JUNI FAMILY LOVE

This post is dedicated to my sweet, sweet friend Kerry who passed away during our trip to China. Kerry was a fiercely determined spirit with such an incredibly gentle soul. We had many fabulous adventures together including countless late nights of laughter and hard work during graduate school followed up by the excitement of landing our first journalism jobs at the same newspaper. Later, after we had both moved to Oregon, Kerry honored me greatly by being one of my bridesmaids. Along with our shared joys, we both endured the years of frustration and sorrow of failed fertility treatments, leaning on each other for support. Then came the excitement and anticipation of being in line to adopt little girls from China. We were both so elated to be given this blessed opportunity. She and her husband were just months behind Steve and I in line for a referral. 

Kerry was one of my closest friends and I will miss her dearly.

In celebration of love and family

The following photos were taken in the first few days of being home. Our families embraced Juni instantly and we couldn't be happier watching them adore our beautiful wee daughter. We also celebrated Sam's third birthday two days after we were home, just to keep things lively.


Late afternoon on February 2nd, 2011.

Miraculously, Juni seemed to feel instantly comfortable in our home, here she is laughing with Daddy and Grandma, holding Sam's baby after just having returned from the airport.

Sam kept wanting to give Juni her a bottle and he giggled when she would take it out of his hand.

Juni rolled about on the living room floor as Nana gazed lovingly and kept Sam from squashing her. 

Thursday, February 3rd

The next morning, Sam kept giving Juni hugs. She looks like she's being smothered in this photo but she came away grinning. I think she loves having older brothers. 

Aidan showed her how to use the Elmo camera which she now carries around everywhere and I think I have now been humming the increasingly annoying Elmo camera jingle in my sleep.

Juni met her three new wonderful Grandpas at the airport but seeing as they are all men, she had to keep a watchful eye at first, especially on the hairy one. Grandpa Jones slowly inched closer to Juni in this photo without her crying. By day two, she had stopped crying at the sight of grandpas and would even start smiling when they came near... as long as she was attached to me.

Aidan on the other hand was allowed to hug and love all he wanted. Every time Juni sees him she laughs out loud and it is such a beautiful thing to behold. Aidan is one of the gentlest, most nurturing boys in the universe and I think she can sense his kindness. 

Juni is perfectly at ease with her Grandma and Nana and I think she already has them under her spell.

I'm going to live in a happy ignorant blissful state and believe that this is how our three children are going to treat each other throughout their childhood. Shush, I can hear you all laughing out loud and I am now putting my fingers in my ears and singing the Elmo camera song.

Friday February 4th. Our little boy Sam, no longer a baby, no longer the youngest and oddly gigantic compared to when we left for China a mere three weeks ago, turned three on this day. Our house was filled with the normal nuttiness of kid birthday celebrations like cake, balloons and laughter and Juni took it all in stride. I think she was starting to believe that our home was just always filled with loving people, presents and camera flashes.

Grampie talked gently to Juni in the kitchen and she just gazed at him seemingly unfazed. I think she already has him under her spell as well.

Sam really took the blowing out the candle thing seriously. He's such a funny kid and cracks us up all the time. He also requested this cake months ago. When I asked him what kind of cake he wanted, he said "McQueen." I said, "Oh, you want a race car cake?" and he said, "No, the tractor scene." We had to create the scene from the movie Cars where McQueen and Mater go tractor tipping and then get attacked by Frank the hay cutter. Go figure.

As long as he's happy, we would make any cake in the world. Happy birthday pumpkin!

Grandma even got a quick chance to hold Juni before the day was done. 

Saturday, February 5th

This was a bittersweet day. Grandma, Papa D and Grandpa Jones left back to their respective coasts. We spent the morning relaxing in our living room spending the last few precious hours with the jammie-clad kidaloos. We miss our folks already and feel so lucky that we were able to enjoy the first few days of Juni's homecoming with them. We love you guys!

Grandpa Jones started to win Juni over, despite the beard. I guess that means it can stay.  

Juni and Sam started the morning out playing with some of his new birthday toys while Sesame Street happily glowed in the background. This felt like life getting back to normal and I'm sure it is a precursor of many mornings to come.

Juni completely warmed up to Papa D and started playing with him by this third day and once again, I think she has won another family member under her spell.

Aidan loved pulling Grandpa Jones' beard. It didn't come off but made for great fun.

Juni even leaned into Grandpa Jones to look at a book. A perfectly lovely moment.

These were just too cute to pass up.

Rest in peace my dear friend and love to you all!