The 60's --- hahaha

PEACE, MAN!!

 

YES, this is me!!!  AND NO, I don't usually look like this :)

I had the opportunity to be part of an event at our church --

SHINE!  

It was a fashion show -- I know what you are saying, 
"Unusual fashion show!"
Well, really it was amazing.
There was OVER 200 people in attendance.
It was a very classy fashion show --

Beautiful models
Gorgeous clothing
Great servers
WONDERFUL food
Classy setting

AND

the most important ....

The love and plan of Christ was shared!

I was part of the fashion show that showcased each era.
I hope to have a picture soon of all of us
BUT
I was from the ...................

60's!! (not for real, though!)

My mom and her friend, MaryBeth made my jeans and embellished the outfit.  Yep, my mom knows first hand about this era.

 AND

I was told MANY times throughout the night that I looked a lot like my mom!

My own children have never seen my naturally curly hair straightened 

AND

they could NOT believe the way I looked!!!

I do have to admit ...
The outfit was VERY comfortable!!!

Elizabeth's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Elizabeth!!!

This is her very first birthday in our family!!

EXCITING!

You may have guessed ......

Hello Kitty theme!  Wow -- what a surprise!!!

This is first thing in the morning.  Her birthday dress, new necklace, birthday girl pin from Nanny AND all the cupcakes for her class.

She's just a tad excited!!!

Daddy even brought the girls to school!  No bus -- that brought TRIPLE excitement!

 She got to plan the supper menu -- ALL her favorites.

Fish with tartar sauce, spinach noodles with creamy sauce, a fresh salad AND pineapple.

Yep, she asked for that!

I LOVE what she says in her little accent -- 'Mom, this SOOOOO good!!!!'

She was so excited to have presents -- all hers!

We gave her a few even though her party with daddy is on Sunday.

She needed some help reading the cards each of her sisters made for her.

Each of the girls gave her something special -- of their own :)

She is so intent -- and having so much fun!

LOVE this expression!! Aunt Jeanne and Karen this is opening your card.  She is so excited for her OWN $$$$$.  Her plans have been to buy her doll (BUT she got her for her present)

Fun times!!

Opening the final gift!  Look at the tongue :)

Another great face!!  She doesn't like tape!!!!!

She still doesn't know what it is -- My Darling does and I have to keep saying, "SHHHH!"  

And BaJabs has just figured it out!

Yes, she opened the box upside down --- she is so excited to see the American Girl doll she wanted --- Josefina.

A little excited here!!

And still ......  

Now she says, "HOW DO YOU OPEN THIS THING?!?!?!"

She's so careful!

Waiting to get her out!

She wanted all the tags OFF.

She was checking everything out -- she was a bit upset she did not have undies on.  As soon as she could she ran upstairs to get a pair for Josefina. 

Beautiful!

She says she is NEVER going to change the dolls' clothes!

Singing Happy Birthday!  I love the excitement!

Blowing out the 8 candles.

YUMMY!

We are so thankful for this little girl. 

 God surely blessed our family when He brought her to us.  Yes, her disability is great BUT she is beyond amazing with it.  She is so determined!  She is SO HAPPY!  She has a ready smile.  She is always grabbing my hand and whispering, 'I love you mommy!'  She has LOTS of friends and can say to anyone -- 'God made me special -- just look at my hands!'  No she can't do everything we can do the SAME way but she finds her OWN way.  It works!!  She's also not afraid to say, 'Mom, my arm can't do that!'   Her life has been turned upside down since March and she has taken it in stride!  She's had MAJOR surgery, learned to walk, run and bicycle.  She's learned a new language, eats a new menu of food, goes to school AND church.

 AND STILL 

she is asking us, "Please!!! Can we go back and get my friends?"  

I just love this girl!  

Thank-you Lord again!!  You knew what you were doing when you gave her to us!  I didn't know I could do it BUT you did!

Happy Birthday, Princess Girl!

Happy Halloween -- I'm back -- I think :)

Happy Halloween!

The girls were so excited this year!

Each of them picked out what the wanted to dress-up as --- EARLY!  Yes, that is very unusual for this family.

My Darling -- Merida the new princess from the Disney movie Brave

BaJabs -- Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz

AND

Elizabeth -- a PEACOCK!  Yes, she asked for this!  (They eat peacocks in China -- YIKES!)

Elizabeth was so excited that this was her very first Halloween -- AND she reminded me of this MANY times.  AND that she got to wear 'dress-up' clothes to school -- ALL DAY!!!

My Darling -- yes, an Asian red-head.  Adorable!

BaJabs -- well, we had a near meltdown in the morning.  We both thought there were red sparkle shoes in the box.  I KNOW we had a pair from My Darling.  AND you guessed right ...... they were gone!  She did NOT like the red (bear feet brand -- super expensive) shoes we already wear for church!  She said they were just toooooo small.  Thankfully, at the last minute (well, past the last minute since it made me late for work) I remember that I bought red converse shoes in China.  She LOVED them.  And I thought she looked great!

The girls got to wear their costumes to school -- all day!  All three did fun activity throughout the day.  Other Nanny came and helped in BaJab's room AND then brought the girls home after school (and daddy brought the girls to school --- yes, they hate the bus!)

In the early evening JM and daddy joined us and went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood and then up to Other Nanny's.  MD decided to go with his friends.  

