Signs I

I've received many signs from the very beginning of this third adoption. Here's an example from this morning: I'm driving to the doctor's office for my physical, which needs to become part of my dossier to China, and just as I'm nearing the doctor's office U2's "Beautiful Day" comes on the radio. . ."See China right in front of you..." Then, I park the car, get out to take a picture of the building for the blog/scrapbook, and I pass a car with a ladybug in the window--

Something BIG is happening this week!

Minnie's Secret Recipe

We purchased Minnie's brownie mix when we were at Disneyland and had fun baking together:

A Few Random Snap Shots

 Nana bought the girls mini pillow pets.

 My little big girl starts kindergarten in a month:)

 Ava is so proud of herself for climbing the rope in gymnastics class. It's pretty high, she says. The first time she scampered up it my heart jumped in my throat--it's very high!

Disneyland

 We always stop on our drive up for egg McMuffins--Maddie with Nana and Ava kicking back.

 Waiting on line for the Tea Cups, Maddie and Nana planning our next move.

 Ava, Maddie and Nana on the Tea Cups.

 Then it's onto the Enchanted Chamber where the girls pick out a bag of gems. Below, Ava is checking the quality of the ruby (she's not one to be ripped off  :)).

 After an hour's wait, our turn with Minnie Mouse. Can you see the heat on us? We are seriously beginning to wilt.

 The girls in Minnie's living room.

 Ava, Nana, Aunt Janet (a first--she's never been to Disney with us), Mommy and Maddie.

 Half way through the day, someone decides it's really not worth it--the long waits and the oppressive heat---

but she's easily comforted. 

 Our second trip to the Tea Cups--Aunt Janet and Maddie. Mommy only goes on once each trip, because they make me queasy :( . Last time at Disney, the girls went on 8 times (thanks Nana!). This trip, 3 times.

 Then it's onto the circus train. We're sitting in the wild animals cage. I think we look pretty tame.

 The parade begins. I LOVE Disney parades. They are beautiful, colorful, happy!

 Nana and Ava on Dumbo.

 Aunt Janet and Maddie on Dumbo.

 Fireworks.

My little one still waiting. I thought a lot about you today, Noelle. I miss you. I want you here now. I know you will fit in our family beautifully. You have two big sisters planning all the fun they can have with you.

The Night Before Disney. . .

And my girls find a ladybug in the house. In the adoption world, this means good luck.

The Bee Man

We had a nest in the back yard, in the retaining wall. There were thousands of bees. Last week, they carpeted the wall. It was huge, scary.

 The bee man was a really nice guy, and very knowledgable.

Still, we hope we don't see him again. Now, onto stuccoing the wall. Well, maybe I'll give it a few days.

New Furniture

We really needed it. And soon the sw will be here.

 I saw it in CostCo a few weeks ago. . .

 and we really needed a smaller sectional than the leather monstrosity that was mooing in our living room . . .

 and the guys at CostCo were wonderful about loading it onto the flat beds (3 big boxes) and then. . .

 onto the truck we had to rent from Home Depot, which was just next door.

 My daughters thought it was neat -- they've ever been in a truck before.

So they wanted to pose in the back to remember this momentous occasion :)