Reason #289 you don't want to vacation with us.

Especially WHEN it means you fly with us. There isn't anything, say, WRONG about going somewhere with us on an airplane (after all *knock on wood* none have crashed yet), but I'll let you decided if you want to join us on our next airplane trip.

*original entry for this trip is below if you want to skip this long narrative. this post written for the Sizzlin' Summer Vacation Spectacle and let me tell you it was either this flying thing or me describing just how overboard I go planning our Disney World vacations!

Our adoption journey to China. Yes, the day I had been waiting for during the ENTIRELY TOO LONG wait of 2 years from application to our agency. We had tickets (electronic) in hand, we had schedules, my Mom was here to drive us to the airport, I held on to my boys extra hard and read bedtime story after bedtime story. Then I posted my "Twas the Night Before" story. Our flight was scheduled for 8am, which meant we needed to be up no later than 5am. So, when I say, I was awake at 2am you'll have FULL appreciation for the horror that was to come later.

We get to the airport and we're 2nd in line waiting for the United counter to open. I was surprisingly alert and excited, yet terrified of the very long trip we had ahead of us. I was nervous about going to another country, especially one I did not speak the language. I was nervous to be meeting new people. I was NERVOUS about getting my little girl...FINALLY. So, imagine if you can, hearing "the 8am flight to Washing DC on United has been canceled because it snowed in DC last night and that flight did not get here." Okay, perhaps not those exact words, but the entire thought was finally related to us. They looked to book us the NEXT DAY arriving in Beijing Saturday around 3pm!

Ummm...NO!

Well, we later found out, because we were one of 2 going internationally eventually, that they were a wee bit confused in re-ticketing us. If we had been 30 minutes MORE on the ball (and realized that this flight was canceled earlier) we could have had them switch us to one of the other 2 flights that left around 8am for DC. Lesson #1 always check our flight the morning you leave even if the night before said it was "on-time"...even if it said that a midnight when they already knew that flight was NOT going to be "on-time."

This meant we missed our connection in DC that was going to Beijing. My poor friend Cheri was expecting us to be ON THAT FLIGHT and I had not way to tell her we would miss it.

After a good 2 hours of insisting we get to Beijing as early as possible we had another set of tickets with final arrival in Beijing at 5am. When they were printing out the electronic confirmations, we had to transfer to Air China (or was it China Air) in LA. That confirmation said "Paper ticket required" and the agent on duty in our little airport told us "I'm not sure why this is here, but here is the confirmation number it's ALL you will need and tell them this is your confirmation number...you are confirmed on that flight." We checked 3 times with them.

We left the airport with Mom and boys and went to eat Breakfast, then home again home again jiggity jig. For 3-4 hours. We made it on our little regional jet to Denver, and excitedly we waited for the 2 hour layover we had there. Only, we noticed things were really messed up and lots of flights were late or delayed. It was "late" to us as we had been up since before 5am central time. We fought sleep so we could sleep on that 14 hour flight from LA to Beijing. Good plan, right? Well, we ended up with a 2 hour delay in Denver due to "wind" in LA. They shuttled us off on a flight with other passengers flying internationally. It gave me a tiny little thrill to be included in that group! We were going to make it to our flight in LA!!! well, hopefully, as we had to navigate the security and such.

We landed and raced through the airport, outside the terminal to the international terminal...and stood in shock at the amount of humans standing in the security lines. Wow, the international terminal is BUSY at night in LA. Our flight was scheduled to leave around 1am PST (no sleep yet, and yes, that is 3am CST for those wondering....we'd been up for around 22 hours at this point). I was rather appalled at the treatment the TSA people gave the non-Americans in that line with us, and then I was rather appalled at the conditions in the LA airport terminal. I have been used to more up kept terminals okay. Much smaller too, especially for the number of 747 flights leaving, and the ONE bathroom. I managed to buy 2 20ounce drinks prior to them closing the ONLY place to get drinks while we waited to board our flight. Dh, being the smart man he is, went up to the counter to make sure we had everything we needed to get on this flight. It was 12am, and he stood there for 40 minutes waiting for them to figure out anything. They showed us confirmed on the flight, and they had our seats EMPTY...the only 2 empty seats on the entire flight. They boarded everyone BUT us. Why? We didn't have the paper ticket. They needed the paper ticket to get paid by United for us on this flight. No budging them at all. Dh even talked to United and pleaded with them. Our options? Go back to the ticketing counter at United and GET the paper ticket (they told us this at 12:30), then get back to the gate to board for the 12:50 am departure. 20 minutes...with that LONG line for security. It was not possible. They pulled our luggage and brought it to us. I started sobbing. We had to watch our flight to Beijing leave...without us.

