Our 3rd Family Day

December 1, 2004

Three years ago today we drove up to Detroit International Airport to meet Andrew for the first time. It was one of the most amazing, emotional days of my life. Each year we celebrate our family day on December 1. We have made a trip to Chuck E Cheese part of our annual celebration. We also make airplane cookies each year and watch Andrew's homecoming video. It's amazing to look at the pictures of our past Family days and see how much our little guy has changed.

December 1, 2005

December 1, 2006

December 1, 2007

We started our family day with a trip to IHOP for breakfast. Andrew and Meghan LOVE IHOP and go there on their "daddy day" outings with Mark. So, they were excited to go with the whole family. Aaron was less excited-IHOP was right in the middle of his normal AM nap. So, I spent most of breakfast holding him and trying to keep him from annoying all of the other diners. After breakfast we drove to Chuck E Cheese and the kids had a ball. Aaron slept through the entire experience! We came home for lunch and had airplane cookies for dessert. After naps, we watched Andrew's homecoming video. He was very interested in his video this year. He has really been piecing together his story and asks a lot of questions about his adoption lately. I got weepy just watching the video-I can still remember how intense that day was and how excited and scared we were to finally become parents to this amazing little boy.

I will be uploading lots more pictures to our shutterfly account soon: http://andrewandmeghan.shutterfly.com/action/

3 years ago today. . .

• I taught my last chemistry classes at U of Akron
• Mark and I spent our last evening/night together as a family of 2
• I took for granted the luxury of an ininterupted conversation or a meal I didn't have to share
• I wondered why "those parents" in Walmart couldn't control their screaming kids in the checkout aisle.
• I didn't even know who the Wiggles were!
• Had never heard of the island of Sodor and couldn't name a train other than Thomas.
• I had never put holes in the knees of my jeans-I have now ruined at least 3 pairs from all the floortime!
• I never could have imagined hosting a family "poo poo party." Or being so excited about poop in the potty!
• I didn't know the joys that first words, smiles, steps, etc would bring
• I had forgotten nearly all nursery rhymes and childhood songs and how much fun they are
• I had no idea how much fun I could have kicking a ball in the yard, playing at the playground, digging in the sandbox, etc.
• I had no idea we would have SO MANY changes in 3 short years.

I have been feeling really sentimental today. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the day we first met Andrew and became parents. I am simply overwhelmed by the blessing God gave us in Andrew and then God chose to bless us with Meghan and Aaron as well! I can remember during the spring of 2004 we wondered if we would ever be parents, now we are parenting 3 little ones!

In less than 3 years we have had 3 addresses, Mark has had 3 different jobs, I have left a career, and we have added 3 children to our family. How's that for a busy 2.5 years! Each of those things has been a blessing in its own way, but I think we're hoping for a little less excitement in the next 3 years!

Today Andrew, Meghan and I baked our annual airplane, heart and house cookies to eat tomorrow in celebration of our family day. The extra "help" in the kitchen definitely slowed the process, but they are baked at least. I'm going to frost them after bedtime. We're going to celebrate our family day with breakfast at IHOP-the kids' favorite restaurant. We'll then go to Chuck E Cheese to play-we have done that each year for Family Day. The kids will be in heaven!