HOPE

Our friend Doris emailed us these pictures that she took of Hope. They're so pretty they deserved their very own post.

Thank you, Doris!!

LUNA, BELLA & DAISY LU

Luna and Bella spent the day getting their hair/nails done today. Luna loves nothing more than getting pampered....In fact, she expects it.

Bella on the other hand isn't into looking frilly. She couldn't wait to get the bows out of her hair.

The bow lasted about 5 minutes before she removed it. At least I have one girly girl.

And, this is Daisy Lu's new favorite spot in the house. We found her up here the other day when we came home. She now gets up here daily to watch what's happening in the kitchen.

AS LIFE RETURNS TO NORMAL.....

I received this email from Half the Sky today:

On behalf of many, many thousands of children who remained safe and
warm
through China’s toughest winter storms in 50 years, THANK YOU!

The weather has warmed considerably. On Wednesday, all power was
finally
restored.

Director Liu of the Yihuang County SWI in Jiangxi province called us on
Friday. He said that Yihuang was the last place in China to have light
again. Thanks to you, the orphanage was able to buy a generator which
produced just enough power to light the children’s building. Although
one
of their buildings was severely damaged by snow and the staff had to
fetch
well water from the countryside for many days, no one was hurt and all
63
children stayed well. The director called to make sure we all knew how
grateful he is for aid from the Little Mouse Emergency Fund.

Our staff in Beijing has had conversations like this one all week long
as
we made arrangements to wire reimbursement for locally purchased goods
to
98 different welfare institutions. Today we are pleased to announce
the
end of this extraordinary relief effort. From all over the world, this
community has raised almost 5 Million Yuan RMB (US$700,000) to protect
the
children!

Approximately 3 Million is going directly to those institutions which
suffered through this disaster. The remaining funds will be used to
help
all children's welfare institutions establish a store of emergency
provisions so that this never happens again. 100% of the funds donated
to
the Little Mouse Emergency Fund are dedicated to this purpose.

On Wednesday we will meet with Vice-Minister of Civil Affairs, Dou
YouPei
to make a ceremonial presentation of the proceeds of the Little Mouse
Emergency Fund to China’s orphaned children, and to discuss a plan for
disaster preparation in the welfare institutions. The Ministry of Civil
Affairs understands that this is a gift to the children from people of
many nations and they look forward to the opportunity to express their
gratitude.

It has been a tremendous pleasure and an honor to be a part of this
effort. I understand what “people power” means in a whole new way.
When
people really care, nothing can stop them from doing what needs to be
done.

As of today, the Fund is closed.

If there are donations on the way, we will include them in the fund.
But
if you are considering a gift today, please, instead, support the Half
the
Sky programs that give children the loving care of family every single
day. Even when the weather is calm.

With love and gratitude,

Jenny

Jenny Bowen
Executive Director
Half the Sky Foundation
www.halfthesky.org

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEKEND

• The temperature is MUCH warmer in Georgia than it is in Michigan.


• If Head tells you to hang a left......You don't listen.


• Speaking of left......I learned that it either goes to the left or the right....Not both ways. =)


• Tracy can make one mean rum & coke.


• If I stay up late ONE night.....You can still be tired DAYS later.


• Connie knows how to rock a pair of red pj's (with feet) like no other!


• Even tho Krista is a cop, if she isn't packin' heat......She's a wimp! =)


• Big D*addy sure knows how to handle his meat......Even in complete darkness.


• Tracy is a princess.


• Connie does NOT raise pigs.


• If you sit three to a seat.....You don't need a seatbelt.


• Georgia roads are curvy.


• Stacy and I both have OCD and love hot showers AND are very mature.


• Kristen didn't even look at all stressed even tho she is moving THIS weekend and wasn't even packed.


• Mel (link to old blog) doesn't like ladybugs. =(


• Tracy is the kind of friend that would open up her house to you.


• Mel won't let anyone load her dishwasher.


• Chicken wings take FOREVER when ordered at a Mexican restaurant.


• These girls read waaaaaaay more blogs than I do.


• I've been missing out on so many waaaaaaay cool blogs.


• I learned why Heather is called Head.


• They WILL talk about you if you aren't there. =)


• Some people aren't very "regular" in the bathroom department.


• Mel really knows how to throw a par-tay!


• I want to have a pug someday.


• Krista takes FOREVER to get ready.


• Th*or has REALLY big ears!


• M*attie loves her mama.


• I haven't laughed so hard in a very long time.


• Putting on my big girl panties and hopping on a plane was soooooooo worth it!

SHOULD I BE WORRIED?

After seeing the pictures of a previous bloggy bash floating around on several blogs (and lifting these pics from those blogs).......I'm thinking the plane ride should be the least of my fears!! What have I gotten myself into??????

Lord, help me.........Georgia here I come!!!!!!!!

DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS

Ian and I had our Valentines dinner date tonight because I have to work tomorrow night (because I'm going to Georgia on Friday!!!!!!! Whoo-hoo!). I asked him where he wanted to go and he said.......*Burger*King*. We decided that when we do go to fast food places we ALWAYS use the drive thru, but today we decided to eat inside.

