Anchors Aweigh....

For those of you who don't know it, Don is a Naval Academy alum. So, it is no wonder that this was his favorite dress of Lindy's this summer...

Lindy's Hans & Franz look

Anyone remember the Hans and Franz skits from Saturday Night Live with Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon??? I know, I'm totally dating myself...Well, Lindy briefly donned a Hans & Franz look at the Families with Children from China pool party on Saturday.

We had decided she needed a bathing (or as she says "babing") suit with built in floaties. Great idea, right??? Unfortunately, the suit was a bit big for her and it didn't work out yet. However, we did get a kick out of her new buff look. Lindy is here to "pump you up."

I guess we'll give it a try again next year. For now she'll have to stick with the princess fairy look...

In training

I really can't believe I am posting about this but it is a big part of what is going on with Lindy and us these days--potty training.

Lindy is officially in training and so are we. I think it is going fairly well and coming together. Lindy has stayed dry throughout the day for several days in a row. She is not shy about telling us when she has to go. She announces it in full voice and is quite insistent and persistent about it, even when we don't want her to be like in church or the middle of a furniture store.

I have heard some kids are afraid of the process, are particular about where they do it and with whom, etc. So far, it doesn't seem to matter where we are or who she's with. If she wants to she will, if she doesn't she won't.

I'll admit we haven't read one thing about this and we are totally winging it. We've opted to bribe umm I mean reward her successes with a single M&M. She enjoys the M&Ms, the high fives, and praise. It is fun to see her excited about her accomplishments.

It is definitely a time-consuming process and a commitment. I know the more committed I am to the process, the more successful she will be. I hope it won't be long before we are completely diaper free but I know we still have a way to go...

Lunch with the girls

Today Lindy and I went to lunch with two of our favorite girls--Erin & Emily. Don and I have known Erin and Emily since spring of 1996 when they were just little girls. We have shared holidays together, had sleepovers, baked cookies, gone to the beach, slept together in the same cabin during family retreats, just to name a few things...

As hard as it is for me to believe, Emily had freshman high school orientation today and we were getting together to say farewell to Erin as she heads off to college on Friday. These precious girls whom we would "babysit" are now babysitting Lindy. Watching Erin and Emily grow from little girls to young women is a bittersweet reminder of how fast time goes by AND that we are ALL aging.

We love you Erin and will miss you lots while you're away at college!!! Have fun, study hard, and don't forget to come back to visit.

We love you Emily and hope you will enjoy being in high school. Congratulations on making varsity tennis!!! We'll come check out a match when we can.

I won an award

Earlier this week, my sweet blogger friend and fellow April Panda, Margie, awarded this blog with the "Blogger Reflection Award." Not knowing what that meant I read the following:

"The Blogger Reflection Award should make an individual reflect upon bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and who have provided a Godly example. In other words, bloggers whom, when you reflect upon them, you are filled with a sense of pride and joy...of knowing them and being blessed by them.”

I was really very surprised and honored someone would think of me in this manner. I really am such a novice blogger and I know my three little blogs are just little fish in a VERY, VERY, VERY big blogging ocean. The primary reason I began blogging was to keep family and friends updated about our trip to China to bring home Lindy. I never dreamed it would also be an outlet for me to "meet" other people and encourage as well as be encouraged.

This award is meant to be passed on to someone else in the blogosphere. I am going to pass it to Heather at Especially Heather. I don't know Heather, nor do I even remember how I found her blog. In fact, I think Don found it. Heather is a young woman who has faced (and continues to face) more trials than it seems like anyone should have to bear. However, her faith is so strong and her example of perseverance is incredible. She constantly is talking about her blessings, passing on nuggets of wisdom, and offering reminders that we are not in control but God is. On days when I feel like things aren't going right, I remember some of the things Heather has written about and gone through and it not only offers me perspective but hope, as well. I know she is blessed and prayed for by many people but I also know she blesses many people with her spiritual maturity.

Thank you, Margie for this award and for causing me to take some time to reflect on who to pass it on to.

Happy National Smile Week

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. ~Phyllis Diller

There are days (and I know I'm not alone) when I just don't feel like smiling. When I see this face, however, sometimes it is impossible NOT to smile.

A smile is really the easiest thing to give someone and it is completely free. Mother Teresa said, "Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."

I am blessed to have this sweet little girl who freely gives smiles all day long. (Except for when I am trying to capture it via a camera and then I better work fast!!!)

Lindy loves company!

Yesterday we were treated to a brief visit from Aunt Nadine & Uncle Al from southern California. They were only in town for a few hours but it didn't take more than a few seconds for Lindy to warm up to them like she'd known them forever.

She had Uncle Al reading to her and Aunt Nadine playing babies with her. It was such a kick to watch them as they played with their GREAT, GREAT niece. I think at one point Uncle Al was ready to trade many of his prized possessions for Miss Lindy.

They took great pleasure in reminding me of how when I was Lindy's age I would cry whenever I was around Uncle Al. It's true. There are pictures of me with red-rimmed, crying eyes and my dear uncle.

Not having any family nearby, it is always a nice treat to spend a little time together when we can.

Thanks for adding us to your itinerary! We loved seeing you.

Singing in the rain

Maybe you've seen on TV that Texas has received an unusual amount of rain this summer. I don't mind the rain, so I've been pretty content with it and am missing it this week...

One thing I found myself dreading about the rain was getting out in it. Before you call me prissy, let me clarify that I don't use umbrellas and am not afraid of melting in it. My main hesitation was being out in it with Lindy.

Lindy LOVES the rain. Everytime we'd go somewhere I'd tell her to stay in the garage and walk to her side of the car. Did she listen? Sure. Did she obey? No. She'd dart right out into it and splash in the puddles, put her hands under the rain spout, and throw her hands in the air and twirl around in the rain. This would frustrate me to no end.

Then one day I stopped and watched her. She was having so much fun and it wasn't really hurting anything, so I let her get wet and play in the rain. She is filled with so much joy and it is moments like these I remind myself to relax and let her take joy in the simple pleasures of life.

A little reunion

I am suffering from a bit of blogger backlog. I seriously don't know how so many people blog on a daily basis and still keep it interesting...

Two weeks ago, Lindy and I were reunited with my friend, Lisa, and her family during their annual visit to Texas. Lisa and I "met" each other online through the April 2005 DTC Yahoo group and we were also a part of a special prayer group. Eventually we met face to face in China at the White Swan after she had adopted Aubrey and we had adopted Lindy. Then we also got to see each other last July.

Last year when we went to dinner our girls were fairly quiet and reserved. Lindy had just started walking, so she couldn't make it around much without a hand to hold onto. This year was such a contrast!!! Our girls were both loud, bold, and on the move EVERYWHERE--even in the pouring rain! Without a doubt, both Lindy and Aubrey have made the adjustment!

Aubrey (34 months) and Lindy (26 months)

I am happy that Lisa took the time away from her visit with family to catch up with us. I look forward to making it an annual tradition and watching our girls continue to blossom and grow.