Father/Daughter Valentine's Dance
I know it is a corny title - but it is true! It has been four and a half months since we met Sara. This "bonding" thing is hard! It is physically and emotionally exhausting. We knew going into the adoption of an older child it would be difficult, especially not knowing much about her background and not speaking her language. We prepared the best we could, but mostly relied on God to get us through. We constantly told ourselves (and still do) that no matter how hard it is for us, it must be so incredibly difficult and painful for Jia Jia (Sara).
But I can wholeheartedly say that Sara has now embraced us with open arms. She shows her love for us in so many ways. She openly tells us, she writes us letters and cards, she draws us pictures, and best of all, she gives us the biggest hugs. She loves her brothers and is very protective of them. Her English is great and we have very open communication. She is making friends very easily and learning how to play with them. She loves school and is so eager to learn.
Mike and I are head over heels for this little girl. For me, it was love at first site (on a computer screen with no picture!). But for Mike, it has taken longer for those paternal feelings to kick in, especially with the house so chaotic and even ugly at times. But now he is so in love with her. Evan (3) and Ryan(7) think Sara is the greatest thing in the world! They really fight for her attention. Sean (9) has come A LONG way. He understands now that Sara does not care if she is older than him. She would much rather let him be the "older" brother. She looks up to him and follows his example. He loves to make her laugh. My mother's heart tells me that he would miss her dearly if she were to go away, and that his love for her will grow stronger every day.
These are pictures from Grandparents Day at the boys school. It was fun for the kids to show off all their hard work. Ryan's class recited 1 Corithians 14:3-7 and Sean's class worked together to recite Paul Revere.
This is Mike running in the Austin Marathon on Sunday.
Everyday from 4 -5pm, Sara has Ryan in her room for "China School". Here she teaches Ryan basic chinese words and characters. She is a very good teacher. Ryan looks forward to going everyday. Evan used to attend school too until he was expelled for improper behavior (i think he crumpled up some papers). She even gives him homework assignments! (Sara took these pictures of her "student"!)
Sean and Evan. (Sean refuses to attend school after school!)
Making and decorating Valentine's Day cookies. It is so exciting when it is Sara's "first" time to do something. Cutting the cookies out was really fun for everyone.
At the end, there was one last, BIG cookie left, so they all worked together to decorate it for ME!
Here it is. Isn't it lovely?!!
