Gotcha Day ... 3 years!!!

I can't believe that 3 years ago today we were in Pskov, Russia finalizing the adoption of our daughter. Today is "Gotcha Day." I said to Jordan this morning, "Happy Gotcha Day!" She said, "Happy I got you day!" Do you think she has a clue?

I asked her the other day if she knew where we got her brother from. Suprisingly, she had a very quick and matter of fact response. "We got him at the McDonalds at the airport!"

Today is far more meaningful for Chris and I. We still remember the long plane and train rides, the vodka taste testing with the nice Russians on the train and our experiences being hosted by a Russian family while in region. Today around 10am, the judge smiled at us and said in Russian, "Congratulations!" We were finally parents.

As I put her on the bus this morning, I realized that wanted to just keep her home and hold her all day. When I told her this she quickly responded that she was going to miss Ms. P. The letter of the week and snack time! How can I compete with Ms. P and goldfish?
Today is a very special day for us... but it is no different then any other day that we celebrate just how lucky we truly are.

We have been home almost 6 months... Can't believe it.

Jordan is loving school! I thought it was suppose to get easier for the mother putting your child on the bus. It hasn't, but I can say that she smiles when she leaves and she is smiling when I get her off the bus so hopefully in time the process with get easier. This photo was taken as she got off the bus last week. It was a hat she made that she carefully pasted sparkles and sequence on.

The topic of conversation most mornings center around Halloween and costumes. It is only the beginning of September and this has been going on since the end of August!!! Jordan is absolutely certain that she will be Batman and she wants Garrett to be Robin. I have never seen a kid so sure of something. She has expressed an interest in decorating the house this year for the holiday. Martha Stewart, I am not. I couldn't even make playdoh. We both decided on creating a large web with a HUGE spider in it. We thought we would include Chris in our project as he seems to be the best on a ladder. He thinks we need to draw the web out to scale first... I guess that is what it is like being married to an engineer.

Garrett is doing fantastic. It has been so much fun watching his personality take shape. He wakes up happy and goes to bed each night saying, "nigh night, thank you and bye." He is very energetic and has become very focused on music and dancing. If I don't have music playing on the stereo, he waits for the commercials. He can truly light up a room.

This past week Jordan and I purchased our first item on eBay. There was some concern that I had bid too many times and for awhile there we weren't totally certain how many were going to arrive. I have had to promise Chris that I will not make the "shopping" a habit. He keeps repeating to me, "shopping and wine don't mix." I am not sure I totally agree with him. Anyway, we love our purchase and use it often. Jordan laughs the entire time we are riding and it is so nice spending some one on one time with her. She is at a fun age and shares our passion for athletics.


People often tell us how lucky Jordan and Garrett are to have had such a wonderful chance at life. I often walk away and smile to myself knowing that we are the lucky ones that were given a chance in life to love in such a way that we never thought possible.

Keeping fingers crossed for a continued quiet hurricane season!

First week of school...

I write this with a heavy heart... I just put Jordan on a big bus to ride to school. I was happy driving her, but she really wanted to take the bus. It amazes me that you can go through the full extreme of emotions when a milestone hits. The excitement when the bus turned the corner and I watched her get on... And then the deflation in my heart when I saw the bus pull away as her neck stretched high with her eyes just barely able to peer out the window. I could tell she was smiling though and gave me a thumbs up. I am already contemplating going to the school and peeking through the window. (Don't worry, I won't) Jordan is in a pre K program at our elementary school. She loves it. I was not prepared to send her full time. She is only 3 1/2, but the program has a speech and language specialist that will help her with her pronunciation.

This week, I am going in to have lunch with her and help out the teachers. I can't wait.

As much as I miss her during the day, I am able to spend some quality time with G -man and I get the best of both worlds. He keeps me busy... Always wanting to go outside or move furniture. (Not sure what is up with that, but Jordan did it too.) They both seem to have freakish strength.

A great first week of school... Hope I hold up.