tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70562527517835274572024-03-13T22:04:02.945-07:00Jake Makes Fouramyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-63156508511041823312013-06-12T18:40:00.001-07:002013-06-12T18:40:49.674-07:00Summer Begins!<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><strong>Week 18</strong></u></div>
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Here's out sweet boy, smiling in the rain.</div>
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School is almost over and we are relaxing on a lazy afternoon.</div>
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Jake continues to thrive. He's gaining weight and learning English at a great rate!</div>
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The kids have been helping me get ready for VBS (it's in July). We're working on crafts. I found a $1 Family Fun book at Target which has been worth much more than $1. Joy spent about 2 hours working on this paper pizza. I decided we'd use it as decoration in the snack area at church.</div>
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Marta and Sara are loving the hammock now in the backyard. We had this hanging up in Shane's room prior to Jake moving in. Tom figured out a way to hang it on the swing set! Thanks honey! :)</div>
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Our friends are moving back to Mt. Pleasant! YEAH!! We are so excited! This is their youngest son, David, who is celebrating his 14th birthday!</div>
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He's dearly loved!</div>
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This was the last week of school. The kindergarten classes did swimming. Here's Marta waiting on her turn.</div>
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She's excited about helping Jake and Joy learn how to swim. They'll be doing swim lessons once a week while I'm teaching my water aerobics class.</div>
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Updating the blog has been harder lately because end of the school year activities.</div>
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Now, however, summer is rolling and we've got so many things to do with the kids before school starts back. </div>
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<b>We're now in Week 20</b> (our half-way point). The dynamics of our new family are starting to even out.</div>
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Overall, I think we are doing pretty well. I know we'll continue to grow & develop as a family over the summer. Many positive behaviors are being seen! We praise God for His goodness and faithfulness!</div>
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We're looking forward to summer play dates with our friends and family.</div>
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-6708978106645181722013-05-22T06:12:00.003-07:002013-05-22T06:12:48.394-07:00Week 17 Jake Wins!<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><strong>Top Banana, Week 15</strong></u></div>
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Marta got to bring home Weekend Monkey at the beginning of Week 15.</div>
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Weekend Monkey got to do everything with Marta from Fri-Mon morning. </div>
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We took pictures of Marta with Weekend Monkey for the class journal.</div>
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Weekend Monkey had such a great time with Marta! He was happy to learn how to play Candyland.</div>
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Shane got a new hat on Fri and he decided he wanted everyone else to be apart of the hat happiness.</div>
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<u><strong>Happy Mother's Day, Week 16</strong></u></div>
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First time in a sprinkler at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Joy wouldn't take off the flip flops.</div>
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Yes, they needed an umbrella to play with!</div>
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I was so thankful that it was a perfect temperature and full of sun for water play!</div>
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I love this picture....all 5 of my kids in one place sitting for a moment!</div>
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Look at Shane's face....I made lemonade, but it was weak. This made me laugh!</div>
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The adults got the table in the kitchen.</div>
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Thank you so much to Miss Rose and Dottie for giving us puppy love! Dottie stole Joy's heart.</div>
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Joy loves little dogs, but not big ones. Dottie is the perfect size according to Joy.</div>
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Flowers by Jake (he loves to take pictures, especially of flowers)</div>
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This is my favorite one...the yellow one.</div>
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Jake and Joy really seemed to understand what Mother's Day was about. We had a wonderful family gathering on Sun. I got to be with my own mother and Tom got to see his mother.</div>
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We are very blessed to have 2 great mothers!</div>
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<u><strong>Week 17</strong></u><br />
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<strong>May 20th, 2013 - JAKE WINS 3rd Place!</strong> </div>
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He won 3rd place in his age group. We are so proud of him. <br />
The picture had to have water in it.<br />
He loves art! I'm so grateful to his art teacher who entered his picture!<br />
Thank you Miss Jennifer!<br />
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He also got $50.00 for 3rd place! He decided he'd put $10.00 in his wallet & save the rest.<br />
I pray that God will use his talent for His Kingdom!</div>
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Thank you to all who continue to pray for us. The dynamics of our family are starting to mesh together now. Joy and Marta are getting along much better. </div>
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We're a short time away from summer. The plans now are to swim in the mornings and do school work after lunch. If you'd like to go to the beach, please call us! </div>
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Many blessings,</div>
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-25355141862626607602013-05-03T05:43:00.000-07:002013-05-03T05:43:02.916-07:00Week 14, Rewind<br />
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<u><strong>Family Pictures by Anna (rewind back to March)</strong></u></div>
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Thank you to everyone praying for us. We are hearing more English and less Chinese. </div>
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Thank you Whitesides teachers for your dedication to our children! You are a blessing!</div>
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-80394660800016265982013-04-26T11:11:00.001-07:002013-04-26T11:11:06.546-07:00Week 13, Marta's Gotcha Day<br />
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<u><strong>Week 13, Marta's Gotcha Day (GD), April 23rd!</strong></u></div>
