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!

The Playroom!

Today Lily and I met up with "Shell" and "Yaenyee" (Liz & Michelle and Angela & Laney) at The Playroom. We even got the added bonus of running into Lisa & Briana and Lisa & Maisie! I don't know...can it get any better than getting the chance to connect with friends AND Lily take a powernap in one day??

This week "the teens" were off for February break. That means daily grocery store stops, lots of laundry, and LOTS of noise. They had several sleep~overs...so we had around 5 kids in the house at all times for most of the week. Thank goodness teens sleep in 'till noon....they just happen to stay up late. And, thank God for Costco!

Today is a day to mark on the calendar, folks! Eric took his 1st sick day today in 8 years!!

How cute can Lily get?...just take a look...

Sorry the clip is sideways~we can't figure out how to rotate it and Mark's not home :) Tonight we attended HOPE for Children's Chinese New Year celebration--we had a blast. Check out our photos for some really cute pics.

Family Photo!

Aunt Susan and Uncle Rog visited Atlanta this week to visit a local school and raise awareness for their camp Longacre Leadership and to finally get to meet Lily--yes, they wanted to see us all too :) We really enjoyed seeing them and catching up! Hope they make another visit soon!!

So many things to pray for...

We are sending out many prayers now 'n days lifting up friends such as the Hoffman's, and the Whitacre's, and for the Perry's. Prayers for comfort, peace, and clarity...very different situations effecting different families in our lives.

Life can sure throw us all a few curve balls. Attitude and faith makes all the difference!

Happy New Year ~

Welcome to Our Journey~Lily makes 3 2008! There's much in store for this coming year....Mark graduates from high school...Angela begins high school...Lily starts school...Heather (me) graduates from school (yea!)...ahem... And, we've been feeling the tug to start the process to adopt again.

2007 has been a year that has changed our lives more than we ever could have imagined. Before 2007 we always thought we were the ones in control...and we all are but just only to an extent.

We've seen how when one's life is at peace one is able to listen,....see and understand the path that is destined to be taken.

Angela celebrated her 14th birthday on the day after Christmas. Angela was born 16 minutes into the day after Christmas...I went into labor Christmas Day 1993 and if the anesthesiologist on call at the time (Ang was a scheduled c-section) would have lived closer she would have been a Christmas baby.

Happy New Year everyone!! Although there are a few things we know are supposed to happen this coming year...we can't wait to see what 2008 has to bring!!

Christmas Morning

With each present opened Lily wanted to stop and take the time to play. We enjoyed watching her smiling face!

Princess Lily and her kitchen.