Our Little Corner of the World

Beautiful story, Kristen. You have a gift of words...

2012-01-30T19:14:00.446-08:00

Beautiful story, Kristen. You have a gift of words, and a clarity of expression that melts my heart. Phoebe will cherish these pieces someday, and you should be so proud of the wonderful mother you are.

Love to you all - Keri

The pictures are great - the girls look adorable! ...

2011-05-31T19:20:49.843-07:00

The pictures are great - the girls look adorable! I'm so jealous that you live so close to the beach - what a wonderful thing! Thank you for the 123 Magic review. Craig and I watched the videos several years ago and then didn't stick with it. I think I'll be setting down with the kids tomorrow night for a lesson and get started again! Keep it up - I wish I had!

Oh Kristen, I feel your pain regarding the inconsi...

2011-04-10T20:46:23.079-07:00

Oh Kristen, I feel your pain regarding the inconsistent sleep routine. It's so hard. As I type this, I am watching James & Georgea on the video monitor, as he puts her down. We finally moved from lying next to her in her bed to sitting in a chair next to the bed...but she still needs to hold hands in order to fall asleep. She is sleeping through tne night again (for now) about 75% of the time, so I feel like I can't complain. And, I completely agree regarding Senior prom, which by the way, is going to be here in the blink of an eye.

I love the sweetness between Miranda and Phoebe. What a wonderful big sister Miranda is.

I have to encourage you regarding Phoebe's speech...wow! We are still "begging" 3-5 word sentences out of Georgea. Her language is so delayed. When I read this post and hear more of what kiddos close to G's age are saying and how well they are communicating, it amazes me. We'll get there. I'm so glad Phoebe is chatting up a storm, that's awesome.

Thanks for sharing your heart, and your beautiful girls.

Amy

Oh your sweet, sweet Miranda! Such empathy from a...

2011-04-10T18:10:19.048-07:00

Oh your sweet, sweet Miranda! Such empathy from a 3 1/2 year old! What a treasure. As for your family bed - you know you have my sympathies. I often mourn our loss of "normalcy" - I honestly didn't know I wasn't signing up for normal - how naive of me! I'm reading Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child and it gives such insight into the "stress shape brain" of our traumatized kiddos. I'll also be trying neurofeedback with Kyra - often successful in calming the brain for anxiety and sleep issues. There is hope! Meanwhile, Phoebe sounds too cute for words!!! (Kyra is also moody- I'm not so sure it isn't still adoption related - just not being able to use their brain to self-regulate).
I LOVE Phoebe's conversation with the Dr. : )

This all sounds so wonderful Kristen! I love the...

2011-01-15T16:11:59.711-08:00

This all sounds so wonderful Kristen! I love the ballet class - how wonderful that they have each other!

You and Mark are doing an awesome job of raising t...

2010-11-10T14:20:52.089-08:00

You and Mark are doing an awesome job of raising two toddlers/preschoolers - one bio,one adopted. A combination that must surely add to the already puzzling job of parenting. As soon as you mentioned Phoebe's fears increasing in Oct. - I have to say that on top of all the changes she had - I also wonder how much Halloween plays in to it. There's no escaping Halloween if you're anywhere outside your home it seems and both of my kids' fears increased this Oct. with even Kyra asking me to check her bedroom and even in the potty! for monsters!!! At any rate, it sounds like you and Mark handled it all beautifully and the girls looked awesome at the museum! I loved watching them participate in the character writing activity!

I love this post Kristen. I walk the tightrope so...

2010-11-09T21:08:45.591-08:00

I love this post Kristen. I walk the tightrope so often...trying to figure out what is causing Georgea's actions and often over analyzing. It's hard, isn't it? You guys are doing an amazing job at parenting both of your girls. Thanks for sharing your heart.

Amy

Happiness is two beautiful little girls and a beau...

2010-08-27T19:56:20.827-07:00

Happiness is two beautiful little girls and a beautiful summer! Looks like you've arrived!

Love this post. Love everything about it, especia...

2010-08-20T20:29:04.791-07:00

Love this post. Love everything about it, especially the close. Good stuff. Here's to an equally wonderful fall!

So happy for you! Glad to hear Phoebe is doing so ...

2010-05-25T05:06:02.964-07:00

So happy for you! Glad to hear Phoebe is doing so well. We are on our forever family journey as well ... But only on week 3 at home :) good luck with the move. -Beth

You've done an awesome job in this past year!

2010-05-24T19:44:56.148-07:00

You've done an awesome job in this past year!

Whooo!!! Congratulations to all of you. One great ...

2010-04-07T12:21:23.499-07:00

Whooo!!! Congratulations to all of you. One great looking family!

What a beautiful, beautiful ceremony! You were wi...

2010-03-19T13:35:08.320-07:00

What a beautiful, beautiful ceremony! You were wise to wait until this summer so she could really enjoy it. I'm so happy that you and Phoebe have bonded. I wondered how it would all go with a bio. child so close in age and it all sounds perfect. I wondered if I would ever love another child the way I loved Kyra - especially when I was surprised with a boy - but I am so completely in love with him. I do love those matching dresses on your two cuties though!!!

Sorry we missed it, but it looks like it was a bea...

2010-03-19T09:14:54.956-07:00

Sorry we missed it, but it looks like it was a beautiful day.

Your girls look like the best of friends. So swee...

2010-03-11T15:09:30.696-08:00

Your girls look like the best of friends. So sweet!

Happy birthday Phoebe!! Amy

2010-02-28T08:48:34.872-08:00

Happy birthday Phoebe!!

Amy

What wonderful progress both of your girls are mak...

2010-02-13T04:54:50.224-08:00

What wonderful progress both of your girls are making! So sweet to see them together - you sound like a fun, happy well adjusted family!
You've done a lot of hard work as a parent and it has obviously paid off beautifully!

From one mother to another - I totally get it! We ...

2010-02-12T21:05:34.447-08:00

From one mother to another - I totally get it! We met our daughter in China the same time you did, it is amazing to watch them grow up!

PS-- Blogspot is making crazy-- No matter what I d...

2010-02-07T18:22:45.807-08:00

PS-- Blogspot is making crazy-- No matter what I do, I can't get the right spaces between the paragraphs. . .Gr. . .

You're a good mommy and daddy! I like this me...

2010-01-23T15:31:23.857-08:00

You're a good mommy and daddy! I like this method!

How wonderful for Miranda to be such a well adjust...

2010-01-12T03:34:17.092-08:00

How wonderful for Miranda to be such a well adjusted and happy little girl. So independent, confident and grown up! I pray that Phoebe will find those independent, confident feelings soon. She can learn from watching her big sister.

Sounds like a wonderful family holiday. I'm s...

2009-12-30T06:53:21.645-08:00

Sounds like a wonderful family holiday. I'm so happy for Phoebe's amazing progress - it truly is amazing what a nurturing loving environment can do for a child. What a beautiful family you have.

What wonderful joy!

2009-11-27T04:55:58.450-08:00

What wonderful joy!

ADORABLE!!! she is fabulous...you are all so bless...

2009-11-26T18:28:13.932-08:00

ADORABLE!!! she is fabulous...you are all so blessed

What heartbreaking stories! It is hard to rememb...

2009-11-09T05:25:45.321-08:00

What heartbreaking stories! It is hard to remember they're still so fragile - I've been reminded with Liam on several occasions as well - even though I've only left him with his father! Kisses and hugs to both your lovely babes.