Random Things...

Yeah! I get this thing off tomorrow...it's startin' to stink! It's been two weeks...

What cha doing? Video games.....I'm concentrating!

The Pirate reading Mommy's first grade teacher's edition...you did that already, son!

Goofing around on Forever Family Day..bunny ears!

Forever Family Day 2009...could you two at least smile?????

Brother and Sister...2008

Wow! You are real....

I am not sure who you are?
Kisses for my sister!


It was one year ago that we made it home from China. It was midnight here and we were all sooo tired. The look on The Mermaid's face is "who are you?" and "I am tired...leave me alone!". The Pirate was beaming...he couldn't believe she was real. I look back at these pictures and realize how overwhelmed she must of been...because I was, too!

Brother and Sister...2009

Amazing! How different they look today. Brother and Sister...finally!

Dear Mermaid,

June 2008

June 2009

June 19, 2008...the day your life changed and so did ours. The day we laid our eyes on you, held you and cried with you for the first time. Wow! Daddy and I were so scared and I am sure you were too! I think back on that day and realize that this was meant to be...you were meant to be part of our family. Your Forever Family. We love having you as a daughter, sister, granddaughter and niece. You have made our family complete and we are so happy that you have come to love us as much as we love you!

You have changed many things in your life this year. Your address, your country, your name, your HAIR, your language , your own room, school, a brother, a dog and all the food( NOT Chinese!) you love WAY to much to eat! You have gained 10 pounds and have grown almost 4 inches! You are growing up so fast. Which makes me think....

about your BirthMom and how much she must miss you. At times this year, I have been very sad. Sad because, I missed out on the first 3 1/2 years of your life. But then I think, how blessed I am to be able to share the rest of my life and yours for as long as I am here on earth. I know your BirthMom loved you..she would be so proud of you.

You make me laugh and you're such a stinker! You are beautiful and stubborn. I would not change a single thing about you..I love you just the way you are!

I am so very proud of everything you have become.

Thank you...

for letting ME be your Mommy.

XOXO

She is doing GREAT!

I look like a boxer...punch, punch!

Big brother taking care of his little sister!

You would never know she had surgery yesterday. Happy, eating, singing.....as long as I keep her medicated!

Outtakes from Yesterday

"But I don't like these jammies Aunt Staci!"

I got tatooed by the Doctor!

Watching my favorite...SPONGEBOB!

I am soooooo bored!

I'm a happy little girl.. LOOPY MEDS!

Our Brave Girl

Hamming it up with Daddy....

Happy, loopy and medicated Mermaid

Finally home...sleep baby, sleep!

The Mermaid had her hand surgery today. We went to the hospital at noon. They did not take her back for the procedure till 3 pm. It took 3 hours, 2 doctors and 10, 000 plus stitches to make her fingers she can use. She was very good before the surgery ...despite not having food and drink. Aunt Staci sat in the back of the car on the way home....she was pretty upset and slugged her Aunt. Poor Aunt Staci....The Mermaid is home and in bed sleeping. She will be in a cast for 2 weeks...no swimming, no digging in the dirt ...UGGHHH!!!! This is gonna be fun!

SUMMER TIME!!!!!!!!

Check out the PONYTAIL!!!!

Am I pretty????

You should have seen his shirt.....

ahhh.....

It's summer time! The kids have no school...and neither does Mommy! Daddy has some trainings...but not much.

We decided to eat dinner and then sneak out to the local DQ. YUMMY!!!!! We all had an ice cream cone. This is the first one for The Mermaid. She had hers dipped in Cherry...like Daddy. The Pirate went with sprinkles.

Onions!

I just had to share....

When we got back from China, we needed to pay some bills. Who doesn't these days??? Anyhow, we had some things around the house we really did not use. So, Daddy decided to sell some things on ebay. Well, he sold a man a video game that apparently did not work and Daddy decided to refund the man his money. Well, this man was so impressed with Daddy's honesty and business practices.... he promised us ONIONS from his farm in Vidalia, Georgia.


Look what was sitting on our front step when we got home. ...9 huge onions!!!!

Thanks John!!!!

First Grade Awards

The Pirate and his teacher, Mrs. Kaz

The Superstar and The Pirate

Friends...

Friends...

and MORE friends!

We are very proud of The Pirate. He has made so much progress this year in first grade. The most important thing is HE IS READING!!!!!

He was given awards in AR Reading, Art, and Chorus.

Way to go Pirate!

Change in Assignment

Budget Cuts...Budget Cuts...Budget Cuts.....

I am going from Art Teacher to First Grade Teacher. This should be fun!!!!

I'll keep you updated....