Extra Kya Photos

Kya went with me when I took Lily to have her 1yr old photos taken at Sears. While Lily was having a fit and I was trying to calm her down, the photographer took these photos of Kya, to help keep Kya entertained. We bought the CD of all the pics, so I am to post these to the web. I think they are cute, even though she was not there for a photo-shoot. And, since I have them and she's in her favorite shirt, I thought I'd show them off.

The fun of being a child

I run around all day cleaning up, controlling sibling rivalries, wiping up spills, changing diapers, making meals, kissing boo-boos, giving reminders about manners, homeschooling and finally passing out at night. And here are the photos that remind me that I just need to take a minute longer and enjoy the moment.

The joys of being a child...


Going back to sleep in mom's bed


Being a Ballarina

And Being a Princess Too


Enjoying your new exercise trampoline


Decorating for Dad's homecoming

Buying sparkly pink tennis shoes because you think Hannah Montana would like them


Having fun with your food


Your first bikini


If being a princess and a ballarina is not enough, you can also be a rockstar


Getting the most of your potato salad.
Now that the belly is full, ahhhh, the facial feels great and is so relaxing
(Hmmm, why didn't mom think of that one?)


Giving the dog a bath (something is wrong with this?)


And, my personal favorite goes to......

Dressing however the heck you wish! (And SERIOUSLY just this week I wondered why the occupational therapist wanted to teach Autumn to dress. Maybe she was right after all....or not!)

!!!Aaron's 1st Steps!!!

My baby boy took his first steps on Saturday, August 23rd. I was lucky enough to run and get the camera and capture it on a short video. He was 13 months old.

So Very Unspectacular

I was tagged by Bits and Pieces. For this tag I have been asked to name 6 things that are unspectacular about me.

So here they are:

1. I am not sure why I don't like blogging about anything except my children. I guess I adore them and find myself rather boring.

2. I like my house most after a group gathering here. I guess because it's been cleaned up and has fresh, wonderful, just made memories. (like fresh made cookies)

3. I insist on taking a shower before bed. In my pea-brain I think this allows me to wash my sheets less often (and I beg that you not correct me if I'm wrong.)

4. I get bored easily with all things in life except for my loved ones.

6. I love meeting new people and having lots of gatherings. But I go through phases were I must retreat and be alone with myself and my family and get some down time. These phases can last for a few weeks each year.

and here's a bonus one:

7. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.



For this tag, I would love to tag my Mom, but she is so very busy, I will get her next time, after her convention at the end of Sept. But, I would also like to tag Debbie and I know she has time! :-) So blog away my friend. I can't wait to read your blog update.

Because her birth mother chose life...

Four years ago today we received the referral of our beautiful daughter, Kya Xia Yu (Summer Rain). She was 9 months old and I was a first time mom, overwhelmed with love, emotions and pride. This was the first picture we saw of our baby girl.

The next day we received these two precious pictures in the mail.



And here she is today. Four years old and full of LIFE, HOPE and a FUTURE. We are so thankful that her birth mother chose life, that she is here with us today, that our arms are full and not empty, that we were blessed by the miracle of adoption.






And, that was just the start of our journey. Over the next 3 1/2 years, we would bring home our 4 children who would change our life, making it richer, happier and blessed. Over and over and over again, we are thankful for our blessings and for the gift of LIFE.

Autumn Xian Fei

Lily Alejandra

Aaron Gabriel

Do I live in a cave?

Okay, why is it that until last night I did not know that the Democrats are primarly Pro-Choice and Republicans Pro-Life? I started to wonder what cave I've been living under all these years.






Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you....Jeremiah 1:5

Rick Warren: Obama & McCain

Here is a link to the interview that Pastor Rick Warren, of Saddleback Church, conducted with Obama and McCain. They were two seperate interviews, both consisting of the same questions.

You Decide 2008