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Last Posting.

Timing is everything. This month,I started a new blog for Jada with the intent of finalizing my old blog with pictures from her birthday, our trip and Christmas of 2006. Well, today, I went to post pictures and much to my surprise, the old "hello" program that I used to post pictures was no longer compatible with Blogger. So, I will have to finish out the old blog with just a summary of 2007 without pictures. BORING!

My last entry was about my Mother. Since then we have celebrated Halloween, a 3rd birthday, a wonderful trip to DisneyLand and Christmas.

Jada was a butterfly for Halloween. She was all pretty in pink with her butterfly wings on. We went trick-and treating at SMMC/work and at some friends' house. Candy is always a big hit. Jada had her own trick and treating bag with her name on it that was a gift from her Aunt Dee Dee.

Jada's third birthday was celebrated with playtime with Sohpie and Audrey at Oak Park Mall and dinner at Red Robin. Jada made me so proud to be her Mother that night. After dinner, the waiters sang Happy Birthday to Jada and gave her a big Ice Cream treat. Much to my awe, she gave her friends, Sohpie and Audrey, a spoon and shared her ice cream with them with minimal guidance from me. I was just smiling how willingly she shared such a delicious treat with her girlfriends. For the party, we had 9 girls here at the house all dressed in Princess outfits with Ms. Lori dressed as a Queen to read Snow White and Cinderalla to them. We had games and crafts and of course, yummy birthday cake for all.

Christmas was celebrated by going home to be with both of my brothers. Of course, I missed my Mom and Dad terribly. Our first Christmas without both of them. Jada and I did visit our "extended family" at the nursing home while we were back and it was so good to see them. Some of them were part of our lives for 4 years. It was like old times watching Jada play with them again.

The highlight of the year was going to Disney Land with our great friend, Charlene. It was the perfect trip and so much fun as Jada would squeal with delight to see the famous Disney Princesses. Jada traveled so well on the plane (one potty accident) and loved the hotel. She was "proudly" responsible for her own backpack. It was nice to be away with her with no interrupted time and away from work and the daily "routine."

So, this is how we finished the year of 2006. As I looked back on Jada's blog, I thought it sounded like, for lack of better words, "Baby Jada." Well, Jada is certainly growing up on me and I thought it was time to summarize her milestones and fun on a "preschool" blog. You can find it at www.PrincessJada.blogspot.com. Hopefully, I will figure out how to post pictures soon.

Thank you for sharing our lives for the past two years at IntroducingJada.blogspot. We have came a long way.

We miss you, Mom..................

On September, 10, Jada and I packed our car to go home what turned out to be the last trip we would ever make to see Mom.

I was planning to make this just a 2 day trip to go see Mom and talk with her about having surgery. And then returning a week later for her to have surgery on September 20th. But, after being with Mom for a day, it became obvious in my heart and mind, that surgery was no longer the right thing to do. On September 12th, my brothers and I made the decision to allow no more medical treatments. It was time to be strong and to allow Mom to be comfortable and to die with grace and peace. From that time on, I stayed with Mom at her bedside continously. Both Jada and I spent our nights in her room as well. Jada slept on what used to be her Grandpa's bed and I slept in my mother's recliner. Certainly, Jada did not understand what was happening, but she went with the flow and was such a good little girl as we stayed with Mom. While it was a very difficult and sad time, it would be a period of time that I will never forget. We read and sing to Mom and played with our dolls and color right at her bedside. We had frequent, wonderful supporting visits from both my brothers, John and Stan, and my sister-in-law, Dee Dee and my sweet niece, Sara. Many times, Jada would go with them so I could have some quiet time with Mom. So, it was also a time for Jada to get to know her family back home. The nursing staff at the care center was also very loving and supporting to all of us during that time as well.

After about a week, on September 18th, my Mother passed away with Jada and I at her bedside. With soft music in the background, Jada and I were talking and singing to her during her last few minutes and holding her hand. Even though it was the saddest moment of my life, it was indeed a sweet and peaceful ending to my Mother's life. I will never forget it. Jada was my strength and while I had never vision her to be there at that final moment, it was obvious that she meant to be there sitting in my lap between Mom and me. My sister-in-law, Dee Dee, had her taken her that morning and had just brought her back to me around 3:00. My mother died at 3:40. My brothers could not get there in time so it was just the 3 of us girls. I was not with my father when he passed in 2005 but my brothers were at his bedside. I think it is truly amazing how the timing and events like this happen. I really think Mom was able to hear in her final moments what a wonderful mother she had been to me and my brothers and how much we loved her. She finally looked so at peace.

Naturally, I miss Mom and even our trips back to the nursing home very much. Her passing has made me miss my father as well. I have grieved this loss. The staff, residents and their own families have become like an extended family to me as my parents had lived there for 4 years. They all shared in my joy as I was going through the adoption process and waiting for Jada. After Jada came home from China in November of 2004, they welcome her with so much excitement and love. Going home to see my parents at the nursing home was like going to Grandma's house with many fun friends to see and to play with. With Jada, they always had something special to talk about with Mom and Dad. Many of them even said they were sad because after Mom's passing, they knew they may no longer get to see Jada and see how much she would grow between visits. Jada has already served a special purpose in her short life by filling my parents' room with life, fun and love.

