Keep Your Sister Safe...

This morning was the girls first day of day camp.  On the ride there, we passed several school buses.  The girls asked if any of those would be their bus.  Since school is year-round here, I told them one might be their bus.  Then I explained that when they ride the school bus, that I would like them to only sit with one another.  Since the bus can be an overwhelming place for kids, and last year we had some issues with MK on the bus, I thought this would best suit each of them to sit together.  So I told them sit together and keep one another safe.

Well, today at camp, MK wanted to venture out and meet people.  Meanwhile, Layla was clinging to her and hitting her anytime she tried to leave her.

She took my conversation about keeping one another safe on the bus to mean that they should never leave one another's side E-V-E-R!

So we had a talk tonight and explained that it is ok for them to play alone with different kids, and then sometimes together.  We also practiced some social skills of how to meet new people and start a conversation.   "Hi, my name is Layla, what is your name?"  "I have four dogs, do you have pets?"  "I like to do arts and crafts, what do you enjoy doing?"

It was really cute reviewing things with them.

I am so in awe of my girls.  Can you believe it's been 10 months?  I mean ONLY 10 MONTHS!  What an impressive difference in the girls.

Tomorrow we see their new primary care doctor.  She comes highly recommended by fellow adoptive parents, and I am hopeful she will be willing to prescribe their medications.

We're absolutely LOVING North Carolina.  It's so great here.  Love the people, love the places, and love having more room to spread out in the new house.

School!

I got to do the most exciting thing today.  For the first time, I got to write down my girls NEW names, and leave their case worker off of the forms!  I enrolled them in school.  This year they will be in Kindergarten and 2nd grade.  They are both very excited.

In our new county, school is year-round.  I think it will be good for the girls to have a little more consistency throughout the year.

Since school doesn't start until July, I enrolled them both in day camp.  Fun activities to keep them engaged and happy.  They are in the same group, which hopefully will not backfire on me.

We also stopped by the library today and got a new library card, and the girls each checked out a book.  So they are happily reading in their rooms right now.

Outside of that... we've just been enjoying the summer and getting settled into the new house.  It's been fun most of the time.

Hope everyone is staying dry in the flood zones, and wet in the drought zones!

They're Adopted

Welcome our girls to the family forever!  I love them so much and I'm so happy to be their moms.  

LAYLA

MAKAYLA

I have so many pictures, but they're on my other laptop.  I will post more occasionally!

Come On Moving Day!!!!

Can I just tell you how excited I am to move?  The girls are out of school, the sun is shining, and I can not wait to get settled into the new house.

This is just such an exciting thing for our whole family.  This morning the girls were stomping around getting ready, and I was thinking about how at the new house they are so far away from our room, so when they get ready it won't sound like a herd of elephants outside of my door.

I am also SO happy they get to have their own "fun" room in the new house.  Their own TV, Futon, Toys, and finally a nice place for their Barbie House to reside.  It's just a dream to let them have some space of their own.  It will also be nice not to watch cartoons every time I turn on the TV.

I am hoping we get a finalization call any day now.  From my understanding the next step was to get the judge's signature.  Hopefully that happens quickly so that we can move on with life.

Anyway, I just needed to write down my excitement!

The girls have been doing VERY well with this transition.  I mean it is just incredible to see all of their progress.  Parenting therapeutically is tough some days... especially for this potty mouthed, opinionated mom with high expectations... but seeing the difference it makes in them... AMAZING!

I will post pictures of the girls as soon as we're finalized.  I can't wait for you all to see their beautiful faces and big bright smiles!

I'm Proud Of You

This morning, I looked in the back seat at my little ladies.  I told them, "Girls, I am so proud of you.  You've done really great this year and we've had a lot of work to do, but you've worked hard and I am so happy with you both!"   Then Layla looked at me and said, "Mommy, I'm proud of you too, you a good mom".  *tear*

Congratulations MK!!!

My very bright little girl has her last day of 1st Grade tomorrow.  I am so proud of her.  The progress she made in these last 10 months is nothing more than astounding.  She is so smart, beautiful, and has become a normal 7 year old kid most days.  She made A/B Honor Roll the ENTIRE school year.  That means I will be forced to deliver on my promise for her to do gymnastics once we move. 

Mommy loves you MK and I am so thrilled to call you my daughter!

Anyone In The Raleigh Area?!?!?

Well, we got a few things set up at the house in Holly Springs, NC.  Our moving truck will be here in VA Monday the 13th and then we will have our bigger pieces of furniture at the new place.  I picked up some Craigslist finds for MK's room, a desk, dresser, and nightstand.  I'm planning to sand it all down and paint it a cool purple color that she picked out.  I want her to feel like she has a fun room to hang out in.

The new house is H-U-G-E!!!  We're just renting it for a year, and then we plan to buy something once we learn the area better and see where we want to live.  So far, I LOVE Holly Springs.  Everyone is kind, helpful, and just over all it has a home-like feel.

So if any of you are in the Raleigh area, please send a comment with your e-mail.  I have to approve all comments, so I will e-mail you then delete the comment so it's not public.

Popping My Orlando Cherry...

What a dirty title...  I'M GOING TO ORLANDO!!!  Not until 2012, but I have enough excitement moving to North Carolina to keep me happy until then!  I will be staying at the Oasis house... so if you're going to be there too... come find me.

Now my plan is as soon as we're moved into the new house, I am walking at least a mile a day.  Hopefully more!  That should go a long way to my eating at home, and loosing some weight.  I hope to be 50lbs lighter by time Orlando rolls around next March.  That means a lot less blogging for me.  MK has committed to being my personal trainer and dietitian.  She is really disciplined so hopefully she can encourage me.  Pretty sad to need a 7 year old to motivate me, but hey... I have to motivate her sometimes too!  :)

So wish me luck!