The day before we became a family and now.

I realized (not that you care at this point, lol) that I didn't post some of the pics from Zhengzhou.  So I'll bore you with the details of where we met our daughters.

I meant to post it yesterday for #TBT.... so it'll have to be #TBS :-)

Zhengzhou is huge... pretty much all of China is highly populated (as I'm sure you're aware).  There's about 8.5 million people in ZZ.  Much smaller than Beijing at 11.5 million :-) haha.

Here we are arriving at the airport... that's one of our awesome CCAI guides holding the flag.

All aboard our bus to the hotel.

There's a going joke in China that the national bird is the "crane" as in... the million construction cranes you see everywhere.

When we arrived in our room there was some fresh fruit.  That red funny looking one is a dragon fruit.. they're pretty tasty, that was Rob's favorite on the trip! 

The hotel welcomed us with a nice note and some toys for the girls

The room was beautiful.  There was, however, a window between the bathroom and the bedroom rather than a wall.  There was a shade that came down but it was pretty strange.

Here you go... Chinese Burger King... pretty much the same as America Burger King

When we arrived we received a final update on our girls.  What they ate, drank, weights, etc.  We all went to Wal Mart to get formula, snacks, supplies.  It's a little different as there's several things you'd never find in American WalMart but it was big (3 floors) and they had about everything you might need during your stay.  Well, except bibs b/c you realize after day two of being a mommy that disposable bibs are a waste... once they learn to rip them off. :-)

I catch myself being pretty nostalgic these last few days.  Part of it is getting to catch up with one of my former youth and reminisce about my years doing youth ministry in Florida and how many awesome kids I had the privilege of being a part of their lives as well as a part of their journey with Christ...and Part of it is just being overwhelmed with God's gift of these two precious girls in our lives.  Yes, it's hard, frustrating, exhausting, etc.. But it's also AMAZING.  I can see so many reminders each day that God's hand has been in/is in every single detail.  I'm blown away by His love for us and most of all His faith in us. I can't believe He is entrusting us with the two VERY special girls.  My prayer every single day is that God will make me worthy of this incredible blessing and honor.  I just want to honor God and my daughters in every step of this adventure.  I feel like I am not at all equipped for this but I am ready to work like crazy at being the Mommy that HE sees in me.

Anyway..... :-) 

I bought this little tutu dress long before we met them. They're growing so quickly I decided we better get some pictures In it. It's amazing how they are changing. 

I know... Too cute for words. :-)

No matter how many times I fail those little parenting failures or get frustrated at little toddler things. My day ends like this...my sweet fur babies laid out near me and my two precious daughters in my lap snuggling like I dreamed of for so long. SOO long. 

Life is good. 

Xoxo

Jenn

2 months of AWESOME!

Dear Emily and Olivia,

Two months ago today was the absolute greatest day of our life.  Of course marrying your Daddy was pretty awesome and right up there in the ranking, but August 18th, 2014...there are no words to describe the day.

We were nervous and excited and scared and every other kind of feeling you can feel at once.   We had no idea what to expect.  It could go any which way.  All we knew for sure was that THIS was the day we'd been waiting for all of our lives.  We loved you already and were so aware that today may not be quite as exciting for you.  I can't explain how torn Daddy and I were.  Excited beyond reason yet worried about the fear and confusion in your little hearts. I cannot express our emotions on that wonderful August day.

Here's a little video message to you on that day, it was right before we left the hotel to pick you up!

You'll hear this story more times than you'd like.. you'll read about our feelings here as if it's set on "repeat"...  bear with us.  This is something that cannot be contained. Our love for your reaches further than you will ever know.

Recently Daddy and I have been really wishing we could go back... relive it all... experience all of the sights and sounds of your country and getting to know you and being with our travel group.  It was all so very very precious. Tears well up as we look at pictures of the last two months and see how much you've grown and changed.  How much you've become "ours".  We look forward to each and every day with you!

