Me and My Wee Ones

Exploring Creativity

2011-06-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

Some may not agree with my parenting style but I do the best again to make decisions for the wee ones and to let them grow to be the beautiful individuals that they are becoming. With that said, Graeme has rocked his faux hawk for quite a while. I should not have been surprised when he walked up to our stylist, the fabulous Mrs. Sheila, and asked, I mean begged for her to shave the sides of his head so he could have a real mohawk. Begged as in folded hands and pouty face. Seriously, who could resist and it is only hair. It has already grown back! Hoping it was a phase but with Graeme, life is one big adventure!

We had to radically change Lily Wen's hair for Dr. Suess day at school. This our version of Lily as Cindy Lou Who. Quite cute and creative I think!

Some time this spring was spent playing basketball!

And cheering her brother on!

Speaking of creative, here are my cousin's extremely creative but not so wee, wee ones.

Chris, Caroline, Stephanie and Matt (John is missing from the pic but just as creative as his siblings)

Caroline and Matt starred in their college production of My Fair Lady and we loved it!

The whole crew after the performances!

The Nutcracker 2010...still behind

2011-06-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

These are from the Nutcracker performances in 2010....still playing blog catch up.

Just me and my wees

A hot chocolate break in between performances.

This is the view from our front window! I love when it snows!

My performers

I love the look on Graeme's face.

Two Lilys

Graeme loves to dance or is it that he loves the girls who dance???

Oh Blog, How Have I Neglected Thee!!!

2011-05-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

CHRISTMAS POSTED IN MAY!

I have been a busy Mom to two very busy wee ones. Between our travels, dance, online dating for me (that deserves a post all of it's own but this is a family blog), dance, school for the wees, work for me, dance, basketball for Graeme, and just trying to keep my head above water with 2 very active wees, well something had to give and it was the blog. I am going to try to update the past months of our life to catch up so to speak. This is Christmas, 2010 that we spent with my family in Louisiana!

Graeme and Luke playing at the park

My wee climber (isn't this how she broke her elbow last spring??)
Graeme learns from sis

Who started all this anyway? My sis!!!

Cameron loved the boxes and paper

Granny Mary and 5 of her grandchildren, Luke, Lily, Cameron, Graeme and John

Cookies for Santa

Christmas morning....it was a good year to be a wee

My baby sis and her baby, Cameron

All the Cain Cousins!

Graeme getting flipped by Uncle Mike

Graeme wanted a change....he insisted!!!!!!

Graeme and best bud, Carson

Loving basketball!

Lily helped cheer at the games and enjoyed flipping.

So that is the first catch-up post. Hoping I can do one a day and get caught up. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Lily Wen!

2010-12-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

Lily Wen turned 7 years old this week. We celebrated with a So You Think You Can Dance party. FUN!

They ate and....

Danced and....

Danced and...

had cake...lots of cake!

Rachel, Emily, Lily D and Hannah

Presents

Graeme, Lily Wen and Victoria

Precious time with Friends

Lily Wen had a wonderful time at her party. My tiny dancer is 7 already. She amazes me each and every day! I am one blessed Mom!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! Celebrating with 20!

2010-11-28T16:55:00.000-08:00

The wee ones and I spent Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg with family. We had an amazing time. We met up with my Mom, sister and her family from Louisiana; my aunt, cousin and her family from Washington DC and my cousin and his family from West Virginia. It was the first time in a long time that we had all gotten together. We had sooooo much fun!

Lily Wen and John Christopher hiking in the Smoky Mountain National Park.

Mike, Karen and Alison
Lily Wen, Me and Graeme

Stephanie and Alison

The cousins - me, Jodi (my sis), Mike and Diane

Graeme and John Christopher rock climbing

Lily Wen loving the park

The next generation

Cameron - the baby!

Graeme and John

Where it all began....Aunt Erms and Mom

Then we spent a day at the Nascar park. You have to love racing! Lily Wen and I on our first ride!

John Christopher and Lily Wen begin to race!

Luke loved driving the truck!

Go Graeme Go!

Stephanie and John Christopher race

Diane and Lily Wen

The Pit Crew

Me, Caroline, John and Lily Wen

One cute little tiger fan - Luke

Caroline, Stephanie and Alison

A little whip cream...CUTE!

This is the guys!

This is the girls!

Matt and Cameron

One morning, we decided we needed a family photo. This was the chosen option. It was so much fun to get all dressed up for the photo! The kids had a blast.

Lily Wen ready for her close-up!

We looked a little more vibrant in color!

We decided going back in time once was not enough so we went again... a little more prehistoric this time.

Cameron rides his first dinosaur. I think this could be one of my favorite shots from the whole trip!

We spent our last afternoon celebrating Lily Wen's birthday with family. That deserves it's own post so I will add those pics later in the week. These are the best pics of more than 500 taken over the time we all spent together. We were thankful for our immediate families, our extended family and the joy of being together. It took a lot of planning to get us all together (thanks so much Di for pushing us to do so). I can't imagine being anywhere else this Thanksgiving. I loved being surrounded by those I love. This year just feels pivotal in more ways than one and I am so grateful for new experiences and new friendships.

The Ever-Lasting Halloween

2010-10-31T18:49:00.000-07:00

We have had three days of Halloween festivities! I am glad my wees are in the bed. They have to be exhausted! We started out with Friday afternoon and went trick or treating downtown. Then, Lily Wen had had her first elementary school dance. She won 2nd place in the Halloween costume contest for her age.

Lily Wen and Bailey

Olivia, Adeleine, Carson, Graeme, Lily Wen and Kyle
We ran into lots of friends while trick or treating.

The mermaid and the pirate

Saturday, we went to a party at our neighbor's house. The kids enjoyed a hayride, sack races, and lots of Halloween games.

Graeme loved the hayride!

They're off through the neighborhood!

Graeme trying to take a bite of the apple with no hands. It was Hysterical!!!!

Then, we met more friends where we took a hayride to the top of the hill so we could trick or treat on the way down. (That is our church in the background)

Carson and Graeme

Eliza, one gorgeous Tinker Bell!

Laura, Jasmine never looked prettier

Today, we went to the Fall Festival at our friends' church. More fun and time with friends!

My Ninja Warrier (he is trying to kick as high as his sis can)

Belle

Lily, Lily Wen and Graeme (When another child asked Lily what she was dressed as, she pointed to Lily Wen! So sweet!)

So this Halloween is done!

Graeme's Rockin 5th birthday!

2010-10-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

It is so hard to believe that Graeme is turning 5 years old this week. It seems like just yesterday we met that scared little 2 year old in China. He is not scared anymore.....scary maybe but not scared! He wanted to ROCK his party and I'd say that he did!

My wee rocker!

Rockin'

The CAKE

Time to sing to the Rocker!

His movie from HIS CHINA!

It is really hard to tell if he had any FUN at all!

Just me and the wee boy!

They loved the skeleton glasses!Graeme and Cameron

2 Lilys

The bestest of friends and sweet Bailey peeking in the background!

Bailey and Lily Wen

As I just can't say enough, I am one blessed Mom! We had a great day! Happy Birthday Graeme!!!!!! I can't imagine my life without you!!!!

Life in Louisiana

2010-08-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

After a relaxing week at the beach, we headed to Louisiana for a week with friends and family. I love going home. I love when I drive into the state and see the sign, "Beinvenue en Louisiane"! I instantly feel home. We had a wonderful week and the wee ones loved playing with their cousins (well most of their cousins...we missed seeing my brother and his family since they were on vacation the same week!...bad planning on my part!)

Here is sweet baby Cameron. He has changed so much since Christmas!

Lily Wen loved carrying him.

Stephanie, Holly, Shannon and me. We have not all gotten together in at least, 15 years. I have known Steph and Holly since elementary school and Shannon since middle school. There is something about being with girlfriends who know your whole history!

