Alaina's Special Day

We celebrated Alaina's Special Day on Tuesday (28th). Two years ago we met our very scared, almost 6 year old, 4th daughter! Seems like we have had her for so much longer! Sara and Lauren made her a cake decorated with "fireworks" and Alaina's name in Chinese.

We also celebrated lots of fun Christmases! Maybe someday I'll post a pic or 2...

All She Wants for Christmas...

A few weeks ago, Ally was complaining of a tooth ache when she got home from school. That was a Thursday afternoon. I called the dentist and got the machine. Left a message. The dentist called me back and had reviewed Ally's file. Turns out she had already gotten a filling in that tooth, she (the dentist) was afraid she may have an abcess. So we went in on Friday (4 weeks ago) and she had to pull the tooth. She said at the time, that the other front tooth was questionable and to just watch it. Well, last night, Ally told us that she had a 'bubble' on her tooth. I looked above her teeth and her gums were swollen and red. Bad. She said it didn't hurt. So we went back to the dentist today and the other tooth also had to go. She will be snaggle toothed for a LONG time by the looks of those long roots. I, personally, think it's adorable to see a snaggle-tooth kiddo! I told her that her smile was cute. She does NOT like it when people call her cute, so she isn't happy about that part, but she is happy that the tooth fairy will once again make an earlier-than-expected visit to her room tonight.

I sorta feel like a loser-mom. I don't know if I'm not helping her brush her teeth well enough. Also, I feel bad that the 'bubble' had swollen so big and I didn't even know it. Sigh

So, we went on a great cruise over Thanksgiving break. It was the first time we had the WHOLE week off, so we made the best of it! Had a great time!

Christmas is just around the corner and we've done lots of fun holiday stuff. We visited the Pink Pig, enjoyed our traditional Christmas-season-kick-off meal at the Cheesecake Factory and drove thru a holiday light display. Also, we have attended and hosted a few ornament swap parties! We have even seen a few snow flurries! And eaten many Christmas treats. Of course...

Pics to come soon -- maybe!

A little visit

Sara and I joined the Hill family to visit North Ga College and State U this past Sat. We certainly had a great time -- lots of laughs! Beautiful day and beautiful campus. We ran into Sharon and her family! I was teasing Sharon about pushing a stroller around while on a college visit! You see, I could tease her because I left our little ones at home with Daddy, and didn't have a stroller myself!

Trick or Treat

Spiderman, Raining Cats and Dogs, TV, Minnie Mouse

Had a great time!

Homecoming for Sara!

This is what High School's all about! Although, the team lost their game last night, everyone was excited tonight to get dressed up, eat a fancy dinner and go to the dance!

I didn't take a ton of pics (gasp) because Sara's date's dad is a (drum roll) professional photographer!!! So these are just my little pics - I'll post the REAL pics once I get them from Austin's dad!

Sara















Austin and Sara


































Tyler, Morgan, Sara and Austin (the boys are twins)


















The WHOLE GANG!


















We are so happy that Sara has found such a nice group of friends. Since she changed to DHS in the 10th grade, she joined in with kids that had gone to school since elementary school, so we are so happy that she is happy! Funny how that works! (Side note: we got her dress this past summer at the beach! She and Austin went to the mall a few weeks ago, with his mom, and got his shirt and tie to match. Cute, aren't they?)

"Gradulation is When You Finish High School"

This is part of the conversation I over-heard from A and A. Alaina was trying to explain what GRADULATION was to Ally. Of course, it's when you finish high school. She said, "Sara's gonna gradulate real soon. I gradulated Kindergarten and you gradulated Pre-K. Lauren has a long time till she gradulates again, unless she's gonna gradulate from middle school."

So cute what they hear and how they get their point across!

Another conversation...

Alaina , "I don't know this (something, not sure what)."

Ally replied, "Duh, Alaina."

Alaina said, "Ally you know you not supposed to say 'duh'. Mommy said so."

Ally's answer was, "What's 'duh' mean anyway?"

