***A Night Out at the AF Ball***



Christi, Candy and I




All dressed up




The Hangar transformed.










On that rare occasion we will actually get a sitter and take an evening off. :) This was an even rarer occasion where we dressed up to go out and celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the US Air Force. It was a night to remember. With Food Network taping for Dinner Impossible (that I'm told will air sometime in January), the memorabilia dating back to World War II was humbling to say the least,the decorations every where the eye turned, the red carpet to walk in, we got there early and so bypassed walking in under the swords (they weren't quite ready yet) but they were there too. Every where you looked were reminders of all the Air Force has accomplished and become in the last 60 years and where it may be headed in the future. Oh sure we may gripe sometimes when things are hard or not going the way we expected or hoped for, but there is no denying that it is a strong and special heritage that we are proud to be a part of.

Just some random pictures


Love this cute outfit Gram but she wasn't being really cooperative for a photo, but what can I say, even when she's not cooperating, she's cute about it.


I want to be just like Mama and sleep in the big bed and read at night. She snagged my book before I could get it and stayed this way long enough for me to find the camera. We can manage to keep her hair out of her eyes during the day now, but at night it seems hopeless.



What a STICKY MESS! Mama let me have waffles for breakfast and when I was done, I decided to rub the crumbs in my hair! She's never done that before, I'm sure it won't be the last time as she got a bath out of the deal!

As you can see Julia continues to grow and remember that declaration of Independance we spoke of a while back?? She's definitely beginning to make herself known and heard more lately. She's full blown into the 2's I'd say. We've had a couple of successes with the potty, not there yet, but the idea is beginning to grow. Just what we want right now.

Over all we're doing well:)

Julia got this nightgown for her birthday. She sure thinks she's something when she puts it on. Checking it out in the mirror and even asking to have her picture taken! No kidding. As for the wild hair, keep in mind we were getting ready for bed. LOL.

I'd write more, but as she got just a short nap on our walk today, I think we are going to call it an early night. Just thought you would enjoy the pics and yes, she was playing peek-a-boo in the curtain.

First Blogging Award





Kim at Born in My Heart was sweet enough to nominate me for this award. I'm not quite sure what to say. Kim has certainly been there for me through a lot and I hope that I've that I've always been there for her as well. I'm supposed to nominate others for this award, but as I really only have 2 blogging buddies *Kim being one of them! and I would certainly turn right around and give it back to her any day! And I will certainly be nominating my dear friend Jen in a moment. Since I don't have or know that many others in the blogging world (yes, even here I can be shy and not reach out unless reached out to first.. what can I say?) I'd like to take a moment and instead give it to those that IF they blogged, I would nominate. Sound fair??

Here is what it says about this award..

"This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award."

As mentioned, first my friend Jennifer who does blog at Good Fruit We traveled to China together and that certainly has created a bond, but I like to think we would have been friends no matter how we met. Jen is always encouraging, thoughtful and just one of the sweetest people I know.

As for the others, I'll start with my brother Joe. Some may find this a funny and even odd choice for this award as he can be the most sarcastic and sometimes even negative brother that I have, but not to me. He has ALWAYS been there for me and was the first person I ever told about wanting to adopt from China and he never batted an eye or once asked me "why China?".. he simply said "I think it's a wonderful idea" and was there every step of the way. yes, I love my brother, get over it. :)

Next I would have to say Angie. One of my closest friends that has always been supportive, nice and positive. She can always put a smile on my face :)

I couldn't mention Angie and not mention Sheree. We were so much a part of each other for so long, I'm talking since we were 5 people. While our life paths have taken us in very different directions, we always have pictures to share, a quiet lunch together when I go back home and secrets that NO one else will ever know. And I can always count on her for a quick email come back with a smile and encouragement if that's what I need that day.

Debra, my baby's Godmother. I don't think "No" is in her vocabulary most days. And I don't know anyone else that would drive 2 days to get here to stay 3 and turn around and drive 2 more days to get home. If you have a problem, she'll listen, and if she's got a suggestion it's usually worth hearing :)


Okay so that's not even 7 people still, but it's where I have to end this. I think it's better to say that my life has been surrounded by "nice" people and that I wouldn't be who I am without them.

So thank you again Kim, I'm touched that you thought of me.

Just couldn't quite make it




Julia has a habit of falling asleep in her high chair around lunch time. Just had to share this picture I got today.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!







Julia loves the pool!


Trying to be just like Mama.

Playing in the big float with Daddy.










