"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." Confucius

On June 22 we left by AutoTrain (meaning our car was on the train) for Walt Disney World. The kids loved it!


TA in his bunk and strapped in.

EQ sneaking up the ladder to her Daddy.

Disney...hot, humid, crowded, overstimulating. Riding in the cockpit of the monorail (aka Elmorail by TA) was the highlight! Ok - and having breakfast with Mickey and crew at Chef Mickey's. EQ would disagree though. She was terrified of the characters. We'll return, but not in the summer.





EQ would have stayed here talking to Pooh all day if we had let her.


EQ and Pa on "it's a small world"

S, EQ, Granny and Pa on the magic carpet ride - complete with spitting camels!

Then TA turned 4. And wears a 10 1/2 shoe. And is such a big boy!!


His Thomas the Tank Engine cake with grandparents and presents!

Birthday breakfast...what are pancakes without candles on your birthday???


And we saw lots of family! Granny and Pa from SC. Grandma T and Grandpa E from FL, cousins, aunts, uncles from all over (CA, MD, AR, FL)

C with cousins and her great aunts. These reunions happen every other year at someone's house and C has only missed two since they started in 1973.

More photos soon...

Happy Father's Day!!!!


Some Father's Day photos - and more 'my how they've grown' photos. EQ is wearing the same sailor dress she wore last year...only now it is at her knees versus her ankles.



We went to the pool in the evening - TA can cover the entire shallow end without getting his face wet! He is getting so big. Where did my baby boy go? EQ cruised the baby pool without sitting down. Not too bad for the first visit. Some TAisms...while playing in the baby pool. "I want to play with your body, Mommy." He was wanting to climb on my back...Scott thought that was hilarious!

TA started a new school today. Finally both kids are in the same school!!! He loved his classroom and teachers. This school has a no tv policy which is wonderful. EQ is thirving there and I hope TA does the same.

For our upcoming trip to WDW aka The House of Mouse, I purchased a Snow White dress for EQ. She looked at the dress, said, "no whi", touched it and pitched a 5 way fit when I put it on her. "Go 'way. OFF. OFF" all the while kicking her feet and screaming. The dress came off, she calmed down. I asked her if she wanted to keep the dress or take it back to the store. "No whi bye bye. go 'tore." Guess that was my answer. Hope she isn't scarred for life!

And now, for questions that may never be answered: Why can't these kids sleep in their own beds? And how can she stay on the step without rolling off?




At least they are sleeping!!! Don't let the bedbugs bite!
c.

TA will be 4 in about 3 weeks. He knows his hair is white. He knows babies come from China (at least in our family they do!). He knows he needs sunscreen and a hat to go outside. He is even beginning to assert himself. "I have to sit here. I egaly bind!" (legally blind)

We were at a party last week and a bunch of kids of varying ages were playing. It was getting late and TA and EQ were getting tired. When they are tired, their nystagmus goes into overdrive! One little boy (about 7 yo) was chasing TA and asking to see his eyes. TA kept trying to escape this kid, but he was persistant!! TA finally crawled into my lap. He was upset, but reluctant to talk about it. I expalined to him that eyes are different and they wiggle. Not everyone's eyes wiggle and that makes him unique and cool! It worked this time. What will it take next? Will I have the answer? As a mom, I want to protect and help my chicks. but I also want them to be independent and strong, confident people. a fine line...

We waited in a government building waiting for our EQ. I remember taking photos out the window of 'scenic' Nanchang in the haze that doesn't go away. And waiting for her to arrive. There was another family from Holt adopting a little girl about 6 years old, but they were wrapping up as we waited. And waited. They were running late.

Then she was there. A gentleman started bringing her in and turned around and walked out. I wanted to follow, but exercised restraint. S made me. J, our guide/rep, told us she had gotten a bit carsick on the drive up (she has gotten car sick twice recently - not fun!!) We dug through our bags of donations and found a clean outfit that would fit. After hugging and getting some smiles I changed her smelly clothes (they have been washed and put away). Her hair was sooo short - I initially thought it hadn't been cut, but was verly slow growing. Nope - it had been shaved, Just for us! :-) We haven't cut it since coming home.

