We Did It!!

Yes, it was scary! Look at all these people in between us and mom & dad...

But we were brave...

And we did it! Click on collage to enlarge

Mom and Dad were so proud of us. They were so far away, but we joined in, found our mark, and even danced!! The scariest part was when they left us in line, but we kept an eye on them and had many friends around to protect and comfort us. No smiles, this was serious stuff, and we were adamant about staying on our mark (left, center pic), but we felt so good for dancing, especially when it was over. We're taking a break for the rest of the summer, but we'll dance some more this Fall, it's very fun! Hugs and Kisses to Grandma D. & B., Uncle Mike, Aunt Cyrena, Uncle Tom, & Jade for coming to see our first dance performance. We know it wasn't cheap to get in (mom said). Thanks for supporting us!

Then we got to relax and enjoy the rest of the day at Raging Waters- big smiles now! We had a blast! We especially liked riding the waves in the large wave pool and floating down the Lazy River. Mom was surprised when we went head first down the orange slide (camera was put away by them). We enjoyed watching our brothers go down the big slides. Very fun day!

Football, Scout Camp, and finally... Dance Class (Girl Stuff!)

Sage (new half smile while winking) ready for her first dress rehearsal. They're performing at Raging Water's this week-end and wear their swimsuit under their dance costume (explains the outfit).

Like the "dancers do"- slicked back in a bun? First time I've done it, even without attending the hair clinic class they offered (can't believe all that's involved in a little dance class :). Anyway, it looked adorable and nobody would guess that less then a year ago they had the stylish shaved orphanage hairdo.

Preview of their dance getup

Sophie (left) and Sage with their fun and helpful dance partner. S and S are the smallest ones in the class and the older girls are so helpful and cute with them. They still get nervous, but they join in and run back to me every chance they get. Wish us luck, hope they dance this Saturday and don't get too scared (they have made sure I am in full sight throughout their practices so this might be interesting if they can't see me at the performance)

No frills here, what boy wouldn't want to hang out with their buddies in the mountains? I chaperoned Trevor and his den to Scout Day Camp this week. They had a great time and man, did they get dirty (Trevor second from left)

Go Trev!

Go white! Josh #15

Sidelines-
S & S quietly watching the game... Ya Right-- too busy having fun with Kirk and Trevor. Good thing they brought their backpacks, you never know when you might need something :)

This weeks FFFF is "Play Ball", this works, to see more click on Loving Lydia

4th at the Gorge

We celebrated the 4th of July at beautiful Flaming Gorge- what a blast! (pun intended) It's something we used to do every July, but it's a first with our girls. We need to make it a tradition again, such a gorgeous and fun place to be.
Sophie and Sage saw their first firework show in Dutch John (unfortunately, they don't do it over the lake anymore), but this wasn't bad, for a small town. It was perfect for the girls first fireworks. They loved it, their eyes lit up with each new blast- they especially liked the red, white, and blue ones. Sophie didn't like the loud booms, but it didn't take long for her to get used to the noise and enjoy the show. They enjoyed watching it with their brothers.
Nick & Josh were such a big help- on the boat and at camp, not only with the girls but setting up, breaking down, docking the boat, you name it. They thought it was cool when a nearby camper offered them $10 to help unload their stuff- it was so hot!! Way to pitch in and help out! It's great to see how much they've grown, last time we were here they were too young to help much and didn't like skiing yet.
They also earned a wakeboard from Mom & Dad. We promised them one when they conquer slalom skiing, and they did it. Give them a challenge and they'll keep trying until they get it. I had to show the pictures of their first time slaloming (that's a word?)! Proud of our boys!
Sophie and Sage were thrilled to travel and play with their family. They enjoyed playing with Trev at the beach, eating their first dutch oven meal (they loved the cooked carrots), sleeping in a tent (again), swimming, and rock climbing/jumping with the family. Camping has never been so fun, although I was ready for a nice warm shower when we got home and couldn't wait to clean up my girls!
I'm so thankful for this beautiful country we live in and for those before us who led the way and fought for our freedom! I'm also happy to give this to our girls.
Happy Independence Day

Happy B-day Trevor

Trevor turned 9 today, he is an awesome big brother!