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Six years ago, God placed this beautiful little girl into my arms. I had no idea how she would change my life. We've been through many ups and downs since April 23rd, 2007. Marta is now thriving and bloosming into a child who loves the Lord.</div>
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She had a foster family when she was in Guatemala for approximately 8 and a half months. They took such good care of her. We have a picture of Marta with her birth mother. She has seen it and sometimes</div>
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she carries it to school with her (she keeps it in her backpack). She's told me that she loves all 3 of her mothers, but she knows that I'm her forever mother.</div>
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I'm thankful to God for putting Marta in our family. I'm thankful to her birthmother who was brave enough to let her go. I'm thankful to our Pediatrician who discovered her defective heart condition and for her Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon who performed her heart surgery.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcS0Qzqqx5Y/UXp4XrGhAaI/AAAAAAAAA7o/3S-jjwXfbic/s1600/Marta-Gotcha+Day+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" lwa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcS0Qzqqx5Y/UXp4XrGhAaI/AAAAAAAAA7o/3S-jjwXfbic/s400/Marta-Gotcha+Day+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We celebrated on Tues (GD), after school with cupcakes and a few small gifts.</div>
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It took me over an hour to explain to Jake & Joy what we were celebrating. Now, they know that they will also have a GD to look forward to in Jan 2014. Plus, it helped us start working on geography.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbcCtR7yV2I/UXp3R-f88uI/AAAAAAAAA7c/SbBeNF0tYrU/s1600/Marta-GD+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" lwa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbcCtR7yV2I/UXp3R-f88uI/AAAAAAAAA7c/SbBeNF0tYrU/s400/Marta-GD+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are some more Marta pictures! WE LOVE YOU, MARTA! </div>
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The picture below is from a family trip that we took in 2011. She's 4 years old.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UPPulr82kGc/UXp9aIBBwAI/AAAAAAAAA8M/52ZQzdssSb8/s1600/Mart_Grace_Shane+Blue-lips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" lwa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UPPulr82kGc/UXp9aIBBwAI/AAAAAAAAA8M/52ZQzdssSb8/s400/Mart_Grace_Shane+Blue-lips.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The "Monkey Bars" is her favorite thing to do at the playground! Grace loved the monkey bars also.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-apdhMf_6J1Q/UXp9_ilxWqI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/nN4Isf9vAP4/s1600/Marta+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" lwa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-apdhMf_6J1Q/UXp9_ilxWqI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/nN4Isf9vAP4/s400/Marta+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Please continue to pray for Marta. The "big change" is still happening for her and all of us. Even though positive changes are now happening with regards to Joy's behavior, Marta is still needing prayers for her spirit and heart. Please <strong>pray specifically Romans 15:5-6</strong> for her: "God, give Marta and her siblings endurance, encouragement, and a spirit of unity as they follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth they may glorify you, precious Lord." (from Jodie Berndt's book, keep reading) </div>
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This week we found out that Jake has won an award for an art contest. The art teacher at school entered students into a contest at the local Water Works Department and he won! On May 20th, we'll go to the presentation of awards to find out what award he'll receive - 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. The picture below was taken by Joy.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCCJulCniiw/UXqA9C8SYfI/AAAAAAAAA8o/FntG0IJaNsc/s1600/Jake-blue+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" lwa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCCJulCniiw/UXqA9C8SYfI/AAAAAAAAA8o/FntG0IJaNsc/s640/Jake-blue+chair.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thank you again to all those who are praying for us. Bringing Jake and Joy home from China has not been an walk in the park.....and I knew that it wouldn't be. I thank God everyday for His wisdom, direction, and guidance. I've started a new prayer journal which has 5 separate sections, one section per child (5-section spiral notebook). I'm trying everyday to pray specifically for one child in writing. God provides the 10, 20, or 30 minute time periods here and there so that I can be with Him to pray quietly. My outside resource is <u><em><strong>Praying The Scriptures For Your Children</strong></em></u>, by Jodie Berndt. She does a nice job in her book of the different prayer categories. I use her thoughts sometimes in my written prayers. I even found it at the local library! </div>
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Stay tuned! Week 14 is now happening.....</div>
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-88388063475069143542013-04-19T11:16:00.002-07:002013-04-19T11:16:36.668-07:00Week 12, Postive Changes<br />
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<u><strong>Week 12</strong></u></div>
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If you've been praying for our family, thank you! </div>
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God has answered those prayers.</div>
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I've seen so many postive changes this week in Joy's attitude.</div>
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It's been wonderful.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fN0Ugi55D8/UXE-Z8wF-vI/AAAAAAAAA50/rfr0XC3j_yM/s1600/Joy+posing,+front+yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fN0Ugi55D8/UXE-Z8wF-vI/AAAAAAAAA50/rfr0XC3j_yM/s400/Joy+posing,+front+yard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Joy is now beginning to learn who a mother is and how a mother is there to love and support her.<br />
She is understanding what a family is and how she fits into it.<br />
I'm thankful to our great God who loves this little girl so much and who is transforming her from <br />
the rough child she was into His princess.<br />
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She and Marta are getting along much better this week. Even though they are exactly the same<br />
height, Joy has started to realize that Marta is only six years old. She is sharing with Marta and<br />
accepting Marta's handmade cards.<br />
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<br />She is always the first child to get up in the mornings. Details about her life in the orphanage are now<br />
starting to come out because the English is improving. She was able to tell me that all the <br />
children wake up at 5:00am each morning to get ready to go to school.<br />
She said if they didn't get up when they were told, they would hit us. <br />
They were given breakfast at the orphange and then theywere at school by 7:30am.<br />
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Since she is the first up, she enjoys listening to us (Tom & myself) read our devotional together.<br />
