3 Year anniversary

His impression of "Justin Bieber"...only because he's never seen Elton John...


Showing off no teeth!!


One Year Anniversary


Two Year Anniversary


Three Year Anniversary...Same restaurant...One of us just keeps getting bigger. Some of us just get older...

As I sit on the couch, computer on my lap, I'm reminded of the night before we were to due to leave for China where I sat in this same place having no idea how my life was about to change. This morning, I reflected on the fact that 3 years ago, I was eating a delicious Chinese hotel buffet for breakfast; and this morning, I was eating dry cereal out of a ziplock bag in my car on my way to work! I'm blessed in ways I never could have imagined. Being a parent has made me a more compassionate teacher. Being the parent of a child with ADHD has helped me to identify with parents and children in ways I never would have been able to. I love seeing how God uses our struggles for His higher purpose!

Ethan continues to be the most joyful and resiliant child I know. He is a little man of faith and understands that God put our family together. Although he is proud to be Chinese, he is much more American than he realizes. He asked for a bagel & cream cheese in his lunch the other day rather than the Chow Mein I offered him.

He is asleep with yet another tooth under his pillow hoping the tooth fairy will make him rich! He is full of life and loves everything when it comes to food, music, dancing, toys, games, and clothes! I have no doubt where he got his love of shoes (especially his converse "chucks")...

We celebrated our "Family Anniversary" tonight; a day early...because life is full! We have plans on the 18th (our "gotcha day") and on the 19th (the day the adoption was final in China).

It still weirds me out when people say, "What a great thing you did for your son"....because we are the ones who are so blessed....

Bi-Annual Blog update

So apparently, I'm so busy with living life that I'm down to blogging twice a year! ...and when I say busy, what I mean is:
Working full time
Completing my master's degree
Training in Shao Lin Kung Fu
Trying to be the best wife and mother I can be
...but it's progress, not perfection, right?

So, IF I had been nominated for mother of the year, I would have forfeited my nomination this morning as I handed Ethan a plastic cup filled with dry cereal and a tablespoon with which to eat it and a cup of milk. Although two nights ago I served a dinner of overcooked frozed pizza and chicken nuggets, this morning was my lowest point in motherhood thus far. I'm so far past exhausted, I think I passed "exhausted" about 35 pages ago in the beginning of my master's thesis project.

I'm not sure why the holidays always have a way of bringing me back to reflecting on our adoption journey. The years have flown by as we have settled into "life in general". The fact that my son is adopted is not even something I think about every day. The cute adoption story books have been shoved to the back of the bookshelf to make way for other favorites like Curious George and Clifford. Perhaps it's the fact that Thanksgiving is approaching and I'm counting all my blessings. Perhaps it's the fact that I can't help but remember the Christmases that we were waiting for Ethan. Whatever the reason, I still think the "Merry Christmas" song by Third Day will always be one of my favorites...

2 Year Anniversary

...So 2 years has flown by and we've settled into "real life". Some people still ask me "How is he adjusting?" "How is his English?" And we've been so settled for so long that I forget that there was an adjustment period. And his English skills are so good, that he tells me funny things like the dog is smelling him because he smells fresh!

We've definitely settled into real life. Real Life...Ethan is the most happy, resiliant child I know. Real life...he gets in trouble for playing with the night light in the electrical socket. Real life...he's so smart that he closes the door when he plans on doing something in his room he knows he's not supposed to be doing. Real life...We get so busy and caught up in the day-to-day I feel as though I don't take enough time stop and appreciate this wonderful child I've been blessed with. I know...Welcome to real life...

The FINAL piece of adoption paperwork EVER!!!!

Today we went to LA superior family court to "re-adopt" Ethan. Not that this was necessary. His adoption was final in Chongqing on May 19, 2008. However, in order to get a US vital records birth certificate, we had to go through this process in the US. So it is official. Today we saw the very nice judge who honored our request to "re-adopt". Although this process was voluntary, it is quite a big deal, as it is actually the LAST piece of adoption related paperwork we will EVER have to do for Ethan!!!!! Yes...it is REALLY finished!!!!!

Ethan turns 6!

On (approximately) January 20, Ethan turned 6! His birthdate is an estimate, as there was no information left with him when he was found. When he entered the orphanage, he appeared to be approximately 6 weeks old. That's all we will ever know. Last year, I had a difficult time with the idea that his birthday might not actually be his birthday. For a couple weeks before and a couple weeks after, I kept thinking, "maybe today is actually his birthday." This year, somehow, it kind of just didn't matter. I wonder if, when he is old enough to understand, it will ever bother him; if he will have to come to terms with the estimate of his birthdate. What never ceases to amaze me is the span of time between January 20th and March 1st, which is the day he entered the orphanage. 6 weeks...someone tried to care for him for 6 weeks before realizing they were unable. I will never be able to wrap my mind around the circumstances. So many possible explanations...that I will one day have to share with Ethan...with no real answers...

..but enough of the "emotional adoptive mother" stuff...

He had a great time at his party! His birthday was on a Wednesday, so we went out to dinner and opened family presents at home. On Sunday we went to McDonald's with some friends and cousins. He continues to be the most happy and resiliant child I've ever met!!!!

Our first trip to Disneyland

A pic from our 1 year anniversary

The Long Beach Aquarium



Mother's Day breakfast in bed




At the beach