O.K. so I haven't posted in quite awhile. Well Nikki posted a couple of weeks ago and most of you prefer her entries anyway, and so do I. But, I thought I better fill you in on a few happenings aound the Haske household. It has been very busy around here the last few months. Bringing a new child into the family is hard. It's like giving birth, but to a 44 pounder with a very strong will and some issues.

I have to keep it real here and tell you that, the first month home I honestly thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life. I was exhausted and Sebastian was testing us or maybe he was just trying to survive in a world that, for him had turned upside down.
My sweet Annie went nuts and turned into this evil, mean, crying and sceaming little tyrant! My two teenagers weren't happy either. Then Ryan ends up with a very serious and dangerous parasite in his eye that requires constant trips to the cornea dr and I swear Sebastian must have thought the mini van was our house! LOL
All I could think of was that maybe we weren't supposed to adopt again. What had I done to my family? Afterall it is me who pushes to bring these children home. How will we survive this chaos? Well we have and I have to say...I love this little boy. He is simply amazing and once again, I am humbled.

On Mother's Day, Sebastian made me a card ( with a little help from big sis Nikki) But he told Nikki what to write in the card and this is what he wanted to tell me:
"Thank you for the Pizza (I had made homemade pizza the night before) and you are very cool" "I love you" Sebastian. Can a card get any better than that? He loves my pizza and I'm very cool!

Next I went to his closing program at his Pre K class. Sebastian only joined this school in April. The theme was centered around The Wizard of Oz. Sebastian sang every song and knew all the words and motions. 2 months at the school and only 3 months home from china and there he is singing his heart out.

This past month, Nikki made her Confirmation and graduated 8th grade and two weeks later we had Sebastian Baptised. I took Nikki to have her Hair cut and highlighted and she was thrilled. Nikki has very very curly hair and has wanted this new do for a long time. She looks amazing and about 18 years old (not something her dad is happy about)! I can't believe my little girl is going to start High School in the fall. I am so proud of her. This has been a year of ups and downs for her but she makes me proud.

Sebastian had his Baptism on June 1st and he did so well. I know he was nervous standing up there with the whole congregation looking at him, but he was very brave. In the morning when we were getting ready, he had the choice to wear his chinese silk shirt or his blue dress shirt and navy pants. He tried on his chinese shirt and I could tell he was so proud and really wanted to wear it, but he was hesitating, so I asked him which outfit he was going to choose? He looked back and forth and then pointed to the dress shirt and pants and said "I wear blue because I not chinese no more" He melted my heart. So I said "Sebastian you will always be chinese, now you are just an American chinese, but you will still always be from china and be chinese" He gets this big grin on his face and says " then I wear my china shirt"! And so he did. He looked so handsome. I will have Nikki post some photos from the day. What a great party and what amazing family and friends we have.

Now summer is here and we are hanging out, playing and getting organized. Sebastian got a sandbox from our good friends the Ashe's and he loves the sand. I love the Ashe's because he and annie will play in the sand for at least an hour and I can get some stuff done. LOL The new swing set is built ( Thanks Rich for building it and doing a great job and for getting it done in time for the party!) and Annie and Sebastian love it. I am getting more grey hair watching them hang upside down and climb like monkeys.

Ryan is running around so much with his buddies that we hardly see him around here. Just 17 more hours until he can get his license. Doesn't sound like much, but it takes forever. We are going to have to make a few trips to Wisconsin just to get the time. I am in no hurry! HIs eye is getting better slowly but surely. He will be on medication drops at least through September according to Dr. M the cornea man. He can only swim with goggles and of course no contacts until all this is cleared up. This has been a long road, but he still has his sight so I'm thrilled.

Oh yeah, and princess annie. Well she is getting better and is adjusting to her new brother more and more everyday. They really do have a love/hate relationship. But they can play together more and more everyday without fighting.....as often. She has almost stopped biting him....and now they can laugh, get silly and play together for quite a while before they remember they don't like each other. They also hug and dance together quite often....and then she hits him...no I'm just kidding....sort of! Annie is still my little miracle. She is so sweet and loving and she makes me laugh several times a day. She is animated, funny, bossy and very generous. She can't carry a tune in a basket, but will sing at the top of her lungs just because she likes the song. Oh to be so free and easy!

So that is what has been happening around here. I pray that you all have a safe and fun summer. I am enjoying all the "firsts" with Sebastian. The first time he played in the sand, the first time I took him to the pool, the first bike ride, the first time he said the prayer at dinnertime, the first bubble bath, watching him hit a baseball...you forget what it's all like until you experience it through his eyes. It's all new and exciting. I'm trying to remember that and feel it too.

keep checking for new photos...and remember to treasure each new day...that is my goal for the year!
Grace and Peace,
Michele