One Sweet Life in Sugar Grove

HALLOWEEN PARADE AT PRESCHOOL

2010-10-28T20:49:00.006-04:00

Ciara's preschool had their Halloween Parade today around the school grounds. Ciara is a scarecrow this year, not her choice but mine, lol. She isn't getting this whole dressing up and asking for candy thing. She likes it but she doesn't get it, lol. And since she didn't ask to dress up in anything in particular, she became the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. She, Logan, and cousins Gavin and McKenna will be trick or treating together. Logan is gonna be Dorothy, Gavin the Tinman and baby McKenna the Lion, hence Ciara as the scarecrow. That happens Saturday. But for now here are the pictures from the parade. She was so cute leading the way. It was very cold out and I fear it's gonna be another cold one on Saturday night. The kids don't mind, but I for one am not looking forward to it!! LOL

I really didn't have Ciara pose for this picture exactly like a scarecrow, lol. When I said "Cheese!" she just threw her arms out wide!Leading the parade!Look how little Ciara is compared to all the rest of the kids in her class!After such a beautiful day yesterday, today it was really cold and windy and this parade stuff is starting to wear on Ciara. Luckily she had clothes on underneath her costume or she never would've made it out there!Each child got on this platform and stated what they were supposed to be. They were all so cute!

AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!!!

2010-09-18T11:28:00.001-04:00

Don't stop and think about it, just CLICK HERE!!!!

TWO FIRSTS

2010-09-06T22:54:00.008-04:00

Both Logan and Ciara started school last week. Logan had her first day of kindergarten on Tuesday, 8-31......and Ciara started preschool on Thursday, 9-2.Logan of course looked smashing in a new skirt her mommy got her......but Ciara was a little miffed that Logan got to go and she had to wait two more days!Right before Leyna took Logan to school, Logan's Aunt Jamie called to wish her luck on her first day. I'd say that Logan got the talkin' on the phone pose down; don't you think?They really do "lub" each other! (Ciara's hair looks a lot longer in this pic...yay!!!)Logan had a great first week at school, so far so good! She has pointed out though that the "other" Logan in her class, a boy, got his name put up on the board for talking already, and not her, lol

And finally it was Ciara's turn and she was soooo ready for school. I actually hadn't even thought of putting her in preschool yet because the last I knew from 20 + years ago --- ahem --- kids went to preschool after they turned four. So since I do a lot of my work at home, I knew she was going to get bored easily, and she really wanted to go. So off she went! Her bookbag/overnight bag, lol, is almost the same size as she is!No fear!Those boys look like giants compared to Ciara!Eight little bookbags all in a row...six boys (Seth, Brock, Jordan, Timothy, Talon & Griffin) and two girls (Cali & Ciara).

ONE YEAR AGO...

2010-09-04T10:09:00.004-04:00

On August 31st, 2009, all of our dreams came true when my mom and I met Ciara for the first time...and then I was punched in the face! LOLOn August 31st, 2010, Ciara is a happy, very well adjusted 3 1/2 year old and everyone she meets falls completely in love with her. She's only gained 3 pounds this last year, but grown 1 1/2 inches taller. It's a tradition to dress the kids in the clothes you met them in to see the growth...see how much taller she's gotten? We love you very much, Sweet Ciara!! Unfortunately, I can't find that other shoe!

YOGI & CECIL'S FUNDRAISERS

2010-08-13T00:05:00.004-04:00

As I mentioned a couple months ago, I started a new business called Yogi & Cecil's Clippy Creations, and I make hair clippies. Like these two for example:

Or, these two...And this set...And then these last two from my China Collection.If you want to know the significance of the ladybug to Chinese adoptions, click HERE.Okay, enough of the shameless plugging of my business, now down to the good stuff. Yogi & Cecil's is sponsoring two fundraisers; one for the Rizzo family who are waiting for TA to bring this little beauty home (Amelia)...

And the other fundraiser for the Little family who are also waiting to bring their little jewel home (Ellie).

Okay, this is the part where you all come in so PAY ATTENTION, PLEASE! For every purchase you make at Yogi & Cecil's Facebook page, we're going to be giving these two families 50% of the sales. There is an option set up on my Facebook page for each clippy so you can choose which family's fundraiser you'd like your purchase to go towards. It's...that...simple! To order through Facebook all you do is click on the "Shop Now" button, it's a very simple set up. Oh, and don't forget to hit that little "Like" button to become a fan, that way you'll stay updated of all the new clippies that are added on a regular basis.

Now, for those of you who are not familiar with Facebook and don't wanna be, we have option No. 2 and that is YOGI & CECIL'S BLOG. I have set up a "Chip-In" account for each family. From the blog I will only be taking orders either by email at yogiandcecils@verizon.net or through posts on that blog. Once you have placed an order, I will give you your total and then that will be the amount that you will Chip In on either the Little or Rizzo Fundraiser. And, again, don't forget to become a follower or our blog 'cause...it's just cool! Now, the blog is still under construction and hopefully will be completely stocked and loaded by Sunday night with all of the inventory and pricing info, so keep checking back!

With your help, the Rizzos and Littles can have a very successful fundraiser to offset some of the costs associated with International Adoption, and as most of you are quite familiar, there are a lot of costs!!! God bless you all!

PLEASE REMOVE...

2010-08-06T00:01:00.003-04:00

Man, it's been awhile since I've posted, I've got to get back into the swing of things...AGAIN!!! While I was stalking other blogs, I came across this poem, and knew I had to post it. It says a lot of what I've been feelin' lately and is a prayer that needs prayin' by all of us.

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear God,

Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life.

Remove the have nots, the can nots and the do nots that I have in my mind.

Erase the will nots, may nots, might nots that may find a home in my heart.

Release me from the could nots, would nots and should nots that obstruct my life.

And most of all, Dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life all of the ‘am nots’ that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought that I am not good enough.

Amen

Author Unknown

BEAUTIFUL LOGAN MAY

2010-07-10T00:42:00.003-04:00

I don't know about you all, but kids grow up way too fast! I have been telling Logan, and I started telling Ciara, that you two need to stay just as little as you are right now. I'd like your brains to grow (translated to mean I'd like them to be more knowledgeable, more responsible, more obedient, lol), but your bodies need to stop this growing stuff right now!! Now, Logan May is only five years old, but somehow my dear granddaughter went from being little girl cute to just plain gorgeous and here's the proof!

EASY RIDER

2010-07-10T00:08:00.004-04:00

The Wednesday before the 4th after evening Bible Classes, Roger and I along with Ciara drove down to Wal-Mart to get her a new bike. She was beside herself with excitement. Not because she hasn't been riding one all summer because she has. Logan's Granny Julie, who Ciara lovingly calls Ju Ju, had been letting Ciara borrow the bike that Logan had outgrown, but only until Logan's cousin Gavin who is fast approaching three years old was big enough to ride it. Well, that day arrived a couple weeks ago and so Ciara needed another bike. Ciara had a tough decision to make. Should she get the Disney Princesses bike with the horn (not my choice, lol), or go with the Hello Kitty bike with streamers, a cute little removable backpack on the front to store her "stuff," and the best accessory yet, a seat to give your baby a ride? After going back and forth for what seemed forever, and in actuality was only like five minutes, she finally chose......the Hello Kitty bike! Yay!!

Now, if any of you know where we live, you know there is zero, zip, nada, absolutely no place to ride bikes!!! LOL And we can kid ourselves and try to make it sound exciting, but back porches and gravelly driveways just stink for riding bikes.

But one of the best places to ride bikes is parking lots, especially almost brand new blacktopped ones! Say, a church parking lot! So after waiting four more agonizing days, finally on Sunday night, the 4th of July, Ciara got to celebrate by taking her bike with her and riding it to her heart's content. She wiped out no less than five times, but she never cried once (she's a tough little cookie), and I think that girl would've rode that bike back and forth and back and forth all night long had we let her.

And of course I took a few pictures...

Getting ready to leave for Sunday evening worship on the 4th of July!Are we going or what, Mommy?I can't concentrate with you taking pictures all the time, Mommy!My new bike is way cool!Ciara, dear, you have a little confetti ice cream around those sweet lips.So much pavement, so little time.Even though she's only gained 3 pounds since she came home last August and grew about an inch and a half, look how chubby her little legs look in this picture, lol

LAMININ --- AMAZING!

2010-06-24T00:13:00.001-04:00

GOIN 'WIMMING

2010-06-22T20:33:00.007-04:00

Usually Leyna takes the girls over to Logan's Papa Jim's to go swimming, they're pool is much bigger than this little one we have just to get cooled off, and they had all been over there swimming earlier in the day, but Ciara hadn't had enough and wanted to take one more dip before we called it a night.

Oh, that water is cold!Ciara just loves to swim!Oooooo, it's still cold! La la la la la...Splash!!

7 NEW CLIPPY DESIGNS

2010-06-18T00:59:00.002-04:00

As usual, please leave a comment to request ordering and pricing info!

HOT OFF MY KITCHEN TABLE!

2010-06-16T00:20:00.002-04:00

Three new Patriotic Clippies I made today! Leave a message if you'd like ordering and pricing info!!!

TODAY'S CLIPPIES

2010-06-14T17:58:00.003-04:00

For the time being, just leave a comment for ordering information. I'm working on a new blog specifically for this business so stay tuned!!

"HOPE IS FADING"

2010-06-14T02:19:00.001-04:00

Hope is Fading from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

TWO NEW CLIPPIES

2010-06-07T17:53:00.005-04:00

Periodically as I get them made, I will be adding new clippies to this site. These are the two I came up with today. To order the Lavender Beaded Clippie OR the 3 Ladybugs Clippie, just click the appropriate "Buy Now" button to the right of this post.

MY NEW HOBBY/BUSINESS VENTURE

2010-06-07T00:09:00.005-04:00

I'm trying to get a feel for what the response will be to these hair clippies that I've designed. The plan is to create a series of four different clippies for each country that I choose...and first off is CHINA! I'll introduce the next in the series based on the response I get from this post. And BTW...the first person to comment to this post will receive these two FREE!
Don't be afraid to let me know what you all think!!
If you'd like to order this Panda Clippie, the first in this series, just click on the PayPal button to the right!

ONCE THERE WERE TWO LITTLE GIRLS...

2010-06-04T00:18:00.003-04:00

...who we love more with each passing moment.

MEMORIAL WEEKEND EAC STYLE!

