What Have We Been Doing?

Mommy Spice's last comment reminded me of how long it's been since I've posted. We've been pretty busy just doing the normal summer "stuff," but today Desheng Darling wanted to do something that most of us don't do intentionally. It was SO funny. We had a summer thunderstorm this afternoon with strong winds, rain and large hail. The girls really enjoyed watching it out of the window. After it passed and the sun came back out, DD announced to Daddy Darling that she wanted to "Go out and catch come hail!" Too Funny! Of course we've been doing things other than "catching hail" and I'll try to post about some of them later. LOL

You Just Never Know

While at the library last week we noticed a young man setting up an easel to paint. Of course DD began asking him questions as soon as she saw him. He was very nice. I asked if he would be willing to paint a portrait of the girls. He said that he had just begun painting portraits, but that he would be willing to try. He gave us a business card with his web site URL so that we could look at some of his work. We didn't stay to watch him paint because I was afraid that Desheng Darling would drive him crazy with all of her questions!

When we got home we looked at his web site http://www.jasonjenicke.com/ .You've got to look at it. His work is AMAZING!!! I mean REALLY amazing!!!!!

If I'd known that he was this good, I would have jumped at the opportunity to have the girls' portrait done!

REMEMBERING REFERRAL DAY

As adoptive parents we have a lot of special dates to remember. Dates like when we started our paperwork, completed our paperwork, were logged into China's system, received our referral, travel dates, Gotcha Day and birthdays....just to mention a few. Every part of the adoption process is so special that we don't want to forget anything.

It was on June 7, 2007 that we received our referral for Doodlebug. After two VERY long years of waiting we were finally able to see a picture (via email) of our precious little girl. She was definitely worth the wait!
These two b&w photos were the first ones we received. They were taken approximately 2 months before her 2nd birthday.
These are some of our most recent pictures of Doodlebug taken approximately 2 months before her 4th birthday. She's really growing up fast.
We actually celebrated her Referral Day early this year (Saturday) with a quick trip to the library...
where the girls loaded themselves down with enough books to last them until Tuesday since the library is closed on Sunday and Monday. Desheng Darling has read 60 BOOKS in the last 6 days! Many of these were chapter books of about 100 pages each. This is no small feat! DD has a book with her EVERYWHERE she goes. I mean EVERYWHERE! We don't dare get into the car without a stack of books. She tries to read at meal time, bath time, while brushing her teeth, while grocery shopping...She even had a book in the baseball dugout reading while waiting for her turn to bat!

SHE IS SUCH A BOOKWORM!

After leaving the library we felt an uncontrollable urge to continue celebrating by stopping at Braum's where Doodlebug became acquainted with her new best friend...a BANANA SPLIT!

YUMMY!

SUMMER FUN HAS BEGUN!

The girls met with their play group on Friday for a day of fun at the fountains! With temperatures already in the mid-nineties, this was the perfect activity for the day.

Taking a little time out for sunbathing and drying off before heading to McD's for lunchSaturday was also very hot. It's obvious that Doodlebug had rather be back at the fountains than
playing at this hot Blast Ball game.
Playing out in the heat like this has definitely got to be a "boy thing."You'll have to admit that she looks quite cute in her cool sunglasses. She refused to wear her baseball cap because it covered her piggytails..."always putting fashion before practicality."

Then, it was back in the water Sunday afternoon at Desheng Darling's end-of-the-season T-ball party...

This is the life!

Yum!!! Nothing says "summer" better than a nice cold strawberry snow cone!

NOT QUITE AS EXPENSIVE, BUT WORTH JUST AS MUCH!

Doodlebug had a dental appointment today and is fortunately still CAVITY-FREE!!!! That translates into ...No Crowns, No Fillings, No Maxing out of the Dental Insurance!!!!!!!!! So far, DB's teeth seem to be quite healthy. Desheng Darling actually takes much better care of her teeth than Doodlebug. She even helps Doodlebug brush hers sometimes! Poor DD, maybe her permanent teeth will be a little better than her baby teeth have been. Some of her problems may be due to heredity factors, lack of prenatal care, or just early dietary habits in the SWI. Who knows? Both girls spent approximately 2 years in China and I'm sure they didn't receive the same level of dental care that they would have received here.
Oh well, regardless of the cost, I still say it's all worth it because...

THERE'S NOTHING PRETTIER THAN THE SMILE OF A CHILD!

Million Dollar Smile!

One of the things I love most about Desheng Darling is her BEAUTIFUL smile! It just has a way of brightening every room she enters. She’s won the hearts of many by flashing it at just the right time. She’s even used it occasionally to keep her out of trouble. Unfortunately, keeping that smile hasn’t been easy or inexpensive! She’s had more than her share of dental work and with each dental visit her fear has intensified. She even cried when they took x-rays at her last cleaning visit. She had to have some major work done last week, so we had no choice but to agree to IV sedation. She couldn’t have handled it any other way.

(Still out of it on the way home)

It’s really hard to describe the look in her eyes as the sedation took effect. It was really kind of creepy. I sure hope she doesn’t have to experience it again anytime soon. She, of course, doesn’t remember any of it. Thank Goodness!

MOMS

There just nothing quite like a mom. No matter how old you get… She’s still the one you want to tell when something wonderful happens in your life and she’s the one you still call when you’re not feeling well or you just need an extra shoulder. And isn’t it funny how you still think she should have all of the answers or at least a suggestion? I’m so thankful that I still have my mom and that I was able to spend Mother’s Day with her. I love you, Mom.

And I also LOVE being a mom. I feel that I have been blessed beyond words with 4 children and a wonderful husband! I am so thankful Daddy D said “yes” to our late-in-life adoptions and that he has been willing to make great sacrifices to allow me to be a stay-at-home mom. I love you, Daddy D. Desheng Darling said something the other day that really touched my heart. When I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said, “I just want to be a Mommy.” I think that’s quite a compliment.

We really missed Brother and Sister Darling at Nanny’s, but we plan to get together for a belated Mother’s Day next weekend. Should be fun!