Ni Hao, Kai-lan!

We are excited about a new show coming to Nickelodeon. We watched the premiere episode tonight. It doesn't air until February 7 but cable has the first episode on Demand. The girls enjoyed watching. I was surprised that Grace still seemed to understand the few Chinese words that were used. I'm hoping that the show is a big hit so that it stays on air. Grace could really benefit from it.

Post Placement Visit

Who wouldn't love this face? Grace,not Dallas.

This morning our social worker came and visited with us for about an hour. It was time for Grace's 6th month post placement report. They do them alittle early so it will reach China before 6 months. We have the best social worker. It is always a pleasure to meet with her. She has already finished the report and it is in our favor. China requires us to do one more at 12 months. With Julia we had to do 4 due to Russian rules.

So now we have a clean house and 1 PPR(Post Placement Report)done.

So True

This was posted in one of my adoption groups.

You know you are an adoptive mother (or you should be!) if:

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them
goodnight has ever made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child, there would be no orphans in
the world is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the
blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about your adopted child's "real" parents.
7. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes
elephant to give birth (2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway
knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken a airplane ride half way around the world with a child you
just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most
important legacy's you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them,
knowing full well you are the blessed one to have them in your life.
13. You know what the word Dossier means and you can actually pronounce it!
14. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

Flip Video

Dee and Libby(Dallas' sisters) gave me the coolest thing for my birthday. It is a Flip Video. It runs on two AA batteries and is the size of a camera. It will hold 60 minutes of video. Wish we would have known about these when we went to China. Dallas and I had never seen one until Dee gave it to me. Now I will be able to share videos with you. Aren't you excited?

The first person who reads this please post whether you can see it or not. Thanks!

Fun in the Snow

Make a postcard - it's easy!

Kristopher and Julia are the only ones that have every seen snow. Kristopher is the only one that remembers it. We don't get much snow here in NC. Saturday they were calling for 3-6 inches. Unfortunately it snowed that amount but most of it melted as soon as it hit the ground. Saturday night it began to look like we weren't going to get the accumulation that was expected so we let the kids go outside. Good thing we did. By the time we came home from church today it was all melted. They had so much fun with the little bit of snow we got. I can't imagine what they would think if we got a real snow storm. Grace was fascinated with the snow. She always had to have a snowball in her hand. These are the times that we will treasure.

My Three Nuts

A couple of weeks ago we enjoyed a beautiful day at the park. Who wouldn't want to press their face against the plastic circle. Can you imagine how many germs are on there?

PIF- I am so excited!

I now have 2 people who want a handmade item from yours truly. There is one more spot available. Remember if you don't have a blog you can pay it forward in another way.

Grace Pouting

My Dad used to always tell me that if I stuck my lip out any further I was going to trip on it. Grace seems to have mastered this skill, too. She is definitely my child, just ask my Dad.

Nicholas

Nicholas had a difficult time deciding what he wanted for Christmas this year. Nicholas doesn't play with many toys and rarely plays video games. He is all about sports and being outside. In the past Nicholas has asked for things he never used. Sometimes he has been influenced by his older brother. He did end up making wise choices this year. He wanted tickets to sporting events and a ripstick. He got tickets to a Hurricanes(hockey)game and tickets to a NC State basketball game. He thoroughly enjoyed going to the games with Dallas. Christmas morning he tried out the Ripstick. It was very funny because after about 2 minutes he came back in and said he needed to watch the dvd. After watching it, he went outside and tried again. Alittle bit later he was again watching the dvd. He has now mastered his Ripstick. He can't wait to take it to DeeDee's to ride it around the lake. Of course, we don't have a big enough driveway(according to Nicholas).

We have one winner

Anybody else want a handmade gift by me? If you don't have a blog you can just Pay it Forward in some other way. I am still waiting for 2 more people to come forward.

PIF

Pay it Forward is the name of the game. It is the new blog game. Who wants to participate? I was chosen by Kate. She is an expat living in St. Petersburg, Russia teaching. She is trying to adopt a little girl. Unfortunately she has had quite a time of it. I can't wait to see what she sends me. I am even more eager for her to find her daughter.

Now for the rules. This was taken directly form her blog. If you would like to check out her link it is http://from-russia.blogspot.com/. I wish I knew how to make it
so you just click on it but I don't. Her blog is excellent. She writes very well and gives you insight on what it is like being an American living in Russia.

So I guess you are still waiting for those rules.

"I will send a handmade gift (of my choosing) to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange, and who make the same pledge on their own blog. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward."

So who wants to play?

My Girls

What to do today?

We were all gathered in our bedroom this morning. We asked the kids what they would like to do, today.

Julia's list:
1. Go to the store and get M&M's.
2. Be in a band.
3. Stay in our pajamas all day and have a party.
4. Go to the store and buy something she wants.
5. Throw balls at teachers.

I promise we aren't teaching her this. We don't know where she comes up with these ideas.

Disney's Year of a Million Dreams

Disney is celebrating a year of a million dreams. They give out dreams randomly through the park. We saw a family who got to play instruments before a show and a lady was chosen to turn off the lights for the parade. The dreams range from small(pins and fast passes) to large dreams(trips,staying in Cinderella's suite, etc). When we were at Disney I was very surprised when Julia was given a dream. While she was talking to Belle, the cameraman gave me a dream for Julia. It was two Tinkerbell pins, one for Julia and one for her to give away. Of course she chose to give it to her little sister. Grace is not in any of the princess pictures because she chose to take a nap at that time.

Can you believe it?

The kids had to start back to school today. I would have loved for them to have the rest of the week off. One of Kristopher's biggest gripes with our county is they don't get much time off for Christmas. Last year they got 6 days, this year 7 days. He has already checked next year and is delighted that they will get 2 weeks.

Zachary was so relieved to get his stitches out today. His hand still looks alittle gross but the nurse said it had healed well. He can now get it wet and let it get air. Zachary still likes keeping a bandaid on it. He doesn't like the way it looks and is complaining that it hurts. We keep reminding him it was his fault and he is paying the price.

My Goofy Kids

If you are wondering why there is writing across this picture it is because it is just a proof. While I really like this picture it is not one that we bought.

Main Street Barber Shop Haircuts

Dad and Mom's Grandkids

Happy New Year!

We arrived home 2 minutes before minute last night. We should have been home by 9:00 but our flight was delayed. That was O.K. by us once they gave out 100.00 vouchers for future travel to everyone. That pays for another roundtrip to Florida if I buy the tickets in advance.

We had a great time in Florida. My sister-in-law cooked a delicious Christmas dinner. Wednesday we went to Picture People and had a picture taken of all my Dad's grandchildren. I will post it once I get a chance to scan it.

Our Christmas present to the kids was 3 days in Disney. The crowds were as we expected but we still had a wonderful time. Grace loved the rides and parade. As we began our day at the Magic Kingdom we stopped at the Main Street Barber Shop. Grace, Julia, and Zachary got haircuts. Not only do they cut your hair but they put paint and pixie dust in it. Since it was Grace's first official haircut she got a certificate and her very own first haircut Mickey Mouse ears. Day one we visited MGM, day 2 Magic Kingdom and ended our visit with Epcot. We can't wait to go back!

Today we just had a pajama day. Most of us stayed in our pajamas all day. The kids played with their Christmas toys and we recuperated from our whirlwind trip to Florida. We are looking forward to going back soon.