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Wednesday, 17 June 2009

  • Hard to Believe

    My big girl Hannah turned 8 this month--June 7th to be exact.  It was on a Sunday this year.  She was excited to go to church on her birthday!  After church we rushed home and changed clothes and headed to Rudinos, a great little restuarant where kids eat free on Sunday.  Love it!  The Morrison's joined us there as we had already asked their children, Bailey and Brayden to go with us to the pool.  Bailey and Brayden are my girls best guy friends.  Bailey is only 6, but he and Hannah have always gotten along well.  Brayden is 6 months younger than Ella and they are definitely 2 peas in a pod.  So after lunch I loaded all 4 children in the car and headed to the pool.  On Saturday Ella and I had gone to Target and picked up a couple little gifts and cards and then picked up some cupcakes to take to the pool to celebrate her birthday.  They all 4 had a grea time and Uncle Sandy and Karen joined us to help watch the kids.  They did great and have fun together.  At break time we got out the cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday to Hannah.  Then we went home and cleaned up and met Uncle Sandy, Karen, and William at Hannah's favorite restuarant, Luigis.  I let her open one gift from Aunt Linda before we left because I knew it was a dress.  Hannah loved it and wore it out to eat.  We had a great meal together and then they brought out a brownie ice cream dessert with a candle in it and we sang Happy Birthday again.  Uncle Sandy and William gave her some new swim goggles which she was thrilled with.  Aunt Ninna and Uncle Rod also sent her a new movie "Hotel for Dogs".  Karen gave her 2 new bathing suits, a coverup and 2 short sets.  I gave her a Disney Girls Rock CD and Ella gave her some water torpedos.  Yes, she picked them out all by herself.  My real gift was her party which would come the next weekend after her birthday.  After we got home, we got out Hannah's candle for her birthmother.  Each of the girls prayed and then I concluded with prayer.  I do hope that someday Hannah will get to meet her birthmother.  Hannah's disposition is so sweet and I know she has some of her birthmother's loving heart.

    So the 13th was her party.  She had invited 3 friends, Paige, Karsin, and Shoshana.  Shoshana was in her class this year and Paige and Karsin are church friends.  We had the party at Girls World Inc.  We had been by ther back in April and she decided that was what she wanted.  I liked it because they did everything and it is a Christian enviornment.  Really neat place.  Ella of course was the 4th friend :).  We started at 10:30 a.m. and Paige was there when we arrived and Karsin arrived shortly thereafter.  Shoshana's mom arrived with a present but Shoshana had awakened with a fever and couldn't come.  We were sorry about that.  We started with the makeovers.  Ella actually went first although they worked on 2 at a time.  They did their nails, hair and put on eyeshadow, blush, and lipgloss.  They got to keep their makeup in a little purse along with a boa as their takehome treats.  As each one got done they could play on the computers which were set for young girl sites.  Then they started with karaoke.  We didn't book the place to ourselves, but no one else was there which was nice.  The girls sang some Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana.  I took pictures as the girls got made over and then took some individual shots of each one.  Then it was time to eat...peanut butter sandwiches, strawberries, grapes, cheese its, and powdered doughnuts along with hot tea.   Then came the birthday cake...pink with purple polka dots.  We sang Happy Birthday and Hannah quickly opened her presents before it was time to go.  Hannah really seem to enjoy it all and of course Ella did as well.  We left the party and headed for an audition for Hannah for a music camp this summer.  Hannah is officially and 8 year old.  It's hard to believe that 7 years ago I was so upset that I was missing her first birthday.  She has grown up into a beautiful and loving young lady.  She has a heart that loves and is so sensitive to others and to God.  She is a big help to me with Ella and is so talented.  She has struggled some in school, but her loving attitude and sweet spirit make her a favorite with all her teachers.  I do know that God has a special mission for her.  You can just tell by listening to her talk about God that she loves him so much.
    So Hannah know that I love you more than I could have ever imagined and I'm so proud of the beautiful Christian you have become.  It's a been a special year as you've made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life...can't wait to see what is yet to come. 

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

  • Taking Ella with the Senior Adults to Outer Banks

    On June 3-5, we had a trip to the Outer Banks planned for our Senior Adults.  We had planned to take a charter bus, but out numbers were not as many as we needed so I had to cancel the charter bus and take our own bus.  We have a trip planned to NYC in December this year and so I hope to take Hannah with me on that trip if she can miss school.  So to be fair, I wanted to take Ella on a trip with me.  I thought this one would be it since we were chartering a bus, but taking our own bus would mean I would have to drive.  Not sure it would work with Ella with me driving.  But after talking with some of the Senior Adults they promised that she would be okay and they would help with her.  Now let me just say, Hannah has always been a great traveler..quiet, sits still and can occupy herself with things to do.  Ella is just the opposite.  Although she travels pretty good, she is not quiet, does not sit still, wants to eat constantly, and can be quite a whiner.  I was worried to say the least.  But off we went.  She sat with Ms. Tina on the way and did pretty good although I won't say she was quiet and she sure never took a nap.  After checking into the hotel, we headed to Manteo to the Island Christmas shop, then at dinner at Wanchese, and then on to The Lost Colony outdoor drama.  She did great at the drama.  Up the next morning we headed to Currituck Lighthouse and Ella practically ran all the way up the steps with me trying to keep up.  We also visited the Wildlife Center and then headed back to Duck to shop and eat lunch.  Thursday after we headed to the pool and she loved the hot tub.  That night we headed to eat dinner at the Colington Cafe which I highly recommend.  YUM!  Then we ended the evening at the outlets.  Ella again never took a nap.  But each night she would collapse in her hotel bed.  Friday morning we headed to the Wright Bro. Memorial.  She loved all of it as well and then we stopped by Bodie Lighthouse before heading back to Manteo to eat lunch and head home.  We ate at McDonalds (not much choice in Manteo) and ask I was getting our food, most of the senior adults had already gotten theres and were seated.  I overhear Ella walking over to them and say "Hey Guys!"  It was so funny.  She definitely got to know everyone on the trip and entertained them all.  Again she never slept on the way home, but the movies on her DVD player did help keep her a little more low key.  All in all she did quite well and everyone seem to enjoy having her along.  Thanks to all the Senior Adults for putting up with Miss Ella so she and I could both go on the trip!  The pictures posted above were made with my phone since I couldn't find my camera.  They're not as clear but I love the 2 with us in front of the word Genius.  Yep, that's us!

screeder

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    • Name: Susie
    • Country: United States
    • Birthday: 11/30/1962
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 11/7/2005

About Me

  • This journal is about me and my daughter's wait to bring home a daughter/baby sister from Vietnam..."baby Ella" so we can become a family of 3!