1st Pool Pics of '09

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We've actually been swimming the past couple of weekends. A tad cold 3 weekends ago on May 9th and has progressively warm up! Maddie was timid for the 1st weekend...I'm thinking because of the chill...but has quickly remembered her lessons. We're working on roll dives and freestyle - with her arms out of the water. She kicks like mad and shortly will be able to swim the width of the pool.

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Mother's Day & Gotcha Day

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Make a Smilebox slideshow An important anniversary in the lives of adoptive parents - Gotcha Day...the day we first saw, held and began to know our daughter Madison. Every day we love her more, every day we are more inspired by her goodness, every day in awe of her wit and sense of humor and every day is gift. She's grown so much. At present, we are appreciating her gift for gag. Phrases like "that's a good idea", "I'm an Incredible", "When I was a baby in Chbna...", and "I have Super Powers". She LOVES The Incredibles. Is still having fun with Sydney and Emma at school - but now also Julianna and the 2 Logans. Arts and Crafts can be done all day. And...heres the kicker...my daughter who's been in time out twice in her life and has NEVER thrown a temper tantrum CUT HER HAIR!!!! She put herself in time out twice...once at our house after I said "Tell me you didn't cut your hair" and once after she was at her Poppa's...she walked solemnly in and without me saying a word said "I'm sorry Poppa...I cut my hair" and marched herself into her bedroom and put herself in time out again. Below are pictures of "The Hair" (which I've saved as blackmail for the future) and our Mother's Day. Rexaxing Day of swimming, gifts and going to Shane's Rib Shack for a fun meal with Maddie's Poppa.

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5/6/07 - In Hong Kong China

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Off the plane and surprisingly ready to go. We weren't loggy at all. Such a dynamic place Hong Kong - the driving was insane!! The smog prevelant. The greenery lush. The architecture mixed between modern and old/rich and poor. I just remember thinking "one more week until I see her" and wishing my parents were there with us. I also remeber being so thankful to be able to hold my husband's hand and thinking how amazing of a person to whom I'm married.

5/5/07 - Off To China

We boarded a plane to Hong Kong 2 years ago. Has it really been 2 years?? San Francisco was like Little China for me. Which little girl would Maddie look like? How would George like China? What kind of Mom would I be? What did I forget? I remeber going throught the documents and counting our money repeatedly. At the airport we did a money exchange in preparation for the taxi in Hong Kong. After such a long wait it was hard to believe it was real. I cried. Poor George...I'm not normally like that.

Smooth flight. They gave us noodles for a snack. For some reason this stood out for me. People on the flight were offered chopsticks or forks. I tried to read but couldn't. I think I was in shock a bit that we were actually on our way. We flew north by Alaska, Russia and down by Korea to Hong Kong. Due to land 5/6/09 at 6:30pm.

The Universe does funny things with scheduling. May is a huge month for my family. Today is also the anniversary date for my sister and brother-in-law. This is a hard day for my sister who's husband died and I think about her and wish her strength every year this day.