Snow Days

Looking out across our front yard... The Snow Gang...minus Nate

Beautiful Snow Bunnies

Look,Momma! I found an ?...an Icicle.

Most of the pictures I can get of the older boys....full of sillinessA group effort to build a big snowman...they all got tired and quit before he was finished.

A Battleship...

Mandy's "littlest snowman"

Since we homeschool, snow days aren't nearly as exciting for our kiddos. We stay the coarse, and we school each day even if the weather is bad. However, Our kiddos do love the snow. So, when school work was finished, the kids bundled up and headed out the door. (Nate wasn't feeling so great and opted out of the cold,wet fun. I thought he made a wise decision... we really would like to avoid as much sickness as possible.) The other kids had great fun. They played their "annual" snow football game. This year they had a much wider space in which to play. They explored the snow and built many creations including a snowman and a battleship. I love to see their creativeness at work! I spent only a little time outdoors with them, taking pictures most of the time. I kind of opted out of getting too cold and wet. We are expecting more snow in the month of February, and if that comes about,maybe I will join in on the snow fun then!

I really love the beauty of snow. Everything,even the ugliest tree, becomes beautiful under layers of the glistening white snow. I love to see my kids run, slide, play and laugh, but I hate the "bundling" up... the piles of wet clothes,shoes,mittens, and hats. Most times it takes longer to get them ready to go out than they actually stay outdoors. Does anybody have any suggestions to make this easier?

Celebrations...

"What is this that I am making momma?...Oh! an OX for the year 2009" "I like making puppets,momma!"
Singing In English and Chinese...

The Ribbon Dance...

" See How fast you can make it twirl!"

"I think it goes like this,Levi."

The Dragon dance...there was one very long dragon and a second smaller dragon(Mandy and Friend) Precious...our blessings!

Precious in His Sight!!

We took all of the kiddos to a Chinese Spring Festival(also known as Chinese New Year)on Saturday. This years celebration wouldn't disappoint. There were fun crafts,dances,singing,musical instruments,and lots of food. The kids had just as much fun as last year. The little ones enjoyed the crafts to make, and they loved participating in all the songs and dance. The big boys didn't quite know what to do with themselves until....they met some girls. Nolan's "boredom" had put him in a rather "ugly" mood(don't you love when your discipline backfires...he wanted us to send him to the car,haha). Then he ran into these girls who happen to "like" cars(speaking his language). Since he had someone to converse with,his day got much better. Mom and dad were very grateful for that! Mandy and her friend M had a blast together. They sang with the choir (Mandy really didn't know all the songs,but she loved being with everyone), danced the ribbon dance and just had to participate in the dragon dance as well. Mom and dad were busy keeping up with all of the kiddos and taking pictures. We did manage to squeeze in a few moments to visit with friends. We left Saturday afternoon and all of us were extremely tired, but we had such a great time that everyone was ready for next year!

Gung Hay Fat Choy

Making Crafts for the New Year

Painting folding fans...

Getting daddy's help...

Look what we made...
Lots of food.... Noodles,rice, chicken,beef,veggies,and egg rolls

Today the kids and I decided to have some fun, and it tied in with our World History studies. We celebrated the Chinese Spring Festival. We invited friends to share in our fun celebration. After all, the fun of Chinese New Year lies in celebrating with family and friends. We had lots of fun crafts for the kids to make. The girls, and little ones loved these activities. The big boys just wanted to run around outside and goof off. So, we let those who wanted to make of the crafts do so, and the others could do as they wished. We fixed an Asian food lunch complete with chopsticks. It took a bit longer than I had anticipated to get everything ready,so I think the kids were very hungry to say the least. They ate lots of the food (more like inhaled it), and then they were up and out the door. About thirty minutes later, they were back again hoping for the dessert of scrumptious brownies and almond cookies that our friends brought for us to enjoy. We made crafts,shared stories of our trips to China, ate lots and played lots. We just had an all around enjoyable day.

P.S. My "big" boys who were too big to make the crafts.... well they wanted to make them after their friends left. Crazy kids...

A Visit from Nana

Loving from Aunt Ce...

Reading with Nana...

Loving from Nana...

Hugs for Mandy...

Hugging cousins...

The boys...I think there is Mischief written all over those faces...

The kids were so excited when my mom(Nana) called to say that she was coming for a visit this weekend. She,my sister, and my niece and nephew piled in the car and drove from Texas for a short 2 day visit. We didn't do anything overly exciting, but it was fun just having family in for a visit. The kids,especially Levi and my nephew J., played almost non stop. My niece,E.(she is 2yrs old) grew very close to Mandy. I do believe that Mandy was the only one she gave hugs willingly to. The kids had a great deal of fun just being together. My mom, my sister, and I spent lots of time talking and catching up. Along with lots of "gabbing", my sis and I made a couple of "tied" blanket/throws which we had originally planned to do during the Thanksgiving Reunion. Since we ran out of time over that busy week, we decided that this visit would be a good one in which to complete that project. We were able to get two blankets done in record time considering that we had 8 kids running around this house. I do have to sing praises once again for the blessing of this huge house. We never felt crowded. There were plenty of bathrooms, and everyone had a bed to sleep in(not that the kids slept in one...they all wanted to sleep on the floor watching movies). It turned into a very relaxed and comfortable weekend shared with the people we love.