So, we slowly walked out of the international terminal, past the long lines of people (which was considerably shorter). We walked somewhere...I was still crying...to United ticketing. I was crying, and a United agent was on her way out. She asked if I was okay. I told her what happened, that we had missed our 2nd scheduled flight to Beijing and that it was because the United person at home had not given us the paper ticket. She knew instantly what had happened, and went back to the desk. She had been on her way home, they closed at 1am. It was around 1:10am. She got us re-booked, handed us everything we would need. Unfortunately security was closed for the night, they would re-open at 4am.

I guess NOW is the time to tell you we were sitting right beside the street with the automatic doors opening and closing at 1:30am in LAX airport. NOT THE SAFEST PLACE. We'd been up for 22 hours. We were both emotionally spent. We had over $5000 in cash on us, had camera and computer equipment, and all our luggage for a 2 week stay in China. We did not sleep. We sat there until 4am when they reopened. (BTW, that's 6am to our bodies, we've officially been up for more than 24 hours). Our new schedule has us flying from LAX to San Francisco, that flight leaves around 8am. Mom thinks we're on the China flight. Our poor travel coordinator had been called in the middle of the night when they wouldn't let us board, and then we called again to tell them the new flight info. I felt SO BAD for her. I remember begging Dh to buy some of the neck pillows so we could sleep. I was nauseated I was so tired. I could barely walk anymore, and oh I was so tired...but I knew, if I fell asleep I would not wake up easily...and we really needed to be on that flight to San Francisco.

We made it (and boy was the gate in an out of the way location). Both dh and I were asleep before the plane pulled away from the gate. We slept for the short 1.5 hour flight (if that long) and arrived in San Francisco. We immediately went to the international terminal and begged them to verify that we had what we needed to in order to board...and then we upgraded to Economy Plus for that flight. The crew was nice, but bewildered as to why we were so worried about it.

We got on that flight and made our way very smoothly on a wonderful flight to Beijing. We landed around 3:15pm Saturday...just about the EXACT same time we would have if we had just taken the first set of "rebookings" with United! We had a total travel time of roughly 45 hours (from first arriving at our first airport to landing in Beijing). With a total of around 9 hours of sleep the entire trip.


the original entry and lookie there...I messed a few times up! Imagine that. LOL

and I so wish I could say that was "it" for airline travel for our family...but then there is this gem.

Then if you go back to our honeymoon, we had a 6 hour delay in the Orlando airport because of "fog" in the Northeast when our flight was to Nashville, TN.

Or there was that time we flew with JM when he was 7 months old and his diaper exploded from a particularly nasty bm. ;) Leaving us with NO diapers for the rest of our trip home, and me in a not so nice smelling outfit.

Of course you can't forget the flight scheduled for 9/22/2001...11 days after 9/11. You can imagine the FUN that one was - rebooked flights, major schedule changes, arrive 3 hours prior to take off....

OH...and if the flight to China was "interesting" our flight from Beijing to Kunming? Well, we took off in a snow storm that closed the airport right after our flight. I choose not to think about it...found it's best that way. ;) I just don't think about the snow/ice covered runway, the ice stuck to the wings....you know...those things. Nothing but my baby girl could have gotten me on that flight.

Luckily most of the rest of the flights back to the US were less eventful, just major turbulence on every single flight!

Fun Foto Friday

Would you have EVER guessed this was a photo we'd get less than 9 months from our China trip? While we still have a long ways to go on bonding and attachment, we are oh so much further ahead than we were. Miles and miles ahead.

This is a "self-portrait" holding the camera out at arms length hoping for the best. She SMILED and held it, with her head next to mine and touching it. Did I mention MILES ahead of where we were in China?

Why do I say we still have a ways to go? Well, it's all in the subtle things. It's the clinginess during the day (she's slowing becoming less of a velcro baby). It's in the nightmares she has the night after we have "left" her with caregivers other than ourselves. It's in the self-soothing things she did the instant she SAW this image on the camera, to the point where she started to close me out. We played and giggled, and I didn't do any more photos with her for a good bit, and then none of those have this true genuine smile...oh they come close, but this smile...THIS is a real smile from Katie. It took months for us to see this one. We were able to see the happy laughing smile in China (okay Dh saw it). We saw the "cheese" grin by January...but this smile. It took quite a while, and then it NEVER showed up for photos until recently.

