Wow..time flies.......post adoption, that is.....

For the last three weeks I have been trying to find time to make a post. I know what the problem is. I am too perfectionistic for my own good. I knew that I would not be able to write all the details that I want, as I only have about 5 minutes here and there, and I did not want to start and be frustrated that I could not finish. Well, now I am very behind in my sharing, so this will be long in photos and not very detailed. Don't forget, you can click on any photo to enlarge it and see better.

We have been sooooo busy with the end of school and it's associated obligations and many family events.

First, we celebrated Father's day with Gramma Marion and Grandpa Tom (Eric's parents) and sister, Aunt Kate. Grandpa Jerry and Iris came, too.

Grandpa Tom, Megan Ling & Aunt Kate

Matthew received two awards at the end of school assembly, one for overall academic achievement and effort and one for top honors in French. Here he is with his French teacher.

He also claims this is his first real rainbow!

On the 19th we went to Cousin Amanda's (Linda's brother's oldest child-M & C went to China with us) wedding in Sewanee, Tenessee!! Matthew and Mary Alice were in the wedding. Megan Ling loved it. Our whole family was there, so we all enjoyed being together for the weekend. We stayed in luxury cabins around a small park like lake.

Here are Megan Ling and Mary Alice playing in the park.

Megan watching Aunt Cindy get her hair done.

Mary Alice's pretty hairdo.

Megan Ling doing cousin Dawn's hair. One of her favorite things to do.

Mary Alice and Dawn on wedding day.They really hit it off!

Mom and Megan Ling.

Gramma Judy (Linda's mom)


Megan took this one!



Megan and cousin, Kiera.


Cindy, Marty and Amanda.

The beautiful girls.

Linda's (Marty's) side of the family.

The bride and groom at the rehearsal. What a gorgeous chapel. We had a wonderful time and were so lucky to be able to spend that special time together.

After we got back from Tennessee, we had Physical and Occupational Therapy Evaluations and both therapists are recommending services for Megan Ling through the school district. I will have a meeting next week to finalize the program, which will start in september. She is making great progress and can now pedal her tricycle and steer herself quite well down the sidewalk. She also loves the trampoline and can really jump well. Her legs are getting stronger every day.

Megan Ling went to her first friend birthday party at a tumbling center. She had a wonderful time jumping on all the equipment and using the bounce house. She even tried the zip line, which went over the sponge filled pit. She loved it all. Here she is with Hannah, the birthday girl (on the right).


On the 30th, Eric and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary, and I am sorry to report that it consisted of kisses blown each other's way as we dashed around the house trying to put it back together after our Tennessee trip. We love each other as much as the day we married (even more) and our so thankful that we have each other in our lives. We both agree that we could not do it without the other. Unfortunately, I did not get a photo to commemorate the occasion. I will have to get one soon.

The first week in July, the older kids started their summer activities and I am doing lots of driving. Mary Alice is taking trumpet lessons, doing a week each of a restaurant class and a scrapbooking class. Matthew is playing two weeks of flag football, roller hockey, and a short golf camp. Megan Ling will start going to her preschool this week for some summer classes once a week. We visited last week to drop off the payment and she loved it so much, she did not want to leave. I think it will be so great for her to be with the other kids.

On July 3rd we celebrated Megan Ling's 4th birthday! She did not seem to really understand the whole thing, but she loved having her whole family and friends over all at once. She enjoyed her cupcakes and her presents and later on Eric sent up some fireworks that she thought were all for her.

Kaitlyn (friend) & Megan Ling

Matthew & Megan Ling

Whole family!

Presents!

This is so great!!!

Megan's language is exploding (still delayed, but great progress). She now independently uses the words Hi, mom, thank you, tissue, bless you, yes, no, down, ball, pretty, Abby, me, help, open and a few others. She seems to understand everything we say to her, as long as it is simple. Here she is "painting" the steps with a bucket of water. She painted the siding and steps for about 45 minutes the other day!

During naptime the last week, Mary Alice and I cleaned and organized her room. She "hired" me as her organizer and I treated her like a client and we touched everything in the room and reconfigured her closet so that it better accommodated her interests and activities. She seems to be much happier with it, although she still seems to be a "piler". Here are the "after" pictures.

Here is a recent photo of Sofia Bao, (Bao Bao), Megan's Ling's friend who was also recently adopted from Chaoyang. She is doing great and is already speaking in 4 word English sentences. Her mom and I have compared notes and seem to be experiencing the same crazy business and exploring. Neither one can be left alone for any minutes or they do something either risky or unintentionally destructive. For example, I found Megan Ling coloring on her pants, the walls, sticking things into outlets, etc, etc. Hopefully, this stage won't last long. :) Isn't she adorable?

And last, but certainly not least, the Chaoyang Mission Group has arrived in China and are there now with the babies and children. They are playing with the children, helping with tasks around the orphanage and praying for the quick arrival of the 20 cribs that they ordered for the infants. They are hoping the cribs arrive by Thursday, which is their last day at the orphanage. They want to help them set up the cribs and take photos. You can see their blogs at Visiting Orphans at Chaoyang and Crebbin Happenings. They are doing wonderful work.


Well, it took me two hours and now it's time for me to feed my family. I hope it won't be so long next time!