Finally...some pics!

Here are a few photos to highlight some of our summer so far...despite the weather and our crazy work schedules, we are trying to get in some "fun" time as well!

CAMPING AT MARCO POLO

BOYS JUST BEING SILLY...They thought they looked like twins. Our oldest boys are 21 months apart in age and our youngest children are 8 months apart.

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BEACH DAY...and ALYSSA's EARS ARE PIERECED...too cute!

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FUN DAY AT THE PETTING ZOO and CARNIVAL RIDES

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Now that's a look of pure fun!!!!

International Justice Day

Can we make a difference for social justice around the world? I believe we can. Please watch this video and visit Mocha Club at www.mochaclub.org to be part of a change, a part of empowering people to rise above poverty, disease and hopelessness. Can it be done? Yes it can!

What's been happening....

There has been lots going on since the last time I wrote a "real" update. I'll add photos later but here's a run down of our happenings since the end of June....

*June 17 - Evan's 1 Year Gotcha Day - we went our for a celebration dinner and enjoyed reminiscing about our time in China and all the ups and downs of the last year. What I really enjoy is how much Evan remembers about his life in China and he LOVES to talk about it. He has an amazing memory and we've learned a lot about his daily life in China, things he did with his mama and baba (and his big brother), the kind of toys and food he enjoyed, etc...It has only been in the last couple of months that Evan has started to really feel like he belongs in Canada and with our family. For many, many months he loved China best and loved his mama best. He still talks about China and really wants to go back but we can tell that he is enjoying his new family, his new home and his life here in Canada. We have always been completely open to talking about China, to listening and comforting him when he talked about going back and living with his mama (even though it was heartbreaking to hear) and we are honest with him about why he is with us, that we are so happy we are his parents but also that we understand his connection and love for China and his foster family. He has even started calling me "mama" when before he would immediately correct himself and call me "mommy".

We are feeling much more settled and in a more "normal" relationship with Evan - as opposed to living with a stranger. I love, love, love him and feel like we have a healthy attachment. He has bonded very well with our other kids. It's still a challenge for Chris and Evan - Evan doesn't seem to "need" the attachment with Chris and Chris finds it difficult to attach as well. It's way better now than it was in the beginning. But, that's also the reality of older child adoption sometimes.

Kindergarten Graduation - Alyssa and Evan graduated from Kindergarten. Hard to believe all my kids will be in school next year :-(

Alyssa got her ears pierced - they look adorable! She didn't even flinch...we had used some numbing gel on her ears and she smiled the whole way through.

Dylan and Caleb off to camp - Dylan spent a week at Canoe Cove Christian Camp and had an absolute blast! Caleb is away this week at Camp Seggie. I'm sure he's having just as much fun. Alyssa and Evan and Dylan are at Vacation Bible School this week (in the morning) so that works out well with my work schedule. Not so many hours with a babysitter.

Off camping - our family got to spend 3 days camping - unfortunately I had put my back out and could barely move. The pain was exhausting and made me a tad cranky. Camping isn't much fun when you can't move around. Anyway...the kids did enjoy themselves and it's always a treat to get away for a few days :-)

Life has been busy, busy, busy...Alyssa and Evan are playing soccer this summer and Caleb is playing baseball. Dylan decided not to play organized sports this summer (yes!) but he is attending hockey camps instead. Chris is working 12 hour shifts (nights and days) so that doesn't help with all the driving, scheduling and play time. It's not as much fun to head off to the beach knowing Chris is stuck at work :-)

I am always looking for ways, tips and advice on how to simplify our crazy life and to have time to just chill out with the kids....your advice is welcome!

So...I'll post some photos later tonight.

Hope everyone is having a great summer so far!

Turmoil...

I'm sure all of you have heard about the bankruptcy of Imagine Adoption. Just google it and you'll find tons of stories of families who have been affected all over Canada (approx. 400). We have 7 families here in PEI directly affected. Families are asking for everyone to write letters to their MPs to urge governments to step in and help families complete their adoption processes.

Please visit our PEI adoption site at www.adoptionmatters.info for the latest news and links to important information regarding this.

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For family and friends who check our blog from away....we are all well and I will update on the lastest "MacKinnon" happenings in the next few days.

For now, we are doing whatever we can to offer support for our families here in PEI!

Can we really just sit by????

"Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine and injustice when He could do something about it...but I'm afraid He might ask me the same question." ~ Anonymous

"We are the first generation that can look extreme and stupid poverty in the eye, look across to Africa and elsewhere, and say this and mean it: we have the cash, we have the drugs and we have the science - but do we have the will? Do we have the will to make poverty history? Some say we can't afford to. I say we can't afford not to." - Bono

"Because where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

~ Matthew 6:21 ~

What to say?

No news...nothing much to write. I'm still feeling way down in the dumps but it is refreshing to see actual sunshine. Life is just so weird sometimes.

Anyway...one year ago today we were in China waiting to see if we would get to meet Evan. All the other families received their children on this day but we had to wait because our paperwork wasn't ready. Our actual "gotcha day" anniversary is tomorrow. I seriously can't believe a whole year has gone by since that little tornado joined our family! More pics and updates on him tomorrow to celebrate one year!

There has been TONS of exciting adoption news on PEI lately...we've had a family return home recently with their little one from China, there is a family in China right now, we had 2 families receive referrals from China in the last couple of weeks, we have another family waiting to hear about a referral any day (from China) and we've had a couple of families return from Ethiopia with their new children. That's a lot of happy mommies and daddies!!!

More tomorrow....

There is nothing positive to write...we received the dreaded news this week about the little one we are hoping to adopt. The court date for the child was not successful which means crown wardship (permanent custody) was not granted. At this point, we are not sure why...we don't know if custody was given back to the mother or if another court date was set to fight it out in court. I don't think I ever let myself really think about the court date failing...needless to say, it was a punch in the gut when I was told. I knew I shouldn't get my hopes up but you know what...I'm still naive and believe in the "good". I just assumed in my belief that this situation would turn out "good". It didn't. I don't know what is happening now...I don't know if our chances are over or if it just means another 6-12 months of waiting. If that's what it means, can we do that? And then at the end of that waiting be devestated again? I just don't know...

It's been a difficult week. There are some other issues we are living with, dealing with and trying to sort through with our oldest, oldest son. He is back living with us. That is a HUGE change for us...we are struggling with being supportive for him and trying to hold the rest of the family together.

Well...when it rains it pours. I'm dying for a little sunshine.