Each time we go to Louisiana, we visit with friends who also have daughters from China. It is amazing to catch up and see how our girls and guy have grown since the last visit. They are all so unique and BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Hannah, Makenna and Lily Wen

Graeme, 4 years old, Hannah and Makenna, 5 years old and Lily Wen, 6 years old

Graeme holding baby Cameron

- The cousins!!!! Lily Wen -6, John Christopher -5, Graeme-4, Luke-3 and Cameron-8 months. There is never a dull moment with 5 under the age of 6 together at the same time. They really play well together and love each other so much. It makes me wish that we lived closer so weekend visits could be possible.

We enjoyed an afternoon of visiting with some of Papa Jim's family as they are now forever a part of our family too. I don't think Matt realized that he would be attacked by all the wees when he came by to visit. They LOVED it and he survived!

So the one thing I have not missed about Louisiana is the heat. It was HOT, HOT, HOT while we were there. The heat index on one day was 115! The kids wanted to be outside most of the time so creative water play was needed!

Sharing a picnic to increase their energy!

We are already looking forward to November when we will see everyone again. They are coming north for the visit and we can't wait!

The rest of the beach pics!

2010-08-07T09:01:00.000-07:00

As usual, I am way behind on posting!!!!! These are from our last few days at the beach.

The wees and Alison

Graeme and Mike...too funny!

I love this pic of Alison and her mom, Karen.

My cousin Mike and me

If the pool doesn't have a slide, make your own.

Graeme got into body surfing. He would stand where the waves hit him at his shoulders and throw himself into oncoming waves. It was hysterical!

After we left the beach, we went to Louisiana for another week. I have not even edited those pics. We had so much fun at the beach. I am ready to go back anytime!

The Beach!

2010-07-21T16:39:00.000-07:00

We are continuing our intense schedule of relaxation. My biggest decision each day is whether to go to the beach first or the pool.

Lily Wen had to try climbing the rock wall. She made it very high up the wall.

Not to be outdone, Graeme had to try too. He did really well!

The look of joy brought on by a frozen lemonade.

Lily Wen, Alison and Graeme

Just me and my wee ones (and they are still so very wee to me!)

Karen, Alison and my cousin, Mike

We are rockin' this vacation.

Rest and Relaxation!

2010-07-20T19:03:00.001-07:00

So we arrived at the beach and our schedule has been beach, pool, lunch, nap, pool, actvity, evening walk on the beach, bed, repeat. I could so get used to this. We are here with my cousin, Mike, his wife, Karen and their daughter, Alison. We couldn't be having a better time! Here are some pics from the first few days.

Graeme has discovered body surfing and loves it.

Alison, Lily Wen and Karen

The 4th and a wee bit more!

2010-07-05T20:05:00.000-07:00

We have been very busy since our last post. I am just really enjoying this summer with my wee ones. I am working but as little as I possibly can!!! We just really needed some down time. Our summer started off with caring for Lily Wen as she broke her elbow the last week of school. She was so strong and even with that splint she Danced and Swam (well splashed about anyway)!

The dinosaur sling that she was given just didn't cut it for my fashionista so thank goodness for SupportingCasts via ebay....This is more her style don't you think!

We were lucky that splinting is all they had to do and after 3 1/2 weeks, she was taken out of the splint and started physical therapy. She was released after 2 sessions as her recovery was exceptional! I am still cautious but she is doing great.

The wee ones stayed with their Dad for a few nights while I went to Orlando, Florida for the AG Bell Convention. I am Certified in Auditory-Verbal Therapy and had to get my continuing education hours to keep my certification. It was hard for me to go and I dreaded the trip but once I was there I had a really great time. I learned alot related to my field, reconnected with colleagues that I only see every 2 years and RELAXED. I even went to Disney, Magic Kingdom and Epcot, with special after 4 p.m. tickets. Thanks to the ladies from Lexington Speech and Hearing for including me in their plans! It was a completely different trip to Disney from the one with the kids in January. I got to ride the 'big girl' rides and what fun we had. Sorry, no pictures...I left the camera at home...can you believe???
For the 4th of July, we have been to a 3 day party at a friends house. This is an annual event with swimming, fireworks and just hanging out. Some camp out in tents each night but we chose to drive across the 'hill' to our home each night to sleep in our beds. (I have promised the kids to get a tent before the party next year). Here are some of my favorite pics from the weekend.

Doesn't he look good in red, white and blue??

They really do love each other!

Lily Wen is roasting a marshmellow for her s'more. Don't you just love the view?

A giant leap with friends!

She could be a surfer!

Another group jump!

On the 4th, we sat around the fire overlooking our small town and watched fireworks all around us. Then we went and had our own fireworks show. As I snuggled on a blanket with my wee ones, I just felt so very blessed. I am so loved by my beautiful wee ones. I am so thankful for wonderful friends who have become family! I am so happy that there are still 4 weeks of summer left and that we will be on vacation 2 of those weeks!

Two years ago....

2010-06-10T18:10:00.000-07:00

Two years ago today, I met my wee boy on the other side of the world and I have been in love ever since!

Happy Gotcha Day Graeme!!!

Tough Break!!!

2010-06-03T16:30:00.001-07:00

I am soooooo glad that we spent last weekend in the pool because it will be a while before we swim again! Lily Wen broke her elbow. She was doing what she loves most during recess which is climbing the monkey bars when she slipped and fell. She is in this temporary splint until the 14th and then, we will take more x-rays. The orthopedist stated that he would probably need to put a cast on her until the end of the month.

She is such a trooper and handled it all with amazing inner strength. She knows that she won't be swimming for a while and she is still smiling! She is relaxing in a sea of pillows and drawing. It looks like the beginning of summer will be full of art activities and reading. Never a dull moment!!!!!

Memorable Weekend

2010-05-31T18:18:00.001-07:00

We had a great weekend spent with friends! We spent our weekend pool hopping with different friends each day and it was FUN! I got a taste of summer and it tastes GOOD! I think I can make it through the next few weeks of school. I think I can!

Graeme went down the slide and he is actually laughing.

Eliza, Graeme, Laura and Lily Wen

I wonder what they are giggling about..

2 Lilys

I want to see this look all summer....

Boone and Graeme

The boys....Boone, Graeme and Kyle

Adeleine and Lily Wen

ALMOST SUMMER

Sometimes you just have to stop and Pick the Cherries!

2010-05-26T17:28:00.001-07:00

It has been a long few weeks at work for me. We have been testing for 3 weeks now and we are all exhausted! Today was especially long! I just needed to relax. I needed to stop and pick the cheeries! The wee ones and I have been watching the cheeries since they first popped out, patiently (and not so patiently waiting for them to ripen). We have learned that you have to pick them at just the right time or the birds will eat them all! As we pulled in the driveway, the kids noticed that the cheeries were RED! They begged to pick them. Don't the cheeries look like they are begging to be picked?

They were very into the task at hand

This is one of my favorite pictures of the day. I remember on my trips to China that you would see young children and adults squatting for a variety of activites from working to having a conversation. It amazed me how they squatted for so long. I watched her as she picked the cherries in this position and was transported back to China.

Don't let the end result fool you. They ate at least twice as many as they picked! I don't want to work the rest of the week. I think I'll stay home and pick the cherries!

I hope you DANCE!

2010-05-16T06:00:00.001-07:00

My wee ones as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse

Dance Minnie!

You have to love this face!

Graeme in the finale

Lily and Lily Wen

Gorgeous

Just me and wee one 1

Simply Sweet

Lily is very into dance. She is a serious dancer so she was asked to lead two of the dances for younger dancers. Her petite size also gave her an advantage. She is leading the 3-4 year olds in a dance to Bibbiti, Bobbiti, Boo!

After a quick change, she was a mermaid in Under the Sea

Now, she is her favorite princess of all, Belle! That is Graeme in the background as Chip.