Thankful Thursday

There is a family from my agency that just lost their newest little one, she has been with them for 2 months. Monday she underwent a heart catheterization and coded, last night they pulled her off of the machines that were only keeping her heart beating and lungs breathing.

I think of her, and I think of Katie. They were about the same age. I think of how incredibly blessed we've been with Katie, and I wonder why we were so blessed. I think of my other children, and I know we're blessed there as well. Yet, I feel guilt. Guilt over having children who are so healthy, and vibrant, and full of life. I love every minute, and I'm so incredibly thankful for them.

I look at my husband, who loves me so much. I don't deserve it as I'm not the best wife in the world (I ask that he helps clean and cook even though I'm a SAHM just for starters). Sure we squabble, sure we have things that annoy us...but really, I'm blessed with my life's mate. I'm thankful for him in oh so many ways.

But, why me? Why am I so blessed? Why do I feel guilt over having things go my way? I don't know. I know my heart is heavy for this family who just lost their youngest daughter. It's so very very heavy.

We have MANY places we still need to go!

Countries Dh or I have been to:

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

States I have been to:

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

States Dh has been to:

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

Bloggy Awards

I actually got this one two times! WOW!!! I'm shocked as I don't necessarily think of my blog as Brilliant, but THANKS!

This was given to me by Nik and Amber



So evidently the rules of the nomination are this:
1) Add the logo of the award to your blog
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs


I've seen this one multiple times, and I think everyone already has it! So, if you get it a 2nd time, I'm sorry! :)

I award this one to:

Cheri
Carla L
Carla
Liz
Denise
Char
LucisMomma

Now, for the 3rd award...I think this one is cute. I love the idea that someone loves my blog. *sniff* Thanks Beth...I love your blog too!


The rules of this award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated

Oh boy, this will be fun! :) I nominate:
ReaganRu-ler!
02BNAZ
Julie
Tonggumomma
Fliss
Jill

OH I can't pick just ONE more. So, if your blog is linked over there on the right...YOU ARE GIVEN this award because I read ALL of those, just about daily. :)

Just exactly what have I been up to?

What is this? These are the clothes I'm preparing for consignment or that auction site. It's clothes Katie has outgrown, Samuel has outgrown, and clothes JM had outgrown that do not have adjustable waists which means I can not pass them down to Samuel.

That is a LOT of clothes. I'm currently sorting, hanging, and soon I will be tagging them. All to hopefully make a little bit of money to buy MORE clothes. :)

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that some thing else is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all. From now on you'll be traveling the road between who you think you are and who you can be. The key is to allow yourself to make the journey. ~ The Princess Diaries

I love this quote. Do I have the courage to be who I CAN be?

Fun Foto Friday

Look who got glasses!

We think he looks really cute in them! He only needs them for reading, and so far he's being pretty good at wearing them. Helps that they are Sponge Bob.

How can you keep from smiling?

I mean SERIOUSLY how can you not smile when you see these?

Videos galore!

and another from earlier in the evening...


and ANOTHER because I think some special people will love hearing her in this one...

Katie's Week

Monday - I actually slept in and didn't get a chance to wake JM up this morning. Mommy loved that I slept later this morning. Mommy was grumpy, the boys didn't want to do their school work, and I reacted by whining most of the day.

Tuesday - I woke up and screamed gleefully while jumping in my crib. It was a ploy to wake up my big brothers. I got some breakfast to eat...ate some more...got some yummy milk. Mommy is trying to get me to eat ALL the time now. She told me I have to grow BIG. Then I got put into the van and driven around. First stop Mommy's bank where I was strapped in my stroller for 30 minutes while the boys got to sit in the chairs, go watch the TV, and not have to stay in ONE place. Samuel bothered me and made me mad. After the bank we went to eat lunch at the chicken place. I love the chicken place! I ate all my chicken and most of my fries while we were driving somewhere, but I got so sleepy and fell asleep before my juice. I don't know how long we drove around because I woke up at Karate, but the boys said we went to their school for Mommy to do something, then we went to Karate. I liked playing at Karate because it's always fun to see how fast Mommy jumps up to catch me when I run onto the mats. After Karate we got back in the van and drove across town for JM to go somewhere. It smelled like that dentist place, but it wasn't the dentist I remember. Samuel told me it was someplace called orthodontist. I don't know where it was, but they have fun toys there! We finally finished there and got home just in time for Mommy to fix dinner...but she had to leave again! I was "hummy" and couldn't understand why Mommy was leaving for something called a parent meeting. Daddy took us to the burger place where I ate chicken again. I like the chicken place better. We got home and it was time for bed but I wasn't sleepy because I could hear the others watching TV. How is it fair that they get to watch TV while I have to go sleep? Huh?

