Beanie has been working on learning to play the guitar...all by herself. Did I tell you she's the smartest 11 year old I know?????
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
01-01-12....A Great Day!
Why was 01-01-12 such a great day, you ask....because it was Beanie's 11th birthday!!!
She chose the meal..."all you can eat" Chinese Buffet. She ate her favorite food: fried FROG legs. YUM!
We had a little party!
Beanie loves music...she loves to dance, and sing, and play the piano. She hoped for a guitar (and as of today, she almost has Ode to Joy figured out!).
One year and one month ago...she met a man she did not know...traveled to a land she did not know...made a life with a family she did not know...and trusted it would all be okay.
She chose the meal..."all you can eat" Chinese Buffet. She ate her favorite food: fried FROG legs. YUM!
We had a little party!
One year and one month ago...she met a man she did not know...traveled to a land she did not know...made a life with a family she did not know...and trusted it would all be okay.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Fun at the Ballet
Saturday, Jim took four of the five girls to see the Nutcracker ballet at a nearby college.
Throughout the years, he's taken the two older girls several times, but this was a first for both Beanie and Gelly.
Witty, being Witty chose to stay home with me and have "quality time." It's better she didn't go, as we were pretty certain her complaints of wanting to go home would start five minutes into it. :-)
Prior to leaving, both Beanie and Gelly, were about to burst with joy!
All the girls....even Witty!
Happy to arrive!
Up high...is what'cha get when you procrastinate on purchasing the tickets!
No-No....you are very pretty!
Is that Beanie.....or a cherub?
Waiting...and waiting!
If you know Beanie, then you know why I often call her Ellie-Mae (as in Clampett).
Here is an example of her Ellie-Mae-ness:
The ballet is about to start...the lights dim, the orchestra begins to play...the curtains are still closed.
A loud indignant Beanie voice can be heard reverberating throughout the theater......... "Whhhhaaaatttt!!! We don't get to see it?!?!?!?" (she mistakenly thought the orchestra playing, with a closed curtain was all there was going to be....and she didn't hesitate to share her dismay!).
Throughout the years, he's taken the two older girls several times, but this was a first for both Beanie and Gelly.
Witty, being Witty chose to stay home with me and have "quality time." It's better she didn't go, as we were pretty certain her complaints of wanting to go home would start five minutes into it. :-)
Prior to leaving, both Beanie and Gelly, were about to burst with joy!
All the girls....even Witty!
Happy to arrive!
Up high...is what'cha get when you procrastinate on purchasing the tickets!
No-No....you are very pretty!
Is that Beanie.....or a cherub?
Waiting...and waiting!
If you know Beanie, then you know why I often call her Ellie-Mae (as in Clampett).
Here is an example of her Ellie-Mae-ness:
The ballet is about to start...the lights dim, the orchestra begins to play...the curtains are still closed.
A loud indignant Beanie voice can be heard reverberating throughout the theater......... "Whhhhaaaatttt!!! We don't get to see it?!?!?!?" (she mistakenly thought the orchestra playing, with a closed curtain was all there was going to be....and she didn't hesitate to share her dismay!).
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The Dead Blog....Lives!
Okay...so, it's been a loooooonnnngggg time since I've updated.
Here's why:
doctors appointments
school started
lessons started (3 ballet classes a week, one piano)
jobs started (which means I lost a lot of my help!)
several family members with the plague (fortunately all are well, and it skipped Jim and me)
teaching one 16 year old to drive
ladies Bible study
errands, errands, and more errands
and teeny-bit of house work (just enough to get by it seems!!!)
Both Gelly and Witty have recently been seen by the cardiologist (Witty's visit was yesterday).
(Do you love the trick photography????)
The Doctor told Gelly "Your heart is GREAT! You should live to be an old lady!"
Gelly looked shocked, as she thought he was saying she is an old lady!
Witty passed her heart exam with flying colors as well!
As she frequently says, "my chokin' thing is fixed! You're happy my chokin' thing is fixed? You glad you got my chokin' thing fixed" Yes, Witty, we are very glad we got your "chokin'" thing fixed!!!
Praising Jesus over and over for restoring the health of both our little "babies"
"Sissy" is working full-time, volunteers at LifeCenter (in the battle against abortion), and leads the girls ministry at our church.
(participating in 40 Days For Life event; in front of Planned Parenthood)
Beanie landed in America almost one year ago.
Actually, Jim left the day after Thanksgiving last year.
She's done extremely well for all that she has been through.
She talks and talks and talks to me about her life in China....it's often hard to hear and harder to process.
She's a good girl, happy, and smart.