"You So Silly, Mommy"

After asking Alaina something recently, this is the reply I got.

We were in the car and she and Ally were talking about adding numbers. Alaina was trying to explain to Ally that in a subtraction problem, the big number has to come first; but in an addition problem, it doesn't matter. Ally just didn't get it. Then I asked Alaina a question...

"Alaina, do you remember how to write your numbers in Chinese?"

"Sure, I think so."

Me -- "Why do they write the numbers in China 2 ways? Why do they write them like we do in English (digits) and write them with a character?"

Alaina -- "Mommy, you know that. You so silly!"

Me -- "No I really don't know. Why do they do both?"

A -- "You just so silly. You KNOW this!"

Me -- "No, I really don't! Tell me."

A -- "OK, the number is just like our number. The character is just like our word. Like 2 and T-W-O."

Me -- "Oh, yeah, I guess so!"

Gee whiz, silly mommy!

Alaina's Bad Words

The other day, Alaina came home and told Lauren that she knows some bad words...

Lauren, of course, said, "What are they?"

Alaina would not answer.

Lauren pressed on... "What do the bad words start with?"

Alaina hesitated, but told her "B, S, S, D, H".

With a chuckle, Lauren pressed her and Alaina finally told her the bad words...

"Butt, Shut-Up, Stupid, Dumb and Hate".

Whew!

Sock Hop!

Alaina and Ally had their Sock Hop at school tonight! They were both very excited, but Ally's excitement didn't last long - she was a grouch most all night (despite how she looks in the pictures).























Each grade does a little dance/costume contest. The Kindergarten dance was the "Chicken Dance"; the First Grade dance was the "Hokey Pokey". Ally won for K despite the fact that she refused to wear her scarf or glasses. And then Alaina, who wore hers, didn't win for 1st.



















Thankfully it was a pretty cool night! We finished up the night at Brusters (part of Ally's prize was a gift card!). Lauren was responsible for make-up and hair. She made the girls both so cute!!!

















This is what Sara was doing tonight! (Actually, this pic was taken a few weekends ago...)

Happy Birthday, Sara!

Sara celebrated her 17th Birthday this past weekend with a bunch of her friends! Today is her actual birthday!!! I thought about posting a cute little baby pictures, but she wasn't that cute... just kidding... I'll work on it! Maybe...

Digit Reunion

Donna, Lucy, Ellen, Darcy

I met with my DIGIT friends last night and enjoyed a great meal at PFChangs! We spent lots of time catching up and discussing adoption issues. Great to see these friends who have been together since our first trip to China!

Scolded ...

That is what I got today.

I was told I was being scolded by the blog police.

For being a lousy blogger. I was told that my monthly posts were slowly becoming semi-annual posts. You get the picture, right? And she was right. I'm lousy.

Thanks for the wake-up call, Randi. You are right. I'm acknowledging this, but not making any promises!

So, the news that I neglected to share is that Sara is now a licensed driver! She pitched in a big chunk of change from her lifeguarding gig and bought a little car (with a little help from good ole mom and dad). It's a 2001 Beetle and it is so cute! Don't you think?


She has enjoyed driving to her pool for a few last days of work, to Sonic with the little girls, and to "dinner" at Moe's with her friend Audrey. She even took Lauren to soccer yesterday! I thought I'd be a nervous wreck (guess that is not the best word to mention), but it's actually been nice!

So, Randi, does that help? A little?

One more thing.

And this one is a biggie.

At least to me...

I used to teach high school math. A LONG time ago. I was also the yearbook adviser. I really loved (most) of the kids I taught, and got to know many my yearbook kids pretty well. One of them, Caroline, actually attended Asbury (where we went to college in KY), partially because of my talking about it always! So, over the years, and thanks to Facebook, Caroline and I have stayed in touch. This past week she was diagnosed with leukemia. She is only 35'ish. Thankfully she is, otherwise, healthy. She is at Emory and is beginning chemo. It's hard to believe... she's too young for this!

Weekend with Friends

It's been a long time.

