2 MONTHS OF SECRET PAL GIFTS

I have the GREATEST Secret Pal EVER and I'm such a slacker/loser....I haven't posted the gifts that she sent me last month and then ANOTHER box arrived in the mail. The first picture is how the presents were wrapped in the latest gifts. I just LOVE the ladybug wrapping paper....I'm just such a sucker for ANYTHING with ladybugs....

These are some BEAUTIFUL notecards that she sent me of her travels. They are WAY too nice that I will never use them (I couldn't part with them...Is that okay, SP?). I have to say that since she sent them I have checked out people's blogs hoping that I'll find someone that traveled to Europe lately!! I don't know if you have a blog, SP.....I'm keeping an eye out for you!! ;)

This is a soft little blanket she sent me last month. Ava is going to LOVE cuddling up with it!

I just LOVE this cute little dog. I swear that he is the same color as our new dog, Hank....Kinda looks a little like him too!

These are the gifts that just arrived this month. I just love the CNY books and the adorable little P.J.'s. I can only imagine how cute Ava is going to be in THESE!!

The last gift my Secret Pal sent may just be my MOST favorite (I know, I know...How can I chose?). This necklace is the Chinese symbol for Joy.....Because Ava is going to bring me such joy! I'm not going to EVER take it off!!......Good thing brown is my most favorite color in clothing!!

Thank you, Secret Pal for all the great gifts!! Another month down.....We're getting there!!

MORE GIFTS!!

My blogging buddy, Tracy told me that she had sent me a little gift in the mail. I first thought the girl sent me a some brew to help get me through the loooooooooong wait.
Then I notice the note she wrote regarding the box.
I'm glad she sent me THIS cute stuff instead of the brew....I've never been a beer drinker anyway. How cute is THIS tote with the little pigs on it and all?! It's going to look so darn cute on Ava's shelf!
I'm just madly in LUV with this little piggy! This pig looks as ticked off as the rest of us that are involved in this loooooooong wait!
Thank you SOOOOOOOO much, Tracy! I'm so happy to have met you during this journey!

SNOWCOMING....GRRRR!

Hope & Jerrith went to the Snowcoming Dance on Saturday night. I was hoping this wasn't like a rain dance because I've had it up to my eyeballs with snow this winter!

Here is a picture of Hope and Bella. About the only thing that isn't black on that pup is her teeth and THAT tongue!


A few hours after the dance was over.....We got dumped on again. It snowed all day Sunday and we had a winter storm warning until 7:00 A.M. Monday morning. Here is a picture out the back deck....The kids were happy that school was closed again today. I'm SO ready for spring!

WELCOME TO AVA'S CRIB

Here it is......Ava's Crib is almost complete. We still need a couple more wooden toy crates, some more toys, a few baskets on the shelves, window treatments and well, ummmmmmmmmm...... Ava!!

AVA'S CRIB CONTINUED

When I was taking these pictures last night, I noticed this little lady crawling on the window.....Yeah, call me crazy......I BELIEVE!!!

THE YEAR OF THE PIG

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!! 2007 IS GOING TO BE ONE HECK OF A GOOD YEAR!

BE AFRAID.....BE VERY AFRAID....ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN MICHIGAN

Hope just received her Level 1 driving permit.....This means that she can drive with a parent or other driver over the age of 21. Have you ever noticed that kids just look younger and younger behind the wheel of a car?......It's because THEY ARE! In Michigan, you are able to obtain a Level 1 driving permit at the age of 14 and 8 months! Hope will be 16 in July, so she was MUCH older than the other kids in the class. I just took her to Secretary of State yesterday to obtain her permit. When we were leaving, (with my heart pounding) I handed her the keys to the car. I mumbled something like.....I can't believe that I'm putting my life, Luna & Bella's in your hands and we drove off. I'm not sure if that was what made her nervous or just because it was "officially" the first time behind the wheel with her mother. We only drove about 1/2 mile and she made two boo boo's. First, she came up to a red light and apparently read the sign that you can turn right on red.....Sooooooo, she did......WITHOUT even coming to a stop......AT ALL! Then, about 1/4 of a mile beyond that, we were coming up on a yellow light & she just went right on thru.......IT WAS COMPLETELY RED AT THE TIME.....NOT ORANGE......RED!!!!!! I'm so proud of myself because my voice remained calm during the entire experience. However, Hope said that I was pounding my hand on the seat....I really don't remember that....It's possible.

