Anne Turns 9 and Adoption Update

Teeny tiny adoption update. We have been DTC (Dossier to China) for just over four months. Hasn't it just flown by? We were told to anticipate a 6-9 month wait, which means we are halfway (or closer) to seeing the face of our little girl. While we are eager to see her picture, we are grateful for this time of waiting as each of our other children get a little older.

Speaking of getting older.....

Anne is NINE years old!

I really can't believe it. My first born baby girl is nine.

Anne is a mother hen to her sisters!

Anne is growing into such a wonderful young lady. She takes her responsibility as the eldest sister very seriously. I'm continually amazed by her maturity for her age. Anne is a great helper to me at home. She has recently expanded her list of chores and is tackling larger household duties such as vacuuming with a thoroughness that delights me! Anne is always willing to pitch in to read to Caroline or take her outside and watch over her while I'm making dinner.

All photos credit to Stacy Parmarter Photography!

Some things Anne loves:
- Reading: pretty much anything she can get her hands on she will read. Currently she is enjoying historical fiction, and the daily comics
- Computer games: she enjoys a math game called Rainbow Rock
-iPhone/iMovie: Anne likes playing electronic games as well as using iMovie to create short videos or movie trailers
-Horses: ever since she could talk she loved horses. That love continues to this day.
-Music: Anne is hoping to take piano lessons again next year (we stopped this past year). Eventually she would like to play the violin

-Jesus: Anne has always been interested in Spiritual matters. She has impressed me with her ability to pray in her room when she is experiencing a bad attitude or has said/done things she shouldn't have.
-Almost all food: she is my least-picky eater!
-Board Games/Card games
-Playing outside
-Taking care of her chickens (usually)
-Cats: currently we have a "wild cat" outside named Oscar

Things Anne is not fond of:
-cooked carrots
-stink bugs
-I can't think of anything else. :)

Anne is a delight to parent. As challenging as she was during her toddler years she is more than making up for it now. While she occasionally gives me an attitude or argues with Maggie, she is really a joy. Anne is a wonderful student and I enjoy having her in my "class". While she is usually mature for her age she can also be very silly. Poop jokes and mention of any bodily function can cause uproarious laughter.

Happy ninth birthday, Anne-girl! We're so glad you are ours. Even if you do use Microsoft Paint to edit photos of your parents.