My ornament from my 5th Christmas
FOUND this ornament at a thrift store when Hannah was born
Hubby bought this when we were waiting
Made with jingle bells...came with the ladybug
My fave winter snack
For more great snapshots go here......
We decked our halls and wrapped presents today. It really makes it feel like Christmas when the tree goes up and you start pulling ornaments (memories) out of the boxes. Soooo much fun remembering where they came from and who gave them to us. We also placed our new ones for this yr. Each year I try to have the kids pick out ornaments that mean something to them. Mainly what they have loved the previous year. Hannah has taken a liking to penguins....they are cute and cuddly looking. Claire continues to ask for ice skating lessons. I have tried to explain our geography doesn't lend to ice being around ANY time of the yr. Kevin is really loving robots now. I am sure it is something he has learned from his guy friends....he often walks around saying..."I am a robot I am a robot:" funny little man. I bought the shopping snowlady...I felt like a professional shopper since I am done by Dec. 5!!!!!!
Bringing home our tree
Helping dad with decorations
Sweet picture....sorry about the hair
some of our ornaments were very friendly
Claires skates
Kevins robot
Huge tree
Merry Christmas
Shopping snowlady
Plumy penguin
Wishing a happy and peaceful holiday season for all.
This is what 6:30 am looked like....."am I four now? am I taller?"
Watching the "amazing candle"
We first saw these candles in China and knew we had to have one....he LOVED it
Digging in with forks...lovely tradition
We can't believe he is really 4.
Kevin, you are such a joy to have in our family. God knew EXACTLY what he was doing when he selected you for our family. We love you more and more everyday. You have been really learning to trust us and love us with your hole heart. You adore both of your sisters....that also includes your fair share of bickering. All wonderful normal things for a great childhood. It is so hard to see you grow so fast, yet it is so wonderful to see you learning new things all the time and feeling so proud of yourself. You love football, spiderman, Chinese food, Mexican food, Italian food, well you get the picture. You love all the shows on N*ck Jr. and want to be like Diego someday. You love cars and making all the wonderful boy noises that come with them. You are such a wonderful snuggler and love to be held. We love you all the way to the moon and around the world
Sunshine everyday....no matter what the weather outside.
Unlimited energy and snuggling
Stability and unconditional love
Grace and excitement
Sure the list for all my blessings would really cut into my eating time today, but these are my precious gifts from God. He knows me so well and sent the things I needed the most. Please remember those that are serving our country and can't be with their loved ones. Please take a moment today and truly think about your blessings.
It was really great, again this year, to enjoy simple pleasures through the eyes of the pure hearted. The joy of putting on pretend clothes and getting to let your imagination soar was really neat to watch. I think we could have gotten away with just the wearing of the costumes with Kevin, but Claire knew the story....she IS in kindergarten you know. I wish there were a way to truly capture the COMPLETE amazement that covered their faces when returning from a house. Buckets held high and exlaiming at the top of their voices...."they gave us candy mom, they really did" It was soooo precious....the first 46 times. The weather turned a bit chilly, so we returned home to ogle the goods.
Truly ready to fly
Asking if there is a REAL spiderman....
Cool post processing. Claire with her princess pumpkin
Hannah was a great big sister and let them truly enjoy the nite. She is really such a blessing to us all.
I know, I am as shocked as you are. She let me take her picture
My mom with my3
Chewing and smiling
Lovin' the loot
Too sweet
Reading to her babies
Animal Kingdom Entrance
Surprise!!! Pooh and friends
Goofy kids at the pool
A whole store for spiderman....he was in heaven
Well our trip to the mouse house was a truly wonderful experience. I can't believe how much better it keeps getting with these girls. They seem to fall right back into place with each other. There seems to be some kind of true feeling of belonging with them. No fighting, not being shy with each other, even when two sisters came a day later. It was fun to see them putting arms around each other and generally being the Anhui Angels that they are. We will continue to miss the other girls who aren't there, but so thankful for our get-together-group. Thanks Jarod for the new nickname.
The day we met....Sept. 18.2006
Now....Sept. 18,2010
Who knew??? She loves kindergarten. She weathered the first week with courage and trust in her parents to keep their word and return for her....ALWAYS. The Chinese govt has given us a part of our family, without her we would not be whole. She was made by God to fit in the empty space we had. She continues to trust us and let us prove ourselves to her. She continues to love us and "nevereverever" will want to move out and grow up. She is funny and sensitive, she is brave and strong. She is our beautiful princess. We are anxiously awaiting what has planned for out little dynamo for the next 4 yrs. Claire, we love you forever and ever.
Funny.......I took 45 pictures of her during her first football game and these were the best two that came out?????!!!!!!
This was funny until they saw themselves in the mirror....tee hee
Funny....I thought you were supposed to get OFF the couch when you played Wii?????
She has mastered bowling from the couch.....ahhhh to be 14 again.....wait, on the other hand.......no thanks
Have a great week everyone.....we are going to Disney next month.....we can't hardly wait
Sweet boy
Shy boy
Sweet couple
pretty girl
Teen girl
Sisters
Precious
Love it
A moment of love
So pretty
The whole crew
Every call has a beginning. A quiet moment when God whispers a promise to a mother’s heart . A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts the journey set before him. A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns… Casting its first light on a chosen threshold. A gentle knock..a closed door opens, a sacred invitation sent by the Father.. leads to the other side of the world. Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows praying for someone to care.. and then one morning, on an ordinary day an orphan’s life changes... God sends them a second chance...Through you..
--author unknown
Favorite Poem
We are a family now, a whole,of which you are a part,and you are just as much our child as any in our heart. We do not love you differently,nor would we give up less of all that life has given us to bring you happiness.There is no limit to our love,no boundary you might cross,no price you may be asked to pay,no need to fear its loss. We are now one, the five of us,windows of one home. As long as we have life and breath,You’ll never be alone.~Nicholas Gordon
