Friday, August 19, 2016
August 10, 2016. Luke's Gotcha Day!
Oh, baby! It's been 4 years! We were finalizing your adoption in China together 4 years ago! I love you!
Gotcha Day is the day we celebrate your adoption. Mommy likes to talk about China, and our time together in China! What a gift you and I have been given! You and I went to dinner at our favorite pizza restaurant. We have fun solving the puzzles and riddles on the butcher-block paper. You were so excited that you told the waitress, "It's Adoption Day!" After pizza, we went to Graeter's for ice cream! You had Raspberry Chocolate Chip and I had Mint Chocolate Chip. You wanted to sit outside on the benches! We had a great Gotcha Day!
Gotcha Day is the day we celebrate your adoption. Mommy likes to talk about China, and our time together in China! What a gift you and I have been given! You and I went to dinner at our favorite pizza restaurant. We have fun solving the puzzles and riddles on the butcher-block paper. You were so excited that you told the waitress, "It's Adoption Day!" After pizza, we went to Graeter's for ice cream! You had Raspberry Chocolate Chip and I had Mint Chocolate Chip. You wanted to sit outside on the benches! We had a great Gotcha Day!
July 2016. Time for Summer Vacation!
It's time to go to North Carolina again! We get so excited for this vacation! Aunt Gerry said that you had grown taller! Aunt Gerry bought you a lightning bug flashlight. She also bought us tickets for the Grasshoppers baseball game. The game was on Independence Day, July 4. We had so much fun eating hot dogs and blue snow cones! I was a little worried about the fireworks because you had never watched a big fireworks show before, and it was going to be very loud! You loved it and Mommy had worried for nothing! Jenna and Matt spent the 4th in Chicago, and we would see them in a few days.
The next day, we drove out to the country to meet Aunt Gerry's friends, Miss Kay and Mr. Les. They took us to a tractor festival, and we loved it! We ate funnel cakes and ice cream! You actually milked a cow, rode on a train, and drove on a tractor with Miss Kay! What a great day for us!
Jenna and Matt are back from Chicago, and up to the mountains we go! We all looked for gems in Blowing Rock and went to Mast General in Valle Crucis! We all had a bottle of Peach Soda, and thought it was the most delicious soda ever! You played putt-putt golf with Jenna and Matt, and climbed the climber at the Rec Center. Aunt Gerry took all of us to Kilwin's for ice cream. She bought you the coolest tee shirt with seven scoops of ice cream! Mommy bought you a red snowboard shirt from Fred's on Beech Mountain. We wish our family vacation would last forever! We are blessed!
The next day, we drove out to the country to meet Aunt Gerry's friends, Miss Kay and Mr. Les. They took us to a tractor festival, and we loved it! We ate funnel cakes and ice cream! You actually milked a cow, rode on a train, and drove on a tractor with Miss Kay! What a great day for us!
Jenna and Matt are back from Chicago, and up to the mountains we go! We all looked for gems in Blowing Rock and went to Mast General in Valle Crucis! We all had a bottle of Peach Soda, and thought it was the most delicious soda ever! You played putt-putt golf with Jenna and Matt, and climbed the climber at the Rec Center. Aunt Gerry took all of us to Kilwin's for ice cream. She bought you the coolest tee shirt with seven scoops of ice cream! Mommy bought you a red snowboard shirt from Fred's on Beech Mountain. We wish our family vacation would last forever! We are blessed!
May 8, 2016. Happy Mother's Day!
I had a lovely Mother's Day this year! You painted pink flowers on a ceramic tile ...It's really my favorite gift ever! Grandma sent a beautiful flower arrangement for the back deck. She always signs your name! Thank you, Grandma.
Happy Easter, 2016!
This is the second Easter in our new house! We have lived in our house for just a little over a year. Your getting so big, Luke! You are 5 years old now. I'm so proud of you! We went to the chocolate store a few days before Easter, and Mommy took your picture with the Easter Bunny! We bought some chocolates in pretty flower foils for Grandma!
