I'm Getting Ooooolllllddddd!

Tomorrow my first born will be 16 years old. An oil portrait of him just days old adorns our hallway to remind me daily that he was little, at one time. We are so proud of him. He has turned out to be a very respectable, handsome and sweet young man. If you happen to see him acting otherwise, you can reach me at 555-5555.

Okay, so we gave in an had peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast. The girls like what they like. She did go back to BooBerry cereal this morning. We do have enough chairs for everyone to sit during breakfast. Chase chose to sit with his sister, awe.

Everyone had to have their picture taken with their fall clothes on the first time this year. It finally decided to get a little breezy here. We went from bathing suits to footed pj's overnight.

You cannot see her two front teeth in this picture because - well - they are no longer in existance. Chaning tripped over a rug at Poppy's house and ended up with her tooth laying on her tongue, root and all. This girl is determined to meet the tooth fairy prematurely.

Cannot have a fall photo shoot without Carson......

and Julia.

Matthew & Poppy at the High School Beta Club induction.

30 minutes on YouTube to see how he should tie his tie and this is the result????

Logan decided he would help a brother out.

Another tear, Chase turned 13 last week. Although his baby picture does not adorn our hallway, his baby hospital bracelet was found today. We are proud of him as well. A quiet one he is. Does not like small talk like his momma but does like his sports and keeps his grades up.

This is my version of a $30 Cookie Cake. My version costs about $10.

This is what happens when the trio has a daddy day at Lowe's.

Mommy got to take a well-needed two days away. Hmm, where could I have gone?

This week we have dentist, cleft clinic and Matthew's 16th birthday. Next week we will travel to Ohio for Chaning's assessment. She is doing really well and is now attending school and all church classes on her own. She just blends right in and always seems happy. Sometimes, I catch myself just staring and her and Julia and smiling. Not only does their beauty still stun me but just knowing that God has entrusted Tim and I with these little blessings just warms my heart. The love that my bio kids have for them is no different than if I had carried them for nine months myself. I just pray that characteristic is something they will pass on during their lifetime to others, being kind to others and making them feel included.

Whatz up in our World??

Studying my subject from afar.
This couldn't be that hard to build for myself.

Look here, Matthew. I can do whatever you can do but a little better AND CHEAPER!

The Three Amigos get a little fruity.

Never a dull moment.

Labor Day - Some went fishing

Some felt the need to cool off with a little bonfire in the firepit (that my boys built).

One just layed back and chilled out.....

with her friend.

Some braved a competitive kickball game.

I think Tim was making the all-star catch or wasting time catching flies (get it? fly ball/flies)

This is Aunt Cindy holding her well-earned tree root.

This is what happens to Mr. Root when it makes Aunt Cindy trip and fall in front of all the teenagers providing them with a gut-busting laugh of the night. We will miss Mr. Root. He has provided many almost mishaps in our family but life is alot safer since his demise.

This is how my kids spend their outside time. I believe Chaning was placing Julia under arrest. No broken femurs, no nosebleeds (this day) only one overreacted itching reaction to wallowing in the grass from Carson. It was a good day.

I just love that Chase is not too old to entertain his younger siblings.

This is her serious shark face.

Target - $27.99 = 1 hour of remaining intact before starting to fall apart + 4 hours of unending mutiny on the bounty~~~~~~Priceless!

Part of the negotiations included free rides.

Chaning thought is was a win/win for her crew.

Dakota is slowly becoming the Captain's pet.

The kids have many forms of recreation outside during these hot temperatures.

And I have mine. I'm still playing with my camera.

I think I'm making a little progress. This neat camera hides all the weeds that are below this beautiful creation God provided us.

Some just stay inside where it is cool. Yes, he is still in his pj's and it's mid-morning.

This one is always dressed and ready to play. Just make sure you don't get in her way. She's got a little bit of a lead foot.

Please note the grass and dirt that it being plucked from my yard by his back tire.

Matthew and his dirt trauma.. I mean bike.

Little Tweetie Bird driving her Jeep. She is now slowly graduating to co-driver of Julia's John Deere Gator. Julia is so patient showing her the in's and out's of handling her green machine.





I know it's been a while since I have updated. My days (sometimes) are starting really early. I try to get up around 5 a.m. and run. It is wonderful to get my day started with a little me time and then to be prepared to awake the crew to get our day started for school. Chaning is now going to school by herself for the past two weeks and is doing absolutely wonderful. She is now starting to use one-word phrases and express herself less with grunts and sighs. I think she has really got her teachers wrapped around her fingers. Her interaction with her classmates is great. I think they are still fascinated by her and are eager to help her learn. Her basic doctors appointments have slowed down. We were told her appt with a surgeon in Ohio would be November or December but received word last week that he had a cancellation in October. She and I will be traveling there for a week of testing and then ending with a consultation of what the future entails.

