The Beach - Part 2

On Monday afternoon, our much anticipated visitors arrived and the fun continued!  The children all took less than five minutes to get acquainted and then we did not see them again unless we were eating, applying sunscreen or saying goodnight.

 The girls were amazing together!  I suspected that MK would be a bit shy or slow to warm up to C but, oh my, was I wrong!  It truly was breathtaking to see these two together....they did not miss a beat.

 And the boys?  Well, when the boys were not absorbed in the crafting of Mindcraft, they were busy throwing the coolest little ball ever across the ocean....

 and there was the boat....one afternoon we rented a boat and explored the waters surrounding Seabrook Island.....

 one seaman was a bit hesitant about our adventure but thankfully he warmed up quickly to the idea and soon enough he was kicking back with the rest of us and enjoying the ride....

 we ventured off into a cove and spotted a lot of dolphins....the two most impressive dolphin sightings were seeing a mother and a baby dolphin jumping side by side, simultaneously - very cool; and then we observed dolphins tossing fish ashore and then the dolphins would flop up on shore to eat the fish - again, very cool.

 At one point, I decided it would be a great idea to jump out and swim - hmmm, note to self, must check current before doing this one again!  Maddox, myself and K all jumped overboard without really giving this act much thought....laughter was key as we drifted further and further away from the boat:) 

 Shell finding was a key activity for the girls....and once you find the special shells, one must wash said shells - a perfect activity for two perfect little girls.

 And our littlest one....well, she hung in there....I told Ryan she now yells quite frequently, "Hey! Stop! Wait me!"  

 And keeping up can be quite a tiresome job so when she wasn't full speed ahead, she was all zonked out!

 We were able to pry ourselves away from the beach for a short trip into Charleston for dinner....Bubba Gump was on their minds though I am thinking Bubba would be quite offended that both of my boys ordered PIZZA (and for the record, there was no shrimp topping!).

 Our week together could not have been more pleasant.  From the weather to the dining to the discussions and everything in between - just perfect!

 And to think it is all because of the lives of these two beautiful little girls!

Beach - Part 1

This year we decided to change things up a bit and head south for Seabrook Island versus our usual jaunt north to the NC mountains to celebrate the July 4th holiday.  

 A huge thank you to our sister/sister-in-law, Rachel, who willingly went to pick up the boys from Camp St. Christopher located at Seabrook on Friday.  Ryan, the girls and I arrived late in the afternoon on Friday and we could not have been happier to have our family together again after one whole week of sleeping under two different roofs!  The boys had many stories to share....their favorites of camp were undoubtedly the food and a new game called Capture the Flag.....so proud of them for showering each day, brushing their teeth and using their sunscreen! :)

 Mason-Kate did not waste a bit of time getting settled into her oceanside groove....she was quite the princess with her legs up, feet soaking, and water sipping.

 Meanwhile, Maddox had other ideas on how one is to relax by the sea.

 Either way, the girls had no qualms with the sand bathing they took turns taking part in....it was quite the mess yet they had so much fun!

 This trip to Seabrook began with friends and ended with friends.....

our former neighbors in Massachusetts made a side trip to Charleston on Saturday to be with us for dinner that evening.  What a fabulous way to begin our week at Seabrook!  

A Tale Of Two Girls

Five years ago, on two cold wintry nights just fourteen days apart, two beautiful baby girls were born and their lives together began....they heard each others first cries, they breathed the same air, they likely heard each others first laughs, they endured their first surgery together.....for fourteen months, they patiently waited together for their forever families.

Then, on March 17, 2008, these two baby girls were placed into the welcoming arms of their forever families at the same time.....we all heard their first babbles as we anxiously piled off of the elevator.....and then, at the same time, we saw their sweet little faces.  Both girls were cruising around, looking curiously at the two families that were to become theirs.  

Their walk continues.  It has been three years since these two have been together.  Five minutes into their visit, and they seemed as if they had been together just yesterday.  Side by side they stayed all week long, giggling, playing, singing....my favorite comment I overheard was when MK proclaimed, "Hey, we even laugh the same!"

The monumental moment came when it was time to say our goodbyes.  MK is not our hugging child.  She hugs the five of us openly but the line is drawn when she is asked to hug another child or even her grandparents - she may do the lean in, you hug me stance but her arms are by her side.  As her forever friend was leaving, MK hesitated when hugs were being dealt.  And then it happened, she grabbed C with all of her might and hugged her tight.  A friend for life.  So happy their journey together continues.  

Sand and Tutus

Dancing on the beach....

 the girls warmed up quickly to the idea of tutus on the beach....

 they decided jumping the waves together could be fun....

 and it got even better when they were told not to worry about getting wet....

 contagious giggles were heard....

two sisters bonding.... 

 one of my Maddox favs - this is "her" lately - it is as if she is saying, "Can't catch me, can't catch me..." and it is true, we are constantly trying to keep up:)

 and then you have the ever-so-poised MK.....

 another favorite - this picture says a thousand Maddox words as she holds onto her sister's hand; Maddox is not always the sweet, loving little person she is portrayed to be, especially when MK is involved:)  However, at the end of the day, Maddox adores MK, looks to her for comfort, calls for her when she is in need....

 today these two sat on the beach and played for at least an hour, just the two of them, building castles, making mud pies, jumping waves....they were in their own little sister world and my momma heart was happy....

 my prayer for them is that they grow together....

and love one another as only sisters can love.

Maddox began PT about four months ago.  Twice a month, we visit a local gym and Maddox gets to "play" for an hour.  

 When things seem a little challenging to Maddox, be it in speech or PT, she will look at the therapist and say, "Mommy do it" with the sweetest yet kind of whiney little voice.  It is her way of letting us know that she is intimidated by what she has been asked to do for fear of failure - our girl is smart, she knows when things are going to be hard for her to do.  

 Summer has been great too for building Maddox's strength.  We have spent countless hours at the pool with friends and she LOVES the water.  

 It seems our little one is currently progressing steadily with speech as well.  She recently has gained the ability to tattle on her siblings:) Most of the time she is all smiles.  However, her other "recent" is her attitude....we all have to turn our heads when we see that we have made her a bit angry - it is quite funny and for the first time in my parenting history, I find myself wanting to actually video tape her during one of her rants.  When someone in our family tells her something that she disagrees with, she throws her finger up in the air, raises her voice and says, "Never! Never! Never!"  All the while, her whole body is moving back and forth.  It really should not be recognized as "cute" but....

Meet Miss Adorable

Meet Miss Adorable

She took my breath away a few months ago.  So much so that I requested her file and had it reviewed by a well known cardiac specialist.  So much so that I was sad yet overjoyed when I saw that she had found her family.

However, just a few days ago, Miss Adorable showed up again.  It seems her family was unable to proceed with her adoption.  

Just look at that sweet little face.  She is Maddox's size exactly according to her file - tiny yet thriving despite her serious heart condition.  She needs a family.  She desperately needs medical intervention.  She deserves to know love.

Many ask "Why?" "Why do people adopt over and over and over?"  Look at this face and ask yourself, "Why not?"  She is a picture of a waiting child.  A child who needs medical care - yesterday.  She will not survive if she continues to go without surgery.  

Camp St. Christopher - Seabrook Island

 Today was a big day for my guys.  Together we drove to Camp St. Christopher to drop these two off for the week.  They were all smiles and laughter right up until the very last moment.....

and then the bottom dropped....heavy heart tonight as I go to bed...praying my boys are happy and having the time of their lives!