Nathan's First Day of School

It is hard to imagine that Nathan is entering third grade. He is getting so big. He gets to sleep in a little longer than Shayla since his school is closer to the house and starts later. We had a great open house. This year it seems that everyone is ready for him. He was so excited to see his 1st grade teacher and resource teacher. His teacher for this year is very nice and gave him a big hug. Nathan is a hugger and loves it when he gets to see all the teachers. His eyes just light up. It makes me tear up every time. I hope that innocence and joy are around a couple more years.

From what I could tell his teacher went over all her expectations today. He even mentioned to me that I wasn't to load his back pack that his teacher said they were big kids now and that was their job. His goals for the year are to be more organized and work more independently. He had a great time at recess where he got to see some of his closest friends. Lunch must have not been very good because he didn't eat any of it and after school some how managed to lose his lunch box. After care must have been fun. He was excited to go back so it must have been a good day.

After the Wedding

After the all the beauty of the bride, flowers, church and guests it was hard to imagine an even more glorious site but the reception did not dissapoint. Held at a historical plantation right next to the water it was a perfect continuation of a wonderful wedding.

Wedding Part 3

We didn't have to get ready for the wedding untill later in the day. First we slept in until 9:30. Shayla is a great sleeper and would have slept longer but we had to get down to breakfast before they stopped serving. After breakfast Shay took a quick swim. Then we painted finger nails, curled hair and did a little make-up. All things she loves to do.
We got to the church just as the girls for the wedding were arriving. Shay got to see everyone and enjoy seeing the bride before she got married.
Both the Flower girls were very cute. They both did a great job.

It was a beautiful wedding.

Wedding Part 2

The rehearsal went quickly and everyone headed out for a dinner cruise to celebrate for the rehearsal dinner. The bride is in white on these pictures and one of her sisters is in pink. Shayla adores both of them and loved getting her picture taken. The rehearsal dinner was amazing with the historic area of Charleston as a back drop. We both had a great time eating, visiting and enjoying the boat.

Beautiful Wedding Part 1

Shayla was blessed to be the flower girl this past weekend in Charleston, SC. The setting, people and especially the bride and groom were amazing. The weekend for Shayla started with the rehearsal. Shayla loves to dress up and play princess so this was a dream weekend for her. She was smiling from ear to ear most of the weekend.

These are pictures from the rehearsal.

July 4th and More!

We enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July. The weather was awesome - wish it could have lasted longer. It is really HOT now. Rudy got a long over due bath. Both kids helped wash him and then played with their squirt guns while we walked him around to help him dry. It took forever for him to dry enough to go back inside.

Toward evening we shot off pet friendly fire works. That's what the kids called them because once it got dark we were surrounded by large beautiful but LOUD fireworks. We didn't have to leave the house to get a great show. The kids both enjoyed watching the display and we finished off the evening with our favorite show - Wip* out!

It was a great day. I am so thankful for my family and our country. To all the people that have fought for the freedoms we enjoy THANK YOU!

The next day both kids woke up not feeling very well. None of us have gotten back to the east coast time zone. We all enjoyed a movie in bed. By the end of the movie Shayla was jumping on the bed and Nathan seemed to be feeling better. Shayla later said she wanted to get her ears pierced. So off we went. She was very brave (more tears than I was prepared for) in her words. I was worried for a few minutes that we were going to end up with only one ear pierced but she came around. The second one went much better and she has not stopped telling everyone about her "Sparklie Ears"

More Pictures from June

June 2010

June was been a fun month. Both kids finished school and did a great job. They advanced to 3rd and 1st grade. The last two weeks were crazy with all the parties, field days and me running between the two schools.

Also at the beginning of June Shayla finished her soccer season. She enjoyed the social part of being on a team but the soccer part was not that much fun for her. We finished up our first year in Girl Scouts. This is one of her favorite activities since it is mostly socializing and she loves that. Nathan finish up his second year of Scouts and moved from a Wolf to a Bear Scout.

We jumped right into summer with Nathan attending his first Boy Scout Day Camp. It was incredibly HOT that week but he still seemed to have a great time. He enjoyed getting to ride with two of his friends. His group had great leaders. They must have done a good job because they won all kinds of awards. Shayla spent the first week going to camp at the gym and also doing preteam for gymnastics and her cheerleading with her cheer team.

June 18th was Shayla's third family day. We spent the day together and looked at many of the video's and pictures of our time in China. She loved the special attention. I can't believe it's been three years. She is such a blessing and makes me smile daily. Each day is still so exciting for her. She can find joy in just about any situation.

