I wish I could tell them....

I wish I could tell Naomi's birth-parents that she is loved. That she is happy. I wish I could tell them how she loves playing in the dirt... and then loves her bath just as much. I wish I could tell them that she has a freckle on her left ankle... one that I love to kiss. I wish I could tell them that she has the most beautiful smile, and that it lights up our world. That she chases her brother around and he would do anything for her. I wish I could tell them how much we love her... she has a whole family that loves her.

As she is tucked in bed, all cozy and warm, just waiting to wake up and be a big "3 year old" I can't help but think of the family on the other side of the world, who gave her to us. I know they are wondering how this precious little girl is doing... I wish so badly that I could let them see her and see how happy she is! We will forever be grateful to this unknown family, just as I know they will forever be thinking of our family and our little girl! And as we celebrate Naomi's birthday tomorrow, we will also be remembering in our heart, a family that had to give up a child, and what that must have been like...

Birthday celebration... Round one!

Naomi's birthday is on Friday... she knows her birthday party is the same day as Daniel's, and we have been talking ALOT about this... so she had a hard time today, understanding that it was only Daniel's birthday and that her birthday was in a couple days. When we brought out a couple special things for Daniel, she got really sad. So, we decided to celebrate both of their birthdays today and on Friday! Noone is going to feel left out in this house!!!




Stay tuned for round two of birthday fun on Friday! Oh, and in case you are wondering... we did launch that awesome rocket about 8 times at the park! SUPER FUN!!!! It shoots about 100 feet in the air!

Happy Birthday Daniel!

Daniel turned 5 today! He chose to eat a special breakfast of Coco Puff's... and his pick for his Birthday Lunch... McDonald's! Real healthy, I know... but, it is a special day!!!!

Catching up...

Wow... We are almost through July! The kids both have birthday this week! Daniel will turn 5 and Naomi is turning 3!!!!

We took the kids to Santa Cruz for their first camping experience! It was a blast! We definitely have a couple of campers in our family....




Every Monday this summer, Glenn is taking the kids on "adventures." So far, they have found an animal refuge... where Daniel held a HUGE snake and other creepy things, visited the Academy of Science Museum in San Francisco, made a second trip to San Francisco with the entire objective being to see how many different forms of public transportation they could ride (also a little creepy if you ask "mommy"), opened bank accounts, went to John's Incredible Pizza, ate lunch & rode a roller coaster!









Naomi did AMAZING with her lip revision surgery 2 weeks ago! She did not cry one time! This is incredible coming from her... given her past experiences! She is such as strong little girl and has taught me so much!


She was decorating Mommy & Daddy with stickers when she woke up after her surgery....



Sorry it has been so long for the update... we are having way too much fun this summer!!!!

Surgery Day!

Pray for me today. I am having surgery this morning. I have to be there at 745am. Mommy and Daddy are going to rock me, hold me, sing to me, give me little treats, feed me ice cream(after)...

Pray that It is quick and easy and I get to come home quickly... I don't really like hospitals much, so the sooner I can get out of there the better!

My mommy will keep you posted on how I am doing when she can... she will be pretty busy loving and snuggling me!

Love, Naomi

A little too comfortable...

As you can see, both kids are a little too comfortable in the doctor's office...

This time, it is Naomi's turn. She is going in for surgery this Thursday at UC Davis to have a lip revision and possibly have her tubes in her ears replaced if needed. I am doing my best to prepare her for what it will be like... Actually, Daniel's recent surgeries have been helpful in describing what will happen to her. She was so young for her first two surgeries, she does not remember...

Our last experience with Naomi and surgery was a VERY traumatic one. We had only been home from China with Naomi for several weeks, and really did not know each other well yet. We did not know yet how she liked to be comforted. Also, Naomi did not yet fully trust us as parents. So handing her over to have major surgery did not score us any major points in her book! Please pray that this week's surgery is much more peaceful and easier on Naomi. Pray that this experience will not bring up old hurts and that she sails through it! Pray that we will know exactly how to comfort her in her fears, especially if they are old traumatic feelings from the past.





An update on Daniel! He had his last post-op appointment and hearing exam... He can hear!!! He has only some mild high frequency hearing loss... no biggy says the doctor! No need for a hearing aid... no need for any kind of aid!! In fact, the surgeon said he will see Daniel back in ONE YEAR and then release him from his care for good! We see a dramatic improvement in his hearing! No more excuses when he is not listening to us!!! :)

Feathers and funny faces...

I want to take a moment to thank all those who serve our country... who have served our country and especially those who have sacrificed their lives for our country.

We spent the day yesterday at the lake, feeding ducks, collecting feathers and just running around! Every time I say "cheese" the kids give me the goofiest looks...

Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend! We are enjoying pure laziness!!!

Having a bad hair day...

Daniel brought Naomi into my bathroom and said (with a big smile on his face, because I think he actually thought this was hilarious...) "Um, Mom... we have a little problem." Naomi repeated "Yeah, problem."

This is after we have unwound it a bit... this truck was all the way wound to her head... tight!

I thought I would have to cut her hair off for sure...

Nope... in came Daddy to the rescue! He took the truck apart into many pieces!

Naomi patiently sat as Daddy worked...




She had to sit still for about 20 minutes to deconstruct this stinking toy!

Keeping her eyes on Daddy!

So there you have it! My beautiful girl, with not a hair lost thanks to Daddy!

Lesson learned... DO not play with automatic trucks and cars near long hair! Daniel still thinks this was hilarious!

A nut...

I went to crawl into bed, and found a walnut carefully placed on Glenn's and my pillow... Our bed had been turned down, and we had been left a little treat just like a fine hotel! Glenn said Daniel wanted to leave me a "treat!"

This is what my sweet boy left for me! Silly boy!

Cheap fun!

With 100 degree weather this past weekend... it was hard to go wrong with water fun! The kids had a blast with an overpriced blow-up pool that took Glenn and I way too much time to blow up!






They had a blast! I even took a dip! :)