2010-06-03T23:40:00.005-04:00

Every year on Memorial weekend our agency (European Adoption Consultants) hosts an agency-wide reunion of families from all their adoption programs at the Cleveland Zoo. This was the first time we attended and, boy, it was fun! Friday night started the weekend off with a cookout/kids' fair on agency grounds, followed by all day Saturday spent at the Zoo. At one point I overheard someone saying that that day every year is the busiest day at the Zoo because of the attendance of so many adoption alumni from EAC. I met in person lots of families whose blogs I had been following and that were in the yahoo group to which I belong, and I met a lot of new families also. And our two social butterflies (Logan and Ciara) were in their glory with so many people to entertain, lol.

Flamingos!!! (BTW...see that clippie in Logan's hair? I'm going to post some exciting news about it very soon! Ssshhh...I made it!)Logan sssssliding outta the ssssnake pit.KangaLoganKangaCiaraRoger and I feel soooo blessed!There was also a parade for all the families to march in around the zoo lined up by country and then by province or city in that country.Logan and Ciara were pushed around all day in what to me looked like a mini rickshaw, lol. Ciara proudly displays her place of birth while Logan wearily waves China's flag.Halfway through the parade Logan made the mistake of getting outta her seat at which time Ciara quickly konked out!Yikes, Papa! Grizzlies!Mother (Leyna) and daughter (Logan) pose in front of the bears!This was also our China travel group's 1st reunion since getting home with our daughters. We all met at Lori and Dan's for supper after the zoo. Two families came in from near the Atlanta, GA area, two other families are from the Cleveland, Ohio area, and of course our family in Pennsylvania. We had a great time reminiscing about China and catching up with each other's lives since we got home. All five girls have adjusted beautifully and also had a great time playing together.

From left to right are: Dan, Lori and their newest daughter Shawna; Roger, me and Ciara; Chris, Catherine and their daughter Harper; Matt, Ingrid and their second Chinese daughter Zadie; and Tom, Karen and their daughter Heather (who, BTW, we think was having a little red couch picture taking flashback. She's the oldest of the five girls and probably remembers the most.)

LOGIE CROCKER

2010-05-22T10:54:00.004-04:00

We're having a late breakfast this morning and Logan just whipped up the pancakes. She's a great helper in the kitchen!

Chef Logie Crocker!

CIARA AND TIPSY

2010-05-22T09:16:00.004-04:00

We have three cats, Tipsy, Cinnamon and Teenie. Two of them (Tipsy and Cinnamon) are sisters born on August 24th, 1994 (my brother Jeff's birthday, that's how I remember it, lol). That will make them 16 years old this August. Their mother Lacy was also a pet of ours, but was hit and killed by a car when they were 6 months old. They were both born in the double wide trailer we lived in while my daughter Leyna and I watched. To look at Cinnamon you wouldn't think she was anywhere near 16 years old, she still jumps, runs up the steps two at a time and torments our dog Lulu. Tipsy on the other hand is a bit heavier and slower and sleeps most of the 24 hours in a day. She has a lump at the base of her spine that I ran my hand over last year and got bit by her for the first time ever since I've had her, but she still lumbers on, doesn't go up the stairs that often anymore and basically just sleeps on a blanket under my computer table. Logan and Ciara have been told that they can't pick her up and to generally just leave her alone as she's old and will probably not be with us that much longer. I left the room for a minute and when I came I found this...she was being so gentle with her.

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE

2010-05-22T08:36:00.007-04:00

After we got home with Ciara in September of last year, I was taking her with me when I took Logan to her tap dance class. Ciara was only 2 1/2 at that time. The first class after we came back just happened to be an observation week so Ciara and I were actually in Logan's class watching her practice, and while I was holding her she mimicked everything that the girls in Logan's class were doing. While I was watching Logan, every one else was watching Ciara, lol. After that class, Logan's teacher asked me if I was going to put Ciara into tap and I told her that if she wanted to I would when she was old enough, which at the time was 4 years old. It just so happened, the teacher told me, that they just started a new class that was for the wee little ones. Ciara was very excited because she wanted to do everything here Jie Jie (Logan) was doing. The first couple classes she wanted me in with her the whole time, but after that she sailed through the fall and winter with flying colors to finally.....THE BIG SHOW!! And both girls did great and both acted like old pros! The theme was The Wonderful World of Disney!

Leyna and Logan at dress rehearsal the day before the show. I just love the look on Logan's face.Ciara not cooperating while getting her picture taken, but still looking cute.All dolled up the afternoon of the show and waiting to go on. Ciara's class was the 3rd act and Logan's was the 11th.Our beautiful Logan MayLogan's class performed to "Yes, Sir! That's My Baby."Logan was right smack in the middle!Ciara's class waiting in the wings. Only ten are actually sitting in this picture, but there were actually 17 that went on stage, lol. Brave teachers!Waiting backstage to go on!Ciara is the fifth one from the right, and also the smallest of the bunch, lol. Her class performed to "I'm A Little Teapot.""Tip me over and pour me out!"

THIS BLESSING IS FOR YOU

2010-05-14T19:33:00.003-04:00

My mom and dad, my granny, Leyna, and Roger and I all went to Ireland in August of 2002, the year Leyna graduated from high school. Our hotel was in Dublin, but we traveled back and forth quite a bit to other cities in Ireland. We toured to the south to the Wicklow Mountains, went west three hours to the Cliffs of Moher, and drove around the Ring of Kerry, we visited castles and pubs and...IT WAS FANTASTIC!!! If I ever get the chance to go back, I'm gone! I was sent an email today with THIS LINK attached. Please take a look at it, it is absolutely beautiful!

WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON? (PART II)

2010-05-13T15:32:00.014-04:00

The month of April went along quite smoothly, mainly due to the fact that Logan and Ciara spent most of it...OUTSIDE! And that is perfectly O.K.A.Y. with me. We had been cooped up all winter long and all of us had had enough of each other and needed some relief. It is the first question both of them ask when they wake up: Can we play outside today? As you'll see in the pics below, these two girls love the outdoors and they love to help with whatever chores we are doing outside.

We planted peas in the first two rows and the girls are now watering them.Taking a break for a little pizzaThe girls each planted their own flowers in these containers...unfortunately since then they all got left outside one night and the frost got 'em. We plan on replanting once the last frost hits at the end of this month, lol.

Logan also started playing soccer this year, and if she's anything like her mother, she's going to be a great athlete. The following pictures are not the best at all, but I couldn't use my flash inside the gym, and for some reason when I don't use the flash with this particular camera, the pictures come out blurry.

This really wasn't during the game, it was during the warm-up, lol.

And we all know that the most important part of any team is what color your shirts are, and in Logan's book since red is her favorite color, she was on the best team!GOOOOO, RED!!! And for the past few springs this little guy has been coming back to our feeders, at least I'm assuming it's the same one, it's the only woodpecker that has ever come around.Our evenings were spent doing various activities like...

Hair dressing...Or recovering from another grueling round of "Go get the ball, Lulu"...Playing with oven mitts...yes, we play with our oven mitts. Got a problem with that?

Generally lookin' cute...And we built a fort in the livingroom.Those are Roger's feet sticking outta that fort on the left, lol

There's more, but I guess I'll have to do a Part III, so stay tuned.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2010-05-09T00:58:00.001-04:00

SPRING FAIRIES 4-5-10

2010-05-06T23:00:00.006-04:00

What little girl doesn't like to play dress-up? Well, Logan and Ciara are no exception. At any given time of any given day one or both of them are either dressed up in a fairy costume or a Disney princess dress complete with shoes and accessories. You all remember how Ciara likes to accessorize; right? This one particular morning it was extremely warm outside and, well, they just couldn't help themselves! Luckily my absentmindedness with my camera did not kick in yet and I was able to snap a few of them frolicking around the house.

Hey, even Lulu got in on the fairy action. She had just been groomed the day before and she was lookin' good!

Logan striking yet another pose!

Have I told you all how thankful I am to our Awesome God for these little fairies lately?

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY

2010-05-05T01:06:00.006-04:00

Today, May 4th, marks a day that I will never ever forget because exactly one year ago today I saw my little girl's face for the first time, and the story goes like this.

At the time I was working at the Warren County Courthouse full-time as the court stenographer (you know, the one with the little machine taking down everything everyone says in court). I had just walked into the judges' chambers during a recess from whatever proceedings were going on, when I was given a message by Sue, one of the deputy court administrators, that our adoption agency was trying to get ahold of me. I knew immediately what it was about. The new "list" from China had just come out the night before and I was hoping we'd be matched with a little girl from that list...AND WE WERE! I called Kim from our agency and she told me that she thought she had found our daughter and would I like to see a picture of her. Are you kidding me?!?! Of course I want to see her...but the recess was over and I had to get back into court. I know, I know, the court system waits for no man/woman. Truth be told, the judge had no idea what was going on behind the scenes and I didn't have an opportunity to tell him or I definitely would have!

TWO...HOURS...LATER...I finally am able to call Kim back and tell her that I'd be home in 20 minutes and to email me that picture ASAP! It was now about 3 PM. And, yes, I went immediately home and opened the email all by myself.

Now, at this point, let me explain something to you all. My husband doesn't get home from working until sometimes 8 PM. That would've been FIVE ADDITIONAL HOURS that I would have had to wait to see my daughter (and I did already know she was the one BTW). And since I already knew what his answer was gonna be, I called Roger and asked him if he would mind if I saw her for the first time without him. He of course didn't mind because he's that kinda guy and that's why I love him.

When I saw Ciara for the first time, my first thought was, "Yep, that's her, that's our little girl!" It was as if everything I had ever imagined she'd look like came together in that one little picture and it just fit. She just fit, she was our little girl from that second forward :) We love you very much, Sweet Ciara!

Then.And...NOW!"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

(Jeremiah 29:11)

CIARA TURNS THREE!

2010-05-04T23:56:00.010-04:00

Okay, so Ciara's birthday WAS April 1st and the party WAS April 3rd, and yes, I am still a little behind in my posting, but c'mon guys, can't I get points for at least TRYING to catch up here? I mean, seriously, having a five and three year old in the house is very time consuming and exhausting, lol.

Shonni and Karin, at this point you both can get up off the floor and quit your hyperventilating laughter. (For those who aren't familiar with these two amazing women, Shonni is the mother of...is it 11 now, Shonni? And Karin is the mother of 10.) And they're both about ready to smack me about now for whining, lol.

I'll shut up now, here's what you want to see anyways.

Just one more thing, hehehe, thanks to my great friend Teri for having the foresight to actually charge her camera before coming to the party, something Ciara's Mama forgot to do ;)

Okay, cue the pictures!

Now, remember, it is April 3rd. This garden is supposed to look pitiful.

Ciara just dives right in to this whole unwrapping gifts deal!

The queen crowning her newest princess!

One princess that's not so sure of her crown.

It sure doesn't take long to get used to, though!

Is that adoration of the $$$, or complete shock it's not a toy of some kind?

Cake! That's what I'm talkin' about!

