Amazing connection

Yesterday, I was tooling around the net and decided to do some research about the Social Welfare Institue where Anyssa used to live. I was examining the Google results when something jumped out at me...a post was apparently made on a someone's blog referencing a little girl that had been adopted from the same orphange as Anyssa at the SAME TIME. Needless to say, I was blown away. I quickly did a little research and tracked down the author of the post and immediately sent the family an e-mail telling them who I was and why I was writing. I got a response within an hour. We have been chatting back and forth and I'm sending them some pictures. I've gotten some pictures of their little girl from their blog. The initial response to the pictures from Anyssa was indifference...I'm not sure she fully comprehends what I'm telling her. If Anyssa KNEW the other little girl...heck, this was almost 2 years ago and let's just say that there have been a couple of changes in Anyssa's life since then. The other family says that there duaghter remebers "Ji Yuan" but only pictures will tell if she really knew or remembers Anyssa at all.

What a mind blowing experience. Whether the girls ever truly remember each other or even really KNEW each other, the fact remains that they lived together under the same roof together for a good portion of their lives.

Anyssa was in ELL summer school and today (Friday) is the first day she is truly off for the summer. First grade is just around the corner. With luck, she will get Mrs. Knizek as a teacher again. She has made such remarkable strides in her speech, reading and writing that she should do just fine in school this year. I can't whether she likes it or not but she seems to be doing well in math. Just like her daddy!

Laura, Anyssa and I are all off on vacation next week. It's going to be a stay-cation this month with so much to do around the house. Getting caught up seems to be a never ending chore around here...God help us if we ever DO actually get caught up! Laura and I are planning a surprise this fall. I'd like to tell you what it is but you'll all have to be surprised too. I will tell you all when we let Anyssa know in a few months. OK?

OK, here is your selection of pictures for this post. Hope you enjoy them! If you all can convince Laura to start posting, maybe the posts wouldn't trickle out at the rate of 2 a year!!

Our little chopper pilot...at the Cavalcade of Planes at the Clow Airport just down from the house.

Guess who's turning 7?



Daisy Scouts...1 more year as a Daisy then she'll be a Brownie



A fantastic shot of Anyssa by our good friends and photgraphers, the Randalls.