Fun Stuff

One of IBoy's birthday gifts was a waffle iron.  He has been obliging us with yummy waffles in the past couple of weeks.

Chicka has taken an interest in IBoy's Ripstick - no solos yet, fortunately!  But . . . . . .

We have another daughter from God!

We are SO very excited to officially announce that we are the proud parents to be of another sweet daughter waiting for us in China!  She is from the same orphanage as Chicka was from, she shares some of the same special needs - drooping eyelids and developmental delays and she will soon turn 4!  We are hoping to travel to meet her and bring her home in the fall, but sooner would be better!

We were planning on using the tax credit from Chicka's adoption to fund Zabi's adoption, but have just found out that we do not qualify to use any of that credit this year!  Yes, we are mightily praying for miracles, because that is what it is going to take.  Already God has listened to our pleas and provided.  The day that we had a $500 deposit due to the adoption agency, we received a overpayment check from our mortgage company after we had refinanced.  The amount of the check?  $492!  Thank you, God!  We have a $1350 payment due to our homestudy agency next week.  The last puppy just sold and the payment of $1,100 is being made on Saturday.  Thank you, God!  Now to fund the remaining $13,000.  We have applied for several adoption grants and are waiting to hear the status of those requests.  Over the next few weeks I am going to be posting some hand crafted body care items and children's clothing items that I am making on this blog, so if you know of anyone that might be remotely interested in helping us bring this sweet girl out of China, please share your ideas with me!

Happy 15th Birthday, IBoy!!!

Grandma made a guitar cake - thanks, Grandma!  It was yummy!

IBoy really wanted a RipStick for his birthday - I can't imagine how these kids ride these things!

    

It looks FAR too dangerous for me!

A New Sweetie

My niece and her husband became first time parents!  We were  introduced to him yesterday!  Welcome, sweet boy! They are great parents and loving every minute of it!

A new auntie, too! 

I think my Dad is enjoying this great grandpa business!

Chinese New Year

The actual day of Chinese New Year was January 26, but continues off and on for a few weeks.  We were FINALLY able to visit the Classical Chinese Garden on Sunday, February 8 - on their final day of the celebration.  We weren't quite prepared for how cold it would be, so it was a short visit, but we had a GREAT time!

        

MissE and IBoy are holding their "red envelopes" - the Garden greeter handed them to everyone as they entered.  It is a tradition that these envelopes are handed out to friends and relatives and contain money.  Each of ours had two pennies in them!  Cute!

    

We popped into the tea house to get warm and have some tea - IBoy chose ginger peach - it was delicious!  We also had to sample some traditional New Year treats while we were there.

The highlight of the trip had to be the lion dance.  Chicka enjoyed it so much that we had to buy one for her to take home!

New Family Photo

Yup - it is that time - Chicka has officially been a member of our family nearly ONE YEAR!!!!  Simply amazing!  It seems as though she has always been with us, but on the other hand I can't believe how fast that year has gone by!

This is our one year post placement photo to be sent to China.  BUT, it is also the photo that will go to China showing our family minus it's newest member from China!  We don't have our pre-approval from their government for our new sweetie, so we can't share any details yet.  As soon as possible we will be posting a photo, though!

Body Products

I just found this site for lotions and body products.  Haven't tried any yet, but they sure look great!

http://carolsdaughter.com/