on to our special day at Santa's, when I talked about making Santa a picture and perhaps a list of something Mara-Grace may like for Christmas (yes A LONG way off?!!!!), M-G told me the following instantly!
Without batting an eye she quickly said, "A headlamp!" A headlamp?!!!!!!! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that response. I wasn't even sure what it was:) Well, Mara-Grace explained that she would love a headlamp to wear on her head (hehe) like Diego's. Ahhhh, ok.........
She also added the following to her list:
-button...... no actually buttons now. (much later she explained that the buttons would not be used in her usual manner. Usually Mara enjoys "planting" them in the "Ground" (floor) and describing that they will be 'bootiful' flowers. But these special Christmas buttons are for making snowmen!
-candle (hmmm)
-RED flower
-little spoon, bowl, cup
-'tend' (pretend) microwave (as opposed to the real microwave Santa would bring for a toddler?!!! :))
-little tiny phone
For some reason, I think Santa looked as though he could handle that list!
xo Jen
