We Just May Have A Problem Around Here~

So....lately this child has become increasingly...almost incessantly obsessed with....ba-day. What is this you ask? You know....every little girls dream. Ba-day. AKA-the correct word would be Ballet. But to Katie, the world revolves around "TARD!!" (leotard), "TIDE!!!", (tights) and the cherry-on-the-top...."BA-DAY-SHOO!!!" (ballet shoes). From the time she gets up in the morning till she drops at night...all we hear (ask anyone around here...)is constant "BA-DAYSHOOTIDETARD!!" MOM! BA-DAYSHOOTIDETARD!!" So, she wears K's 'tard', any old 'tides' we can find and low and behold....Mom Jo put 'lil critter' in the car and found some precious "BA-DAYSHOO!" slippers at Target.We even took her to the local deli and Wal-mart dressed like this so we wouldn't have to break her little heart by having her wear normal clothes. Here she is performing "BA-DAY" for you....her audience. Clap loud so she can hear you!! She works hard!! BTW...Wal-Mart sells 'ba-day-tides' for $1.87. We're still looking for a size 2 'tard'.

Dire Conditions In China Right Now~

There are two posts today. China is experiencing some of the worst weather conditions currently than they have seen in 50 years. Most areas north of the Yangtze River are prepared for harsh winter conditions, but the areas to the south are having it pretty rough. Particularly those affected are the poor in outlaying villages, and those children in orphanages. Half the Sky is an organization that brings much needed supplies, clothing, diapers, blankets, nannies, etc. to China's numerous orphanages. In many provinces, there are 'Half the Sky" orphanages where the standard of care has risen with the additions of heat, laundry facilities, clean water, more staff, better nutrition, and medical care. Those adopting from one of these SWI's many times find their child has no developmental delays and is growing adequately for their age. They are a wonderful foundation. The last few days, Half the Sky has issued a cry for help....for those orphanages effected by the harsh winter weather. Many are without power, many have no water, the orphanage workers cannot come to work because of ice and snow, and the temperatures are dropping. Food is growing scarce as the roads are impassable, and food prices have almost tripled because of lack of supply. Here is the latest update on known orphanages and their conditions. Click here.
For example, in Nanchang,(where we picked up Katie), the city orphanage which is considered "state of the art" has intermittent power and the generator for heat isn't working.At times there are up to 500 children staying here. For an idea of how many orphanages are affected here is a map just of Jiangxi Province where Katie is from. You will see just the SWI's open to international adoption. Click here We don't have any info from Katie's orphanage....but please realize, some of these that are now cold and hungry and in blackouts are waiting for their families to come get them, and travel is delayed. These are people's children. These are God's children. Please pray for supplies to get through, the weather to subside long enough to allow this, and that those with medical conditions would get proper treatment. The little people living inside the walls of these orphanages are the ones that are suffering right now. My heart is breaking for these who can't help themselves!

Do you see the two cute little girls in the picture? That is Katie and Emma. We met at the zoo. Emma is from Nankang SWI just south of Taihe where Katie is from. She was adopted two months after Katie, through the same agency. Small world huh?

Love Without Boundaries 2007 Video

Today I would like to highlight two well known foundations known for their work in China. Love Without Boundaries continues to amaze me with their tireless efforts to provide many types of care to China's orphan population, but what is so affecting to me is their desire to see children with correctable,but sometimes severe medical issues given treatment....then found a home. They tirelessly labor on behalf of the child...many times in less than adequate conditions...and have brought many, many children into their forever families! While none of our adopted children came to us with a known Special Need, our view is that any child in an orphanage is in a compromised situation and has special needs both mental and physical. LWB works to provide not only needed medical attention but nurturing, love, nutrition and attention to those struggling just to survive the day. What a fantastic organization!

A Suprise for Eloise!

