The Discovery Center

Two Fridays ago we took the kids to the Discovery Center.  I've been wanting to for a long time since Hannah hasn't been.  She loved it and the boys still love it too.

Here's Collin wrapped in a giant bubble.

Cody and Hannah next to the dentist's office.

...and now that Collin just saw a game last night, he wants to play hockey.

The little hygienist.

Picking out her produce in the little grocery store.

I wish it was nice enough to be in a boat on real water.

Daddy and Hannah in a fighter jet.

A random picture of Collin and Hannah cooking on her kitchen set.

This picture was taken this morning before church.  I couldn't resist this dress.  It is so adorable.  There aren't any sleeves so I had her wear this little jacket over it.

Gotcha Day Celebration

It was a little over a year ago that Hannah entered our lives for the first time.  She was bundled in multiple layers with rosy cheeks.  I knew it was her the moment she entered the room, I could tell by her eyes.  She was very shy but quickly fell asleep on me.  It was quite the wait to get Hannah, 4 and a half years.  It has been a challenging year with a toddler in the house again, but she is a part of our forever family and nothing will change that. Thank you God for this blessing and the stretching and teaching you are doing with me as well.

She was so shy and used to put her hand up to her eye when she was nervous.

Here's daddy and Hannah when we were visiting a school in China.

Here's Hannah today with her little cousin Josiah, and daddy.

Here's Hannah's Gotcha Day Cake.  Thank you Sharon for a beautiful cake!

Hannah's First Christmas 2010

Even though Hannah is a little over 2 years old, this is her first Christmas.  She was so excited!  Michael had told her to go sit down and he would bring over her presents.  She listened without putting up a stink.  She sat on the floor and just waited patiently.  If you know Hannah, then you know this is not her typical reaction.

Hannah has a few favorite things and chaptstick is one of them.

Cody and Hannah waiting for more presents on Hannah's Ariel couch.

Collin's new ripstik.  He is so good at this, and yes he did it down our hallway.  Yes, I attempted it as well.  No, I'm not as good as he is.

Cody's new Marines shirt.  He's so into Marines and shooting guns.

Hannah is ready to go to Grandma's house now.

Hannah is showing Josiah how his toy works.  He loved this thing.  He would make it honk over and over.

All the cousins on my side of the family.  

Melody and Josiah.  Pretty and cute.

A Little Christmas Parade

Here are a few photos of the little parade in the Big Town of Oneonta.  It was so windy and cold out but at least it wasn't raining.

Here's Hannah with her hat actually on.  

Aunt Retta, Collin, and Cody.  Little Josiah was sound asleep and missed the whole parade.

The finale, of course, ended with Santa.

First Halloween

As many of you know, Hannah loves to eat.  So, when it came to Trick or Treating, Hannah was on fire and in heaven.  Everyone loved her and gave her extra candy(not to mention the fact that she took extra candy too). 

It seems ladybugs were very popular this year, especially among the adopted.

GI Joe and the Marines helped escort Hannah around town.

Look at Her Now!!

It was 9 months ago that we met our little girl Hannah.  She was a shy and scared little chunky thing.  Now she is very outgoing for the most part and has no problems telling us all no no.  It  comes out as mo mo and she's shaking her finger at us at the same time.  She still has another surgery to go through to repair her palate, which will then help her immensely with her speech.  I thought I would post some before and after pictures.

......AND NOW.....

October Catch up/Baring the Soul

I have not been doing well keeping up with this blog.  Life has taken over and 3 kids are definitely way more than 2.  I have gone back to work and both boys are in soccer.  We've had Cody's and Michael's birthdays in September and here we are in October already.

I don't know if I have been very honest with everyone about this whole adoption process.  I've shared more on Facebook and with my close friends in person.  One of my friends that I made through this adoption process, is very eloquent in the way she has described her issues with her adopted daughter.  I can't even come close, but I will try.
  Hannah is a cutie.  She can be very funny, but she is also very stubborn and at times very defiant.  I have little to no patience when it comes to her.  I envisioned a sweet little girl when I was going through the adoption process, and then reality hit.  They are not the same.  God is apparently teaching me how to love her and to grow with her in the loving process b/c she doesn't know how to love.  She now will kiss and hug us whereas before she wouldn't do either.  She does not like to cuddle and won't sit still for anything.  As a mother, I long for those cuddly moments and for my child to respond in the ways that I need, but she doesn't.  She makes it very difficult for me to even like her at times.  I know this is harsh, but it's how I feel.  I know I am not alone when I express my feelings as an adoptive mother and I want other mother's to know that they are not alone or crazy either.  There is help out there.  There are specialists that deal with attachment disorders and yes I have begun seeing one.  I am trusting that the Lord will help me to eventually love Hannah with all my heart and soul, just like my boys.

Now here are some pictures that highlight the last month or so.

The first day of school.

Our goalie, Cody.

Cody's 10th birthday party at Interskate 88.

Hannah after eating her chocolate cupcake at Cody's party.

Collin and his good friend Nolan at Cody's party.

Big cousin Jetta pushing Hannah on her bike.