Happy New Year

"May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions."

I'm finally getting around to posting some Christmas pictures.  The day flew by so fast and I was so busy getting things ready and just didn't use the camera wisely.  Everyone was seeing the baby for the first time, so of course I wanted to get those taken. We had 2 parties in 1 day and I was really tired.  My bed felt so good that night. The next day I realized that I hadn't visited as much with everyone as I would have liked.

Our first party was for lunch at my parents house.  We celebrated with my brother's family.  This is my niece, Mandi, holding Gunnar for the first time.  He stole the show!

All the little kids love my great niece, Emily.  She lives on Long Island, NY, so we don't get to see her very often.  Next year she is going to Messiah College, so she will be much closer to all of us.

My mother has Alzheimers, but seemed to enjoy the party as much as she could.  Sometimes she asked who the kids were, but overall she did just fine.  My niece, Jodi and my sister-in-law Shelley, are sitting with her.

  All the little girls are into "PRINCESS" things and they always brought big smiles.

There were lots of soccer jerseys given as presents and my "Enchilada" loves all CARS things.

Our immediate family party was later that afternoon at Christopher and Carla's house.  We had stromboli and lots of desserts.  Unfortunately, everyone was still full from lunch.

Exhausting -- but fun --and we'll do it all over again next year!

Under The Same Roof

"Love one another and you will be happy."

One of the best feelings in my life is having all my Treasures together!

12/26/11

The Advent Calendar

"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas."

We spend the weekend with our "far away family", babysitting while they went through their things that just arrived from Abu Dhabi.  I am so tired but SO GLAD we did it.  They will be moving soon and we won't see them as often.  The best part is that THIS year, they will be Here for Christmas.  Of course having a new baby helps the celebration also.

The kids were so happy to be back in their old home. They seem so comfortable there but are talking about their next move and another new house.

They just found the new Advent calendar, so PopPop was helping to get caught up.

Our little J Bird wasn't feeling well, so he'll be visiting the doctor tomorrow.

This guy was sporting another new hat.  He loves hats!

Spending time with the new baby was great.  He's 19 days old and loves to look all around.  I did have to share him, but still had lots of cuddling time.

Can't remember which Christmas carol I was singing to him, but he seemed to like it.  Just can't get enough of holding him.  I could look at him all day.

Carter Jack On His Tenth

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."

Last week was Carter's 10th birthday.  We had a small family celebration with cake (made by his Nanna) and ice cream.  All he wanted was money, so I'm anxious to see what he buys with it.  He was all smiles when we walked in.  I think he was anticipating all the $!

Happy Birthday TANK!!!

I"m In Love - AGAIN!

"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man."

He's here!  Our #9 and he is so precious!  His name is Gunnar Daniel.  He was born November 30th - weighed 8 lbs 13 ozs and is 21 inches long. 

He is only about 2 hours old in these pictures.

I just had to take off his hat and check out his hair.

Of course I had to check out everything else also.

I really didn't want to give him up, but I had to share.  Tomorrow is another day.

I kept Baby J Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday .  We now have our Chinese Dumpling  with us.

Oh, the perils of a MamMam!

I LOVE THIS JOB!!

Camryn Came To Play Today

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another."


Troy and Camryn came for a visit today.  We played all day.  She loves baby dolls and that's just about what she did the whole day.  She is such a good 'mommy' to her babies, so gentle and soft spoken.

Here she is rocking her baby in the same rocking chair that I used when I was her age.  Just like me, the chair is an antique!  My great grandfather made it for me.

For the first time, she also played with a doll that was mine.  The poor doll is missing a finger and we had to use tape to hold her leg on.  Camryn just said that the doll "had booboos".

After she played with her, she brought her over to me and said  "Here Mam, you can have the big girl.  She's really heavy."   She is much bigger than the dolls Camryn is used to playing with.

Of course sitting on PopPop's lap and reading a Christmas book is always fun also.