Wednesday - Mommy got me up as soon as I started singing this morning. I didn't even get a chance to scream for the boys to come get me. Phooey. She took us to that fun Science center and I got to run around for almost 2 hours!!! I couldn't believe she let me go and run and explore, but I noticed there were not nearly as many people as there were during the summer camp days. After the boys got out of their classes about Jelly Beans (and boy did those look good), Mommy made us leave. We had to stop by another bank. I'm not real sure what Mommy did, but we sat for a long time. Then we went home and ate lunch. Mommy put me down for a nap while she cleaned. I think I would have rather cleaned. Daddy got home LATE. Mommy told me it was because church and choir started up that night, but the boys wouldn't go until next week. I think I remember the church nights. Those are FUN!

Thursday - I didn't let anyone sleep in this morning! It's so much fun to squeal as loudly as I can as soon as I hear an alarm clock going off in the house. We got to play this morning, well I played the boys had to do school work. That school work thing looks like fun, and I tried to help them finish but they didn't like my help. *humph* During one break the boys and I played in their room, and I found my way up onto the top bunk!! What fun!!! I found out though not to lean over the railing as you fall. It really scared me but Mommy held me and loved on me a lot. I still plan to climb up there, but I think I'll stay away from that railing. After lunch we went to Karate again, and I got to flirt with that nice man there...they call him Sensei. Sensei is one of my favorite people, and I love giving him five and giggling with him. Mommy told me I could date his oldest son when I'm older as he's on the list of 5 boys she'd trust me with. I don't know what that means, but I can't wait to meet that boy!

Friday - Tomorrow the plan is to drop the boys off at a thing called "Friday Classes" and then go shopping with Mommy. Dropping the boys off doesn't sound great, but the shopping sure does. Mommy said we might even get to meet Daddy for lunch!!! Oh boy!

Doesn't that sound like a fun week to you? Mommy has lots of photos she needs to get up, and hopefully one day soon she will. :) Until the next time...be good!


*Update from Mom - she fell from the top bunk to land on the bottom bunk, and the top bunk is more loft bed height....still scary but not much farther than a regular bed drop. I personally think she was imitating the boys as I've seen them jump off of that bunk. Thus why I want RID of the beds! LOL

1st 6 weeks of school

I remember, as a child, that every 6 weeks we'd get a report card. The end of a 6 week term was big huge deal to me, and I loved getting the report card. Possibly because I was bribed by my parents to get A's. $1 for every A earned, and $20 for straight A's. So, it was with shock that I realized that we've completed 30 days of school since June 1st. 30 days. 6 weeks. The boys should get a report card I think, except our local schools do 9 week terms, and as such, I will be filling out their report card for 9 weeks.

I was thinking though, how is this year going? I'm more relaxed this year, possibly because I know how it will go after 3 years of homeschooling on the record, and 2 years prior to that (we don't have to officially report to the state until the child is in 1st grade). I'm not going to go into what all the kids have learned (or not learned), nor how much they've resisted doing school work (it's been the summer...what do you expect?!). But rather, how am I doing?

I'm more confident telling others that I homeschool. I say it much less timidly, and I do not keep quiet. I've grown into a homeschooling mom. I know that what we are doing IS working well for our family. I have to watch that I don't become one of those pushy moms though that pushes for others to start homeschooling. I want to encourage them to look into the possibility if the only thing holding them back is fear. Homeschooling has been much easier than I thought it would be. It's been harder in some respects too, and I am sure to tell others that as well.

What I'm personally struggling with is a kind of weird thing to struggle with. I am not sure if I should be happy or upset when I get a certain comment. I know the intent, and I know the thoughts behind it. However, I'm just not sure how I should react. It's sort of like some of the adoption comments. What is it?

"Wow! You homeschool?! I never would have guessed because your boys get along so well and interact so well with all the other kids."

1. I'm thrilled that the boys are getting along with other kids, and are behaving well.

2. They think homeschooled kids act weird?

3. Do they think homeschooling your kids keeps them socially deprived so that they do not know how to act around other people?