Ciara loves Elmo!

Since the next day was Easter, we had "the hunt."

What? I found these all fair and square!

I'll just take my eggs and go now.

Logan with egg...er, I mean, chocolate all over her face!

My friend Teri's husband Tony and his youngest son Vincent, and Roger and Ciara getting ready for a hike up in the woods.

Vincent's older brother Anthony and Logan leading the way.

What a goofball!

The oldest two are my niece Lyndsey and nephew Shane (sorry we had to do that to you two), and then Anthony and Vincent, and Logan and Ciara.

My friend Teri with her two boys, Vincent and Anthony. Niece Lyndsey with her mom, my sister-in-law Kathy.

Me and Ciara

EMBRACE LIFE

2010-04-28T10:41:00.002-04:00

My sister-in-law Shelley sent me this video clip. All I can say is....WOW!!! What a message!!!

HE REIGNS!!!

2010-04-27T01:14:00.002-04:00

Every day I am blessed to live on this planet, I become more aware of God's hand in my life and those around me.

He Reigns!

It’s the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It’s the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God’s holy fire
It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir

It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

Let it rise above the four winds
Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this

It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they’ve just heard
‘Cause all the powers of darkness
Can’t drown out a single word

When all God’s children sing out
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
All God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON? (PART I)

2010-04-26T00:16:00.010-04:00

What HAS been going on? Well, I'll tell ya! ~~~ A whole lot of normalcy, lol. Since my last "informational" post, we have pretty much been just hangin' out at the house and driving each other crazy.

During the first part of March the weather was definitely the deciding factor as to what we were doing any particular day. Like on this day it was in the high 70's and Leyna, Logan, Ciara and I decided to kick off the summer early by having a picnic. Not too many times you can say your first picnic of the year started in March, March 11, 2010 to be exact! Ahhhh...nothing says summer is fast approaching like eating lunch on your picnic table surrounded by melting snow! Logan and Ciara were just a tad excited about getting outta the house!

Then of course we blinked and by the next week it was cold enough again to bundle up. Ciara is fast catching up to Logan with her farming and gardening skills. Her major excitement has been going down to the barn with Logan and her Papa to feed the cows or ride on Papa's big tractor, and both she and Logan are fantastic helpers! These next pics are of Ciara helping Roger turn over the garden getting it ready for our next warm spell to plant.

On March 25th, Roger, Ciara and I left to spend a week down in Charlotte, NC with Roger's mom. While there Ciara met for the first time her Aunt Rhonda, Uncle Rick and cousin Bria, her Aunt Faye, Uncle Ron and cousins Ron, Nick, Lydia and Eve, and finally her Uncle Bill and cousin Billy. Ciara proudly claimed ALL of her new family as her very own, for example, My Faye or My Rhonda, lol. Unfortunately her mother can only claim memory loss as I did forget to take my camera just about everywhere on this trip!

Also while in Charlotte we got to visit Jaclyn and Patrick and their four kids, Liam, Neve, Flynn and their newest addition Jemma. Jemma you may remember from THIS POST.Ciara and Jemma are only a month apart and were in the same orphanage in China. Ciara came home in September and Jemma in December. We're not sure if they remembered each other, but we all got to spend the afternoon together comparing life post adoption. I really hated to leave so soon, but as luck would have it (or was it?), I accidentally left Ciara's bag at their house. So the next day on our way to Roger's sister's house, which happened to be only two miles from where Patrick (or Snippy as I like to call him) and Jaclyn's house is, we stopped to pick up the bag. While there Jaclyn asked if I was doing anything the next afternoon, which our plans had just fell through, so Ciara and I got to get together with Jaclyn, Flynn and Jemma for a China group playdate at a park near their home. I think there were about 10 little girls there; most from China, 1 or 2 from Vietnam. Ciara had a great time playing with them all. Pictures were taken...just not by me! Jaclyn is going to send me any pics she gets (Right, Jaclyn?), so when I get 'em, you'll see 'em! I did manage the last day we were in Charlotte to remember to take my camera outta my suitcase and I did take some pictures of Ciara with my mother-in-law's dog Coco, and then some in her backyard :)

Is it just me, or am I the only one that has an unusual amount of pics with my daughter in various cages?

This group of pictures was taken at a park just down the road from my mother-in-law's house.

So this is what's been goin' on in March. April's post will be coming soon!

IT'S SPRING!!

2010-04-21T10:27:00.000-04:00

FIGURES!

2010-03-05T00:14:00.002-05:00

Just when I ask for help, I go to view my post and...wala...the problem is gone, but I didn't do it and I don't care how it happened, I'm just little irritated that I've spent the last 1/2 hour trying to fix it, lol

TEMPLATE TROUBLE!

2010-03-05T00:13:00.003-05:00

Does anyone know why all of a sudden my right column is now underneath my left column? And if you do, do you also know how to fix it? Because I sure can't figure it out and it's driving me nuts!!!

SIX MONTHS WITH CIARA!

2010-03-02T14:00:00.007-05:00

First off...man, it's been a month since I've posted anything. AND I'll tell you why, it's a very simple explanation really. When I start something new, it just consumes me for about an average of 2-3 weeks, and in a moment of weakness I accepted someone's request of me to...are you ready for this?... PLAY FARMVILLE!!! How ridiculous is that? Well, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

On a completely more serious and life-changing note, our precious little Ciara has been with our family now for six months!! Six months??!! We certainly can't believe it, and I've heard it said many times, but it is true...it is like she's always been here.

Ten facts about Ciara, or CiCi as Logan and Leyna like to call her, that everyone should know:

Fact No. 1: The girl loves to shop, and her favorite things to buy are still SHOES!!

Fact No. 2: When the referral paperwork described her as being a little obstinate, someone fibbed a little. This girl is bull-headed, but does eventually bend if necessary, lol.

Fact No. 3: She has the best pucker ever and isn't afraid to use it, lol.

Fact No. 4: Ciara loves bling, dressing up and did I mention she likes shoes?

Fact No. 5: She loves going to church and her Bible class with her friend Ella.

Fact No. 6: Ciara does not like cheese of any kind, not even mac-n-cheese, no cheese.

Fact No. 7: She digs chocolate milk, gummies, pork chops (really meat of any kind), Raman noodles of course, gold fishes, Cocoa Puffs and Fruity Pebbles.

Fact No. 8: She loves her family! How do I know? 'Cause she tells us all the time, "I Uv Ou!"

Fact No. 9: She loves riding in Papa's and Ya Ya's big trucks and does so every opportunity she can.

Fact No. 10: Ciara loves to be read to and would do so every minute of the day. If we're not reading to her, she will sit and look through the books herself.

And there are so many other facts I could tell you about this lovable, snuggly, beautiful, wonderful, precious gift to our family that we all just love, love, love, but seriously I just don't have that much time!

Below are a few pictures over the last six months with Ciara. She's gotten a little taller and her hair is a smidge thicker.

8-31-09 Meeting Ciara for the first time!8-31-09 She had been with me about 6 hours at this point. We're at Wal-mart.9-2-09 At the Hefei Zoo9-3-09 In our hotel room in Hefei, Anhui, China9-8-09 We're in Guangzhou at this point, leaving for home in two days.9-19-099-20-099-22-0910-8-0910-23-0910-30-0911-16-0911-20-0912-19-0912-24-091-19-101-20-101-30-102-19-103-1-10

MISCELLANEOUS STUFF

2010-02-04T01:11:00.002-05:00

Just one or two thoughts for this post...

No. 1 --- If you haven't already, please don't forget to sign my guestbook at the very bottom of the page. And if you can after you've signed it, put a picture on it, too; would ya? I mean, messages are nice, but pictures are fantastic!

AND

No. 2 --- I'm thinkin' I'm going to have another giveaway in the very near future. I'm approaching 10,000 visitors to my page and I'd like to celebrate. I'm still thinkin' about what the giveaway package is gonna be so I'll update you all later on that!

(I told you I only had one or two thoughts)

WHY WOULDN'T I?

2010-01-28T00:49:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Wendy!

Really? 5?

2010-01-20T23:37:00.003-05:00

It doesn't seem all that long ago that I was sitting in an uncomfortable hospital lounger/torture apparatus with my mom for what seemed like days, but in reality was ONLY 28 hours, watching my oldest daughter Leyna slip into a wonderful epidural induced haze while we were waiting for my granddaughter Logan to make her grand appearance into this world and our family, but it has been FIVE YEARS since that evening! Yes, I have a beautiful, smart and extremely funny granddaughter that turned FIVE yesterday, and although Leyna has a sharp wit and is the queen of snappy comebacks, little Logie gets her sense of humor as you'll see from this first picture from her dad. Could they look any more alike posing for this shot?!?

A beautiful princess ball gown for our beautiful princess!Ciara poses for a quick pic amidst Logan's gift unwrapping frenzy.Cousins Christopher and CiaraJie Jie, would ya just blow out the candle already so I can have some of that fine lookin' cake?What a doll!This morning while eating breakfast Ciara still wanted to party, lol

THE BIBLE IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE PART 3 OF 3

2010-01-15T11:02:00.002-05:00

If you wish to view Part 1 of 3, click HERE.

If you wish to view Part 2 of 3, click HERE.

HAITI DISASTER RELIEF

2010-01-15T00:04:00.004-05:00

If you've been wondering how you can help bring some measure of relief and be of assistance to those suffering from the devastation brought on by the earthquake that rocked millions of people in Haiti this week, please take the time to click HERE for information on how you can help.

(Galatians 6:10)

"...as we have opportunity, let us do good to...all...especially to those of the household of faith."

SHOW OF HANDS!

2010-01-11T21:52:00.000-05:00

THE BIBLE IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE PART 2 OF 3

2010-01-05T23:26:00.002-05:00

If you missed Part 1 of 3, click HERE.

WINTER POEM

2010-01-05T11:14:00.004-05:00

My sister-in-law Shelley emailed me this poem this morning and after stepping out to the store to go get some Diet Coke, lol, I felt it was highly appropriate and so true.

WE LOVE PENNSYLVANIA!!

WINTER Poem

It's winter in Pennsylvania
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At thirty-five below.

Oh, how I love Pennsylvania
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave Pennsylvania
I'm frozen to the ground!

IT JUST KEEPS SNOWING AND SNOWING!

2010-01-03T19:47:00.003-05:00

A few pictures from today taken from my front and back porch....and it's still snowing!!!

We have been cooped up in this house for two solid days. Count 'em...one...two!!! And we are going a little stir crazy! Leyna and I may just get brave tomorrow and go into Sugar Grove to get something, anything!! Chocolate sounds good about now!!

Here you can barely see our barn.I know the picnic table should've been put away by now, but that sucker is H.E.A.V.Y! It will be buried soon!

