A New Begining

My baby started Kindergarten on September 1st. She was very excited to get on the bus, and didn't even look back. She got off the bus at the end of the day smiling too. Each day I ask her what she has learned. So far, two things stand out. A new friend has taught her how to hula hoop. Abbey has gotten very good very quickly. The second thing she has learned is that sniffing markers kills "brain parts." She told me that she tries to remember not to sniff the markers, but sometimes she forgets. She will try harder next time.

There are many parents I speak to who are loving their five year olds being in school all day. They love their free time. I must admit that it is much easier to go places. Just going to the grocery store seems easy without Abbey around. However, easier is not better. I miss the chaos during the day of having all of them home. Today, I am going to pick her up from school rather than have her take the bus home, just so I can see her a half hour sooner. I miss my Abbey.

This Little Piggy Went To ChinaTown

The Chinese Zodiac says that the Year of the Golden Fire Pig comes only once every 600 years. 2007 was this special year. It was golden because the combination of elemental Fire, the sign Pig, and Yin/Yang components bring this year once every six centuries. It is said that children born under this sign will live in comfort as wealth and luck are always near.

This past weekend we spent a family trip in Chicago visiting with three families from Carina's travel group. All these little sweeties are Year of the Golden Fire Pig. I don't think it is for anyone to decide if our children are lucky or not. It is a decision that they will have to make at different points in their lives. One thing is for certain, four families feel very lucky to have these (not so) little one's as their son or daughter. It is amazing to see how perfectly each child was matched with their family. Was it luck of the draw, or divine intervention? Maybe a little of both.

I swear these little piggies remember the journey they shared back in April 2008 because within a short time they were all the best friends, acting quite silly at times. I'm not so sure what the other people around us thought, but I know us parents were quite amused. Even Abbey and Ellie, who were not part of the China trip, knew that these kiddos were family.

Not a day goes by that I don't think back to the journey to my beautiful daughter Liang Wan Bo. Lots of twists and turns took place during the course of those three years. Missing the trip to China was the hardest choice I ever had to make, but at the end of it all I am no less her mother. She is no less my daughter. I have no regrets. Again, as the years go by, it is up to Carina, and Abbey & Ellie for that matter, to decide if they are lucky or not. However, I do know I am one lucky woman.
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PS....I know Cari doesn't have shoes on!!!!!! What can I say, pick your battles.
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The Chuck Taylor Girls

It doesn't get any cuter than this:-)