She sits with us on the couch and is a part of our prayer after the devotional reading.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NdayM-ZEfEA/UXFEsYS4RSI/AAAAAAAAA6E/EYgJU4P4_f8/s1600/Joy+black+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NdayM-ZEfEA/UXFEsYS4RSI/AAAAAAAAA6E/EYgJU4P4_f8/s400/Joy+black+dress.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This week she has dressed up everyday for school. Jake decided to do a photo shoot of his sister.<br />
This fashionista knows that we need to get her some different shoes to go with all the dresses.<br />
Her friends at school are being blown away everyday with her new look.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DukuKPUu5y4/UXFGcrxM2GI/AAAAAAAAA6M/0BtAdCzyo-o/s1600/Amy+at+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DukuKPUu5y4/UXFGcrxM2GI/AAAAAAAAA6M/0BtAdCzyo-o/s400/Amy+at+garden.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I really don't like getting my picture taken, but Joy was insisting that it was my turn. This is our box garden<br />
that Tom works so hard in. He's developing his green thumb. Right now we have kale and green onions.<br />
And again, I'm including this picture of myself so that you can see that I'm still hanging in there. People keep saying to me, "I don't see how you're doing it. I couldn't do it." Then, I have an open door to share <br />
with them that's it's not my doing, it's God's doing....He's the one who gives me strength. He's the one who instructs me, even at night while I'm sleeping. They give me some strange looks, but it's fine with me.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TtI_E0M109Q/UXFIMA04KHI/AAAAAAAAA6U/j523GxVRjUc/s1600/AA+drops+by+with+gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TtI_E0M109Q/UXFIMA04KHI/AAAAAAAAA6U/j523GxVRjUc/s400/AA+drops+by+with+gifts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mom's sweet friend, Miss AA, dropped by this week with some little gifts for the kids. </div>
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Thank you AA for the jewerly, beads and beautiful flowers.</div>
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Marta wasn't home, but Jake and Joy made sure to set aside some of the pink </div>
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bracelets and necklaces for her! </div>
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I was so proud of them for understanding the concept of sharing and</div>
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for thinking of others.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nu53g3l0Fls/UXFi82VE-qI/AAAAAAAAA6c/iLkdY2SoLWQ/s1600/Grace+helping+Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nu53g3l0Fls/UXFi82VE-qI/AAAAAAAAA6c/iLkdY2SoLWQ/s400/Grace+helping+Joy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Grace, our oldest, helping Joy get the bracelet on.</div>
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Marta, our youngest, is also doing better with having a 2nd big sister. Please, however, keep her in your </div>
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prayers. Our "big change" is still happening and it will probably continue for at least another 6-9 months.</div>
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One thing that Marta and Joy have in common is that they both love Barbie dolls. This is Marta's</div>
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Barbie car. She decided she needed a car for the girls. I was really excited to see 1) that she was </div>
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playing by herself and 2) she had decided to use her creative juices. She has become an inspiration to Jake who now has his own plans for designing his Barbie car. </div>
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Along with her love for Barbie, Marta also has a love for the Splat the Cat.</div>
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We've checked out almost all the I Can Read! #1 Splat the Cat books from the Village library.</div>
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It's exciting see her figure out the words. I takes be back to when Grace and Shane were learning how to read. So again, she is inspiring her new siblings through her love of books. When they see her reading, they also become interested. They haven't fallen in love with Splat the Cat, but I know in time</div>
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they'll find a character or series that they'll want to hear more about.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QV8soBq692s/UXGDRVmO-KI/AAAAAAAAA68/lNHCs4OTLDY/s1600/barbie+car+with+Marta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QV8soBq692s/UXGDRVmO-KI/AAAAAAAAA68/lNHCs4OTLDY/s400/barbie+car+with+Marta.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And last but not least this week, the report on the boys. Jake is a helping spirit. He wants to chop up whatever we need chopping and he wants to "give the flowers a drink" whenever possible.</div>
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He has become the translator, sort of. When Joy can't figure out what to say or how to say what she needs in English, she'll ask him what the word is that she's looking for. He'll usually be able to assist. Our handheld translator is now history. </div>
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Shane did well this past Sat in the regional double dutch competition in Florence! He'll be going to the state meet the first Sat in May! :)</div>
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And we are happy to say that Jake is eating very well. He's asking for more ice cream after the first bowl is eaten. The only thing that he doesn't seem to like is quiche. He's still very skinny, but I know that he's gaining weight. I can see it in his face.</div>
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Many thanks again to those of you who are praying for us. I'm so thankful that we are almost at the 3 month mark. It's exciting to know that God is with us each and He'll continue to guide us!</div>
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-30362916896848811892013-04-12T05:53:00.000-07:002013-04-12T09:42:15.655-07:00Week 11<br />
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Chinese Jello tastes like sweet tea. This was a treat from our friend, Helen.<br />
Thanks Helen!</div>
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Marta ate it, but nobody else would, not even Jake and Joy.</div>
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Joy and Marta had a better week this week as you see.</div>
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Joy and Marta did Grace's make-up and then Joy did Marta's make-up.</div>
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So what makes a tough little girl come crying (almost) to her mama?</div>
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You guessed it, a hard fall on both knees in the street.</div>
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Joy was playing a game of tag with the new neighbors kid and Shane. She fell when she was running across the street to avoid being tagged.</div>
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I was sitting on the edge of our yard and saw it happen.</div>
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After she fell, I wondered if she'd get up crying. </div>
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As you see she recovered quickly and Marta was happy to play nurse.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u50iYx3NDpY/UWgJ2e5DDWI/AAAAAAAAA4g/te1xsLyuUCM/s1600/Joy,+Marta+-+1st+bandaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u50iYx3NDpY/UWgJ2e5DDWI/AAAAAAAAA4g/te1xsLyuUCM/s400/Joy,+Marta+-+1st+bandaid.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I put 3 bandaids on one knee and 2 on the other.</div>