THE BIBLE IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE PART 1 OF 3

2010-01-03T00:25:00.001-05:00

NEW YEAR'S DAY FESTIVITIES

2010-01-02T09:08:00.008-05:00

Every year most of my family collects at my parents' home for the New Year's Day feeding. Well, almost every holiday my family collects at my parents' home for a feeding, lol. Okay, it doesn't even have to be a holiday, all right, but that's not the point of this post. The point is: I have more pictures, lol.

And without saying any more, even though I know you guys love to read me ramble, here they are!!

There are always a few in every crowd who just CANNOT wait until the food is served and that would be these two in this crowd. Two of my three brothers, Shawn and Chris, picking before we eat.The table before the 18 of us sat down to eat...And the table afterwards. And Amanda is not still praying, she's just having a bad camera moment!Our youngest attendee, Gavin, always smiles nice for the camera.My nephew Christopher just loves his new cousin, Ciara. Anyone for a smooch?Logan and Christopher...what a cute pair!Gavin and Ciara enjoying a little playtime in the ottoman/toy box while my nephew Jake looks on.My little egghead nephew Christopher tries to get in almost every photo you take and this time he beat me!McKayla was just minding her own business when these three decided to gang up on her, lol.Logan's Uncle Jay, Aunt Jamie and cousin Gavin, and her Granny Julie (not shown in this pic obviously) on her dad's side of the family joined our clan this year!Logie with her Granny.Ciara getting in on some of that Granny action. Ciara fondly refers to Julie and JuJu.My parents have two Boston Terriers, Hans and Greta, and every once in awhile someone runs across something they can't resist buying for them. This lovely ornament was courtesy of our good friend Kevin.And this terrier angel is for Billie, their previous dog that is now passed away. Billie was a good puppy.My middle brother Shawn and his two sons Jake and JoshMy youngest brother Chris with wife Amanda and two kids McKayla and ChristopherFour generations with the knucklehead with her tongue sticking out being our future!?! LOLPapa, Mama and CiaraGranny and CiaraLogan got the giggles when I tried to take a picture with her mommy...Then when I finally get a good smile from her...Leyna started! I wonder where she gets it from?I dunno what they were doing! This particular photo sessions went downhill from here, lolGranny showing her great granddaughter and granddaughter how to play.Logan kickin' back watching TV with her PappapRoger can only stand so much picture taking in one evening, lol. Awww, such a rough life!

2010-01-01T10:58:00.001-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

2009-12-31T23:41:00.007-05:00

Ciara woke up last night saying that her ear hurt and after a trip to the pediatrician's this morning...yep, you guessed it...she has an ear infection. Nothing major in the scheme of childhood "stuff," but along with the fever that comes with it, it was enough to cancel our plans to go over to our friends Scott and Cathy's house to play games. Ciara and Logan love going over there and playing with their four kinds: Aubrey, Selvie, Hannah and Jordie. They were just as content however to stay home after Leyna and I suggested that we have lasagna for supper and then tackle all the bead sets that both of them got for Christmas. We've really had a good time tonight. Ciara hit the hay at 9 PM and Logan gets to stay up until the proverbial ball drops. Roger snapped off most of these shots so that I got to be in some pictures for a change, lol.

First off, you all better be good in 2010 'cause Logan will have her eye on you!Just figuring out what we're gonna do with all these beads.Mommy and her little snuggle buggleFor 2 1/2 Ciara was pretty good at threading those beads.But she decided to take a break to horse aroundLogan concentrating intently on the task at hand.Ciara gave up threading the beads early and just decided to play with the beads, lolCiara and Mama wearing two of our creationsI did say there were a lot of beadsCiara and her Papa Logan's final projectAside from photographer this evening, Roger was also the pick up man mainly due to Ciara, lolLogie modeling earrings and necklaceRoger had a rough evening and around 10 PM he pooped out on the couch, lol

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!

SLEDDING FUN

2009-12-28T22:47:00.006-05:00

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, I'm not a let's go outside and have fun in the snow type of person. I don't dislike winter, I don't even mind snow. I just hate being cold!! So when a certain member of my family suggested this morning that we take the kids sled riding, I really was less than thrilled at the thought...so I did what I always do in these type of situations (you know, the ones where I don't wanna), I volunteered my husband, and that folks is why he loves me, lol. And this wasn't even ordinary sled riding, this was nighttime sled riding...YIPPEE, EVEN COLDER!!

Logan had spent the night with her Granny Julie who Ciara now lovingly calls JuJu, and Aunt Jamie, Uncle Jay and her cousin Gavin, so we all headed over to their house for the event. I wasn't sure if Ciara was going to like sled riding, it rarely got cold where she lived in China, but we bundled her all up in her new snowsuit that she got for Christmas from my mom and dad and gave it a whirl. And she had a blast. While Logan and her dad were trying to see how far they could make the sled go, Leyna was giving Ciara pushes down the little hill and she at one point was singing the whole way down. Roger stood at the bottom by the house to make sure neither one of them ran into it, lol. I did manage to stay outside for about 15 minutes to get some pictures, though. Go figure!

Ciara and her big sister Leyna comin' down the hill for the first time.

At the end of the first run.Gavin sledding with his Uncle Jesse (Logan's dad)Logan just having fun with her daddy!Now she's making...you guessed it...a snow angel!This little part of Ciara's face stickin' out was the only part of her body that wasn't covered and could possibly even get cold, lolGavin looks like he's having a good time, too!Even the dogs got to playin' in the snowGetting ready for another trip down the hill Papa and daughter taking a rideNow that's all bundled up!Logan is having some issues with the sled, lolCiara just chillin' (pun intended, hehe)Mush, Daddy, mush!The two sisters going back up the hillWEEEEEEEE!!!

FOR THOSE WHO STILL DOUBT CREATION...

2009-12-28T22:40:00.003-05:00

With the chaos, disorder and randomness that evolution calls for, you just don't get beauty like this. Creation DEMANDS a creator!!

(NOTE: Please ignore the garbage comment pertaining to the "afterglow of the Big Bang," lol)

CHRISTMAS EVE 2009

2009-12-25T23:09:00.005-05:00

Let me start off by saying, that we all are foolish for buying our kids any kind of toys for Christmas because they don't need 'em. Why play with the Wii or XBox 360 or games or puzzles of baby dolls or racetracks when you can play with stuff like what we bought my dad for Christmas? (And I apologize for the poor quality of pictures lately, apparently someone doesn't know how to operate her camera yet.)

First the three littlest cousins decided to play in it.And then their older cousin got in on the action.And even the two oldest cousins couldn't resist the lure of the wheelbarrow.Our family's most precious gift of all this year!Ciara talkin' to her peeps.Like father (and, yes, it was voluntary)Like daughter.A few snacks My hubby Roger, youngest brother Chris with his mouth full, and my oldest brother Jeff.Brother Chris, niece Lyndsey, granddaughter Logan striking yet another goofy pose, lol, and my sister-in-law Amanda

FROM THIS...TO THIS!

2009-12-25T23:06:00.003-05:00

all in about an hour!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS!

2009-12-24T14:23:00.004-05:00

I just got done asking her if she was excited for tomorrow morning! I think that's a YES!!

FOUR TO GO!

2009-12-21T22:54:00.011-05:00

With only four decorating days to go until Christmas, I am almost done, lol (notice I said "decorating" and not shopping 'cause I AM DONE SHOPPING!). I have the main tree almost done, and I guess I do need to get some icicles tomorrow, I love 'em. Some people don't, but I do. There I've said it, I LOVE ICICLES!!! My daughter hates them because she cleans the litterbox for our three cats and she's always finding them in there amongst the rubble, lol. Hey, if they want to eat those icicles, go right ahead. They surely know by now that what goes in must come out.

Leyna and Logan still have to decorate their little tree that they put up in the kids' playroom, but with some help (I use that term loosely) from the two yahoos, Roger managed to get the train together and running the other day.I only just realized when posting these pictures that in this one Logan has the remote control for the train and is about to run that thing right into Roger's foot, lol.On a side note, about ten years ago I started collecting Christmas head bands. I pick a few up usually every year after Christmas when they only cost a couple bucks a piece. When my family gathers for Christmas Eve I bring them along in a basket and spend the evening trying to convince everyone to put one on for a picture. I can always get the kids to wear them, but the adults...well, let's just say that some years they're more cooperative than others, so I'll have to let you know if I get any takers at this year's gathering, lol. I found four new head bands a couple days ago and Logan and Ciara have been trying them out. Here's two pictures of two of them.And this is my whole collection. I really don't see what the problem is with wearing one of these!

I've also taken some photos of some of my favorite ornaments, I collect those, too! Some of these may be repeats from last year's posting, but hey, they're still my favorites!

This is a new one I bought the other day. I try to get at least one every year that actually has the year on it.This is an ornament we bought for my daughter Leyna's first Christmas in 1984. That year it was hung on a little artificial tree in our tiny one bedroom apartment in Edmond, Oklahoma where we were going to school at Oklahoma Christian College.This ornament Leyna made for me when she was in grade school.Now, c'mon, cows are festive, too!If there's an ornament with a cow on it, I'm buying it!No story behind these next three, I just like them.These next three came from some of my family's infamous beach vacations. This one is obviously Virginia Beach.And then Cape Hatteras.And then finally, I got this one as part of a set of four at Myrtle Beach.And of course Santa on a gondola came from Italy. Venice to be exact where my husband and I spent our honeymoon 10 years ago. Wow! Has it been that long?In 2002 Roger, Leyna and I along with my mom and dad and my grandma all went to Ireland the summer after Leyna's graduation from high school. I picked up this one in Dublin.These next two along with two others I recently got during my trip to China to get my daughter Ciara. Although the details of this trip are somewhat foggy (except for details pertaining to Ciara), I do believe I got these in Beijing.And I think it goes without saying anything about this one, lol

CATCHING UP!

2009-12-19T22:12:00.006-05:00

Wow! Where do I begin?

So I've skipped posting about Thanksgiving and anything that has gone on since then, although we did have a very quiet Thanksgiving dinner at my mom and dad's house, where we eat almost every year (11 of us). Okay, maybe not quiet, that's never been an adjective used to describe my family, but it was nice. Ciara likes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and the cranberry drink with 7-Up in it that only a few at the table enjoy, myself included (I love the stuff!). She doesn't like baked corn, green bean casserole or the noodles my mom makes to go over the mashed potatoes. Why is that important? It's not, I just felt like sharing, lol.

The table pre-feastThe feastThe feastersThe Three Amigas: Ciara, Logan & McKaylaCozy Cousins Logan & Christopher watching figure skating.