The second week we visited my brother in Texas and parents in Oklahoma. The kids would say other than seeing their uncle and grandparents their favorite parts were the Zoo with Uncle John and the spray parks in Oklahoma. We went to a number of movies and enjoyed spending time with family.

Enjoy the pictures.

Some of Our Many Activities Spring 2010

We've had a busy spring time. Shayla is doing gymnastics, cheerleading and soccer. Nathan is busy with school and Boy Scouts. Both of the kids are doing a great job at their activities and school. Enjoy the pictures. Happy Mothers Day to Nana we miss you and hope to visit soon.

Two Monkeys Jumping on Two Beds

Wordless Wednesday - With a Few Words!

Cheerleading year number two is over and it was such a great experience - great coaches, built confidence, was fun and enjoyed great time with friends!

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy Easter - He's ALIVE!!! Jesus said "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." John 11:25-26





We've had wonderful weather and great time with friends this Easter. Wish we were closer to family and hope they've had a wonderful holiday. I am thankful for the blessings God has given us. Hope Everyone has had a great Easter!

We're Still Here! Time Just Flys

I can't believe it's been almost two months since my last post. January - March are my busy times for work and this year is no exception. This is where my mom and dad get to see pictures of the kids so this post is all about them and what has happened since the first of January.



Nathan turned 8 years old in January. We decided to keep the birthday celebrations at home this year. He enjoyed a homemade cake, a few toys and his favorite a new Xbox game. I think this is the first year he was healthy on his birthday. A few of his favorite things from his seventh year include: Legos, Best Friend M, Boy Scouts, Xbox, Wii, DS (loves all kinds of video games), played flag football, started 2nd grade, still loves Parry and Pooh, amazes his mom at how smart and loving he can be.



It snowed for the first time in a year. Actually it was "Ice Snow" as Shayla decided to call it. The kids had to kick off the top layer to get a snow ball out of it but that didn't keep the fun away. They also missed a day of school which brought more excitement.




Nathan had his second grade performance. I can remember his kindergarten performance like it was yesterday. I can't believe he is 8 years old and half way done with second grade. The kids did a great job. I got there early and was very close to the front. Nathan was so excited to see me and kept looking over and smiling. I hope that innocence and love stays around for a few more years. It made my heart warm.




Shayla's school celebrated Chinese New Year - Year of the Tiger. She attends a language immersion school. It is very impressive to see all the kids have learned and what to expect in the coming grades. She is always chattering in Chinese now. Her school is amazing.

Hope to add more events tomorrow. We are all doing well and wish every one a Happy Valentines Day and Happy Chinese New Year!

POM POM ATTACK

I was sitting at my computer yesterday when I kept hearing a strange sound. I finally decided to go and investigate. Our cat CJ was attacking Shay's pom poms. He was having a grand time. He usually never gets mentioned but he is a good cat and fun to have around.

Happy 2010!

We had a fun filled New Years Eve spent with friends. My hopes and wishes for the new year include walking closer with God, being wiser with the things I am blessed with and enjoying my family. I hope everyone has a safe and fun New Year.

Christmas Fun!

Our Christmas break started off with me getting sick and then both the kids. I was in bed except to feed the kids for three days. I felt bad that everyone ended up sick. We all went to the doctor and the medicine started working. By Christmas Eve we were all starting to feel better. We made Christmas cookies and both kids picked one to leave for Santa. We went to Christmas Eve service and enjoyed all the wonderful Christmas Carols. Nathan got to stay with me in the regular service and he seemed very intreged by the big screens and musicians. He was very good and said he really enjoyed everything. After dinner we read the Christmas Story from Luke and the Night Before Christmas. Both kids wanted to get in bed early so Santa could come. It seems our coughs return the strongest when we get in bed. It was very late when they finally fell asleep. On Christmas morning I had to wake them both up at 9:00 a.m. I didn't think they were ever going to get up. I'm not sure they remembered what day it was at first but once reminded they started moving. After all the presents were unwrapped and Santa gifts were discovered they were both very happy. Shay stopped one time and just said a quick pray thanking God and Santa for all she had received.
We spent Christmas day with friends and had a great time.

Merry Christmas To All

Merry Christmas!

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12

When Shay was 5!

Six years ago tomorrow a beautiful baby girl was born in China. God knew at that time she would love life and bless everyone around her. I am so thankful God let me be her mother. When she was five years old she played Mary in her preschool production, spent Christmas with her Papa and Nana, loved to dress up, saw her first snow, celebrated Chinese New Year, loved to cheer, improved and became a very good gymnasts, graduated from Pre School, played in the sprinkler for the first time, loved to swim, played soccer, started Kindergarten, decide to be a pink cow girl for Halloween and takes her mothers breath away when she watches her live life each day with so much excited and joy.