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These are our new neighbors. Jaheim is a 5th grader and Asia is a 3rd grader. They go to Whitesides! </div>
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When we were in China, J & J showed discrimination toward Africans (we only saw a few). </div>
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It's funny now how God has brought these delightful children into our lives and they live right across the street. Since J & J have been going to school, they have not shown any ill behavior toward the </div>
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African American children (at least not to my knowledge). </div>
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The bugs are already bad (the knats).</div>
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Joy was able to rejoin the crew after the bandaids got put in place. </div>
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I decided to add in a picture of myself this week to let you know, again that, yes, I am still alive. </div>
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I'm thankful that all 5 kids returned to school. Spring break, however, did give me a picture of what summer could be like if I don't develop a plan. Our bio kids (G & S) get out of school the end of May and the other 3 get out the 1st week in June. I know that we'll have VBS in July, but that's all I've got on the calendar so far.</div>
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Someone took a picture of me cutting up the watermelon. This will be one way to keep the kids happy this summer.....to make sure we have plenty of watermelon. They love it!</div>
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Here's Joy being funny for the camera.</div>
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This is what Joy did to the watermelon. She told me it was to much, but she ate every bite.</div>
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Thank you again to those who are praying for us! It means the world to us and I know our Great God is hearing those prayers! Please continue to pray for a deep element of peace to flow through our family.</div>
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If you are someone considering adopting, please take the leap of faith and do it! God is with you always.</div>
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He will never leave you nor forsake you!</div>
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-17474537637830090282013-04-07T10:45:00.001-07:002013-04-07T10:45:13.582-07:00Week 10, Spring Break Is Coming To An End<br />
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Spring break started with Easter activities. Our church had an Easter Egg hunt on Sat morning.</div>
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The kids had a great time! Jake even found a prize egg. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's Marta with the Easter Bunny before the hunt started.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is while the hunt is happening (it's almost over).</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are our 2 youngest, Marta and Jake, dumping their eggs to trade for their goodie bags. Yes, Jake's the one with the Super Man jacket. My mom gave that to him for his birthday and he wears it all the time. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some people see these three and think they're triplets.</span></td></tr>
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We did our favorite ice cream spot this week while we were down 2 children. Grace and Shane got to visit their grandparents from Tues through Thurs. We needed something special for those who didn't get to go. So, we did the Tuesday Family Night and this was just right!</div>
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Jake also found the doctor's play kit in the closet this week. </div>
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I think he may have a future in medicine because he has such a tender heart.<br />
This week was the week I fell in love with our son. He is sensitive, smart, and funny.<br />
God has so many incredible things planned for him and I can't wait to see what they are.</div>
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We also got to have a half day visit with my great nephew, John Clifton. This is really strange to me because I never really thought of myself as a "great aunt." John Clinton was in town with his grandmother, Grammy Missy. They wanted us to come over to Folly Beach to visit (Tom's Mother's house). Marta, Joy and Jake were so excited about this little guy and his little brother (not pictured). Jake and Joy decided to "read a book" to JC....they were teaching him his alphabet! Imagine, Chinese children teaching a toddler English. I was laughing at this. After eating lunch together, we took a stroll to the Folly River pier.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joy was doing all she could to get her hands on these little guys. She probably was </span><br />
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Tom was not on this visit because he decided over spring break to work on the bushes in our front yard. He cut them all the way back. I hope they'll grow back soon because our front yard now looks naked. Jake (not pictured) decided to help Tom with the clean up. I'm so thankful for his helping spirit! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0WN0dLgwqLQ/UWDMR4qU_tI/AAAAAAAAA3U/OegNDjQjlgg/s1600/Tom+in+front+yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" mta="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0WN0dLgwqLQ/UWDMR4qU_tI/AAAAAAAAA3U/OegNDjQjlgg/s640/Tom+in+front+yard.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is only part of what he did. The boxwoods on the other side of the house</span><br />
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We visited the library on Friday to return books and DVDs. Jake found this book and wanted </div>
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to check it out. I didn't look through it until we got home. It's was a book that J & J can easily read.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzA05TiAYJk/UWDOgrdZ7eI/AAAAAAAAA3c/QnR8idkQDfA/s1600/School+Bus+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" mta="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzA05TiAYJk/UWDOgrdZ7eI/AAAAAAAAA3c/QnR8idkQDfA/s400/School+Bus+Book.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This book also got J & J asking questions about going to school. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We ended the 10th week on a not-so-good note. Joy had some attitude problems. We </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">sought counsel from our Christian friend who was able to give us encouragement and shared some insightful thoughts about Joy's behavior.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I was able to redirect Joy with some "tough love." I was thankful that by Friday afternoon, I was seeing a change in her behavior. However, please pray for God to give Joy a teachable spirit and heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Once things turned around for the better on Friday afternoon, Jake started running a fever. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is the 1st time he's been sick since he's been with us. He was almost crying when the fever was </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">spiking. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He slept all day Saturday on the couch. I'm happy to report now (Sun afternoon) that he's feeling better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I also want to say a very special thank you to the youth group from Anderson that came down this week. They camped out at our church and did mission work for their spring break. We got to be one of their projects (they helped J & J with their English). Mrs. Karmen and the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">girls were a blessing to our family. We loved getting to know them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">* Karmen, if you come back this summer, please give us a call! </span></div>