So let's see...what's next? Oh, yes, tap lessons. After noticing Ciara copying the dance moves during Logan's tap class observation period almost exactly, the instructor came up to me and asked how old Ciara was. I told her 2 1/2, and she informed me that they had just started a much younger than normal class for under 3 years old. Yikes! Brave women!! So I thought...why not?!? That is, if Ciara would stay in the class without me, which at the time had been an issue during her little class at church.

We show up the next week and to my amazement there were 20 other little girls in the class. At least 1/3 of the class cried the whole time and their mothers had to stay in with them, and although Ciara wouldn't let me out of her sight and I couldn't leave, she was not one of the criers, thank goodness!! The class itself started in September and for the first 7-8 classes I had to go in with her, but for some reason after missing two classes when she had bronchitis in November, the next time we went Ciara just marched herself into the class and never looked back. I have not had to go in since and she has been doing fantastic. Oh, and outta the 20 girls that started, there's only maybe 12 left, lol. They will be performing in the big show in May their rendition of "I'm A Little Teapot."

Logan has always done well in class and will also be performing in May during the same performance. I can't wait to get them both all dolled up, if for no other reason than just to take a few pictures of these two sweet little girls.

A few "rad moves" (for all you Backyardigans fans).

And although that is by all means not everything of significance that has happened over the last couple of months, I'll stop for now and save some for later, but I will leave you with this photo that we had taken last week.

BAD BLOGGER...

2009-12-14T00:15:00.002-05:00

I know, I know, I've been a bad blogger, but I'm going to catch you all up real soon I promise! Hey, I at least got my Christmas layout up!

$250 BEST BUY GIVEAWAY

2009-11-18T14:34:00.002-05:00

Please visit the Littles' fundraising site for their next adoption and choose to enter this fantastic giveaway by choosing several different options. You can find out all the info HERE.

What an opportunity to get involved and be proactive with the adoption community. We all indulge our children and ourselves to excess during the holidays (come on, admit it, you know we do, I DO!! lol) so why don't you donate some of that "excess" that our kids won't even miss anyways to a great cause...one that will bring another child home to their forever family to be loved, tucked in at night, told that they belong, and kissed and hugged more times than they ever dreamed possible! What a blessing you could be to this family!

WHO WILL STAND FOR AMERICA?

2009-11-05T21:42:00.003-05:00

MORE TRICK OR TREATIN' FUN

2009-11-01T23:36:00.004-05:00

Last night was the big Trick or Treating night in our neck of the woods. So Leyna and I bundled up Logan and Ciara once again and headed on over to Logan's cousin Gavin's house to terrorize...I mean, party in their neighborhood. While Gramma Gloria, Julie, Les and Cindy all stayed at the house to eat/hand out candy, Jamie and Jay (Gavin's mommy and daddy), Leyna, Logan, Ciara and I all braved the somewhat cold weather and took the three kiddos out for about two hours of fun, fun, fun. And of course there's pictures!

Have you ever tried to get a golfer, a bunny and a unicorn to sit still for a pre-trick or treating photo op? Me neither! But sit still they did, for just a few pics, lol!

Introducing Gavin the dandy golf pro, Logan the frisky bunny and Ciara the zany unicorn!Logan was too excited to sit in the wagon, but the two little ones opted for an easy going night.The first stop of the evening.By the end of the night, the bunny was all hopped out and got in the wagon, so Ciara hitched a ride on sister's shoulders. (Front view)Look at that adorable little uni-tail! (Back view)Logan and Gavin enjoying the ride while Jay pulls them along.Notice Ciara's Halloween bucket? Even though she was dead tired and that bucket was really heavy for her, no one and I mean not one person was carrying that thing except her! lolJamie finally was able to coax Ciara into letting her carry her bucket after Ciara saw that she was also carrying Logan and Gavin's, too!Two more pooped partyers.Going into the last driveway of the evening...Home!

THE BUNNY, THE UNICORN AND THE FOOTBALL PLAYER

2009-10-30T22:28:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow, 10-31, will be exactly two months to the day that I held Ciara for the first time (and also was on the receiving end of her version of how ya doin' mom by hitting me on my head, lol). Every time she falls asleep in my arms I just look at her and can't believe she's finally here where she was always meant to be. A very much loved daughter, a little sister, a big sister/aunt, beloved granddaughter, niece, cousin, a little girl adored by her church family, the list goes on and on. The longer I'm involved in this thing called Adoption, the more I am amazed by the whole process. We serve a Mighty God, who is in complete control, who hears our prayers and according to His Will answers them. From the very beginning we never wanted to have the ability or the power to choose the child we were going to adopt and we were going to accept God's choice no matter what. Scarey? You bet it was, but He is always faithful and He chose the perfect child for our family.

On a lighter note, lol, we took the kids to the Y for some dress-up fun. It's actually a really good time for them. For an hour and a half the kids got to play all kinds of games, ate some pizza and popcorn, had some apple cider, and to top it all off a parade inside the Y with different stops where the kids could get treats. Logan and cousin Christopher are old pros at this trick or treating stuff with Ciara following very close behind. She caught on pretty quick this time as she already had another night of experience at the Erie Zoo Boo last week (and yes, I forgot my camera or else you would have known about that already!)

One bunny and one unicorn, please!Ciara, Christopher and Logan (what a trio!)

BTW...GO STEELERS!!!Baby bunny and MamaAh, can I get some candy over here? Can't you see my bag is open?How cute!My nephew Christopher and his mommy AmandaCiara ditched the horn to eat some pizzaI'm thinkin' Ciara is having a good timeI dunno, what do you think, Mama? Does this outfit make my hips look too big?

GOD, YOU REIGN!

2009-10-29T00:55:00.002-04:00

You paint the night
You count the stars and You call them by name
The skies proclaim, God, You reign

Your glory shines
You teach the sun when to bring a new day
Creation sings, God, You reign

God, You reign
God, You reign
Forever and ever, God, You reign

You part the seas
You move the mountains with the words that you say
My song remains, God, You reign

You hold my life
You know my heart and You call me by name
I live to say, God, You reign

Hallelujah Allelu

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

2009-10-26T23:19:00.004-04:00

Okay, folks, it's time to put our money where our mouths are and get PROACTIVE about adoption!

Do you all see that little widget above and to the right of this post? Yeah, that's the one! The one that says, "Got Coffee?" Well, meet Anne. Anne and her family are having an adoption fundraiser and they need your help.

What did I say? Their starting another adoption and they need help? Do I mean money? Yeah, that's right, they need money. You know why? Because international adoptions are stinkin' expensive, that's why!!! Trust me, I know firsthand. Unfortunately, it's not about having enough money to actually raise a child, it's about having the cash on hand to actually get a child into this country. And for those who don't know, it ain't pretty. We're talking thousands and thousands.

So what are YOU gonna do?? You're always talking about helping those in need. You're always saying how wonderful it was that some took that leap of faith and adopted a child that needed a family. You've been thinkin' there's something you'd like to do. HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD'S LIFE! Go on, JUST DO IT! CliCk on the link on the right and make it happen. Anne and her family sure would appreciate it and be forever grateful for your role in bringing their child home to them.

Okay, I'm done preaching...NOW CLICK ON THAT LINK!!

HEALTH CARE REFORM

2009-10-18T09:04:00.002-04:00

Folks, this is WAY to important to not pay attention and be informed as to what's going on in this country right now. Please listen to Congressman Mike Rogers' opening statement on Health Care Reform in Washington, D.C. In my humble opinion, this is exactly why we should NOT allow this bill to pass in any way, shape or form!! Very scarey stuff!!

PROOF POSITIVE...OR NOT!

2009-10-14T23:46:00.004-04:00

(This was taken verbatim from the website for Proof Positive)

"This video provides proof positive that the American people have inquiring minds...and as the saying goes, 'Inquiring minds want to know.' Watch as filmmaker Molotov Mitchell hits the streets to ask random citizens, 'Do you believe Barack Obama was born in the United States?' This is the video clip that you, your family, friends, co-workers, and ALL Americans absolutely need to see!

Don't let Barack Obama and the 'mainstream' media silence you. Invite your friends to sign the petition and join you in demanding the truth from the so-called 'transparency' president."

RANDOM SWEETNESS

2009-10-12T18:05:00.003-04:00

The newest love of my life drinking her absolute favorite drink...YOGURT!!

She is sooo stinkin' cute!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!

2009-10-09T08:45:00.003-04:00

If this doesn't reek of the largest spin doctoring committee known to man, I don't know what does. Do we not see what's going on and the money that it takes to pull something like this off? Wake up, People!!! Click HERE to read all about it!!

SICK, SICK, SICK

2009-10-08T14:53:00.002-04:00

On a much heavier note than what I've been posting about lately, I received this disgusting video in an email. It's not disgusting because of who the object of adoration is (well, to be honest maybe just a bit, lol), but of the adoration itself. You'll see what I mean in a minute. It made me sick to my stomach not only at what it represents, but because of the absurd stupidity of the people doing the adoring/worshiping!!

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL

2009-10-05T22:29:00.007-04:00

Today Logan finally started her first day of preschool. I know, I know, it's a little late, but hey, my mom and I had a trip to China the first two weeks of September so that kinda threw a wrench into the whole thing. Of course we came home with this beautiful little girl, lol, so Logan didn't mind. My mom, Logan's great-granny, is actually homeschooling her so starting on time isn't such a big deal, and also 'cause it is preschool.

Logan had a very good day today and is going to have a great time with her great-granny. To say that my mom does everything to its maximum possible completeness would be a huge understatement. She is a little obsessive compulsive about doing everything correct and as neat as possible so she's the perfect teacher, lol. No, seriously, in another life she really should've been a teacher, and she's very crafty. I'm sure she would have won all kinds of awards, the kids would've loved her, and everything would've been beautiful. As my niece McKayla is fond of saying about my mom, "Everything has to be perfect and laminated!" McKayla was a prior student of my mom's for one year. And for those of you who know her, you know it's true! lol You've witnessed it! She is also homeschooling my nephew Christopher. He's just starting kindergarten. She teaches him in the afternoons and Logan in the mornings. Whew! I dunno how she does it! I certainly couldn't.