On Easter Saturday, we went to church for The Blessing of the Easter Basket Mass! After the Blessing, we went to an Easter Egg Hunt on the field next to church. You were so excited, and it was a beautiful, sunny day! During the Easter Egg Hunt, a little boy dropped his basket, and his eggs rolled everywhere. You stopped, put your basket down, and started picking up the little boy's eggs. You were helping him fill his basket back up! It was a very kind thing to do, Luke! You are such a kind person! A parent came up to you after the Easter Egg Hunt and said, "I saw what you did and I want to tell you that not everyone would have done what you did!" He was right, Luke. Not everyone would have stopped to help a child during an Easter Egg Hunt, but you did! I am so proud of you!
The Easter Bunny came to our house the next morning! He filled your basket with chocolate coins, foil ladybugs, and foil bumble bees. He gave you a beautiful chocolate bunny! He gave you a nightlight with a little boy saying a prayer! The Easter Bunny gave you a soft, brown bunny rabbit! Grandma gave you yellow truck pajamas and orange tiger pajamas! Thank you, Grandma!
A couple of weeks later, you and I attended Kindergarten Screening at church. You and I were both so excited ...Kindergarten is right around the corner!
On Easter Saturday, we went to church for The Blessing of the Easter Basket Mass! After the Blessing, we went to an Easter Egg Hunt on the field next to church. You were so excited, and it was a beautiful, sunny day! During the Easter Egg Hunt, a little boy dropped his basket, and his eggs rolled everywhere. You stopped, put your basket down, and started picking up the little boy's eggs. You were helping him fill his basket back up! It was a very kind thing to do, Luke! You are such a kind person! A parent came up to you after the Easter Egg Hunt and said, "I saw what you did and I want to tell you that not everyone would have done what you did!" He was right, Luke. Not everyone would have stopped to help a child during an Easter Egg Hunt, but you did! I am so proud of you!
The Easter Bunny came to our house the next morning! He filled your basket with chocolate coins, foil ladybugs, and foil bumble bees. He gave you a beautiful chocolate bunny! He gave you a nightlight with a little boy saying a prayer! The Easter Bunny gave you a soft, brown bunny rabbit! Grandma gave you yellow truck pajamas and orange tiger pajamas! Thank you, Grandma!
A couple of weeks later, you and I attended Kindergarten Screening at church. You and I were both so excited ...Kindergarten is right around the corner!
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
December 25, 2015. Christmas in Our New Home!
This was our first Christmas together in our new home! Wow, Luke, it was just wonderful! You and I were very excited about everything to do with Christmas! We bought our first Christmas tree the day before Thanksgiving. You and I went to several stores in order to look at all the trees... Mommy wanted to make sure I bought the prettiest tree for our new home! After looking at all of the trees, we decided we liked the one at the hardware store the best! You were so excited... We both were! We bought a lot of new lights and a lot of new ribbon to hang around our new tree! We found ribbon that looked like candy canes, and we bought a lot of it because we were so excited! We stayed up very late the night before Thanksgiving because we were just so excited!
Thanksgiving is at Aunt Sandy and Uncle Joe's house every year. We picked up Grandma, and drove over to spend the day with everyone! Koko and Bob celebrate Thanksgiving with us every year... What a treat! You had so much fun, as always! We have so much to be thankful for, Luke. You and I are truly blessed! You and I got our Christmas tree out of the box before bed... We were just so excited! We watched the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie, and went to sleep!
We decorated the tree in our new home for the rest of Thanksgiving weekend! It looked so beautiful! Mommy took a lot of pictures because we were both very proud of our Christmas tree! You had just started a NEW PRESCHOOL in our neighborhood! It took a while for Mommy to find your new school in our new neighborhood, but it was well worth every minute of the search! Again, we are very blessed, son! Mommy actually attended this very school as a preschooler! Thank goodness it was still such a wonderful school, with such wonderful teachers, after all these years!
