The picnic

Sunday afternoon...  the house is (eerily) quiet.  Hubs and I are dozing on the couch downstairs.  I go upstairs to survey the damage   check on the kids.   This is what I find:

A Memorial Day picnic, complete with guests, tablecloths, and food. It must be a family reunion of some sort, since the dinosaur family is seated together!

Some of the pandas came, too.  

The hostess, pleased as punch with her party planning. :)

The graduates

We've had a busy and emotional few weeks.  Sarah (our youngest) graduated from kindergarten.

And Justin, our oldest, graduated from high school.  

(Bragging mom alert!) Justin graduated with high honors, was selected for the Academic All State soccer team, was awarded the Sterling Scholar for computer science, and received scholarships to several universities.

We couldn't be prouder of both of our graduates.  :)

6,150 miles (give or take a few)

At least once a year we try to send photos of Sarah to New Day Foster Home (on the outskirts of Beijing).  Sarah spent almost all of her "babyhood" at New Day, and was lovingly cared for by New Day staff and also by her sweet foster parents. These are the photos I sent a month ago:

 Frosty the Snowman dance costume

 First day of school.  Sarah's expression is classic.  She really is large and in charge in every way.  

Christmas card 2012

 Chinese New Year 2013

And yesterday, I was THRILLED to receive these photos of Sarah's foster parents seeing the photos.  They work (or own?) a small bakery.  Seriously, the photos just made my day/week/month.   :)

We had the amazing opportunity to meet this couple when we visited New Day.  

This one especially just melts my heart every time.  I'm sure they are reacting to the photo of Sarah, hands on hips, ready for anything.  
Love, love, love it!!  Priceless.   A picture speaks a thousand words, and we are so thankful for this connection!!