Her first year was full of change. She was uprooted from her only home and family she knew. We moved across country and then twice once getting here. We introduced her to wee beasties (she is now buds with the dogs) and completely changed her diet. She still doesn't care for ice cream ('cooooold') but asks for cheese ('eese') she is deft at breaking her glasses and most recently flushed a pair at school we suspect.

EQ now loves to wear bows. And is saying 4 word sentences (specifically 'I want that mama/daddy.') Her favorite past time is eating. She weighs about 25 pounds (20 at gotcha) and is 34 inches tall.

She loves school and sleeps best when other people are around. She adores her jeje (big brother) and still throws major fits at times. But she gives such good snot kisses (her nose has been running since we came home)


Gotcha Day May 30, 2006


May 31, 2006 - One day ours!


May 30, 2007 - One year Gotcha Day Anniversary...love the long hair!

Build A Bear had a special day where they invited people to come in and suff bears for donation to children in the US foster system and orphanages around the world. Then they give the bears to various organizations to give to the children. TA and EQ both enjoyed making the bears for other children who do not have a mommy and daddy.

One of the participating organizations is LOOK Project "Love for Older Orphange Kids". They are reaching out to the older kids in orphanges in China who have not or will not be adopted for a variety of reasons.

A teddy bear may seem insignificant, but it shows a child in a simple way that someone cares and gives them something to hold that is their own.

Here are the kids making theirs...

TA hugging his bear...ensuring it is loved!


EQ kissing the heart and filling it with lots of love!


Working together to fill Daddy's bear.


EQ 'washing' her bear with a little help from Daddy.


TA is serious about making sure his bear is fluffy!!


The kids and the family of bears created...may they bless someone's life.

Yesterday we took the kids to the AirShow at Andrews AFB. They loved it! TA thoroughly enjoyed climbing in helicopters and other various aircraft. He even wore his 'uniform' - a little flight suit that matches daddy's uniform. EQ just took it all in and even napped in the middle of the day in the stroller. The weather was cold and blustery and the planes had to fly low...not a bad deal for a couple of low vision kids. Here are some photos from the day...


EQ - future pilot? Not using deadreckoning!!!


Air Force One - it lives at Andrews AFB


TA,EQ and S in some Army vehicle. They had the heater on...no one wanted to leave. Yes - silly us wore shorts. We were hoping for warmer weather!


Bundled up in front of Marine One.


TA and his daddy checking out the Thunderbirds.


The Mustang - one of the first AirForce fighters.


The F22 - the newest Airforce fighter.


Nah - she isn't a happy girl!


In answer to a question I get asked often, "Yes. They ARE brother and sister! Who cares if they don't share blood."

TAisms: We were eating at Chili's tonight, sitting in a booth. TA was snuggled up next to his daddy trying to keep warm. Then he looked up and said,

"I'm going to squeeze you like ketchup on a hotdog!"

Two years ago today we woke up in a hotel in China, ate a breakfast buffet, checked that we had everything, piled into a taxi and drove to the Civil Affairs office. S. tapped me on the arm and pointed. There he was...being carried across the parking lot...our beautiful baby boy. We met him in the lobby where he said, "Mama" and gave me a kiss. I was a goner!

My how time flies when you are a mom! Here are some photos showing how he has changed since we first saw his sweet little face...my baby is turning into an amazing little boy!



Referral photo - our first look at TA Love at first site!



The Kramer Family, Gotcha Day, Hangzhou, PRC 4/4/05



TA and EQ sitting quietly together (HA!) March 2007

TA is visiting his grandparents for several days. They went to church this morning (Palm Sunday) and TA went up front for the children's sermon. This is what happened next, as told by grandpa:

All the kids are sitting up front.
Pastor asked: "Does anyone know why Jesus suffered?"
TA answered: "To die for our sins."

Apparently the church was stunned. I think I will keep him in Awana next year!

Hope your Holy Week is amazing!
C