A LONG time.

Since we last saw the Millers! And we enjoyed getting to know the Ruckers a little better! When we first met the Millers, way back when we lived in Conyers, we had ZERO kids...

Lake Cumberland is beautiful...

"Life is a Procession of Miracles"

"It (the moment you meet your adoptive child) is an unexpected form of human affection -- meeting an unrelated stranger and, within moments, being willing to care for her, even to die for her."

This is from an article I just read in the Washington Times.

I remember each of these moments with our two girls; those moments are etched in my memory, I hope, forever. I'll never understand how each of them felt, but I do remember how I felt.

The author goes on to talk about how the decision of one woman to give up her baby for adoption had led to a set of circumstances that would affect the rest of history. Amazing every time I think about how our 2 came into our family.

Right now our friends Sharon and Scott are in China within hours of meeting their little 3 year old daughter Shaylee. I just get goosebumps thinking about it.

Update on Ally's Lunch

So, I emailed her teacher asking her to just please make sure Ally was "set" at lunch today. Here is her sweet reply:

I am so sorry! I didn't realize she had a lunchbox in her bookbag. I
thought we'd gotten them all out. She actually ate a school lunch (hot dog
and sides). But today I got it out and she will be bringing her lunchbox.
I'm sorry to hear she was so tired yesterday. Our rest time should be more
settled today so she should be able to sleep if she needs to. Thanks so
much for letting me know!


We still aren't sure why Ally couldn't have just told us she ate a hot dog. I guess she 'fell apart' on me because she thought I was upset at her for not eating her lunchbox food. Anyway, mystery solved, and Ally did eat lunch yesterday!

This morning I wasn't quite sure how she would take the news that we have to go back to the big school again, but all was well. At breakfast, Ally announced that she knew how to find her class without Alaina's help. Good.

We got to the AM bus stop (right across from our house) early. As we waited, Ally announced, "I don't think it's coming, so I'm gonna just go back inside!" She said this smiling, so I knew she was OK. When we saw the bus round the corner, she gave Lauren and me kisses and was off! Just fine, thank you ma'am!

AFTERNOON UPDATE: Ally made it home AWAKE on the bus! She also ate her lunch!

Long, Hot, Sleepy Bus Ride

So everyone is home and reporting about thier days!

Sara got home first a little nervous about all of the work that her teachers are going to pile on; and then she was off to the pool for 4 hours of lifeguarding! Luckily, the lifeguarding won't last too long!

Ally and Alaina were next. Their bus took forever to come. Like an hour after school got out (we live a little over a mile from the school, but are the last stop)... so, as I expected, Ally fell asleep. I was just glad she didn't fall out of her seat! Alaina walked up to the bus driver and told him that her sister was asleep, so I got on the bus (snapped a quick pic) and picked her up!!! Poor baby was so sweaty and hot. BUT, once we got inside and she woke up, she was OK - at least for a moment.

She (Ally) said she liked the loft and the home-center, but that she needed me to look at her lunch box. So, I did. And what did I find? Her entire lunch in the lunch box UN-EATEN! Not one bite! Then she burst into tears. She couldn't even tell me what happened, but she said the teacher wouldn't let her eat her lunch. Well, we all know there must be a slight misunderstanding!!! Once she drank a little cold milk, she calmed down. Maybe we can get some more details at dinner!

Alaina had a great day. She said she did math today and liked her teacher. She has a couple of friends in her class, but not her BEST friend from last year!

Lauren got home last, announcing that she already has homework! Good day for her with many of her best friends in all of her classes! Band will start for her next week and soccer too! Here we go....

Back to School!

Today is the big day! While waiting for the bus, Ally admitted, "I'm a little scared." But thankfully, she climbed on and found her seat with no tears! Alaina, being the ole pro, was there to reassure!

Lauren and Sara were both excited, but realize what it all means -- back to homework and studying and no free time!

Wishing all 4 girls many opportunities to be kind and the wisdom to make good decisions!

