Merry Christmas Everyone!

Just a quick post to say have a magical Christmas! Ellie is loving the tree and all the presents underneath. This will be a full week of fun and family. From our traditional dirty santa bingo game to visiting Fantasy of Lights, I'm looking forward to every moment (except for the part where I go to work).

A big sigh....

This morning I had to go to Eric's school to register and help him choose classes for high school, then right after that I took Ellie to visit the preschool she will be starting on Friday (at least it's only one day a week).

Happy 2nd Birthday Ellie!

We had lots of fun. Family was in town since it was the day after Thanksgiving so we had a pizza party tree trimming day! Mike got Ellie some balloons. She would not let go of them for anything. I finally had to take them away at bedtime. Her cousins helped her open presents and blow out the candles.

Funny Face

Starfish Foster Home

Last month my mom and I sent a care package to the special needs babies at the Starfish Foster Home in Xian, China. Amanda de Lange sent me an email yesterday with pics of several of the babies wearing some of the outfits we sent. I thought it was so nice of her to take the time to do that. Amanda has such a heart for these babies. I would love to go there and volunteer someday. If you look at my blog list on the right you will find a link to her blog.

1 year ago today....

Ellie was placed in our arms crying and so scared. Today she is a happy, joyful little girl. It was an amazing experience and one we will never forget. I am so greatful to China for giving us this blessing of a child.

I found it!

Here he is, my son as Weird Al Yankovic. For about 3 years he was crazy about Weird Al. He owns every cd and movie he ever made. We even saw him in concert once (that was enough)! He wore the sign because he wasn't sure people would recognize him and yes that is chest hair I drew on with my eye liner!

Little Bunny Fu Fu

I know it's supposed to be foo foo but Ellie is a Fu baby from Fuzhou so I changed it. She liked Halloween way more than I expected! She was literally shaking with excitement when it was time to put her costume on. I thought we would go to a few neighbors house's and that would be enough. This bunny didn't want to stop. We were out well over an hour and ended up with pumpkin full of candy. M&M's are her fave!

A look back......

Eric won't be trick-or-treating this year. He's going on a retreat with his youth group. Last year he missed it because we left for China on Halloween. He thinks he's to old now at 14 anyway. I thought I would post a photo of him at age 5, the year he was a lego. I wish I could find a photo of the year he was Weird Al Yankovic, I'll keep looking. Tomorrow I'll post Ellie's first Halloween!

I hope she writes back.

This is a letter to Ellie's foster mother. Can YOU read it? Neither can I but luckily since I wrote the English version I know what it says. I have had the address for quite awhile but haven't sent anything. I just wasn't sure what to say and how to have it translated. Last week we were eating at our favorite Chinese restaurant. When the owner brought Ellie back to our table after taking her to the kitchen to show her around I asked her if she would mind translating a letter that I wanted to send to China. She was very happy to do it. I picked it up today and was just amazed at how it looked. The letter I typed was about a quarter of a page. Chinese writing is so intricate and beautiful. Wouldn't it be cool to be able to read Chinese?

Don't you just want to take some scissors to that head of hair?

Ten little monkeys, I mean girls

What a fun weekend! Ellie is still asleep and it's after 8am. She should be exhausted. When do kids start sleeping well on overnight trips? Only one family didn't make it to the reunion but hopefully they will next year when we meet at Kathleen's (just kidding my friend!) All the girls are doing well and are adorable. I hope we are able to meet every year so Ellie can know her China Sisters.

Our travel reunion is nearly here! We haven't seen anyone since last November. It's going to be so much fun seeing all 10 girls, oops make that 11 (there was a set of twins)! We are going up a day early to visit Kathleen and Scott and so Violet and Ellie can play. The photo is of Kathleen and me moments before they handed us our daughters.

Isn't this the cutest thing?

My friend Pepper knitted this hat for Ellie and I LOVE it! Everyone needs a crafty friend like her. She has made so many special things for Ellie and they are all keepsakes. I had been looking for a super cute hat with bright colors and then Pepper gave this to me today. Perfect!

One year post adoption visit

Yesterday was our 1 year and last post adoption visit. I wrote our last check to our adoption agency, YIPPEE! It went just fine as we expected. Ellie has adjusted wonderfully and is the funniest member of our family (besides her brother). Sometimes I wish we could do it again but we are done. Back when we started the process it seemed like almost everyone decided to adopt a second child from China but not so much now. I have to admit I am so relieved to be done with the whole process. It was the hardest best thing we have ever done!

I'm a good momma but not a good blogger!

I love to read everyone elses blogs but can't seem to keep up with my own. Oh well. Here's a pic of my sweetie with her surprised face on. She has also slept in her big girl bed for the past 5 nights! I think her crib may be out the door.

3 Lefts and a Right

What are the odds of having 3 lefties in one family? Well I don't know either but I did read that the odds of being left handed are 8-15%. I think the chances are pretty slim for 3 in one family. You might be wondering which one I am. I am the one who seems to always be knocking elbows with the lefties when we go out to eat. We have to think about where I'm going to sit, thank goodness our table at home is round. Now the youngest one is only 22 months but she has a strong tendency to use her left hand. For now she is on their team but still may have a chance to come around to mine....maybe. Anyway I don't intend to make my blog about the battle between right and left, I just wanted a blog title that described our family in some way. You might never hear me mention this issue again but if I hadn't explained it you would be wondering what I meant by 3 lefts and a right.....right?

5:42:00 PM
by Pamela

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