Saturday, July 9, 2011

Tybee

Tybee took her first vacation with us this weekend.  She loved going and being with us.  I noticed that she seemed extra tired, especially after getting home.  We became extra worried as she began standing around awkwardly not allowing any of us to get close.  Wednesday she became really sick.  I stayed up with her all night.  She was struggling to breath.  It was the most heartbreaking thing to witness.  Thursday morning she stopped breathing three or four times. I called the Vet and we made the gut wrenching decision  to not let her suffer and struggle for breath.  The Vet confirmed she had congestive heart failure.

My heart is broken.  The little dog Ben and I picked out 10 years ago is now gone.  I remember we couldn't get the perfect name for her at first.  After several days, I remember Ben saying to me, "I have the perfect name but I'm afraid to tell you because I know you'll love it and that will be the end of it."   He was right.  Tybee.  She was named after Tybee Island, the special place where Ben proposed to me.  I will never forget her.


Tybee Hansard
7-3-01    7-7-11

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Father's Day



For Father's day we invited my daddy and Ben's daddy over for lunch.  Three terrific father's all eating at one table.  


I just had to include Tybee in some of the pictures.  I just liked this one.








Literally, the best father I know and his girls.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Braves and Monkeys


We took a quick trip to the Zoo followed by a Braves game.


Chloe fed a parakeet.

A couple of monkeys (in the background, of course!)


We had a fantastic day, not sure why Chloe's face doesn't reflect that.

A really cute Brazilian monkey of some sort.

We finally made it to the Brave's game only to have it pour down rain on us.  The girls quickly scrambled for their make-up to powder their noses.



It was a really fun day.  We had a good time.

Monday, May 30, 2011

So much has happened since my last post.  I'll have to go back and fill in.

Tonight though, Chloe has written a book.  All About China.  Page one, China has pretty mountains.  Page two, China has pretty buildings.  Page three, China has the Great Wall too.  The End.

As I look at it, I glance back at her.  She's so proud of herself.  She says, "That's all I remember about China."  I say to her, "Maybe one day we can go back."  She then says, "Yeah, maybe then I'll remember it."  She smiles, then leaves the room to go outside with her daddy.  I'm thankful because the tears start flowing.  I'm not sure whether or not to let her see me cry.  I don't want her thinking it's a sad thing.  However, it is somewhat sad to me that she's starting to wonder about where she came from.  Landscape is one thing.  Birth mother is another.  I don't want her to yearn to know about her past.  I'm not ready for questions I can't answer. 

But she's so smart, I know the questions are coming.

My go-to book, besides the Bible,  is The Lost Daughters of China.  I go to it often for help. 

"For every daughter lost, somewhere there was once a mother and a father, and grandparents, perhaps, plus an aunt or uncle or two." "Uncertainty is where we begin and uncertainty is where we may end."

"The daughters of China, set down in public places, found and cared for, have blessed thousands of families thousands of miles away.  But by necessity in most cases, the blessings came anonymously, as secret offerings."

 Tonight, I will pray that that mother, father, and perhaps grandparents know that the girl they set down in a public place was miraculously found and by God placed in our family.   That she is happy, healthy and growing up in a family that is simply crazy about her. 

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day





I love Mother's Day!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Soccer

Soccer season again.

Nothing like a little game of rock, paper, scissors at half-time.

 Chloe usually has the most fans.
Aunt Kiki, Nana, Kaci, Pawpaw, Mama and Daddy were all at this game.

Mrs. Niedrach showed up too!

Scissors cut paper!  Yes!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Our Young Author

Today was Young Author's Day at Berry College Elementary and Middle School.  Chloe received a writing award then we enjoyed a picnic in front of Frost Chapel while she read her book to us.  It is entitled: The Princess in the Castle.  It's bound to become a classic!

The Author reading her book to us...



Portrait of the Author....






The Princess in the Castle...




Book Dedication... ~Love~





About the Author...
"Chloe Hansard is six years old.  She is the daughter of Ben and Kim Hansard.  She has two sisters, Hannah and Lauren.  Chloe loves to play with her puppy and play outside.  She cannot choose a favorite toy because she loves them all so much!  Her absolute favorite food is a banana because they are so yummy!  She may be a girly girl, but she loves to wear green.  Art is her favorite part of school, and she is a friend to everyone.  Chloe loves a great princess story, so she wrote one herself."