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amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-24633512174761303482013-03-29T03:40:00.002-07:002013-03-29T03:40:25.049-07:00Week 9, Spring Break is Here!<br />
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<b><u>Week 9, Joy's Birthday and More!</u></b></div>
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On Saturday, Tom took the kids out to the Bulls Bay Nature Festival. Our friend, Claudine, signed us up for several of the events. THANK YOU CLAUDINE!</div>
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I wasn't able to go because of an unexpected funeral.</div>
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While they were there, they all got to go fishing! Jake caughtt 2 fish and boy, was he excited!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tk277v-vXig/UVNU3LQI3DI/AAAAAAAAAzc/69Wmljoh0Gg/s1600/Nature+Festival+t-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tk277v-vXig/UVNU3LQI3DI/AAAAAAAAAzc/69Wmljoh0Gg/s640/Nature+Festival+t-shirt.jpg" usa="true" width="426" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6aRb0bG_C_c/UVNWHfMngjI/AAAAAAAAAzk/Up6vrdYy5sE/s1600/Shane+&+Jake+with+2+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6aRb0bG_C_c/UVNWHfMngjI/AAAAAAAAAzk/Up6vrdYy5sE/s640/Shane+&+Jake+with+2+fish.jpg" usa="true" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shane had to help Jake with getting the catfish in!</span></td></tr>
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On Sunday, we celebrated Joy's 11th birthday. She thought the Barbie cake was awesome!</div>
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I also made cupcakes for her to take to school on Mon (her real birthday). She was on cloud nine!</div>
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We gave her a pair of sunglasses and a small necklace making kit.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLaspL-Okzo/UVOYow6YP0I/AAAAAAAAAz8/05unBcV4v_Q/s1600/Joy+11th+b-day+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLaspL-Okzo/UVOYow6YP0I/AAAAAAAAAz8/05unBcV4v_Q/s640/Joy+11th+b-day+1.jpg" usa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the box that it came in! (Tom and Marta in the background)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UShID9jzYtQ/UVOb2ae7QfI/AAAAAAAAA0U/4-fMDpG_qB4/s1600/Joy+11th+b-day+Barbie+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UShID9jzYtQ/UVOb2ae7QfI/AAAAAAAAA0U/4-fMDpG_qB4/s640/Joy+11th+b-day+Barbie+cake.jpg" usa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got it from B-Lo. I think they did a pretty good job on it. It was better than buying the kit and trying to make it myself.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tkTKbQsYgI8/UVOZpLhWISI/AAAAAAAAA0E/rT-V3HBSfrU/s1600/Joy+11th+b-day+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tkTKbQsYgI8/UVOZpLhWISI/AAAAAAAAA0E/rT-V3HBSfrU/s640/Joy+11th+b-day+3.jpg" usa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Barbie did not stay in the cake very long! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEx5lUx20ec/UVOaQrOo_7I/AAAAAAAAA0M/oKuvvZe4Js4/s1600/Joy+11th+b-day+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEx5lUx20ec/UVOaQrOo_7I/AAAAAAAAA0M/oKuvvZe4Js4/s640/Joy+11th+b-day+4.jpg" usa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to celebrate a day early because Tom was home. He had to work on Mon. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JSqjJokPtJg/UVOc9kmoVQI/AAAAAAAAA0c/awH5KPDLCLI/s1600/Joy+b-day+opening+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JSqjJokPtJg/UVOc9kmoVQI/AAAAAAAAA0c/awH5KPDLCLI/s640/Joy+b-day+opening+gift.jpg" usa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Opening Gift #1, a necklace making kit.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQUMBCfo05s/UVOdoOXXh5I/AAAAAAAAA0o/FQjkMJ2jxbg/s1600/Joy+sees+sunglasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQUMBCfo05s/UVOdoOXXh5I/AAAAAAAAA0o/FQjkMJ2jxbg/s640/Joy+sees+sunglasses.jpg" usa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And here are the sunglasses.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Joy also got some birthday money in the mail from her grandparents. She put it in her wallet with </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">her Chinese money that I had given her. I know she'll give a big hug to her grandparents for the money</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">when she sees them on Easter Sunday.</span></td></tr>
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On Tues, Jake and Joy had their first well check up with Dr. Powell, our pediatrian.</div>
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The kids did a wonderful job. And thank you, Helen, for going with us! You made it so much easier for them. Helen had to explain to them that we were only going to the doctor's office, not the hospital. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YnbHij8-fLI/UVOfzxApYpI/AAAAAAAAA0s/ptIHlotQrzg/s1600/Dr.+Powell+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YnbHij8-fLI/UVOfzxApYpI/AAAAAAAAA0s/ptIHlotQrzg/s640/Dr.+Powell+1.jpg" usa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Waiting for our 1:30 appointment. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TNskxTIOW1U/UVOgX0mqOVI/AAAAAAAAA00/mg0a5sYjQAI/s1600/Dr.+Powell+2,+Jake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TNskxTIOW1U/UVOgX0mqOVI/AAAAAAAAA00/mg0a5sYjQAI/s640/Dr.+Powell+2,+Jake.jpg" usa="true" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He weighs 53 lbs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEpOGvGeIi0/UVOhqYA080I/AAAAAAAAA1I/aSFj3UqdeS4/s1600/Dr.+P+6%252C+Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEpOGvGeIi0/UVOhqYA080I/AAAAAAAAA1I/aSFj3UqdeS4/s640/Dr.+P+6%252C+Joy.jpg" usa="true" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Let's check your height."<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">All went well at the doctor's appointment. We weren't given any surprises! :) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Powell does want us to schedule a trip down to MUSC to have the kids checked out</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">by the International Adoption Clinic. We'll probably get that set up sometime this coming week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">And now a few more random pictures from other moments this week.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-msFg-M5jac4/UVOkwiyn3eI/AAAAAAAAA1U/anwrFjNqHhE/s1600/Tom+and+Jake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-msFg-M5jac4/UVOkwiyn3eI/AAAAAAAAA1U/anwrFjNqHhE/s640/Tom+and+Jake+2.jpg" usa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tom and Jake working in the compost garden. Tom thinks we have watermelons growing in it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpZRddF73PY/UVOi2RJ4J6I/AAAAAAAAA1M/RXyWngIsPhA/s1600/Marta+the+Fairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpZRddF73PY/UVOi2RJ4J6I/AAAAAAAAA1M/RXyWngIsPhA/s640/Marta+the+Fairy.jpg" usa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marta, our fairy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIhbMplIs-0/UVOle2krAqI/AAAAAAAAA1c/kGGCEK4iHJc/s1600/Shane's+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIhbMplIs-0/UVOle2krAqI/AAAAAAAAA1c/kGGCEK4iHJc/s640/Shane's+Book.jpg" usa="true" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shane's book for the next 2 weeks. I just checked it out from the libray on Mon and he's already on chapter 7. He's been very interested in shooting lately and he enjoys hunting with my dad. When I saw the young boy and the title, I thought we've got to get this book. It's also a SC Award Book!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If you have a reluctant reader like we do, you may want to find this at your library. I'm even enjoying it!</span></td></tr>
