~ Life as we wait for Max ~

Best friends ~ Kate & Angela dinner at Xian

Champion Puzzler

Making dumplings

Catdog

Potluck and friends

A girl can never have too many blankys!

Lily LOVES....I mean LOVES Little Giraffe blankys. They are so highly coveted...so majorly important...don't dare let a thing happen to the blanky. We have lost several travel size blankys over the last year....when that happens we have to add a trip to the closest Little Giraffe blanky carrying store to our list of things to do that day. :) Tip for a happy Lily~a large blanky to cover her body and the travel size for snuggling--color doesn't matter....thank goodness.

A son and a brother!

On December 5th I was giving my very last presentation in my very last class, but little did I know that of all the families in this world God was paving the way for this little boy to us~our agency called us with news of a very sweet and adorable little boy in Kaifeng City Social Welfare Institute, Henan Province...his name is Guo Wen Tao~and this day just so happened to be his 2nd birthday.

We are all so very excited and feel truly blessed. He's the cutest little bugger, and I can't wait to hold him close and shower him with love and attention.

Meet Max WenTao Smith!! I LOVE those cheeks!! We've already started putting together a package to send to him, and now that we have our pre-approval from China we can send it!

Max had his unilateral cleft lip repaired in Shanghai, and will have his cleft palate repaired here at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Max was also born with an atrioventricular septal defect that has been repaired and his latest ultrasounds show no signal of shunting so there's good reason to believe the surgery was a success. We'll be working close with the pediatric cardiology team at The Sibley Heart Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Max has left ventricular hypertrophy and some mild tricuspid valve regurgitation.

Mark and Angela are thrilled to have a little brother! Lily is definitely ready for a sibling to play with~we've been finding ourselves saying "she needs a little brother or sister to play with" a lot more this past year. Join us as we chronicle, "Our Journey: Max Moves West"

Like, this is like a video of like...my girls.

Zen Shorts

· Going through the self-check line in a crowded grocery store with a toddler is definitely a No-No. The chaos doesn’t help a toddler resist the wondrous temptation to keep touching the groceries in the bagging area~~which makes for a very unhappy store attendant manning the self-checkout lanes. ^_^

· There is no end to how many avocados Lily can eat in one sitting.

· *As I picked Lily up to carry her because she was tired while we were shopping*, “Mama, sometimes I get frustrated.”

· *As we walked up to a person in a honey bee suit advertising for a toy store*, “Mama, who’s in there? A person in there?”

· *Lily couldn’t find her shoes*, “Mama, my shoes topeered” (disappeared) ^_^

· *We have bamboo across the road from our subdivision* “Mama look!, Baboos! (bamboo) Pandas eat baboos. Pandas are endangered.” (Go Diego Go)

rainy day games

Snow in Georgia

Snow in Georgia!

Before school cuteness

Several weeks ago I started sending resumes out to local hospitals...there were two that I really hoped would give me a call...both did, but CHOA is the RN residency position I wanted the most :)...and the one I accepted. I love nursing and I love children. At home we have both ends of the spectrum...from 18 to 3...and all that entails.

As of today we have been waiting 73 days for our I800 approval. We've heard no word from them yet. I did call to find out status, but they said we were "next in line to be reviewed"...I left that conversation thinking maybe I had just heard the standard reply to a very frequently asked question. I'll be calling them back again soon :)

We had a great Thanksgiving--25lb turkey 'n all! We've all been fighting a virus that is going around. I feel like the vector since I was first and my immunity was probably compromised given the stress of exit testing, final projects & papers, clinical hours to be fulfilled....and then there's home & family stuff. I'm not alone in the trenches by any means~Eric tackles his half, and we both enjoy the craziness & chaos...the laughter & togetherness....like Eric says..it's a crazy life, but it's our life.

wordless wednesday

preschool cuteness

...Mommy and Lily are waiting in the car in the carpool line in the morning before school. One of the room moms opens the car door to help Lily out of her carseat and escort her to her class...


Lily: "What is your name?"

Room Mom: (with a big smile): "My name is Ms. Sarah."

Lily: "Hello Ms. Sarah. My name is Lily. How are you?"

Room Mom (with a bigger smile & a giggle): "I'm well. How are you this morning Miss Lily? I love your outfit."
Lily: "Thank you. My Mommy bought it for me."











...It's so funny. Lily sounds like a little lady each morning as she has the same conversation with whoever she encounters.


