Swim Lessons End

Today was the last day of swim lessons for Erin. 

Last night all she could do was scream & cry that she didn't want to go.  Why?  Because her swim instructor was going to make them jump off the diving board! Oh wow! I used to love that as a kid.  Then it dawned on me.  Water! Jumping into a pool that was deeper than what she's used to.  All of her fears trying to resurface.  I told her that jumping off the lowest diving board was going to be tons of fun that she would want to keep doing it over & over.  Boy did I hope that was the case!

When we got to the pool this morning, it was all I could do to keep Erin in the car until I found a parking spot.  Of course, I didn't.  She got out & went right to the waiting area.  By the time I got there, she was raring to go.  I kept my mouth shut & reminded her that this was going to be "the funnest lesson ever."

She was really nervous about jumping but went along with a positive attitude.  I was truly proud of her for attempting this even though she was visibly nervous.  And she loved it.  Absolutely, positively loved it!

After the lessons ended, I asked her swim instructor what he thought our next step should be.  Apparently, Erin's technique is very good, but he recommended that we repeat the same class so she can work on her endurance.  She needs to be able to swim the length of the entire pool back & forth.  He said that she can move on to stroke development afterwards to learn some new things. 

Considering Erin's fear of water from the time we got her until just a few years ago,  I am totally amazed.  She now loves going to the pool &/or taking showers/baths.  In fact, I'm hard pressed to keep her out of the water.  Yay for you Erin!

Fathers Day 2011 Came Early

This past Tuesday, I took Erin over to Michael's to make a craft for David's Fathers Day gift.  We were meeting up with Shari & Chianna for a fun evening.  Needless to say, Erin couldn't have been more excited.  After all, what could be better than time with a friend & getting to do a craft!?

This evening, before dinner, Erin & I met Lori & Mark along with the DD over at Cecilie's Gourmet Ices for a treat.  While Erin chatted it up & played with her buddies, I got a chance to sit & talk with Lori & Mark.  I really don't get enough "grown up time" outside of the house.

Erin really enjoys time with all of her friends but I love the connection she feels deep down in her bones for her FCC buddies.  Planning little treats like yesterday & this evening are what this summer is all about!

When we got home this evening, unfortunately the weather took its toll on my asthma.  I ended up asking David to cook the dinner I had planned.  Ya just gotta love a good grilled steak accompanied by portabello mushrooms.  I didn't expect it, but Erin was even willing to try some steak! To top it off, she even liked it.  Of course, she only ate about 2 bites of steak, but I'll say "Yay!" just for the progress of her saying she'd try it.

All day long Erin has been super excited about the gifts she made for her daddy.  As we were finishing dinner, she asked if she could give David his gifts.  Anyone who really knows us, is well aware of the fact that we never (& I do mean never!) wait for the actual day to exchange our gifts.  The excitement & thrill of giving the gift is as wonderful to us as the receiving of the gift.  This bug has taken a chunk out of our girl.  Erin hates to wait for any special day to give a gift!

She brought 2 gift bags just absolutely stuffed to the gills with tissue paper to David! I think David was almost digging for gold trying to find his goodies! Oh! The look on their faces was pure joy.  Erin loved seeing her daddy open his gifts.  David was so touched by her excitement & the gifts themselves showed that Erin really gets her daddy.  Me?  I loved watching both the giving  & the receiving of these gifts.

On This Day

On this day 8 years ago, David & I became parents. 

On this day 8 years ago, Erin became a daughter.

On this day 8 years ago, we became a family.

There aren't enough words to thank anyone &/or everyone.  But we do.

To the woman who carried this child for 9 months, thank you.

To Mrs. Yu & the nannies who care for this child while we waited to become a family, thank you.

To the people of the CCAA who decided we belong together & matched us, thank you.

To the family, friends & co-workers who encouraged David & me to become parents, thank you.

To G-d above who decided that we really didn't have to be childless & that Chun HuaXu needed parents, thank you.

And to Erin the child that we have loved since the day we decided to adopt, we thank you.  From the first moment we saw your sweet, little face we knew that we were a family meant to be. 

Thank you Erin for showing your daddy that he could be a daddy & showing him just how much of a good daddy he is.

Thank you Erin for showing me that I can step back & learn to do things in a way that isn't my way & for understanding that I needed to be shown how to be silly.

Thank you Erin for adopting us as much as we adopted you.

459 AWBB AAF NMW!!