Koko and Bob came over to celebrate Christmas with us before they left town, and Grandma came with them. We stayed in and ordered pizza, because you had a double ear infection. You usually got one of those per year. You didn't let it stop you from having fun with Koko and Bob, and you liked telling them about your 'double ear!' Koko gave you 2 great long-sleeve shirts, and a lot of great dinosaurs! Koko always knows just what you love!
The next day, you had your annual check-up with the Orthopedic Surgeon at Cincinnati Children's. On the way to the Orthopedic Department, you and I were walking down a very busy and very crowded hallway. We ran into Carrie, your nurse during surgery, and during the first 6 months of your treatment. Mommy visited with her for a few minutes, and told her what a wonderful young boy that you've grown to be. We were blessed to have Carrie and Marcia as your nurses back then! What a blessing to run into Carrie in that crowded hallway, in that crowded Children's Hospital! Would you believe it if I told you that the same thing happened last year?
We spent Christmas Eve Day at Aunt Sandy and Uncle Joe's house. Mommy bought you a book of paper airplanes to put together. Cousin Justin helped you fold the airplane, and you loved it! Uncle Joe made a binder for you to keep your drawings and 'your work!' You loved it, and you loved spending the day with your family. Aunt Sandy and Uncle Joe gave you a fun game called "Zingo!" and Legos that light up! Later that evening, we all went to Aunt Cathy's for her party! Santa always comes to that party! You have so much fun climbing up and down the stairs, playing with all the other boys and girls, eating all of the treats! Santa gave you a wooden train for painting and you really loved it! We got home so late... We put an iced cookie out for Santa, and read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. You put on your new "Grinch" Christmas Pajamas before going to bed. It was late!
The next morning, we opened stockings before going to get Grandma. In your stocking were two wooden musical egg shakers, straws, a chocolate Santa, and snowman chocolate squares. You were so excited for Grandma to spend Christmas Day at our new house! You were excited that it was her Birthday, too! Santa brought you a Razor Cruiser Scooter this year! He brought you two containers for your lunchbox, and a Mickey Mouse Candy-cane figurine. Aunt Gerry sent you a fun snowman Christmas stocking, a dancing elf, and a note telling you that Highlights Magazine would be on the way, in the mailbox soon! Grandma gave you a Playdough Fun Factory, Pirate Legos, The Polar Express movie and Fireman Legos. We had a wonderful day! Merry Christmas, Baby! I love you!
Thanksgiving is at Aunt Sandy and Uncle Joe's house every year. We picked up Grandma, and drove over to spend the day with everyone! Koko and Bob celebrate Thanksgiving with us every year... What a treat! You had so much fun, as always! We have so much to be thankful for, Luke. You and I are truly blessed! You and I got our Christmas tree out of the box before bed... We were just so excited! We watched the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie, and went to sleep!
We decorated the tree in our new home for the rest of Thanksgiving weekend! It looked so beautiful! Mommy took a lot of pictures because we were both very proud of our Christmas tree! You had just started a NEW PRESCHOOL in our neighborhood! It took a while for Mommy to find your new school in our new neighborhood, but it was well worth every minute of the search! Again, we are very blessed, son! Mommy actually attended this very school as a preschooler! Thank goodness it was still such a wonderful school, with such wonderful teachers, after all these years!
Koko and Bob came over to celebrate Christmas with us before they left town, and Grandma came with them. We stayed in and ordered pizza, because you had a double ear infection. You usually got one of those per year. You didn't let it stop you from having fun with Koko and Bob, and you liked telling them about your 'double ear!' Koko gave you 2 great long-sleeve shirts, and a lot of great dinosaurs! Koko always knows just what you love!
The next day, you had your annual check-up with the Orthopedic Surgeon at Cincinnati Children's. On the way to the Orthopedic Department, you and I were walking down a very busy and very crowded hallway. We ran into Carrie, your nurse during surgery, and during the first 6 months of your treatment. Mommy visited with her for a few minutes, and told her what a wonderful young boy that you've grown to be. We were blessed to have Carrie and Marcia as your nurses back then! What a blessing to run into Carrie in that crowded hallway, in that crowded Children's Hospital! Would you believe it if I told you that the same thing happened last year?