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I'm still working on the alphabet and phonics with Jake and Joy. I ran across this ABC book at church that I may use. I really like it because it's a great way to teach about God and who He is. I'll probably need to use the translator for explanations of each letter.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeLpia4HRdg/UVVtPqNyYiI/AAAAAAAAA1s/YDVyR7WCOYc/s1600/A+-+Almighty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeLpia4HRdg/UVVtPqNyYiI/AAAAAAAAA1s/YDVyR7WCOYc/s400/A+-+Almighty.jpg" usa="true" width="266" /></a></div>
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And last but not least, I want to say a big thank you to the Botero family for coming over this past Sat so that Tom and I could go on a date! The kids had a great time! You guys are a blessing to us! We can't wait to see you again soon! :)</div>
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May God bless all of you over the Easter holiday! Next week, week 10, and spring break pictures!<br />
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amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-23210786316022241982013-03-22T11:02:00.000-07:002013-03-22T11:02:43.697-07:00Week 8<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Week 8</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy 14th Birthday, Grace!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tom made the traditional birthday waffles before heading off to school!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grace, we love you so much! You are a beautiful girl on the inside and out! We're so thankful that God gave us you! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk3KZaOcq4Y/UUu1rXLPuTI/AAAAAAAAAyc/cbRQCoMgy7M/s1600/Grace+with+Birthday+Waffles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk3KZaOcq4Y/UUu1rXLPuTI/AAAAAAAAAyc/cbRQCoMgy7M/s640/Grace+with+Birthday+Waffles.jpg" ssa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">She also got the book,<em> <u>The</u></em><u> <em>Power of a Praying Teen</em></u>. </span></td></tr>
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Thank you to Robin and Ricky Mitchell for bringing over a bike this week for Jake! Shane was so sweet. He knew Jake needed training wheels & he volunteered to put them. Jake was off and going not to long after this picture!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh-0nImiPFs/UUxHmQTNOtI/AAAAAAAAAys/NgsBKZgCf18/s1600/Jake+and+Shane+with+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh-0nImiPFs/UUxHmQTNOtI/AAAAAAAAAys/NgsBKZgCf18/s640/Jake+and+Shane+with+bike.jpg" ssa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jake watching his brother put on his training wheels in our driveway.</span><br />
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Thank you Anna W for doing our family photo shoot this week. <br />
We took pictures in Mt. Pleasant and very close to our house.<br />
Some of these will be posted in the upcoming weeks!<br />
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On Thursday, Shane got braces! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_07JXwODvo/UUu09TFnWcI/AAAAAAAAAyU/enOZBvJVaeo/s1600/Shane+got+braces+on+Thurs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_07JXwODvo/UUu09TFnWcI/AAAAAAAAAyU/enOZBvJVaeo/s640/Shane+got+braces+on+Thurs.jpg" ssa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please pray for his mouth to feel better soon. And yes, he'll be getting bottom braces in the near future.</span></td></tr>
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On Thursday, Jake and Joy didn't have any homework. Jake decided he wanted to work with the American themed stencils. When I saw he was working on the Staute of Liberty, I asked him if he knew what it was. He did by holding his arm up like he was also holding the torch. I was happy to know that he understood this great American symbol!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2DA9Uvhax3M/UUxI-Bved2I/AAAAAAAAAy0/KBAMCmL3cbQ/s1600/Jake+doing+stencils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2DA9Uvhax3M/UUxI-Bved2I/AAAAAAAAAy0/KBAMCmL3cbQ/s640/Jake+doing+stencils.jpg" ssa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">His question for me was, "Mom, what color?" </span><br />
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The other highlight drawings of the week were pictures by Joy and Marta. Marta drew the picture below. Even though there are no people, it's colorful and seems happy. I especially like the stars down in the left hand corner.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlYNucMMDL0/UUxUm5ONQiI/AAAAAAAAAzM/WkCn-CyDADs/s1600/Marta's+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlYNucMMDL0/UUxUm5ONQiI/AAAAAAAAAzM/WkCn-CyDADs/s640/Marta's+picture.jpg" ssa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And Joy's family picture, below! I was excited that she included each person and wrote everyone's name (in English) above each person! Marta and Joy are starting to feel better about our family and each other.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The other fun part of the week has been teaching Jake and Joy the words to </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">"Mary had a Little Lamb."</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both Jake and Joy love music. I was able to print out a coloring sheet with the words to the nursery rhyme. Being the homeschool mom that I was, I knew I could tap into their learning with music and rhyme. We had to do some school at home this week because the public school had testing. The Vice Principal asked me to please bring them at 10:00am on Wed and Thurs morning. We worked on our song and also on phonics! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the coming weekend, we'll be celebrating Joy's 11th birthday! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have a Barbie cake ordered. I can't wait to see her face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To all you who are reading our blog, thank you again! We love having you follow along. Please pray for the orphans who are waiting for a family. Please pray for those families who are considering adopting, but are afraid. May God bless each one of you today and in the many weeks ahead with awesome His love, peace, and presence.</span><br />
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amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-27547557540358720762013-03-16T05:05:00.000-07:002013-03-16T05:05:57.295-07:00Week 7, The Playground & More<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>The Playground at Sullivan's Island</b></u></span></div>
