China Bound...

Back in 2006, when we first adopted Mia, we decided that we would definitely go back to visit one day when she got older. From what I have read, 10 is a great age because they are old enough to remember the visit, yet they are not in that puberty phase quite yet where it all might be that much more difficult to take in. I have a friend here in Germany who is originally from Kasakhstan - she described it perfectly, and the way she described it  made me that much more eager to bring Mia to visit (and of course Bailey and Camden too). She said, "Even though we (meaning she and I) live in a foreign country, when we close our eyes, we can easily envision where we came from. While Mia has seen pictures, she doesn't know the sights, smells, people, or the culture of where she came from." Mia has always been very proud that she is from China, but with the exception of our few friends from China and a short language class we took, she really knows nothing about it. The way my friend explained it, really struck something within me. She went on to say though, "home" is wherever your bed is and where you feel at peace". For Mia, "home" is definitely here with us in Germany, but I am so excited to give her the opportunity to close her eyes and to envision the region in China in which she was born and where she lived her first year of life. When you adopt a young child, it is such a happy experience for you and I think it is easy to forget that along with that unbelievable love and happinees, there is still a huge loss that will forever be a part of the lives of the child adopted. When we say our prayers each night, Mia and I always pray for "our family" in China (because her birth family is definitely part of our family). I never want her to feel alone in this journey. I hope this trip brings us all a little more awareness and knowledge as to a piece of "our" family history ;-).

A Birthday Gift!

For Mia's 10th birthday, Camden and Bailey chipped in together to take her to get her ears pierced. She was so excited and yet at the same time - SO NERVOUS! She wanted to get them pierced, but was worried of the potential pain in doing so. We all drove to a mall in Regensburg after Camden's Soccer Game last weekend. They have a store there that pierces ears, and she had the support of the entire family. I'm glad she is only 10 and not 13 or she probably would have been quite embarrassed to have such a crowd there supporting her. It was funny because after the lady put the earrings in, Mia thought that she had only done the holes and not the earrings at the same time. She was quite relieved to find out that she was done with the entire process. A great Birthday gift!

So exciting!!! A perfect Birthday Gift!!!

Yes - quite a crowd to support and just a little (or maybe a lot :-)) embarrassing that I was snapping pictures , but everyone was a good sport :-))

getting ready :-)

They handed her a Teddy Bear to squeeze (smart idea :-))

Bailey helping to put her hair up...

a little bit of schock...

and then sheer happinees :-)

more paparazzi :-)

And now she has her ears pierced! Thank you Bay and Cam!!!

Schnuppern Tag

This is the week of "Schnuppern" in our family. (It is a new expression I learned, so I will drill it into my brain by writing it several times :-)) Schnuppern is the German word to "sniff" and the translation literally means to "sniff" out something (or in English to "to test it out"). I am speaking about High School. While for me it is not a huge deal that Camden will be going to High School next year, it is a HUGE deal that Mia will be.

Camden has already been in 2 different High Schools (both the German one and the American one in Bamberg. For him to be in Middle School this year was actually a bit weird (not always fun to go from having so much freedom back to more retrictive rules as you have in Middle School). Anyway, this week he will be "Schnuppern" the High School that he will go to next year. He is excited for next year and I think Bailey and he will enjoy being back together again in the same school.

Mia will also be in "High School" next year (GULP!!!). Her little 10 year old self will be passing the halls with 18 year olds - YIKES. Camden had to do the same thing in 5th grade, but for some reason having my youngest in the same situation makes it really weird. She also is "Schnuppern" this week. I dropped her off (she wanted me to come with her) - and that is when I realized how little she looks in a sea of 5th through 12th graders. It is so funny to me how fast time flies. I literally remember bringing her on her first day of German School and thinking that the 4th graders looked so big compared to the 1st graders. Now, we are here once again, but this time looking at how big the 12th graders are compared to the 5th graders. I will have the entire summer to get used to the idea - which is definitely a good thing :-) The idea of Schnuppern is actually quite nice - it lets them visualize what their year will be like and hopefully make the 1st day of school a bit less scary. So glad for the Schnuppern Tag!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the great Moms that I know! Especially to my Mom, who is always up for an adventure, always positive, and always a great sport! I love you!!!

Congratulations Mia!!!

After a year full of studying and tests, we got the official word that Mia qualifies for the Gymnasium (the school that is on the university track in Germany). She has really had to work hard. I am so proud of her, especially because she has had to do almost all of the learning, memorizing, and really just about everything on her own. I can't edit her papers, I can't help her with forming the past participle of the German perfect tense. I can't help her to conjugate irregular verbs. I can't correct her when she makes a mistake in her speaking. I can't really help her with much at all - She has really had to do it all by herself.  More than likely, we won't be here long enough for her to attend a German University (which pretty much stinks - because it is an excellent education and best of all it is free!). And of course, just because you are accepted to the Gymnasium, it does not guarantee your spot anyway - you can always get moved down to a lower school if you don't keep your grades up. For now atleast though, I know she will receive a very high level education and we could not be more happy for her. Congratulations Xuey!!! Your hard work paid off!

I smile when I see her art work - definitely a gift from her birth family :-)

10 years old!!!! Happy Birthday Mia!

Mia celebrated 10 years this weekend! I can't even believe that my youngest is 10 years old! She was so excited for her birthday. She didn't have school on Friday - so she and I drove to Bamberg and had one of her best friends stay over with us there. The next day we went to Playmobil Fun Park and the girls had such a fun time. The great thing about Playmobil is that there are no rides - instead it is all interactive and the the kids must use their imaginations to really enjoy the place.  On Sunday, we celebrated as a family and had cupcakes, presents, and Doners for dinner (her choice :-)).  I cannot even imagine our lives without Mia. She is so kind, gentle, and caring. She definitely makes me a better person and I am so unbelievably grateful to be her Mom. She is my little "sticker" (because we are always together) - I adore her beyond words!!! Happy Birthday sweet Xuey!!!

These 2 had so much fun!

Lots of cool things to do...

Her friend "locked her up" in the dungeon :-)

They peddaled bikes to sqirt the boaters...

There was a playmobil "dud ranch" and they had to "rope the cattle"

And they could sift for gems in the mine...

a little boat paddling...

and pirate ship ...

yes - gotta love the liability (or lack of) paddling on slippery wood, standing up, and no life jackets (it wasn't very deep, but still I always chuckle at the differences :-))

They have an enormous indoor section of the park too, where they have a huge indoor playground and all of the playmobil toys you can image (you can even build your own person for a euro :-)

So many pieces everywhere , but everything is washed daily, so it is extremely clean and so much fun for the kids

The only bad thing is that no one wants to leave their spot in fear of the next kids coming by and "messing up" their creations 

tons of possibilities!

I wanted to move in to this place :-)

Happy Birthday sweet Mia!!

We love you so much!

Can't even believe that you are 10!!!