One Year!!!

I can't believe it, but it is really August 2, 2005, which is exactly one year from the day we arrived home from Russia with Maya and Tristan. The day that all our children came together for the first time. You can read about that day here.

I remember thinking back in the beginning that the first year would be very tough because all our kids are so young, but if we could just make it through it, we would be okay. It definitely has been tough, one of the most challenging years of my life actually, but also the most worthwhile endeavor of my life. Thinking back to what it was like in the beginning, it is easy to see how much easier and relaxed things are around here now. I am still working on being a more patient mother. Little things that are slightly annoying, when they are magnified by 4 little people all doing those same things all of a sudden become unbearable. :) However, I think patience is probably a daily struggle for most parents.

At any rate, we have been busy all weekend celebrating this special anniversary. It reminded me of Emma's first birthday party, because it felt more like we were celebrating the fact that we survived our first year of parenting, rather than her first year of life since she didn't really get what was going on. That year of adjustment for us would definitely rival this last year that we've had. :) Nothing like new parenthood!

Yesterday I grilled the best steaks of my life and made some yummy potatoes (recipes to come), and my awesome neighbor Jennica made adorable little cupcakes with double-sided Russian/American flags for the kids. We also gave Maya and Tristan the traditional Russian clothes that we had bought for them in Moscow. I took portraits of them and they wore them to church (without the hats). Maya asked everyone she saw if they liked her pretty dress. :) I think Isabelle was pretty jealous. Luckily, her birthday is right around the corner.