Very Sweet Baby Shower

Saturday we had the baby shower for Lexi and Anthony. It was wonderful. They got allot of things they really needed. Enjoy the pics. There is a pic of her mom and myself. I love it.

Who has the best Daddy in the whole world???

Genevieve and Abigail of course. We have two old clothes line poles that are literally 6ft deep in concrete. We had tried on a couple of occasions to get them out to no avail.. So Daddy put up these very cool swings that keep 2 little girls occupied for hours at a time. Gotta love that daddy.

My Goodness How they Grow Up

Somedays I look at Genevieve and find it hard to imagine the tiny (12lbs) little baby I brought home at 9 1/2M old from Hunan China. She is so beautiful and mature now as opposed to the sickly child who was more pitiful looking than beautiful. She has developed her own opinion of what style she likes. Very grown up looking.

Mothers Day and Chicago Fun

Although the weather was cold, rainy, and stormy, it was a beautiful day in my heart. I had the kids grandmother and most of my kiddos together. The girls made me breakfast and served it on the coffee table so I could watch the news. Owen taught Sunday School so I could sit in church Services. My doggie got a bath, hair cut and nails trimmed. We all then met up at Grand Empire Chinese Restaurant for dinner. Lexi is getting bigger and bigger by the day. She is due in a couple weeks and it shows. My daughter in-law, Anita got me the most beautiful card. Monday we all got up and took a mini vacation the Chicago. Got a room downtown and swam after a full day at China Town. Today (Tues) we spent it at Navy Pier and rode the Ferris wheel as well as shopped. Very tired but so worth every penny and every second.

It's Mother's Day

I know this is a holiday that only we as Americans celebrate, but I can't help but think about the girls "China Mama". My prevoius post shows how much I understand that although a person gives birth they are still not a mother. This does not defray from the circumstances that led to my daughters abandonement. I believe in my heart that if things were different the girls would not be my daughters, but still in China with their "China Mama". This being said I have to thank them from the bottom of my heart and soul for my little Hunan Chili Pepper and my JaingXi Beauty. More than that I want them to know how much the girls are loved and adored by our family and how blessed we feel that they have given us such a precious gift, our daughters. When I see the pictures of the beautiful young ladies in china is see the face of our "China Mama" and say a prayer for her so she will not hurt to deeply.

Happy Mothers Day Ma

I learned from a very early age that not all mothers give birth to their children. You see, My ma did not birth me, but that did not change who she was. She was the person who dried my tears when I fell off my bike, the person who helped me with my homework. She was the person who made sure I had boots for the winter and warm clean clothes. She was also the person who made sure I did not go to bed hungry or with a heavy heart. More than that she was the person who showed me how to love unconditionally and see past the fact that you do not have to give birth to a child to love them more than life itself. With all the love she gave, she also taught me to cook, clean and do the right thing in life. I miss her so much. She was called home on Dec 13th, 1998 and now only looks after me from the heavens. I hope she knows how much she impacted my life and made me who I am today. Happy Mothers Day Ma. I picked you some Lilacs just like when I was a kid. XOXOXO

