Our Move to Signal Mountain, TN

What an adventure we have been on!  Having decided a year ago to take a huge leap of faith, here we are finally in our new home city.  The "leap" was to leave our beautiful home in an incredible part of the world, Seattle, for a very different part of the world-- Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The reaction we've heard over and over is... "Huh?  Why would you do that?!"

Our search for a new home was the result of wanting to leave some things behind-- long commutes, high cost of living, constant grey and rainy weather, and the multiple stresses caused by living in a major metropolitan area.  And the need to welcome new things into our lives-- more simplicity, less stress, more time together as a family, a community, sunshine, and the ability to spend time with our extended families.

Chattanooga?  Several reasons that include-- a medium-size city that is on the rise, a much more reasonable cost of living (especially in housing), great year-round weather, beautiful mountains, lakes, and rivers, and a location that will enable us to spend lots of time with our extended families.

Signal Mountain is a small community that sits atop a mountain, 1,700 feet above Chattanooga.  A very curvey road connects it to downtown Chattanooga, but takes only about 20 minutes to get from one to the other. 

Pamela is enjoying a respite from her work schedule to get us settled and to spend more time with Anna and Lily.  John brought his job with him and works from an office at home.  Misha is still a bit confused, but seems to be accepting her new surroundings.

The girls adjusted so easily to their new school.  New friends were made quickly which was such a relief to Mom and Dad.

A note about Anna and Lily.  These girls have come so far since their trips home from China.  Their joyous embrace of their daily lives, their incredible creativity, sense of humor, expressions of love, and great friendship with each other.  We are amazed on a daily basis at how incredible these girls are.  Our home is constantly abuzz with their energy and enthusiasm.  How does such a thing happen?  How can two little beings bring so much light to our world?

 

In front of the girl's school

 

First day of school

 

Our new home

 

Yep, it's old! But only a rental for now.

 

A view from Signal Mountain

Anna Is Re-Adopted

This week Anna was re-adopted, meaning she now has a birth certificate from the State of Washington.  The re-adoption took place in the historic Jefferson County Courthouse in beautiful Port Townsend, WA.

Chloe Visits Us

Chloe took some time between Spring Quarter and her summer classes to visit with us.  It was fun to go out on the boat with her.  The girls love to spend time with their older sister.

Anna's Recital

Anna has been so excited about her music recital.  She was so anxious to show her family that she could perform as well as her sister Lily has done.  And she did.  She made us so proud.  In a bit less than two years, it's so amazing that Anna could achieve what she has since emeging from sitting in a chair in the orphanage.

Lily is 5 years old

Lily joyfully celebrated her fifth birthday this week.  She invited some of her friends to a party where they had fun playing on the Tumble Bus.  But her favorite time seemed to be her birthday dinner with family.

Ladybug cake and sister Anna



Blowing out five candles

Sharing her birthday with her friends

The Tumble Bus

With sister Chloe



Help a Child Who Is Running Out of Time

http://www.143millionlessone.blogspot.com/

Fun at Disneyland

We surprised Anna and Lily with a trip to Disneyland this week.  We kept it a surprise until we checked into the Disneyland Hotel.  It had been a long time since we'd gotten away as a family.  This vacation was focused on the girls having a special time, but it turned out to be a special time for us all.  Lily was enamored with the princesses and Anna enjoyed the rides-- totally aligned with their different personalities.  Pamela and John had a wonderful time watching the girls have fun adventures and special experiences.

The Castle at night











Mickey's ferris wheel at night







Lily and Anna with the most beautiful princes of all

Meeting Sulley

 

Lily rides a merry-go-round





 

Meeting Snow White



Gorsh!!





Minni Anna





Year of the Dragon

The Year of the Dragon started this week.  Anna and Lily wore traditional Chinese dresses to school on Monday, the Chinese New Year.

Today we celebrated in our traditional way by watching the dragon parade and then enjoying lunch in our favorite Chinese restaurant.  The girls loved the dragons and were even able to deal with the loud firecrackers.

Two beautiful girls in their Chinese dresses

Two scary dragons

Waiting for the dragon parade with Dad

Seattle's Chinese gate





The dragons dancing around the firecrackers

Snowy Seattle

This has been a very wintry week in the Puget Sound area, which is something we don't experience very often.  Heavy snow and ice pretty much shut the city down. 

But for Anna and Lily it was FUN!

Flying down the hill

Playing with neighborhood friends

A Joyful Christmas

Christmas was a joyful time for our family.  How could it not be considering the excitement and fun that Anna and Lily brought to the season!  These two girls relished every moment.  Since Thanksgiving they were bubbling with Christmas spirit.  Lily filled the house with her beautiful renditions of carols, and Anna helped Mom and Dad put up all the decorations.

Chloe joined us for the holidays and the three girls continued to build their close bond as sisters.  Eric and Nana Barbara also joined us for a Christmas weekend filled with fun, food, and sharing of gifts.

We are so grateful to have been able to have our family together and to be so blessed during times that are hard for others around the world.

Lily at her pre-school Christmas celebration

A holiday trip to the Seattle Aquarium

All dressed up on Christmas Eve

Three beautiful sisters

Opening gifts with Mommy

Anna looking so different than when we picked her up at the orphanage exactly 2 years ago... such a beautiful young lady!

Presents for Dad

Thanksgiving 2011

Our Thanksgiving was extra fun this year.  A house full of wonderful family-- Chloe, her boyfriend Erick, Nana Barbara, and Eric and his girlfriend Tara.  Our dinner was traditional turkey with all the extras.  As usual Anna ate an entire turkey leg!

New this year was Lily's rendition of "Albuquerque Turkey"-

Anna is 6 and Halloween Is Fun

Anna and Lily choose their pumpkins

Anna celebrates her 6th birthday with her sister

Lily the "good" witch and Anna the clown