Everyone here is still adjusting to the new school year and the addition of a sister but things will return to a welcomed comfort level here soon. We are looking forward to fall, weather cooling off and the holiday season that will fast be on us. I hope to be able to update more often but unfortunately it takes time to do this and that is one thing that seems to slip away from me at times. Tomorrow is a new day and one that I plan to embrace with a smile, a deep breath and lots of thankfulness for my family.

Instant Replay

Chaning's first football game. She cheered so well for her brother.
She cringed on cue for her brother

Did I mention that his helmet didn't quite match the others after we painted it? Don't believe the spray paint colors shown on the can. Easy to pick him out in his red head protector.

Such studious formation he has.

Go #34

Down, set...

Aunt Cindy braved the concession stand with all three littles twice. Chaning required more sugar to keep her cheerleader strength up.

Chaning's first day at pre-k by herself was Monday so she and I spent Sunday night together making a poster for her classroom that included pictures from her classroom in China. She strutted into her room carrying her poster.

What else to do when it downpours at a social. See how many goofballs you can squeeze into a porch swing.

I thought this picture turned out kinda cool. Someone needed to issue these two a ticket.

My little cuddlebug!!

Promotional picture for our orthodontist. Wonder if I get a discount for the next two or three kids??

Redneck fun. Each kid loved being hoisted up in the air. Only Mr. Matt could earn Julia's trust to do this.

Carson's turn.

They say Sunday's basketball hurt them. I think it was the Saturday night football. Joel, I loved the mouth to mouth resuscitation disclaimer.

Ben, please wear your glasses next time. Please stay tuned for the many faces of Amy collaige.

Do you think Carson ate his dinner before or after the brownie?

Chaning makes so many friends because she does not forget a face and when she sees you for the second time, she acknowledges your presence and has the warmest smile.

Someone found Foster.

Someone finally saw that Foster showed up for the social and took off running.

Chaning's first bridal/birthday shower. She kept thinking she was at a birthday party so we just didn't tell her any different.

Laurie opening Chaning's gift.

Do you like it???

Chaning and Julia posing for their photo session with Laurie. Chaning arrived with a sticker on one arm and a play tattoo on another.

This has been a huge week for us. A little bit of normalcy has returned to the frontier and it was very welcomed. Chaning attended school yesterday for half a day by herself without mommy. She cried for about 15 minutes and then spent the rest of the time having fun. Today, she figured out that mommy was going to leave her again and cried the entire way to school. I don't really think I should call it a cry but more like a fake whine. She shed big tears once we arrived at school so I left thinking I would be called back within 20 mins to get her.... I waited and I waited, I taught my aerobics class and once finished was told the test message read... "She didn't even cry for five minutes and is doing great". Two hours later, I received a text picture of her on the playground having the best time with the other kids. Two hours after that, I got the phone call that she was asking when I would return but cooperated at nap and was doing good. I walked in at 2 o'clock (okay, I ran in. I couldn't wait to see her). I didn't let her know I was there and observed her for a few minutes. She was right in the middle of playing with the other kids and it was so heart warming.

Let me just stop and say that this is NOT normal protocal for a child to start school a month after they have arrived home and each child is different. Due to the fact that Chaning was used to Kindergarten in China each day, that she was so well prepared by her foster parents for this transition and me sitting at school with her for three weeks... her therapist thought we could try to go ahead and leave her for a short period of time but needed to be prepared to go backwards. This child never ceases to amaze me. Yes, I have two teachers that watch her like a hawk for sadness, irritability and for times that she might just get nervous because of the language barrier and they adjust her situation to suite those times, if needed. I thank God that he is helping to heal my daughter's heart, calm her fears and help her to build her trust that we will not put her in harms way and that we will return. Each day, I leave a bracelet off my arm and tell her to keep it for me until I come back to get her. It's sad to think that she feels I will come back for a bracelet but not just for her. That too will disappear with time.

Next week, we should find out when exactly Chaning and I will travel to Ohio Children's Hospital. We were told today that we will have to be there for four to five days with testing being performed each day and the last day a plan of action given to us, if any. I know this will set Chaning back a little with her trust and stability at school and at home being gone but we cannot wait to see where we are medically and move forward.

Tomorrow is a new day! Four different school drop-offs and pickups. I love my kids.