We Are Back!!

We had a wonderful time in Southern California! While we were gone, it was over 100 degrees in Turlock! We left town just in time! Hannah did great at my parent's home! She even gave my Mom a couple of hugs! My Dad received a couple of high fives; men still make Hannah nervous. The only time that she flipped out was when my Mom asked her to try on a jacket. I was already holding her, but she leapt further onto me, clung to me for dear life, buried her head in my shoulder and screamed bloody murder. Needless to say, we put the jacket away. 

My Mom took us to see the Terra Cotta Warriors displayed at the Bowers Museum. The exhibit was very well done. Each of us received an audio telephone-like gadget at the beginning of the tour. The audio was very informative. The details on warriors were spectacular! The workmanship was incredible! We also visited with my Uncle and my cousin and her two year old little girl. In addition, we enjoyed the pool in my parents subdivision. All our children enjoyed the water. We did have to tell Hannah not to drink the water. Inside I am sure she must be thinking, "What all this water and I can't drink it? What a waste!"

Hannah turned two on July 12. We celebrated early at my parent's home with cake and candles. Hannah seemed to know exactly what to do with the candles though she has seen us blow them out. She could not stand to rip the wrapping paper off of her present. We tried to encourage her, but she just really could not bring herself to tear paper. She was quite upset. Obviously, she has received some sort of instruction in her past about tearing paper which gives us insight as to why a just turned two year old can read paper book without tearing a page. Once we got the paper off, she was delighted with her gifts.

After a few days, we, then, drove down to Del Mar and enjoyed time with Dan's side of the family. We had the third annual Davies/McClellan/Renfro Reunion. We love visiting with everyone and catching up on the year! All the children have grown tremendously. We basically turn into beach bums for several days. The Davies family all tan; the McClellans and the Renfros seem to fry. We snorkeled, belly boarded, and got sand all over everything. 

Hannah did not fair so well during our time at the beach. All the people wanting to touch her and give her attention made her nervous. We chose not to celebrate her birthday again so as not to give her more unwanted attention. I don't think other people noticed how nervous she was, but we did. Lots of scratching. All things considered, a good time was had by all.

Our children now speak this half English half Chinese language. At my parents house, Nicholas was asking for something and none of us understood what he was saying. As he repeated what he was saying to us, he was getting more and more frustrated that no one understood what he was saying, as the frustration level was growing, the volume was growing, and words began to smear together. This is what it sounded like to us: "I'DLIKEASHAODONUT!!I'DLIKEASHAODONUT!!!!!" We were each muttering this phrase when it dawns on one of the kids that he was using the Chinese word for small and that all he wanted was a small donut. We laughed over that, but I don't think Nicholas thought it was too funny.

On July 14, Nathaniel lost his two bottom teeth. The first one came out while he was eating an apple. He couldn't find the tooth so we think he probably swallowed it. The second one came out while we were talking, and he was fiddling with it. We can hardly tell that he lost his teeth because the permanent teeth are already half grown in. He also can swim; he just can't quite admit it yet.  While in Del Mar, he was madly swimming away in the baby pool and I said, "Oh, look, Nathaniel, you can swim. Let's do it in the big pool." He replied, "I know I can swim, I just don't want to do it in the big pool." We did swim yesterday and I convinced  him to swim in the pool over the steps where he can stand up. I am sure that by the end of the summer he'll be swimming! 

My friend left today to go bring her daughter home from China. I am so excited for her and her family! God has blessed me through her friendship. We have journeyed together this past year to our daughters. She has offered me much advice and support; this is their third China adoption. Plus, they have four boys just like us. I can't wait to meet their newest daughter who is just a few months older than our Hannah. Please pray for them: safe travels--she travel with her sister and 4 year old daughter, that their new daughter will adjust well, that her hubby and children will do well without Mom.