a dose of cute

Our crew

 

I swear I am going to cut their hair while they sleep. Ryan can't even see!

Wonderworks

 

The big boys and Allie had Fall Break last week. We wanted to go to Disney but we still don't have a car that we can all fit into and to our surprise, you can't just rent a big van that seats all of us. We decided to just go to Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg since it is so close. We had a great time. I can't remember the last time we ALL had so much fun together. The kids got to do Putt Putt, Go Carts, Laser Tag and Wonderworks.

Brady did have a meltdown on the second night when we returned to our condo. He doesn't do well with things outside of his routine. He seems to be throwing a few more tantrums lately when he doesn't get his way. I am not sure if he is testing us or what. He NEVER gets his way so you would think he would learn, but he hasn't. He had another appointment with the surgeon on Tuesday and doesn't go back for 2 more months. The doctor says he will probably have surgery again in January or February.

Cameron got his senior proofs back and they are incredible. I will share when we get them. AnnaClaire told me the other day 'he not my brother' referring to Brady. LOL Oh, and she is Annie most of the time these days. It's easier for Brady to say plus she tells us that she is Annie. I called her Anna the other day and she is NOT Anna. At least that is what I was told in no uncertain terms. Brady had his first 'American' virus this weekend and I have officially been christened as his mommy if you know what I mean;) He was kind enough to share with some of us so that has been fun. Part of the joy of this virus was stinky diaper after stinky diaper. The other morning when I went to get him out of bed, the first thing he said to me was 'I stink' LOL Allie wants every toy that she sees a commercial for for Christmas. I figure it just means that she isn't picky and will love whatever we get her. ha ha Brandon and Ryan are doing well. Basketball starts soon so I guess we will be busy with that. My parents got the boys a pool table and it just arrived tonight so hopefully we will be seeing more of them. Anything to get them away from those computers...look who's talking, eh?

 

 

 

 

A Day Like No Other

Four years ago today, I got a call from Emily at GWCA saying that we had a daughter. A few minutes later, I opened my email and there she was, my daughter Qiu Xiao Lian. My Allie. The child of my dreams. The most beautiful little girl I had ever seen. I was completely smitten. I still am:)

Nothing short of a 'God Thing', exactly 2 years later on October 3, 2005 we got a call from Sherry at HFS that we had another daughter. A sweet little roly poly named Zhuang Lu Qiao. She came into our lives with a huge smile on her face and we have the honor of seeing that smile every single day. My AnnaClaire is as close to an angel as you can get here on earth.

AnnaClaire's Travel Journal
We had such a thing going with this October 3rd date that last year when we were waiting for PA for our little Shan Le Qiang, I really hoped (prayed even) that we would get our PA on the 3rd. There was a post to the CHI group that nothing had been mailed from CCAA before the holiday. I was a tiny bit disappointed that our little man wouldn't share this day with his sisters, but trusted in God's always perfect timing. On October 4, 2006 my phone rang and it was Terri from CHI (House). I was a bit worried about why she would be calling since I knew nothing had been mailed. She told me that we had PA! I said I thought that nothing had been mailed and she said that they had been very surprised when they received them 'last night'. Can you say TEARS??? My sweet boy's PA arrived at our agency on October 3, 2006!!!! God is absolutely TOO GOOD to me. Really. And you know what? That sweet, precious, wild, crazy little boy that God entrusted to me said 'I LOVE YOU' as clear as a bell to me today! With his wide cleft nothing is clear but I said I love you to him and he said it right back...with a big grin. I tell you, GOD IS JUST TOO GOOD TO ME! Thank you Lord for all my blessings. I can't imagine anything sweeter than to be the wife of Jeff and the mother of these six children.

Brady's Travel Journal

My New Look!

Isn't it GREAT? I wish that I could take credit but my computer knowledge can get me about as far as posting a picture to my blog. I definitely had help on this one. My dear, dear friend Connie lovingly designed my new look for me. She picked everything...the pictures for the header, the colors, the patterns...everything. And IMO, it came out perfect. I wasn't sure what I wanted but somehow she did and she nailed it. I can't tell you all how Connie has been there for me when I have really needed it. I think the most perfect word to describe her is BLESSING. She is such a blessing to me and to many others as well. The world would be a much better place if more people had hearts as pure and full of love as Connie. Thanks friend!

Joey's on HOLD!

Praise God! His new mama emailed me yesterday and they are very excited to be bringing him home. I am just so thrilled for him and for them. Please remember the other three who still wait in your prayers. Franny turned 9 yesterday and her cleft lip and palate have both been repaired. She is stunning. According to something I read on one of my boards, this could be her last chance at finding her family. Her file will probably not be sent back out once it is returned. The other 2 on SWA's list are younger and are both adorable. Please check them out! www.swa.net

I remember a time after we had returned from China with AnnaClaire that I found myself too emotionally involved with children who weren't finding their families. I had to unsubscribe to all the lists and stop visiting the websites because it was affecting me emotionally and physically. I think I am at that point again. I don't know why I can't guard my heart better. I just can't bear to know that these kids will never know the love of a family. I especially hurt for those with visable special needs because they really have no hope in China. I wish things were different. I wish that every child on earth could know the love of a family.