See what I mean? Do I take it good or bad? Good I guess for my kids, bad I guess for homeschooling's viewpoint in society. It's been my experience that most homeschoolers are not the kind who stay in their homes 24/7 and never leave. I see them out, involved in activities, and honestly, acting like all the other kids and families I see. :)

9 on the 9th

In honor of the Olympics. My top 9 "sporting" events. Are you ready? No really...sports. Which do you think I would medal in?

9. Croquet at my parents house. I "rocked"...oh yes I did! It was on a hill, a very steep hill. Our goal was to hit the ball through as many "arches" as possible. Best solution? Line up the arches with less than 3 inches between them, pointing STRAIGHT down the hill. Set up little brother at the bottom to catch the ball. Hit the ball through the first arch. BINGO! You win. ;)

8. Frisbee. Yes I can throw a frisbee, almost as well as I can hula hoop. If you want to play with me, the only skills you will really need is to have a GREAT pair of running legs. Yes Ma'am, I can throw the frisbee but I can not aim it. ;)

7. Hula Hoop. See, I said "almost as well as I can hula hoop." Doesn't that leave you HOPEFUL for this sport and medaling? I can get it to rotate at least once or twice by the sheer force of the spin from my hands! Seriously, I can keep a hula hoop up for at least a few seconds...even after all the years that have passed since that summer I learned how to hula hoop.

6. Roller Skating. Yes, I spent many an hour going 'round and 'round the old skating rink listening to such wonderful hits as Thriller. Recently, one of my children was invited to a skating party (doesn't that bring back memories) and I managed to not totally embarrass myself. I fell down only a few times. So what if I only ventured out on the rink a few times. Falling hurts. I tried to skate backwards and quickly realized the error of my ways and why I had never truly mastered that as a child. Twirling in circles? Forgettaboutit.

5. Gymnastics. I can do a somersault (that's a rolling flip thing right?). I tried to show my kids how to do a kartwheel the other day a year or so ago and when I ended up 90 degrees away from the direction I started with a strong twinge in my upper leg and my kids dh rolling on the grass laughing because of how bent my legs were...I decided that my glory days must have ended a few years ago. That's why gymnasts at the Olympics are younger. Right?

4. Swimming. I'm great at the short distance underwater event. Really. I think I could win that 4 foot race. While I can swim, I'm not terribly interested in racing others (too much work). Not to mention as a child I failed my beginner's class repeatedly because I could not swim in a straight line on top of the water. Thus, I mainly swim underwater.

3. Running. Again, I believe I could win the short distance event. I'm great at the driveway dash. You know the one. You view your child about to run into the street where you imagine a car is going to come racing by...so you dash down the driveway to sweep your child out of danger. Being out breath at the end is only due to the adrenalin from the great fear of your child being struck down by that imaginary car. Yes...that's it. Adrenalin.

2. Softball. Hey, I actually played softball as a child. I was so proud of the game that I learned how to keep score for coach! I can sometimes hit the ball. I can even "catch" a ground ball hit RIGHT TO ME going sort of slow! Aren't you proud? I do believe though that I could be on the winning team. I'd do a wonderful job of keeping the score book. ;)

1. Bicycling. I enjoy a nice leisurely bicycle ride on the bicycle path. Yes, I do. It's so enjoyable to feel the air gently blowing in my face. I really enjoy that half mile little ride to the "hill" and then that half mile ride back to the van. Nice flat enjoyable bicycle path. I typically stay with Samuel while Dh and JM ride the 3 mile each way trip. They catch up with me near the van...when I'm done! Did you really think that they rode that entire almost 6 miles before I even got out of the VAN?! Really. Who do you think has to get the bikes OUT of the van thus ensuring that I actually leave the van for our family outing. Hmph. ;)

As this is Summer Olympics, I left out my accounts of ice skating (similar to roller skating...execept they have a nice lovely little "bar" to skate with now....) and my account of snow skiing (green bunny hills are my friend!).

Now create your own 9 on the 9th and head over and join in the fun.

Cheap Camera Tricks

for a "Foto Friday" entry. ;)



We played with the camera on our camping trip, and I entertained myself and the kids mightily. The kids danced around with their glowing necklaces and bracelets, and I captured these "modern art" images using a super long shutter and the camera on a table.

Later, Katie had to join in the fun by herself. Dh got in the fun by turning a flashlight on her once making her appear as a "ghostly" type of image. Pretty neat.