While we were in China, every day was an adventure.  If we were headed to adoption paperwork meetings, medical exams, the pearl market... every single moment was an adventure.  We learned early on that Mommy NEVER packed enough snacks.  I think we owe every family in our travel group a couple pounds of "sugar bombs" (some super sweet sugary cracker ball you loved) and 10 dozen packages of "tuna crackers"... we have no idea what they were, all you kiddos LOVED these crackers. They smelled like tuna... they didn't taste all that awful.. but the smell.. peeeee-ewwwww.  I think I've got the snack thing down, two months later... Mommy has a SLOWWW learning curve.  We will always cherish each adventure.  The fun moments, the hard moments, the tired moments, the tearful and joyful moments... every single one is special.

In the last two months we have had some fun times and some ehm... "moments" I wish hadn't happened. :) hahaha  It's been awesome and wonderful and scary and frustrating but mostly AMAZING.  At the end of each day I thank God for you and pray that He will make us the parents you deserve.

We have a long way to go.  We will try harder each day.  I can't wait to see what the next month brings!

you both LOVE being outside!

Emily loves playing "beauty shop" Ha!

You LOVE standing up when I tell you to sit down for a picture :-) 

Em, You LOVEEEE giving kisses!

Liv, you LOVE tutu's and playing with your Mommy and Daddy

You both have been sick lots lately.  We all have a virus right now but you are SO brave at the Dr... Emily you were the only one they've seen actually keep the mask on! So cute!

You're definitely "off the beaten path" kind of girls... this little battery operated car YaYa and Poppy got you isn't quite designed for the grass... but you keep trying! :-)

Even at the Dr. we can have fun playing around! You two are always so much fun! I love watching you grow and learn to be sisters and enjoy each other!

Daddy and I could watch you sleep for hours.  You are so peaceful when you sleep.  

Girls... Here's to 2 WONDERFUL & AMAZING months... and Here's to the next month and beyond. We are grateful that God allowed us to be your parents.  Every day we Thank Him!

With all of our Love, 

Mommy & Daddy

Doctor appointment, new car, and poor quality pics (sorry!)

I found this saying recently and  it's something I try for every day... hopefully I'll get closer to the goal with each moment of mommyhood.  I'm praying for guidance in all that I do, say, and in every thought.  It's certainly a process to figure out how to get into a routine and do the important stuff even in the midst of being tired. 

Wednesday we went to the heart doctor for Emily.  The girls couldn't have been better.  We knew when we decided to adopt Em that she had a small PFO and it would likely heal on it's own.  Both Dr. B (in the ER) and the Pediatrician in LBB indicated that there is definitely a murmur and we should see a pediatric cardiologist to make sure everything is ok.

After 2.5 hours of poking and prodding and checking everything out we found out a few more things are going on and we will just need to watch her.  Praying that God will heal it in time.  The Dr. believes it will all correct itself.  I won't get in to all the details and technical terms but we are hopeful all will be great at the next appointment in 2015.  

After the Dr. appt... the girls deserved a treat.  Sunglasses for everyone! If only they would keep them on! Sunglasses and bows... I can't figure out how to keep the girls from taking them off and eating them or breaking them! HA!

We also got the girls a "used" car! :-) We hit the resale shop and Emily saw this and fell in love.  After being so good and still during her testing, I couldn't say no! They can go backwards pretty well but they haven't quite figured out "forward" yet.  They push each other which is fun to watch.  Emily is a much better "pusher" than Olivia.  We wont tell Daddy how close Olivia came to wrecking into his truck, lol.  They tried to both ride in it but that just didn't work... why don't they make a two seater one of these? That would be perfect!

We went to the park after the Doctor and Em isn't a real risk taker....They were both exhausted after 2+ hours in the Dr. office so they weren't real energetic.. it was close to nap time and they were hungry!

Olivia on the other hand is ready to try anything!! Again.. you can tell by the looks on their faces, they are zoned out!