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This past Saturday we went to the new and improved Sullivan's Island playground.</div>
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The 3 younger ones had a good time on a beautiful day!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NNmMG2P9pRo/UUNkvhsADWI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Iy9LnZbIxvE/s1600/Marta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" psa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NNmMG2P9pRo/UUNkvhsADWI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Iy9LnZbIxvE/s640/Marta.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MAVOcvzmoFo/UUNmJo_UggI/AAAAAAAAAv8/xq1c96ny5S8/s1600/Jake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" psa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MAVOcvzmoFo/UUNmJo_UggI/AAAAAAAAAv8/xq1c96ny5S8/s640/Jake.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4kkHOTZxN0/UUOIMjfKFgI/AAAAAAAAAwU/ZaDLs81FMQc/s1600/The+Trio+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" psa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4kkHOTZxN0/UUOIMjfKFgI/AAAAAAAAAwU/ZaDLs81FMQc/s640/The+Trio+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trio! (Picture 1)</td></tr>
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These 3 are finding out that they have so much in common.<br />
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On Thursday morning before school, I found Joy fixing Marta's hair for school! This was a huge blessing.<br />
Then, on Friday morning, there they were again. Joy was brushing Marta's hair and putting in pig tails.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jVUQG8yVvig/UUPCp53qzXI/AAAAAAAAAws/H6R73XIqjBo/s1600/The+Trio+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" psa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jVUQG8yVvig/UUPCp53qzXI/AAAAAAAAAws/H6R73XIqjBo/s640/The+Trio+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The English word count as of today is.....?<br />
A few of the things that they are now saying are,......<br />
"Mom, bathroom!" Which means, "Mom, I'm going to the bathroom."<br />
"Please."<br />
"Thank you."<br />
"Let's go!"<br />
"Strawberries."<br />
"I like bread."<br />
"One more."<br />
"Wait."<br />
"Blessing." (which really means, "Please say a prayer with me before saying good night.")<br />
"Milk."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-199k3CE75GM/UUPJdB_q_BI/AAAAAAAAAw8/PNTt8A42G7g/s1600/Trio+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" psa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-199k3CE75GM/UUPJdB_q_BI/AAAAAAAAAw8/PNTt8A42G7g/s640/Trio+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trio (Picture 2)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7lWVTj7E06A/UUPDkYDR6fI/AAAAAAAAAw0/kH-Xr8ZFSs0/s1600/The+Trio+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" psa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7lWVTj7E06A/UUPDkYDR6fI/AAAAAAAAAw0/kH-Xr8ZFSs0/s640/The+Trio+6.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
The Trio (Picture 3)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jake and Joy have been at Whitesides Elem for 5 weeks. They have home work almost everyday, which has been assigned by the ESOL teacher. We help them with it. The teacher sees them for 1 hour each morning, from 8:00-9:00am and then she also sees them separately, once during the week, for 30 minutes.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">These are a few of the paper books that they have brought home this past week.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uswBsohSsZ0/UUPL52QRNMI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/TvZQ5MGqFC4/s1600/School+Work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" psa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uswBsohSsZ0/UUPL52QRNMI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/TvZQ5MGqFC4/s640/School+Work.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next week I'll show you the stack that I got from the Village Library. They have color and a bit more story! I'm especially excited about the Peggy Post and Cindy Post Senning books! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you want to see them before next week, please visit The Emily Post Institute at <a href="http://www.emilypost.com/">www.emilypost.com</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are now getting in gear for Easter. I've introduced our Resurrection Eggs and we've done a few egg hunts. Spring Break follows immediately after Easter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you again, to all, who are reading our blog and praying for us. We can only make it through each day and week by God's marvelous hand working in our home. </span><br />
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-71773775194176270972013-03-08T06:34:00.001-08:002013-03-08T06:34:24.373-08:00Week 6, Bikes and Skateboarding!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Yes, Week 6! </b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This week we introduced bicycles. And Shane introduced skateboarding!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYZW4G0aV-Q/UTk9Lgq5yHI/AAAAAAAAAu4/_975rPl904Q/s1600/Shane+with+Skateboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYZW4G0aV-Q/UTk9Lgq5yHI/AAAAAAAAAu4/_975rPl904Q/s640/Shane+with+Skateboard.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He's showing off his new <b style="color: black;">green</b> wheels!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Joy is hanging on to Shane and hoping not to fall off the bike. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Jake wants to ride also, but as you see, we need to get a bike his size. So far he's been doing very well on the green scooter we have. I'll try to get a picture of him on that for Week 7!</span><br />
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Joy is now understanding how much I use the big calendar for planning our days and weeks. She is taking her own notes to figure out exactly how many days of school she has left until summer.<br />
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Joy (turning 11 on the 25th) and Grace (turning 14 on the 18th) have birthdays this month! <br />
And Happy Birthday to Tom and my mother! We celebrated Tom's birthday on March 3rd! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQo1xpMHfDc/UTlMeyrcTSI/AAAAAAAAAvg/WQhU9hN4EYw/s1600/Parkers+at+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQo1xpMHfDc/UTlMeyrcTSI/AAAAAAAAAvg/WQhU9hN4EYw/s640/Parkers+at+Church.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is our 1st Sunday Fellowship at church. Thanks Miss LaNita for taking our picture! I needed some lipstick. Oh well, remember we were eating.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We discovered through our Chinese friend that Jake is interested in the Bible.<br />
He's asking questions! He also started wearing a cross necklace to school this week. It was the one that I meant to pack for China, but forgot. It's been neat seeing him wear it, when he really doesn't even understand who Jesus is yet.<br />
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Some folks are asking how Jake and Joy are liking our food? Well, the funny thing that we've found out is that they like <b>Spanish dishes.</b> If you're a family with a new Chinese child in your home, I recommend trying out burritos or chimichangas! Jake and Joy also love <b>American frozen pizza</b>! I'm praising God for this! :)</div>
