Haircuts and Backyard Playground

This weekend I had an appointment to get my hair cut so I decided to have a cut for the girls too. They both have such thick/beautiful hair that grows SOOOOO fast...I have to do trims very often. But, I decided to go for a full cut (especially for Janie). Both of them break out into a huge sweat the minute we go outside and they LOVE being outside. Janie's hair will be absolutely soaked after just a few minutes outside. Of course it doesn't slow her down, but it often worries me. I have been just pulling it up into pig-tails. 

But on Saturday I went ahead and decided to cut a bunch of it off...it grows so quickly that next summer I will try to leave it a little longer for pulling up. Lexie also got a hair cut...but hers was more of just a "shape up".

Before picture with both girls' hair down at bed-time. 

I usually have it pulled up during the day.

Janie showing off her new shorter style!

Lexie showing off her new shaped up style. 

(Not the best pics of Lexie, she is a moving target these days!!)

Then both girls played in their little "kiddie" pool....

While mommy, Mimi, and Gramps worked on finishing up thier new back-yard playground!

We stil have to finish the playhouse. Still need to put on front door, the side bench, and complete the inside (it has a sink and stove). Then we are putting up a little toddler trampoline. They have a great one at Sams that is low to the ground, has a net, and is plenty big for both of them to jump at the same time!

Next posts coming soon: Tennessee trip and "All about Janie/Lexie" posts.

Have a great week!!

Growing up too fast!

I remember waiting for Janie. I remember contacting my agency (AGCI) in 2006. I remember signing my first adoption contract with AGCI in January of 2007. I remember the heart-ache of the Vietnam situation. I remember each and every moment of the wait to see what would happen next-where would God lead me. Time seemed to stand still. Time would not move. I remember each and every second of that wait. It was such a long and hard wait (all adoptive parents know exactly what I mean). Then after Janie entered my life, time began to fly. 

I remember people telling me that once you have kids, time flies! They were correct!

Fast foward a little less than a year later. Lexie is born. Time stands still again for a brief moment as I hear the news. But then, God kicked me in the rear and told me to "get busy" and "bring her home". Time was not on my side..I needed to get these amazing sisters together!

Time didn't really stand still during the wait. I was so busy getting all the paperwork ready, home study visits, etc. In addition, I was a mommy to a 1 year old.  I guess Janie kept me busy. Time didn't stand still-but it was a constant reminder that Lexie was getting older and the girls were missing part of thier lives together.

I was looking thru pictures tonight. I am so fortunate to have sooooo many pictures of both girls from a very early age and while they were in Taiwan. I have pictures of both girls at just a few days old all the way thru "gotcha" day. Over 100 of each girl--and several videos too.

Look at the difference time makes....

Janie in Taiwan (September 2009)

Janie about 1 month home  (October 2009)

Janie about 2 months home (November 2009)

Lexie in Taiwan (November 2010)

Lexie about 1 month home (December 2010)

Lexie about 2 months home (January 2011)

Both girls in Taiwan (November 2010)

Both girls now!

Time is flying by--that is for sure! I am loving watching my girls grow and discover the world--but I miss my babies. I'm sure all parents go thru these feelings...sigh!

Upcoming posts:

We traveled to Tenn for a Taiwan Adoptive Family reunion. We stayed overnight in Chattanooga and had a great time. I'll post all about it soon.

And a special treat post coming soon. People ask me alot about the girls. How are they alike? How are they different? So, I plan to do an "All about Janie" post and an "All about Lexie" post in the coming days. I will highlight what each of them is up to these days (and my current favorite pics of each of them)...stay tuned!

Are they twins?

"Are they twins?"

That is a question that I am hearing a lot these days. The girls are starting to really look more and more alike. Lexie is still shorter and thicker--but she is quickly catching up with Janie. When they are sitting, they are basically the same size from the waist up. Janie just has longer/leaner legs so when standing you can see the difference.

And, Lexie is really doing so much more now that she can basically "take on" Janie and often "win" battles!! She is pretty fiesty! 

So, when we are out in public I get asked "Are they twins?" pretty often. I am guessing that as they get older, I will really get asked that. I can imagine when the girls are 4 and 5 (and from then on) really being asked that alot. 

Check out this picture!!

I have pictures all over the house, stuffed in drawers, cabinets, etc. I often print them and then never do anything with them (bad mommy). 

I was changing Lexie's diaper and Janie found this picture and brought it to me. She said "Look mommy, Wexie". I briefly looked at it and replied "Yep, that's Lexie" but then I had to do a double-take. It was actually an old picture of Janie from 2009 at Christmas time-before Lexie had even been born. Even mommy had a hard time telling the difference. I just had to go back and find it on the computer and let you all see!

Lesson learned: I need to start marking the pictures. Many years from now, they may not be able to tell who it is!!

And speaking of TWINS--please join me in prayer for the Smith family. Those of you who have followed my journey probably remember Harrison. He was the other baby in Taiwan that lived with Janie. We had the pleasure of visiting his forever family in Tenn last summer. They are in the process of adopting twins from Korea (boy/girl). They are beyond precious. Please join me in praying these sweet darlings home soon. Harrison is going to be a WONDERFUL big brother. You can follow their journey HERE and see pics of the sweet babies!!

Sweet memories

My girls make me laugh! My girls make me smile! My girls keep me so busy! My girls are sooooo much fun! 

Moments like this make me laugh so hard!!!!!

Then there are moments that just take my breath away....

I love these 2 pictures above. The girls each look so beautiful and peaceful! And, look how much they look alike--simply amazing! God is so good!

Yippee!!!

Yippeeeee!! Only 1 accident yesterday and ZERO accidents today. Everything in potty today with her telling me each time! I know we still have a long ways to go, but so much progress!!!! Proud mommy!!

Sorry for all the "potty training" updates....but this has been our life the past few days. I'll try to get some pics up later this week (not of the potty!!)

Proud of my big girl!!

So proud of my big girl Janie. From about noon today until bedtime, only 1 accident and numerous potty successes (including several poo poos). You go girl! Most of those times she even told me she had to go, or went running to the potty! 

We still have a long way to go, but much success today. Now let's just hope Lexie has been watching!!