Abigail's view

Wow - This was on a friends blog who recently came back with her second daughter from China. I can't help but see Abigail in this letter so much. A bit long but OMG Very Accurate. The funny thing is I have been talking to a few friends about the phase our Abigail is in now. If she can not see me for more than a couple minutes or so, she begins this WHAILING. I mean high pitched, fire engine tune WHAILING. I have since learned waht this sound means and no longer break my neck trying to run to her. But still she is obviously very upset. She does this if she is with her dad, her brother, her aunt, it does not matter. I am not allowed to leaver sight. I have tried several attempts at explaining to her that I will neverleave with out telling her I am going to the store or what ever. That doesn't work. I have also told her instead of WHAILING for me, just call out "mommy where are you". that too does not work. I am open to ANY suggestions. Immense Loss... Walk a Mile in Baby’s Booties Imagine for a moment… You have met the person you've dreamed about all your life. He has every quality that you desire in a spouse. You plan for the wedding, enjoying every free moment with your fiancée. You love his touch, his smell, the way he looks into your eyes. For the first time in your life, you understand what is meant by "soul mate," for this person understands you in a way that no one else does. Your heart beats in rhythm with his. Your emotions are intimately tied to his every joy, his every sorrow. The wedding comes. It is a happy celebration, but the best part is that you are finally the wife of this wonderful man. You fall asleep that night, exhausted from the day's events, but relaxed and joyful in the knowledge that you are next to the person who loves you more than anyone in the world…the person who will be with you for the rest of your life. The next morning you wake up, nestled in your partner's arms. You open your eyes and immediately look for his face. But IT'S NOT HIM! You are in the arms of another man. You recoil in horror. Who is this man? Where is your beloved? You ask questions of the new man, but it quickly becomes apparent that he doesn't understand you. You search every room in the house, calling and calling for your husband. The new guy follows you around, trying to hug you, pat you on the back,...even trying to stroke your arm, acting like everything is okay. But you know that nothing is okay. Your beloved is gone. Where is he? Will he return? When? What has happened to him? Weeks pass. You cry and cry over the loss of your beloved. Sometimes you ache silently, in shock over what has happened. The new guy tries to comfort you. You appreciate his attempts, but he doesn't speak your language-either verbally or emotionally. He doesn't seem to realize the terrible thing that has happened...that your sweetheart is gone. You find it difficult to sleep. The new guy tries to comfort you at bedtime with soft words and gentle touches, but you avoid him, preferring to sleep alone, away from him and any intimate words or contact. Months later, you still ache for your beloved, but gradually you are learning to trust this new guy. He's finally learned that you like your coffee black, not doctored up with cream and sugar. Although you still don't understand his bedtime songs, you like the lilt of his voice and take some comfort in it. More time passes. One morning, you wake up to find a full suitcase sitting next to the front door. You try to ask him about it, but he just takes you by the hand and leads you to the car. You drive and drive and drive. Nothing is familiar. Where are you? Where is he taking you? You pull up to a large building. He leads you to an elevator and up to a room filled with people. Many are crying. Some are ecstatic with joy. You are confused. And worried. The man leads you over to the corner. Another man opens his arms and sweeps you up in an embrace. He rubs your back and kisses your cheeks, obviously thrilled to see you. You are anything but thrilled to see him. Who in the world is he? Where is your beloved? You reach for the man who brought you, but he just smiles (although he seems to be tearing up, which concerns you), pats you on the back, and puts your hand in the hands of the new guy. The new guy picks up your suitcase and leads you to the door. The familiar face starts openly crying, waving and waving as the elevator doors close on you and the new guy. The new guy drives you to an airport and you follow him, not knowing what else to do. Sometimes you cry, but then the new guy tries to make you smile, so you grin back, wanting to "get along." You board a plane. The flight is long. You sleep a lot, wanting to mentally escape from the situation. Hours later, the plane touches down. The new guy is very excited and leads you into the airport where dozens of people are there to greet you. Light bulbs flash as your photo is taken again and again. The new guy takes you to another guy who hugs you. Who is this one? You smile at him. Then you are taken to another man who pats your back and kisses your cheek. Then yet another fellow gives you a big hug and messes your hair. Finally, someone (which guy is this?) pulls you into his arms with the biggest hug you've ever had. He kisses you all over your cheeks and croons to you in some language you've never heard before. He leads you to a car and drives you to another location. Everything here looks different. The climate is not what you're used to. The smells are strange. Nothing tastes familiar, except for the black coffee. You wonder if someone told him that you like your coffee black. You find it nearly impossible to sleep. Sometimes you lie in bed for hours, staring into the blackness, furious with your husband for leaving you, yet aching from the loss. The new guy checks on you. He seems concerned and tries to comfort you with soft words and a mug of warm milk. You turn away, pretending to go to asleep. People come to the house. You can feel the anxiety start to bubble over as you look into the faces of all the new people. You tightly grasp the new guy's hand. He pulls you closer. People smile and nudge one other, marveling at how quickly you've fallen in love. Strangers reach for you, wanting to be a part of the happiness. Each time a man hugs you, you wonder if he will be the one to take you away. Just in case, you keep your suitcase packed and ready. Although the man at this house is nice and you're hanging on for dear life, you've learned from experience that men come and go, so you just wait in expectation for the next one to come along. Each morning, the new guy hands you a cup of coffee and looks at you expectantly. A couple of times the pain and anger for your husband is so great that you lash out, sending hot coffee across the room, causing the new guy to yelp in pain. He just looks at you, bewildered. But most of the time you calmly take the cup. You give him a smile. And wait. And wait. And wait. --Written by Cynthia Hockman-Chupp, analogy courtesy of Dr. Kali Miller

