Up, Up and Away...

This weekend was our annual camping trip at the airport where the ADK Balloon Festival is held. Last year LL had just come home and this was her first BIG outing. We look back fondly to last year and likely every year as this marks her coming into our family and the extended family too!

Balloon Festival 2007
Not too sure about those balloons!


The airport is closed for the weekend and hundred of RV's are given the privilege of parking right on the grounds to experience the balloons up close and very personal. In fact, our club sponsors two balloons.

A View of the RV area

On Friday night everyone is busy setting up and getting reaquainted after one whole year has passed. All the while we eagerly anticipate the next day's launch of the balloons. DB and several others work very hard all year to be sure that we enjoy a safe, fun weekend. It's alot of work but SO worth it.

The Prez, DB and LL doing the rounds

On Saturday morning it was a gorgeous, clear and chilly Fall morning. We woke at 5:30 am and stumbled to the trolley with coffee and donut in hand. As soon as we got to the airfield we were awake at the maginificent sight of all the balloons inflating. No matter how many years we do this, it's still spectacular.


This year Uncle Fix-It had the special treat of going up in a balloon that our club sponsors. He shared with us after he arrived back (safe and sound, Praise the Lord) that the flight was wonderful. They landed in a farm field and were greeted by the family who owned the farm. A table was spread with a delicious breakfast for the pilot, passengers and the chase crew. How gracious of this family! And it is tradition that when a balloonist lands in your yard to have a champagne toast to celebrate the occasion. How nice for Uncle Fix-It! He will surely remember this for years to come.


Uncle Fix-It Ready to Go!


Up, Up, and Away!


From Inside the Basket

Once Uncle Fix-It took off we enjoyed some of the specialty balloons.

In Awe, having fun with Cuzin' Higgly


The Beagle

The BumbleBees

One HUGE Polar Bear!


Our Favorite, The Not-So-Little Ladybug!!

Once all the balloons had taken off we went back to the RV's for some breakfast via the trolley. The trolley is alot of fun for the little ones because there is a special seat up front where the bell ringer sits. Guess who, got to be the bell ringer this time?


Waiting for Trolley with our friends from Vischer Ferry Station


Our Little Bell Ringer

After lunch and nap we decided to let LL try and brave the bouncy bounce and slide. Several months ago she had a truly traumatic experience on one and has not set foot on one since! She was a brave girl and after some, OK lots, of coersion she went on.


Apprehension


More apprehension...


I did it, still not happy though!

As if the morning launch were not enough, there is also a 6:00pm launch, weather permitting. Well, the weather did not disappoint, and neither did our location. We have a gorgeous view and can sit and actually eat dinner while the balloons go aloft. What a treat!

The View from the RV Area

As Saturday drew to a close, Mother Nature treated us to the beautiful sunset over the airport. Truly a sign of what was to be tomorrow, don't you think?

Breathtaking!

Well, I wasn't wrong. Sunday morning was just as beautiful as the day before. We awoke to this lovely sunrise!


Making one more trip down to the airfield to get a few more shots of our favorite ballons before they flew away for another year, coffee and donut in hand again. Life is good!


Who'd have thunk, Ladybugs and Dogs are Buddies


Now that would be one massive garden, LOL!


One more glimpse at our pretty Ladybug

As our weekend drew to a close I couldn't help but notice the wide range of ages, each having an equally wonderful time. Now THAT'S special! Thank you God for all things, big and small.


BW and Molly

There has been a strange sighting on Lindy Lane...

This morning there was a report of a gremlin roaming the lane. Have you seen such a thing?


If you see this critter call 1-800-IAM-CUTE

Where does time go?

Since the kids and I have been back in school, time seems to fly! I've missed posting photos from our last few weekends so this is my time to catch up.

On Labor Day we went to our camp, Cedar Ridge, and spent it with 31 of our closest friends, LOL! What a crowd, but what fun! We did our traditional breakfast buffet on Sunday. It's alot of work, but so worth the reward. Perhaps next year we'll put a sign out and get a return for all our efforts. It's not as though we don't have enough to share!

This year was a little different in that our neighbor FINALLY ventured over to our camp for a visit. We've always been friendly but it was nice to have him truly join us for a bit. He lives alone so I'm sure our group is overwhelming, but I know he enjoyed our company too. In fact, he made us a nice sign for our camp with the name Cedar Ridge on it. How thoughtful and what a suprise. When we gushed and thanked him profusely, he humbly said, "Oh, that didn't take any time at all." Right! But that's just the kind of guy he is, quiet and humble. True Adirondack Folk, I guess.


If you only knew how many laughs this nut has generated...


Me and my BFF Kiki


With the Cuzin's at the street dance


Did someone say, "Go play in traffic?"


The Line-up, or at least a few of them...


