Peas in a Pod

 

Well, we are about 4 and 1/2 months into our new life together.  That statement is beyond crazy to me because it is NOT possible to imagine life without Junie Bug!!  She fits into our family like a key in a keyhole.  She has been one of us literally since our first day together in China!  My little Junie Bug is so much more than a collection of adjectives, but just to reveal the tip of the iceberg . . . she is joyful, mischievous, easy going, sharp, loving, silly as all get out, deliciously cuddly, enthusiastic, curious, smart, playful, resilient, imaginative, and an absolute treasure!  And she is mine!

The first couple of months home were incredibly wonderful and quite challenging.  We all came home from China sick with various ailments.  We were quickly thrown back into "normal life" with Little Miss getting back to school after missing 3 weeks, lots of doctors appointments, re-toddlerizing the house (oh the safety risks for a new 2 year old when plopped into your unfamiliar house), shifts of people meeting Junie Bug, household chores, partially returning to work, first social worker post placement visit at 24 days home, and all the rest!  Oh, and did I mention that there was some adjustment happening in going from a family of one 4 year old girl who had her Mama all to herself for 4 years to a family where EVERYTHING  (most of all the Mama) was to be shared with a non-English speaking 2 year old?  Did I mention that?  Amazingly, we got through those moments and have had a ton of fun along the way too! 

Through it all, Little Miss and Junie Bug have been so connected.  Watching them become sisters (which was miraculously instantaneous) has been fascinating, and it is a gift I will always treasure.  They are 2 peas in a pod, soul sisters.  Junie Bug MUST do, say, sing, play, eat, read everything she sees her big sis do.  If Little Miss does it, it must be awesome, and therefore, it must be mimicked!  And Little Miss has risen to the occasion as a big sister in every way.  I am so proud of her!  She is caring, kind, and nurturing to Junie Bug.  These two daughters of mine have a deep, loving bond that is absolutely extraordinary to witness!

Now for a few pictures of the "Peas" in action  . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am head to toe oozing with love for these little girlies of mine!!  My wildest dreams have come true!!

Our first Christmas together!

 

Before . . .

 

After . . . 

 

 

 

After a fun-filled day of gifts, laughter, family, and too many sweets, I had one very tired Little Miss and one very tired little Junie Bug on my hands!  They both had a fantastic day!  They were very grateful and kind to each other in sharing their new toys.  I couldn't be more proud of my daughters! 

 

I should write a long post about our journey to China and Junie Bug's transition into our family and one of these days I will.  But for today I am just here to say I adore my two girlies beyond words and I am truly blessed and filled up with love on this Christmas day!

 

Merry Christmas my sweeties!





All things China . . . except the Ethiopian things!

We are China crazy in our household right now!  Dreaming of our sweet little new family member in China, planning luggage/travel items for China, celebrating with food from China, scrambling to learn a minuscule amount of the words spoken in China, counting down the days until we go to China, etc. etc.   We eat, breath, sleep China . . . and it is awesome!

But we have not left Ethiopia behind. 

Little Miss and I recently celebrated our Family day - the 4th anniversary of that memorable day in Ethiopia that marked the beginning for us together.  That day will always be one of the very most special days of my life!  I am so blessed to be the mama of this amazing girl!

We attended Ethiopian Culture Camp again this summer, enjoying old friends, new friends, and a rich and wonderful cultural/people.  The highlight for Little Miss was probably dancing for hours to Ethiopian music, in her Ethiopian dress, with her Ethiopian friends and her idols (the Ethiopian teenagers).  The highlight for me was seeing my little girl getting what only other Ethiopians can give her, and beaming with delight all the while.  Ahh! 

 

How lucky I am that these two distant worlds are colliding to form our one perfect family!

More, yet still not enough

Here are a few more pictures of my sweet girl!

They make me want to squeeze her! and smooch those cheeks! and touch her soft,wispy hair! and nuzzle her little neck! and win the breathtaking smile and giggle that I know are within! They make me want to wish time away! They make me want to get on a plane TODAY! They make me want you little girl!  RIGHT NOW!

THE CALL!

Many moons ago I dreamed of you . . .
2,231 days ago I took the first step toward you . . .
2,113 days ago I officially started waiting for you.
Today I see you!
In a few short months I will hold you! 
And forever, I will be your mother!

With tears in my eyes and immeasurable joy in my heart, I present my newest daughter . . .

My beautiful girl is 2 years old, healthy, and reportedly "an extrovert".  She is in Guangxi Province in China.  After nearly 6 years of waiting, I believe the longest part of the wait begins today!  I love you already sweet girl!  Counting down the days . . .


An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place, or circumstance.  The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.
                                                           - Ancient Chinese Proverb

"Summer - whoo hoo!"

Yep, those were the words Little Miss uttered when I told her she had only one day of school left.  Spoken like a true middle
school-ish, young teen who longs for the school year to be over!   Where does this come from?  Little Miss loves school and yet she has already been corrupted by the world?, by her older cousins?, by the junior high doctrine that the end of the school year is something to celebrate with shouts of joy?  Ugh!  I prefer to believe she is simply excited about the summer ahead and I'm with her on that!  It is going to be an exciting summer for us!!

How is it possible that my baby girl has completed her first year of school anyway?  Little Miss had an awesome year with 2 wonderful teachers and 10 wonderful new friends!  She learned so much and had a ton of fun . . . I couldn't ask for more.

In order to capture a snippet of my ever maturing 4-year-old girl's current wit and wisdom, here are a few of her thoughts on some random stuff . . .

Mommy:  "Who is your best friend?"
Little Miss: "You . . . and K (friend at school)"

Mommy:  "What do you think Mommy does after you go to sleep at night?"
Little Miss:  "Sleep???"

Mommy:  "How do you do a cartwheel?"
Little Miss:  "Put your arms up, then touch them to the ground, kick up into the air and go sideways."

Mommy:  "When will you learn to drive?"
Little Miss:  "When I am 16."  (Wow!  She has done her homework on this topic!  And she's already preparing by backseat driving with questions such as, "did that guy cut in front of us?" and "why did you move over to this side now" as we change lanes.)

Mommy:  "Where would you go if you had a plane ticket?"
Little Miss:  "Texas! . . . to shop!"

Mommy:  "What do you enjoy?"
Little Miss:  "Painting, coloring . . . oh and writing.  I'm like an artist."

Mommy:  "What makes you happy?"
Little Miss:  "Playing with you!"  (she is a charmer!)

And another gem Little Miss recently expressed:
Little Miss:  "Mom,  where is the mail truck's license plate?" - asked as we are driving behind a mail truck.
Mommy: "Hmm, I don't see one.  Maybe mail trucks don't have a license plate.  I'm not sure."
Little Miss:  "Let's investigate that!"

The Thinker