August is such a busy month for us! Starts off with Julia's bday, in the middle of the month is our anniversary and at the end we celebrate Daddy's birthday. Hectic but it's all good. :)

We started off this morning by taking Ray out to breakfast as we were certain that if waited for dinner it wouldn't happen. Good thing we did, at 6 the phone rang and he's off to work again. So I guess we played that right. The rest of the day we had a pretty lazy day and as you can see spent some time in the pool. Julia didn't want her float anymore, she wanted mine! When we let her have it, under very close supervision of course, it almost worked like a small pool for her in the big pool. She was loving it. As you can probably tell.

We then made a quick run to Walmart (what a nightmare! it was packed!) for some water and what not, came home, got dinner and were just cutting cake when the service call came in. All in all not a bad day though and hopefully he won't have to work too late.

Julia's 2 Year Old Portraits! Well finally after correcting an error, Julia's portraits were available online this morning!! She did so well at the studio having them done and I am very happy with them!! Enjoy!

Julia's 2 yr dr appt

Julia had a wonderful visit with Dr. G today. She was pronounced very healthy and right on target developmentally for a 2 year old. Though Dr. G was concerned that she may be a bit too trusting, I assured her that in truth she is definitely not. There are a few rare people that Julia will go to so willingly and thankfully Dr. G is one of them! We missed out on shots today because the base was all out of what she needed so we'll have to go back up in a few days and try that again. I don't think Julia was upset at all that she couldn't have them today. ;)

She weighed in at 26.3 lbs (25percentile) and they said 34 and 3/4" tall however she was LEANING against the wall not standing up straight at all, so I believe that's 35", I couldn't believe the tech didn't straighten her or give me the chance to. But safe to say 35" and 75th percentile for height. We are all agreed that regardless she's very tall.

Dr. G is convinced that Julia will do well in school and be anything she wants to be, as are we :) She was impressed with how much focus Julia has when checking out something new, and with how mellow she was. She kept saying "not hyper at all" nope, active when she wants to be but definitely not hyper. All in all a good visit :)

Princess Julia at her Party








Julia's birthday party was yesterday at Chuck E Cheese. While I had to miss it being sick, I've managed to get every detail out of Daddy that I can! And THANKFULLY Ms. Debra was in town and was a HUGE help and life saver!!! She took all the pictures and helped Daddy at the party. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Julia truly has a very special Godmother to drive all the way from South Carolina with her grand kids to spend a few days with us and Julia!! We love you!!!

So I'm told that her party went very well, the hostess took wonderful care of everything at the party, and most importantly, Julia and her friends had a good time. We really do have some great friends here in Texas, and while we are ready to move on to a new area (whenever the Air Force decides to let us!) we will be sad to say good bye to many of them.

Julia's cake was just beautiful! We got it at Albertson's and they did a wonderful job!! I guess the girls at the bakery didn't even want to give back her picture! LOL. What can I say?? Julia has that affect on people! She's beautiful inside and out. :)

There are lots more pictures at Dropshots of her and her friends having fun at the party. Be sure to check them out!

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Who cares about candles when there's icing?? LOL. Julia definitely enjoyed our little family celebration last night. Still not crazy about getting it on her fingers but she sure was quick to take her fork and dig in!

Happy Birthday Julia!!

I can barely believe that my baby is 2 today. Where did the year go?? She's grown so much this year and not just physically. We have had the privilege and honor of watching her take her first steps, wiping her tears and cleaning scrapes, hearing her laugh and everything in between. I can't even find the words for the last year. I never cease to be amazed at how much a 2 year old learns and the rate at which they do it. And Julia amazes me more every day.

I can't help but think of her birth mother today and wonder if she's thinking of Julia. And I pray and wonder if I'll ever have the right words to answer Julia's questions as she gets older. We know by her note, the clothes and diapers that were left with her and even by where she was found that she cared enough for her to put her in a place that she would be quickly found and taken care of. I can't even imagine those moments for her. I pray that she knows somehow that Julia is happy, loved and well in the world, for without her we would not have Julia, and there can be no doubt that we were meant to have Julia.

As mentioned our little Princess turns 2 today, and "princess" she is, to the point that her Daddy and I even caught her muttering "Princess" in her sleep the other night. A tad bit spoiled you say?? likely, but it was still very cute. lol. She's already received a couple of her birthday presents. Her Poppa and Nai-Nai got her a kitchen set and she busted us putting it together Sunday night. Good thing is we know it was an instant hit, she played with it the entire time we were putting it together and until bed time that night and quite a bit every day since. :) So thank you Poppa and Nai-Nai. We also picked her up a table and chairs to go with it and she is quite funny playing pretend.

