3am is early

That is what time Liam woke the second time and never went back to sleep. It's been a long day. No need to say anymore about that.

Here are pictures from yesterday. We were early to school so the boys swung like monkeys from the sunroof. Huh. Now that's not a parenting move I'm proud of but it filled some time and no one got hurt.

Then, we spent the hour before lunch, playing in our favorite park. The students are gone for the summer so it is all ours. The weather has been perfect.

The boys run and run. They find new paths to explore and have the best time. We are so fortunate to have such a cool place to play.

I can do that, too

Ben wants a snorkel. We told him that he has to put his head under water 10 times - unassisted - and we would get it for him. Riley gave him some incentive today. He was really eying that jump.

And, then he did it himself!! Way to go, Ben. Jumping without anyone else in the water is BIG TIME for Ben! He did it twice - he went under both times. Only 8 more to go and the snorkel will be his.

(Ben is wearing an awesome floatation device. It is one piece that wraps around his middle and both arms. He was very uneasy in the water before we found "the shark". He will be in swim lessons again this summer and I am super proud of how comfortable he is getting in the water.)

May 15, 1911

Today, we celebrated my grandmother's 99th birthday! Her birthday was actually yesterday but my aunt, cousin and his wife arrived today. She was showered with flowers yesterday and today we had a pizza party and strawberry cake - just what she wanted.

my aunt Carolyn, my grandmother, and my dad

Just for fun, here they are in 1944. This photo was taken to send to my grandfather, who was in the Navy.

Here is a very fun Millie playing with Ben.

Happy Birthday, Millie!

Dzung

In the fall of '06, Rob and I were awaiting travel approval to go to Vietnam and adopt Ben. At the same time, a young, Vietnamese man named Dzung was starting his freshman year at Hendrix College where Rob works. We contacted him and asked him to translate a thank you letter for the caregivers at the orphanage where Ben was living.

That December, while we were in Vietnam adopting Ben, Dzung was home for Christmas break. We were able to see him in Hanoi and he got to meet Ben.

His beautiful mother, Kim took us on a tour of Hanoi, to the puppet theater and to a wonderful Vietnamese dinner.

Back in Arkansas, Dzung came to our house and cooked for us!

When Dzung was a sophomore, another Vietnamese student named Mai started at Hendrix.

When Ben was first learning to ride his bike (and I could still keep up with him on foot), we would take his bike to Hendrix "Park" where Dzung would meet us and help cheer Ben on as he learned to ride.

In the spring of '08, we hosted a small gathering of Vietnam friends for dinner. Mai and Dzung are on the far left; then me and Ben; Ken, Jessica and Beckett; and Kim and Isaac.

A few days later, we took Dzung to the airport to return home for summer vacation. We didn't know it at the time, but we would be seeing him again very soon.

That summer we received travel approval to go to Vietnam and adopt Liam. Dzung and Mai's families hosted an amazing dinner for us. It was a rare treat to spend the evening with these beautiful families. We are so blessed by their friendships.
Rob holding Ben, me, Dzung's mom, Mai's mom holding Liam, Mai's sister, Mai's dad, Mai, Dzung's dad, Dzung

This is Dzung's sweet mother holding baby Liam.

Dzung is so precious to our family. He is kind and thoughtful to our boys. I love how he is leaning over to Ben with his arm around him. He kept telling him to look at me each time they went around so I could get a picture.

He plays and laughs with them. Dzung is very fun. Not all college students would spend time at a bounce house with a four and two year old.

This past Wednesday, we had the honor of spending the afternoon on Hendrix campus with Dzung's mom and aunt as they are visiting! The boys had a great time running and running and running. I was worn out when we left. Last night, they all came to our house for a dinner party to celebrate....

Today Dzung graduated from Hendrix College with Honors. I am so proud to know him. We consider him family and we are so fortunate to have such an amazing role model for our boys. Congratulations, Dzung. We love you!

Dzung is headed home for the summer but will be returning in the fall to begin an MBA program at Hendrix. How lucky are we, that he will be here another year!

Gaming

It has been an extremely busy week trying to get the house put back together from the hot water heater disaster and preparing for the dinner party that we hosted this evening. The flooring was installed this morning, furniture moved during Rob's lunch hour and clean up and dinner prep in the afternoon. All in all, it was a success. Huge thanks to my sister for all her help. Definitely couldn't have done it without her.

Since I don't have pictures from today, here are the boys from a few days ago enjoying some rare Nintendo time. Don't tell Liam, but his controller isn't actually hooked up and he is holding it upside down.

Three little monkeys

These little monkeys had the best time dressing up. That's Optimus Prime leading the way. Monster Maggie in the middle and Buzz Lightyear bringing up the rear.

Hendrix Park

The boys and I spent several hours this afternoon playing on the campus where Rob works. It is like playing in a giant nature park. Lots of paths, rocks and water. Squirrels, fish and people watching. Actually, we are probably the people that are being watched.



Super fun afternoon.