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!