Ciara and Logan right before we left to go to their Granny's houseLogan quite possibly looks a little tense about this preschool thing, lolBut even under pressure she can still strike a pose!The two yahoos back in the chair, lolGetting ready to goCiara even has her own backpack/stuffed puppy carrier with her baby doll inside At this point Logan looks a little nervous about this preschool businessCan't beat that fake smile!Walking into school, Granny's house, with Ciara following along wanting so bad to go, too!Instead of walking down long hallways, Logan just had to walk through the garage, lolAnd into her classroom!You should have seen that desk before my dad completely re-did it, you wouldn't even know it was the same one! That's a Corian top on that desk left over from a countertop they just put in, lol.Teach me, Granny!Teacher and studentAfter about an hour, I sneaked a peak and caught the two of them in action

A FRUITY MORNING

2009-10-01T22:07:00.004-04:00

Now, I know what you all must be thinking. You can't believe I am that fanatical that I would take pictures of the children while they're eating breakfast, and believe me I'm really not, lol. They were just sitting there all stinkin' cute and everything while eating their Fruity Pebbles, I couldn't help myself, and besides I had no intention of posting these pics, but as I was looking them over an unspoken conversation between Logan and Ciara played itself out in my mind. Okay, this is the part where you're supposed to be scared...something from my mind, oooooo!

Ciara innocently sees the camera and automatically says, "Cheese!" She's so cute like that, lol When she realizes it's only 7:30 AM and I'm taking pictures of them eating breakfast, she turns to Logan and says, "Pictures while we're eating breakfast, is she always this crazy?" Logan replies while I snap a picture of her, "You really have no idea; do you?" Ciara then takes another bite and tries to distract me and throw me off by being gross and messy. And when she realizes I took a picture of her being messy, in frustration she says to me, "Seriously, mom, pictures of breakfast? Oh, c'mon!"
Logan always in top form knows the quickest way to make me stop taking pictures is to never let me get a nice one of her. She didn't disappoint me this morning!In fact, Logan is thinking she's about ready to throw Ciara's bowl of cereal at me 'cause she's just not that selfless at four to sacrifice her own bowl.
Finally, they both just decide to carry on and pretend I'm not there and hope it ends soon. Ciara takes one more stab at the gross and messy approach before giving up. Logan is now thoroughly disgusted and not afraid to show it. BTW, that huge red bump on Ciara's forehead, yeah, she did that right before sitting down to eat. She slipped on our hardwood floor chasing our dog Lulu, and bam, that floor just jumped right up and smacked her right on the forehead. It looks a lot worse than it actually was and by mid afternoon it was completely gone.

A SMALL WAY TO HELP!

2009-09-29T23:30:00.003-04:00

I'm sure most of you have been reading or listening to the news about the Typhoon Ketsana that hit the Philippines over the weekend. Well, here's a way to help the people suffering from the aftermath. Click HERE to visit the blog of a Filipino woman named Cherie and read previous posts to get her story. I plan on donating something. You should, too!

2009-09-28T15:22:00.002-04:00

(This is the exact post I posted on our congregation's blog, I am being lazy today, lol)

In May of 2007, Roger and Jackie Sherwood announced to the congregation that they were starting the process to adopt a little girl from China. Moving ahead 2 1/2 years later, on August 26th, 2009 Jackie and her mom travel to China and finally met Ciara Rae-MinWen Sherwood for the first time on August 31st. They arrived home on September 10th where Ciara then met her Papa, her big sister Leyna and her niece/sister Logan.

Ciara made her debut to the Warren congregation on Sunday morning, September 13th, and the following week was formally welcomed home with a potluck/shower that the congregation threw for her. Everyone has been waiting anxiously to meet her and the congregation has fallen just as easily in love with her as the rest of her family has. Now that she's here, Ciara has adjusted fabulously and is now running around with the rest of the pack! lol Here are some highlights from the party!

Ciara and her PapaCiara with her Pappap (Jackie's dad)Ciara with her Granny (Jackie's mom)Being silly!Jackie and Roger opening Ciara's gifts surrounded by all the excited children, lolOh, she likes this one!Some photos of Ciara's new church family Roger and Jackie's granddaughter Logan getting in on some of the action Ciara and her Mama

"...children are a heritage from the Lord..."

Playing with her new friend Julianna while Randy looks on.One happy girl!Thank you, Father!

DING, DING, DING! WE HAVE A WINNER!

2009-09-23T09:38:00.007-04:00

Okay, the moment we've all been waiting for! Watch the video below of Ciara picking the winner of my FIRST EVER GIVEAWAY! Excuse the jammies, but since Mama is on a temporary vacation from working, hehehe, we don't get dressed around here at least until after noon, lol!

(Psst. Turn off the music at the bottom of the blog before you play the video.)

CONGRATULATIONS to our WINNER!!!

SO.....JACLYN is the winner of my giveaway!

And what is the prize you ask?

Wwweeellllll....the prize is: Four beautiful Chineses silk scrolls depicting the four seasons. My mom found these in a little store while we were in Guangzhou and I knew they were the perfect prize for my giveaway. I hope you enjoy them, Jaclyn!

Jaclyn and I have become good bloggy friends because both of our daughters are from the same SWI in China, Hefei in the province of Anhui. In fact, Ciara and Jemma are close to the same age, were in the same classroom and knew each other quite well. I say that in the past tense because obviously Ciara is home, but Jemma is still waiting for her mommy and daddy to come and get her. Not through any fault of Jaclyn and her husband, but that's how the process works. Believe me, they would be on the next flight over there to get their sweet little Jemma if they could :) I got to meet Jemma and took lots of pictures of her when we visited the orphanage a couple weeks ago, she's a doll!

I'd ask that you all pray that all red tape be cut as quickly as possible and that Jemma be home sooner than expected!! Jaclyn and her husband and kids live in Charlotte, NC which happens to be where my husband's mother, two sisters and their families and his brother and his family all live. We get down there about once a year and hopefully we will be visiting with Jaclyn's family during those times as well. Ciara and Jemma have so much up to this point in common and both families want and need to keep in touch.

PAINTED PIGGIES AND ADJUSTING

2009-09-22T14:38:00.005-04:00

Leyna was doing her nails today and of course the girls wanted theirs done, too, and since it was I'm sure Ciara's first foray into the world of polishing her tootsies, Logan had to show her how it was done and I had to document it with a photo.

After the salon session, Leyna took Logan to her swimming lessons at the YMCA, which Ciara would love to join in on but is still too young yet. While she waited for Logan to get back, Ciara watched a little TV, played with her new bear she got from the Mathenys, and then she decided to goof around with Mama by playing the 'ole hiding under the blanket routine, and of course I just happened to have my camera handy!

Check out those newly painted fingernails!!I'd say she's relaxed and adjusting quite well, lol!

WELCOME HOME, CIARA!

2009-09-21T10:43:00.004-04:00

Our local congregation had a Welcome Home party for Ciara yesterday afternoon after morning worship. After a potluck lunch and a delicious cake, Roger and I sat and opened the generous gifts that the congregation presented us with. Besides a collection of money that will go into a savings account we have set up for Ciara, Ciara got lots of toys which of course she just loved. She also got a new outfit, but because she's so tiny (wearing 18 month clothes at 2 1/2, she will have to grow into it along with a few other things, lol.

Our congregation is small in numbers, but big in generosity and love for others, and my whole family is very thankful for each and every one of them. We love Christ's church and its people!

I'll post more pictures as they come in because, once again, I forgot my camera!

HOME SWEET HOME

2009-09-19T23:57:00.003-04:00

Have I mentioned lately how GOOD it is to be home? My mom told me this afternoon that the first few days we were back she kept waking up in the mornings thinking she was still in China after dreaming she was still there and couldn't understand anything anyone was saying and couldn't get home. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized she was in her own home and in her own bed, lol.

SURFIN' WITH MAMA

2009-09-18T07:52:00.004-04:00

While we were in China, I foolishly let Ciara "type" on my computer by opening up a blank Word document for her. Now every time I sit down at the computer she wants up on my lap to do more typing...dummy me. Well, I decided to put a stop to it, lol, and this was her solution to what she considered a major problem, lol.

Begging me to sit on my lap with her favorite morning cup of Fruit Loops, lol.Proud of her solution!Now, shall I check my email or Facebook?Mama and Ciara

WILL YOU ACCEPT THIS CHALLENGE?

2009-09-15T22:43:00.005-04:00

I borrowed this poem from another mommy with our adoption agency that is waiting to get her daughter in China. It's our Ciara's story and every other orphan's story. It's a challenge my family accepted not through any goodness on our parts, but because a loving God called us to accept it, a loving God willed it to be so, and then a loving God who told us to wait then entrusted us with a precious little girl. Do you hear Him calling you? Are you finally ready to accept His challenge?

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.

* * * * *

And speaking of borrowing things, I also borrowed this photo from a fellow travel buddy's blog 'cause I knew she wouldn't mind.

This was our travel group while in China.

The babies from left to right are Shawna (18 months), Ciara (2 1/2), Heather (3 1/2), Harper (16 months), and Zadie (2 1/2)

I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN

2009-09-15T15:11:00.003-04:00

I haven't forgotten about my giveaway, lol, we're just having some sleep issues at the moment, like I'm not getting any!!!

I'll be compiling the list of names and Ciara will be drawing the winner as soon as I can stay awake at the computer long enough. Thanks for your patience!

CAGED IN

2009-09-14T17:34:00.005-04:00

This is what four year olds take pictures of.

A favorite blanket...A soccer ball...One of your favorite TV shows...Your puppy...And a four years old's favorite person...herself!

And this is what happens when you leave two little girls alone together for too long, lol GOD IS GOOD!

HOME SWEET HOME

2009-09-13T21:52:00.006-04:00

We've been home since Thursday night and Ciara has completely taken over this house, lol. In just three days she has made it seem like she has always been here. She calls Roger Papa, something she came up with, nothing we prompted, and still calls every other man she meets Baba (which for those who don't know means Daddy in Chinese), so she has clearly decided to make a distinction between Papa and all the others. She has called me Mama since about the third day after meeting and has decided to call Leyna Mama occasionally also, which is completely understandable. I mean, really after all, I can see how she gets us confused, lol, we clearly look alike and, well, I do look just as young as Leyna does, lol, so I have just decided to let this little slight go. Logan and Ciara are just like sisters and in fact skipped all the sisterly love mush and just got right down to the wrestling and tattling and bickering.

And this child gets the whole ultimatum thing. You know, the one that says if you do this, this will happen. And up to this point, she's truly convinced I'll do whatever it is I said I would do, and I give all the credit for that to her Foster Mama, that lady must have really stuck to her guns, and I believe when she said something was going to happen, it happened, lol, because Ciara immediately stops what she's doing when faced with and told what the consequences will be. Thank you, Foster Mama!!

She's still messing with me about pretending she has to go to the bathroom to get out of doing things, like eating, going to bed, and just wanting to play with the water at the sink, lol, so I decided to let Roger in on some of that action. I'm half afraid to actually wait her out because the little stinker has a lot of control and can go to the bathroom at will, and I just know the one time I don't take her and she gets really mad, she'll make herself go. Oh, you gotta love that stubborn, relentless side in all of us, lol.

