Like We've Been Friends Forever...

Our China adoption journey started a little over five years ago. As we've journeyed, we have met some amazing people and "virtually met" even more amazing people...via Internet chat groups and blogs. On the rare occasions that we travel out of our own little corner of the world, I try to meet some of those "virtual" friends in person. I can't say Daddy understands my compulsion to meet these people -- honestly, I'm not sure I completely understand it -- but he is always willing to go along for the adventure.

I don't remember when I "met" Kristin, but her blog has always been a favorite of mine. Ever since we connected via the Internet, we have followed each other's blogs and cracked each other up. Now that I'm on Facebook (yes, folks, one can be on Facebook and still blog regularly!), it's almost like we have daily conversations -- most of 'em make me laugh and all of 'em make me smile!

When Kristin saw on Facebook that we were heading south for vacation, she sent me a message suggesting we meet. I was super excited about the idea! So, we made some plans. After driving roughly 10 hours on Wednesday, we checked into a hotel in Georgia about a mile from Kristin's house, cleaned up a bit, and headed over for some Southern hospitality.

I am consistently amazed at how easy it is to meet families for the first time and just fall into comfortable conversation with NO problem! Other than the fact that we have both adopted twice from China, I can't say that Kristin and I have a lot in common. (Maybe we do, but I just have no idea.)

Equally amazing is the ability for the Littles to just jump into a new situation and have a ball! Minutes after meeting Kristin and her girls on the front lawn, our Littles and her Littles played for a while on their swingset...
...and then trashed the playroom like they'd been friends forever! When I tried to get a group shot of all the Littles together...
...Carson and Molly (who are used to the Mamaparazzi) cooperated nicely. Abby (on the right) also looked up and smiled. Anna Grace, though (who is between my two), went from sticking out her tongue...
...to closing her eyes. What a goof! (Kristin, a few more visits from our kids and we'll get Anna Grace in tip-top blog photo form. It really is a skill...and my photogenic kids are just the ones to teach her!)

We did finally get a decent pic of them...
...and I was happy. Then, Molly suggested a "silly face" photo...
...and she was the only one who didn't cooperate. (Anna Grace, I'm happy to report, cooperated beautifully with that one.)

After a wonderful dinner...
...that I promise was not tear-inducing (Anna Grace was up to her shenanigans again), the kids got the grand idea...
...to make a bunch of paths through Kristin's house with these tiny little blocks. Cute idea, but hurts like the dickens when you step on 'em!

When Molly heard that dessert wasn't coming out 'til the blocks were cleaned up...
...she was on it! Abby and Carson jumped in as well, but Anna Grace...
...decided it was nap time. Actually, that photo was totally staged, but she DID avoid the clean-up efforts as much as humanly possible. (Gotta give her an "A" for effort...) While we waited for clean-up to happen, we decided it was time to capture the adults on film. Looking at this picture...
...I still can't believe I actually MET Kristin and her family in person!! (I'm such a dork, but when I follow someone's blog and then meet them in person, it is totally like meeting a celebrity!) Meggie and Katie (Kristin's oldest)...
...have such similar personalities, it's like they were twins separated at birth! They even dressed very similarly for our evening together...same style of blouse, same shorts. (And look, Evan, they both do the hand-on-the-hip pose for pictures!)

Didn't force Dave (Kristin's husband) and Daddy to pose together...
...but grabbed a shot of 'em anyway. (They were truly such wonderful sports to allow Kristin and I to hijack their evening.)

After ice cream and homemade chocolate chip cookies...
...a bit of weirdness...
...some inexplicable pouting...
...and a rousing game of "Duck, Duck, Goose"...
...the evening drew to a close. Well, actually, that's not entirely true.

As we dragged out the goodbye portion of the evening as long as we could, the Littles went back to the playroom...and it started getting a bit noisy. As I headed in to check what was up, I saw Carson was attempting to kiss Abby. Apparently, he had spent the majority of the evening chasing Abby AND Anna Grace, trying to smooch them both. (Whatta stud, right?!) When I yelled at him to stop, he shrugged and claimed they asked him to kiss them. Hmmmm...

When we finally ended the evening (we were all reluctant to do so), hugs were exchanged and we piled into the minivan. Kristin, Dave, and the girls (can't believe Alex was there and was able to avoid any conversation and all photographs!) stood on the sidewalk to see us off. We heard someone yelling Carson's name. I told Daddy to roll down the side window. It was Anna Grace, hopping up and down, yelling Carson's name and blowing him kisses. Oh!

I suggested on Facebook the next morning that an arranged marriage should be discussed. Kristin "liked" my status but never really responded...until later that day when SHE posted that Anna Grace wanted to know when they could visit Ohio. Sounds like my Little Man has worked his charms successfully this time, doesn't it?

Kristin and Dave, thanks so much for hosting us for dinner and tolerating our hijack of your evening. I still can't believe we got to meet you and your beautiful children. It truly did feel like we've been friends forever...and if Carson and Anna Grace have their way, you may NEVER get rid of us!