THREE!!!

Yesterday, my baby turned three!!!! A milestone that has actually prompted me to take pause and reflect on all the blessings that have been bestowed upon this family. Life has been moving forward with such speed that there hardly seems to be a moment to just sit and soak it all in. We've been moving again and in doing so, I came across the file box I keep all of Kailahni's adoption paperwork in. Looking through it all reminded me of a time in my life that seems light years away...adoption blogs, rumor boards, paperwork, waiting, researching Kailahni's past, discovering her finding ad, reading book upon book about adoption/attachment, traveling to China, seeing her sweet face for the first time, being so connected to other families who were/are on the same path..their children...their journeys. I didn't realize how much I've been missing the connection to the world of international adoption and the people who make it up. I feel such a strong desire to reconnect, and it's my goal to find a way to fit that back in our life. It's important for Kailahni and it matters to me. I feel sad that this blog as been neglected...I know that it means something to other people to be able to see how Kailahni is growing and developing. It means something to me to be able to share it, so I hope to do better at that. My camera was broken a few months ago, so the only pictures I have to post right now are from my phone...not the greatest, but they'll have to do. I don't know when a new camera will fit into our budget, so bare with me.

In a nut shell here's where we are in life. I am basically working full time for the flooring company that Doug manages. I do a lot of work from home, but go to the office a couple times a week. The full time working mom thing as been a huge adjustment for me (hence the blog neglect). It's created quite a bit of upheaval in the workings of this household, but it's getting better. We decided to move to a smaller home closer to work just before the start of school. The move was complicated with the loss of my Grandmother who passed away the weekend we started moving. I was able to be with her in her final days and was able to attend her funeral and I'm grateful for that. However, our move was prolonged and drawn out as a result. Let me tell you...moving in Phoenix, in August...NOT FUN!! We are in our new house now and starting to settle in. I'm really hoping that the decision to simplify our home and location will really benefit us all.

Jacob is now 15 years old and a freshman in High School. He's doing great and has acclimated to yet another brand new school very well. We are so proud of him and the maturity he has shown in coping with all the changes he's faced. Benjamin will be turning 13 soon and is now in Middle School. He too is doing great. This is the first year my boys have attended school at two separate campuses. It's a bit of a juggle, but so far it's working out really well.

Little Miss is changing everyday. She is such a treasure in this household. She tolerated our move amazingly well. We just started her in preschool two days a week. She definitely experiences separation anxiety when we drop her off, but is so excited to tell us about her day when we return. Right now she is just going from 9 to 11:30, but when we feel she is ready, we will let her stay until 1. She acts every bit the part of a three year old. She's extremely talkative and bright. NOTHING gets past her....NOTHING! She loves art, cleaning, toe nail polish, princesses, Hello Kitty, cooking....such a girly girl. She can spot something pink a mile away...even in Home Depot. It's amazing. She lights up our world and we are so proud of what a strong, brave girl she is.

Sorry for the quality of these pictures, but a least it gives you a glimmer as to how our girl is changing and growing. I look forward to hearing from all of you and can't wait to touch base into your worlds as well. I love and miss you all!

First Haircut

On Tuesday I took Kailahni to get her first haircut! My girlfriend, Michelle, was kind enough to squeeze her in between clients. It was so sweet to see Kai sitting in the chair like a big girl. She didn't cry (which surprised me), but had a very serious look on her face the entire time.

I got a little teary when I told Michelle how my Pop-Pop had given me, and the rest of my siblings, our first haircuts. He also gave Jacob and Benjamin their first haircuts. During our wait, he told me that I didn't need to worry because his shears were sharpened and ready to go for our little girl. He assured me that he could trim girl hair, just as good as boy. Sadly, he passed away before we were able to bring her home. He was in my thoughts as I stood and watched Kailahni's looks transform right before my very eyes! What is it about getting your kid's hair cut that makes them look a year older in an instant?!

Although her hair is a little shorter than it was, the cut sure makes is look healthier and a bit fuller...and by "a bit", I really mean a bit!!!

Finished front.

Finished back.

We "Rocked It"

What a crazy, fun weekend this has been! Myself, along with 4 other amazing ladies, ran the PF Chang's Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon. A few months ago, I convinced these women to training for a 1/2 marathon while I trained for the full. My foot injury didn't allow me to complete my training, but these girls forged on....I resumed some running with them a few weeks ago and decided to join them in the 1/2 marathon. My sister-in-law, Cori, had matching tank tops and visors made for us that sported our "marathon mamas" logo (I don't remember which one of us came up with the marathon mamas "team" name, but it stuck...kind of cute, kind of funny, kind of dorky, but what do we care?!). Anyway, this weekend has been a whirlwind of running events, from the Expo Friday night, to the "carb loading" party Saturday night, to the race and after party yesterday.