Look who showed up in Miss E's classroom today to close out the "star of the week"! She was very suprised! Anyone recognize the special guest?? He brought lots of stethescopes so the kiddos could listen to their own heartbeats....and taught the kids all about the heart and how it works. He told them they must eat right, exercise and have Jesus to keep heart healthy!!! Then Mr. Guest handed out candy hearts!!(?!) It was a great week for our star Eloise, Oreo girl, Kristi-loo-who, wild woman...who by the way....really, really, really, really liked the attention!!

Look See~ Miss E!

This child has been waiting for this week all year!! At Kristin's K4 they have a "Star of the Week" -with a child being the featured attraction for the class in turn all the live-long week. Let's just say.....Kristi-loo has been chomping at the bit for her turn (uh, we're at the end of the alphabet) ALL YEAR!! Finally....her week has arrived. Now, the "star" gets their own bulletin board all about them, and the last 15 minutes of every class for show-n-tell, stories, etc., and gets to be the 'special helper' for the teacher. Don't you all want to be stars too? Monday, Julie came in with Leni and Katie and Mom Jo. Julie spoke about what a big family we have, and how Kristin is a special part of it. She then told the class all about K having a sister from China and that makes her a Jie-Jie (big sister). You'll see the pic of K telling the class what a Jie-Jie is and Miss Katie being a Mei-mei (little sister) Kristin gave all in her class Chinese New Year gifts including a paper dragon. Wednesday.....Mommy told the story of Eloise and how Kristin came by that name. The class then was told how we have "oreo girls"-two dark cookie outsides with Kristin being the creamy middle. K even handed out oreos to the class! Tomorrow Miss E has a special suprise coming! Watch and see who/what it is!! What fun it is to be 4 and a STAR!!!!

P.S. Mom Jo...look carefully in the last pic and you will see newly adopted leopard 'Elizabeth' that Leni hasn't put down since Mom Jo bought it for her earlier this week! It even went to school!

SHHHHHH!!!!! Don't Tell......

........Kristin what the other two do while she's at school on Mondays!! :):) Thanks to our Ms.Medana who gave the girls a giant baking basket with cute aprons for Christmas! Thank you! The cookies were mmmmmmm! And K never knew what she missed!! SHHHHHHH everyone!

We Had A China Reunion!!

Last weekend we loaded up and went to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo to have a day with 3 of our Travel Group families from China! Our daddy was at a conference, so Mel, Julie, the mommy, 3 girlies and Cade set off for the great adventures of the day. We met the Crokers..Bob, Cyndi, and sweet Malia (2), Janet John and Kayla (about to turn 3), the Seltzers..Eric, Kerisma, Derek, Matt, and Alexis (2). We get together a couple of times a year with the Seltzers and Crokers, but haven't seen Janet and Kayla since we left Guangzhou. It's pretty amazing to see the changes in these girls as they have left orphanage life behind and are thriving in their American homes! All are talking, LOUD, and running around wanting ice cream and goldfish like all other kiddos. I love, love, love doing this to keep these girls heritage together, and because these families have become great friends! My camera broke just as we got there, so these pics are from Mel's camera. I was bummed, but grateful we got some precious pics of our day! What did we learn from our Zoo trip? 1.That Cade loves fish and the manatees....but not much else here except his mommy 2.Leni doesn't appear in many pics because she was always running ahead to see the next animal (animal FREAK is she!!) 3. Malia and Kristin bonded:) 4. Mr. Seltzer's job has been keeping him particularly busy as of late (he's a detective) 5.we're amazed that the Crokers (Maryland) and Janet (Michigan) would fly in for this:) 6.this mommy never, ever gets to finish a conversation... and finally...... 7. Mel absolutely puts the zoo at the top of the list of favorite things to do....especially goats and chimpanzees! What does everyone think about these 4 Asian Beauties? We love you guys and can't wait till our next Jiangxi Girls adventure!

P.S. Thank you everyone for all the cards, letters and notes of encouragement on my birthday! You know who you are! You really made my day of turning 29 (again) much more special!!