Thanks so much for visiting us during our journey, Steve, Allison, Sean, Megan, Ryan and Katelyn!
Home Update
An invisible red thread connects those who are destined
to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance.
The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.
-An Ancient Chinese Belief
We had a great July 4th starting with the Clarkston Parade (Katie enjoyed the floats and didn't seem to mind the many dogs!) while Sean and Megan rode on our neighbor's campaign float (Donna Clancy is running for Springfield Township Clerk). Katie is a lot more comfortable at our house than out visiting...so we relaxed around the house much of the weekend. She has been very giggly and full of smiles while playing. She has also belted out the loudest and highest pitch scream we've ever heard when she first saw our two dogs, even with them at a distance away in another room. The introduction to the dogs will certainly take a few weeks.
She has been talking in Chinese quite a bit, and we have been saying words and phrases in both Chinese and English...and much to our amazement, she has been clearly repeating the English version (and correctly using it later in appropriate situations). When she heard us sing Happy Birthday (to one of our dogs in another room), she repeatedly sung the line "Happy Birthday to me" the rest of the evening. Her English is very clear, and she is remembering the meaning of the words extremely quickly...something we had not expected. She also returns kisses, nose rubs, and high fives.
Ryan seemed very jealous at first (especially when she decided to eat the last piece of his cupcake), but as Katelyn continued to offer him toys, feed him popcorn and chips, and watch videos (Blue Clues is the favorite) with him, the jealousy seemed to fade (we also made sure he got one on one attention from us). Saturday and Sunday were days of the two of them playing together. They had a tea party, cooked meals in the play kitchen together for each other, swam in the kiddy pool, and rode tricycles around the cul de sac. They are now on the same sleep and nap schedule now that jet lag has passed. The two of them are at the exact same learning level, Ryan is about one inch taller and about 4 pounds heavier. You might say they a twins from different mothers! (seems to me that was an old Steve Martin joke).
Just as the Ancient Chinese quote states that we included in our website about the Red Thread, this family of six seems to feel right, like we were always meant to be together...it just took a few years, a lot of paperwork (and fees), and a couple of trips to China!! It was all worthwhile.
