Oops - it's been too long!

Sorry, I have to apologize for not keeping this up!  I had such good intentions when I started this; but, well you know how things can be with 3 kids in the house, one of them a one-year-old, and it being summer.  Enough excuses...

 Alexis has been growing so much in these few months we've had her home.  All the worrying I did after we first got back from China about "how are we going to do this?", "is she ever going to be happy?", and "what does our future hold?".  Well, it was all for nothing!  God has a plan and it is always good.  I am amazed at hoe quickly she has taken to our family and her surroundings, as well as how much she has advanced!  Lexi is walking by herself (mostly because we refuse to hold on to her anymore), starting to feed herself cereal (Cheerios type stuff), and has started to wave Hi and Goodbye to people and blow kisses.  I can't believe this was the same little peanut that we received in Chengdu 3 months ago who cried, wouldn't eat much, and wouldn't sleep unless it was with us.  Lexi LOVES taking a bath now and will try to climb in the tub herself at various times during the day.  Our "new addition" has been her glasses.  The doctor mostly wants them to protect her right/good eye and they are slightly  magnified.  I don't know how much they make her see better with how much she TAKES THEM OFF!  It is a source of frustration - as it should be with an 18-month old, right?!?  She looks too darn cute in them - I was really upset when she first got them, wondering if I'd ever really like them on her; but they've grown on me and I love them - even as I put them back on repeatedly throughout the day!

Lexi has been enjoying her time with her babysitter on Wed. and Fri mornings going to the park and "hanging out".  But my biggest joy is her smile when I get home and the fact that she "wants Mom"!  I know many struggle with getting the bond and the adjustment down with an adopted child and we've been so blessed to have it work so well.  I get asked all the time how the adjustment is coming along and it feels like we are beyond that stage and really just dealing with her at her age and having a pre-toddler in the house.  She is definitely a stubborn one and my first child to ever have a real temper tantrum (we applauded when she finished - was that wrong?). 

Meeting cousin Alysa!

For the 4th of July we went to Michigan and had a great time visiting our family and friends.  I decided to have a "meet and greet" for Lexi for everyone at the zoo and God couldn't have blessed us with a more perfect day!  You know when you picture where you want to be, what weather you'd like, and how it should happen - IT DID!!  I rarely ever have that happen and I really feel like God answered that prayer.  We had a SUPER time with everyone that came - Lexi met relatives, friends of the family, my friends from when we lived there, and I had the advantage of visiting with everyone that I haven't seen in a long time (thanks, Lexi, for bringing them out!).  Tim's sister and her family were able to make it and we were able see our new niece/cousin Alysa who was born the day we got our traveling papers!  It was awesome that our China traveling buddies, the Dugans, were able to make it and we could see Riley and them again!  She has grown and is doing so well!  There were many that we couldn't see and we are sorry we missed you - another time, I guess!!

After we visited with everyone, we did go through the zoo. Lexi seemed intrigued with many of the animals and even got to pet a skink!  She really liked that - more so than petting any of her stuffed animals!

 The rest of the weekend was spent with Grandma and Grandpa getting as much Lexi-time as possible.  It is hard living so far away!

The rest of the summer is just work
and try to stay cool. The boys have
been awesome with babysitting Lexi on a couple afternoons a week (they don't always enjoy it, but they are great big brothers).  We are currently trying to price out a new furnace and possible air conditioner :(.  Due to some flooding in the basement the end of June, we are having to redo a whole half of the basement, including the boys bedroom and rec room; the furnace was rusting out from water damage.  They are now sleeping on the living room sofa and love seat until their bedroom is "rebuilt".  It has been a bit rough all living on one floor of this ranch home, but we are making due.  Zach and Chris have been pretty good about playing with Lexi and putting up with her "giving tours" of the house (her holding our fingers while she learns to walk) when they have no place to escape.  I have the feeling once their bedrooms are done, we won't see much of them for awhile!

getting Chris tummy!

Well that about brings you up to date on all that is "Ringelberg" right now.  Tim has been busy with work, I have been working both jobs this summer, and the boys worked/volunteered at the library for Summer Reading.  We are excited that this Sunday, July 25, will be Lexi's Baby Dedication at church. Tim and I wanted to do it this Sun. as it is Danielle's birthday.  She would have been 10 years old. (For those of you who don't know, Danie, our daughter, died in a car accident when she was 6 months old.)  We thought it would be neat as it is Lexi's half birthday the day before; just like her actual birthday is the day before the accident in January, Danie's half birthday - isn't it just like God to put things like this together!  We can celebrate the birthdays knowing that Danie is celebrating in heaven.

Let me know what you think, or any questions you have for the family!  I look forward to your responses!!