My Belle and My Chip

Lily leads a group of Minnies as they dance to "Oh Mickey you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind"

Guess who played Mickey! When he came on stage, all the Minnies faint! He was so cute!

His costume was a little small since he has grown so much since he was measured for it in December! Amazing!

After three performances this weekend, we are taking it easy this morning. We will have to get dressed eventually and take Mom to the airport. This week with her has flown by! It will be hard to see her go but we are so glad she was here with us this week!

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T19:02:00.001-07:00

I wanted to write a long post about how lucky I am to be the mother of these amazing wee ones. I really feel so blessed to be their mother. I have been so busy being their mother lately that it leaves little time for anything else including the blog. I have let down some friends and family by not updating as much as I used to. After waking them each morning, surviving the morning routine with only time for 1 cup of coffee, getting everyone where we need to be in the morning and being no more than 10 minutes late, working two jobs, picking everyone up at night usually on time, completing homework, cooking dinner or in all reality driving through a drive through, getting them bathed and their teeth brushed, saying prayers and tucking them in each night, well there isn't much time for anything else. We do manage to work in time to make it to dance classes, to play outside on pretty days, to sing and dance around the house, to read, read and read, to be silly and to laugh a little each day. I have taken many pictures since my last post but only have time to post this one. It is the best of the last weeks. I took it of my wee ones as we went on a short hike with my Mom. Yes, I got to share this mother's day with my Mom who flew in last night. We live so far apart that it is rare that we get to spend this day together. I often receive compliments about the type of mother that I am and I can only reply that I learned from the best. In the book, The Last Lecture, the author talks about how he won the 'parent lottery'. I won the same lottery. I hope that one day my kids will stay the same. It took a lot of love, patience and sticky notes (constant daily reminders of what not to forget) to raise me. Thank God she had an endless supply of those sticky notes! Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T18:16:00.001-07:00

We had a great Easter weekend. We spent yesterday with friends for a long egg hunt. Unfortunately, my pics from the day are stuck on a corrupted card....UGH! Hoping I can find a way to get them off! In the meantime, I bought a new card and these are all from today!

Lily Wen with her basket.

This year the bunny hid hers on top of my desk and Graeme's was on the stove! They laughed when they found them.

I am not sure if the wee boy is awake yet.

He is hugging his jelly beans!

After Church, they were ready to hunt more eggs!

Sweet Amelia was there for the egg hunt too!

So Precious! We love seeing her!

Do you think he had fun???

My wee girl had a great time too!

Just me and my wee ones wish you and yours a Happy Easter!~

Oh Where Oh Where Have We Gone!!!!

2010-03-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

So grab a beverage and settle in for the update. I did not realize that it has been a month and a half since I updated the blog. Time flies when you are BUSY and we have been BUSY. I began to realize when a couple of people mentioned that I had not updated and they were wondering how we were doing (Thanks Angela and Mikey). We happen to be home today because Graeme is sick. Poor little wee boy has strep throat. It has given me an unexpected chance to catch up or at least update. We will start where I left off....with our January trip to Disney. These are the pics from the last few days...

2 Belles

Lily Wen and Graeme at Epcot

Just a princess, a mouse and a pirate

Meeting Mulan at the China pavilion was a highlight!

Lily Wen

They loved meeting all the characters! Jasmine and Aladdin

Sleeping Beauty-Princess Aurora

While I had been to Disney many times in my past, I had never been to the Animal Kingdom. We loved our first day there!!!

Pocahontas

Graeme participated in the finale of the Lion King! He is quite the performer!

We all had a wonderful dinner our last night at the rain forest cafe.

My cousin, Diane and her BFF, Jeff

Leaving Disney was hard for all of us!! So we had to fade ourselves back into reality. As we traveled home, we stopped in South Carolina to visit friends. We reunited with Steve, Lisa, and Bett and met the newest addition to their family Sally Grace. Lisa and I became friends online as we waited for Bett and Lily Wen to come home. We traveled to China together for our first trip and have a lasting friendship. It was a wonderful evening and just what we needed on our way home.

Graeme, Bett, Lily Wen with Sally Grace up front!

Lily Wen and Bett

Sally Grace....so so SWEET!!!!

The kids played and played and loved dressing up! We really do need to get together again soon

Then....at some point in February, Lily Wen developed hives.....

They were everywhere and 'very itchy'! We spent weeks on Benadryl because we thought it was viral. But at week three we began to think, hmmm...maybe allergies and possibly food allergies. An Epipen was called in and I had a Mommy freak out moment related to the thought of having to use this on my daughter. I took both wee ones for full blown allergy testing (Graeme had been referred too) and we were lucky. Lily is slightly allergic to dogs and mold but does not need weekly shots. With the rough winter that we have had, our dog Bailey has been inside more than usual. We get to keep Bailey and we were all relieved. She is taking daily allergy medicine but did I mention, NO SHOTS!!!! Graeme could have a peanut allergy but it was not definitive so now I carry an Epipen for the wee boy. Bless his heart! I already had the Mommy moment so I am prepared if we ever need it. That has been the latest saga but all in all life is good.

Lily Wen occupied herself at Graeme's basketball game.

Graeme in a Lily sandwich!
and dancing with his class mates after the game!

FOR THIS CHILD, I HAVE PRAYED l Samuel 1:27

We FINALLY got to met Amelia! Graeme's Godparents, Mel and Brian, traveled to China in December to bring home their daughter, Amelia. They started their adoption process a year or more BEFORE we did for Graeme and she just came home!!! Amelia is beautiful and reminds me so much of Lily Wen. I cried when I first saw her in church. Graeme was so excited and just kept saying her name over and over again. Like Graeme, Amelia has a 'special need' as she is missing her left hand. Graeme instantly touched her hand and then, looking at her intently, touched his mouth. He did this about three times before it dawned on me that he was showing her his 'special need' or his cleft lip/palate. It was a surreal moment and the sweetest thing ever. We got to visit with them a few weeks later when I snapped these pictures.

This is a full circle moment picture for me. I have a picture of Lily Wen with Mary Grace (the first child that we became friends with who was also adopted in China) that was taken in the airport when Lily came home. I tried to scan it for this post but it did not work. They are sitting in the same pose as Lily Wen with Amelia. In this picture, Amelia is wearing one of Lily Wen's outfits.

Amelia

This smile just lights up the room!

Simply Stunning and we are so happy that she is HOME!

Well that sums up some of what we have been up to in this blogging break. I am not sure how often I will be here to update for the next few months. We are at dance class 3 nights a week. Lily Wen is in four dances in the recital (it was 3 and she volunteered for a 4th this week). Graeme is making appearances in the recital as Mickey Mouse and Chip from Beauty and the Beast. That is just a little of what is happening. Hoping I can check in with all my bloggy friends soon!

Dreaming of Disney!

2010-02-02T17:13:00.000-08:00

As I am snowed in yet again, I am dreaming of Disney! We had so much fun so here are some more pictures of a fabulous day at magic kingdom.

Mom, me, Lily Wen and Graeme

Meeting the mean step mother and step sisters of Cinderella. They were histerical!
Stephanie rode the tea cups with the wee ones. Thank goodness because this makes me sooooooo very sick to spin!

Graeme had the ultimate pirate experience when he became Pirate Joseph Squidcheese.

Graeme took a pirate oath that included promising to run from any fight that he could not win!

He participated in a tutorial with Captain Jack Sparrow

Met 'REAL' pirates! Arrrrgh Me Hearty!!!

Joseph Squidcheese in the flesh!

Then, he went on the attack and poor cousin Stephanie was his first victim. Oh the drama!

We went from the pirate experience to the Bibbidi, Bobiddi Boo Boutique for the princess experience!

Lily Wen chose to be Belle!

A pirate and a princess!