I really didn't think I wanted to do this race, but am so glad I did! It was a lot fun, and seeing these girls finish race despite their worries and doubts was just awesome! I broke my personal best time....official finishing time, 1:50:39! The greatest part about that, is that I also managed to surpass my friends, Chris and Brad's, best 1/2 marathon time! A few years ago...during "the wait"..I started running. Our friends, Chris and Brad, took on the role of my personal trainers to help me prepare for my first 1/2 marathon. They ran with me, and ran with me, and ran with me. I held them back, made them slow...but they stood by me and filled me with all kinds of advice and pats on the back. The three of us ran my first half together...they were such great sports. After that, running became more individual for me. I ran the Fiesta Bowl 1/2 marathon by myself last year and came withing 50 SECONDS of beating Chris and Brad's personal best time for a half marathon. 50 SECONDS!!! They have enjoyed dangling that over my head for over a year now....that is until yesterday! Brad's daughter was running yesterday, so both Chris and Brad were down at the race to cheer her on...I ran past them at mile 11..as I did, I glanced down at my watch, realized that I was in contention to smoke their personal best time, and decided to give them a lovely "thumbs down" signal to let them know that they were "going down"! Brad happened to catch the moment on camera, and to me, it's one of the greatest pictures EVER!!! AAAAAHHHH, THE GLORY!!!!

My entire family (minus my Mom..sorry Mom) were standing at mile 12 (they surprised me...I had no idea they were going to be there) to give me that last bit of motivation...Kailahni was so funny with her "Go Mama" cheers. It was great to see them all. I finished the race, then walked back along course until I saw my girlfriend Melissa running toward me. To fulfill a promise I had made to her at the start, I hopped back on the course and ran along side her...we passed mile 13 together and then crossed the finish line side by side. I looked a little silly with my bottle of water in my hand and my finishers medal bouncing in my face, but a promise is a promise!

It was a beautiful day full of lasting memories! I'm so proud of my "marathon mamas"!

We've missed everybody!!!!!

It's me! It's me!!! I really can't believe how badly I've neglected my blog. It's so pathetic. Life has been busy...obviously, but it's no excuse, really! I started working for Doug's flooring company a few months ago, and I haven't been able to see straight since. I promise to be better moving forward. I haven't taken many pictures lately, and therefore haven't had the motivation to post!

Since my last post, Jacob turned 14 (GULP), Kailahni turned 2 (and all that that entails), Doug turned 41 (ha, ha...old fart), Benjamin started 6th grade (middle school here we come), and I...well I started training for my first full marathon, injured my foot, had to stop training (didn't handle that real well), recently started running again and am planning on doing a half marathon in a few weeks. Full marathon on the back burner for now.

This post is short, I know, but it's the best I can do for now. I shot this video on my phone the other day while I was icing my foot on the couch (about the only time I find myself sitting down these days). Anyway, Kailahni is half naked and her hair is a fright, I'm getting over a cold and sound just ridiculous...it's not pretty, but it's life! I know you all love us enough to see past all that!

I'll post more soon...I promise! Big hugs to all!

What a summer!!!!!!!

Well...the boys are back in school (sniff, sniff)...summer vacation is officially over. Our family trip to Washington turned out to be so amazing and relaxing it's hard to describe. We were so happy to finally get to introduce Kailahni to her Grandma (Doug's mom), Aunt, Uncles and cousin. We went on hikes, played at tide pools, walked on the beach, and ended our trip with a 4 day sailboat trip through the San Juan Islands. It was awesome. We got to experience all kinds of nature...we saw humpback whales, dolphins, seals, deer (Jacob fed one from his hand...swear to god) and even ORCAS!!!!! We sailed through a pod of over 30 orcas that were breaching and splashing all over the place....one even came directly under our boat. I have a video clip of the amazing orcas, but it doesn't do the moment justice....it was a once in a lifetime experience! The tail end of our trip coincided with our trip to China last year. One morning, I was sitting on the front deck of our boat drinking my coffee (go ahead and be jealous), and I realized that "one year ago today" Doug and I were climbing the Great Wall. Being together as a family in such a beautiful as the San Juan Islands was an awesome way to celebrate our one year anniversary. There was so much uncertainty in our lives a year ago...we've had a very BIG year! It felt so good to be all together, to feel so settled in our life, and to get to enjoy all the beauty of the San Juan's as a family. I can't post all my pictures because I took way too many, but here's a few...














If you watch the video clip, you're going to want to view it on full screen and you should probably hit your mute button because my screaming is a bit over the top. The orcas were much closer to our boat than it appears in this video. Unfortunately, by the time I got my camera rolling most of the pod had already passed us, but I managed to get some of it recorded. Be patient...the most exciting part is toward the end of the video.

One year ago today....

One year ago today, Kailahni Xiugang Elizabeth Schneider enter our world, our hearts, our lives...forever. It was a moment, and a day, that I will never forget and will always treasure. Time does not permit me to create a post that does my heart and mind justice regarding this day, and the child that we have had the indescribable privilege of parenting. So, for now, this video clip will serve as a reminder of what our first moments together looked like.

3 moms, 8 kids and loads of fun...Part 2!

I'm still enjoying looking back at all the pictures we took on our zany trip to California. We really did have and great time. I think my sisters and I may have started a fun new tradition...I think...we may need at least one Daddy or Grandpa with us next time we attempt to do this...maybe. In some ways I think the challenge of juggling it all ourselves was part of what made it fun...at least it made it funny, at times.

We leave on Saturday for Washington to visit Doug's family and introduce them to our beautiful baby girl. It's a trip that I am looking SO forward to. I'll post again when we return!