Catching you up to Fall...

Hello!

Regardless of my many good intentions to update this blog regularly, it rarely happens! If you do check this out for news, please hang in there. Eventually, it gets updated!

Since the last post, we have all settled well into back to school and Fall. I have always loved this time of year. The crisp, autumn air, apples and all of their gifts (applesauce, crisp.......) and then of course there is the symphony of colors to appreciate. I adore decorating for Fall and always feel my very best during this season. Did I mention I love the fall?!!!?

Victoria has begun her second year of high school and is loving it! I am so happy to see her so content and involved in her studies, friends and school life.

Mara-Grace is in the middle of a growth spurt which caused her to outgrow every pair of shoe she owns in one week flat! Literally, overnight, she outgrew her shoes. All size 7's. So, off to the shoe store we went. It was confirmed that her toes just pass the size 7 line. So, she now is into a size 7.5. She was quite proud to try on shoes and we bought two new pairs. We have her fall and winter boots already purchased (size 8) so they should fit well. Even her clothes seem to be shrinking rapidly! Mara used to be longer in the top than bottoms. Now she is quite proportioned! She has outgrown her size 2's and is into 3's now. PJ's, I always buy a little bigger. It will be interesting to see how much she has grown since May when she has her 3yr check-up next month.

Mara-Grace will soon be having her birthday party. The theme is FARM. For obvious reasons (described in past posts)! When I asked her what picture she would like on her party napkins/plates she told me pig. Surprise surprise!!!! Then she said cows. So, pigs and cows=farm theme! I made her invitations again this year and they are in the shape of a farm house. I will take a picture and post it when I get a chance. Mara was quite thrilled, and most impressed to mail them to her cousins at the post office. Very exciting indeed!!!!!

As I mentioned, Victoria is back to school and loving it. She has also joined a volunteer youth committee that will do work and fundraising for 3 local hospitals. She is really excited about this. She also has joined a church youth group which meets once a week. Her girlfriends are also involved, so it is something that she is greatly enjoying. She is also taking her bronze medallion and cross which preps her for life guarding. This is something that will be beneficial to have but it isn't something she is overjoyed about taking. Enough said on that note! LOL If passed, she will be finished this portion of training right before Christmas.

Mara-Grace and I have been attending a weekly playgroup for internationally adopted children. We are really enjoying it and it will run until the end of November. There is also a Mothering matters playgroup which I am thinking of joining when the other playgroup ends. The most exciting part of this fall has been that Mara-Grace has met Kyli! Kyli came home to her family from China this past summer and lives about 8 minutes away from us. Kyli and Mara have so much in common and they have been having a blast together! It is so sweet to see them playing together. Kyli and her Mom came over to our house to play, and we have been meeting at the park a morning once or twice/week. It is truly wonderful to see them playing so well together.

Another special event this fall was a last minute, 2 nights away at Chateau M. I haven't stayed there since I was a child, and have always wanted to go back. I didn't want to be negative, but there were so many lay offs at Kev's work since the summer and things were incredibly stressful to say the very least. Sadly, over 2800 jobs were lost. Thankfully, Kevin's was spared. We couldn't be more thankful. All of this to say that when he was given the getaway through work, it was much appreciated. Unfortunately for Kev, he spent most of the time there working (we were just thankful he had work). I must say though that I had a glorious time with my girls. It was beautiful weather, accommodations and the scenery is breathtaking. I would love to go back and relax. The girls and I went hiking, did a few trails (Tori was sure she saw a bear-GOSH), played mini-putt, had a picnic etc.... Treasured times.

Another incredible accomplishment in our household these days is our towers. LEGO towers! Kev and Mara have built them right up to the living room ceiling. Here's proof!!!!

There you have it, a little update from our house! May you have a beautiful, cherished Thanksgiving! xoxo

A long overdue update....

Well, the summer has come to an end (school is back in session) and here is a quick recap of some summer fun we've had within the last few weeks.

