Time, Transitions & Attitude

I have said before that time has always been a friend to us; yet, this summer it seems that time has been moving so fast and hard that just when we think we’ve actually gotten a hold of this precious commodity for ourselves as a family – we’re sucking it up again, busting out of the dugout and literally running to wherever it is we have to be! I can’t really whine about it as Robert and I are seeing Mary make these startling turns and oh – those moments make you forget that you’re exhausted in the first place.
Most everyone can relate to a parent’s weariness, but Robert and I have been more concerned about the toll it’s taken on Mary. While the efforts this summer have been put in place to help her get to where she needs to be, she’s tired too! We’ve been so busy that we haven’t always seen how the demands have affected her until we actually catch a quiet moment. The amazing thing is that though her eyelids get heavy or the corners of her mouth start to quiver and she gets quiet……she can still manage the most genuine, sweet and engaging smile….its as if she understands and like any great team player, she continues to hang tough and play it hard and smart right along with Momma & Dada. I so admire her!
So – Robert and I have adjusted to our new schedule changes and baby girl not only finished up her summer sessions at Vanderbilt on a Friday but went straight into her fall semester at her school in Wilson County the next Monday. WHEW! Things seem to be leveling out now and as we realize the progress we’ve made this summer, it has made the running well worth it and the craziness make sense. We ran a great race, we crossed the finish line together as a family and we continue to thank God for giving us strength and endurance!
As we transition into the fall, we try to focus on all of the blessings God has poured out to us, in spite of the circumstances in the world. I know for myself, and I pray that Mary’s heart may be one day compelled as well, to wake up each day – grateful. Robert and I are very grateful to God for our employers as we could not make such
changes in our life to benefit Mary if it weren’t for them. We are grateful to our family for loving on Mary and for taking care of her when we can’t (BIG shout out to Grandpa & Gee Gee!).
We are very grateful to God that He has placed the most amazing, wise, gifted and compassionate instructors in Mary’s path! We are grateful to God for each other and for the gift of our daughter, and for the freedom that we have in our relationship with Him. God Rocks – let the good times roll!!!!!!

OVERDUE UPDATE!

(Photo of Mary that Jennifer took after Jennifer took her shopping @ the Green Hills Mall! - oh my!)
I am lonnnng overdue for an update – life has been happening waaay too fast and then I’ve been battling some severe bronchitis since last week. I have suspicions that some flu was riding piggy back on that one, too!
So – I’m gonna blog pictures from what’s been going on in our world, starting from Father’s Day! It was great – Mary’s still trying to grasp the art of GIVING a present – its sooo cute! We had a Businda Father’s Day celebration at Aunt Nancy’s and Mary got to meet her Uncle Tim for the first time – FUN! Mary also took some pictures and I’m not exaggerating when I say my 3 ½ year old takes some pretty good pics!
On the learning front, Mary is totally ROCKIN' at her summer sessions at Vanderbilt! She appears to be on what's considered a language explosion and just LOVES her classmates and instructors. I think it has also been very beneficial that Mary has been exposed to classmates that have hearing aids, just like hers! The instructors inform us that Mary continues to be a big helper, eagar to learn and participate. As a matter of fact, there's an observation window (well many of them throughout the center) but one in particular that caregivers can take a peek through at the end of the session before they pick the kids up; It has been SUCH a thrill and a blessing to see our little MoMo in the midst of the music circle, engaged, singing and playing with her classmates and teachers! She's such a smart little girl and is now REALLY developing relationships within the family. We keep our refridgerator covered with family photos and it's so cool to see Mary point at everyone and identify them correctly. Mostly such as Jei Jei (Jennifer) BB (big brother Brian), Gandpa (Grandpa), Nay Nay (Nancy) and of course, Mama and Dada. She's got a keen memory, for sure!!!!
I’ll post pics and video and end it with pictures of Mary and her big sister (Jei Jei) Jennifer. Jennifer took Mary shopping last week which was very, VERY helpful to me because I was laid out bad with this illness! I’d say they bonded great and our little MoMo just LOVES her Jei Jei!!!! Oh yeah, Jennifer has successfully taught Mary how to pose her little legs when she has some spiffy shoes on – can’t let her grow up TOO fast!!! Enjoy!!!

Now, here's pics from Father's Day at Nancy's house along with pics that MoMo took!!!

Mary's picture of Kenny and Diane!

Mary's picture of DaDa and Uncle Tim!

Mary's picture of Dada at Home - wasn't Father's Day but hey - a classic for sure!!!! Mary's picture of MaMa

Now this picture, Nancy took at our house - Mary with her Uncle TIM!!!!

Mary and her Uncle David

Mary & Grandpa!

