Sunrise, Sunset

Mary Austin graduated from Hand in Hand.

I have such mixed emotions and while Jane has 2 more years there it has been such a big part of our lives (and checkbook) since 2004.

Hand in Hand is the early learning program based out of our local UCP.

The program includes children of all abilities and they were fabulous with Mary Austin when she first arrived home. When I had to go back to work, they took the plan given by the IAC and ran with it. From physical therapy to following attachment guidelines they never acted like it was extra work for them. It made going back to work so much easier for me and Mary Austin.

In turn, she loved school and thrived in the environment.

I am excited for her next adventure but I will always be grateful to the wonderful staff at Hand in Hand. They will always have a special place in my heart.

Thank you is just not enough!

In her graduation finery!


Receiving her diploma from Ms Tammy



Good friends!

Mae, Sarah Kaye and Gaston

Mae and Sara with Ms. Lindsey

One last picture of the "3 amigos"!

Kumbaya...

We had a great time at Camp Cosby! I went to serve as one of the camp nurses for the week and Mary Austin got to come with me. We were worried about how she would do but true to form she was a trooper. When we drove into camp and passed under the sign she said "oh mommy, I am so excited I think balloons may burst out of my head!" She LOVED it in part because she was with "growny" girls as in 7 and 8. Her cabin was Natchez and everyday they did fun things like ride horses, swim, and arts and crafts with the Pathfinder boys. Her favorite was horses and the blob in the lake (a big jumping blow up thing). She performed in the talent show by doing a round-off and charmed the CITS. Every time I saw her she was riding on someone's back! By the end of the week she was worn out as was I! Being camp nurse is a 24 hour duty job kind of like being a mom but to nearly 200 kids + counselors!

We can't wait to go back!

Mary Austin with her cabin and counselors.

Counselors L to R: Maddie, John and Stephie

I wonder....

what she is pondering?

Mae Day

was celebrated by going to the restaurant of her choice.

We got lucky and she chose Chinese.

One year she chose McDonalds and I did a terrible, horrible no good thing.

I told her that McDonalds burned down.

In my defense we ended up at a "higher scale" fast food place where she did indeed get to eat her cheeseburger!

This year I would have sucked it up and gone to McDonalds.

Thankfully her taste buds have matured.

The opposite sisters

I look at this photo and see a fleeting glimpse

of what she will look like all grown up.

A letter* to Mary Austin...

Mary Austin,

Five years ago you joined our family and made us complete. It seems like just yesterday that we were in China; yet, I cannot remember life before you. I am so proud of the girl that you have become. You are just the right amount of sweet and sassy. You adore your baby sister. You have declared that one day you will adopt a baby from China.

This year you started K5 and you are thriving. You love your teachers and have made new friends. So far, you have had perfect behavior - never once moving from the green light. Everyday you come home with new knowledge and a new library book.

You now ride your bike without training wheels and are in Rec 5/6 in gymnastics. You can do a cartwheel, round-off, back bend, back walkover, handstand forward roll, split leaps on the beam and tons more! You are swimming like a fish but you did not like swimming laps during swim lessons. You declared that next summer you wanted to take "diver team".

You are learning to read and know your phone number, address, city and state. You also write your full name with no help on spelling! You and I also spent a week at Camp Cosby. You did had so much fun and never once asked to stay with me in the nurses cabin.

Daddy and I love you so much and thank God everyday for the miracle of you.

Before I knew your name,

Before I saw your chin and your nose,

Before I counted your fingers and toes,

I asked heaven for someone as wonderful as you,

And ever prayer and wish came true.

I dreamed of you...Before I knew your name.

--Bob Carlisle

**written September 1, 2009

5 years ago today...

we became a family.

Defying gravity...

Mary Austin style!

My Litte Mermaid

Jane's hot pink goggles.

THE goggles.

The nearly $20 goggles because she is allergic to latex.

Umm.. yeah it took me 2 swim lessons to figure that out!

Even mermaids play peek-a-boo!

We spent the 4th...

outdoors in the North Carolina mountains!

We explored waterfalls

and

braved the extremely frigid waters of

Sliding Rock!

Jane would not turn around for the camera.

We were kind of high up and she is afraid of heights.

Jane Harris, Mommy is so very sorry that you got this fear from me!

I promise it will get better but you will most likely never skydive!

Mae on the other hand has no fears!
Except monsters and "bad guys".

Mae and I going down Sliding Rock.

Tripp and Jane at the top

at the bottom about to plunge into very cold water.

I think I remember the sign saying the water temp was 55-60 degrees.

Trying to catch their breath at the bottom!

Jane Harris loved it and wanted to go again; Mary Austin notsomuch!

What a wonderful sight...

to see!

Children who spent the week playing and worshiping

instead of watching TV!

Note the really cool tie dyes they have on!

Each child got to make a shirt!

While the parents were away...

Each morning at Kanuga

the girls met their friends and counselors

at the "litte red schoolhouse"

they swam
did arts and crafts

made fun new friends

got to eat ice cream

I love this picture!

It looks like Jane is saying "back off Lucas I was here first"

Sister is SERIOUS about her ice cream!

and had fun with their couselors and

fearless staff!

Can you tell Mary Austin LOVED this place!??!!