We spent Christmas Eve Day at Aunt Sandy and Uncle Joe's house. Mommy bought you a book of paper airplanes to put together. Cousin Justin helped you fold the airplane, and you loved it! Uncle Joe made a binder for you to keep your drawings and 'your work!' You loved it, and you loved spending the day with your family. Aunt Sandy and Uncle Joe gave you a fun game called "Zingo!" and Legos that light up! Later that evening, we all went to Aunt Cathy's for her party! Santa always comes to that party! You have so much fun climbing up and down the stairs, playing with all the other boys and girls, eating all of the treats! Santa gave you a wooden train for painting and you really loved it! We got home so late... We put an iced cookie out for Santa, and read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. You put on your new "Grinch" Christmas Pajamas before going to bed. It was late!
The next morning, we opened stockings before going to get Grandma. In your stocking were two wooden musical egg shakers, straws, a chocolate Santa, and snowman chocolate squares. You were so excited for Grandma to spend Christmas Day at our new house! You were excited that it was her Birthday, too! Santa brought you a Razor Cruiser Scooter this year! He brought you two containers for your lunchbox, and a Mickey Mouse Candy-cane figurine. Aunt Gerry sent you a fun snowman Christmas stocking, a dancing elf, and a note telling you that Highlights Magazine would be on the way, in the mailbox soon! Grandma gave you a Playdough Fun Factory, Pirate Legos, The Polar Express movie and Fireman Legos. We had a wonderful day! Merry Christmas, Baby! I love you!
November 4, 2015. Luke Turns 5!
Happy Birthday, Luke! You are 5 years old, now! I could not be more proud! What a big boy you are growing up to be! I remember the first time I saw your picture... It was your first birthday, and I was living at Grandma's house. You were a baby, still living in China. You and I were "matched" on your first birthday. You and I found each other on your first birthday, four years ago, today! You and I have been a family for always! We are blessed, Luke!
You are having a Curious George Birthday this year... He really is your favorite, hands down, and always has been your favorite! We sent party invitations from Aunt Gerry's house in North Carolina! She helped us gather all the supplies we would need, and you helped Mommy make the invitations. Grandma, Koko and Bob, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Joe, and Aunt Trish and Uncle Jerry were all in attendance for your Curious George 5th Birthday party! We all ate dinner together... Mommy ordered dinner from our favorite Chinese restaurant, near Grandma's house. The owner offered to continue delivering to us in our new house, even though his restaurant was in Grandma's neighborhood. He said we were "good people!" We enjoyed our usual: Egg Rolls, Crab Rangoon (your favorite), Sesame Chicken (Mommy's favorite), Green Pepper Steak, and Fried Rice! Mommy ordered your cake from our favorite bakery, and it was just beautiful... The cake was yellow, with blue and red dots. The writing was red, and the candles were yellow. I bought a wooden Curious George toy for the top of your cake... It was George driving a red go-cart! I had the idea while staying in the Curious George Room at Aunt Gerry's. She has Matt's red go-cart at her house in North Carolina. The bakery was giving free cupcakes to customers in their Halloween costume, because Halloween and your birthday are so close together! We ran out to the car and put your Halloween costume on, so that you could have a cupcake while we picked up your birthday cake! It was a lot of fun!
Everyone was so happy to see you and everyone agreed that you were getting big! Your 5th birthday was the first party in our new house! What a success! Grandma gave you 5 crisp dollar bills in your Birthday card, and the Lion in your Precious Moments Birthday Circus Train. Grandma is always your favorite guest. You are always most happy to see her! Koko and Bob gave you the book, Frozen. The also gave you a beautiful book, Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You. That book came as a set with a stuffed toy panda (your favorite!). How does Koko always know exactly what to give you? The little boy in this book is wearing an orange bucket-hat, exactly like the orange bucket-hat you used to wear every day! It's amazing! He looks just like you! When I read the book to you, I just call the little boy, "Luke!" Aunt Sandy and Uncle Joe gave you a building set of miniature toys. You love this toy, and we build a few miniatures before bed every night!
