China has given me so many wonderful things! My daughter is first, of course. But then there are the wonderful people you meet. We are connected by our own red thread. Every one of us has been touched in some way by China or adoption. We find each other in the strangest ways. You meet by chance at the store or work. A friend or family member connects you. You meet through a support group. Or you blog.
I have made some amazing connections through my blog and other people's blogs. Most of us share the common thread of adopting a child from China. Some of us discover we live nearby. Many of us will never meet in person or even speak on the phone, but our connections are still there and just as strong! But when fate or destiny gives you the chance to meet in person, you take it!
This past Saturday, my friend Robin (we also met through our blogs) and I drove to Cincinnati to meet three other bloggers. Krista and I had met in person, after exchanging emails for a bit, at the Dayton FCC - CNY celebration. Krista and Connie had also met online and in person, but I hadn't met Connie face-to-face. And Stacey was a blog friend to everyone else, but I had never been to her blog.
Connie was kind enough (or should that be "crazy enough"?) to invite us into her home. WOW!!! That lady knows how to decorate!!!! Her house is awesome!!! (Needless to say, no one will be visiting my house anytime soon!) We all brought yummy foods (including 3 chocolate cakes) and celebrated Krista's and Connie's birthdays. It was a great evening getting to know each other and talking about adoption and other things that don't need to be shared here (right, Connie?!). For being so different, we are all so alike.
Thank you, Connie and Krista for getting us together! I had a great time! I can't wait to see everyone again in March! (Sorry, Blogger ate my paragraphs again!)
Yes, we admit it. We are strange, but we know how to have a good time! Krista and Connie are so much fun!!
Stacey also got in a few good shots before we got back to the serious job of having fun! She is so sweet!!!
That is one "knowing" smirk on Robin's face. Don't you wonder what she's thinking?! And what CAN'T you do?!?!
Krista trying something new.
Here we are in all of our glory (including Connie's hat)! Ladies, you better learn to use those camera timers before heading off to China!!!
We are back from Kieren's eval. It's both better and worse than we thought. I can't go into everything right now. Cullen has a mountain of homework and a research paper to do. I have a rush job and a meeting at 6pm. Poor Andy is going to get stuck with three kiddos tonight (ours + Ian), a trashed family room, a mountain of dirty dishes, and dinner to deal with too. I'm exhausted, as is Kieren (only a 30 minute nap in the car). I'll try to update everything tonight, but right now I have to rescue Kieren from being stuck with one foot on the back of the sofa and one on the baby buggy that is rolling away!!!! Later!
