Ethan Got A Haircut!

I have been wanting Ethan's hair to be short.  Unfortunately he would scream when we would try to trim it, so we knew we could not take him anywhere to get it cut.  So I bought some hair clippers at the store and yesterday, while Tiff & I were out, Bill shaved Ethan's hair.  I LOVE it!  Jadyn thought I would be mad.  Bill said Ethan stood still and let him do it.  I think Ethan likes it too. 

Ethan Before

Ethan After

URGENT! Could She Be Your Daughter? Please Pray!

This precious little girl’s face and story have been all over adoption websites and blogs this week as many are advocating for her adoption. A family who planned on adopting her disrrupted (changed their mind) while in China and therefore it is urgent that another family step up before Sunday or the orphanage may not release her to be adopted again. Her special need is Microtia . Please visit Courtney's Blog ,  Our Happily Ever After  or Waiting Children in China for more information.
Please pray for her, every child deserves a family. Please, please, please, get the word out about this sweet girl!  Please pray for the family who will open their hearts and home to this beautiful little girl.

Mini Vacation with Grandparents

Every year, my parents go to their timeshare about 90 minutes south. For the past 4 years, I have been going down for a few days with the kids.  We usually stay in their condo. But now that our family has grown, we needed our own space.  I was able to get our own condo for 3 nights.  Tiffs friend Maddy went with us. Bill stayed home to get some things done.

We had a great time. Everyone had fun. Uncle Daniel came down too, which was so nice. The kids loved spending time with him, Grandma & Pop Pop.  Ethan amazed me. He bonded with everyone. I was able to leave him with Grandma a few times, and he did not cry when I left. He had so much fun.  We did a lot. Bumper boats, Shell Factory, Sunset Cruise etc.  Fun!  Here are some photos of our get away.

The "annual" photo of the girls in the loft

The kids & I at the shell factory

Tourist Photo

This gave me an idea of how Christmas is going to be like.

Bumper Boat Fun

After the Fun

Mom & Ethan

Ready for the sunset cruise

On the sunset cruise

Another annual photo 

Pool Time

Abby & Jadyn shared their ice cream with Ethan. He LOVED it.

Visiting the Bird Sanctuary 

Beautiful Sunset from our condo

Beautiful

It's Been One of Those Weeks!

This week has been long.  This week has been hard on the kids. I don't know why. I think A & J are bored. E-man can't communicate what he wants, so he cries & yells.  It's exhausting.

But then I see photos on my computer and I realize how fortunate I am. I have four awesome kids.  Yeah, some days I might not think they are so awesome, but they are.  They are loving, respectful, kind, caring, helpful, funny, crazy, beautiful, curious, smart, loyal........

I love them so much. Even though they can drive me insane. :-)  I'm so thankful that they are OUR children.  So thankful God allowed us to have a biological daughter, and so thankful He allowed us to experience adoption, THREE times.  Our kids are definitely a gift from God.

Here are a few photos I came across.  Just some of the cuteness & silliness in our family.  I love my kids so much! 

6 Months!

I can not believe I did not journal about our 6 months with Ethan.  July 18th was our 6 months anniversary with E-man.  I can not believe it.  I was looking at some other families websites who are in China now meeting their angels, and I saw our guide Sherry.  I thought it was funny to see her touring Beijing in a short sleeve shirt.  :-)  She was bundled up when we were there, because it was SO cold.  But seeing the photos of Sherry in short sleeve, made me realize that it has been that long since we've been in China, even though it seems like a few weeks ago. 

Ethan is doing great!  He's hit the terrible 2's, I'm afraid, even though he's only 21 months old.  That is okay.  It shows that he is comfortable with us. He still loves his mommy the most :-) but has also bonded well with everyone else.  He loves his sisters and tries to copy what they are playing.  Yes, I have noticed that he already wants to grow up. 

So hard to believe that it's been 6 months.  I don't see much changes daily, but when I look back at photos, then I realize how much he has changed. 

We completed our 6 month post-placement 2 weeks ago. That was easy.  We received our copy last week.  So now all that China requires from us is a 12 month visit. 

We feel so blessed to be this little guy's parents. 

Disney Magic

July 14-17 we went to Disney World. We had a great time away.  Yes, it was extremely HOT and CROWDED.  But we did not let that stop us.  We got up early (thanks to Ethan) and went to the parks when they opened. Then went back to the cabin after lunch and rested. Then we would go back at night.  We had a lot of fun and made more wonderful Disney memories.  Here are a few photos from our trip.

More Beach Fun Photos

Ethan's First Visit To The Beach

Yesterday we met some friends at the beach. This was Ethan's first trip. He loved it.  He just wanted to wander around.  Of course the girls had a blast. They love the beach and collecting shells. 
Here are some photo's of Ethan at the beach...