Had a fun pirate pool party...

Should we get him?

He liked his new Spiderman suit,

and so did I (Sage), pretty scary huh?

Grandma D. came the next day to wish him a happy B-Day

Happy Birthday Trevor, we love you!! ~ S & S

Pre-school Update

First day of pre-school

Sophie and Sage have been going to pre-school for a few weeks now, and they're doing very well. Their awesome teacher is so impressed with them. They get a bit nervous when I drop them off, but they know I'll be back soon. After hugs and kisses, they make sure I watch them walk all the way down the stairs, then they put a smile on their face and walk in with a cheerful "Hello!", to let everyone know they're here. When I pick them up, they are so proud of themselves and excitedly announce- "I did it, Sophie did it!" (or "Sage did it"). They are treasures and truly want to please, as scary as it might be for them, they get so proud of themselves with each new obstacle they face. I'm so thankful for a loving, caring teacher for their first pre-school experience.

Their deep fears are slowly fading but not totally gone, probably won't be completely gone for some time- understandable. As prepared as I try to be, sometimes it brings tears to my eyes to think of them scared and alone, and not being able to comfort them for so long. Yesterday, when I picked them up from pre-school, their teacher was concerned and told me they had a small meltdown... After talking to her and the girls, I know what happened. She turned out the lights and closed the blinds to show them part of a movie and both girls started crying (first time since day 1 of pre-school, hmm... the dark has never bothered them before). After talking to the girls, I know it must have triggered a memory from their past- nighttime, orphanage... Being their with a group of other children, lights out, etc. Most likely thinking they were left once again. She said they let her comfort them, thank goodness, but they were truly scared.

My heart goes out to them, but they are troopers and survivors and I'm so proud of them!

Fun in the Sun

Our little fish, Sophie and Sage, can't get enough of the water, they love it, whether it's a lake, pool, or just the bathtub! They would stay out all day if I let them. It's the first thing they ask for when they wake up and the last thing they want to do before bed. I have enjoyed swimming with my girls- great summer bonding. Sophie is in flower suit, Sage in blue.

They were found!

I can't help but think about this today...
Four years ago to the date, our precious little girls were carefully set out to be found. They were bundled up and placed in a busy area of Xin Yi City. They were dressed warm, but there was no note... after the medical exam, it was determined they were approximately 1 month old and their birthday was estimated to be May 18, 2003. They spent their next 3 years in the Xin Yi Orphanage (way too long, but they were waiting for us), where they were loved and cared for the best they could. Here's some new orphanage pics...

Sophie and Sage eating rice in Orphanage

Going through backpack I sent them

Here's Sweet Sophie and Sage today, they have been home for 10 months now, we're so glad they're a part of our family and they have had each other since day 1!!

On the day before Mother's Day, our family honored the girls birth mother. We lit a red candle and wrote letters to her, I put them in a book to give to our girls later in life.

Sophie and Sage have 3 big brothers that love them to pieces, Nick was out of town when pic was taken. I don't think they would mind sharing part of what they wrote...

Part of what Nick wrote... "they are really cool and I'm glad we could adopt them. They made our family a lot funner!"
Josh wrote... "I love them like they were our birth sisters. I know that you want the best for them and I just want you to know that they are very happy here. I love them just like you and I know how hard it was for you to give them up, but I'm glad you did anyway. Our family loves them very much and will take good care of them.
Trevor didn't quite know what to write, but it started like this...To Sophie and Sage's birth mom, We adopted your old daughters (made me laugh), and then he said how fun they are and how much he loves them :)

Such happy and smart girls! They are busy little girls and turning into little ladies. Sophie and Sage have made our family complete and I can't express the joy they have brought to our home and the love we have for them!!

Legacy of an Adopted Child
Once there were two women
who never knew each other
One you do not remember
the other you call Mother
Two different lives
shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star
the other became your sun
the first one gave you life
and the second taught you to live it
the first gave you a need for love
the second was there to give it
One gave you nationality
the other gave you a name
One gave you a talent
The other gave you aim
One gave you emotions
the other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile
the other dried your tears
One sought for you a home that she could not provide
the other prayed for a child
and her hope was not denied
And now you ask me
through your tears the age old question
Unanswered through the years
Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?
Neither my darling
Neither
Just two different kinds of Love

Author Unknown

Lake Powell~ Bullfrog side

Been about 6 years since I've slept in a tent (air mattress a must!). It was so nice sleeping on the shore of Lake Powell, enjoying "dogs" & S'mores over a campfire, and introducing the desert night sky to S & S, exuberant stars. The weather was perfect and the lake was like bath water. Our future slalom girls loved being pulled on the tube, playing on the rock beach, and sleeping next to us in the tent. I loved hearing their giggles, watching them fall asleep in my arms while sight seeing the lake, and seeing their face light up to each new thing (campfire, riding in tube, watching Trevor jump into lake off rock...). They are great little travelers and have so much fun with their brothers. Magical times.

We did face a few snags... Our poor boat took a beating on this trip. On the way down, the travel cover flew off the boat, ripping out all the snaps, and taking out the side mirror of the car behind us- Oops. Then, on the lake, the back lounge deck cover gave in- great! When we were heading back to the Marina, we helped a stranded jet skier and her jet ski hit our boat, leaving a nice fortunately small crack in the back of our boat. What can you do? It could've been a lot worse and was still worth it all. We made it home safe and sound and had a blast! Now with a few minor repairs to do before we go out again.

Sunday Drive to the Lake

Beautiful "Silver Lake"

S & S pushing mom off trail

Sage mesmerized by the water

Notice Sage holding on Dad for dear life :) left corner

Nick taking care of sis

Hiking up to lake- mom & Sophie

Stunning Twin Lakes

Dead tired

(Josh layed down, then they all joined :)

We had a delightful time at the lake... after a nice Sunday stroll around Silver Lake, we found a new trail and took the unexpected treacherous mile hike up the mountain to a lake (reservoir) we've never seen- Twin Lake Reservoir. It was stunning and worth hiking the steep terrain, except flip flops don't make great hiking shoes (I didn't plan this :). The girls were troopers and enjoyed it all, of course they got to ride- Dad & Nick carried them on their shoulders most the way up the mountain and half way down. Nick was such a great help and such an awesome brother, they sure enjoy having sisters!

Love these pleasant, peaceful Sundays

Spotted this moose on the way back, we also saw a Mink & the girls loved the Chipmunk eating a nut

Paul took most of these pics

4 Year Old Pictures

Sage

Sophie

I like candid shots best, but we just had to get professional pictures for their birthday. Sophie and Sage were so mellow in the studio, the photographer commented on how easy going they are, not realizing how apprehensive they were. The girls kept asking me to get in the picture with them, they did relax after awhile and we got some scrumptious smiles, especially from Sage :)

I've hardley had time to check my computer lately, let alone blog. It's been a good busy though. Sophie and Sage are doing well and are such a joy!! They had their last gymnastics class last week (Little Gym). They came so far in that class... They started getting excited each week to go to Little Gym and loved their last class, showing off what they had learned to parents. (pictures coming)
They started pre-school today (I think I cried more then the girls, not in front of them of course), and they started a fun dance class yesterday. Sounds like a lot, but it's spread out and it's so good for them. They were nervous at first, but joined right in and did very well! It's simply adorable!

Plus, my camera's on the fritz... especially sad because I got it in China. Yeh, I'm hard on camera's. I break it in, use it, and apparently abuse it it's been dropped a few times, but it was used tons... My husband just walked in with an early birthday present, A new camera!! Isn't he the best? I love it, get ready for some great pictures, as soon as I update all the pictures I must share from old one. He looked for a shock proof one, but this one takes better pictures, so I'll just have to be extra careful!! Extended Warranty? I just need more hands:)