Life With Janaa

Today was Janaa's first field trip.  She went to see butterflies.  There couldn't have been anything more perfect for her.  Because they often carpool she had to take her booster seat as well, but thankfully she ended up on the minibus instead.

When she got home she had to make a note for her teacher.  While Janaa hates to color, she loves to stamp.  So, Mrs. Gauer's "note" is stamps. She told me what to write then she looked at mine and copied it on her paper. It was so sweet.  There is no way I could've taught kindergarten, but I do understand why mom loved it so much.  Kids are just too precious at that age. 

The following photo is Janaa's reenactment of Mulan.  

Saturday was, my nice, Reese's 3rd birthday.  It doesn't seem like 3 years have passed since we met our first little niece.  She was so tiny and precious.  Now! She is funny, quick and full of life.  

We spent yesterday at Lazy 5 Ranch with family and friends eating cupcakes and visiting all the animals....MUCH better than the zoo last week. We actually saw the rhino.  Reese gets her love of animals honestly.

I love some of the photos with Reese and Janaa. They are so cute together. Just like sisters they'll be arguing one minute and holding hands the next.  I hope they grow up to be best friends.

Last week Brent was in Dalton, GA for the week on business.  So, Janaa and I did our thing for the week, but then he got stuck and extra day...we headed to the zoo. Now, if you know me well you know that I do not care much for animals and have always disliked the zoo. But, how can you not like the zoo when you have a child?  Seriously something has to change, right?  Not so!!!!!

The NC Zoo is so huge and the animals if they're out are hard to see.  After growing up in Thailand where you ride elephants, pet giraffes and eat beside tigers the NC Zoo doesn't off a lot of excitement. Janaa was not thrilled with the elephants that looked to be 3 feet tall or the "dots" of rhinos 2 miles out in the field.  I have to hand it Chiang Mai, Thailand...They even made a non-animal girl like myself enjoy the wonder of the wild. 

With that said it was a humorous day.  Janaa is always cute and funny not matter the situation. Her reaction to the lack of animals was great. As we approached an exhibit she would say, "Do you think this one is actually going to be in there?"  As we found it laying down she would say, "Humm, do all the Animals in America just lay there?"  

We did have a wonder hike though and my navigator was amazing.  I would not go back without her...Speaking of going back. Brent came home Monday and informed us that his company was having a family day at the zoo and we could all get in FREE!  I guess I'll have to break my tradition of only going to the zoo every decade. 

I'm finally getting around to uploading some videos.  Some from our trip and others from our time at home. They are great reminders of the past and all the Lord has blessed us with.  I hope you enjoy watching for the first time or reminiscing with us.

I know this must sound strange, but we're still working on getting Janaa's adoption papers. I finally was able to meet with someone at the courthouse a couple of weeks ago.  After a year of confusion and refusals to accept our paperwork the State has now decided to accept the papers they originally denied. I do not know of anyone who has had this kind of trouble before. It's been crazy. So, now it's back to the lawyers to sign more papers then waiting for official documents. 

We have been so blessed to have awesome lawyers through this.  We are an exceptionally unique case and they have bent over backwards learning new things and pressing people find the information that we need.  Our prayer is that by her "gotcha day" we'll have her papers.  

Janaa is still loving school. This week she studied B, T and F.  She is picking up her Spanish lessons well and loves playing with all of her new classmates.  She has started AWANA and is thrilled to be a Spark this year...They are so much older.