Growing Up

Today has been a day filled with mixed emotions. While I am thrilled that my boys are starting school and even more thrilled that they are super excited about it, my heart hurts just a wee bit. It's happening too fast.

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a mom. Ian asks me all the time what I liked to play with when I was a little girl. I loved playing with my dolls, because I could be their mommy. As I grew up, I became more driven, goal oriented. I had a plan. I was going to go to college, get married, work for 2-3 years and then have one boy and one girl (in that order)...all before I was 30. I always planned to work after having children...again...driven.

But, God had other plans for me. I won't bore you with all of the details, but I didn't have children before I was 30 and as a matter of fact, I was only able to conceive one time and that baby is with Jesus. After that, I, again, being goal oriented and driven decided that we were done with all of that nonsense. I convinced everyone, including myself, that I no longer wanted children. But deep down...way deep down, I still longed to be a mommy.

In 2004 at Molly's first birthday party, life changed. We began the paperchase to our baby...to fulfulling my dream of becoming a mommy.

I think about where we were 6 years ago today. We were waiting on pins and needles for a referral of a baby boy from India. We had been on the waiting list for 11 months and my patience was wearing thin. 18 days later, on September 7th, 2006 we saw a itty bitty picture of our baby boy. Five months after that, I held Ian for the first time. I WAS a mommy. Words cannot express my feelings on that day. Those of you who have had children biologically or through the miracle of adoption know this feeling.
 
Three years later....the same feeling when I held Drew for the first time. But, it was different that day. Holding my sweet baby Drew for the first time....I knew our family was complete.

Now, here we are. First day of school. First day of first grade and first day of Pre-K. My babies are growing up. This dream that I had, of being a mommy, is taking flight and slipping away too quickly. I will always be their mommy...but I'd like to keep them little for just a few more seconds. Don't think for a second that my babies are perfect....they are not. Every day they drive me crazy. But....it's a crazy that I love.

I'm still driven, I'm still goal oriented....but most importatly....I'm still a mommy. 

Four Years Old...Drew Austin Quang Conner

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Let's see...where to begin.  Sunday, July 10, 2011 Drew turned 4.  Wow.  It seems so long ago that we were so sad that we missed his first birthday while we waited for the US Consulate's office to say we could travel.  Ooooo...that still infuriates me.  But, I digress.   We together now and that's what matters. 

We had a fun time celebrating.  We had a few close friends over for cake, ice cream and swimming.  As always, it was hotter than hot.  I think officially we hit 107 degrees today in Tulsa.  Even now, at 12:30am on Monday morning, it's still 96 degrees.  HOT is not even the right word. 

Drew had a great day and we're so thankful to have this little bundle of energy and joy in our lives. Drew Austin Quang Conner....we love you more and more each day.  You have completed our family.   Your little eyes dance with excitement and wonder every day.  What a challenge you are.  But, we wouldn't have it any other  way....because that makes you who you are...our Drew. 

What's New

Wow...2 posts in a week...I'm on a roll.  Just a quick update before bed. 

Both kiddos are sleeping soundly right now in their own beds.  That's a topic for another post:)   It has been a eventful few weeks.  As with all families, summers are filled with lots of activities, birthday parties, celebrations, doctor visits, etc.  Our family is no different. 

Ian turned 6 this year (yikes).  At his check up with his pediatrician, he didn't do so well on his hearing test or his vision test.   Being the thorough pediatrician that Dr. Sood is, he recommended following up with our ENT (Dr. Vaidya) and an pediatric optometrist.  So, after my mind stopped swirlling around thinking of all of the possible reasons why he wasn't hearing or seeing well, I made the appointments.  Long story short, he does have significant hearing loss in his right ear.  The doctor said the tube was plugged up with wax and "gunk" and it would need to be removed.  After that, we would re-test his hearing and see if it improved.  If not, we'll do some additional testing.  He had surgery last Thursday to remove the tube.  It was a quick surgery, but Ian was NOT happy waking up at all.  It was rough.  But, we made it through.  We go back to see the doctor on July 25th.  In the mean time, we saw the pediatric optemetrist.  Ian is near sighted and has astigmatism in both eyes.  So, he's now sporting a cool pair of glasses.  He loves them so far. 

