My All Star

"Baseball is the only place in life where a sacrifice is really appreciated."

Cole is on the 9-10yr. old traveling all star baseball team.  They had their first game while he was at the beach for the soccer tournament.  His first game was Monday night.  The team didn't do very well and lost 11-1 in 5 innings.  He played third base and got a walk. We are hoping that the game tomorrow night will be a LOT better.

Adoption

"Adopting a child won't change the world, but for that child, the world will change."

I love blogs on adoption, especially Chinese Adoption.  There are over 1 million children waiting to be adopted from China.  That is with the Orphanages that do adoptions, there are so many that don't.  I am so proud to be a MamMam to one of the sweetest and most gorgeous little girls that ever came from China.  If only we weren't too old to adopt, if only we had done it years ago when I wanted to- - -  maybe someone out there can still do it!

Go to my friends site and look at this video - "Some people ask why we adopt, this is why."

http://findingourgirls.blogspot.com/    They are adopting their 3rd litle girl.

There is another one that just got their little girl a few days ago.  Watch their Gotcha Day Video.  http://www.ourhappilyeverafterstory.blogspot.com/   I spend hours every evening checking on all the sites.  My niece and I hope to go to China in the next year to do some volunteer work with the babies. 

They're Home

"Home is where you can say anything you like cause nobody listens to you anyway."
Monday afternoon, the phone rang but I couldn't get to it in time to answer. The answering machine picked up and this is what I heard.  "Hi Mam, it's Chloe Sauer calling. We want to let you know that we are home.  If you are available to come and see us, call me back.  Bye."  I cracked up at her message and how old she sounded. Needless to say, I called her back right away.  When I pulled in their driveway, she came running out of the house to give me a great big hug.  Cali came running in her underwear!

The all were talking to me at once and telling me about their vacation.  Cole, Carter and Chloe each got a hermit crab.  They each got their cage to show me the family's new additions.  Carter said that his crab had been "SLEEPING" for quite awhile!  Christopher just rolled his eyes, so I'm not quite sure what that meant.

Cali got a laser gun that lights up and blows bubbles.  She was so happy to show me how it works.  She loved the beach and didn't want to come home.  The soccer team went 2-1, so it was a fun few days for all them.  Now if I just get my chance to get to the beach!!

More Party Pictures

Partying In The Heat

"I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party, it means I have been surrounded by friends."

On Sunday, we had the big birthday party for Camryn.  It was at a nice family picnic area near where Troy and Bethany live.  It was a scorcher today, but the kids still loved the playground.  Family came from as far as Long Island, NY and Virginia.  Camryn was the center of attention and she didn't disappoint anyone.  She loved opening all her gifts, but the favorite was the wagon from the Mees.  Everyone kept taking turns pulling her around. Next year, we're having it at our house where there is a swimming pool!

She was so glad to get home and into the cool house.  She was soon ready for bed, but not before getting into all of her cards and waving around her money!!

Watchin' Nemo

"There shall be eternal summer in the greatful heart."

Just watchin' Nemo and having a quiet moment.

WORLD CUP TOMORROW -  GO USA!

BooHoo

"Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for eachother."

BooHoo, my babies are going to the beach for a few days.  I will really miss them!

WAY TO GO USA!!!

USA

"They join hand in hand, brave Americans all!  By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall."

USA plays today in the World Cup!   Let's go guys, make everyone a believer!

Takedown

"Some days there won't be a song in your heart, sing anyway."

Camryn loved diving on her bear, whose name is Violet.  I gave her 2 points for a takedown.  Her daddy was a wrestler, so she has the genes!

Maybe She Should Have

"We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it's forever."

My Dumpling didn't want to put on her bathing suit, so her mommy said she couldn't play in the water table.  She wanted to play so badly, but wouldn't give in to putting on the suit.
When I said, "OK, 5 minutes and it's nap time."  - she finally asked to have her bathing suit.

I think she realized that maybe she should have put it on to begin with!

Clean Up Time

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

I kept Camryn the past 2 afternoons because her Mommy and Daddy are running a soccer camp.  She is the best little girl to keep.  It was time for a bath, so I started putting all the toys away. Camryn had other ideas.  She stood on her tippy toes to reach the toys in the toybox and started throwing them out on the floor. I think she was trying to tell me something!

Time Out

"I can fly, but swimming is the next best thing. . . The water is my sky."

My precious girl got in trouble.  She was so excited to be swimming with Camryn that she jumped into the pool and made a big splash.  Her Mommy and Daddy were not happy with her because it made Camryn cry.  It made Chloe cry too!

Chlorine Is My Perfume

"It's a good idea to begin at the bottom in everything, except in learning to swim."

The water was a little cold, so Cali and Camryn didn't stay in long.  They opted for the baby pool.

Flag Day

"The whole inspiration of our life as a nation flows out from the waving folds of this banner."

Today is Flag Day and I am so proud to be an American.  USA is the best place in the whole world to live.  I love visiting other countries and having friends from other countries, but I love the USA.  Displaying our flag always makes me feel so good.  Happy Flag Day to everyone.

Just a few pics to enjoy today.

My Favorite Ballerina

"To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak."

Chloe had her first Dance Recital this evening.  She did a terrific job.  She had a smile on her face and made sure that everything was done exactly right.  She is a perfectionist!  During the first half she did ballet and the second half was tap.  At the very end, all of the dancers were on stage for the finale.  She was just adorable.

My niece and her daughter came from Long Island to see the performance.   Chloe and I were in NY a few weeks ago to see Emily dance in her recital.  Emily brought Chloe roses with a bear ballerina attached.  She actually bought the bear when she was London.

Chloe got so many flowers, but she was looking forward to getting them.  She was just beaming!  Her brothers were so proud of her, they often commented on how well she did.

Now Cali says,  "I want to dance too!"    More tutus in the future!

We weren't allowed to take pictures during the performance, so I need to take one of her in her costume.  She was a butterfly.

World Cup

"My patriotic heart, bleeds red, white, and blue."

The World Cup starts this morning, yeah!!  We have been waiting 4 years for this.  GO USA!!   Our family are soccer nuts, it's a passion.  The 3 boys played from pre-school thru college, that's a lot of soccer.  We even had 2 National Championships in there at Messiah College.  2 of the boys are still coaching and now the grandkids are playing.  It's even more fun the second time around. 

Miracles

"I believe in MIRACLES!"

Check out http://stinkytofuandotherthings.blogspot.com/   and the see the miracle baby Luke.  He has just returned to China after his surgery and recovery in Israel.  Now if he can only find his Forever Family through adoption.

Anniversary #1

"An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday and the hopes of tomorrow."

My niece, Amanda and her husband recently celebrated their first anniversary.

Help A Friend

"Friendship isn't a big thing, it's a million little things.
Robin, at Red Thread Stitches is adopting a little girl from China.  She is having a quilt raffle to help with the costs.  It is a beautiful, handmade quilt.  She is also doing embroidered beach towels, that are so cute. I bought one for myself and just love it.

Robin is the type of person that is always helping someone else, like the orphans in China or someone who is adopting from China.  Everything she sews is somehow  connected to helping someone else.  Hop on over to her site and see what she has to offer.  You can also see a picture of her beautiful daughter.  You will fall in love with her instantly.

http://www.redthreadstitches.blogspot.com/   (which is listed on my site)   or  http://www.dreamingoftwofortea.blogspot.com/  

New Water Table

"If men liked shopping, they'd call it research."

Nothing better to be doing on a hot day than playing with a water table.