Finishing up, the photo op - a GREAT video of Mary with Jei Jei's shoes on and photos of she and Jennifer the day they went shopping!!!! God Bless Everyone!!!

PS......I forgot to mention that Mary LOOOOOVES THE WATER!!!!!

Where did the month GO?!?!

The past week and a half have been spent catching our breath and celebrating! First, we're VERY grateful that my husband survived a collision that could have otherwise taken his life. It truly is a miracle he is alive and that whole story is a "Dateline" segment in of itself; so without making the entire blog about that, it is fair and accurate to say that God's hand was on my husband's vehicle and his life, especially 2 days before we left to go out of town to renew our wedding vows! (Breath caught, now exhale! LOL!)
Next, when we came back into town from our intimate time together as man and wife, we took off with Mary to Chattanooga to celebrate her with my side of the family - we had a blast and were reminiscing of how fast one year with Mary has been! So now, back home, we've had the greatest time with 'Lil MoMo. Our play time has come to an end and while we prepare to go back to work and Mary begins her summer school, it seems as though we blinked and we're wondering where the month of May went!!!! So, here's some pics to enjoy and while May flies by - it's been a wonderful, unforgettable month!!!!

Momma enjoying the gifts from Mary and DaDa on Mother's Day

Mary holdin' out on Momma on Mother's Day!

The pacific ocean, me and Robert along US 1.

Robert & I waiting for the ferry

Robert & I almost halfway through our 10 mile bike ride to Sausalito - we "BIKED THE BRIDGE"!!!

Momma & MoMo

GranCindy, Mary and Grandad!

A blast posing at Mushroom Rock in Rock city!

Mary as a kitty kat!
Hey - now there's TWO kitty kats!

Our sweet Mary, striking a pose and loving life!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

One year. Three hundred sixty five days of loving and living with the daughter God promised Robert and I. What a year it has been and by faith, we anticipate so many more with Mary! Robert and I have discussed at length how we would celebrate this event and after much thought and prayers – we decided we would celebrate it as it started…..just the three of us!
How time has flown from the first night all three of us were together as a family in that hotel in Hefei City, China. Mary was so scared and just grieved and wailed the night away, perhaps realizing that the life she knew for only over a couple of years had changed dramatically forever….with people she had never seen before. She had no clue, no preparation, she sees these two adults that don’t look like anyone in her world, and she is placed in their arms and she has now left all that she ever knew. Robert slept on the couch, pretty much the whole trip (like most of the other fathers) as Mary would hardly have anything to do with him and as for me…….well, that first night, I cried right along with Mary, rocking her, singing the lullaby I wrote to her, and realizing I was probably as scared as she was – or more so – realizing my life, everything I knew and was comfortable with was changed forever as well.
So began this journey and how close we have grown as a family! To date, her relationship with her father is typical and yet, fairytale. Our little Mo loooovvves to work with DaDa and get dirty with him while he’s working on cars, or cleaning or playing in the dirt and boy – can she get dirty! And then, her fairytale moments come into place such as how Dada has taught her how to dance with him - it is absolutely precious! Robert will ask Mary if she will take this dance with him, he’ll bow and extend his hand and she is smitten…she’ll bow back and they are a pair, dancing all through the living room, cheek to cheek and I’m the lucky spectator at the ball, witnessing a Father treat his little girl like such a little princess; delicately, respectfully, with such an innocent tenderness that makes the moment count…..to remember always. She loves her Dada and yes - - - she is a “Daddy’s Girl”!
Mary is the best girlfriend, girly girl and giggle buddy that I could ever imagine and I am forever her biggest fan, her proudest coach, her watchful guardian and intercessor. I am both fascinated and intrigued at the dynamics of this push/pull relationship of mother and daughter. Even through the miracle of adoption, my baby angel innately knows what buttons to push, what will break my heart with just a look and send me falling to my knees with laughter. Just the mere thought of her within my day, no matter where I’m or what I’m doing – one thought of Mary can make the world stop.
The three of us together is a party waiting to happen! Momma and Dada make a great tag team (especially when she wants to throw down) and boy, when we’re all playing – it’s screams and giggles all around. Just the other day though, our little Mo comes running into our bedroom (waayyy too early in the morning, of course) with a DVD of Cinderella that we bought her the night before. She slept with it because it was too late when we got home and we promised her we’d watch it in the morning. Well……daylight peers in the cracks of her blinds and she is OFF that bed and making a trail to our room! So – she’s in the middle of our bed between us clutching her beloved DVD while we’re slowly waking up and she really is being a very good, patient little girl. She almost fell asleep with us and the next moment became one that is ingrained in my memory forever. I’m turning to admire baby girl, and Robert turns to admire her and then we catch each other’s eye. It was a look that spoke volumes between us without saying a word. The look of true love between a husband and wife, the look that says, “I love you, I’m in love with you and this little life between us is God’s gift to us. This is it, we’re more invested now than we’ve ever been and because God planned it before the foundations of the earth, there’s no turning back. Ever”.
My and Robert’s world, our love as we know it has expanded beyond ourselves and has found a new dimension in our daughter Mary Katherine Businda. What an incredible responsibility to uphold and yet an honor and a blessing at the same time! Thank you God, for trusting us to be the parents that Mary needs us to be, for your promises, and for stating that whatever you put together – let no man put asunder. Happy Anniversary to the day God made us a family – it has been an amazing year!