Drew....sweet Drew turns 4 this Sunday.  Wow...hard to believe.  He's our dramatic child.  He's a whiner.  Drama, drama, drama.  But, he's so loveable.  We had our dental check ups early in June.  6 months ago, Drew had one cavity and the dentist said we'd just need to keep an eye on it.  This time...my little munchkin has a mouth full of cavities.  So many that he will have to be sedated to have all of the work done.  Lots of crowns, fillings, etc....ON BABY TEETH.  Oh my....with my fear of dentists, it's not going to be fun.  I'm trying really hard not to pass this fear of mine on to my boys.   We are getting a second opinion later this month.  With that much work, I want to know we're doing the right thing.

I've Been a Bad Blogger

I've been a bad, bad blogger. Sorry :(

Now that you've gotten through the year in pictures...here's a little of what's been happening with our family.

It's been over a year since I've blogged. I can't believe it. But here I go again. I'm going to try to blog on a more regular basis.

So much has happened in the past year. Where in the world do I start? I think I'm just going to hit the high points and then I'll post some pictures. It's a start, right?

Last summer, wow...is a blur. We had a great summer. We visited Kansas City for a wedding, the boys got to meet their Uncle Sam for the first time as well as their cousins. It was super cute. Ian thought Kaitlyn looked like a princess in her wedding dress. We stayed at Great Wolf Lodge and LOVED it.

School started in August. Ian was in Kindergarten and Drew...well he was still in the 2 year old class. Why? Because he refused to potty in the bathroom. So, we had battle after battle and then one day...he just got it. He moved to the 3 year old class in January 2011.

Fall seemed to go by quickly. School activities, church fun and times with friends kept us busy. Then the holidays were here. Thanksgiving and Christmas were wonderful.

We had lots of snow at the beginning of 2011. LOTS. The boys loved it. Even though we were couped up in the house for a few days. We were blessed. We never lost power, we were warm and had food to eat.

We decided, shortly after the beginning of the year, to put our house on the market and buy a new home. With first grade rapidly approaching, we knew we needed to be in a different school district. So, the search began.

In late February, we found a new home. We had met with our lender and decided to buy our home and then concentrate on selling our old one. We were listed with Paul Wheeler and the team at Accent Realtors, so we knew we were in good hands. We made an offer and after some back and forth kind of stuff, our offer was accepted. Yippee. Now the craziness began. We ended up moving the weekend before Ian's 6th birthday. Talk about crazy. Moving and trying to plan a birthday party at the same time. Crazy. But, it all turned out well.

Our old house...well we did some much needed repair and it was on the market. Did I met ntion how wonderful Paul Wheeler and the Accent team are? Well...trust me, they are fabulous. Our house was on the market for 27 days and it sold. We were thrilled.

So, now we're settling in to our new home. Ian graduated from Kindergarten. My cousin Jan came for a visit from Kentucky. Charlie had yet another infection in his leg.

Speaking of Charlie....he got his old job back. Again....blessed, I tell you...blessed. He's been back at Fox 23 since Valentine's day and he loves it. :)

This summer is going well. The boys are attending kids kamp at Southpark Christian School. They will start school on August 22nd. We are in the Union Public School district and they will go to Moore elementary. Ian will be in first grade (yikes) and Drew in Pre-K.

We have had our heritage camps already this summer. Vietnam Weekend and India Camp were back to back the 3rd and 4th weekend in June. Geesh...I'm tired.

We hoping to go to Sea World this summer and then to Kansas City over Labor Day. The Cleveland Indians are playing the Kansas City Royals and as we all know....Charlie is a HUGE Cleveland fan. So, we're hoping to see the family again as stay at Great Wolf Lodge.

I'm sure I've left out a ton. As I remember it, I'll post. Thanks for wading through the pics and the post.