This was FTIA's anniversary year get-together in Noblesville, Indiana. All the children who have been adopted in forever families (who were at the picnic) placed their hands in paint and then put them on the banner. Each different color of handprint designates where that child was born. All the red handprints were from a child adopted through FTIA from China. They say the banner will be displayed at the home office in Evansville, Indiana.
Hannah and Emily's handprints were put together with the year they where joined with our family and are joined together on the front of the banner with the word "Sisters".
The day was HOT and not many of Emily's group were able to make it but we did have a good time talking and catching up as the kids played together. Hannah's group did not meet at this picnic because we decided to get together later in the year with cooler weather in Southern Indiana. We did meet up and conversed with Betty Betz. She was with Hannah's group in China part of the time and was actually our coordinator from FTIA to help us get Emily when we did. When we were in China to bring Hannah home she was adopting an "older child"-"Sela". I remember thinking in China what a difference in age Hannah and Sela were at that time. Hannah is now the same age Sela was when we were in China. Amazing how fast the years go by. This is a picture at the end of the day of Emily with her "China Sister", Hannah G, and our Hannah with Emily's "China Brother", Jack.
They had games, face painting, tattoos, and of course the famous carrousel ride. Emily loved riding the "horses". I love this picture of her and her dad stealing a kiss and sporting their tattoos on their arms, although Dad's is real. She was so hot the paint on her face ran right down her face and by the end of the day she looked like she had a big smudge of grease or dirt on her face instead of a pretty blue and black dolphin.
"The Hannahs", as they have become known as, having a good time at putt-putt golf with Hannah G's dad, John. I think he did FINALLY get that ball in that hole.
We did not get a picture of our dinner on this evening, but we were thankful to have been able to meet up briefly with one of Hannah's "Chinese Sister's" family, the Magers, for pizza.
It was a very nice relaxing time in air conditioning before heading home 2 1/2 hrs in car seats.
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Driving home, Kevin "Snuffy" and I were discussing how lucky we are to be part of two awesome groups who we consider part of our extended family. All of our children play great together and even the older children in both groups look after and play with the younger kids as a family would do. Our only regret is that we eventually need to say good-bye (and most of the time with tears in our eyes) and drive back home saying to each other how we wished we all lived closer together. We ALWAYS miss them all and keep them close in our our thoughts and our hearts as they are all so very special people and have become so special to us.
