Apparently, there is someone at our house who didn't get the memo... 
you know, the really important one.
We arrived a few minutes early. 
Look at her checking out her new school peeps as they came into the classroom. I hung in the back of the classroom for the first 10 minutes or so. And took a few pictures, of course. I know, I know. A bit much. It runs in the family. All the pictures and all. My sister is guilty of following the school bus in her mini van on her daughter's first day of school...videotaping the entire ride. Yep, I'm talking about you, Jenn. I'm not that bad. O.k., maybe I am. Just a little.
When I picked her up two hours later, she was ALL smiles.
Her teachers said that she had a perfect first day of school.
You really are my {little} big girl!
She never forgets to say thank you.
Even for the little things.
I love that about her.
"I believe in my ability to succeed." 
Parent teacher conferences today. For us, that meant a day without school! It took a bit of bribing to coax them into a trip to one of my favorite parks for a few photos. All of them, especially the boys, moaned and pecked and harassed one another the entire way there. 
Out of about 150 pictures, I think Sophie looked towards the camera once. O.K. maybe twice. Nathan managed a few tricks. Like throwing her into the air from a kneeling position. He doesn't have big guns for nothin' people. Those strong muscles come in handy in situations like these. Continuous shooting mode and fast shutter speed for me. And we managed. A few :)
Some of the pictures are darker than I would have liked. But I hoping once I learn a little about post processing, I can fix these up .
The only one who will hold still long enough for me to figure out my spot metering. She's always happy to pose for a few pictures. Although, I don't think she realized I was taking her picture here. I absolutely LOVE the colors!
Here's a good goofy face courtesy of Miss Mei. This is what almost all of the pictures looked like.
This picture makes me laugh so hard. I didn't tell them to hold hands. But they did. Sorta. If you look closely, Jessie and Nate have Christian and Michael by the arms. Basically pulling them down the way. As fast as possible. To end the misery :) 
This one is good for a chuckle too. Notice Jessie's scowl directed towards Nate. He is oblivious that anything is wrong. Sophie's just a chill'in. Finally. With her favorite person, Nate. And of course the "boys" are just about on the verge of hysteria. So, so typical...
Was it worth a few burgers and fries at McDonalds? I think so.
Another photography assignment is due today. I think what I am learning most by taking this class is that I really don't have a clue :) Sophie is a fairly willing subject. Most of the time. Especially if treats are involved. You'll note the sucker. This week the assignment was to take a photo with "layers". A photo that says something about someone. I decided to take some photos of Sophie wearing her "dancing dress". She loves clothes. Any clothes. But she particularly LOVES girly clothes. Saturday mornings when Jessie has a dance competition, Jessie will hang her costumes in the doorway of our hall as we are getting ready to leave. Sophie is quick to bring her "costume" to me, so I can hang it in the doorway with Jessie's. 
I've always been a counter. A time counter in particular. I guess it's a way for me to see progress. To see where we've been. To reflect. To celebrate our successes and recognize our mistakes. To recommit and look with hope towards the future. I'm nostalgic that way. I always have been. Just ask my hubby. I am known to frequently pose questions such as "Do you remember what today is?" And he will usually humor me and try his best to recall what it is he has most likely forgotten :) We call these situations "love-tests" at our house. Sometimes he remembers. Sometimes he doesn't. It's o.k. I'll remember for the both of us :) "Kimmy-time" he calls it. 
Anyway, the nostalgia is here again today. It is an anniversary of sorts. One year, one month and twenty-one days. Four hundred sixteen days to be exact. What does this time mark you ask? Four hundred sixteen days marks the time that Sophie spent alone in an orphanage in China. Alone. She endured much during that time. More that I will ever fully comprehend, I'm sure.
Today, four hundred sixteen days later. Time is equal. From this day on, she will have been with us longer than she was alone in China. Sure, time doesn't erase all things. Nor would I ever want to to take all of that from her. Not at all. I pray that she grows feeling a sense of pride for the country of her birth. Proud of the culture and ancient, honored traditions. I hope that she will, in time, embrace all the wonderful and good things of China. I know that I will do all I can to ensure that she does. 
But I would erase the sadness, the loneliness, the hunger and the pain. And anything else that may have hurt her little heart during that time. She is amazingly strong, and oh, so brave.
So today, in the words of my friend Ellie, today you are "more ours". I really don't think we could love you more, Sophie. You are our daughter. 
And I feel so blessed. 
