Kathleen

The girls both enjoyed the beach but in different ways. Miriam loves
the water. She spend a lot of time out in it with her inner tube and
with the toy truck. She just loved jumping in the waves. But she also found
a little time to dig in the sand.

Katie seemed to be more comfortable with her feet on dry sand....
unless she could get Momma to hold her out in the water! Really it was
all about being right by Momma! She did have fun making friends, and
loved to yell when she saw the dolphins swimming by. We saw them
everyday (usually a large pod of 6-8 individuals).

 

While we were at the beach the kids got to fly their first kite. It was a Buzz Lightyear kite and they really enjoyed it!

 

 

 

 

We were so blessed to spend a week at Edisto Beach in South Carolina this last week. It was the kids first time seeing the ocean. They loved it! We were able to go with Aunt Kristin and Uncle Dave as well as Grandpa George and some other friends which made for a very nice vacation.
We went to the beach everyday and most days stayed most of the day.

Seeing the ocean for the first time.

Hanging out at the beach with Dave and cousin Jonathan.

Me and my baby girl.

Miriam

Katie loving the beach!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evan digging in the sand.

Miriam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The end of a long day on the beach.

We have reached a new milestone with Miss Katie. She has now lived with us longer than anywhere else in her life.

Xu Qian Wen, orphan, February 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miss Kathleen Emma Xinxin, beloved daughter and sister, today.

My children have something very special. Something few children have
these days. Each has two siblings very close to them in age with whom
they spend 99% of every waking hour.  They have two built in BFFs...
not just this year in school, or for most of their childhood, but, God
willing, for the next 80+ years. Yes, sometimes it is hard having three
young children with only 29 months difference in age from eldest to
youngest. Yes, it would be easier to send them all away to preschool
rather then to keep them with me (but I don't believe for a minute that
that would be in their best interest). And yes, they do fight and tease
each other, but far more often they love each other deeply, watch out
for each other, and play together well. Yes, they really do have
something wonderful and special, and I am so blessed to be their mother!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We just got back from a week at the farm visiting Mimmi. The kids had a wonderful time.

Plenty of water play...

Lots of swinging...

Plenty of playing with Taffy, the dog...

Lots of popsicles gave their lives....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some people took mud bathes...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was lots of running free in open spaces...

And Katie got lots of wagon rides...

There was playing at a couple of parks...

There was bike and trike riding...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cuteness abounded...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a zoo trip with giraffe feeding...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and train riding and playing on the toy train...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and goat petting and brushing...

and water pumping...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and play exploring....

and carousel riding...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and some people came out of their shell!

There were other adventures as well, like an airshow and a festival
with carnival rides plus 4th of July fireworks. Might have been too
much fun actually. :)

Katie found a pair of boots a friend's son left at our house. She's too cute not to share!