Two weeks of fun stuff!

This past week we had VBS at our church every night, and of course, I never thought to bring my camera. :( Both girls loved all the fun and Megan especially loved the music! It was a great week of learning more about God's plan for our lives. The theme was Mystery @ 12627 (Colossians 1:26 & 27) and it was really neat how the writers created this whole "mystery" at a museum to teach the kids about God's plan of salvation and His love for each one of us. It really was a great week, I just don't have any photos. (I'll have to get some from the official "photographer".)

The previous week the girls and I were at Chinese Culture camp. It was so much fun! Megan was in the xiao ban class (little kids) and Natalee in the da ban class (big kids). They had 3 class rotations and then group games. They had a language class, writing class and culture class where they did Chinese brush painting, papercutting, Chinese knotting, and dance. I was a helper and also took Chinese cooking class. We made some delicious foods and plan to make several of the dishes again.

One of the really neat things in Nat's writing class was that her teacher not only taught them various characters, but in doing so, he presented the story of creation. It was really incredible how through the Chinese characters the Bible could be presented. Her writing is in the photo below on the left, sorry it's not the easiest to see. The girls really enjoyed learning more about their birth country and asked when we could do that again! :)

Right before Chinese camp we had taken the girls to Dutch Village here in our area. It was a beautiful summer day and we all had a great time. Megan loved the swing with Daddy and then they got to walk a goat named Peanut. Actually, the goat waked Megan most of the time. She thought that was so much fun! Later on that day I called her "peanut" as I've done many times before and boy did I get the look. She said, "I not peanut...that's the goat!" Oops. It was a wonderful day to spend together.

4 Months with Megan!

To those that follow our blog and have hoped to see more updates or photos - I'm sorry! I have not been very disciplined these past few months. In fact, in all honesty....I'm not the same since being home with Megan (which is not all a bad thing). Having gone through international adoption (a 2nd time)... seeing the huge need of families for children...leaving part of my heart in China....struggling with understanding the selfish, "me...me...me/gotta have more stuff" society in which we live... has been somewhat hard. My routines are all off and I haven't felt the best physically...but..... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having our "baby" home with her forever family!! I am so BLESSED to be Mom to another amazing little girl who challenges me to be a better person...and the laughter and joy she brings to our family is wonderful!

So...I'm hopeful that I'll be more disciplined (not just in blogging but exercising...avoiding too many snacks at the wrong time of day....prioritizing my day....)

Well....on to the update of this past month. Seriously, it feels like I just wrote the last post but in reality it was a month ago. ugh.

July 3rd we took the girls to the zoo and then fireworks later that night. Megan loved the zoo...but didn't care too much for fireworks. After the first blast she told Daddy that she was done and ready to go home. She made it through without any tears but just snuggled up to Daddy and tried to go to sleep. On the 4th, after their bath, we did sparklers and Megan thought that was "ahh-some".

Megan has been trying to gain more confidence in riding her scooter....playing "base-a-ball" has been a favorite and she's getting really good at hitting the ball! She's also a good helper for me from time to time. :)

We took our first "road" trip (to WI) with Megan for our China reunion with Natalee's adoption group. She did pretty well on the trip, only asking within the first 15 mintues on the road if we were almost there. How do they learn these things??? It must be part of all kids' genetics. We had a great time with our China family! Megan especially loved her first swim in a pool...watching a dvd in the car...seeing penquins at the zoo....and making new friends, especially Mr. Jimmy whom she adored and had wrapped around her finger.

WE ARE SO VERY BLESSED!