I know this entry is very long but it was very nice to write this so that Jada and I can read this together. She probably won't remember them but we have many memories to tell and pictures. Jada no longer has any living grandparents but I want her to know that they got to meet her and know her and loved her very, very much. What a wonderful blessing!

When we were home in August, our friend, Tammy, took many pictures of us. These pictures were taken about a month before Mom's passing. I am so blessed to have these final pictures of Jada and me with Mom. 

Look at the 3 of us being silly for the camera!  

A little bit of clowning around for the 3 of us! 

When we head back to be with Mom, I would always try to be there on a Sunday. Jada loved to go with church on Sundays with Mom. She would always sit next to Mom with her hymn book and sing and listen to the pastor. Sometime during the service, they would always sing Jesus LOVES me! And everyone, the young and old, would sing it really loud with smiles. What a great memory for us. 

This is probably my favorite picture of my Mother and Jada. Because my Mother was very frail, it was hard for her to hold Jada. But, here she was holding Jada with both gentle hands like a very loving Grandma. Notice Mom's sweet smile. And this is one the precious dresses that Mom had made me 40 plus years ago! 

Jada and friends, Brennah and Olivia. China girls love to eat!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Fall-time!

With the school kids returning to school in Mid-August, it was time to move on from swimming and other great summer fun. Jada started the fall class of Gymnastics and Preschool at a local Christian Church. Both of these activites are a big HIT with Jada. She can almost give me directions on where to drive to these locations after I tell her where we are going! We also joined Wonderscope which offer lots of learning actitivies for toddlers. They have an art room, grocery store, golf room, a science room, discovery room and a little-mini hospital/clinic room. Jada and I try to go once a week. It was a great place.

This fall, we joined Wonderscope which is located so close to me. Every Tuesday, they have a special "art time. It is an old school where they have taken each room and made a special theme esp for toddlers. 

Jada goes to PRESCHOOL. She has her purple backpack and her pink lunch bucket. 

Preschool at the craft table. 

Jada at her first day of Pre-School with Mrs. Wink! 

Every gym class ends with "stamping." Jada always "trys" to get the teachers to stamp both of her hands and both of her feet everytime single time. 

Jada caught the hola hoop at the first day of Fall Gymnastics! You Go, Girl! 

Summer Review

I know it is the first week of November, but I wanted to post and journal our fun summer of 2006 on Jada's blog. I had a great time being Jada's mommy this summer and felt like a kid again as we played at the pool, summer festivals, parks, and even a carnival. I am sorry to say that summer is over. I thought today would be a great time to summarize June, July and August as we, Jada and I, celebrate 2 years together as Mother and Daughter TODAY. The actual date of our GOTCHA DAY was November 7, 2004. But, in my mind, it will always be on a Sunday. I like that because usually Jada and I stay home most of the day on Sundays and have just some one-on-one little family time. So, what are we doing today to celebrate GOTCHA DAY??? STAYING HOME and looking at pictures, dancing, reading and playing and "catching up."

Our 3 months of summer went by so fast! Everyday I asked Jada what she wanted to do, she would always say "swim" and she would go put on her swimsuit. We probably did go swimming 3-5 times a week but we did managed to fit in other fun summer activities as well.

The highlight for me this summer was seeing 3 other children from Dianbai. All of our children had came so far physically and emotionally. They have all changed so much and we were so proud of all of them. It was very special to be with the other families again as she shared such a bond together when we received our Dianbai children that day on November 7, 2004. And I certainly hope some of us can always get together every summer.

The last weekend of the summer we went to a carnival/fair where Jada rode her first Merry-Go-Round. We had so much fun, we went the next day as well. 

Jada's driving her first "car." And it is a girly-girl color. 

No summer would be complete without Strawberries and Ice Cream! 

Hey, BUCKETHEAD! Now, who do you think is under the bucket??!?!?! 

Swimming at our friend's pool! They had lots of great pool toys! 

Jada learned to put hold her breath and put her head underwater. She was "swimming." She would use her hands to move forward or backward while under water. 

Water-fun! 

One of the first time Jada went down the water slide at Merriam's City Pool! A couple of times she was backwards, on her tummy, legs up in the air, etc. But, she ALWAYS went back! 

Jada went the slide at our local city's pool early in the summer. It was a big hit and Jada did it again and again and again and again. Imagine that! 

Swimming beauties. Audrey, Jada, Molly and Sophie! 

Swimming with Madelyn! 

Swimming on a Dolphin with our friends! WOW! Even though, I never got pictures of this because I had to be in the water, Jada actually went off the diving board at this pool! I think she is a bit young for big diving boards in deep water but I am so glad she has no fear of water. 

The KC zoo has a new "Kids Zone." Jada did not hesitiate at all to climb to the top.