It's been quick week.  Dad left on Tuesday and the rest is a blur.  I attended my first "MOPS" meeting on Friday.  MOPS stands for Mothers of Pre Schoolers.  The kiddos go to childcare and Mommy gets to go to bible study.  I have known about MOPS for years.  There was a MOPS group that met at the church I worked at in Florida, I knew it was a great program.  In the last year and a half or so one of the MOPS moms has been regularly bringing in donations to the Shelter where I work so I was reminded of the group.  I've been waiting to get to attend the group and this Friday was the day! It was amazing! God put me at the right table (small group) and had me be able to go on the right day.  My table leader shared her story with the whole group and she too is an adoptive mama.  It was perfect timing for everything.  The girls did well in childcare.  Emily was crying when I arrived but they said she had just started.  I'm excited for the girls to get to learn to play with other children their age.  Of course they had a lot of kids around at the orphanage but in Emily's case she was one of the oldest in her room.  There was only two other little boys close to her age that she could play with.  Olivia was one of the youngest in her room so she hasn't had much experience playing with kiddos her own age.  It's really great for the girls to be around other little ones... it helps with speech and language development as well as every other aspect of being a kid! I can't wait until the next meeting! It was like water to my soul to be around other women with little ones sharing our frustrations and joys and challenges.  There's something about talking to others and realizing you're not alone.  I'm so grateful for this group!

We have had some trouble sleeping through the night lately.  Livy has been sick and whining in her sleep.  Emily is up and down and really restless throughout the night again.  As those of you with children know... it takes a lot out of you when your sleep is interrupted.  So pray for the girls to sleep through the night for me to figure out what the magic combination is to help that happen! :-) 

Thanks so much for your continued love, support, and prayers! It means the world to us!

xoxoxo

Jenn

Catch up post and a Visit from Papa!

Ok Ok... All of the sudden it's been a week since I posted last.  It's been a busy one.  I'm overwhelmed by the blessing of being these two little cutie's mommy.  I succeed and fail every day.  By fail, i just mean, i'm not the Mom I want to be.  I'm working on it every day... they deserve the very best and that's what I strive to give them.  We are human though.  All in all, we are adjusting and enjoying all of the adventures.  The good the bad and the fit-throwing! Hahaha

Now, if any of you experienced mommy's know how to teach a toddler not to touch something, i'd love some input.  "No" doesn't work, Time out doesn't work, ... i'm at a loss.  They are certainly testing challenging us, LOL.. We keep trying to be consistent but I'm definitely open to ideas!

Em had a little snuggle time in Mom's bed.  

I was watering plants in the back yard and they were fascinated with the hose... so I stripped them down and let them have at it! They had a blast!

My dad arrived on Friday.  He lives in Ohio so it was quite a trip! He LOVED getting to meet his granddaughters and Rob and I really enjoyed getting to spend time with him! Hoping he'll make it back for Christmas.. it's going to be a great one!!

We ventured out to the windmills b/c they are amazing.  They're so  so big!  

 This is Rob standing at the base of one.  The landowner said his were some of the "smaller ones".  I'm going to have to find the "bigger" ones for some more photo ops! 

 They're so beautiful to watch! I'll never get tired of it!

Here's Dad with the windmills!

Next stop was Dairy Queen for their FIRST Ice cream cone! Man, did they love it!

Here's "Papa" trying to show Livy the ropes!

 

You can tell they thoroughly enjoyed every bite.  

Em didn't really like getting all messy, but she did enjoy it!

Here's their pics with Papa.  We tried to get some nice ones outside earlier but the girls weren't in the best of moods.  They took to him and he loved them for sure.  They're lucky to have 3 really wonderful grandfathers and two awesome grandmothers!

tried to take a selfie, ha!

enjoying our ride out to the windmills! I love these kiddos!

I keep thinking back from the day we met them until now.  So much has happened and changed and I will never ever forget those first moments together.  What an incredible journey adventure we are on!

Now... back to our normal routine.  Say a prayer for Em tomorrow, we go to the pediatric cardiologist to get her heart murmur checked out and Olivia and I both have yuckie sinus infections! 

Blessings, 

Jenn