Memorial Day/Betsy's 1st Trip to Point Mallard

Betsy crying because she does not want to get in the pool.

We had alot of fun Memorial Day, and have been busy enjoying our summer! I love this time of year:) I enjoy having the kids home, and going to the pool. We went to my parents house Memorial Day. They have an above ground pool with a deck around one side. The kids love going to Nana and Papa's...especially during the summer! Betsy was not too excited about the pool at first(as you can tell by the first picture). She gradually got in, and ended up having a blast! She did not want to get out. The entire process from crying not wanting to get in to actually getting in and having fun took about 45 min. She is like that about everything. She is cautious at first, but when decides to do something she is in it all the way! The day after Memorial Day my mother came for a visit, and we all went to Point Mallard Water Park. We always buy season passes to Point Mallard. It is only about 20 minutes from our house. The kids love it! I was curious to see what Betsy would do. She loved it, but again had to take it in slowly. She is learning something new everyday. A little over a week ago she started telling me NO to just about everything! She is getting better though. It's almost like she just wants to see if she can get away with it! She has also started using the word "because" alot. She loves to talk and I can tell she really wants to tell some really big long stories, but just doesn't have the vocabulary for it yet. Thankfully, for now anyway, she doesn't seem to be frustrated by it. She is such a joy...a little sweetie!

Big sis Ellie trying to tell her it will be fun.

She's really thinking about it!

There she goes...not ready yet.

Betsy decided to come back and sit down by Henry.

She's out again...needed a little drink!

Betsy's still thinking about the pool while enjoying some time with Nana.

Finally! Didn't get a picture of her getting in...I think I had given up!

Having so much FUN!!

Getting in at Point Mallard's "Duck Pond" with Nana and Ellie holding her hands.

Swinging...not too high though! She said..."just a little bit".

I love these sweet babies:)

Betsy and Henry...two little fish!

Ready for a nap!

Random Pictures...Trying to Catch-Up...Will I Ever?

Well, it's been almost two weeks since my last post...I think. Anyway, I am trying to get caught up on my posting. I'm not sure if that will ever happen, but I am at least making an effort. On May 18, 2011 we went for our second visit to the International Adoption Clinic. We had a good, (but long) time there. We were there a little over three hours! The first person we saw was the Behavioral Therepist. She kept on saying how great Betsy was doing. She said she was very pleased with how well she is adjusting. We still have had no sleep issues, which I believe is a miracle. I thank God everyday for how well she is doing. The therepist said not to be surprised if Betsy starts to have some  behavior issues now that we have been home for several weeks , and is learning her boundries. She definately "tests the waters". I am trying to be firm, but loving. To be honest some days it is hard! She is learning so much...she is a very smart little girl. Her English is getting better and better. It seems like she is learning something new everyday. She is mostly putting 2-3 words together right now...not many full sentences. She will say..."Hello Mama, how you doing?" (I think she says it a million times a day!) She is losing her Chinese a little everyday too. It is sad to me. Some things that she would only say in Chinese she will now only say in English. She will say"Brush your teeth", "Betsy take a bath", and "Mama be right back...just a minute"....she is so cute! Betsy loves her brothers and sister. She also loves to boss everyone around...especially Henry;) Sometimes he lets her, sometimes he doesn't! haha While we were at the clinic we also saw the Developmental Therepist. She sat down with Betsy and got her to string beads together, copy shapes that she drew, put different shaped blocks in a box...matching the shapes as she went along, and picture read a book with her. She was very encouraging and said Betsy is above the average internationally adopted child her age. The therepist gave me some good teaching tips to help Betsy in areas where she is delayed. In some areas she does things on a three year old level, most areas she is about like a four year old, but alot of things are right on target for her age(which is five). I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before, but at Betsy's orphanage the Half the Sky organization came in 2007 and really made some great changes. The therepists along with Dr. Kiser, one of the clinics physicians, said this was one of the main reasons Betsy was transitioning well. They said it also explains why her delays are minimal. She had alot of individual care and attention. After the last therepist left Dr. Kiser came in and talked to us for a few minutes, then sent us to have labwork done. Betsy had an ultrasound and had about seven vials of blood taken. Let me just say she doesn't like needles! She cried and cried and Todd and I both had to hold her still. I felt so sorry for her. This was at the end of a very long visit!! We got through, and went to McDonald's.:) We will go back for a six month visit. I am so thankful for this precious little girl. She is awesome! We are having so much fun with her. She is very energetic, funny, and much louder than anyone else at our house(except maybe Hugh!) haha We feel so blessed that the Lord allowed us to be her parents. I look at her and just can't believe we have her with us. We are truly thankful!

Betsy's second visit to the IAC.

Waiting for Dr. Kiser.

Betsy and Ba Ba(daddy) coloring while we wait.



Hugh with his friends at Field Day...Cole, Colby, and Hirueya.



Hugh at the Karate station.

Ellie running a relay race...almost there!

Tug-of-War...go Ellie go!!

Ellie and her sweet friend Lily.

First swim of the season goes to Hugh. He went to a friends B'day party.

Henry and Betsy...he's going along with it, but not sure if he has a choice!

Sweet babies:)

Ellie and me after Awards Day. All the fifth graders gave their moms roses. Ellie bought it with her own money...it was a surprise:)

Ellie loves being a big sister to Betsy.