just a few pics

We went to Abigail's Art exhibit at speech class. They created a diromma out of junk. It was part of the recyclying lesson they were studying. Some cute pics of the girls being silly for the camera.

Wow it's been a while

I just realized how long it's been since I posted about the nutty girls around here. As usual, it has been a whirlwind. We had an open house Sunday to no avail. It was abust. Darn it. I spent 4 days "sanitizing" this place. It sparkled. I guess the only consolation is I love it when it's this clean. The yard also looks pretty awesome. I am hosting the baby shower for our new granddaughter due in June. I love these kind of parties. I will post pics when it happens. right now I'm just getting it all together. Making the diaper cakes for center pieces, putting together bassinets, planning out the games and prizes, and gathering things to fill the bassinet with. The girls are finishing up their speech program for this year as well as their Mandarin class until fall. Their program is next Saturday. I know their songs as well as they do, if not better. Next fall they will be in speech, Mandarin and Traditional Chinese Dance class. They have been challenging lately. I'm not sure if it's spring fever, the age or just plain old naughtyness. Genevieve has learned that stomping her feet and glaring at me is a great way to push mom over the edge. Abigail has learned to cross her arms and roll her head as she tells me NO. Very different than the boys. They just kinda rolled with the punches and moved along. Girls on the other hand will hold the anger for a long time. The weather so far has been typical Midwest weather. GRRRRRRR I planted flowers for the open house last Saturday and they will probably all be dead by morning. We are expecting SNOW. Gosh I really hate this kind of weather. I am VERY VERY ready for summer time around here. Especially when I look at others blogs and see the kiddos in shorts and hanging out at the beach. I will try and post some pics tomorrow or the next day of the past few weeks events.

Look What the Fedex truck brought

The girls know when the FedEx truck pulls up, it's a box from our "family" in North Carolina. This time the box had one the best things in the world according to Abigail - Cheesy Grits - Wow Also in the box was pretend makeup. Oh my they love this. Check out the pics of how well they can apply it to each other.

Check this out - Mom

Look what I can do mommy. Only one finger is up.

where do Babies come from????

Sunday dinner after the day from H..., we went to our son's house for dinner. We have been trying to teach the girls that not all babies come from China and off of an airplaine. When ever we would tell them "blah blah" is going to have a baby they would ask when are they going to China and can we meet them at the airport. So this new granddaughter situation has been our follow the progress learning time. Well Lexi has gotten quite large in the past few weeks. look at this conversation. Don't drink or eat until you are done, spew factor. Abigail - "Wow you got real big belly now." Lexi - "Well the baby is growing". Abigial - "How do you know that?" Lexi - "Because my belly is growing" Abigail - "How did it get in there?" Lexi looks at me puzzled - I look over ang get ready to respond but Abigial did instead. Abigail - "Did you eat it?" After we quite giggling she tells her that Anthony put it in there (Not sure I would have said that)but Abigail responded nicely Abigail - "Stinker, don't do that again." VERY FIRMLY she said it. I agreed and laughed quietly to myself.

Survivor - Next Season

OK as everyone who knows me knows I am a survivor Junkie. so when i got this e-mail it was on the read first list. Not what I was expecting, But OMG one of the funniest things I've read in a while. - ENJOY THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES *Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks. *Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes. *There is no fast food. *Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money. *In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week. *Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time. *Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment. *He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care. *He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function. *Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times. *The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done. *The men must shave their legs, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep ingernails manicured and eyebrows groomed. *During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties. *They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting. *They will need to read a book and then pray with the children each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am. *A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up. *The kids vote them off the island based on performance. *The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice. *If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right to be called Mother!