A Little Vacay with my Hubby

Matt and I were able to get away for almost a week, just the 2 of us.  Planning these trips is stressful; we're packing for us, packing for Ava and Riley, missing them before we are even apart, wondering how Ava will do without us, and the dreaded drop off.  We are beyond blessed to have grandparents fighting for one on one time with Ava (and Riley as they are a package deal now ;)).  But it is still so difficult to leave her...thank God we are able to leave her with grandparents.  No matter how much work it takes and how hard it is to say "see ya later", Matt and I committed to each other long before we were parents that we would always make time for each other.  We value the relationship we have established too much to not work to keep it strong.  Because the truth is, one of the these days it will be just Matt and I again at home and I don't want to be staring at a stranger across the table.  I want that person to still be my best friend.

We had a blast in Charleston, SC...a place I have always wanted to go.  I really think that if I would have lived in a different time period it would have been the old southern, big dresses, horse and carriage era.  Matt loves history and appreciating what we've come from (I enjoy Matt then filling me in on the highlights that I need to know).  Charleston is full of charm and history so it was a win, win for us.  We enjoyed our days together just meandering around, getting lost in the historic district.  A highlight of the trip was swimming with dolphins in the waves at Folly Beach.  We also loved the food from fresh fish and seafood to delicious southern cooking.  We always feel rejuvenated as a couple after some great one on one time.  So thankful to have him by my side through life.  So thankful he values our relationship as a couple so much that he puts time and effort into maintaining it.  

Meet Riley

Riley joined our family in May and what a perfect fit he is!  He is a clumsy puppy who makes us laugh daily!  He loves his family and already knows exactly who his family is.  He LOVES Ava most of all! He is protective of her but also just loves being right next to her. Ava is mostly okay with this but has quickly learned the phrase, "back off, Riley!"  They are going to be best buddies. 

Riley is now 9 months old, 38 pounds, and all hound dog...isn't he a handsome boy?!!

Our Dossier Finally Made it to China

I know I have been quiet regarding our adoption process this go around and honestly that is because things have been very difficult over the last few months.  Many of the things that came up prior to us making the unbelievably hard decision to halt the adoption are private, but also we still don't have a lot of answers regarding the situation.  We are so thankful to Holt for helping us to get the information we could and have been very supportive through all the issues. 

Ru still has a huge part of our hearts. We think about him, pray for him, pray for a miracle, and shed tears over the situation on a daily basis. Through many conversations with friends who know us well, we feel that the best way to describe our pain is to describe a miscarriage. He was our son, we love him, we think of him and wonder "what if", and he will always be a part of our hearts and souls. 

The dossier processing has also been a struggle this go around having several documents notarized incorrectly...one of those documents taking 3 times to be done correctly!  So frustrating and tested my patience big time!  The good news is that our dossier is now certified and authenticated and in China. Thank you Lord!  

Even though many doors have been closed at this time, we have peace to press on.  Trusting that when God does open the door we are meant to walk through that all this other heartache will make sense in some way. We KNOW that we have a child out there and that when we finally meet it will literally be a match made in Heaven. 

Ava Is 3

We celebrated Ava's third birthday this month.  It was such a fun time with family and friends.  We are so thankful for all of those who came to help us celebrate our sweet girls third birthday...she's three!! How is that possible?!!

We spent her birthday at the zoo.  Ava had asked to go to the "water park" but it was an unusually cool July day with high temps in the low 70s so we opted for the zoo instead.  We love hanging our with Ava one on one on her birthday.  Making such special memories.  

Over the weekend, we celebrated Ava's birthday with family and friends...and Mickey Mouse came to celebrate with Ava.  "Oh Tootles!!"  

You can't have a birthday without cake and if you're Ava, you get two cakes ;)  A chocolate cake that Lau Lau made and decorated for Ava and an ice cream cake from Tootles. 

Mickey worked hard at Ava's party and was a big hit...however, he paid for all that hard work...

So much fun celebrating our girl!!

Heavy Hearts

The last month has not been an easy one.  It's been a month of sad news regarding Ru along with lots of miscommunication.  It's been both devastating and frustrating.  Over the weekend, we sadly had to make the decision that Ru would not be coming home with us.  This was the toughest decision we have had to make so far.  

The last month has tested us in unbelievable ways.  And at times I have questioned what God was doing and why would He "take" Ru from us.  But He always brought me back to my favorite verse, Jeremiah 29:11.  "For I know the plans I have for you.  Plans to prosper you and NOT TO HARM you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future."  God's still got this: the situation, us, Ru, and our baby...wherever they may be.

Ava-ism "Oh Tootles"

For all you moms out there who have 2 year olds, I know you get in your fair share of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse as well.  This happens to be Ava's favorite (and only) TV show.  The basis of "Oh Tootles" is that Tootles brings the tools needed to help with whatever adventure Mickey and friends are facing for the day.  This has quickly become one of Ava's favorite sayings and it cracks us up.

"Maybe Tootles can help...Oh Tootles"

Needing her blanket that is in the other room:

"I need my blankly...Oh Tootles"

Leaving the splash pad:

"I have wet shoes...Oh Tootles"

A very sad Ava with her balloon animal Nemo:

"I broke Nemo...Oh Tootles"

While playing in our kiddie pool that is not big enough for everyone to get in:
"We need a bigger pool...Oh Tootles"

When saying goodbye to Baba for a couple of days:
"I want to go on an airplane with Baba...Oh Tootles"

Have I said how much we love her?!!!

Easter 2014

Easter 2014 was another one for the books!  It's hard to believe that Easter 2013 was Ava's first holiday at home, what a difference a year makes.  

Ava and Lau Lau showing off their dyed eggs

Nai Nai and Lau Lau hunting candy

Uncle Craig with Ava, Kaden, and Carson at the farm

Ava checking out some of her Easter eggs