The photos posted are Lily's first preschool photos.

wordless wednesday......posted tuesday

Max and Ruby

Lily LOVES Max & Ruby. Recently we've had bunnies living in our backyard, and of course Lily has named 2 of them Max & Ruby (hmm...Max.....what a great name). :o)














This is Lily sneaking up on Max....or is it Ruby?

We have baby birds in a fern on our front porch!

showing off mad underwater swimming skills

The I-800A is USCIS Bound

"Congratulations Eric & Heather!"

"Your Georgia/USCIS home assessment has been approved. It was mailed today, August 1, 2008 to the USCIS here in Atlanta via priority mail. Most families have waited 4-6weeks for their fingerprint invitations. We have had at least one family now who has received their approval. It took about three and a half months to get their approval."

The Hague Convention has really put snags in the homestudy process...although we hated waiting so long for things to be approved we are appreciative that our agency is taking the time and efforts to make sure that "all t's are crossed & i's dotted". With this adoption we seem to be right smack in the middle of changes~just like with Lily's adoption...see this post...when the then-new LOA first started making it's debut.

The summer semester is OVER....yahoo!!! 3.7.....thank you very much. But even the dog is mad at me (can't go on many walks if your nose is in a book :). It's taken all we have just to maintain the house, kids, work, pets, and school~no complaints..really. Next is my senior practicum and NCLEX baby! I've got my eyes set on the PCNP program!

August 8, 2008!!

Consider Nursing

Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.

Commencement: Sequoyah 2008

Congratulations Mark!!! We're so very proud of you!

So much to do....so little time.

My semester is in full swing. I'm taking 10 credit hours in an 8 week semester. There are no breaks given in the course content either ~ so, it's 16 weeks worth of work in half the time. I've got a 20 page paper, a research article critique, a population research project, seminars, and lots and lots of other busy work. I could scream from the roof tops that I've finally registered for my last semester (this fall)!! :) Unless they throw at me a, "you need an elective" type of thing. I'll be taking 12 credit hours, a full time load in the fall...but, I'll squeeze in an elective if I have to. In 6 months I want to be OUTTA there!!

I'll try a bullet list like Donna does sometimes...thanks for the idea!!

• Mark has his graduation ceremony this Saturday!! My first baby is 18 and graduating from high school ~ hard to believe.
• Angela had her first formal dance...the 8th grade formal....with a date, flowers, hair done, pretty dress, and high heels, and all!!
• Lily and I visited her new preschool for this coming fall. I really think she's going to like it too! She'll be going 3 days a week. We get to buy her first lunch box too even though she'll be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• My mom has been in town for the last 2 weeks. Wish we could have gone to the beach or something, but it's just not in the cards with our schedule right now. You can bet we'll be there next summer!
• Eric has been doing a lot more traveling ~ he just got back from Kansas City.
• Mark starts work with Eric next week! He also just bought his first car ~ with his own money too!
• The night before last I was walking Benjamin and our neighbor (she's on the HOA board too) had their German Shepard running loose outside unleashed.....(see post below). I'm covered with cuts and bruises because when their dog came at us my Saint Bernard went NUTS. It took everything I had to get Ben off of that dog and keep him from killing him. You'd think some people would know better.
• Adoption #2 news: We are so happy to have completed our homestudy and gathered all of our documents. There are several added steps now for Hague. We've had to do child abuse clearances for each state we've lived (4 states) in since we were 15 years old. A couple of them aren't back yet (PA takes a long time and we heard CA does too) so we're at a stand still until that comes back ~ it has to be included in the homestudy ~ need the homestudy for the USCIS appt.......super long story short....we could be sending our dossier in July to China (GOD willing).

I can't wait to see everyone in the coming week at FF! We're looking forward to following the Hoffman's as they bring home baby Meron!! And, we can't wait to see them all together and finally meet Meron in person!!

8th Grade Formal

Holy Cow.....Ang has been giving me grief.....

My Bunny attended her first "Formal" Dance. I've called Angela "Bunny" since she was born. Her nursery was done up in bunnies....I used to say..."she has 41 bunnies in her room"....and she did. She is "Bunny". Yet...since puberty moved in....she's,....welll...._____. BUNNY. My baby bunny.....I love you my bunny. Someday you'll know.:)

Life in Full Swing BEFORE the Summer Semester...

