Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving day 2 years ago is the day JiaLi returned home. I will never forget that day. The kids were dropped off at Gramma's and Papa's house on Wednesday morning and I drove to the airport. My DH thought I was going to be at this airport waiting. Well, I was able to catch a seat on a plane to NJ where my husband's plane from China was landing. I couldn't wait to see him and finally meet JiaLi. I was watching and watching the flights to check the time for their landing. I finally saw that they had landed and lots of people were coming from the area. I was getting nervous thinking I would miss them and they would catch their flight back home without me. I was really hoping to totally surprise him but my nerves took over and I called him. He was in the process of going through customs--silly me, forgot about that part. He told me he had to get off the cell or he could get in trouble. I told him I was at the airport--he said great--then I explained I was at the NJ airport. Boy the look on his face when we met up:) JiaLi actually let me hold her for a short time:) but she wanted to be with Daddy. We landed back home around midnight and drove home. The next day we went to get the kids at Joe's sister who was holding Thanksgiving. Danny and Jenise were so excited to meet her. Jenise was the most excited. Another girl in the house--finally:) Joseph and Edward were just thrilled to have slept over Gramma's and Papa's and to play with their cousins. Although they were thrilled to have Daddy home. The top photos are when Danny and Jenise first met JiaLi. The pictures below are here and now. Ever since I was little I have always wanted children. When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would give an answer like "nurse" or some career to make them happy but in the back of my mind I was picturing children. I remember as a child hearing about adoption for the first time and just not being able to believe that some children did not have a family. At that point, I always talked about adopting. I never thought this dream would come true. This Thanksgiving I am reminded how lucky I am for my family. I am so thankful for each and every one of them. Each adds that extra something to the family. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!! Did I mention we had our fingerprints done last Friday?

A Tease

No, not Edward. While taking pictures today, Edward wanted me to take a picture of his "Cars" tattoos that he received at a cousin's birthday over the weekend. Of course, JiaLi wanted to show her tattoo too.(that Edward shared). I wanted to show what JiaLi was extremely excited to see this morning when she looked out the window. O.k. so Mommy's camera delay missed her excitement but she was so thrilled to see snow that she thought we could go sledding. Her snowsuit was hanging in our cellar on a hook and she was able to maneuver it off the hook. The hook is over her head. She then went through the process of putting it on. Straps, buckles and all:) Oh, did I feel horrible when I had to tell her it had all changed to rain. (sorry about her orange juice teeth but I loved her expression)

Oooops

That was a total ooops about the 2 year post not being there. I made a change--I took out the bottom edit I had done since the phone calls were asked to stop and I think instead of publishing I only saved. I hate when I do that. Just finished my first calendar workshop--this is my 4th year doing it. I am holding it this weekend and next weekend. It's where my friends come and put together 12x12 calendars with each month a scrapbook layout for photos for each month. It's a lot of work but a lot of fun. This is my 4th year doing it and it means a lot to me because when Joe was in China for those 2 weeks and I was going crazy waiting for them to come home, I held my workhshop and I did it open house style but to the point that the ladies who were interested in making one could come at any time they wanted---it was great company:) and because they didn't all come on the same day, I had company spread out over the time:) This photo is one I've had for a while--it's actually a shower photo and not a bath. We do showers with our kids to make the flow for cleaning and changing easier and since JiaLi has been home, even though she loves to take a bath, she fit right in with our shower routine:)

Two Years--A Day Late

We had Joseph home from school this week because he was having a hard time breathing and we had to do the nebulizers, inhalers, all that stuff. We finally let him go back to school today--not without worry but now that he is older he can tolerate things so much better so we are praying that he'll be o.k. I wanted to post yesterday but just couldn't and then decided not to post but the blogger in me just had to post:) I love this picture of JiaLi and my DH. It just melts my heart. I wanted to be there so badly but things all worked out. Please ignore the date that is on the photo--our camera at the time was a day behind and Mommy wasn't there to notice;) JiaLi spent her 2 year anniversary having her 3 year old appointment. For those who may wonder she is 32 1/2 pounds and 37 1/4" tall. She gained 4 pounds and grew 3 inches:) She is loaded with stickers on her shirt from the doctor and a little pony band-aid--she had a flu shot and lead test. I was so proud of how well she did. Such a change from when we brought her for her first appointment 2 years ago. I was going to be all serious in this post until I heard JiaLi having a conversation in the other room. She was playing with her dollhouse that she received from relatives when she turned 2. She was talking about her figures having a snack and saying "Yummy". Well, when I walked in, this is what I saw. I couldn't help but smile at the lego guys and C3PO joining in for the snack. I asked her to smile and instead received a face--I was interrupting their snack:) But then she did cooperate. These are the pictures I was intending for this post. I am so thankful and feel so blessed that we are able to have this wonderful child be a part of our family. We love her so much!!

