China - Monday

A walk in the park!

It was a day full of "official meetings" which means yummy food.  (do you see a trend here . . .food)  and a lot of talking.  One could think it would be interesting conversation, right? I could not understand a word that was said.  but I do know it was insightful and full of hope.

Next we headed to the airport for a short 45 minute flight to Dali.   A darn rooster woke me up at 4:30.

Today- Tuesday we head to another orphanage.  . .

China adventure - Day 1

Photos

Yummy lunch served by the orphanage

Not sure what these are called - plums

Happy me!  holding a precious wee  one

We took a 3 hour train ride to an orphanage full of locals,  

A few thoughts after a good night sleep and a yummy breakfast.  Chinese breakfast buffets are delightful.

So we took a 3 hour train ride to a little town in Southern China.  I like experiencing the "real" stuff.  I thought we were getting yelled at by an older Chinese woman b the memory of Evelyn often reminding me "mom Chinese people are just loud" popped in my very tired brain.  Turns out she was just very curious as to why 2 white woman were in China.  Like I said small town.

The orphanage fed us a fabulous lunch, I even tried pig ear . . . and no I did not go back for seconds but I did swallow it.  The lunch was delicious but really I was so antsy to get my hands on those kids.

This was a small orphanage, very clean with very kind nannies and staff.  But you know what the bottom line is it is an orphanage with lots of delayed children and the reality is many will never know what a family is.  Hard stuff!!  The good news is some will know that love.

Kelly these are for you!

I

Going to CHINA

I am headed to China!   for TEN days!

I am excited!  and Scared!

I have never really left my family for more than a night or two.  Except when I traveled to get my baby girl but that was almost 8 years ago.  I am working on a calendar to help hubby with the chaos. We have a great support system.

We (my friend who happens to be the director of our adoption agency)  are going to FIVE different orphanages.  FIVE!!! I  am bringing my camera.   We get to meet "the kids"  and hang out with them hopefully get to know them.  

You can't hear me squealing . . . but I get to hold and play with sweet little orphans.  The magnitude of this is still sinking in.

This is a dream!!!

I have a feeling I will be broken yet filled with joy when I return.

Stay tuned!

TWELVE!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!

I don't know if ya'll can tell but this girl is a FIRE.CRACKER!  

She is wild and crazy.  We are working on making "good" choices.  

She lives life to the fullest.  She is kind, sweet, compassionate, caring.  She is rockin 4th grade.  Reading at grade level.  Loves math.  Loves her teachers and her people

I find her simply BEAUTIFUL!  

So grateful that this girl is my daughter.  Thank God I listened to the call and went and got this little punk!

Best Christmas Gift EVER!

12 years ago this little punk was born.  and man did he rock our world.  So many unknowns those first few months.

Look at him now!  Smart, handsome and a PUNK   Sweet Sweet boy!!

  Oh how I LOVE my Thanie

Santa

 I just LOVE LOVE LOVE our little tradition of heading downtown to see Santa.

We go out to dinner.  Window shop.  Then go see Santa.

I know my biggest kid is feeling too old but he humors me.  And for that, I am so grateful.

I'll show y'all someday my photo collection.  I have a picture from Zach's first Christmas all the way until now.  All framed in a tacky  sparkly, Christmasy frame.   Each year when we decorate for Christmas I take the frames out and remember and then, I cry.  Oh how I love these little people.

This boy can be a bit of a punk brother.  But.  Just look how much he loves his little sister.  The way he is looking at her is too sweet

Evelyn's second Santa visit.  So much fun!

We head to the carousel.  We all ride it!

I LOVE Christmas time!  Grateful for my family.
and yes feeling a little sappy.

Halloween

Pre- Halloween at the pumpkin patch with my parents.

Here we are carving pumpkins

Yep!  Those are his dish washing gloves.  and. that. is an entirely different conversation.