I would like to say to anyone reading this that loves dogs….has dogs…cares a thing about dogs and, UNDERSTANDS “pack animals”….well then I guess if that describes you…you’ll understand this ~
…it doesn’t matter if I’m walking a 10 lb. dog or a 161 lb. dog… Dogs guard their masters.....

Benjamin is a Saint Bernard. Yes~a dog the same breed as Beethoven…No~not the temperament of Cujo!

When I walk my 161 lb. dog he knows I’m his master…and he likes life when that’s known…and likes it to be known by all........ He’s fluffy. He’s slobbery….and, yes… a bit stinky. But ~ he’s a gentle giant to say the least. He’s a big “Puppy Bear”. Just ask our (8 lb) Chihuahua that rules HIS roost, or the cats that rub up against him & live with him, or the occasional toddler (Lily Bean) that sits on his back…

Benjamin is very docile...but don't have your German Sherpard running loose through the neighborhood while we're taking a walk (yes~he's on a leash, with a harness, and we pick up his poop---(which, surprisingly, isn't as much as you would think if you spring for the better dog food).......sorry if I digress.........a 161 lb. dog will take his place in the pack...defend his master & ESPECIALLY the babies....(hello...."LILY"....). He LOVES her. She can do ANYTHING to him. BUT....don't let the 18 year old (Mark) mess with her...he'll bite his butt....I kid you not!!

Happy Birthday Caitlin Jenny!!

Miss Caitlin came in at 9 lbs 13 oz yesterday ~ Whew!! She's so beautiful!! Congratulations Xia & John!! They are beaming with happy smiles :)

Happy Family!!

May 8, 2008 ~ One Year Anniversary

Prom Time!!

~Mark & Liz~

Lily, Ella, & Sophia!

The photo to the right is of Lily and Ella with the Ayi's in Siping SWI, Jilin Province, China. The girls spent nearly their first 2 years together in the orphanage.

Today was an amazing day because here they are again together! Ella's family was in town this week and Jeaninne and I thought it would be great to get the girls together again! We had a great time at the Georgia Aquarium! Jeaninne and I had our hands full with these little bundles of energy, and to see their faces today makes it all worth it! We were so happy to have the opportunity to meet this wonderful family in person. We have been following each other's blogs for a very long time. It's amazing to see these girls together again! Check out more of our fun here.

Family Photo

The Love of an Ayi

This photo brought tears to my eyes when I first saw it. I said to Eric, "They love the children". Each Ayi at Siping SWI is an angel from heaven. It must be very hard for them to let go of these beautiful children when they go on to meet their new families. I can only image how it feels to be so happy for the children, hopeful that they will be taken care of, and miss them so much. As you can see from the photo to the right the Ayi's love these babies. Their affection, love, acceptance, touch, attention, and care for the children shines through them~we've seen this light shine through Lily.

These two beautiful children are meeting their new families tomorrow. We hope and pray for a smooth transition for these families. We are so happy and excited for them as they embark on a wonderful new life.

Lily was 21 months old when she left Siping SWI. As parents we often wonder how much she remembers. Eric and I were sitting with Lily yesterday when we showed Lily this photo. I pointed to the Ayi's face and asked, "Lily, who is that?"...Lily matter a factly responded, "Ayi" with a big smile. Eric and I looked at each other so, so surprised. Neither of us had spoke the word "ayi" or even talked about ayi's prior to this. WOW.

Thank you to the ayi's~~thank you so much!

Adoption Part Deux

It's official...We're paperchasing! I love it that we'll be bringing another child to their home.

Princess Lily runs a few errands

Mom: "Lily, are you going to wear your princess skirt to the bank and grocery store?"

Lily: "YEP!"....jump, twirl, twirl blankie

Mom: "Ok, Let's go...I think you look beautiful!"Lily: ...jump, more twirling

Lily has had a hard time shaking off an ear infection that was diagnosed about three weeks ago. We went for the usual re-check this morning only to find out that the infection is still there so she's on her second round of antibiotics.

We've also noticed recently a pattern of dry, hacking cough upon exertion...especially since gymnastics classes started. Lily may have an Exercise-Induced Asthma~we'll be trying an inhaler to see if there's improvement.

Sisters

This afternoon "Jie Jie and Kake" (Angela & Kate) decided to dress up and take a few fun pics.

"Look Kake...it's a plane!!"



White dresses, colorful beads, pretty bows, beautiful faces...and a little lipstick! Thanks for the awesome photos, girls!