Monday, May 04, 2009

For Today... Monday, May 4, 2009

Outside my window... The sun is shining, everything is green and lush - finally! The play yard is littered with toys, evidence of a fun weekend at home with the girls.

I am thinking... ahead four weeks to when the girls are finally out of school and we can do some fun things. Already making a list of new places to go and explore! Making plans for our two week drive out to New England this summer to visit family.

From the learning rooms... little green plants pushing up from the soil in paper cups. Abbie and I sprouted a few kidney beans from the pantry, and she's so excited to watch their progress.

I am thankful for... the fact that Al's mom is home from the hospital after her heart procedure and that she's doing OK. Also, that our roof is going to be repaired this week - I'm tired of all the drips and worry about further damage.
From the kitchen... pot roast in the crock pot today. Ham casserole later this week. Homemade pizza and ice cream pie for Rachel's birthday party on Friday.

I am wearing... denim capris, grey tee shirt, yellow fleece sweater from Hard Rock Cafe in Guangzhou, celery green Crocs mary janes. No socks - hooray!

I am reading... all sorts of brochures with ideas of things to do with the girls this summer. Lots of knitting blogs and books with ideas for Christmas presents to make this summer. Small Batch Preserving by Elie Topp and Margaret Howard - I want to make some strawberry jam this spring!

I am going... to my friend Sara's this afternoon so she can help me with some new knitting techniques. She's so talented (and patient)!

I am hoping... that Rachel and her friends have a wonderful time celebrating her birthday on Friday evening.

I am creating... a chore chart for the girls for the summer. Some knitted Mother's Day gifts. A little order in our basement.

I am praying... that our family and community are not affected by the swine flu.

Around the house... decorations, favors, a pinata for Rachel's party. Knitting projects everywhere. Dirty floor from this weekend - gotta mop! Bags of stuff for Goodwill - I've been cleaning out the basement again!

I am hearing... bluegrass music on Pandora Radio. Always starts my day off great!

One of my favorite things... singing with the Worship Choir at church. I am really looking forward to that this week!

A few plans for the rest of the week... a haircut for ME this week! Knitting Tuesday night, Worship Choir rehearsal Thursday night. A used book sale Friday morning. Rachel's birthday party Friday night. Hannah and Abbie's gymnastics show Saturday afternoon. A day of rest with my family on Mother's Day.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

A little springtime reading...
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Saturday, May 02, 2009

Our Little Rachel is 7!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Ray-Ray of sunshine!

Always smiling!


Loves her thumb!

Helping with the laundry (clean!).


Age 2...


Coloring makes her happy!




Our good little sleeper who can sleep just about anywhere...


Age 3...

A flower for Mama...


Our big girl now!


The Cupcake in her First Grade presentation on nutrition (how fitting!).


A little curtsey...


She fills our lives with joy!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Happy Anniversary!

Awwww... Who is that sweet, young couple starting their lives together? That's Al and me, twelve years ago today! And what a wonderful twelve years it's been! Can't wait to see what the future has in store for us and our family!


Saturday, April 18, 2009

My Baby is Ten Today!

Our little Hannah turns 10 today! "That's double digits, Mom!" she keeps reminding me. As if I need reminding...


First day at home with us...


Sitting in the grass, probably for the first time in her life...


Snuggling under the afghan Nana made for her...

I love her Chinese name: Zhipan. Zhi means "will; aspiration". Pan means "looking ahead to the future". Hannah has great aspirations for her future...

- She is going to be a science/history/art/music teacher.
- She is going to have 12 children - 6 by birth and 6 by adoption. They're going to ride around in a limousine, because that's the only vehicle Hannah knows of that will hold that many people!
- She's going to build her house in the field right next to our house, so I can help her take care of all her children.
- She has most recently announced that she wants to be a missionary in China, helping Christians who are persecuted and imprisoned for their faith.



Daddy-Daughter dance...


Winter, 2008


Field Museum of Natural History...


Our beautiful, grown-up girl!

Hannah, your Daddy, sisters and I are so proud of the beautiful young lady you are becoming! We love you more than you can imagine! Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Happy Nine-Year Gotcha Day, Hannah!

Nine years! Hard to believe!

Our first moments with you. You were a squirmy baby!

Curious baby...

Nanchang countryside (complete with water buffalo)...



Tired baby...



We celebrated Easter in Guangzhou...


Guangzhou airport, on our way home...


My first Mother's Day, just a couple of weeks later!

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Abbie's Birthday Portraits

Just wanted to share a few favorites...