Jeff said that I probably make her nervous and that's why she messed up.......I have to say that the feeling is mutual. I think Dad is going to have to be the one to drive with her over the next 6 months until she gets her Level 2 license (then she can drive by herself). One good thing......A child is not allowed to advance unless a parent thinks they're ready. Don't worry.....Hope is going to get much needed practice until we let that happen!

Also, we will make sure she pulls her bangs away from both eyes....I know her hair looks cute in the picture....It's just not driving hair.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

HALF A WORLD AWAY

This was written to Ava from her Daddy on New Year's Day, 2007. I'm posting it on this special day, February 10th.....Exactly one year ago our paperwork headed off to China.

Half a world away I awoke thinking of you
Wondering if your okay, is someone taking care of you
We're you fed last night, did someone put their arms around you
Half a world away lives a family that really loves you

Life started pretty rough, you hang in there we're coming for you
Life can get kind of tough, but with a family you'll make it thru
Half a world away, waits a family just for you

Half a world away you've got a big brother
Wants to know can we dig from this side to the other
Just tunnel right thru so that we can get to you

Half a world away lives your beautiful mother
Her heart cries for you, for you and no other
Fifteen years ago, she began to dream of you
From half a world away, she'll be coming just for you

Half a world away it's still not light
The house is quiet, the stars twinkle from their height
I think of you and I know you'll be alright
Because you have a family who loves you with all their might

Half a world away your father thinks of you
Not a perfect man, has his faults this is true
He already loves with all his heart and soul
To bring you home to this family, that's his quest, that's his goal

Half a world away you have a sister and two brothers
Dogs and cats, a loving father and a special mother
We think of you as the weeks and months go by
This long red thread will not ever be untied

So hang in there little girl, time will pass this is true
Half a world away we are waiting just for you
Even though this waiting is it's own kind of hell
I awoke this morning, hoping you are well

Half a world away your family longs for you
Time and distance separates, for now this is true
One day soon we'll be together, you'll never be alone
From half a world away we'll come to bring you home

RANDOM PICTURES

I HAVE HAD THESE PICTURES ON THE COMPUTER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS & HAD MEANT TO POST THEM.....YEAH, I'M A SLACKER! THEY'RE COMPLETELY OUT OF ORDER (AND THAT REALLY BUGS ME) BUT I'M POSTING THEM ANYWAY!

LUNA IN ONE OF HER CRAZY SLEEPING POSITIONS
HOPE AND HER BOYFRIEND BEFORE A DANCE. I KEPT GETTING RED EYE IN ALL THE PICTURES SO I HAD THEM CLOSE THEIR EYES.....PROBLEM SOLVED!
HANK COCKS HIS HEAD WHEN YOU TALK TO HIM
GRANDMA WITH THE KIDS ON CHRISTMAS DAY, 2006
HOPE & JERRITH BEFORE HOMECOMING DANCE, 2006
IAN ON HIS FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
LISA & LUNA AT THE CAMPGROUND
LUNA ON THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN

MORE PICTURES

THIS IS A PICTURE OF BELLA AT THE SAND DUNES
RYLEE

IAN, JEFF AND GRIFFIN
HOPE AND HER DADDY
LISA & LUNA
JEFF, IAN & LUNA

IAN AND GRIFFIN WITH TWO DOGS THAT CAMPED NEXT TO US THIS SUMMER. THEY WERE PART WOLF (VERY SWEET DOGS). THE ONLY THING THAT FREAKED ME OUT A BIT.....THEY HOWLED AT THE MOON!