Debra and Karen and Kasey are coming in from South Carolina this evening so we'll have cake and ice cream and the rest of her family birthday presents then. We are having her birthday party with friends at Chuck E Cheese Saturday afternoon. So as there are no new pictures right this moment, I just knew it was the best time that I was going to have to get my thoughts down, I will I'm sure have lots of pictures throughout the week and this weekend to post for you all. So be checking back.

Getting back into the swing of things



no, she wasn't in time out, not this time :)


Back at Gymnastics!

Well, we had a wonderful visit with having the cousins here, all the same it's kind of nice that things are quiet again. Julia has missed them and talks about Robert all the time and lights up when either of the boys are on the phone with her, but seems to understand that it was time for them to go back to their home. I'm glad it wasn't harder for her. She's used to people coming and going around here, but the boys stayed longer than anyone else has been able to and I was a little worried that it would be extra hard on her. Thank goodness that wasn't the case. Though I think she'd prefer to have them back today to play with. :)

Now we are just settling back into our routine of gymnastics once a week, lunches with Daddy when we can, and now gearing up for her 2nd birthday. I can hardly believe she is going to be 2 already! Doesn't seem possible and yet the date is coming up fast. I need to get her in for her shots and her 2 year appointment is already set up. I'm glad and grateful that she still likes to cuddle and am taking full advantage of that fact. She has already, as my one friend likes to describe the terrible two's, begun to declare her independence. More and more things have to be her idea or she has to at least try to do things herself first. Which is all to the good, I want her to think and do things for herself, but oh she has a stubborn streak too. We can generally come to an understanding though, so she's not nearly as stubborn as some I've seen. Actually most of the time, she's pretty good at reasoning with. So I guess I'll count my blessings there and pray it lasts! lol.

For more of Julia at Gymnastics or just being cute, go to Dropshots.

****Arbuckle Wilderness and Turner Falls***


Julia's new friend

Feeding the horses and other animals!


Turner Falls


Playing on the beach


Swimming in the pool at the foot of the falls.





For our last weekend with the boys, we threw everyone back in the car and ventured off to something new. We had heard about this place just last week from a friend of mine and I am so glad we did! The Arbuckle Wilderness was a drive through safari, where you could feed the animals, though for the most part we tried to toss the food away from the car some animals were more persistant than others. Julia adored the horses, of course, they are a new obsession for her so she was ecstatic to have one poke it's head in the car window! Riley had the most fun with the food, Robert, like me, was a bit more nervous (okay maybe even more than me) and did better tossing the food well away from the car! But still we all had fun.

After that, we went down the road just a couple of miles and hit Turner Falls Park, both of these places are in Oklahoma by the way, so the boys have added another state that they've been in to their list since leaving Maine. Turner Falls was incredible and by far a change of pace for us. It's the first time since leaving Maine that I've gotten into any stream, river or lake water and it was great! (that doesn't count the ocean that's completely different!) The water was actually clear, Julia loved walking into it, holding our hands of course and floated quite well with her water wings. She's very trusting of me and Daddy, and was repeating "I got you" as if to remind us that we indeed had her. This was also her first experience with beach sand, she wasn't quite sure what to think of how sticky it was but was quite curious about it all the same.

For more pictures (about 150 of them!) go to Dropshots. It was a long but really fun day. I just wish we had known more about the falls and how it was set up before going. We would have packed a lunch, spent more time there and taken some floats!! Good tip for next time.

The 4th of July and our young "Jedi" in training. We went out to fireworks (OF COURSE!) on the 4th, Julia's first experience with them, and had a great time. Meeting Ms. Melissa and of course Bradon and their family to hang out and see the fireworks.

As for our "Jedi" the boys have been very into Star Wars and even more so after our trip to the Museum with the Star Wars exhibit last weekend. So now they sport lightsabers and Julia has of course become fascinated. So they have started showing her how they work and giving her some basic training if you will. Either way she's happy and loving being the center of their attention. I've posted a few pictures here and more (plus videos) will be on Dropshots later. For some reason my Dropbox isn't working right now so they may not be there tonight, but some time in the next couple of days. :)

Another weekend with the cousins. Julia's sure going to miss them when they head home next week. The weather has hit "summer" here now, so that means Hot and Hotter, the boys are making good use of the pool. I'll have a few more pictures from the weekend and the 4th up later but for now, the kids went into a photo booth at the mall, not the best quality but still a good picture of the three of them. Check back later for more. :)

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

It's been a week here. Since the cousins are in for a visit (Robert and Riley) we decided to risk the weather this past weekend and headed to the Dallas area. We managed to fit quite a bit into the 3 days we spent there. The Childrens Museum of Science and History in Ft. Worth, Six Flags, and the Ft. Worth Zoo.