On the best side, though (and the one we see the most), she is a happy, loving, cuddly, super cute, giggly little girl that we have all just fallen completely in love with. I look at her and I think to myself that only two weeks ago her whole world was completely turned upsidedown, something that if done to an adult would be totally mentally debilitating, and here she is running into our arms and giving us kisses, saying hello to every new face she meets with that sweet little turned up upper lip she has, and just making herself at home in an environment completely foreign to her with people she has no obligation whatsoever to love. I've said it before, but our family will be forever grateful to THE ONE who made all of this possible and to THE ONE who has answered every single prayer we lifted up to Him.

Below are just some random pictures of our last couple days in China, a few that didn't come through on the posts I sent to my daughter, and then a few from our first few days at home.

At the Chen Family Museum in Guangzhou, two days before we left China.Walking back from the museum through the streets of Guangzhou.Just Ciara being cute.More cuteness!I just thought the chicken man was cool.This is my stereotypical thought whenever I think of ChinaAnyone for lizard on a stick? Yummy!Mom, seriously, I gotta take this call.Logan being a goof while her mother Leyna is otherwise occupied.I come all the way from China for my big sister Leyna to do this to my hair!Ciara basically poundin' the tar outta Logan and tickling her.

Why I Lost Weight in China

2009-09-08T08:49:00.003-04:00

Normally I can throw back food with the best of 'em, but while in China food has become a major issue. For me there's just nothin' I can really say I've gone hmmmmm, that's good. I didn't like Chinese cuisine before I got here and I certainly am not going to eat it now, especially after today's little foray into the open Cantonese market. Can you all say ewwwww?? The odds of ever being stranded on a deserted island where we would ever have to eat any these yummies are about nil to zero, so in my way of thinking WHY WOULD YOU EAT THIS STUFF WHEN THERE'S OTHER THINGS AVAILABLE????? I mean, come on. There's a gazillion dogs and cats running around here, they would taste better than this stuff! Oh, and I was told by Zhou, our agency's China Program Coordinator, who is Chinese that the Cantonese eat anything and everything, and now I believe him, lol. And the so called American restaurants just don't get it right either, nothing really tastes the same as it does in the good ole USA. McDonald's does not taste like McDonald's, Papa John's does not taste like Papa John's and Subway does not taste like Subway. I know, I tried them all, it ain't the same thing! Anyhow...I hope you enjoy this little peek into the open market. Oh, yeah, to really appreciate it, you not only have to see it, but you have to smell it, and on that you'll just have to take my word for it, it smells exactly like it looks...YUCKY!

Off to Guangzhou

2009-09-08T08:44:00.001-04:00

We left Hefei Friday and are now in Guangzhou and what a big difference. Hefei was hectic, crowded and noisy. Guangzhou is not, lol. It's peaceful and green, really laid back (big sigh). And we are going to have a great time shopping here! I can say that outloud because I know Roger isn't going to be reading these posts, lol. Yesterday morning the girls had their medical appointments. There were a few tears, but all in all it went well. The doctor heard a slight murmur when she listened to Ciara's heart but that is normal with a VSD and they didn't seem too concerned about it. When we have her examined back home we'll know more, but she seems very healthy and I hadn't actually thought about her heart until the exam yesterday, lol. This morning we all went to the Guangzhou Zoo and I finally got Ciara to ride in a stroller. Up to this point she either wanted to walk herself, which was perfectly fine, OR she wanted to be carried, which is okay for a little bit, but exhausting and it is really hot here. But the ole girl finally relented after multiple tests runs in our hotel room with her and her new doll, lol. She loves the zoo and every animal she saw she'd yell out a big "WOW!" The rest of the time she was just singing away while her new maid pushed her around the park and gave her a drink every once in a while, lol. This is NOT a quiet child. The first picture is of Ciara and Zhou waiting in the airport for our flight to Guangzhou. I'm thinking she's really going to miss him when we go back home. Oh, well, more trips to Cleveland I guess, lol. The rest are of where we got the medical exams, a photo from last night's walk in Guangzhou and then a few from the zoo.

Orphanage Visit

2009-09-05T19:02:00.003-04:00

This morning we visited the orphanage where Ciara has lived from the time she was 2 months old. I knew it would be difficult for her...and it was. She got to see her Foster Mama again and practically pole vaulted out of my arms into hers. She was so happy to see her and her Foster Mama was equally as happy to see her. It was very emotional for the both of them when we had to leave, both were crying. I absolutely could not do what this woman has done. I love her so much already and I wouldn't be able to give her up now let alone after I've had her for over two years. She was taken extremely good care of, was taught very well, and loved very much. On a brighter note, since her visit Ciara has been more talkative, more playful and all around just a happy little girl. I think maybe she knows now that this is for good, it's final. And this time I brought her out of that orphanage and not someone else. I've said it before, but kids just know stuff. We think sometimes they don't understand what's going on, but they do. Is she going to remember any of this? I don't think so, but something clicked with her today and for now she gets it :). I can't wait for her to get home to meet her Daddy, her older sister Leyna and for now, lol, her little older sister Logan. This second picture is of Ciara and her Foster Mama, and then the rest are right before bedtime eating some Goldfish.

A Day at the Zoo!

2009-09-05T18:57:00.004-04:00

Ciara woke up today and was a little weepy for most of the morning. She didn't eat much for breakfast or lunch and I thought maybe she was getting sick, but then I realized that she was just homesick for the only home she's know since she was two months old. She wanted to be held practically all day and her thumb was in her mouth a lot more than usual. I thought we were going to end up just staying in our hotel room the entire day, which she really doesn't like either, but she snapped out of it after her afternoon nap. It is amazing what these kids have to process and then deal with and learn to accept in a very short time, things that would take adults months to unravel I think if they were going through the same thing. But snap out of it she did and then the four of us (Zhou, Mom, Ciara and I) took a taxi and headed out to the Hefei Zoo. It was very nice and quite big, it took us two hours to walk the whole way around it. Ciara saw maybe for the first time giraffes, deer, zebras, leopards, two hippopotamus, and peacocks, and many more. She has a thing about birds, she's afraid of them and yells at them I'm assuming to stay away. She had to warm up to the deer that followed us for a bit, but finally stood still long enough for it to come right up to us and start chewing on my mom's pant leg, lol. She wanted to be held most of the time, but these arms can't hold a child very long that hasn't learned how to use their thigh muscles to hold onto you. The Chinese just don't carry their kids on their hips, they carry them in front of them, at least the ones that I've seen, so it's like carrying dead weight. So Zhou carried her a lot of the time, and she just loves him. He talks and sings to her in Chinese, and she just lights up when she sees him every day. It was nice to see that she still kept an eye out for where I was most of the day, and she's now calling me Mama :)

Random Pictures From Our First Day Together

2009-09-01T15:05:00.001-04:00

It's Tuesday, 1:30 PM here in China and Ciara is napping. She is a great sleeper, all night last night and two hours in the afternoon, I can handle that. Here are some pictures from the first few minutes of meeting each other and then some shopping later on in the day yesterday. She was not a happy camper at first, but get her inside a Walmart and she did just fine, lol.

Ciara's First Day!

2009-08-31T14:04:00.001-04:00

Well, we did it! We got Ciara at around 9:45 AM! And let me tell you this girl has a set of lungs, lol, she screamed and pushed and if she could have I'm sure she would have kicked, too, but in the end she calmed down using some comfort food, lol, that's my girl, and then rather peacefully took a two hour nap. It kinda started all over again when she woke up, but was over much quicker and less dramatic, and now it's like she's known us all along with hardly any tears. She ate what I consider to be an enormous amount of food at supper tonight and once again went to sleep tonight without any fuss at all.

She is definitely used to doing things on her own and is not quick to accept any kind of assitance doing anything so far. When she needs you to help her, you can tell by the look on her face that she doesn't like it one bit, lol. Even in the short amount of time I've had her, 12 hours, she has improved quite a bit and hopefully tomorrow will see even more acceptance for her, too!

On a side note, we had to go buy her some clothes this afternoon, because it's a lot cooler here than I anticipated and I never thought in a million years she would be this small. You'll never guess where we went........WALMART! Pretty much the same as ours, but, well, everything was in Chinese!!! lol

My family has been given an unbelievable gift this morning, and we intend to thank Our Father daily for her! We hope you'll continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers while Ciara adjusts to her new life and her new family.

Last Day in Beijing

2009-08-30T14:26:00.002-04:00

I didn't get many pictures today because my battery died, but we visited the Temple of Heaven as it's called, then we also went to a pearl factory and learned a little about pearls. After that we were taken to a local marketplace where only the strong survive. What a zoo! Vendors everywhere with no room to spare except the gauntlet style aisle we unsuspecting customers had to walk through. And when I say guantlet, I mean making it outta there without at least ten people grabbing your arm and trying to drag you to their particular "shop." It was crazy to say the least and a bit unnerving. All I kept thinking was, man, if you'd just stop touching me and following me, I just might actually buy something. Now to the important stuff! We flew outta Beijing at what was supposed to be 5:05 PM, which became 5:50 PM, and landed in Hefei at 7:10 PM. Our hotel here is very nice. Okay, enough of that. I have to be at the Hefei SWI tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM to meet my daughter for the first time. Fantastic!!! There are four other couples in our group; three of them get their little girls in the morning also and the other two after 3 PM tomorrow, so please pray for me and them also. We all are going to have an emotional and stressful day tomorrow. Enjoy the photos!!!

We Climbed the Great Wall of China!

2009-08-30T14:16:00.004-04:00

Today my mom and I climbed the Great Wall of China! Before we even started we figured we'd just go as far as we could and if we had to turn around (which we really thought we would), then so be it, we'd turn around. But we didn't! We climbed straight to the top and then came right back down. And although the ascent up was a grueling, lung exploding, heart beating way faster than it should experience, coming down was no piece of cake either. You're abusing a completely different set of muscles on the way down than what you abused on the way up, and everyone's legs were literally shaking by the time we reached the bottom. After the Great Wall we went to an acrobatics show, which was nice, but quite frankly, I was so exhausted (along with a few others) that I really couldn't enjoy it as much. All I kept thinking was that I've got to get to sleep some time before I meet my daughter, lol, because that is the main reason I'm here. Tomorrow afternoon all five families will fly to their individual daughters' province so we'll be separated for four days until we all meet up again in Guangzhou on September 4th. It's just about time! I hope you enjoy the photos.

First Day in Beijing

2009-08-28T21:38:00.008-04:00

We have arrived safe and almost sound, I pulled something in my left knee on the plane and thought I wasn't going to be able to do any walking around, but it has seemed to work most of its way out today and hopefully by tomorrow I'll have forgotten the whole incident, lol. We are staying in Beijing at the Holiday Inn and the rooms are newly renovated and very nice. Of course you still can't post to Facebook, Blogger or MySpace from China, so my daughter Leyna is going to be doing all the posts for this trip.