We are blessed that we are her parents.
"Big bro #2" is ready for the driving test, and carts me around at every opportunity. He's excited to begin assistant coaching a 3rd/4th grade basketball team.
"Big-bro #1" wants to be left off the blog...but he does exist!
The doggie has grown...is cute...well actually kind of ugly....can ugly be cute?
Here...Beanie and Gelly prepare for our thankful meal:
I have to say......I am thankful...that Jesus lived died and lives.
Repenting of my sin, trusting that I have been gifted salvation through HIS grace by faith....
acknowledging that
no amount of "work" can save me
I can not be saved because "I am a good person."
Jesus took my sin to the cross, and because of HIM I will live with HIM forever.
HE is who I am most grateful for. :-)
One more thing.....I love love love JJ Heller's music.
I was very happy when I saw she would be here in concert.
The older girls went with some of their friends, and I went with my buddy Jayne. We had fun!
If you don't know JJ....I am posting one of her songs...listen and you'll love her too!
Here's why:
doctors appointments
school started
lessons started (3 ballet classes a week, one piano)
jobs started (which means I lost a lot of my help!)
several family members with the plague (fortunately all are well, and it skipped Jim and me)
teaching one 16 year old to drive
ladies Bible study
errands, errands, and more errands
and teeny-bit of house work (just enough to get by it seems!!!)
Both Gelly and Witty have recently been seen by the cardiologist (Witty's visit was yesterday).
The Doctor told Gelly "Your heart is GREAT! You should live to be an old lady!"
Gelly looked shocked, as she thought he was saying she is an old lady!
Witty passed her heart exam with flying colors as well!
As she frequently says, "my chokin' thing is fixed! You're happy my chokin' thing is fixed? You glad you got my chokin' thing fixed" Yes, Witty, we are very glad we got your "chokin'" thing fixed!!!
Praising Jesus over and over for restoring the health of both our little "babies"
Our "big kids" are all busy...extremely busy.
"No-No" is working several hours a week, and going to college. She is so so so happy with her major (ASL interpreting).
"Sissy" is working full-time, volunteers at LifeCenter (in the battle against abortion), and leads the girls ministry at our church.
Beanie landed in America almost one year ago.
Actually, Jim left the day after Thanksgiving last year.
She's done extremely well for all that she has been through.
She talks and talks and talks to me about her life in China....it's often hard to hear and harder to process.
She's a good girl, happy, and smart.
We are blessed that we are her parents.
"Big bro #2" is ready for the driving test, and carts me around at every opportunity. He's excited to begin assistant coaching a 3rd/4th grade basketball team.
"Big-bro #1" wants to be left off the blog...but he does exist!
The doggie has grown...is cute...well actually kind of ugly....can ugly be cute?
Here...Beanie and Gelly prepare for our thankful meal:
I have to say......I am thankful...that Jesus lived died and lives.
Repenting of my sin, trusting that I have been gifted salvation through HIS grace by faith....
acknowledging that
no amount of "work" can save me
I can not be saved because "I am a good person."
Jesus took my sin to the cross, and because of HIM I will live with HIM forever.
HE is who I am most grateful for. :-)
I was very happy when I saw she would be here in concert.
The older girls went with some of their friends, and I went with my buddy Jayne. We had fun!
If you don't know JJ....I am posting one of her songs...listen and you'll love her too!
Friday, September 9, 2011
I Turned 50!!!!!!! And What's the Bun About????
Okay...really? I'm 50?????????????
Settling into the idea...actually, b'day numbers have never bothered me, and this one doesn't either!
I blew out my BUN three times. What's the bun for?
Well, Witty and Beanie wanted to blow the candles, and they both had/have colds....wha-la....the birthday bun for blowing!
Actually, my mom, is the original inventor of the "blow cake." She makes ALL of her grandkids birthday cakes, and always includes a teeny-tiny "blow cake."
Settling into the idea...actually, b'day numbers have never bothered me, and this one doesn't either!
I blew out my BUN three times. What's the bun for?
Well, Witty and Beanie wanted to blow the candles, and they both had/have colds....wha-la....the birthday bun for blowing!
Actually, my mom, is the original inventor of the "blow cake." She makes ALL of her grandkids birthday cakes, and always includes a teeny-tiny "blow cake."
Witty Will Make You Laugh!
When you meet Witty, intially she gives the impression that she is shy and serious....
but after getting to know her, you realize she is a laugh a minute!
Here she is trying to learn how to roll her eyes.
but after getting to know her, you realize she is a laugh a minute!
Here she is trying to learn how to roll her eyes.