Catch Up!

I know, I know - been a looonnnnnng time posting but hey - we've been busy!!!! Well, unfortunately, I missed Mary's first Easter as I was at work! (wah!) But Dada is always available and of course, made it count bigtime with our 'lil Mo Mary!!! (This is one of her many nicknames we're coming up with!)

This first pic is one that Mary's hearing impaired educator took of her when she was Easter Egg hunting at school - awesome huh?!??! Again, Robert and I are so delighted and at peace with the love and care and instruction that Mary continues to get at school - God has truly placed the most amazing people in Mary's path!

So - after a big day at The Bridge Fellowship on Easter Sunday, Robert took Mary to the annual Businda Easter throw down! This year it was at Uncle Kenny's house so that was awesome! Soooo many people and so many outfits! Mary was in one beautiful Easter Dress at church (Aunt Nancy made, of course) then changed into the other beautiful Easter Dress at Kennys' (again....Aunt Nancy) and then when it was time for the big hunt - DaDa changes her into proper competition wear with her "Fighting Irish" jersey!!! There is some video footage but I haven't had time to download it yet but I promise you, I will! Enjoy the pictures of our baby girl who is growing up waaayyy too fast!!!!

Mary's Yellow Easter Dress!

Mary scoping out the field of hidden Easter Eggs before the big hunt!


Our little Mo in action!


Dada and his baby princess! Okay, I don't know why but in these next two pictures Mary seems to be disinterested or distracted but at any rate - she's with her two favorite fellas!!!

Mary and her bodyguard, Jacob!!!

Mary getting to know her cousin, Teresa - Teresa rocks and we LOVE HER!!!! Mary is blessed to be knowing more family members and such members that will be a support, blessing and good influence on her! Time has flown and we can't believe we're only a bit of a week away from having Mary in our lives for one year! She's already such a strong individual and yet she's growing up to be so lovely, too! As parents, I don't think Robert and I realized how much we would be inspired by our daughter's fierceness, her beauty, her passion and zeal to learn and try to master everything; more importantly, her amazing ability to love so abundantly and affectionately! On one hand, being affectionate and showing affection is something that we know she has modeled from us. But on the other hand, it has taken Mary time to open up and take the risk to RECEIVE our genuine affection. We can tell she has grown to display it from her heart and I'm glad she continues to experience it by watching the interaction between her parents and others and I'm grateful she takes pleasure in giving it too! She is truly learning to live this life full of love !

"Terrific Helper !!!"

So, now I'm gonna brag!! Robert and I were fortunate to have the day available to both of us last week to go to Mary's school for the "Tiger Awards"!!! We were overwhelmed at the number of parents that showed up to support their children and the gymnasium was just full of laughter, excitement and pre-schoolers and young'uns!!!!
Mary was glancing around at all the adults and it was just precious when she spotted Robert and I in the stands just looking at her! She was waving frantically with the biggest smile on her face and it just made our hearts melt that she was happy to see us and she just relaxed back with her teachers and classmates and enjoyed the rest of the program. It was really cool to see her search us out every once in a while and smile and wave at us!

With that said, Mary not only got the "Student of the Month" award for April (her picture is in the hallway trophy case at school - the first picture posted!!!) but she won an award for being one of the "Terrific Helpers!!" She surely is! We got a little clip of the video - it's soooo cute!

She is doing so well at school and since she is becoming more verbal, we have enrolled her in an oral/auditory summer school session at Vanderbilt! What's cool about this opportunity is that she will be around other hearing impaired students as she is the only hearing impaired child in her class currently; so as she's hanging out with some new friends, she'll realize that she's not the only one who wears these devices called hearing aids although we believe she already accepts this naturally. She will always be our special angel and the only 'special need' we know she will ever need is just the abundance of love, support and guidance that any parent can provide for their child! Enjoy our little clip of our "Terrific Helper"!!!!!

Mary and Springtime

Well here's a glimpse of Mary out in the yard - it's amazing to watch her; She used to be so terrified of the grass and everything and now its all we can do to keep her inside! We are so loving these days and sharing them with Mary. Enjoy the other pics!