New Addition....

Yay for siblings! After being together for 3 weeks, finally within arms reach and smiling. Was a definite candid moment!

My Monkey, can you see the resemblance? At Beijing Zoo.

I have had a long lapse in posting, and have taken a break for a few reasons. Some having to do with time constraints, some having to do with personal issues and some having to do with privacy. But, I appreciate those who checked in with us often and have sent emails, cards and called. I made a promise to someone special in the fall that I would not let issues, people or my own shortcomings get in my way of either my aspirations or my needs or that of my growing family. So, while this post has been written and re-written in the last few months, it is time to allow myself some creative time. So, for our travel group that has been asking, and our friends as well, no the snow has not swallowed us up!

As most know, 2010 was full of very personal ups and downs for our family. The major up you can see in the pictures. We are so overjoyed and blessed to announce is our beautiful daughter, Quhyn has been home now for 2 months. She is vivacious, funny, sensitive, courageous and oh so sweet. She has added so much to our lives and to the lives of those closest to us. She adores her big brother, and he is happy to have a "baby" around to dote on. It is like a calamity of errors and trials some days, but every morning I can't wait to get up to see what antics will happen during the day. It has been a struggle with getting her settled and adjusted and to get Aidan accustomed to the fact that "the king has been dethroned"! :) I also was not able to take parental leave, which makes for an interesting work week with my responsibilities. Quhyn has had difficulty with the car, confined spaces, strangers and strange surroundings. That is to be expected. As such, we have been sticking as close to home as we can and have limited who and what we expose her to so she is not overly stimulated and stressed. Those who have adopted toddlers know what I am talking about! But, everyone is doing well. Quhyn is getting used to all of us, has opened up and is beginning to trust us and has started communicating her needs very well. She so proud when we understand what her wishes are. It is often a bunch of garbled sign language with a smattering of baby talk and some unladylike grunts, but you get the picture. She sits and claps her hands and mumbles "good girl" and grabs our hearts every time she does it.

With this joyous time in our lives, and the holidays coming directly afterwards, followed by bouts of illness and now calving season, you can understand my delays in posting. Previous to that, I was tied up with getting ready for her coming home, working my "day" job, selling our beef at a local market once a week and helping with things on the farm, looking after my Epicure clients and doing the books. Aidan and I also spent a week in Southern Ontario visiting with family and friends, and another weekend was spent with family on the very special occasion of my grandparents' 65th wedding anniversary! That doesn't happen everyday and it was so wonderful to spend some the time with them and our family. The rest of the time was spent with an amazing friend at a very difficult time in both our lives. That experience has taught me so much on what real friendship means, where true strength comes from and how short and fleeing life can be and it is important to live every second to the fullest and to have a positive outlook no matter what the outcome is. I call it my silver lining.

Stay tuned for some creative aspects from yesterday and today! :) And thank you to all of those who have been there for the big and the small. Your support means so much and we are forever grateful.