Lily Wen is transformed into Princess Lily

Her fairy Godmother Bertha sprinkles fairy dust to make all of her dreams come true.

Introducing Princess Lily Wen!

Disney did make their dreams come true. I still have more pictures to post of this Amazing first visit.

First Time Sled Riding!

2010-01-31T19:51:00.000-08:00

What do you do when there are 10+ inches of snow on the ground? Go Sled Riding!!!! This was the wee ones first time going sled riding and they had so much FUN!

Graeme's very first trip down the hill!

I missed Lily Wen's first run because I was trying to get Graeme out of the way.
Carson ready to ride!

Lily Wen and Adeline are ready. For those that know me well, yes, that is my vehicle parked back there. I DROVE there. Growing up in Louisiana did not give me much of an opportunity to learn to drive in snow so I am really proud of today!

Adeline

Mike gives Graeme a lift up the hill!

Boone flies down the hill!

The hill

Carson...this ROCKS!

It just got better and better!

Graeme was eating a little snow

The looooong walk up.

I just loved that face

Go Lily Wen!

Sled riding is exhausting!

Graeme went down on his belly which was totally his idea!

Could he laugh any bigger?

Of course he can!

Cousin It walks the hill

Getting tired?

The crew: Graeme, Logan, Kyle, Lily Wen, Adeline and Carson

We have another snow day tomorrow and have recently heard that we may have an even bigger snow coming this weekend! Thank goodness for vehicles with 4 wheel drive, snow suits, warm fireplaces and time with my wee ones!

We interrupt your Disney memories to bring a strong dose of REALITY....the BLIZZARD!!!

2010-01-30T15:09:00.000-08:00

So the big question is...How much snow did we get?

This much......

We ventured out early this afternoon and it was still coming down so who knows what the final total is at this point.
Lily Wen and Bailey playing in the SNOW! The snow is light and powdery. Pretty but not great for snowballs or snowmen!

One of our evergreens....so cute!

We were bored inside so we took a short walk in the neighborhood. Graeme was exhausted walking in snow that deep.

Relaxing in the Disney Princess chair. We are a long way from Disney now Baby!

So we headed back in for some hot chocolate. They watched a movie and I curled up with a good book. Embrace the snow days!

Ohana Breakfast and Hollywood Studios

2010-01-28T18:25:00.000-08:00

We started our day off with breakfast for 11 with Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Lilo and Stitch and it just got better from there!!!

Stephanie and Lily Wen
Graeme and Caroline

Diane and Jeff, best friends since 4th grade, I think

Tammy and Granny Mary, Cheers

Lilo and Lily Wen

Mickey Mouse and Graeme

Tammy, Lily Wen, Stephanie, Graeme and Caroline

Just me and my wee ones. We had the best time!!!!

One of the highlights of the day were all the new friends that we met.

Jo Jo, Goliath and the wee ones

Graeme and Mr. Incredible...the fist bump.

Loved meeting the characters of UP! Russell, Doug and Carl Fredrickson

Lily Wen loved the American Idol Experience almost as much as Stephanie and Caroline

To Infinity and Beyond

Graeme was flying high when he met Buzz and Woody

Who am I kidding...we were all flying high for this whole trip!

First Trip to Disney for the Wee Ones!!!!

2010-01-25T19:23:00.000-08:00

The wee ones and I headed to Disney World for their first trip. We were able to go with my cousin and her daughters, Caroline and Stephanie. Caroline is going to spend a semester working at Disney. We were there for the trip to take her down along with a lot of other friends of Di's. It was an amazing first trip to Disney for the wee ones. The pictures will tell the rest of the story.

Stephanie and Lily Wen bonded instantly.

The entourage included us; Di, Caroline and Stephanie; Di's friend, Tammy and her parents, Loretta and Dar; Tammy's friend, Terry; and Di's BFF, Jeff and his nephew, Christian. I had so much support for this first trip to Disney with the kids. It was Amazing. We made some great new friends.

The wee ones were amazed by everything.

Dar and Graeme racing in the car!

Loretta and Lily Wen are in hot pursuit. Di is in the lead car taking all the pics so I could ride one big people ride...Space Mountain. It just had to be done. The last time I rode Space Mountain was 20 years ago. The ride has not changed by my tolerance for all the twists and turns has. Needless to say, I only rode it once! I was able to make it to the track in time for the big race! They were so cute!

Graeme had this look on his face all day long! I am praying that he remembers this trip forever!

The ladies: Caroline, Tammy, Stephanie, Me and Diane

First character encounter! Meeting Tigger and Pooh was a highlight!

Waiting for Spectro Magic!

So maybe Caroline and Steph were a slightly bad influence on the wee ones. They are dancing on the It's a Small World ride. A few days later we found out that this is the ride that Caroline will be working on all semester. Hmmm.....

The first day at Disney was...well words just can't describe. There was a whole lot of Joy and it was Magical!

Christmas in January!

2010-01-12T18:49:00.000-08:00

This post is way over due. Christmas was hectic and emotional. It started with a whopper of a winter storm. It hit fast and furious and dropped a lot of wet, heavy snow very quickly. It took me an hour to make if up our hill to our house. We finally made it home, had a nice dinner and then, the power went out. Yep, heavy snow is not good for power. I spent the night bringing in fire wood and keeping the fire going. All those years in girl scouts paid off. The next morning we still had no power and the utility company stated it would take up to 3 days to repair. We headed South!

This was my driveway right before we drove off the hill.

The "Christmas Tree" right outside my door and decorated by nature!

I finally got to meet my new nephew, Cameron. Isn't he a cutie?

The Cain Cousins - Luke, Alex, John Christopher, Lily Wen, Cameron, Anna, Catherine, Graeme and Ashley Grace

Graeme, John Christopher, Lily Wen and Luke

They all had so much fun playing together.

Cookies for Santa!

Just before bedtime on Christmas Eve. I love this picture as they are dripping with anticipation.

Just me and my wee ones!

Lily Wen with her Bendaroos! She was so excited that Santa had brought them.

Graeme and Rocky the Robot Truck dancing!!

Lily Wen set out all of her things and wanted this picture!

Lily and Rosie with their new matching PJs

A little Fancy Nancy for the holidays.

The wee ones Christmas day.

Cameron with his Santa slippers.

Lily Wen saw her first episode of Ninja Warrior and learned a few new tricks!

Lily Wen always draws herself with an 'L' necklace on so for Christmas, my friend Robin made one for her and she LOVED it!

Our first Christmas with just me and the wee ones was hectic and emotional. I wonder what 2010 will bring our way. I am hoping for lots of Laughter and Love! Wishing the same to all of you too!

The Nutcracker 2009

2009-12-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

This weekend was filled with the Nutcracker for the wee ones and I. Graeme made his debut and Lily Wen danced in it for the second time. I may have mentioned a time or two how Lily Wen LOVES/LIVES to dance. Each day, she comes home and puts on her leotards and dances all evening. She takes two dance classes on Monday night and then HAD to be in the Nutcracker too. This had her dancing 2-4 nights a week for the last few weeks and she has been in heaven. Graeme got roped in by association but don't let that sweet face fool you. He LOVED it at least the performing part and I have been told by several friends that he stole the show on Friday night. There were four performances so here are some of my favorite pictures!

Lily Wen, Graeme and Makenna

Waiting to dance!

My beautiful son doing the minuet.

So so CUTE!

He really did well!

Ice Princesses, Lily Wen, Lily and Lucy

She kept sneaking and adding to her make-up!

Ready for the tap dance finale.

Graeme and the girls!

Katelyn and Graeme

Graeme at the end of day one. Dancing just wore him out!

He added something to each performance.

Lily Wen performed her first solo. She was excellent!

The Dance of Enchantment

So focused

Tap dancing

Each year Lily Wen gets a Nutcracker to add to her collection.

I started Graeme's collection this year with a Pirate Nutcracker!