It was such a beautiful evening -- after the crummy - rainy day!

THANK-YOU LORD!!

Our first stop -- Farmer Nanny!  Elizabeth was thrilled with all the goodies.  She informed me as soon as I got home from work -- "Mom, there were LOTS of snacks at school today.  My belly is too big now!"

I responded, "So, you ate lots?"

"ummmmmm ....... YES!"

We were able to visit many of our neighbors -- which is a bit of driving since we live out in the country :)

BUT we also went into town to visit my grandma.  She LOVES to see the kids.

Next, we headed out to my mom and dads (other nanny and pa.)

My mom so graciously offered to make dinner and have it ready for us when we arrived.  WONDERFUL!!!  

AND it tasted great!  

She gave the kids some fun stuff!  Each of the girls got a new stuff animal.

BaJab's was LOVING hers!

The girls also got these fun sucker lips!  

AND

Finally, she got JM some fun mustaches.  BUT the girls LOVED them!!!  Especially, Elizabeth.  I really have some goofs!

LOVE -- she is so full of personality!

Again -- this is so my kids!

They are TRYING to be serious!

   

AND trying to be goofy!

MD arrived home 2 minutes after us.  He had a great time as well.  ALTHOUGH -- this mommy would of rather MD stay with us -- BUT he is growing up!  Oh, he was a corn cob -- BUT I forgot to take a picture.

The kids went to bed VERY tired -- but all agreeing it was an AWESOME night!

Now -- I know I have been gone for a bit!  I will update soon on the whys -- BUT trust me -- I'm trying!  Life has been crazy -- BUT I do have some awesome pictures and stories to update with SOON!

October Fun

A fun fall weekend!!!

Since the kids have all moved to a new school -- they are ALL Wildcats.  So, the girls were sporting some new shirts on Friday for the home football game.  My Darling and Elizabeth have fun on Friday afternoons because they have 'Football Buddies.'  This is a great time where the varsity football team comes and reads with the 2nd grade class.  Each child has their own football buddy!!! 

 The weekend continued with some fun time outside with dad!

Elizabeth was so excited to have help climbing to the top of the play set.  

 Yes, our set is HIGH!!  AND Elizabeth's arms/hands are weak.  So, she needs ADULT help!  

 We had a nice fall delivery.  Thanks to Aunt Audrey and family!  We came home to these wonderful pumpkins!

 All three girls carrying the big pumpkin.

Love the faces!!  AND yes, Elizabeth almost ALWAYS has this smile.

 JM balancing the BIG one on his head.

It takes LOTS of concentration.

 Elizabeth TRYING!

 BaJabs balancing the little one on her head -- 

EASY!!!

 Finished the weekend with a great time of praise and worship at church.  We just had to snap a couple pictures of the girls when we got home!

Thank-you Lord for my family!!

My Darling's Gotcha Day and Mommy's 40th B-day

  Happy Gotcha Day -- My Darling!!!

 I just have to share some pictures from that very first day --- in September of 2005

 She was SO scared!!!  AND SO very tiny -- only 11.5 pounds at 9 1/2 months.

 She had been ours for 4 hours -- she would NOT let go of the keys.  She had not made ONE sound or smiled.  Yes, I was scared, too!! Oh -- but she was just precious.

 I had to share this because this is just 4 days later -- could she be the same child?!  

And 

Here she is TODAY!

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL -- inside and out!

This young lady has forever changed our life!  She is full of spunk!  She LOVES life.  She has a ready smile -- and a quick wit to make us all laugh.  She is ready to make me laugh after a long day at work!  She is SOOOO smart!  She loves to read and write stories!  BUT what I love the most is her compassion for others.  She is so willing to help those that need help AND so concerned with others less fortunate.  She has been the best sister -- willing to share EVERYTHING when BaJabs came and again when she got a older sister.    Yes, this girl can give me a run for my money -- drama, drama -- BUT God blessed us the day He matched her to our family!

So -- today we celebrate!!!

We celebrate this day she was placed in our arms for the very first time!  

We eat Chinese food -- decorate Chinese -- wear classic Chinese clothes -- drink tea -- and give a little reminder of China!

Some of our family comes to celebrate!

Chicken and snow peas, beef and broccoli, homemade crab rangoons, watermelon, hot and sour soup AND tea -- yes, most of us use chop sticks.

 When I was in China I purchased 18 Chinese items for me to give her for each of her Gotcha days.

This year she got a glass bottle that is painted with pandas from the INSIDE.  I actually got to watch the man paint this!  It is beautiful.  AND of course this is something that is a special art form in China.

 AND

she got a jade bracelet with all the zodiac animals.

All 3 of our Chinese Princesses on this special day!

We also celebrate my birthday!

Yes, I turned 40!

I do not feel any older than I did yesterday!  

It is really just a number -- 

All these kids really keep me going!

 The girls love watching me open gifts. 

Everyone made my day special -- even at work!

 One of my gifts was an Under Armour sweatshirt I wanted!  I was very surprised!  Along with the newest addition to my nativity set, a few gift cards to STARBUCKS, perfume, new shoes and some money.

 My mom made me cream puffs -- my absolute FAVORITE!!!  Yes, they are barley free -- so I CAN EAT THEM and NOT get sick!!!

I finished the afternoon holding this sweetheart.