January 24, 2012

the boys’ turn

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Today our Chinese New Year festivities continued. It was the boys' turn. And, thankfully, the sun decided to show itself today. Not only that, but the temperatures were in the 60's. I'll take a day like that any day I can get it. Decked out in their new silks, the boys were ready to go. All they needed was some well placed spit to keep their hair from sticking up excessively. Ahhh. The joy of boys. And on this day, they were extra pumped to be wearing their Chinese outfits. They had a little extra "cha" in their Kung … [Read more...]

8 Comments
Posted Under: adoption, celebrations, China, Jude, Shepherd
December 31, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {my favorites of 2011}

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Here are my favorite photos of 2011. In chronological order. 1. Sophie Lu in her silks at Chinese New Year. 2. Vivienne loving the snow. 3. Asher, growing up. I thought he seemed big in this picture but man, has he grown since then. 4. Remembering - and missing - Esther. 5. Chris at his fini flight getting soaked. Much to his children's delight. 6. Father and daughter. And kite. 7. Me and my girls on our last trip to our favorite spot in New England. 8. Poppy and the Red Couch. 9. Zach at Starbucks. In China. … [Read more...]

13 Comments
Posted Under: a-bone, Esther, Jude, photography, Poppy, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Victoria, Vivienne, Zach
December 25, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {Christmas in pictures}

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*********************************************************** If you're ready to link up this week with your Sunday (or Monday or Tuesday) Snapshot, just copy the code under the Snapshot button and paste it into the body of your post where you'd like the button to be displayed. Because it's Christmas, and lots of y'all are probably otherwise occupied, I'm going to leave the link open until Tuesday night. When you hit 'publish' it should show up just fine. Then add your link below. Wondering what the heck Sunday Snapshot is? Visit here for the … [Read more...]

17 Comments
Posted Under: a-bone, celebrations, d-bomb, Isabelle, Jude, Poppy, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
November 14, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {the boys}

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It happens most Sundays around here. Rain or shine. Indoors or out. Like it or not. Football. Chris is pretty much a football fanatic. And it seems to be catching. At least within the male population in this house. And even though most of our players probably aren't going to be first-round draft picks, it really doesn't matter. Because the best part is getting out there. Playing your best. And just having fun together. And even to a non-football lover like myself, it's pretty clear how much … [Read more...]

13 Comments
Posted Under: a-bone, d-bomb, Jude, Shepherd, Sunday Snapshot
November 9, 2011

Shepherd’s turn

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Not to be outdone by his slightly-younger sister, Shepherd decided to go ahead and turn a year older, too. Soooo, he's five now. Really, Shep? You're five? Still can't believe it. He was anticipating his big day for weeks. Nay, months. And at last, after having to endure his younger sister's birthday, it was his turn. He, like Vivienne, asked for some Leap Frog products. And no, much to my chagrin, we do not own any stock in Leap Frog. Nor do we get anything for posting about how much our kids love it. But still... they … [Read more...]

27 Comments
Posted Under: celebrations, Shepherd
September 13, 2011

the crew

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This is the daytime crew. They hang with mama during the day. They come with me wherever I go. Everywhere I go. Which, in the last week has been wayyyy too many doctor appointments - physicals for everyone, please! And a bunch of flu shots to boot. But finally, the craziness is subsiding. Mama is a happy camper. And I think these punks are, too. … [Read more...]

20 Comments
Posted Under: Poppy, Shepherd, Vivienne
June 5, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {the kite}

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I didn't even have to work at this one. At church this morning, Jude received a kite as a "prize". Between the time this kite was placed into Jude's sweaty little hands and the time we arrived home, this kite was brought up in conversation no less than 2,489 times. So, after lunch we went outside to give this kite a whirl. Honestly, I had my doubts as to its ability to even get airborne. But the kids were ridiculously excited. I simply could not refuse to give it a try. And so I ventured out. Somewhat … [Read more...]

19 Comments
Posted Under: family, Isabelle, Jude, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
May 2, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {one of those days}

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Up at 5:30. Off to Boston at 8:00, as soon as the big kiddos got on the bus. It was clubfoot re-check for the three littlest at Boston Children's today. Just a few problems with that, though. I absolutely detest driving in big cities. And I really didn't want to be away from home today, since our LOAs were to be delivered. And well, I suspected the day might look something like this. And I was right. Although it might not look like it, the day did go well, though. For the most part. Re-checks complete, the kiddos feet look great. And … [Read more...]

5 Comments
Posted Under: clubfoot, Jude, Shepherd, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
March 7, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {these three}

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These three.They have so many things they share.One of the biggest? They were all born with bilateral clubfoot.So, on our way out to the door today, I made them all sit down to let me snap a picture of them together.To remember these days. The days when their twice-yearly visit to Boston Children's rolls around - for a re-check of their now corrected clubfoot.To see these three go, you'd never even suspect they were born with clubfoot.Lightening, I tell ya. Even Vivienne can bust a move.And now, based on their x-rays, our orthopedic doc says he can't even tell the … [Read more...]

16 Comments
Posted Under: clubfoot, Jude, Shepherd, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
November 28, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {hats}

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We got some new hats in the mail the other day.It was reason enough to take everyone outside and try 'em out.Camera in hand, of course.Clearly, the kiddos were pretty darn excited. Other than birthdays and Christmas, there aren't a whole lot of occasions that they get new stuff in the mail.I let them each pick their very favorite hat to model.Some kids, ahem... picked more than one.But with a smile like that? This little one usually gets what she wants.She has just melded into our family so perfectly. Honestly, I am thankful on a daily basis that we didn't let fear … [Read more...]

28 Comments
Posted Under: Isabelle, Jude, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne