Life, Love and Laughter: October 2014

Six Years!

Hannie, I can't believe that we have been a family for six years now. It feels like you have always been ours. That day six years ago seems like a different lifetime when a scared , quiet little girl was placed in our arms. Today you are a happy, bright, kind, compassionate and caring young lady. You are an awesome big sister and have been amazing as you help Gracie adjust to being home. We are so proud of you and so thankful that you are our daughter.

Grace

Grace and Hannah

Valentine's Day

Gracie's first Valentine's Day was pretty low key. Her daycare doesn't do Valentine's day parties so she distributed a few valentines but that was about it. When she got home though, there was a holiday box from Grandma and Grandpa on the porch. Inside was candy, cards, toys, stickers, books and movies. She loved it all! It was so much fun watching Hannah show her what everything was and her candy too. :)

Gracie's Baptism

We baptized Gracie On Sunday, February 9, 2014. We were a little worried that she might be overwhelmed since she hasn't been home very long. They wanted to do a full immersion baptism but we said no because we couldn't really explain to her what she would need to do. She also doesn't like being wet and cold. Even though we just did the sprinkling rite, she wasn't thrilled but she did ok.

It was a nice mass and my friend Patty from work was one of the soloist. :) Beautiful voice. We asked Margie and Lee to be her godparents. Very thankful such good friends are there for our girl. Grandma and Grandpa, Matt and Lisa and Ken were there too.

Afterward, we went to Anthony's Homeport. Gracie was fine during brunch but had a major meltdown when Hannie went home with Nora to play. She was so out of control that I had to physically bend her to put her in the car. The way she was carrying on, I am surprised no one called the police to report a kidnapping in progress!

Gracie, on your baptism day, we pray:

Dearest Father in Heaven,
Bless this child and bless this day Of new beginnings.
Smile upon this child And surround this child, Lord, With the soft mantle of your love.
Teach this child to follow in your footsteps,
And to live life in the ways of Love, faith, hope and charity.

Amen

St Michael Church

Gracie on her baptism day

Margie, Gracie, Hannah, Nora and Lee

Hannah and Grace

Matt, Grandpa, Hannah, Grandma, Mommy, Grace, Daddy and Lisa

Grandpa, Dad, Grandma, Hannah, Mom, Grace, Lisa and Ken

Father Jim

Grace Belen

First Snow

Gracie has been dying for it to snow. She has seen lots of snow in Christmas movies and Hannah has been telling her all about snow since she got home.

After a week of reports of impending snow, it finally snows the morning of Gracie's baptism. Only problem is it is warming up fast and there is no way it is going to be there after church. So, I did what any good mom would do and let the girls go out in the backyard in their pajamas so that Gracie and Hannah could build a snowman. :)

Grace loved the snow. The snowman wasn't too bad for her first try either!

Cinderella

Hannah tried out and won a part in her school's musical, Cinderella. She played the part of one of the mice. Although she had fun doing the play with her friends, I think she has changed her mind about a career in theatre. Apparently, you have to wait a long time and stay quiet back stage before you go on. And all you get to say is a couple of lines.

She did a great job and was a the cutest mouse in the bunch!

Gracie's First Trip to the Ocean

We went to Portland for the Martin Luther King Holiday and stayed at the Edgefield Hotel in Troutdale. The girls loved the room and the big soaking pool although not the walk to the pool in the January night air.

The weather was great on Saturday so we went down to Seaside to show Gracie the ocean. She really liked the sand and after watching Hannah peal off her shoes and socks and run for the water, she decided against wearing the boots mommy brought, pealed off her socks and shoes too and ran for the surf with her big sister.

Her excitement lasted about 5 seconds. As soon as her toes touched the cold water, she came running back in tears. After drying her off and putting on her socks and boots, she tried it again and this time liked the water a whole lot better. :) Although she liked the water, she decided Hannah could play by herself and that she would play in the sand. So Mom and Gracie went to buy some sand toys and then we settled in to play in the sand.

So fun to see the girls making memories together and Gracie's reaction when she saw the ocean for the first time.