Kyle, Boone, Graeme, Lily Wen and Adeline

Just me and the wee ones before the last performance. Such a pretty first snow!

All that concentration to bow!

Next years Christmas card!

2 Lilys

After the Christmas parade, they performed one last tap dance.

I love watching them dance. The Nutcracker is over for another year. Christmas is just a few weeks away and yet there is so much to do. I am one blessed Mom. I am off to wrap presents and sing carols. I found my Christmas Spirit in the eyes of my wee ones.

Happy Birthday Lily Wen!

2009-11-29T06:35:00.000-08:00

I love you so much Lily Wen. You are just growing up way too fast for me!

1st Birthday - You had just been home 2 months and you were so CUTE!

2nd Birthday - we had just moved to Kentucky
3rd birthday - the Louisiana celebration4th birthday, you were High School Musical obsessed

Lily and Lily Wen turns 5 with a Fancy Nancy party
Lily Wen and Lily are 6 with their babies Rosie and Sally

I am the most blessed Mommy in the world to have you as my daughter!

Introducing: Cameron Lewis M.

2009-11-21T18:41:00.001-08:00

My nephew, Cameron Lewis, was born last Saturday! These are some of the first pics. He is such a cutie!

He is so sweekt sucking his fingers.
My sis, Jodi, and her son, Cameron

So Alert

The whole M. family! Rodney, Cameron, John Christopher, Jodi and Luke

Proud brother, John Christopher.

Proud brother #2, Luke (I am trying to get Lily Wen and Graeme to stop calling him baby Luke because there is a new baby in the house. Lily Wen said that she would just call him Lukey!).

Stone Mountain

2009-11-17T17:58:00.000-08:00

After we left American Girl, we went to Stone Mountain for the day. We went with Amanda, my Godsis and Jeff, a friend I had not seen in many years (20+). It was a gorgeous day and a beautiful place to be. We rode the train and later, a cable car to the top of the mountain. We went on the Polar Express 4D experience and we are still talking about it. Graeme and Lily Wen loved climbing on all of the rocks.

Amanda at the edge!
Graeme waved the whole time the train went by! He was amazed. We took him for a ride on the train and he was so excited initially. Then, the rocking of the train almost put him to sleep.

While waiting for the parade, the mischief began.

Graeme and Lily Wen had a great time playing with Jeff.

The day at American Girl and Stone Mountain was simply Fun! I love how Graeme is eyeing his sister's hot chocolate in this picture.

The following pictures were taken by Jeff. He has taken some amazing photographs and I spent the day trying to learn from him. These are only a sample of the shots he captured.

A Christmas Parade, musical shows and gorgeous lights. Now, I have the Christmas Spirit!

American Girl!

2009-11-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

We went on an early birthday trip for Lily Wen to Atlanta. All she wanted for her birthday this year was to go to this store so I took my American Girl to the American Girl boutique.

The anticipation...
Take the picture Mom....I'm ready to go in

She took her bitty baby DeeDee. The night before we went, I could hear Lily Wen talking to her baby and telling her about going to meet her sister. Little did I know that she was on her very own adoption journey. She knew exactly which baby she wanted and she had already named her, Rosey.

A forever family, Lily, Dee Dee and Rosey

The new Mommy

So I guess this makes me a Grandmother. I mean I am old enough to be a grandmother. I just didn't think that it would happen while my daughter was turning 6!

Yes, Rosey was taken care of even when her Mommy took a "break"

Lily Wen coming home dressed like her baby.

We got to stop and take cousin Caroline to dinner. FUN FUN FUN!

I LOVE FALL!!!!

2009-11-07T17:10:00.000-08:00

I grew up in Louisiana where Fall was a time of year but not really a SEASON. I love Fall and the gorgeous array of colors that nature displays. I am amazed by it every year. After a week in the house taking care of Lily Wen who has had the flu, we all needed a little time in the sun and the LEAVES!

Graeme helps Pastor John rake the leaves.

Our friends, Lily and Heather

Just me and my wee ones!

I was in my 20s the first time I jumped in a pile of leaves with my sister. I loved watching my kids play with Lily in the leaves today. I thought we were through the woods (and in the leaves) but Lily Wen has a slight fever again this evening.

Halloween....Excellent!

2009-10-31T18:57:00.000-07:00

Halloween with Just me and my wee ones! Trick or Treating and a Fall Festival! Amazing Day!!

Graeme and 2 Lilys!
Lily Wen
Lily

Graeme

Thanks for the earrings Aunt Verna. They really make the costume, don't you think? Well that and the green faux hawk!

After years of going as 'just a Mom', I went for the Queen of Halloween! It was FUN to dress up with the kids!

Makenna, Lily, Lily Wen and Emma

A little spider won't hurt anything.

Born just days apart on opposite sides of the world and ultimately given the same name. Amazing Friends!

My crew with Jailey!

Stephanie, Carl, Laura and Eliza...friends from OZ!

My friend Kellie and her wee one, Mark Thomas

Visiting with our mermaid friend, Jenna

The face of, "I think I ate a little too much candy!"

Happy Halloween!!!

2009-10-31T05:54:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken earlier this week for a church Halloween activity. I am so glad that the wee ones got dressed up in the pretty fall weather because it is raining and much colder today! We are still planning to trick or treat later and then head to a fall festival!

Graeme is a pirate (again!) and Lily Wen an Arabian Princess!

Hannah and Lily Wen

Graeme and Captain Zach

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

A Day with Graeme!

2009-10-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

This week, I took a day off from work to spend with Graeme and his class. We went to a pumpkin patch that is closer to our home. I was not going to go since we had just gone to a pumpkin patch but I just couldn't resist. Could you resist this face?

He was so excited because he got to ride the big bus and I followed along with all the other parents in our cars.

He spent lots of time with his buddy, Caleb.

I loved watching them explore.

They found the creek and started throwing rocks. I think they would have spent the whole day there!

For Graeme's fans who think that he smiles all the time, he doesn't! Even when he is not smiling, he is quite expressive!!!!

So SILLY

Can't we get a BIG pumpkin Mom?

Just a Mom and her boy on a beautiful Fall day! I am so glad I took the time to go with my weeest one. He won't be wee for much longer and I don't want to miss a moment!

Graeme is FOUR years old! Happy Birthday Wee Boy!

2009-10-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

This is quite the long post with a SURPRISE at the end so hang in here! Graeme is turning 4 tomorrow and we celebrated all weekend. We went to Lexington and had a Pirate party with both sets of his Godparents. We had a fabulous weekend and he was so excited.

A Cake made for a Pirate

Graeme with his stack of presents

For those who know him, he continues to be an excellent eater. He ate almost an entire container of spinach and artichoke dip.

He demanded a pirate party! He told everyone that is what he was having along with a wink and an ARGHHHHH for emphasis!

Graeme and "The Godfather" (Mark David)

Mel and Brian with Graeme (what we all wouldn't do to see that smile!)

Graeme LOVED his pirate cup holder (THANKS SARAH!) and his ship! Lily Wen is in character.

The day after the party, the celebration continued at Bi-Water Farms

Lily Wen spots the perfect pumpkin

Pumpkins, everywhere, Pumpkins

Becky and the wee ones on the hay ride

Graeme

Lily Wen

We got lost in the corn maze but oh what fun it was!

Our search for the perfect pumpkin ended in these great finds!

Graeme kept seeking out the mud and he found it with his bootie

Becky found the perfect tiny pumpkin

Graeme was too busy laughing to do any work

They loved these things and would have spent the day here!

My wee farmers

For someone who is so into pirates, he was not so into this one!

A very tired wee boy after a very festive birthday weekend!

Graeme's Godparents (yes, he NEEDS two sets) Mel and Brian have BIG NEWS!

Today, they received prior approval (FINALLY) to adopt this sweet wee one

Soon to be Amelia! We can't wait to meet her!