Is it really "green"

So, we are told to use fluorescent lights in place of incandescent lights in our homes. It's more energy efficient, it will save us money in the long run. It's better for the environment.

But is it really?

A normal incandescent light is made of glass, metal, and a carbon filament.

A fluorescent light is made of glass, metal, and mercury lines the inside wall of the glass tube (it's how it works).

When either light burns out (and yes my fluorescent lights have burned out in less than 3 years), we throw them away to be taken to a land fill. Where, undoubtedly, both are broken. Thus, mercury is now in the ground at the landfill in greater quantities than it was prior to this light.

Hmmm...is it really "better for the environment?"

Now, a fluorescent light does supposedly last longer (just not some of mine I guess), so less bulbs than incandescent lights would be in the landfill. The amount of mercury needed per bulb is not a huge amount. Glass thermometers with mercury have been throw away in landfills before I'm sure. Possibly they contain more mercury. A fluorescent light uses quite a bit less energy (about a 1/4 of the incandescent light), so does the energy requirement savings offset the mercury?

*just a sample of a recent discussion between Dh and I one Saturday night*

I couldn't believe my eyes!

I went shopping this past week with some Birthday money (that I got from my sis a wee bit late). I was happily in the craft store browsing, when I noticed something. It didn't seem quite right. It was JULY.

I saw Christmas ornaments. I saw stocking holders. I saw Christmas crafts (which I could almost believe). I saw Christmas TREES.

It was enough to make me almost want to boycott the store. July wasn't even over. Much less SUMMER. What ever happened to waiting until after Halloween? Huh? Now, granted, I do start planning Christmas during the summer. But to see it in stores was a bit much.

So, in that respect, who else is planning their Christmas card photo already? I'm trying to decide if I do the family on the beach photo or try for a fun one of the kids. I'm drawn to "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" as the "theme" of it, which doesn't quite fit in with the family beach photo. That would be more like "Wishing warm thoughts this Holiday season" greeting. I did the brown/blue outfits last year. The year prior was pajamas. I've done JOY, and Ho-Ho-Ho, and smiling through a wreath. I've done ornaments. I've not done Christmas lights though.

Do I want silly or serious?

Then, my lists of gifts to purchase for people. I think I better start making lists for the kids so I have time to shop for their gifts without them around!

Dramatization to Yours*

*Apologies to my non-Christian friends, but as a former member of a Creative Ministries team, this video and the idea is very cool to me...not to mention one of my favorite Christian artists - Steven Curtis Chapman Darn music artists and naming songs the same! LOL It's Casting Crowns singing (which I like them too)*

Katie's Kitchen

She LOVES it!

Camping

Other than Birthday photos, that's it. Okay, and "Cheap Camera Tricks" but that's for a Foto Friday. ;)

Happy Birthday my sweet little Girl!

I can not believe that our little girl is turning 2 today. I remember, vividly, last year and the pain I felt knowing she was turning 1 and I did not know what her laugh sounded like. What her feet looked like. What her cry sounded like. I didn't know if her voice was "high" or "low." All I had were 4 photos I could stare at in wonder. August 1, 2007 was a rough day for me. I looked forward to celebrating August 1, 2008 with Katie. I had dreams, BIG dreams of a huge pink princessy kind of party, and possibly a few ballet and tea parties as well. Dreams. Then, I started thinking of that party...a year in the making. I thought, "Oh wow let's have a pool party at Grandma's house...hmmm...how to tie in pink princessy kind of things with the pool."

Instead, we went camping. We had a "Nemo" themed bash. Katie loves the outdoors, and thrives being outside. She loves fish and "Mah-moe" a whole lot. Sure she likes pink, and princess, but fish and outdoors wins hands down. The pool? Well, she doesn't like it so much. Not one bit. I learned something since bringing Katie home. Something about myself. I have dreams about things I would like to do with her, but I know I will always let HER have a choice and go with what she wants. It's her life to live, not mine to live through her. KWIM?

So, today, is a quiet family celebration where she will get her gifts from us. She will get to "rule" the day. It will probably include a family viewing of Finding Nemo to close out the day. Our little girl is exactly who she is, and we are PROUD of her and love her so much because of who she is. I can not wait to see how the rest of her person develops - all that personality must mean she is going to go GRAND places. :)

Here are her photos from her party last weekend at the campground. It was a nice quiet affair (and she was a little overwhelmed by it) with close friends and family. More photos coming from the trip (not that I took that many...hot, tent camping, too short of a weekend).