A Grant for Joey

Little Joey has angels all over the internet doing what they can to find him a home. Last I read, the agency he is listed with has received some calls about him, but so far nothing serious. He currently has a $3300 grant, but it is GROWING! You never know if his family's only hesitation is being able to afford the fees associated with an adoption. Here is how we can donate:


By check:

The family writes a check to Small World
Attach a note that this money is to go toward "Joey's" Adoption

Send to: Small World
9201 S. Madison Road
Valleyford , WA 99036


By Credit Card:

Go to: http://www.swa.net/donations.php
Click on: Piety Fund-Give online now


This donation would be totally tax deductible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I also wanted to add that there are three other awesome children listed with this same agency and their files are about to be sent back as well. I pray that none of them have to be returned and that all these angels are 'chosen' ones.

God Bless!

Joey

Please check out the post about Joey on the LWB blog. Just make sure you have a whole handful of tissues first.

When God first started planting the seed of adoption in my heart many years ago, I was intriqued by the idea of giving a child a home and of having another son or daughter to raise but I was very intimidated by the process. I just didn't think that I (one who struggled to get assignments done all throughout my school career) could do the paperwork. And the homestudy (!!!) I can't even tell you how bad I thought that would be. Finally God made it crystal clear that this was His will for us and from the moment on, I was sold. Jeff also knew that God had made it pretty clear that adoption was part of His plan for us, but he spent a couple more years telling God that He had the wrong guy. Jeff didn't think he could do it. That's why I love this song 'I Am' by Ginny Owens (lyrics below). Sometimes we think what God is asking us to do is way too big for us, but if He asks us to do it, He will make sure that we can...if we depend on Him. I am guessing that many people have looked at Joey's picture and thought, if only for a second, 'I could see him in my family' and then let that 'I can't do this!' fear come in. I spent time this morning on my knees in tearful prayer for God's will for this sweet boy. I ask that you please do the same. And listen to what God has to say. I think Joey's family is out there and they just haven't been hit over the head with it yet. They better hurry because he's running out of time.

Is there anything that we CAN'T do when we have God on our side?

I AM

No Lord, he said, you've got the wrong guy
Simple conversation gets me tongue-tied
And you're telling me to speak with a maniac king
Or could it be I've lost my mind

Besides, I am weak, don't you want someone strong
To lead them out of Egypt when they've been there so long
And anyway, they won’t believe You ever spoke to me
It's not your problem, God replied
And the rest is history

’Cause there's a bigger picture you can't see
You don't have to change the world, just trust in Me
'Cause I am your creator, I am working out my plan
And through you I will show them, I Am

Now Lord, are you sure? He's just a shepherd boy
Too small for battle gear with a giant to destroy
What on earth can he do with five stones and a sling
It's not your problem, God replied
'Cause I can do anything

There's a bigger picture you can't see
You don't have to change the world, just trust in me
'Cause I am your creator, I am working out my plan
And through you, I will show them

I am the first, I am the last
I am the present and the past
I am tomorrow and today
I am the only way

Great Lord, she said, I'm just a simple girl
You say that I will bring your son into the world
How can I understand this thing You're gonna do
It's not your problem, God replied

'Cause, there's a bigger picture
And you don't have to change the world (oh no)
I'm your creator, I am working out my plan
And through you, I will show them
There's a bigger picture, you can't see
You don't have to change the world, just trust in me
’Cause I am your creator, I am working out my plan
And through you, I will show them, I Am
I Am

Moon Festival

Trying to corral the little ones for a picture...um, yeah...good luck with that.

Clearly, we can't afford haircuts OR shoes!


We went to eat Chinese with Aunt Gina and Uncle Daniel (who hates Chinese food, poor guy) to celebrate moon festival. Of course, we had to take 2 cars because we all don't fit in one anymore. I had bought mooncakes at the local Asian market to eat on the deck once we got home. But like it always does, 'life' happened and I remembered the big boys didn't have lunchmeat to pack their lunch tomorrow so I ran by the store on the way home. Either Jeff didn't get the memo about the mooncakes or he just didn't want to be forced to eat the nasty things because when I got home Brady was already in bed. AnnaClaire was still up so I gave her a mooncake. She pigged out bigtime at dinner so I was sure that she would be too full to eat the mooncake and frankly, I didn't think she would like it, but girlfriend ate every last bite. This was Brady's first time at a Chinese restaurant since we got home in May. Our Chinese waitress (from Fujian) tried several times to engage him and he wanted nothing of it. When we were in China, the Chinese people were the only ones who could get him to calm down when he was raging. I guess he truly considers us mom and dad:)

The Power of an M&M

Since Brady has recovered from surgery and is communicating better with us than when we were first home, I figured it was time to attempt potty training. This morning I told both Brady and AnnaClaire that they would get a handful of M&M's each time they use the potty. It has turned out to be a great incentive because both have used the potty more than once today and each has only had one accident. Brady has used the potty EVERY time I have set him on there today. You say the word candy and that kid can BRING IT!!! To have them both out of diapers by the end of the year would be a dream come true.

