Happy Birthday, Zach...!

Our son, Zach, turns 7 today....! We couldn't be prouder of the fine young man (and big brother) he has turned into!

Happy 7th Birthday, Zach!!

then and now.....

A lot has changed in the year since we've been home from China with Bella.....Here is a picture of Bella in China and Bella at home........She is still our lovable little girl, but is changing every day....!!!

"Gotcha".......!!!

One year ago....to the day....Isabella Liang Walnista was placed in our arms for the first time....and in our hearts for a lifetime....!!! To quote the Grateful Dead, "What a long, strange trip it's been'.......We went from making the decision to adopt.....to selecting the agency we would go with....to then determining what country (China was a no brainer for us with Tina's heritage)...to meeting with the social workers....to the paperwork.....Oh...the paperwork......to getting everything in and approved....then, to waiting....and waiting....and waiting...and Waiting...!! We finally got 'the call'...we had been matched with you......We got a couple of picture, limited information, but we knew who you were...and you were waiting for us....and we couldn't wait to meet you......Next came the dates of our travel....more paperwork....shots......do we bring Zach...(yes, and thank god we did...!!)....finally, boarding a plane for a far away, distance land....our journey is underway.......a few anxious days spent in Beijing..meeting other families waiting to meet their little one......onto another plane...another city.....this time, to Nanning...to MEET you for the first time......!! Did we sleep the night before? did we bring enough things? what if she cries when we get here? will she like us? will she be scared...will WE be scared........All of that went out the window when they brought you into the room on April 9th, 2007....and we saw you...held you...for the first time (of many)....You took to us right away and us to you.......we 'got you'......!!! Yes, today is lovingly referred to as 'gotcha day'.......it is the day you get your child....it is a special day for everyone... a day that always will be remembered....be celebrated.......

A year has passed since that day....You are home with us now......Our home...Your home......You have adapted better than we had ever thought..imagined....you adore your big brother, Zachary.....he loves you....we love you........we sit back and watch you grow....watch you develop.....havent you ALWAYS been with us? has it ONLY been one year......we cannot...nor would we want to...imagine life without you.......we may have 'got you' on this day....April ninth....but YOU got US...the first time we held you.......the first time we kissed you....you got us for the rest of your life......and we couldn't be happier....!

this post is dedicated to you, Isabella Liang and Zachary William, for making our lives better....for enriching our lives......for completing our family........We 'got' Zach on April 11th, 2001 and we 'got' Bella on April 9th, 2007........! Last year was a wild and crazy ride....and it only gets better with each passing day.....Both of you continue to amaze us....The world is yours to make what you wish of it...We are here to guide you...support you.....to love you.....the world is YOURS..it is what YOU make of it....You have already made OUR world better......we love you, Bella and Zach.....

These are some of my favorites from China....She ate her way through China, and hasn't stopped since....We will post updated pics to show how much Bella has changed

....Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting.....!!

Zach has been doing karate for a little over a year now, and seems to really enjoy it.....His teacher is EXCELLENT with the kids, and teaches them not only the necessary skills associated with karate, but about being a good person; helping out others; listening to your parents and teachers. It is a great program, and we are happy that Zach enjoys it and is doing well.....Here's a photo that was taken with his karate program....

Bunny pays a visit....

Last year, Easter in China....this year, bunny stops by Mansfield......doesn' get much better......Bella and Zach had fun on their Easter Egg hunt in the backyard....Course, Bella would run past most of the eggs, laughing and giggling....Zach was kind enough to go back and point out 'missed' eggs to his little sister, and they then shared in the 'loot'.....

mmmmmmmmmm Chocolate...!

The ears of the bunny didn't stand a chance..!!!

Never seen snow in Guangxi....

Although this past winter wasn't a fierce one, we did get a few snow storms......Having been born in southern China, Bella had never seen snow ...until this year.....She didn't quite know what to make of it....It was cold....it felt funny......but she had fun with it......She even helped Daddy shovel the driveway one snow storm.......

New friends....

One thing that came out of our trip to China was the new friends that we made....and it wasn't limited to just the people we went to China with.......Carmen traveled to China by herself to bring sweet Jianna home........She had the love and support of her husband and two boys back home, who we now have gotten to know and consider friends.....family.....Steven is almost 11, Michael is almost 16.....We have had the joy of spending time with them and getting to know them.....They have befriended our son Zach, and we are proud to call them our friends.....Michael, love those cartoons....hoping to see them on TV one of these days..Keep pursuing your dream....your passion.......Steven, my hand is still hurting from playing catch with you this past weekend......I know you are a born and bred 'New Yorker', but would love to see you wearing a Red Sox uniform down the road.....Sox are always looking for a good left handed pitcher...!

Guangxi Rocks!!!!!

We thought it would be fun not only to have the girls all in their Chinese outfits (previous picture) but to have them in matching tee shirts.......We got them pink tee shirts that proudly proclaimed "I'm a Guangxi Girl" with their names on the bottom (and their American names, written in Chinese, on the back).....These girls, and our families, will forever be linked....be bonded....due to where they were born....We are lucky and proud to consider the Pagano's....the Trainers....the Benoits....and Sandra....our friends....our family. We hope that we will always remain in touch...Yes, as years past, the visits...the reunions, may taper off due to family commitments.....But we will ALWAYS have China 137.......Nanning....Guangxi province to keep us together....We love you all, and can't wait to see you again....

Guangxi Girls Gone Wild....!!!!

This past weekend we hosted a Guangxi Province reuninon.....As most of you now know, when we went to China (it will be year this April 5th..!), we spent time in Beijing and then headed to the province where our daugther was waiting for us......Isabella was in an orphanage in Laibin, and we flew into Nanning, which is located in the Guangxi province of China...Joining us on that journey were Jacqui and John (who adopted Roma); Nancy and Jimmy (who adopted Laina) and Carmen (who adopted Jianna; her husband, Dante, stayed back home with their two boys, Michael and Steven)...Also joining us on that trip was Sandra (lovingly known as "Peeps" as she was our People and was a HUGE help with all of our families).....this past Saturday, all of the girls (Roma, Laina and Jianna) came to visit us......we had a GREAT time.....we cooked out......spent time together....and just got caught up on everything....it was a nice weekend, that was overdue, and went by too fast.....we had a lot of laughs and memories..Our only regret was that John couldnt make it, as he had a business commitment...he was missed, but we will catch up with him next reunion.....the following pics that I post will be from this past weekend......As you can see, our daughter isn't shy to show a 'little' belly...!! We miss the Guangxi Family already and cant wait til the NEXT reunion!!