Books,Books...Oh How I love to read!

A friend of mine is hosting a book giveaway on her blog(you can link to her blog in the right hand corner of mine and join in the fun/she is also selling candles to help with expenses for their upcoming adoption). This giveaway got me to thinking about some of my favorite books. As many of you know I was a kindergarten teacher for many years, and my favorite part of any day was storytime or anytime that I got to share books with my kiddos. One of my favorite authors during my teaching career was Jan Brett(author of The Mitten,Gingerbread Baby and many more). When my boys were still itty -bitty, I read a book to them entitled When Daisy Comes Home by Jan Brett. This story was one of our favorites, and the boys and I read it over and over. As with all things as time went by this favorite was replaced by others. This brings us to the present,to the book giveaway, and my reason for this post. When this book came to mind, I went on line and searched a little information on it. I read through the review and BAM! it struck me... This book is about a little girl from China. Do you know where the setting for this book took place?... yep, Guilin and the Li River.You can read more about the book on www.janbrett.com. When the boys and I began reading this book several years ago, we could never have guessed that we would go across the ocean to adopt a sister and to tour this very river. Another of my very favorite books was one that I read a very long time ago as a little girl. It was entitled Mandy by Julie Andrews Edward(yes of Sound of Music fame). This book was my absolute favorite as a child. The original copywrite date is 1971, and I still have my original copy. A 30 year anniversary addition is now out and available for purchase. This book told the story of a young orphan girl(about 7yrs old) who lived in an orphanage. It details all the adventures, hopes and dreams of this little girl. Now, when we were selecting a name for our 7 yr old daughter, I hadn't recalled the name of this book(I promise!)... but take a look...
All of this made me realize(really slapped me in the face),yet again, that God was planning this all along...even back to when I was a little girl...

Projects,Projects,Projects...

Do you think we have enough helpers?

I decided this weekend that I don't have enough to do (-:! ... I thought it would be great fun to begin a couple of painting projects around our house. We are still working on completing Nolan's room. We have to add the window treatments and wall decor. When the room was originally started,Nolan was into skateboarding, and thus, we were gearing the decorating to skateboards. He has since changed his mind, and he has developed a keen interest in cars(especially Ford Mustangs). He has asked his dad and I to paint pictures of Mustangs on panels that will hang in his room. I for one am glad that there was a delay in finishing and that the paint and general decor is well suited to "boy" things. His room is liveable for the time being,and we will work on the completion of his room alongside the other boys. Garrett and Nate had been promised the next redecorating even before our move to a new house. I got a bit sidetracked on that promise! This weekend we made their room top priority. Painting was a definite necessity. They have requested a sports decor( along with Nolan's Mustangs, mom and dad will have sports player silhouettes to paint). In addition to all the much needed painting, we are also moving Levi down to join the other boys in their dormitory style room. So, this weekend, we moved furniture, painted walls, and began the tasks of reorganizing. I feel a bit disheaveled. As we were moving rooms and reorganizing, we moved and changed many areas of the basement. One area has to be moved out so another area can move in. A big mess has ensued! I tried to stay organized and finish one task before I started another,but, somehow,things got a bit out of control. I feel as if I have lots of things started but not anything finished. In order to keep on track, I have decided to set a deadline and several goals in hopes of completing all these multiple task. Hasn't it been said that moms are "multi-taskers"? My goal: to complete all the started rooms as quickly as possible, and then to move on to paint and redocorate Brad and my room. Brad and I already bought the comforter set and the paint...now to just get everything done.... hum, when?

I will have to share pictures when we are all done...Never a Dull Moment!!

A Drummer in the making...

I caught Mia playing on Garrett's drum set this week. She has taken an avid interest in "watching" Garrett play. Mia loves music in any shape,form or fashion. As everyone knows she loves to dance,but, did you know she loves to sing as well? Now, it looks as if she is expanding her musical training(self taught)to include instruments. Her oldest "bubba" loves music as well...and bet you couldn't tell who loves his baby sister?! He decided to teach her a little of what he knows(keep in mind that his instrument is the Guitar). Our year begins with guitar lessons and hopefully drum lessons(for Garrett) again real soon. Our house is never,never, ever QUIET!!

School's in...