Yum, breakfast is served


Mimosa's ADK-Style

A Joyful Reunion...

Let me begin by saying that though I'm late in creating this post it sure isn't because it is not important! I'm back in college now and my days are sometimes breathless. I simply wanted to be able to do justice in my depicting this wonderful event. You can't rush a good thing!

THE ANHUI SISTERS REUNION


Rosebud


Little E!


Doodlebug


Doodlebugs Big Sister, Desheng Darling



Lovebug, Little Ladybugs Bengbu Sister


Little Ladybug

On August 21 we had a delightful reunion with all of the "Anhui Sisters", I'll affectionately call them. Anhui is the name of the province where all of our daughters are from. They did come from differents towns or cities but the bond they share in being born in this beautiful province will remain with them forever. As I look back on our trip I remember a man named Jordan (not his Chinese name I'm sure)who ran a store in Guangzhou asking where is our daughter from. We replied the Anhui Province. He quickly smiled and said, "Ah, Anhui girls are beautiful...and spicy!" Well we didn't know how to respond to that! In fact, we remained silent for an uncomfortable second or two. Then he quickly added that what he meant was that girls and women from Anhui often have a rosy complexion from the spicy food that is native to the area. And, that they are also known for the distinctive shapes of their mouths; they have beautiful lips. Well, after that we settled down a little bit. In the US if someone is called "spicy" it's not necessarily a flattering term! Such was just one of the many cultural difference we encountered on this journey of a lifetime, now just a little over one year ago.

As I think back to the day that we all became parents to these beautiful, healthy, robust, bright (did I mention beautiful) children, I pray I'll never forget the amount of joy we felt. The most obvious being that we finally got to meet our daughter, Chun Xue, who we waited 19 LONG months for. She was then, and still is, all we had dreamed her to be and so much more. But clearly a close second to our own joy was witnessing that of the other families who were there with us. Three of the five of us were already parents. But two were first time parents. Seeing the moment that God designed for them when they were to become parents was one like NO other I'll ever witness again. The privilege in sharing that will remain in my heart forever, it is sacred.

So this is why all of this now extended family of ours is so special. There is NO WAY you can share a two week journey to China to each receive your child and not be bonded together forever in heart and mind. I'm sure all of the others would agree. For one year I have watched their blogs, read their emails, or seen photos shared. But nothing compares to being together in person.

On Friday night four of the five families were reunited. One family was delayed due to work. On Friday we enjoyed our first visit by having dinner together, watching the girls play and letting the siblings get to know each other too. It was wonderful! We all stayed as late as we dared then headed back to our hotel for much needed rest. Bright and early the next day we met up with the last family at breakfast along with the other family's too. It was just like being in China. We discussed how everyone slept, the girls moved from table to table to chat, the parents swapped stories. How wonderful to relive those precious days but with MUCH less anxiety and uncertainty. After breakfast it was decided that we would all go to a local zoo. Then after that our host family planned a picnic at the park near their home along the Potomac River. What a lovely spot! The girls and big kids enjoyed themselved immensely. The weather was gorgeous too. Then it was on to the pool. The girls had a blast in the water. We were short one family who needed a little extra rest. But we all got back together later after naps and some down time for dinner. Our host family prepared another tasty meal and special dessert. The girls played til they were exhausted. Then we sadly said our good-byes to our host family as everyone had to be on their way early the next morning. Three days went VERY fast with all that fun! On Sunday morning the four family's had one last breakfast together at the hotel, then we sadly parted ways. I pray that we will be able to doo this again. Annually would be wonderful but with the distance between us all I'm afraid that's not realistic. All I can say about that is Praise the Lord for the internet! So I guess that sums up this special weekend in August.

We took LOTS of photos to preserve this precious time together. A slide show is to follow, ENJOY!

21 Years of Wedded Bliss...

It was in July of 1982 that we met. It was in August of 1986 that he proposed. It was 21 years ago today that I married my best friend. I can honestly, truly say with no hesitation that I love him more each day. We've shared alot over the years. Yes it's not always been a "primose path" (whatever that is supposed to be). But each year does get better. I cannot imagine sharing my life with any other person. There is no one on earth who I trust more. No one on earth I respect more. No one on earth who I want to come home to each day more than this man. God planned for our being husband and wife and He has stood beside us each day. For this I am grateful beyond words. There has never been a more wonderful thing that has happened to me than becoming his life partner. Praise be to God. Happy 21 years Daddybug. I'm praying for the gift of at least 21 more!

A private note: I'm fondly recalling one year ago when we celebrated our 20th in Guangzhou on Shamain Island. Truly a night to remember. I'm sure you agree...


The Happy Couple


Those Precious Vows

August 20th, a day history was made on Lindy Lane...

