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. 

Veteran's Day

"It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you."

Thank you to all the Veteran's who have given us our freedom and to those who serve our country now.

I am really missing my camera.  Hopefully, it will soon be fixed and I can get back to taking pictures of the kids.  I had so many good opportunities this week and it really upsets me that I have no new pictures to post. When going through my files, I found this one that I don't think I ever posted.

Cole, Cali, Chloe and Carter.

I would also like to tell you about this blog I have been following.  This family has adopted 3 girls from China.  Their names are Hannah, Taylor and Hailey.  Hailey has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  Please check out their blog  http://kimchingocha.blogspot.com/    This family really needs your prayers.  We never know when something like this could happen to one of us.

His Cuteness

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."

Baby J, my youngest Treasure.  Not for long, baby brother should arrive around Thanksgiving.

It's so hard to get good pictures of him.  He doesn't stay still for very long!

One of these times, I'm going to catch his smile.  He will melt your hearts.  He sure does mine!

FallFest

"How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days."
I was hoping to post Halloween pictures, but my NEW camera has decided to no longer work.  It will be going back to the company tomorrow!  What's the deal with these cameras?!!  My older ones have worked much better and longer than my new ones.

Anyway, I am posting pictures from last week when Cali, Camryn and I went to the FallFest.  It was a cold day, but the girls really had fun.

Cali wanted her picture taken at each place we visited.

Playing in the corn and jumping off the hay bales was the favorite thing to do.

We didn't buy any pumpkins.  I couldn't believe how expensive they were.

There were all kinds of games for them to play, even a pretend cow to milk.  They didn't like that because their hands got wet.

Well, maybe sliding head first into the hay was the favorite!!!

That camera had better get fixed fast.  We've got a new baby coming in a few weeks.