My Valentines

Mia had her party bumped up a day in anticipation of the incoming snow, but Michaela's party was supposed to be today. Well, I guess we've got to do something with all that chocolate! :-)

First Snow in 17 years

We are having a great day enjoying the first snow day in decades!
Mia knows exactly what to do with a snowball. FUN! FUN! FUN! at least for the moment until we get cabin fever or someone falls and busts their you-know-what!

Scenes from Christmas Day 2009

What a Day to Celebrate!

Even though we are missing Elliott, our oldest son, we have enjoyed a day visiting with him via our Skype webcam.
Mia wanted a new bike, tricycle, this year for Christmas. I was glad to oblige because the last little one she'd gotten two years ago she'd worn the tires out. She preferres to play outside and not with dolls. She has been pulling a laundry hamper around with any kind of rope, string or ribbon she could find, so when Nana asked what to get her this year we immediately thought of a wagon. Merry Christmas to all who still hange4 around and I hope that you'll drop me a comment or two.

Chasing Butterflies

On my last day at home before school starts, Mia and I found ourselves home alone. Well, it's a beautiful day and the outdoors was calling. There were swarms of butterflies around my zinnias and Mia always has her net handy, so we ran and chased them for at least an hour. She's always been a sweat -er so it didn't take long before she was dripping in this Mississippi humidity.

100 Wishes Quilt

It's complete! The 100 wishes quilt is a tradition many adoptive families like to give their chinese children. A group of waiting parents from all across the U.S. sent swatches of fabric squares to each other along with blessings for their adopted child. We sew the squares together and compile the blessings from each family along with their corresponding fabric swatch into a scrapbook. Now Mia can find what family sent her which square and know where they're from and that they are a family with a Chinese daughter or son just like herself. I pray that it will be another reminder that she is not alone in how she came into our family, and that she is part of something bigger than herself.

Boating to Pensacola

Our first major trip out on our boat. We enjoyed 4 days, 3 nights in the bay waters off Pensacola beach. Mia enjoyed the swim time and the undivided attention of her siblings and Sergio, our friend from Spain. We had hoped to see the Blue Angels fly, but a busted water pump put us late and we missed all but the last bit. Maybe next year.

Celebrating Freedom

Double Barrel Bubble Blower

For many days now, Mia has enjoyed mega bubble blowing.  The wind has helped make the show specktacular.  Michaela is not so easily impressed and is preoccupied with the duties of a surragate mother to a little kitty.

I blinked!

And it is April 2009!  What has happened since Christmas?  It something like a turducken - a giant mess stuffed within a mess and then baked till  done.  Here's a few photo's to show the madness I call my life.  

Collage!

Still learning the collage process....give me a week and I'll have some pics that include the boys too.

Mayhem at Nana's

Christmas 2008

Mia had just as much fun wrapping the presents and playing with the rolls of paper as she did unwrapping them.  Almost.   One present she refuses to play with is an Asian doll.  When she opened it her face went solumn and she quickly threw it to the side.  Normally she loves dolls but she's quick to tell us, "I don't like Ling".  Oh well.  

This year I determined not to carry out the Santa Clause routine.  Also, I broke with the traditional hanging of the Stockings.  Why?  It for me was just more "stuff" to stuff inside.  We have plenty.  They didn't miss them one bit.  Santa will be a bit more difficult to ignore because nearly everyone wants to know what he's brought them.  People will probably think I'm destroying the "magic" for them.  I just want them to have faith not magic.  

Michaela taking her Nana's presents to her on Christmas Eve.  She was beside herself in anticipation of a few surprises, though she had placed her orders weeks ago.  There were a few things she didn't know about.  She was thrilled.

Our Silver Anniversary

Sillyness

After 2 days with a raging fever, Mia finally emerged again today. Silliness still intact.

I'm thinking its probably 5th disease or Roseolla - who knows but she's no longer the little pile of pitifulness and the spark is back in her eyes. She brings so much joy.

Mia Melt Downs

She's becoming quite the drama queen.  It's over the little stuff.  She hates the sprinkler.  Michaela touched her stuff.    Abbie, the dog, ate her snack.  OMG!  The world is ending!  The tears just pop out of her eyes.  I can check all her molars for cavities because the loud, never-ending, piercing, blood-curdling screams  continue for minutes that seem like hours.  We love her to pieces even as she's falling apart.  Just look at that face!  (click to enlarge :-))

What a way to end a Summer

A Saturday at the beach now a night waiting for a hurricane. Beauty and the beast all in a long weekend.