This morning we met in the hotel lobby at 9 AM to go tour the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, which we did quite successfully, and as you can see from the pics it was pretty crowded. It has been a beautiful day, mid 80s with a slight breeze, perfect touring weather. Afterwards we hopped on rickshaws and got a little tour of Hutong, which is an older section of China and then had lunch in a regular family courtyard house with about 15 servings of different food. And for those of you who were wondering what in the world I was possibly going to eat in China, lol, I'll have you know that I ate all kinds of different things this afternoon, e.g., pork dumplings, sliced lotus root, garlic chutes that were actually very, very good. Ok, you can all stop laughing

now. But seriously they were rather good. Would I make them at home I liked them so much? No, not so much, but to try them, yeah, they were good, lol And it didn't take long for me to master chopsticks either!

After lunch we went to the silk factory, learned a little about the silk worm, and of course SHOPPED! Since my husband does not read this blog, I would appreciate it if none of your shared that last little detail with him, lol. It's only the first day and I wouldn't want him to worry about taking a second mortgage on our house just yet!

Of course with everything we do and see while in Beijing, there's always the underlying thought running through your brain, I'M HERE TO GET MY DAUGHTER! So unlike a vacation, you see things, you hear what they are telling you about them, but you just aren't as interested as you would be had you come here for any other reason. I've said to myself several times today, get more excited, girl, you're in China for crying outloud! And although everything is beautiful and I am certainly taking it all in, August 31st at 9:30 in the morning is why I am here and everything else is like you're just going through the motions.

Test Run

2009-08-27T20:24:00.003-04:00

This is Jackie's daughter, Leyna, and I will be posting for her while they are in China!! Just making sure this works.

AND WE'RE OFF!!

2009-08-26T00:32:00.003-04:00

By the time most of you read this, we'll already be in flight and a little sooner than we thought. Our guide from our agency called a couple of the families today, well yesterday 45 minutes ago, lol, including us, to let us know that he really didn't think we were going to be able to make our connecting flight in D.C. with only 40 minutes in between flights, and even though it was a "legal" schedule set by the airline, it really was going to be a long shot that we made it. If we would've missed it, the next flight to Beijing doesn't leave until Thursday, and that was NOT acceptable. So we all got our flights changed from 10:15 AM to now 6:10 AM outta Cleveland at no additional expense to us I might add (Don't ask, I dunno how it happened). Which means we have to leave at 2 AM, which is only an hour and a half from the time of this post, to make it there by about 4:30 AM. It's gonna be a long 24 hours without even a night's rest under our belts .

So I'm just sitting here eating a bowl of Grape Nuts (yeah, bad move I know, but I don't consider digestive matters 24/7 like some people) and I'm all packed ready to go just waiting for my mom and dad to get here to our house. I'm thinking about Ciara and how in four days her little world is going to be turned upsidedown and how even though we all are certainly head over heels in love with her, she is not going to feel the same for awhile, lol. After all we only have to adjust to one pint size little girl and she has to adjust to all these giants who don't look, talk or smell like her, lol If ever you felt the need to pray, please do it now! She really has no idea what's coming her way!

Oh, yeah, hehehe

JUST ONE DAY LEFT!

2009-08-25T00:41:00.002-04:00

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west."

(Isaiah 43:5)

ALL IS WELL

2009-08-24T16:01:00.003-04:00

I called our agency today, and all is well with our paperwork!! USCIS got our paperwork when I sent it, but just hadn't I guess gotten around to sending whatever it was they needed to send to the appropriate agencies so we could get Ciara's Visa to return home once we're in China. Now, I realize they don't have any stake in this adoption, but for cryin' outloud...SEND THE DOCUMENTS ALREADY!!! Which apparently they are going to and everything will arrive on time.

A big thank you to all of those who were praying for this to resolve quickly...IT DID!! I don't believe that Our Father micro manages every little decision we make or every little thing that happens minute by minute, but being the all knowing and all seeing God that He is, I do believe He has a counter move for every mistake we make or bump in the road we run into along the way, a counter move that ultimately works out His will in everything, and for that I am indeed very thankful. I would much rather He be in control than any government agency!!

LAST GIVEAWAY REMINDER!!!

2009-08-24T01:45:00.001-04:00

In just 2 more days I'm going to be in China with my mom and in 7 days I'm going to be meeting my daughter for the first time. In light of this unbelievable blessing/gift my husband and I are about to receive from an amazingly loving God, I thought it only fitting that I have my first and hopefully not last GIVEAWAY to show my appreciation for all the love and support you all have given to me in the last two years during our adoption journey. The gift will be something that I will get in China, and of course I don't know what that is yet, lol.

Now, anyone can enter and hopefully all of you will participate (it always makes things more fun when you actually have entries, lol), and there will be several ways to enter, and hopefully you'll take advantage of all of them.

1. You'll be given one entry for just leaving a comment to this post.

2. You'll be given one entry by mentioning this giveaway on your own blog, telling me that you've done so by leaving a comment to this post.

3. You'll be given one entry by posting a link on your blog to my blog, telling me that you've done so by leaving a comment to this post.

4. You'll be given one entry for every other site you have that you mention this giveaway on, i.e., Facebook, MySpace, etc., telling me that you've done so by leaving a comment to this post.

5. (ADDENDUM) For those of you who receive these posts through your email, just leave a comment by replying to the email.

The bottom line is....YOU HAVE TO TELL ME WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO RECEIVE EACH ENTRY!!!

Entries will be taken for my very first giveaway up to the day I leave for China. And, folks, we're going to pick the winner the old fashioned way. Depending on how many times you're entered, your name will be written on slips of paper and put into something. My very new and very beautiful daughter Ciara is going to pick the winner and I'm going to videotape it and post the winner on a day to be announced sometime very soon after we get back from China!!!

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING...JUST TWO DAYS!?!

2009-08-24T01:01:00.001-04:00

THE LONGEST THREE DAYS

2009-08-23T00:26:00.004-04:00

I've just spent the last hour or so compiling an email group, my "In China List," so that I can send email updates while in China for those who do not visit this blog regularly, do not get the automatic posts from this blog and/or are not on Facebook. It's basically a list of those folks who for some reason or another quite enjoy not moving into the 21st Century, lol.

I'm almost done with all my work/work, you know, the making a living type work, and will be pretty close by the end of tomorrow to move on with the business of thinking about what I need and packing for my trip. Thank goodness for all night all-in-one stores (you know who you are).

Of course there still is the irritant that I'll have to deal with come Monday morning, you know, the one where we may not be able to get Ciara back into this country if USCIS doesn't get its act together, but that will have to wait until Monday. I am hoping I don't have to waste a lot of time and effort on this, and I'm really hoping that a trip to the local CIS office in Pittsburgh is not what I'll be doing either Monday or Tuesday, but we'll have to wait and see. And after all, this whole adoption process has been nothing but "we'll have to wait and see," so why would I expect anything to change now?! lol

And for those of you who have lost track of time or have not been paying attention:

DAYS TO GO!!!

ONE, TWO, THREE....FOUR!!!

2009-08-22T00:21:00.004-04:00

Okay, I'm starting to get a little stressed out. Apparently our local USCIS office (Immigration) in Pittsburgh has not forwarded a crucial document onto the Consulate in Guangzhou, China. IN FACT, it's the same USCIS office that two years ago said they never received our initial documentation when I actually had the signature of the person from their office that DID most certainly receive it. Grrrrr, talk about wanting to scream!! But I won't. I'll calmly wait until Monday morning to try and figure this out along with our agency.....BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T POSSIBLY HELP ME ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON! But like I said, I'll remain cool and collected...EVEN THOUGH WE ARE LEAVING FOR CHINA ON WEDNESDAY!! But the voice of reason I'll be...EVEN THOUGH WE CAN'T BRING CIARA BACK INTO THE US WITHOUT THIS DOCUMENT!!! I do believe I'm starting to feel a little less tense...NOT!!!!

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot...

COUNT 'EM, FIVE DAYS TO GO!

2009-08-20T23:56:00.002-04:00

With only five days until we leave on the big plane to China, I received our itinerary today! It is as follows:

August 26th - Fly out of Cleveland 10:15 AM.

August 27th - Arrive in Beijing at 2:20 PM, staying at Holiday Inn Downtown Beijing.

August 28th - Visiting Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, touring Hutong by rickshaw, Silk Factory in afternoon.

August 29th - Visiting Great Wall, look at Olympic Stadium, Acrobatic Show in evening (by now I should be stroking out from the heat, lol).

August 30th - Visiting Temple of Heaven, lunch at Hard Rock Cafe, then catch our flight to Hefei (where Ciara is) where we'll be staying at the Hefei Novotel Hotel.

August 31st - GOTCHA DAY! Will be meeting Ciara at 9:30 AM!!

September 1st - Adoption paperwork day.

September 2nd & 3rd - Sightseeing and/or shopping in Hefei, general rest and relaxation and getting to know our new daughter/granddaughter.

September 4th - Leaving Hefei at 2:30 PM arriving in Guangzhou at 4:15 PM

September 5th - Ciara's medical exam.

September 6th - Visiting Chen Family Museum, completing U.S. Consulate paperwork.

September 7th - China's Labor Day Holiday, visiting Qingping Market, and Jade & Pearl shopping.

September 8th - Sightseeing in the afternoon.

September 9th - U.S. Consulate ceremony at 3:00 PM.

September 10th - Leaving China, arriving in Cleveland around 7:00 PM

ONLY SIX LEFT!

2009-08-20T00:26:00.002-04:00

Can you all believe it already?

THE BIG 4-5!

2009-08-19T23:45:00.003-04:00

I'm telling you all that it's my birthday today, not to get well wishes or a big "Have a Happy Birthday" from everyone (although I've received a ton of them, thank you all again), but to show you this enormous cake my daughter and granddaughter made for me today while I was at work, lol. It is three layers of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, like Neopolitan ice cream, lol. After making my birthday supper of barbecue spare ribs, homemade fries and corn on the cob, the girls presented me with this cake, complete with not 45 candles, but enough candles to make the number 45. My mom and dad came over for the lighting of the candles on this mammoth cake, and once lit it was like a torch on top, lol. I was almost afraid to blow it out for fear I might singe my eyebrows. And who wants to go to China to meet your new daughter for the first time without any eyebrows? Not me, so I pulled my hair back, kept my distance and blew all those suckers out!

Logan May did some decorating of her own.

SEVEN AND WE'RE OFF!

2009-08-19T02:15:00.002-04:00