Oops!

 

Jeff put Brady on the swing and started to push him. About 2 pushes into it, Brady decided that it was NOT fun and let go with one hand to reach back for Jeff. Yikes!

Just Hangin' Around

 

 

 

 

Yummy Cupcakes

 

Allie's really into cooking right now. We made a cake from scratch on Sunday and today we made cupcakes from a mix. Last week she actually made the sauce for Chicken Divan. She's a great helper in the kitchen.

Field Trip!

Allie's class had a field trip yesterday morning so Daddy took her. They went to Warrior's Path State Park and did a creek walk and played on the playground. She had fun:)

Aunt Gina came and took the girls for the afternoon. They always LOVE to go visit Aunt Gina and Uncle Daniel. Brandon is still feeling lousy. Brady and I had to go pick him up at school yesterday afternoon. He is having horrible nosebleeds. He's home today and hopefully will start to feel better over the weekend.

Our new kitchen table arrived! I am excited to finally have a table that will accommodate all 8 of us comfortably. Unfortunately, there was a huge chunk out of the top of the table. I don't know when a new one will arrive and we already moved the old table to the basement. I guess we will be eating on the floor for a while.

Hey Mee All

Thanks for the dry erase boards. I put them all up in the closet except Cameron's. He took his to his room. Big mistake. AnnaClaire's dress and body are both covered in marker. Allie came in and saw it (she was no where near with it happened and AnnaC has already confessed) and asked 'Who did this?' Cameron said, 'I'll give you 2 guesses.' She said, 'ME?' LOL AnnaClaire is now rubbing her feet with the spongy part of a headphone earpiece trying to clean off.

Happy Meal Time

There is a McDonald's right down the street from Allie's preschool and every day when I pick her up she asks for a cheeseburger. I kept telling her no because I didn't want to get McD's while Brady couldn't eat. Since that's no longer an issue, they all got Happy Meals today.

Brandon has felt icky the past couple days. I took him to the doctor this morning and he has walking pneumonia. Poor guy. The doctor said he can still go to school. He stayed home today but plans to start back tomorrow.

Little Update (I think I have a Mama's Boy!)

We had a pasta dish for dinner because I thought that was a good consistency to get Brady started back on regular food. He usually goes into his highchair before everyone else sits down to eat and tonight was no exception. He had asked for some baby food and was feeding himself pears when I sat down at the table next to him. As soon as my bum hit the chair he handed me the pears and the spoon so *I* could feed him. I thought that was precious. A few weeks ago he didn't want anything to do with me and now he wants me to feed him even when he can do it himself. I know you all are tired of hearing me say it but the transformation in this child is AMAZING. Before surgery he liked mama okay, after surgery he tolerated me occasionally but primarily didn't care for me one bit. Today I can say that this boy ****L*O*V*E*S**** his mama. I can see it, I can feel it, I am sure of it. This boy's mama LOVES him too;)

Look Ma, No Arm Restraints!

Brady has been a JOY all day. He had his appointment with the surgeon this afternoon and even opened his mouth for him. That's huge! The doctor was surprised that the hard palate was still intact and said it looked great. I am glad I didn't know he expected it to come apart or I would have been upset waiting for it to happen. He said that he had originally expected that the hard palate would separate and the soft palate to stay intact, but the reverse happened and it is actually a better situation for Brady. We were able to remove the arm restraints and Brady can eat real food. The doctor wants to see him every month and will decide later when to operate again. We have been real sticklers with the arm restraints so when I took them off, Brady just shook out his little arms with a wide eyed look. When we got home he had half a cookie and then asked for some baby food! LOL

Brady's Halloween Costume arrived today...

and it's so cute! Here's a sneak peek. Please ignore the dirty mouth. We were in the middle of his dinner when we got the wild idea to try the costume on him...and then of course I had to run get the camera;) Speaking of dinner, this kid is eating us out of house and home! He's decided he LOVES baby food and eats 6-8 jars per sitting. At around 50 cents a jar, that gets pretty pricey. Add the Pediasure and his grocery bill is more than the rest of ours combined. His appointment with the surgeon is tomorrow so hopefully he will have a few more options as far as food goes after that visit. He's doing fabulous. We see big smiles from him all the time again and we are so thankful. I am still using the carrier and doing all I can to help him attach. I couldn't be happier with his progress.

Allie is gung ho for a sister her age that she plans to name Sally. Jeff says it's impossible, I say it's improbable. LOL Bless her little heart, she told me she wants a sister her age like Brady and AnnaClaire. I can already see that a special bond is forming between Brady and AnnaClaire. I guess Allie sees it too. She's also asking for a dog or a cat. Poor kid is going to get tired of the word 'no' real soon.