Say special prayers for a speedy LOA and travel approval so we can get her home for Christmas!!!!!

5 years ago today...

2009-09-28T19:08:00.000-07:00

I met Xiu Wen in a civil affairs office on the other side of the world. I had dreamt of her and prayed for her and finally, I was in the same room with her. I still can not describe how I felt when I held her for the first time. My Lillian Christine Wen was in my arms. Amazing!

We have celebrated Lily Wen's fifth gotcha day all day today and I do have pictures. This Mom is simply too tired to post them tonight. So it gives you something to look forward to later in the week.

I go to sleep smiling for I am the one Blessed as I was the one chosen to be her Mom. It still gives me chills. I have this beautiful, creative, energetic, vivacious daughter. I am hers and she is mine. Life just doesn't get any sweeter!

Our trip to West Virginia!

2009-09-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

A week ago we went to West Virginia to see my cousin and his family. We had a wonderful (long overdue) visit. They met Graeme for the first time and I believe the Love was mutual.

One of my bloggie friends asked if Graeme smiles in his sleep. Well, I'm not sure if he smiles but I do hear him giggle sometimes while he sleeps!

Lily Wen discovered the bars and she was determined to master them!
Look at her determination

And her joy as she moved her body from bar to bar!

Graeme loves Alison!

He mimicked her every move!

Alison, Graeme, Karen, Lily Wen and Mike

Me with all the kiddos. Even Evan made an appearance!

This is one of my favorite pics from the weekend!

A little guy bonding time

It was wonderful just to be with family!

Rejoining the blogosphere

2009-09-09T18:17:00.000-07:00

I am trying to come up for a breath. The beginning of this school year has been soooooo unbelievably busy. I have just had to let some things go like housework (let's face it, it never was a top priority for me) and blogging (this I have missed). I feel like I am breaking the surface and hopefully can be more consistent! So without further ado...the pictures...

Lily Wen's REAL first day of school. She did great and I survived!

Lily Wen and Lily in the shirts that Lily bought for them. These girls love each other. I was told by Lily Wen's teacher that they seek each other out at breaks.

Then, Lily Wen had to dress through the decades for school. First was the 40's, I had left my camera at a friends and missed that day. Oops! For the 50's, the picture was taken at the end of the day after the return of my camera. Thank goodness her Halloween costume from last year still fits.
Ahhh, the 60's Peace and Love

My 70's girl. This was Lily Wen's favorite outfit.

Last but certainly not least, the 80's. Lily Wen went with the "rocker 80's" look complete with Big Hair. It was fun to drop her off. I noticed all the kids who were dressed in a preppy style with side ponytails and then there was my girl. My Rocker!

Lily Wen LOVES Kindergarten

2009-08-13T16:57:00.000-07:00

On Monday, Lily Wen and I went to the big school for Jumpstart. She was able to meet her teacher (who we already knew!!!) and her classmates. She was so excited and you already know how I was feeling.

My Lily Wen walking to the "big school". Doesn't she look too tiny to go?

Playtime

Maleah

Lily Wen and Maleah

The class explores the school while hunting for the Gingerbread Man who ran away!

Even though Lily Wen and Lily D are not in the same class, they managed to find each other throughout the day and walked out together.

They were both thrilled with their special day.

The first real day of school was yesterday. Lily Wen was so excited and kissed me at the door of her room to let me know it was okay for me to leave. I cried the whole way to my school. Thankfully, I had an extremely busy day and so that was all the time I had to give in to my emotions. I could not get there to pick her up fast enough. She had a Wonderful Day! As for me, I didn't cry today so there's progress!

Embracing Change or NOT

2009-08-09T20:24:00.000-07:00

I am struggling to go to bed tonight because I know that life as I know it forever changes tomorrow. I am usually one that embraces change and looks forward to new situations so why am I struggling tonight? I think maybe it is because I have just had enough changes for one year. I think I have met my emotional quota this year. Some changes have been excellent and amazing and more than I could possibly dream into reality while others have been challenging to say the least. Graeme came home and has been such a bright and oh so happy addition to our family. Lily Wen continues to grow and define herself. As a Mom, I am so fulfilled and so BLESSED. Graeme has had 3 surgeries in the last year and bless his heart has more to come. He bounces back so quickly though and the way he spreads Joy is simply a gift. His language is expanding rapidly and even though his speech is hard to understand, he is persistant when sharing a message. The divorce has been our biggest challenge. I have tried to be very private about it on this blog but it has affected us all deeply and we still struggle to find the new normal if there is such a thing. In that area, we take things one day at a time. We had a wonderful summer and I had more time off than I have ever taken in the past to spend time with the wee ones, our family and friends. It has rejuvenated me and so we move forward.

This brings us to tomorrow when Lily Wen and I will visit the "big school" and her new kindergarten classroom. She will meet her classmates and visit with her teacher. I have been dreading this day all summer...WHY? I can say that it is because she is just too little (or petite) to go to the big school or I can tell myself that it is because I work 25 minutes away (and that is just too far, isn't it). In reality, she is growing up. I want to hold that sweet little baby that I held in China 5 years ago for the first time again. I want to watch her take her first tentative steps and listen to her first words again. I want to turn back that clock. I just want LIFE to slow down. It is going by way to quickly for me.

In the morning, I will watch my beautiful daughter embrace this change. She is nervous but so very excited. She is moving forward. She is passing another milestone in her journey of life. I will be excited and happy with her and she will not know how I am struggling on the inside as I watch her grow, ever seeking her independence. Am I ready for kindergarten? NO! I better get ready because she is ready! (Can you imagine when she goes to high school, wants to learn to drive or gets Married?) One day at a time. The new normal. Embracing Change or NOT!

Sassier than Sassy!

2009-07-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Lily Wen decided yesterday that she wanted to cut her hair. I wasn't sure what prompted her decision other than Graeme and I were getting our hair cut. This does not usually factor into her decisions. She said that she wanted her hair cut short and sassy.

After she was all done and had admired herself in all of the mirrors of the salon, she came over and said, "Mom, Now I look just like Janette from So You Think You Can Dance!" Ahhh, the real reason for the Sassy New Cut!

So you tell me, does she look like Janette?

Last But Not Least!!!!

2009-07-28T18:38:00.000-07:00

This is the last of the posts from our trip to Louisiana but it is definitely not the least. We spent a fabulous afternoon with my friend Kim and her daughter, Mary Grace. I met Kim and David and their daughter when we were waiting for Lily Wen's referral. Getting to know them helped make our wait go by so much quicker. Mary Grace is amazing and Kim is always there to listen!

This sign awaited us when we arrived...so SWEET!

Lily Wen, Mary Grace and Graeme
They really enjoyed playing and creating!

Mary Grace

Lily Wen is showing Kim her caterpillar, bracelet and tiara.

We love you all and can't wait until our next visit.

Special times with Wonderful friends!

2009-07-22T18:47:00.001-07:00

This was another very special day on our trip to Louisiana. When I was a teenager, close FAMILY friends adopted my Godsis, Danielle. I remember when she came home and all the excitement around her adoption and that of her older sister, Amanda. I think from those special moments as a young teenager, I was touched by adoption and it just became a natural way for me to build my family. On this trip, my Godsis, Danielle, and her daughter, Molly, joined me for a visit with close friends who have all adopted from China. I love going home and seeing friends and there is just always something special about seeing all the kids play together. We were able to see four families with children from China (3 that we have known since right after Lily Wen came home and 1 that we were able to meet on this trip). There is another interesting side note about red thread connections. I went to an extremely small private school for high school (my graduation class had 63 students). Two of the other Moms also went to my high school. We all adopted from China and all realized it either after we were home or while waiting for our little ones. On to the pics of our day!

Molly and Mommy, Danielle

Makenna and Lily Wen with Danielle and Molly. So sweet!