Happy 5th Birthday Ally

We had a small family "celebration" today for Ally. Shelbi Grace, Linzi, and cousin Madison stopped by to check out Ally's new sand box that Daddy made for her! She had so much fun today playing with her Spiderman toys and makeup. She even wore her new outfit (after wearing a Spiderman T most of the day!) from Mema.




Lauren returned from a great week at Camp Glisson in Dahlonega with Amelia. They had so much fun. School starts Monday, so the saved the best of summer to the very end!

reminder...

I had a brief chance to chat with a friend yesterday. It had been a while since our paths had crossed. She told me of how a friend of hers had enjoyed reading our blog and the accounts of our 2 China girls and how they each came into our family. It was just what I needed to hear - that someone, somewhere might just open his or her heart to the idea of adoption as a way to grow a family...

"...orphans are easy to ignore, before you know their names.

They are easy to ignore, before you see their faces.

It is easy to pretend they're not real, before you hold them in your arms.

But once you do, everything changes."

Radical,
by David Platt

These words are so true, as I think back to our visit to Ally's orphanage 3 years ago. Little did we know at the time, that visit would be pivotal in our decision to adopt Alaina...

typing and swimming

Ally asked me tonight if I would let her type on the computer. "Sure", I said. She then said, "I want to type you a letter, Mommy. And I want my letter to say, 'I love you because you are so nice, but sometimes you are so mean." Hmmm -- guess that is pretty accurate!

Sara had a pool party for some of her friends that she has known (well, most of them) since elementary school. Since they don't all go to the same school anymore, they all had fun catching up, swimming and (of course) eating! It was the first time that NO parents brought kids to our house -- they all drove themselves!

Sleeping Princess Belle

3 Years with Ally!

Yesterday we celebrated with Zi and his family. 3 years ago, we met Ally in Xian for the first time! I well remember those hot days and one very sad little tiny girl! We love you Allyson Gracie QinRuiYun Harkness!

After a yummy lunch at Lin's Bistro, we came back to our house for a little time in the pool!

We had Ally's "Special Day" dinner tonight - she chose the menu: strawberries with powdered sugar, apples with caramel dip, brocolli with cheese, and green beans! We topped it all off with "brown monkey cake", designed by Lauren, Alaina and Ally.

Beach Week!

A few weeks ago, my side of the family got together for our annual beach trip to Folly Beach SC. Everyone enjoyed time together in the ocean and good food. Ally loved to play in the sand and dig. Alaina went in the ocean and rode waves with the big girls. Lauren and Sara enjoyed shopping in Charleston and laying on the beach.

Lazy Lucy

Yep, that's me! I think about blogging most every day. When the girls say or do something cute, I think that I should blog about it. So here are a few of those thoughts...

Ally asked me what a unicorn was. I said, "Well, it's sorta like a horse with one horn." Her reply was, "Oh, it's a horny horse?". Holding back the laughter, I said, "Let's just call it a horse with one horn."

Alaina is now using words like "actually" and "seriously".

Sara is lifeguarding in the very hot GA sun.

Lauren is catching up on her TLC programming and swimming every day.

All of the girls play "swimming lessons" in the pool each day.

We spent a few days in D World and enjoyed all of the rides and water parks. We even met a family that is LID for NSN in China. After a conversation they are now considering SN and have been in contact with my friend Donna! How cool is that?

On another note, some friends of ours (Terry and Lois Taphouse) were in a youth group trip in KY and were in a terrible accident. They have both been in the hospital in Lex for over a week and are going thru multiple surgeries. Say a prayer for their recovery, please!

On to note 3, click on this link. Send it to ANYone who might consider adoption....

Oh We're Ready!

Presenting Ally singing her song for "Pre-K Graduation". She has practiced a lot at home! This clip is of Ally singing in our kitchen after the program.



She and her Pre-K friends also sang a counting song, days of the week and 2 songs in Spanish (now THAT was cute!).





These are her teachers, Miss Abby and Miss Debra.



Her best friend in her class, Ella.