The boys had a great time riding roller coasters and whatever else they could find at Six Flags. Julia and I mostly took in the sites and even left them riding the Texas Giant while we went and found the parade route and caught that. We were almost back when my cell phone rang "where are you?" lol.. All in all, we were all pretty worn out by the time we got back to the hotel.

Julia is having a blast with her cousins here. Though she does pretty much call them both "Robert". She's definitely getting used to having them around. Riley even took her on a couple of rides at the park. Her vocabulary is growing more every day. And last week she started counting...by two's.. we would say 1, she would come back with 2..and so on all the way to 10! Now she can do the whole thing by herself when she wants to all the way to 11! I also caught her starting to sing the "ABC" song the other day, but as soon as she saw me watching she smiled and quit. Her little mind is certainly taking a lot in these days!

I've added some shots from this weekend, for more, as always, go to Dropshots. :)

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ONE YEAR TOGETHER!

I wanted to have this up yesterday, but at the same time I wanted to include pictures from our little family celebration last night. So here it is. One year with Julia is more than I can put into words. From the moment she was placed in our arms and was such a perfect fit there, to an amazing, incredibly fast moving year later.

The child is still a wonder to me, when she wakes with a smile to when she's fussing at me and trying to push the keyboard in on the computer desk and every moment in between. She is loving, joyful, inquisitive and if I may say so, oh so smart. :)

To go from not even crawling a year ago to participating in gymnastics now. It's been a pleasure, a joy and an amazing blessing to be part of this little girl's life and for her to be entrusted in our care. Her Daddy and I are in constant awe as we learn and grow with her.

Check out my ensemble. :)




Showing some attitude



Lovin' the hot tub!

Well as you can see Julia was all set to swim last weekend. She got lots of compliments on her look:) Thanks again Aunt Tiny and we are always quick to tell people she has family that adores her, Mama's not that good of a shopper yet! LOL

It's been a crazy week down here, and Julia's cousins arrived yesterday afternoon, yes she's loving life and I'm taking full advantage of the break to be able to write a quick note with out her in my lap! She's quite content to sit with either of them! So far they are having a good time. So I'm sure we'll have more pictures for you over the next few weeks and as unbelievable as it is, we'll celebrate one year with Julia next week. So be looking for a special post then.

In the mean time there are a few more pictures at Dropshots and if you haven't looked lately you should really catch up. Love to all!

Julia and her babysitter Milauni, you can tell she loves her! We are very lucky to know Milauni and her family.


Off and running with the mower.

Investigating the Bubble Machine a bit closer.



Just a quick update, since I started loading pictures, Julia has fallen asleep in the high chair so this will have to be quick.

We are trying to get more things for Julia to do outside this summer, so this weekend I picked her up a Bubble Mower and a Cinderella Bubble Machine. She liked the mower right off, the Bubble Machine took a little investigating before deciding that it might be fun too. I know she's played with bubbles before but maybe it was because then there were other kids around...not sure. But she was pretty unsure of the whole thing to start with.

You can see on the video at Dropshots that she was trying to stick pretty close to me so that was making it hard to get some really good shots.

Aunt Tiny, we love this outfit, it's still a little bit big (not by much now though) but since it was a little cooler this morning the longer pants were perfect! And I even got her to say "Tiny" while we were getting her dressed. :)

Her vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds right now. As is she! Daddy measured her again this weekend because we swear you can almost see her growing right now, and whether he was off last time or this time I don't know (likely she's somewhere in between) but this weekend she was 34" even.

So that's been our week so far. Love to all!!

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Happy Mother's Day!

We've had a wonderful weekend here. We got to visit with Julia's Godfather and his family. Their youngest is just a few months younger than Julia and it was oh so special to finally get to watch the girls play together and they both did so well!! As you can see on the video they had lots of fun, I wish we had sound for you so you could hear the gales of laughter coming from the two of them. They even did very well taking turns and sharing. The girls had seen each other briefly around New Year's but it was so fast and with many other friends. This is the first chance they've had to spend some time together. And both of our families as well really, since they moved to California just before we went to China last year. But Julia honestly couldn't have a better Godfather even from a distance. We are so blessed to have this family as part of ours.

And today Ray and Julia have spoiled me as usual, and I woke up to the sound of them talking in the kitchen, it's a nice way to wake up. :) I felt very blessed as I came out, Julia saw me and smiled and said "Mama". Heart melting moment that she is famous for.:) I hope that all the Mom's in our lives had a wonderful day as well.

Go to Dropshots for lots more videos!