She was caught completely off guard

Finally, a smile

Are you kidding me????

Look to the left....see that ad for wild olive???? These are the coolest tees around AND now they are giving away 75$ worth of their merchandise. It can't get any better than this. Go there and see what it is all about.

Two and one half

Mesmerized by Elmo

Loving the new scooter

Looking cute in China

How did this happen? He is 2 1/2 yrs old today. He was 13 months when we first had an update. He is such a little man now. I wish I could freeze time.

A boy and his scooter

Our beautiful boy

Never gets tired of riding

Even likes watching Elmo on it.

Both Claire and Hannah have scooters. It had to be done, we found a Spiderman one at Wal Mart. From the second it was put together he has wanted to be on it. He is so proud of the new scooter. It hurts my soul to see how proud he is of new things. If we buy a new pair of shoes, he will walk around in them for hrs and continue to say (in his own way of course, only understood by his family) "Kevin's scooter", almost as if he is continually assuring us or himself that it is really his. I wish for him to know that there will always be things JUST FOR HIM and there will always be love JUST FOR HIM. He always rushes to give kisses and hugs when his sisters do. You can tell he is sometimes fearful that we won't kiss or hug him. We continue to pray that the Lord will ease his spirit and allow him to integrate into our family as God intended. He is mostly a happy and playful child. He is learning new words everyday. He loves to "practice" talking and repeating most words we say. He now puts two words together....YEA!! He continues to be such a blessing to our family.

Happy Memorial Day

Please say a prayer for those whose loved ones are gone.

What to think

This only happened when he went to sleep. He popped the thumb in when he was in bed, only. About 3 wks ago he was having a hard time....not a real meltdown, but close to it. He just couldn't get over the "sadness". I asked him if he wanted to suck his thumb. He nodded yes and popped it right in. I held him "like a baby" and let him suck away. He now has the thumb in watching Elmo or just walking around....bored.

Let me tell you something, I have always been one to let them soothe how they want to. Claire continues to love her jersey lip rub often. I don't think adopted children should have to go through ANY more change than absolutely necessary. I think my concern is that if he begins to have his thumb in his mouth ALOT, he will not attempt to speak. He has really begun to speak more words....sometimes 2 together, and I would hate for that to decline.

He sure looks cute though doesn't he.....

She was a poet and didn't know it

We already knew she was brilliant.

Her poem was about the Jewish Holocaust and it was from a child's point of view.

"Why do we have to be treated differently?" We are sooooo proud of her.

Half way to 90

To me, happy birthday to me....

Little ones at the ranch.

Ready to climb up and bounce

Today I turn 45. I am ok with that......I will celebrate with family and friends.

wordless wednesday

My Wuxi Rockstar.

This is what happened in a park in Wuxi. We weren't ever really scared.....just nervous about the kids following us everywhere and leaving the group they were in. I just stood back in awe.

Ending the week

Fun with glasses.......

We have come to the end of another week. We have learned about fire ants and why we must leave the lid on the sandbox.....dogs+teeth=loss of sand toys. Claire walks around saying...."if we lose toys, you won't buy anymore." Such a smart girl. Kevin is still learning about grass and swings, so sand isn't high on his list. He will endure for Claire but doesn't go there first. On the flip side, he could swing for ever. He truly doesn't want it ever to stop. He just lays back and enjoys the scenery and the wind in his face. He has remained bruise free this week, so professional pics may be in the works for after Mother's Day. I have ordered a Chinese dress for Hannah and after it gets here...off we go.

I feel Hannah growing up more and more everyday. She is going to have a part time job this summer watching her siblings while I work and Daddy sleeps. She is excited about having her own money and being able to do what SHE wants with it. I will help, of course, but the decision will be hers. She continues to be patient and kind with her little brother and sister, but still wants her alone time. It will be nice to be able to have alone time with her when we are shopping. I want her to know that she is still loved and cherished in this family. She is the person who taught me how to be a mother. She needs to know that she is still my special girl.

We are making decisions about the future. God has been good to answer my prayers in such a way that I have no doubt at what the final answer will be. I have always said.....I need CLEAR and LOUD signs from God to help with decisions.....I am not the quickest horse in the barn. He has made his will known and for that we are very grateful. Please continue to raise us up in prayer that we have the strength and courage to listen.

We may have to break out the Wal Mart pool.....it is going to be 100 degrees today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!