Audrey and Graeme are 3, Lily Wen 5, Makenna 4, Sydney and Sophie 5

Our upside down picture (we take one each time we get together)

Lily Wen and Makenna started the tradition in one of our first visits after Makenna came home.

Sydney and Lily Wen are three months apart in age. As Lily Wen now says, "I'm just petite!" I think that may be an understatment!

Graeme is already riding in cars with girls!

Miss Molly! Stunning!

The underwater shots...Makenna and Lily Wen

The trio, Lily Wen, Hannah (who joined us later in the day) and Makenna

Hannah 4 years old

Graeme with his signature smile. (He was probably developing swimmer's ear as this shot was taken! Oh well)

Makenna...Gorgeous!

Three oh so special girls!

Hannah...with attitude!

So much FUN! Looking forward to our next get together hopefully at Christmas!

An afternoon at Mikie's house

2009-07-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

I am determined to catch up on posting pictures from our Louisiana trip before August!!!! We spent an afternoon at my brother's house. It was wonderful to see Mike, Mary and the kids, Anna, Alex, Ashley Grace and Catherine. As you will see, there are more pool pictures. It is soooooo HOT in Louisiana that we spent most of our time in a pool! I wish we all lived closer so we could see each other more often. Looking forward to Christmas already!

Lily Wen loved the play house and would have spent all day in there!

Lily Wen and Graeme greeting visitors!

The rope swings were a big hit too!

Graeme was actually a little nervous but kept on smiling!

Ashley Grace and Graeme loving some watermelon

Catherine and Lily Wen

Catherine - so CUTE!

Alex, Ashley Grace and Graeme playing in the pool.

Ice cream break!

I think he thought he was sneaking in where he shouldn't be playing. It made the experience even more fun for him ;^)

Graeme loved playing in the fountains!

A full circle moment!

2009-07-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

The wee ones and I went to Lafayette one of the days of our vacation. We got to spend time with some very special friends, Mary and her daughters Ann Marie and Jon Terez. I have known them for many years now. (I talked to Mary before sharing the following information :) The girls were toddlers when I first met them and their Mom. They are both profoundly deaf and have cochlear implants. I worked with them in auditory-verbal therapy to teach them to listen and speak. Mary would drive over an hour one way for therapy and bring both girls for weekly sessions. Amazing Mom, amazing girls, amazing family! We spent lots of time in therapy and became friends. I have a vested interest in how the girls are doing today. They are AMAZING!!!!!! They listen so well and we had wonderful conversation about all that they love including their academic success, how active they are on swim and soccer teams and the things they remember from those sessions so long ago. I especially loved watching Ann Marie and Jon Terez teach Lily Wen how to swim the butterfly stroke and dive. Mary and I were able to visit and catch up. What a wonderful way to spend our day!

Ann Marie, Jon Terez, Graeme, Lily Wen

My Girl

Jon Terez

Ann Marie

My boy!

Aren't they adorable? (Graeme was too busy eating to be in the picture. Is anyone really surprised?)

Just hanging out!

The Jump!

Trying it again!

Mary and I

A pic with my girls!

I am so looking forward to our next visit!

Dolphin Cruise

2009-07-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

I have so many pictures to post from our last week of vacation and so little time now that I am back to reality!!! Our dolphin cruise was a highlight and amazing!

Attempts at getting the perfect beach picture!

2009-07-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening, we decided that we wanted to get the "perfect" beach picture of all of us. We never accomplished that shot but we did have a lot of fun and entertained many people on the beach as we got these shots.

The cousin shot, Graeme, Lily Wen, John Christopher and Luke

John loving on his Mom's belly and his soon to be baby brother!

Just me and my wee ones~

The Cain Women, Jodi, Mom and me

Miss Sassy Pants

I don't think I could love anyone more than them!

The bow is bigger than her head. It's a Southern thing!

He is smiling so big that he could hurt himself!

My nephew, Luke. Ahhhh, those eyes!

John

Mom and three of the grandkids. We couldn't catch Luke to get him in the shot!

The wind blown look!

Luke and Granny Mary

A bowless Lily Wen

Running for the ocean!

Tonight is our last night in paradise. We had a great day today that included a dolphin cruise. I think I got some great pics but won't download until tomorrow. We leave early in the morning to head to Baton Rouge. I can't wait to see our family and friends!

More beach pictures

2009-07-02T06:14:00.000-07:00

Lily Wen loves to play on the beach.

Lily Wen and Me enjoying the ocean!

Graeme and Granny Mary

A boy and his shades!

Lily and those sunglasses. Excellent combination!

First time buried in the sand!

The gang (minus the photographer, me)

Graeme and Lily Wen and their sand castle

So COOL!

Full of Sand!

The BEACH!!!!

2009-06-29T18:38:00.000-07:00

We arrived at the beach yesterday afternoon and are having such a good time. We are at Orange Beach, Alabama with my Mom and my sis and her family. Life is good and we will let the pics tell the story.

Graeme LOVES the beach!

Lily Wen was excited and told Graeme all about what to expect on the long drive here.

My nephew, John Christopher

Lily Wen is the only girl and quite the cutie!

Graeme loves his Granny Mary!

Me and the Wee Ones...don't know what is up with Graeme

My nephew, Luke, is the youngest and was falling asleep sand and all!

So he snuggled up to my sis, Jodi's belly, and huged on the soon to be newest member of the family. We will welcome a new nephew in November!

Graeme has been all smiles since we got here. Would you expect any different?

The wee ones...I may be biased but aren't they just the cutest kids?

A rare pic of John Christopher. He is running from his Aunt Margaret and her obsessive picture taking. I had to bribe him to get this shot.

Luke loving the view!

Luke, Uncle Rodney and Lily Wen

Lily Wen playing on the beach after the rain!

So pretty!!

Graeme is having the best time.

Showing me more sand!

Graeme

Lily Wen

Lukie

So we are having lots of fun and can't wait to see what the next few days will bring. I love watching the wee ones discover new things and this is a world of discovery!

Geaux Tigers

2009-06-25T06:01:00.000-07:00

VICTORY!!!

This is why I have not been on the blog much this week. The wee ones and I have been watching baseball. Not just any baseball but the college world series. Our Tigers beat the Texas Longhorns in 2 out of 3 games to win the CWS. It was Beautiful! Graeme is going through the house and swinging anything that remotely resembles a bat! We are so proud of our Tigers and so excited about heading south this weekend for vacation!

Feeling SOOOOOO much Better!

2009-06-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all the prayers and support. Wee One #2 is doing just fine today. You can't even tell he had surgery yesterday morning. Our day in pictures....

Graeme had surgery to fix this fistula (dark hole in his palate).

The morning of his surgery he was his typical silly self!
Then, they gave him the medicine and he was silly while lying down!

In recovery, bless his little heart!

Graeme with Becky and loving all of the attention!

Later that evening, Graeme is back to his silly, happy self!

Surgery #3

2009-06-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

Graeme and I traveled to Lexington and got to spend the day with both sets of his Godparents. We shopped some with Brian and Mel and as usual, they spoiled him! Tonight we are in staying with my friends and his other Godparents, Becky and Mark David. We have had a wonderful evening and shared a meal outside. It was so cool and peaceful. Wonderful conversation and oh so relaxing. This is just what I needed on the eve of Graeme's 3rd surgery since coming home. Becky and I will take him to Louisville early in the morning to prep for his surgery at 7:45. He has a small fistula that never closed after his cleft palate repair last October. It is an outpatient surgery to repair the cleft palate. Any surgery is scary for a wee one and a Mom so keep us in your thoughts and prayers. As for Lily Wen, she is enjoying "girl time" with her best friend Lily and Lily's wonderful, saintly parents, Jon and Heather. We are so blessed to have friends who are family!

Home is where the Dad fixes the Stuff!

2009-06-20T20:56:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads and for all the Dads to be!