Aunt Trish and Uncle Jerry may have stolen the show with their gift to you! Aunt Trish bought an Air Force shaving bag, and filled it with every gadget that a young boy could ever dream of! Your favorite toy, without a doubt, was the flashlight in the shape of a bug, that bent in every way possible, to stay on your arm, your fingers, your leg, etc. It was amazing, and you loved it, of course. As if that was not enough, Aunt Trish and Uncle Jerry bought you a junior-sized USAF Flight Suit, just like the grown-up Pilots wear! Honestly, it was amazing! You were a little shy, at that point in the party, and did not put the flight suit on. However, you put the flight suit on about 5 minutes after everyone left our house! You were just so excited... Mommy's words really cannot describe your excitement! It was just a lovely birthday party, Baby! Happy 5th Birthday, Luke! Of course, I love you!
You are having a Curious George Birthday this year... He really is your favorite, hands down, and always has been your favorite! We sent party invitations from Aunt Gerry's house in North Carolina! She helped us gather all the supplies we would need, and you helped Mommy make the invitations. Grandma, Koko and Bob, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Joe, and Aunt Trish and Uncle Jerry were all in attendance for your Curious George 5th Birthday party! We all ate dinner together... Mommy ordered dinner from our favorite Chinese restaurant, near Grandma's house. The owner offered to continue delivering to us in our new house, even though his restaurant was in Grandma's neighborhood. He said we were "good people!" We enjoyed our usual: Egg Rolls, Crab Rangoon (your favorite), Sesame Chicken (Mommy's favorite), Green Pepper Steak, and Fried Rice! Mommy ordered your cake from our favorite bakery, and it was just beautiful... The cake was yellow, with blue and red dots. The writing was red, and the candles were yellow. I bought a wooden Curious George toy for the top of your cake... It was George driving a red go-cart! I had the idea while staying in the Curious George Room at Aunt Gerry's. She has Matt's red go-cart at her house in North Carolina. The bakery was giving free cupcakes to customers in their Halloween costume, because Halloween and your birthday are so close together! We ran out to the car and put your Halloween costume on, so that you could have a cupcake while we picked up your birthday cake! It was a lot of fun!
Everyone was so happy to see you and everyone agreed that you were getting big! Your 5th birthday was the first party in our new house! What a success! Grandma gave you 5 crisp dollar bills in your Birthday card, and the Lion in your Precious Moments Birthday Circus Train. Grandma is always your favorite guest. You are always most happy to see her! Koko and Bob gave you the book, Frozen. The also gave you a beautiful book, Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You. That book came as a set with a stuffed toy panda (your favorite!). How does Koko always know exactly what to give you? The little boy in this book is wearing an orange bucket-hat, exactly like the orange bucket-hat you used to wear every day! It's amazing! He looks just like you! When I read the book to you, I just call the little boy, "Luke!" Aunt Sandy and Uncle Joe gave you a building set of miniature toys. You love this toy, and we build a few miniatures before bed every night!
Aunt Trish and Uncle Jerry may have stolen the show with their gift to you! Aunt Trish bought an Air Force shaving bag, and filled it with every gadget that a young boy could ever dream of! Your favorite toy, without a doubt, was the flashlight in the shape of a bug, that bent in every way possible, to stay on your arm, your fingers, your leg, etc. It was amazing, and you loved it, of course. As if that was not enough, Aunt Trish and Uncle Jerry bought you a junior-sized USAF Flight Suit, just like the grown-up Pilots wear! Honestly, it was amazing! You were a little shy, at that point in the party, and did not put the flight suit on. However, you put the flight suit on about 5 minutes after everyone left our house! You were just so excited... Mommy's words really cannot describe your excitement! It was just a lovely birthday party, Baby! Happy 5th Birthday, Luke! Of course, I love you!
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