A Cold Weekend

The last weekend of soccer. Although I love to watch the kids play, I have to confess that I am thankful to be moving on to indoor sports:) This weekend was soooo cold. I couldn't even take pictures at Edward's game because JiaLi was so cold--his games are at the earliest and coldest part of the day. I was so bummed because he was the most excited and had such great spirit playing--a smile the whole time. Joseph's game though, I did get some pictures. JiaLi was semi-satisfied with a snack. Joseph is number 8(I can't get over his speed). The coach was asking Joseph if he would be playing in the Spring...well he likes baseball and I am just not into the more than one sport:) At Jenise's game, JiaLi was much happier. She has her little buddy that she plays with the whole game. One of the brother's of Jenise's good friend who this year played soccer for the first time and was on Jenise's team--hooray:) Jenise had a great game but honestly was in tears on the way home because she was so cold--her game was immediately after Joseph's making 2 hours on the field. We concluded the weekend at the Veteran's day parade. In the past we watched the parade with my niece being a participant in Brownies/Daisies but this year I was very proud to have Danny marching in the parade:) If only I could have caught him marching;) Joseph was home with Edward and Daddy because his lungs were pushed too far this weekend:( and he was home trying to rest. The picture with JiaLi's hand on her ear is me telling her that I could hear Danny coming:) And yes,of course, what's a cold weekend without some hot chocolate:)

Trying to Get a Picture--Not Quite...

Danny and Jenise had a chorus concert tonight so I thought I would try to get a picture of all the kids together for our Christmas card. I don't know why I go so crazy trying to get a picture of them all looking at the camera--this photo actually fits their personalities:) Don't worry though, I am not using this. Yesterday, JiaLi had on this yellow outfit that she received for her birthday and I thought she looked so cute in it and wanted to try to get a photo for our wall. All the kids have had their pictures done at school and I now need one of JiaLi. Although she is cute in these, I found a picture that I took last month that I may use:) Sorry no sharing because some of you may receive it in the mail---unless I can get a better one:) She was laughing in hysterics at the end and had Mommy laughing and then because we were both laughing, we couldn't stop!! Now what could be better??

Three Years Old

I couldn't resist sharing these pictures. We can't help but smile when JiaLi shows her age:) She is so proud to be 3 but can't quite always get that many fingers up as quick as she did when she was 2 years old. In the first picture, Edward is trying to count 3 fingers for her. She did not want his help. Next she is trying to get those 3 fingers up. Finally, doing it:)

A Late Post

I know Halloween is long gone but just wanted to share these pictures. The first one is JiaLi watching the parade at Joseph's school--the parade included the afternoon Kindergarten, full day Kindergarten and 1st and 2nd graders. I thought JiaLi would be bored but she got the biggest kick out of seeing all the kids dressed up. This is the first year we were without Danny trick-or-treating--he went with some of his friends and one of their Moms. Jenise was wonderful with JiaLi calling JiaLi her buddy and JiaLi ate right into it:) When we returned, the kids chose one candy item(after checked by Mom and Dad). JiaLi chose M&Ms and was very willing to share a few with Dadddy. The ones of her sleeping were taken over the weekend. She has started this thing after we put them all to bed where she gets up and comes downstairs. She repeated this 4-5times on Saturday and finally ran out of gas--she is on the kitchen floor.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

These photos are all Edward--I couldn't help myself. Yesterday, we had a parade for Edward's class, an oral book report for Jenise and a parade for Joseph and then trick-or-treating at night. I will probably post more over the next few days--Joseph's parade was mostly the kids dressed in their costumes and I have a picture of JiaLi totally cracking up because of how many Darth Vader costumes she saw. Anyway, Edward's class dressed like the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom story with the teachers being the coconut trees and the kids the letters. It was so stinkin' cute!! And I had to post:) We were lucky enough too that it was Edward's day to be line leader. Talk about melting my heart.