Victoria has been reading, "the Twilight series", by Stephanie Meyer. She gave the books to me to read and I have to say that they are amazing! I always take such joy in watching such excitement over literature. So, it was absolutely my pleasure to watch Victoria and her friends, and our niece Chelsey countdown to the release of the final book in the series. I gladly drove them to and from the book release party at Chapters. They had many events scheduled which included trivia contests, dance lessons, and a costume contest. The theme of the evening was a midnight masquerade/prom. Now, I confess that I assumed that I too was "in" on the invite. Didn't really think I would only be the chauffeur! But Victoria then mentioned her desire to go alone with her friends. With much debate (it was ending at midnight), some strict rules set in place etc... we agreed to her plea. When I dropped the girls off, they hardly remembered to say a goodbye as they were so incredibly excited. And when I picked them up they were so loud and giddy and completely hyper about their wonderful night! Of course during the middle of this excitement they were also scanning their books. It was a terrific night and I am so happy to see them so wild about reading!

Here is a picture of Victoria and Chelsey (dressed as characters from the book). Note the engagement ring on Victoria's left hand. LOL They both got COMPLETELY into character as you can see!!!!

Victoria and Mara-Grace enjoyed their summer together and Victoria had a photo shoot where she was the photographer and guess who her subject was! Here are a few results!

Another highlight was Victoria's pool/movie party that we hosted at the end of August. She and her friends have been going through a phase of watching scary movies. So, we had an afternoon of swimming, boarding in the backyard, then a bbq for supper and then when it got dark we roasted marshmallows and the kids sat outside and watched a horror movie on a screen Kevin borrowed from work (projector and screen) and hung outside. Everyone seemed to have a great time and I must add (Victoria will cringe on this one) that this is the first time we had both girls and boys over for a party. LOL Someone is getting older (no not just Kev and myself). This reminds me, during the party Kevin and I were constantly in and out keeping an eye on things. Anyway, while the kids were engrossed in the scary movie, Kev and I came out and spooked them. They screamed and jumped. Totally classic!

Memories of China

I have often wondered whether or not our daughters would have memories of China. Mara-Grace was 15 months old when she came home from China, and at that time didn't really physically speak, yet did say the odd word in Chinese when least expected. For example: Booyow- "I don't want that!" when being fed in China. She also said Bu-ke-ti- "You're welcome" when I said thank you to her one day etc.

I know that I have posted of her familiarity and fondness of pigs. And seeing her recognise them from far off, before we could, and then as I watched her 'converse' and boss them about I knew without a doubt that my instincts had to be right, she did have pigs near to where she lived with her foster family.

I often tell Mara-Grace the story of how she came to grow in our hearts and of those who cared for her in China until she could come home with us to stay forever.

The National Geographic magazine dedicated an entire issue about China a few months ago and my father recently gave me this issue. Upon reading it, I came across a picture taken in the countryside of the Province where Mara-Grace lived. I believe through our guide, that she lived out of the city when she lived with her foster family. Anyway, out of curiosity I showed her this picture and asked her if she ever went there. She quickly began to nod and say yes and then was pointing at the picture and saying things which I couldn't understand. She animatedly was pointing and telling me so much all the while nodding very matter of factly. I then pointed at a house in the picture which doesn't look at all like the houses here that Mara would be familiar with. I asked her what it was and she said, 'house'. So I asked her if she was ever there and she said yes. Then here's the kicker... I pointed to behind the house and asked if pigs lived there. Mara-Grace erupted in giggles and thought this was such a SILLY MUMMY moment! Between her giggles she said, "nooooooooo mum mum" then she proceeded to trace up a little road with her finger to the top of a hill and she said, "Up...... pigs". I asked if that is where the pigs lived and she jumped up and down saying "yesssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pigs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She was so beyond excited. She remembers..... This was so wonderful to realise and at the same time so sad. I am sure she does remember. I feel that she does. And this reaction only reaffirms this. Later that day and the next day I asked Kev and Tori to look at the photo with Mara and not lead her into saying much but mention casually pigs and see what she says. She told them EXACTLY the same thing. Following the road saying up, and then pointing to over the hill. This amazes me, and at the same time doesn't surprise me one bit.... I just knew.

Now here is something that completely shocked me... the other day we were in the grocery store in the electronics section where Mara-Grace went running ahead and stopped to look at games (Wii,playstation etc...). Anyway, she saw one, jumped for joy, grabbed it off the shelf and raced back to me yelling , "Chi, Chi, Chi". So I looed at it and realised that I have never seen this before and the title is Tamaguchi or Yamaguchi or something very similar. NOTE the ending! She pointed at the characters on the front, called them each a name etc... She was so incredibly excited. She hugged and kissed the game and kept saying, "Chi Chi Chi!". I then brought it to Kevin who also had no idea what this was or how she knew about it. I asked her and she pointed outside and said , "China". I asked her if she saw that in China and she said " yes, yes yes yes!!" Hmmmmm. We asked Tori if she was familiar with this and she too has NO IDEA about this game or characters etc.... I am absolutely flabbergasted!

