Hoping For Hannah

Here are the current happenings in our family:

Fair Enough

Our county fair is the unofficial sign that summer is almost over. Actually, it is the sign that summer is over this year. Hannah’s school started on August 19 — only 10 weeks of summer. It seemed to fly by. The pictures are pretty self explanatory again.

I did have one story that I wanted to share, though, totally unrelated to the fair. We have been talking to Hannah about Halloween. The candy is of little interest to her but dressing up is right up her alley. We know that she will not have too many times that she will be able to trick-or-treat because of her age, so we wanted her to have one really good costume. Let me preface the rest of the story by saying that she will not get another costume like this again.

She loves, loves, loves anything Disney Princess. So we went to our local Disney store to get her a costume. I won’t tell you what she decided on — you have to wait until Halloween for that — but she is totally adorable in it! I know, who would have thought that? Anyway, when we got home she, of course, insisted on trying it on again. And once on, she insisted on "practicing" her trick-or-treat technique. Dad had to go out to the driveway with her and watch as she came up to the door. I had to answer the door, proclaim her the cutest thing ever, and give her some "candy." I think she would have done that the rest of the day if we let her. As it was, the costume stayed on for most of the day and came off very reluctantly in the end. Stay tuned for the Halloween costume reveal.

Some of our fair group. Cute-a-plenty!	One of three ears of corn Hannah ate that day.
The thousandth trip down the slide with her little buddy.	Ahhhhhhhhhh!
These two can't bear to be separated.	Riding off into the sunset together.

Posted: 8/26/2009

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H₂Oh!

There’s not much explanation needed for the pictures. Some are from Hannah’s 5 weeks of swimming classes, some are from a couple of sprinkler parks by us, and some are from a trip to the beach. There is also video from her swimming classes — please note the total chaos of the pool. The other video is from the sprinkler park. Enjoy.

Hannah with her favorite swimming instructor.	Taking a breather between laps.
Soaking it all in at the sprinkler park.	First time playing in the sand.
The prized rock collection.	Total concentration is needed to find the perfect rock.
Skipping "the perfect rock."	Death by sand.
The joy of making a sand angel.	Hannah is all smiles at the beach.

(Posted: 8/14/2009)

Reunited

After coming 8,100 miles to a new country, a 2 hour drive to reunite two friends is nothing. We were so fortunate last weekend to be able to reunite at least two of the trio who were such good friends in China. They seemed to effortlessly pick up where they left off so many months and miles ago. I have to admit, though, that it is a little disconcerting to have two girls speaking Mandarin and hearing Mama, Baba all the time. But as Kara’s mom said, God has blessed us with two beautiful girls.

Hannah has no idea of the true miracle of having both of her friends from China not only in the US but relatively close considering what it could have been. You can’t be in the adoption world and hear stories that are even more amazing than this and not see God’s hand ordering our chaotic world. Enjoy pictures of our miracle.

Hannah and Kara reunited	Kara was tall enough to drive her own car
Hannah was not tall enough ... dad was too tall.	Kara's dad and little sister in hot pursuit.
Two peas in a pod ... well in a booth anyway.	Kara takes time to wave to her adoring fans.
It should be called goofy golf.	Too much cute in one place.
Hannah and Kara in Nanning.

(Posted: 8/06/2009)