AND since we're in the Christmas season, it's time to start on all of our projects.  Here we are just finishing her angel.  Notice the walls in my kitchen,  that's a BIG project also.  I took down the wallpaper 2 1/2 years ago and still need to finish up.  Everyone is welcome to come help get it finished in time for Christmas dinner!!!

                              

My Little Indian Is Going To Disney

"For flowers that bloom about our feet;
 For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
 For song of bird, and hum of bee;
 For all things fair we hear or see;
 Father in heaven, we thank Thee!"

Cali made this Indian costume in preschool last week.  She is so proud and showed it to us right away.  They are leaving for Florida tomorrow.  She has been so excited.  With it being Thanksgiving, decorating for Christmas and packing for Florida, she is beside herself.

Chloe is excited also, but she has a whole week of homework to do.  She started early so she can just enjoy her time at Disney.

I'm going to miss these 2, but then come to think about it, I can sleep in every day next week!

The boys are excited about the trip also, but they don't talk about it as much as the girls do.  My contribution to the trip, besides giving a little spending money, is keeping the dog.  Carter brough this tub full of food today.  How much does this dog eat?!!

Cole had the priviledge of bringing in the dog, Rooney.  Of course he peed on the floor first thing!  So while they are in the warm sun, having fun, I'm taking the dog outside to do his business. 

But wait, our new baby is scheduled to arrive next week!!!!  I'm so excited.  Can't wait to hear what his name is.  I'll post when I know.

Celebrating Thanksgiving

"Hem your blessings with thankfullness so they don't unravel."

We have so much to be thankful for this week.  The biggest thing for me is having my 3 boys and their families home.  Last year, #2 son and his family were in the UAE.  This year, they will be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We may even have a new baby by Thanksgiving.  Wouldn't that be wonderful!!

One thing that I have been wanting to do, for several years, is to help sponsor a Chinese orphan.  I've looked at so many Foster Home Blogs and so many children, I just couldn't make up my mind.  We have sent clothing etc. to different orphanages and foster homes in China, but never to just one particular child.

Last week, the Starfish Foster Home brought 7 new babies into their care.  They went to the orphanage for 1 or 2 babies, and came home with 7!!  What a blessing for these babies.  My niece and I are planning on going to Starfish to do volunteer work. I guess it really isn't work, playing, holding and feeding babies.  I have finally chosen a baby girl to help support.

Her name is Kay Louise.  She is almost 8 weeks old.  Those little eyes had me in love with her right away!
She is a HIE baby.  (heart condition)  She is too tiny yet for them to confirm exactly what her problem is.  Amanda, head of Starfish, said that are hoping to help her gain weight then proceed with the treatment she needs. 

There are so many other babies at Starfish that need help.  I have listed the addresses just in case you might like to help an orphan.  Maybe you would just like to go to their blog and see all the beautiful babies they are helping.  It would be wonderful for me to actually hold Kay, when we go to China.  I have no idea when that will be, so I am hoping  she will have a family by the time we get there.

http://www.thestarfishfosterhome.org/       http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com/     http://chinesestarfishcleft.blogspot.com/     throwingstarfish0912@gmail.com    

Starfish Childrens Services
c/o Patrick McLaughlin
6 W 122nd St.
New York, NY  10027

Adoption Month

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance.  The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never tear."
              Ancient Chinese Belief

November is Adoption Month and our family has so much to be thankful for.  Three and a half  years ago, I went along to China to get my granddaughter, from Hunan.  It was an experience of a lifetime, one I had wanted to do for a long time.  I always wanted a baby girl from China, but never went through with it.  When my son and his wife decided to adopt from China, something they had planned on doing even before they were married, I was so excited. So to celebrate this month, I am posting a few pictures of my "Dumplings" final adoption about 2 and half years ago. 

It was a long ceremony, but she was so good.  There several of us there and I think that may have helped to entertain her.  After the ceremony, we went back to the house to celebrate.  One of her favorite things is butterflies, so of course, her cake had to be decorated with butterflies.

I know she won't remember this day, but it's one that will stay forever in my heart.