Call Me Maybe

So Brielle is a big singer in the car. We typically listen to a Christian radio station, but we change it up every once in a while and she really likes the Call Me Maybe song on the radio. I have captured her twice singing it. And yes, she is wearing the same shirt in both videos...didn't do that on purpose. She is just too cute! Oh, and Longji makes an appearance in one of the videos. It's hilarious!

Wedding, Birthday, Update

I can't even remember when the last time I posted was. I got a "reminder to blog" text message today and I realized it has been a very long time. We have married off our oldest daughter since my last post, Brielle has turned eight years old and after a very important doctor's appointment we now have a very clear understanding of Brielle's medical condition. It has been a crazy month of July for us this year.

I wish I had wedding pictures to post, but I didn't even pick up my camera during the wedding night...hard to believe since I am constantly taking pictures. The fact that I had to get two flower girls, one ring bearer, a father-of-the-bride and myself ready for the wedding may have had something to do with it. I am hoping to get some from Jennifer and my new son-in-law (I like saying that), Bryan.

Brielle's birthday was a successful bash. We rented a fairy bouncer and the venue was my parents' backyard. That is what Brielle wanted...a very "hot" birthday party. The kids had a great time and Brielle was completely overwhelmed, but she loved it. Again, no pictures...I was hosting and we had a family member take pictures for us. I will make sure to post some of these when I get them.

We also consulted with a pediatric neurosurgeon in Austin this month and we now have a very clear understanding of Brielle's condition. All we have to do at this point is have her monitored by an MRI every year and we are surgery-free. It was a blessing of a visit and we still can't believe the prognosis considering when we started this journey she was diagnosed with a brain tumor...God is good!!

As far as school goes, we are trying to avoid the "s-word" for as long as possible, but we have picked up school supplies and some new clothes. The kids are enjoying their summer and really not into starting school already. We have been working all summer on math and reading so hopefully this has helped with the language obstacle.

I tried to upload some summer pictures, but the blogger website is not cooperating. Sorry! I will try to post again tomorrow. Hopefully, I will have better luck then.

Busy Summer

We have had a very busy summer so far. The kids wrapped up their tennis and swimming lessons in early June. We try to go swimming three to four times a week at the YMCA. Longji is practically on his own in the water now and he has great freestyle form. Brielle is still getting use to water in her face so we are slowly getting more comfortable in the water. We have lots of fun at the pool and it's great exercise for the kids.

We have a family bowling pass so we have also gone bowling a few times. It's hilarious with the kids.

We attended my cousin's wedding in Amarillo, Texas. That was quite the road trip. The kids actually did really well in the car. It was a quick trip, but we had a great time and it was nice to visit with the family. Everyone on my side of the family has now officially met Brielle.

Between our visits to the pool, library and bowling alley, we are squeezing in one to two hours of school work every day and still going to Ms. Lee's house for Chinese tutoring once a week. Jordyn played in four golf tournaments and I have to admit, it is nice having our summers off to be able to do all of these things.

For Father's Day, we had a post Father's Day celebration because we were actually traveling on the day of. We were able to all get together and go out to eat at John's pick - the Pig Stand. Longji and Brielle just love having all of their sisters around.

Last weekend we went to Guadalupe State Park for a family day and again, we were all able to be together. There is a picture below of all five kids in the car on our way to the park. I think it is one of my favorites!

Yesterday we spent the 4th of July with my brother, Jeff, and his wife, Casey. We love going to the New Braunfels parade and watching the fireworks show at night. We also got to visit with my great grandmother. She is 102 years old. The kids had lots of questions for her! Brielle and Longji both enjoyed the parade and fireworks.

Both kids are enjoying their summer activities! Brielle's English is coming right along and Longji is getting better and better with his reading. Next week Longji is attending a robot camp at Northwest Vista College and Brielle will go back to Green Tree for an all day sports camp (Monday through Friday). This will be her first activity that she actually does independently. Hopefully John and I will get a lot done around the house that has been hard to tackle with "twins" around.

Below are some pictures from the events of the summer so far...enjoy!

First Week of Summer

We are wrapping up our first week of summer with the two little ones. Longji started tennis and swimming Tuesday and Brielle started her first ever swimming lessons. Both did a great job in the pool this week. Longji is now jumping in 11ft and swimming across the pool. Brielle is getting more comfortable with the pool and she is now putting her face in the water which is a really big step for her. We try to make it to the YMCA pool whenever we can for play time in the pool. Thursday we headed over to the library to make a clay class for the kids. They had so much fun with the clay. We also checked out books on Tuesday so that was fun for both kids. Longji is still taking kung fu twice a week also. We have about two hours of school every day so the kids are definitely kept busy. When their heads hit the pillow at night, they fall fast asleep.

They have both been playing together really well lately. Brielle has had a few meltdowns this week, but we think she is just exhausted from our busy days and a bit hypersensitive. Her English is coming along quickly.

Jordyn is with us this month so we are keeping her busy with golf tournaments and driver's ed. She is leaving early this week for Amarillo for a wedding and we are catching up with her this next Friday. This is our first long road trip...should be interesting.

Yesterday, we participated in a Family Fun Run for Clarity, a children's facility, that my dad works for. We had so much fun. After the family run, the kids got snow cones, played basketball, Brielle got her face painted and played in a bouncer. Our team name was Adam's Athletes. Adam was "coach" which is a role he took very seriously. Below are some pictures from our week's events.

This is Longji and Brielle on our way to our first tennis and swimming lessons of the summer.

First day of tennis and swimming. I love the picture of the two wrapped in their towels.

La Loma golf tournament - Jordyn had a great day of golf.

First time at the pool

Yesterday we took the kids to the pool and this was Brielle's first time. She did awesome and she was so cute in her little swimsuit! She didn't want to leave when it was time to go. Both kids start their summer swim lessons on Tuesday.