Ahhhh, memories of China.....

xo

New milestones made today!

Today was a day of a few new milestones.
During the last month or two, we have noticed a significant improvement in Mara-Grace's speech. Her vocabulary has been amazing from almost day one and she has astounded us on many occasions by her knowledge of specific requests and words. Although she has made much progress in her actual speech, recently she seems to just be taking such leaps and bounds! She has been saying one or two word commands (hehe) but now is venturing into small sentences. Also, the words that she says now have the full ending applied to them. She is very big on , "ME, MY (mine), ME DO!". She is incredibly independant and INSISTS on doing things for herself. If for instance we give her a hand with anything, she starts the whole process again. Miss Independant! For example, she wants to climb out of the tub without any helping hand and if given an ounce of help she will climb back in and begin again! EEEK Slippery tub and all. She has never fallen and continues to astonish us with her incredible sense of coordination (in general).

Funny story: The other day Tori, her friend, Mara and I were arriving home from an outing and Tori said , "Mara, sometimes when babies are born"... And Mara quickly shouted, "M not born!". LOL Tori always starts off these silly stories told with an accent, "Mara, sometimes........" Anyway, grouchy pants Mara (it was almost lunch and the grouchies were setting in) quickly protested with she is NOT BORN! Too funny!!!!

Ok, so today.... Miss Mara has a cold and her nose has been, "running" all day. So as I am wiping it for the 200th time I said , "Ohhh that silly nose!" To which Mara-Grace replies, "Running" and starts running on the spot. This was SOOOOOOO funny!!!! What a giggler.
Another major milestone today was that Mara-Grace called me "Mummy" all day!!!!!! Usually she calls me "Mum Mum!" and very occasionally will get out Mummy. But today she mastered all of her "y" (eeee) sounds. When I would ask her to say, "Poppy, barney, daddy, mummy" she could. Usually she really has to try to get the ending on. Whoohooo. So, Mummy I am!

Proud Mummy at that! xoxo

Welcome to our "new" blog!

It seemed easier to manage both of our family blogs (this one, which was started on our journey to Mara-Grace; and our other one -link is on the right- just started as we began the road to adopting again) on blogger. Thus the reason why we are now here instead of on the freewebs account. In addition, it will be easier to add our photos now!

So, back to business! Since I last wrote, we have enjoyed many family outings and adventures. Victoria finished the school year with honors and in a great spirit regarding her first year of highschool. She is currently enjoying her summer off and is taking tennis lessons twice/week. She also was hired by family friends of ours to babysit one of their daughters for two weeks. This has gone really well and it is nice for her to make some extra spending money!

Kevin took two weeks off of work and we stayed home for one of 'our' weeks and the other was spent in Maine. What a beautiful place. It is wonderful to think that we are so close to the Ocean! Usually when we are craving the ocean life, we head to PEI or Nova Scotia which are both quite a far drive away! It was nice to go somewhere we have heard so much about. Old Orchard Beach was glorious and I cannot say enough about the shopping! Tori was in her element at the Abercrombie & Fitch stores. I could have pitched a tent and slept overnight in the Babies R Us!

Mara-Grace loved everything about our trip, but was beyond excited about Chuck E.Cheese's. LOL None of us have been before, but it was such fun! We ordered pizza and enjoyed all of the games. Ok, the pizza was hardly touched by Mara who was so incredibly overly stimulated by all of the sounds and sights and waiting games!!!! Loads of fun!

I have been wanting to post that on June 15th, after almost 2 years, Victoria had her braces removed! Ta da!!!!!!!!!!!

This past weekend we attended the International Dragon Boat Festival. It was amazing!!!! Mara-Grace was so excited and she cheered as the boats passed! She loved it! We have been reading about dragon boats and saw them on her shows. So, seeing them in person was truly incredible! Afterwards, we went to "ChinaTown" and I bought my red thread bracelet. I wore one as I waited for Miss Mara, and now here we are again!

I will try my best to post again within the next few days.

xo