Gotcha Day Reunion

We were so lucky to travel to China with the most wonderful 4 families. Sharing such an intimate moment as your first moments as a new parents builds bonds that we didn't expect but we are SO thankful for. We have been blessed that each year,around Gotcha Day, we have been able to get together. Of course, it wasn't complete because Doddlebug and her family couldn't make it all the way from Texas but we hope to see them next year!

The weekend started out a bit rocky. Sam had been gone all week in California and got home just hours before everyone arrived. It made alot of work for me to get ready but I was so excited, I didn't mind. I slipped into the shower about 15 minutes before arrival and my shower came to an abrupt end when the shower water was pouring out of the light fixture on the first first floor.

An emergency call to the plumber and we were assured we would have water for the big weekend just no master shower. That was ok. I was too busy to primp to much!!

Friday night was spent reconnecting with everyone. Everyone enjoyed the nice weather and played outside and chatted it up on the deck. I got a special cake made with the American and Chinese flag. I was a little disappointed that the flags decoration was mostly on the side of the cake but it was one of a kind, none the less.






Saturday morning we all met over at Bluebird Gap Farm for some fun together.

The foursome at the Wishing Well

Sam's job was to keep the pet food coming!! They all enjoyed feeding the animals.

Our four beauties!

The Baba's and the Gie-Gie's

Our Extended Family (minus the O's :))

After Bluebird, the K family had to head out. We will miss you Jilly!! We went back to our house for lunch and then headed to Buckroe Beach for some beach time fun.

The girls follow big brother M into the water!

The rest of the time was spent running, digging and laughing!

Big brother MT was a great sport about making it a weekend for the under 6 crowd.

The S mama and baba

The T mama and baba

It seems like there might be a plan hatching!

Just before we were chased home by the raindrops!

For dinner we made Frogmore Stew. The ladies were inside preparing the food and table while sipping a little vino while the men folk were out under cover boiling water and keeping time. It was a great dinner and everyone seemed to enjoy the eating off of newspaper!!

Menfolk hard at work watching water boil and their watches at the same time!

Yummo!

All that was left of that big pile!

After dinner there was more playtime. They disappeared into E's room where "no boys were allowed". They were up there for over an hour and quiet as church mice. They came down with "makeups" and dress up clothes on and performed a dance for everyone. It was wonderful to see them work together as a team. Sunday morning everyone came back (well the T family just came in from the driveway, they were staying in our camper) and we had a final breakfast together. Conversation quickly turned to next year's plans. We are so lucky to have each other on this journey as our girls grow and their questions change. They are so lucky to have each other. Someone else who situation is about as close to their own as they will find.
May god bless each of these "China Sisters" with a life of love, togetherness, and happiness. We love all of you!

Cleaning and Scrubbing...or Not!

Today is the day before Thanksgiving. I had every intention of staying home and finishing up the cleaning and getting the cooking started. Instead, Lizzy is home from school so that changes things some. Then, Anna needs a home for the day while her momma works. They play so well together and have so much fun, how could I refuse. Not to mention Jamey pulls me out of more fires than I could ever count. Anna arrived at 6:45 AM and the fun began. Soon there were pleas to read, color, play games and go outside. I remember the saying "Cleaning and scrubbing and can't wait for tomorrow because babies grow up much to our sorrow...) Cleaning and cooking plans went to the side and we had a blast!!!

Swimming!!

Elizabeth was invited to come swim with her friend Fin while they were at the beach on a mini get-away. She had a BLAST! The whole way down there in the car, she kept saying "I so cited!". On the way home she slept the ENTIRE way. Thanks Fin for dinner and tiring her out! Oh, yeah, and for being a good friend and giving her the courage to be the best she can be. Tonight was the first night that Elizabeth has ever been in a pool without mom. In fact just 2 weeks ago, she refused to get in without me. When we did get in, she just clung to my throat. Tonight, she swam like a fish (a fish wearing her swim vest). She even jumped in by herself ~ face wet and all. I was so proud of her accomplishing something new. Thanks Leslie for the opportunity!!


Fin will never drown in a pool! She is a pretty good little swimmer.






This is Elizabeth in July of 2008. Boy, sometimes I forget how big she has gotten.

Totally off topic but way to funny!

This was just too funny NOT to post....

This is an "actual letter" from an Austin , Texas woman sent to Proctor and Gamble regarding one of their feminine products. She really gets rolling after the first paragraph. This was PC Magazine's 2009 Editors' Choice award-winner for the best letter sent via e-mail.

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts.

But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.'

Isn't the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'


Are you f------ kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything
mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong'.

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullsh!t. And that's a promise I will keep.

Always . ...

Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX

Wordless Wednesday

OK, 4 word Wednesday ~ I love you, baby!!

First Day of Kindergarten

The first day of Kindergarten is a mixed bag of emotions around here! To be fair, it also falls on the same day that 3 years ago we walked through our front door for the first time as a family of 3. Only three ago!!! Most mommies get 5 years with their babies before they send them off to begin their life of academia, I only had 3 and Lizzy only had 3 years to be babied before she was on her way to big things. I need more time. I am not sure about her. She is so smart and ready and eager to learn. I usually don't mourn the loss of the her first 3 years or the loss of mothering a true baby but maybe just today will be ok?

Kindergarten started out with a meet your teacher tonight. Lizzy was eager to go. She was most eager to wear that back pack that had been hanging on the closet door just taunting her. She was not allowed to touch it until the big day!


She woke up happy and ready to go!! I had gotten a little worried because over the weekend, she kept crying that she wanted mommy and daddy to go to kindergarten. We explained the rules and she seemed to accept them. She even got to sleep in mommy's bed the night before for some extra cuddles (and to make sure the anxiety didn't get the best of her. After all, a good night sleep would help her be rationale in the morning. She even insisted on wearing a dress, which is unusual for her. She was all smiles and ready to pose for some commemorative pictures.

School went great. She got out of the car with no problems, kissed Daddy goodbye and went off to conquer the world, or a least to make friends with 2 new kids, Maria and Devin. We promised her that we would go our to her favorite restaurant if she had a good day, so off we went to the "Terra Cotta Warriors". We praised and she beamed. Please just let the next day go so well I thought.

Getting home, we let her play outside, which she loves before settling into our early to bed night time routine. We will pray for a day 2 that is just as wonderful as day 1.

Update: Day 2 not off to the same good start. She cried from the moment she got up to the moment she disappeared into the school. Today she knew what was up and she would have NONE of it! Oh lordy, I hope this gets better quick. Dealing with her attachment issues as it relates to all of this puts a different twist on the situation. We have seen such progress with her attachment struggles. I don't think I am mentally ready for a step back. I so wanted it to go smoothly:(