Thursday, June 25, 2009

Disney and Re-adopt


























































































We got back from Disney several days ago and took a few days to unwind before I updated the blog and talked about the great vacation we had. I also have become slack about posting even more so because I figure I don't even know if people still read this stuff or not. Either way at least we know the girls could read this when they get older and remember some of the experiences they had.
Disney was a great trip. Lennah is at that age where she gets things and loved going on rides and meeting the characters. She became fixated on the Dumbo ride which of course is one of the longest waits in Disney but we sucked it up and did it.
The first part of our trip was spent with me catching up with family that I had not seen in many years since they had moved to Florida quite some time ago and we all lost touch so that was nice getting to see them. We also spent our first day at Disney at Blizzard Beach. This first day was interesting because I guess I should rebuke the claim that no one reads our blog because at the kiddie area a lady approaches me and tells me she reads our blog. It turns out that her little girl was from an orphanage called Kien Gang in Vietnam and she had read our blog because she read the Crow Family's blog who traveled with us. I thought that was pretty cool. You never know who you may run into or meet hundreds of miles from home.
Everyday we had some sort of character meal which Delylah was not fond of at first. She would shake her head and yell no when the characters approached her. She eventually got over her shyness and fear and by the end of the trip was hugging them good-bye like her big sister was doing.
We had a great trip the only problem with going with little ones is bed time. Try being cramped in one room at night and trying to get both kids to bed (not an enjoyable part of traveling).
We cannot wait to take a trip like this again when the kids are bigger and will actually remember the trip. We know when all was said and spent it was so worth it to see the big grin on Lennah's face when she experienced a ride or met a new character.

Today was a big day because we officially re-adopted Delylah. In Ethiopia the adoption of your child takes place before you actually meet them so you have to re-adopt in order for them to become a citizen and to change their name. So today we had our day in court and Delylah officially because Delylah Aviella Paulsen.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Wedding and Get Togethers


















































We have been super busy the past few days. On Thursday we were fortunate enough to get together with our adoption agency from Delylah's adoption and the other Illien families. It was a great night and I actually enjoyed an Ethiopian dinner (food wise) for the first time. The girls had a blast playing with the other kids and it was great getting to meet some people for the first time and seeing old friends. It is a blessing that so many families are so near that have also experienced an adoption from Ethiopia. I wish there were more local Vietnamese families and right now with the shut down it does not look like there will be many more families in our area any time soon.

Secondly we had a wedding yesterday and Lennah was the flower girl or at least supposed to be the flower girl. Friday night we went to the rehearsal dinner and Lennah did a great job of walking down the aisle so I assumed all would go off without a hitch last night. Well, Lennah skipped her nap and that made her cranky and super tired from all the excitement the past few days. She started crying when it was time to make her grand appearance and mommy had to come and at least try to save the day. Well needless to say she never walked the aisle and I missed the whole ceremony at one of my best friend's weddings. Ahhh the joys of the terrible twos. All was not a total loss because Lennah looked absolutely adorable and everyone loved seeing her all dressed up. Since she was so tired she didn't even make it through dinner and feel asleep through the whole reception.




















Saturday, May 16, 2009

Sisters
















I usually just don't throw up random posts any more because our lives are hectic but I have just been so happy at the way Lennah and Delylah have been playing together lately I thought I would share. They now play together by chasing each other around the house. Lennah demands that she gives Delylah a hug and kiss before Delylah goes to bed. Occassionally Lennah will share that is something we still have to work on here and there but they have finally gotten the hang of being sisters. Yesterday I was in Kohl's with the kids and Lennah and Delylah were in the double stroller and Lennah kept pointing at Delylah and telling everyone in the store that she was her sister. It was too cute. It is just so much fun to watch them playing together.