Gotcha Day, August 20, 2007


Family Vacation, July 2008

One year ago today we met our daughter, Chun Xue, for the first time. We waited 19 long months for that moment and oh how sweet it was (for us that is). For LL it was traumatic. But by God's grace it was only a matter of 24 hours and she began comprehending that these strangers were someone special. Over the last year we've watched her become acclimated to so many new things. Things like new sleep patterns, new foods, new expectations and a new language just to name a few. If there is one thing that is clear to us all, it is that she is one brave, resilient, adaptable child. I pray these qualities remain with her forever. I also pray that her birthparents are at peace in some way with their decision. The joy that she has brought to our family cannot be measured. The difference in her life now that she lives here in the United States cannot be measured. These immense blessings can only be credited to God. For through Him all things are possible. Each day I praise the Lord for our three children. Each very different, each equally precious in our eyes. We have much to celebrate today now that our family is finally complete. I only wish that Papa were here to share in our joy. But I am sure that all of LL's grandparents are rejoicing in the heavenly realms for this special child.

A Tribute to Dad...

On Wednesday at 1:30 a.m. our family suffered the loss of my father-in-law. To my children he was Papa. To DB, his other children, and us spouses he was Dad. And he never failed to treat us accordingly; that is as if we were his own. We are so blessed to have this patriarch in our family. He is one of Tom Brokaw's Greatest Generation, and soon to be a lost generation as time goes on.

Dad was a man's man. No nonsense, no fluff, no frivolity. He was loving, generous and strong, a true rock. He could barely boil water, never took a mop in his hand that I ever saw and wouldn't grocery shop to save his life. Yet, he provided solely for his family of five, built the home we all live in and provided a wonderful role model to six grandsons. How could we ever ask for more? To say we will all miss him just isn't sufficient.

I think my favorite funny memory of Dad was way back when DB and I were just dating--long distance. One weeknight evening my father allowed me to make the one and 1/2 hour trip down here from up north with my music teacher to visit DB, my then high school sweetheart. My music teacher was taking graduate courses in our capital city and made the trip twice weekly. The arrangement was that I would come down with my teacher, stay overnight with a girlfriend and then DB would drive me home on Saturday morning. As a teenager you can imagine the talking I had to do to get my father to agree! So we had gone out shopping and DB noticed when we were getting back in the car that there was a huge bolt laying on the ground beside his (very old) car. Well we carefully drove home (pre-cell phone era) and DB asked Papa what he thought about it and was it serious? I remember Dad rubbing his chin, taking a deep sigh and letting it out loudly, then shaking his head. His report was that this bolt was indeed critical and that it would be impossible to drive the car anywhere, certainly not 85 miles north into the country. At that very moment I felt my heart stop. I imagined the look on my fathers face, and so on. Then...after a brief pause he laughed and explained that that bolt was much too big to belong on a car and it certainly wasn't something to worry about. You can imagine my relief!! It was then and there that I came to learn my father-in-laws quiet and not often revealed sense of humor. But when he delivered a joke it was a GOOD one for sure.

On holidays the big deal was what to get Dad. All he'd ever say was, "Aw, I don't need anything." So you went far above and beyond the call of duty to get that ONE thing that perhaps he would use. As of late it got much easier because his sweet tooth ran wild. I tried to always keep him stocked in snacks for his bedroom. Chocolate, individually wrapped cookies, etc. Upon passing his room you'd often hear the crinkling of wrappers. Yup, Dad was having his bedtime snack :)

In the evening here at home I loved how Dad sometimes had to find where we all were to say his Goodnights. But he always made sure he did as each of us have different routines. I can still hear him saying "Good night Lyn" up the stairs. I hope I can always hear him.

Dad has his favorite chair in the house which we affectionately called the "command center". It contained cubby holes in the arm for magazines, pens, paper, candy and whatever else he deemed necessary. It even had a phone in it. Some years ago it was a gift from Nana to him. Recently and sadly he had to retire that chair as the bottom was just plain wore out. It was replaced by another recliner but not as elaborate. Now that chair sits empty. I don't know what we'll do. But for now I like it there. I can still see him there watching TV, opening Christmas gifts, listening to one of the kids share something with him, or taking a catnap. It is sadly comforting. I miss you Dad--beyond measure. We all do. I don't know what life will be like without you.

The one thing I DO know is that you are in heaven now. Scripture tells us that when we pass on and go to heaven that we will have glorious heavenly bodies. While I don't know what that is, I do know that you are not dizzy or in pain anymore. You are peaceful, healthy and able to anything you choose. I also know that you and Mom have likely found some quiet place and are catching up after being parted for six long years. For this I can be happy. I know that you've seen the face of Jesus. I know the angels rejoiced when you arrived. I know that forever you will be in peace. Praise be to God. Thank you God for creating this family, chosen by Your design.