Winter break was over last Monday. We started back to the hustle and bustles of school. Thanks to a great friend,who came to stay with the kids, they were able to continue on while mom and dad were with Levi during his surgery. Check out the photos and just look how hard my kiddos work...

Out of Surgery...

Levi is out of surgery and home resting at the moment. He came through the surgery with flying colors. He went back with the nurses well, and followed us with his eyes as we left him at the door. The doctor felt that along with ear tubes, a tonsilectomy and adenoidectomy were in order. Overall, the surgery was very short, and Levi awakened a short time later. The anesthesia made him a little disoriented, and he was ready to hold onto mama and daddy. He had a bit of an upset stomach but tolerated a popsicle and apple juice. A bit later he was ready to eat! The doctor okayed soft foods, and he enjoyed a small amount of mashed potatoes before we were released to come home. The doctor feels that we will see great improvements in sleep habits, hearing and speech. He will feel a bit yucky at first, but in the long run he will feel lots better. Thank you for all your prayers!

Levi's Procedure...

Levi will be having a surgery tomorrow. It is a fairly simple procedure to put tubes in his ears. The doctor will also check his tonsils and adnoids(sp?) at the same time. Our ENT suspects that maybe his adnoids are enlarged causing him to have sleep apnea type symptoms and a constant clearing of his throat. If she finds this to be the case, she will remove them at the same time as the other procedure. Please keep our "cutie pie" in your prayers for a safe and successful surgery.

Weekend Fun

BFF's

Friends
Shopping...

Dinner with New Friends...

Our weekend started out with lots of fun. On Friday, the girls and I spent a girls day with friends. The day began with a trip to the mall. Mia had a gift certificate(from her b-day)to use at Build a Bear. Her bestest friend was with us, and so both girls had to build a bear. Of course, they chose the same bear with the same outfit. The girls held on to those bears all day. Mandy got an outfit for her princess bear(the one that traveled to China). Most of the remainder of our time at the mall was spent window shopping. There were so many terrific sales that it was hard to resist. I did well,except for the $3 seperates for Mia. We came away from the store with several new outfits for next year with very little expense. Hurray for bargains!! We finished our girls day with an Italian food lunch. We had good food,lots of laughter and great fellowship. What a fun day! The girls and I look forward to having another day soon.

Saturday was spent taking down the Christmas decorations. It is always sad to me when the season is over and the tree and decorations must come down.Everything looks so empty for a while. Brad made quick work of taking down the outside lights, and he and the bigs cleared and burned debris and leaves from the yard. Mom and the littles put away the inside decorations. When all the work was done, we had a dinner invitation to a friends house. We were all excited about getting to know these new friends. This family is a fellow homeschool family,an adoptive family and have recently moved to our town. They have a little boy about Levi's age. Levi and T seemed to have such a great time together. I loved watching them play and hearing their laughter.The big kids disappeared to play video games and resurfaced when food was involved. We all enjoyed scrumptious BBQ and enjoyed visiting. It was a very relaxed and nice evening out.

After church on Sunday, we took the kids to eat Chinese food at our favorite local place. The remainder of the day was for relaxing and enjoying our last day before school started. Mom had to take some time to organize lesson plans and materials, but all in all we just enjoyed the day.

I can hardly believe that today brought us back into our daily school routines. I really would have liked another week to relax,work a little around the house, and to enjoy more fun time with my kiddos and with friends. ...but we were off and running in school today. The kids seemed ready to have the structure and worked hard most of the day. I hope that they keep the same level of interest for the remainder of our school year! That would be such a nice treat for their teacher.

Happy New Year!!

As we ushered in 2009, I took a look around me and saw my beautiful blessings! It makes my heart sing to see my six kiddos and my terrific hubby enjoying just being a family. God has certaimly blessed us with lots of love. We didn't do much this year... we just had a small dinner with friends. The friends were recovering from illness, and left early to get much needed rest. After the friends left, Brad, the kids and I played a board game and watched the celebrations in NY via our television. When the clock struck midnight, we toasted the New Year with sparkling cider and hugs and kisses all around. Then it was off to bed with our very tired crew. Today we spent a leisurely morning sleeping late, playing with toys, and then ventured out to shop. The kids had such a great time using their gift cards(Thanks Uncle Paul & Aunt Heidi, and Uncle Michael &Aunt Mary). Upon returning home, we had to unbox,untie, and untangle all the new toys. Each child has spent hours just playing with their gifts. I am making my traditional New Years dinner complete with "good luck" black eyed peas. Wow, Day 1 of 2009 has just blown by! We are excitedly looking forward to all that God has in store for 2009. Happy New Year,Everyone!!
NOTE:It looks as if we might have sold the old house. Since the housing market has been deteriorating, we feel that we got a pretty good contract(not as much as hoped for, but OK). We are so grateful to everyone who has been keeping this in their prayers, and we ask that you would continue to pray that this contract can/will go through to completion.