As for me, "Home is where the Dad fixes the Stuff" ~Tim "the toolman" Taylor, Home Improvement.

I once bought my Dad a shirt with this quote on it and he wore it proudly. The joke was that my Dad was great at fixing things but he often broke other things while fixing the first thing! I remember he was changing the oil on my sister's car once and he had driven her car up on these metal lifts but didn't set the brake. The car rolled down and hit a brick wall and became a much more significant repair. These are the things that I think about on Father's Day when I find it hard to breathe because I am missing him so much.

I think I got my deep (obsessive) love of reading from him. He could lose himself in a book and not know that anything was going on around him. I can do the same thing. For Christmas, I would get him a stack of books and he would ask which one was the best as he knew that I read them all before they became his gift!

My Dad was an excellent dancer. I loved watching him dance in a graceful ballroom style with my mother. They looked magical when they danced together. I loved dancing with him too although I never really felt like I kept up. Dancing with him is a blessed memory.

I would say that I did win the "parent lottery" and I was so blessed to have my Dad. I don't think I could have said that always. I don't think I really appreciated him until I was an adult.

So today, I'll look up at the clouds as I think of and remember my Dad. He is with me still when I accomplish a new task, when I read a thrilling book, when I hear Irish music, when I drink a margarita, when I swim with my kids, and when I laugh from deep within.

"Are we not like two volumes of one book?" ~Marceline Desbordes-Valmore

"Vacation Bible School Rocked"

2009-06-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

Graeme and the girls!

Lily Wen and Graeme went to vacation bible school with Lily D and had a wonderful time. They loved the music and songs and really loved singing them for the performance last night. They also had a great time at the party last night! There is so much going on right now that I am really pitiful about posting. I'll get back to it soon!!

My Tiny Dancer

2009-06-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

So when I posted the Annie dance pics, I meant to follow up with some of the other pics from the recital. I am finally getting around to that.

Lily and Lily Wen....it takes a lot to look this GORGEOUS!

So Focused!

This is one of my favorite pics from the rehearsal. I think it captures the anticipation in her face as she is just starting the dance.

My tiny dancer with her flowers. A Star in the Making!

Happy Gotcha Day Graeme!

2009-06-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

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

A year ago right now it was June 10th and morning time in China and I was meeting my son for the first time. Graeme was so scared and he cried and screamed for his Nanny. It was heartbreaking those first few moments. At the same time, it was beautiful chaos.

Finally, I held my son for the first time. I had waited and waited.

He was so serious those first few days.

Fast forward to now, my wild and silly boy. What a difference a year makes!

I know that our lives have changed so much since those first few days in China. Life took some very unexpected turns this year. I also know that I am forever blessed to have this wee one in my life.

Happy Gotcha Day Graeme Wilder Li!

I hope you dance….

2009-06-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

I love that Lily Wen loves to dance. It reminds me of being little and putting on my tutu and heading to Mrs. Trudy’s dance class. I have so many fond memories of my dance recitals. I think there is a freedom that is born in the hearts of those who dance. We dance a lot around our house and if the neighbors look in the windows, well what a show they would see. There is just something about feeling the music in your whole body and just having to move as a response.

Dancing is also a way of working through emotions. I can always lift their spirits by putting on a favorite song and dancing silly with them. Sometimes we learn things through dance that we never expected. I recently learned some new things about my daughter.

You see, I was not able to take her to dance class this spring because of a demanding work schedule. I was blessed that her best friend Lily’s parents, John and Heather, were able to take her to the classes so she could still participate. I don’t know what I would have done without them. One evening, I was picking Lily Wen up from their house when Heather called me inside. They had gotten the list of songs they would dance to at the spring recital that is a Broadway Review. Lily Wen would be a mermaid from Little Mermaid, a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz (she would never admit to being a munchkin..the size thing again and would only own up to being a flower) and an orphan in a group of songs from Annie. It was the last dance that made my heart skip a beat. It just hit a little too close to home as Heather knew it would. I stood there and thought, should I pull her from this one? Heather hugged me and gave me the best advice when she told me to pray about it. Then, she lovingly loaned me the movie “just in case” we wanted to watch it.

Even though I love the musical Annie, I had never watched the movie with Lily Wen. I thought she needed to be older to be exposed to Annie’s story especially with all that has gone on in our lives in the last year. I talked to Lily Wen about the movie and explained a little of what it was about and we decided to watch it together. Lily Wen watched the movie at least 4 more times that first weekend. Sunday evening the questions came pouring out of her. She wanted to hear her story again and how we became a family. She wanted to know all she could about her birth family. She wondered aloud if they had “died in a fire, like Annie’s”. I held her and explained that we would not know what or why or how her birth family was until we could one day meet them in Heaven. Who would have thought that one dance would lead to so many amazing and heart-felt discussions.

Fast forward six weeks and I am sitting in a dim auditorium watching Lily Wen perform the dance for my first time. I am glad that I was able to see the rehearsal because tears just poured from eyes as I watched her and listened to the music. I thought about the first pictures that I ever saw of her at her orphanage and how sick she was when she was first placed in my arms. She was so teeny tiny and weighed only 13 pounds at 10 months. So many memories and images of those first precious days with her flashed through my mind as I watched her dance. Then, I saw her as she is now and she is AMAZING and RESILIENT. She is LOVING, SWEET and MY DAUGHTER. LILY WEN is a DANCER!

“And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.”

My Little Fish!

2009-05-31T17:52:00.000-07:00

Lily Wen's end of the year party for her class was a swim party and my little fish LOVED it!

Lily D

Anthony

Mrs. Brock's class

Lily Wen had a wonderful K-4 year. She learned so much and grew so much!It is hard to believe that she is going to Kindergarten!

Dollywood

2009-05-30T06:31:00.000-07:00

So I will be playing catch-up for a while. I am so far behind with posting because we are just too BUSY! Here are some of our pics from the trip to Dollywood. The kids had a great time!

Greame riding the rooster...he was born in the year of the rooster!

Graeme and Granny ride the flying elephants!

Graeme and Lily Wen FLY!

One of the flying eagles from the new show Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Graeme and Lily Wen Loved the show!

We ended the day by sharing an ice cream Sundae and Graeme was double spooning! He still loves to eat!

Silly Wee Ones!

The funny thing is all Lily Wen really wanted to do all weekend was swim in the hotel pool! She is a little Fish!

Once a biker chick, Always a biker chick!

2009-05-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

These are the first pictures that I ever saw of Lily Wen. I called her my little biker chick!

Once a biker chick, Always a biker chick

This was taken last Thursday on our way to the Smokey Mountains! I love it!

We made a stop at a scenic overlook and Graeme could have cared less about the view of the mountains. He was all about the Harleys. He was told he could look but not touch.

The owner of the Harley noticed their interest and offered to let them sit on the bike. They were in Heaven!

So when we tried to get a picture of the three of us, it looked like this...

Graeme was too busy watching motorcycles arrive and leave to pay any attention to the camera. He has a new found obsession!

We did manage to get a few pics!

Granny Mary, Lily Wen and Graeme

Sunshine Picnic

2009-05-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

I have a lot to catch up on because my mini vacation put me behind posting here due to a slow internet connection. Last Thursday, we had a family picnic to end the preschool year at Sunshine! Lily Wen and Graeme had a great time. These are some of my favorite shots of the day.

Graeme, Lily Wen and Lily

They all loved the big blow-up slide!

Time out for a cool treat

For those of you who think that Graeme smiles all the time, here is proof that it just isn't so. I had to catch his pouty face. He was sitting in the "Naughty Spot" for shoving kids to get to the head of the line to get on the blow-ups. Yes behind that angelic face is a real BOY!

Mrs Bryson, the director of Sunshine with my wee ones. I am so blessed to have them in this program. It makes it easier to work when you know your kids are loved and cared for!