The place was empty except for one other guy (except for BK workers). During the meal this guy asked me if I knew what time it was (mind you, my back was to him and there were fake plants between us). I turned around to look over at him (I knew he was talking to me because nobody else was in there) and told him what time it was and then went on eating. About 5 minutes later he says, "My name is David by the way." I totally ignored him (my back was to him.....he could have been talking to anyone....If anyone was there!) and I see Ian give him a scared little wave. My creep meter was going off and I wanted to get the heck out of there. When he went up to the counter for more coffee, Ian and I quickly left.

Ian and I got into the car and I locked the door. I was JUST starting to say something to Ian about not talking to strangers when Ian says, "ummm, Mom." The guy was standing RIGHT at my car window!! I think he thought I would roll down the window, but I didn't. He was asking me if I had any smokes. I shook my head no and I started up my car. He then left. My heart is still pounding. I'm not sure what he wanted. I don't think he had a car because he was walking across to another parking lot. He had to have RAN to catch up to us. So many things have gone through my head. Scary stuff. At least it gave me a chance to talk to Ian about why we don't talk to strangers. Ian never wants to eat at BK again. Me either.

RQ'S PROJECTIONS

I have to say that I'm starting to get REALLY excited here! RQ just posted her projections for the next few months. The first chart shows what actually happend in the previous months with the cut off date and her projections. You will notice that the cut off date usually fell either between the Horrid Case and Bad Case and/or in the Bad Case column. We won't talk about the December 31, 2007 batch.

Now, here are RQ's projections for the next few batches! Even with the Horrid Case.....They will be working on February by July! Hellooooooo, we're March! Helloooooooo, February is a much smaller month!! I'm thinking that they will FINALLY be working on the March LID's by October! With a March 8TH LID.......I'm thinking Christmas in China!!!!! Could last Christmas REALLY be our last one without Ava??????
Providing the Olympics doesn't mess us up........................................................Don't want to think about that.

23 MONTH LID AND OTHER STUFF

• The weather has been so terrible here (fog, ice, snow, freezing rain) that the kids only had 1.5 days of school last week and will have only 2 days of school this week. The school only allows 5 or 6 snow days per year and the rest you have to make-up....At this rate they will be in school until AUGUST!! I think they have been in school about 12 days since Christmas break ended.


• I'm soooooooooooooo sick of winter.


• I have been working on my tan (at the tanning salon) and hope to give T a run for the money in "being the most tan" department next weekend! However, if you look at the underside of my arms they're mostly white.....Gotta remember to flip them over during the last 8 minutes. =)

• Have I mentioned that I'm going to Georgia next weekend??! =)


• Going out this Saturday with the girls for Hope's friend's (Bells) 16th B-day to have pedicures/nails done and a little lunch. Looking forward to it.


• Ian did his valentines for school today and added a chocolate in each one. Ian left them on my bed and when I came home from work.......One of the dogs had eaten 7 chocolate hearts. Considering the fact that I had two dogs with me at work and one in a pen.....I know who did it.


• Did a little shopping last weekend. After trying on numerous bathing suits I realized that I was kidding myself to think that I was close to my goal weight.


• Speaking of shopping......I haven't bought a thing for Ava in MONTHS, but because of the last batch I was excited to buy my girl something. I saw this bathing suit on another blog and went in the G*A*P and asked the sales lady if she had any left. She said, "What size do you need?" I said, "It doesn't matter." She didn't even give me a strange look. Must be that lots of waiting ladies in the China Adoption program were buying this suit!
  
  

I of course HAD to buy her a cover-up too!

AND I certainly couldn't leave this hanging at the store......I'm ONLY human for crying out loud!!

AND this was in my fortune cookie about a month ago. Hmmmmmm, I wonder where I'll be going where there will be lots of spicy conversation????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!

We will be logged in 23 months tomorrow! Another month closer!!

YEAR OF THE RAT

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!



1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

Rat personality traits People born in the Year of the Rat are one of the most industrious and hardest working in the zodiac.

Forever busy in pursuit of an ambitous personal goal, at times they may become difficult to work with since they are born perfectionists. Rats must ensure that every "i" is dotted before completing an assigned task. As a result, they are often successful financially, and are good providers for their family and those they cherish most dearly.

Loyal and loving, Rat people inspire loyalty in others who are close to them. They are essentially honest individuals and loath to betray a confidence. However, their quick wit and restlessness can sometimes lead to chattiness, and they can often be relied upon at large social gatherings for a good story or a juicy bit of gossip.

Their energy levels and expert organizational talents are such that it is a rare thing to see a Rat person sitting idly by with nothing to do.

They may even sometimes be viewed as opportunists who cajole others into helping them accomplish a great ambition. In their careers, Rat people can find much success as business leaders or politicians.

Rats are most compatible with : Dragon, Monkey, Ox

700

Our file was logged in at the CC*AA.

DAISY LU & HER KITTY HERB PLANT

Do you think Daisy might miss being an outdoor cat??????? I'm just hoping she doesn't decide to use this as a bathroom.

HALF THE SKY

I'm sure many of you have heard that China has been hit with the worst storm in half a century. People have been stranded all over the country because of the airports and train stations being closed. Orphanages are without heat, electricity, running water, food, diapers, warm clothing and bedding. Our children need our help. If there is any way you're able to contribute even a little bit to help these children, please click on this link. If you unable to give in the form of money at this time, please keep these children (our children) in your prayers. Thank you.