Evan turned three on Friday, June 12th. (Yes, I know I'm late posting this. Blogging has been low on the list of things to do lately!) He had a great birthday and is happy to tell everyone he is "FEEE!"

So in honor of Evan here are three things I love about him.
1.) He has the best smile and laugh. Totally infectious! LOVE that smile.
2.) He has the most sensitive spirit.
3.) He is very loyal and loving to those who have his heart.

Here is a picture of him taken on his birthday.

Miss Miriam turned four today. How is that even possible? Wow, does time FLY by. I am reminded everyday how big she is getting, more mature, more capable!

Happy happy birthday, baby girl! Momma loves you so much. In the blogger tradition here are 4 things I love about you!
1.) Your wonderful imagination. I love the stories you are starting to tell and play out. I can't wait to hear all that is in your head!
2.) Your big beautiful smile. You can light up the whole room when you smile.
3.) Your love for all things small and furry! Yup, you are your mother's daughter!
4.) Your love for your siblings. Yes, they drive you nuts almost daily. And sometimes you let them have it, but when push comes to shove, no one has even had a better, more loyal defender then you are!

Happy 4th birthday!

Miriam has this thing about chickens. She loves them. She also has this thing about wanting to "hold" animals (that maybe a 4 year old thing, not sure). So we were at the zoo with Aunt Kristin, Uncle Dave, and Grandma W.  A few chickens had wandered away from the farm area and were over by the "animal encounter" area. Some big kids had caught them, and before I knew it, Miriam was holding the little brown one. She was doing a good job being careful so I let her keep holding it. Then the girl came out to do the animal encounter (a snake, BTW), and there was Miriam in the front row with her chicken. The girl looks at her and said in a sort of shocked tone, "You're holding a chicken! Please put the chicken down!" Miriam did as told and then walked off all dejected (head down and arms limp) saying, "Now I have NOTHING to hold!" Classic Miriam! Of course, I pretended to have no idea who's kid she was! It was all really too funny. Here is M with the chicken. 

While in IN we went to two different zoos. The kids loved both. Evan's favorite thing was the water hands down (see the picture evidence) He also liked the farm/ petting zoo area at both places. Little man is really into farms these days. If you ask him about it, he will tell you that "I be a farmer! Ride tractor! Ride horse!" He can spot cattle and horses a mile off and will exclaim about them every time!
Miriam just liked the animals in general. Especially the chicken.
Katie liked the carousel a lot. The picture dosn't show it because the ride hadn't started yet. Once it did, her little mouth was open the whole time. She even waved to people! LOL

 Once again this post is late. :) Well, we've been home from China over 2 months now. Wow, seems way longer in some ways!

Katie continues to do so well. She is learning and growing by leaps and bounds. I finally am getting to see what people mean when they say a younger child grows up so much faster because they try to follow the big kids. Seriously, Katie thinks she's 3 already! I can't trust her to go down steps because she refuses to turn around or sit down to climb down. Oh, no! Little bit thinks she should be able to hold onto the rail and walk down like a big girl! I fear I'm going to have to let her fall once so she gets some fear in her!
Two funny stories along that line. While we were at Mimmi's house, she decided that she is big enough to sit at the little kids table to "draw". She tried to climb up onto the chair, but had trouble. Mimmi showed her how once and from that point on she did it herself. Boy, did she think she was big stuff! Then yesterday here at home, she watched Miriam and Evan playing with a little tykes toddler slide. It's really too big for Miriam, so both older kids where climbing up the slide and down the step part. Katie watched for a minute then went over and tried. She was kind of messing around at the bottom for awhile and I turned away for a few seconds. When I looked back she had climbed UP the slide and was STANDING on the top. She then insisted on climbing down the steps facing out (opposite of normal). I tried to show her the right way to use the slide, but she would have NONE of it! I'm planning to bribe Evan to slide down it to convince her! LOL.

Few first this month: reaching for Daddy while Momma was still in room!, climbing on everything, first trip to zoo, first carousel ride (LOVED it), met Mimmi and Grandma Katie, eating fruit! (apple, blueberries, peaches, and grapes)
Word list- ball, draw, cat, that, cup, up, down, dog, all done/all gone, Momma, Daddy,  
Sign list- more, all done, drink, bottle, yes, down, please, thank you

Here a few of my favorite resent shots of her:

We spent last week up in Indiana on the family farm where I grew up (hence no internet!) The kids had a great time. Lots of outside play. Up WAY to late. Eat way too much ice cream. Two trips to zoos (two different ones) involving lots of water.  Spent lots of time with Mimmi (hence the ice cream!) Got to ride on the lawn tractor with Mimmi. Got to see Aunt Kristin, Uncle Dave, and Grandma W one day as well. Fun trip!

Here are some pictures from the farm. I'll postzoo pictures tomorrow.

Was the start of our family. The day that Brian and I were married. On one hand it seems like such a short time, for Time has certainly not dragged her heals, yet on the other hand I can't really remember life before being married and being a mother. Funny how that is.  And, yes, I would very happily marry Brian again. :)

Wow, I have a lot of catch up blogging to do!! I've been out of town visited family.... in other words, no internet. I have a lot of pics to share. More coming soon! :)

I have a funny story from Mother's day (yes, I know. I'm running behind!). On Mother's day the whole family drove to Atlanta to see Grandpa George who was here briefly for a visit.  We were all thrilled to see him even though it was only a day.
For lunch we went in to a chicken place to get some chicken for a picnic lunch since we were trying to avoid the crowds. It worked because we were the only family there when we walked in. The manager and one of the other workers were talking at the front counter and greeted us as we walked up. After the a moment the manager looked at me holding Katie with Miriam and Evan at my side and the following conversation ensued.

Manager: "Happy Mother's Day!"
Me: "Thank you"
Manager: "I always wanted three, but after one I could never push another one out!"
Me: laugh "Well, it's not like I had to push them out."
Manager: "Oh, did they cut them out?"
Me: "Uh.... no."
Manager: confused look
Me: "They were all adopted."
Manager: "Oh."

Either she didn't notice that I am mother to a Black child, a Hispanic child, and an Asian child (in which case I commend her) or she thought I'm one "busy" woman!! LOL

Just have to share this wonderful slide show from Swallow's Nest Foster Home which is in Henan. Two families in our travel group adopted children who were there and are also in this slide show.