Washington 2012

The blogging hiatus is due to a three week stint in Washington State.  It seems like I have less free kid-less time when away than when at home which makes sitting at a computer hard.  It was a great three weeks for the kiddos.  They had their Mommy by their side every second of every day and their daddy wasn't far off that mark.  Of course, grandparents and cousins were there too to fill them with love and laughter.  It must feel good to be surrounded by people who adore you for three weeks of playtime!

I can't possibly sit down and write about all the places we went or things we did.  Here are a few, more like A LOT, of highlights so get ready to scroll!

The Columbia River

 Rocky Reach Dam

 My beautiful and sweet girls

 Trying to get a picture with the iconic apple but not very successful

 We spent hours on our scooters.

 Cars and Chalk

 More river time. . .

 Ice Cream truck

 Feeding the fish

The Quincy folks

 Desert trip

 At the river again. . .

 Golfing with Papa and her turtle

 Bike time

 Fun with Uncle Adam

 The twins' first desert trip

 Her Papa

 Snoqualmie Falls

 Tacoma Folks

 Puget Sound

 Point Defiance Zoo

 Swimming with Grandpa

 Cousins make the best friends

After a 12:00 a.m. arrival, the bleary eyed girls were offered a seat in the cockpit. It was dark and cellphones don't quite cut the mustard but I, at the very least, documented the moment.

We are glad to be home!

Remembering Six Years Ago

Today marks the sixth anniversary of a very sad day.  Alex and I were told that there was very little, if any, chance that our little Adeline would be born alive.  I wrote about this day here. 

When I read Adeline's story, I find it hard to digest.  There is so much joy and celebration in our lives when it comes to Miss Belle that I often don't feel the great sadness that we experienced six years ago.  I have it carefully folded into a corner of my heart.  Every now and then something will trigger those emotions that flooded our lives but for the most part, I am crying tears of joy or tears of laughter.  It all depends on what Adeline chooses to focus on for the day.  As I wrote about a few posts back, my girl is quite a character.  She is smart, personable and hysterically funny.  She is endearing and forges ahead with her trademark determination.  She is everything they said she wouldn't be!

Alex and I got some nice time with the Belle tonight.  After sitting in bed for an hour, she snuck upstairs and asked for her left over "meat burger" from dinner.  She discussed in length her plans for the future.  If you ask Adeline what she wants to do when she grows up she will tell with great confidence that she is going to be an astronaut and fly into space.  She also plans to marry (my other two are still determined to live with me forever.)  The only aspect of growing up that troubles Adeline is that she doesn't know what she will look like and that is unsettling for some reason.  She is also troubled that she doesn't know which house will be hers.  She is a deep thinker. 

We love her and celebrate her each and every day!!

(If Adeline were to choose the picture for this post, I believe this would be the one!)

Miss Lois

How do we say goodbye to Miss Lois - Adeline's IU preschool teacher?  Miss Lois started teaching Adeline at age three.  At that time, Adeline was barely talking, in diapers and couldn't walk the entire way to the school's playground.  It was hard to find people that thought Adeline was going to beat the odds of prematurity.  Miss Lois had her work cut out for her.  I placed my hope in her.

Miss Lois provided an environment that helped my girl soar.  She helped Adeline slowly overcome many of her sensory issues that kept her locked up.  Lois helped Adeline find her voice and with time, helped my girl grow into a leader.  We kept her with the younger kids during her second year there so that Adeline would have a chance to step up to the plate and lead.  That she did.  Another example of Miss Lois and her magical knowledge and experience. 

Adeline loves school which surprises me because school is hard work.  Adeline's gross motor and fine motor skills are challenged each day.  One would think that it would get old and tiring after three years.  Not when you are with Miss Lois! 

Adeline doesn't remember a world without Miss Lois.  She has been a constant source of positive support.  She LOVES her.  I know most kids love their teachers but when you have a teacher for three years that sees you through all that Adeline has achieved, that teacher becomes family.  My heart is sad because we are losing an important member of our family.  I worry that Adeline will lose some of her confidence, determination, and willingness to try when not under the wings of Miss Lois.

Miss Lois changed Adeline's life.  There is no doubt in my mind that Adeline is so much more than what she would have been if we had not found Lois.  My heart is heavy but full of gratitude.

First day of school photos from the past three years. 

Reuniting with Miss Lois after a summer break.