1 Month Later

Has it already been one month?
Has it only been one month?
Either way, it has been one GLORIOUS month here in Boston, Massachusetts, AMERICA!
As our time in China came to an end I started worrying that I had worked life back home into something better than it really was.  I didn't know if I was having hard days because I was a huge complainer, or experiencing some kind of postpartum depression, or if life in China really was ca-razy!!  It is #3... and boy am I glad!  Life back home has been a dream!  A fluffy, delicious, peaceful dream.  My hardest day here has not  been as hard as an "easy" day back in China.  As Memorial Day passed a couple days ago I thought about the people who fought, and are fighting, to make our country free and great.  I am proud of my younger brother, Adam for being one of those people.  He sacrifices every day to fight for our freedoms.  I can never repay him or the other men and women for what they give me and my family every day.
It's good to be home.

I am absolutely head-over-heals in love with my sweeties!

Feeding the geese.  There are signs that say not to feed the geese because then they won't leave in the winter.  We try not to feed them but sometimes we can't help ourselves.

 Yes, that is our gold, tufted couch.  And no, you may not have it.

Oh the cheeks!  Lovely!

I cannot stop kissing this sweet boy!!  I am smiling just thinking about how sweet he is!

And this sweetie is my best girlfriend!

What a girl!

I haven't lived with children in many US cities to know if this is normal or not, but Boston offers so many activities for children.  Many of them are free or only a couple dollars.  We live 1 mile away from 2 libraries and even closer to multiple parks.  There are play groups or other activities every week day at one of the two libraries and you better believe we are there every day.
Life. Is. Good.

Coming Home

The last day in Shanghai we went to the park one last time so Ali and Aisha could play.

It was a crazy day but we made it with the help of our awesome friends.

This is our favorite concierge!  I will always remember his cheery disposition and kind nature.

Here we are just before we got into the van.  Our last moment at our Shanghai home.

Getting started on our first leg of the trip.  Ali settled and went right to sleep.  

I can't figure this new blogger feature out so for now the photo will be sideways.  

We're all still smiles here so it must have been relatively early in our trip.  By the last leg we'd all had it. Ali vomited right before we landed in Boston.  It was not pleasant but I'm glad it didn't happen on one of the other 2 flights.

We made it to Boston after a LONG journey.  I decided not to travel until the kids are at least 10.  Seriously.  We left our apartment in Shanghai at 6 pm and got to our hotel in Boston about 30 hours later.  Everyone went right to sleep and slept for what felt like 2 days.  6 days later we found an apartment and we were so excited that we didn't even think about the fact that we'd all be on the floor that night.... except for James.  He brought his Pack n' Play- smart boy.  The next day we bought groceries and Jimmy tracked down a mattress for us and a crib for Ali.  We all had the best night's sleep that night.

unpacking:

 There is a little forrest out my kitchen window and a pond with ducks and geese just beyond that.  I can't believe we found such a perfect place!  Here is Ali looking out at her new park...

and the pond behind our place.

Our new home feels like heaven!  It is quiet and peaceful and absolutely beautiful.  I am in love with the area we live in.  Sometimes when I go to a new place I find a piece of my soul there, like it's been waiting for me to come and feel at home.  I thank Heavenly Father every day for watching over us and bringing us to this little part of heaven.

4 Months Old!

Our James is 4 months old and it's hard to remember life without him.  He is such a special part of our family.

It also happens to be Mother's Day and I am glad to be this sweet boy's mama!  

We all love his chubby cheeks!  

I love this new chair that Jimmy picked up for James.  It makes it so much easier for these two to play together.  Ali brings James toys and plays on the tray with him.  He loves his big sister!