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I want to say a special thank you to Mrs Norris, Joy's teacher, for giving her the pink teddy bear this week! She went to sleep with it on Thurs night! I don't think she's ever had her own teddy bear. When she woke up on Friday morning, she brought it to breakfast with her. :) <br />
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<b>Thank you again to those who are continuing to read our blog and are praying for our family! </b>It really means the world to us! Of course, "the Big Change" is still happening, but I'm happy to report that the adjustment phase has been better this week!<br /></div>
Many Blessings, <br />
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-67369366273694810452013-03-02T09:26:00.001-08:002013-03-02T09:26:21.033-08:00Week 5, 1 Month Home<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Welcome to Week 5</b></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b> We've introduced basketball this week. It's been fun.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Joy loves wearing caps during our relaxation times. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>This was a day when the sun was actually out! The rain stopped one day.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5q0-NISl0M/US-dOrShf0I/AAAAAAAAAtc/ChxRQ6Dj1TU/s1600/B-ball+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5q0-NISl0M/US-dOrShf0I/AAAAAAAAAtc/ChxRQ6Dj1TU/s640/B-ball+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #f6b26b;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;">There goes Jake! This was one of his first attempts!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></td></tr>
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I also got to be a part of the Teddy Bear Picnic this week!<br />
Thank you Marta, Mrs. McDowell and Mrs Shuler!<br />
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The picnic was in the cafeteria because it was raining almost the entire week.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;">This little book has helped me through this week! I highly recommend it!</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Marta took this picture of me this week. I thought I should include it this week to show you that, yes, I am still alive!</span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span> Now, to count my blessings for this week:<br />
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1. I have a husband who wants to start our day off with doing a devotional and praying with me.<br />
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2. I have 5 beautiful children! Three of them know God and are learning about Him daily. Two of them are beginning to learn who God is and who Jesus is!<br />
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3. We have an public elementary school which all 3 younger kids are going to now and it's close to our house! <br />
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4. God's Spirit is moving and there is an element of peace starting to flow!<br />
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5. We have been able to get the 3 younger kids to school on time each morning!<br />
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6. I have had friends stop and listen this week about our trials, with bringing two children home from China, and they have prayed for us!<br />
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7. And last but not least....We have made a connection in Joy's class with a Chinese family. The mother came to the US when she was 15 years old. She is very interested and willing to help Jake and Joy learn English. She is fluent in Chinese and English. This past week she brought a Chinese lunch to Joy at school. THANK YOU HELEN for your friendship and teaching!<br />
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I hope all of you reading have a great weekend! Please continue to pray for the orphans in China and around the world. Pray that God would move in the hearts of His people to help orphans as He has commanded us to do.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Blessings,</span><br />
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amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-7722055243952676652013-02-22T05:06:00.004-08:002013-02-22T05:06:38.328-08:00Week 4, Jake's 10th Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Happy Birthday Jake!</span></b></span></span></div>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here's the musical candle from China that we didn't get quite right. Oops! Jake was singing to himself the birthday song, as we also sang to him. SWEET! Our oldest, Grace, made the cake almost as soon as she got out of bed. We had a small family party. </b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The flower candle did open up after we figured it out! </b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dad, with Jake, and Joy in the background.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was the football being opened!</span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">He looks like he's deep in thought about what's inside that box! I decided to get a Lego set (3 in 1) for his age group. We already have thousands of sets, but not this one....a house with a dude skateboarder! It was the perfect gift. </span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Once the party was over, Tom returned to working on the front bathroom.</span></b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>So, during the 4th week home we were down to only 1 bathroom for 7 people!</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">It's finished and we are all much happier now! Thank you, Honey! </span></b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">This was my God moment this week...God said, "Get The Action Bible and put it with the Chinese/English Bible. This will help them become more interested in me."</span></b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Action Bible hasn't been in our house very long. We decided to give it to Shane as a Christmas gift last year to help out his reading skills. So, after God spoke, I got it immediately, and BINGO...Joy was hooked! The Action Bible became my missing link...for this week.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">And then, there was Valentine's Day!</span></b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tom made red velvet cupcakes from scratch for us for Valentine's Day! THANK YOU, HONEY!!</b></span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">But, what are cupcakes, Dad?</span></b></span></span><br />
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Don't you love that look? Joy and Jake did their best to explain that they had seen these at school, but they didn't try them there. They did try them with us, but decided cupcakes were not for them. But they ate the birthday cake without any problems! :)</b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">President's Day was on Mon of this week, which meant a holiday from school. The 3 day weekend was hard, but once we got school going again, things seemed to fall into place, for the most part.</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">The 3 younger ones all get up at the same time. Jake and Joy have got the routine down of fixing their lunches before eating breakfast. This has helped Marta see what she needs to be doing without me standing over her and directing every movement!!! YEAH! This has been a huge blessing! THANK YOU LORD!</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Tom is now back at work at MUSC. Yesterday was his first 4 hour shift back. He was very happy to be back with his coworkers and his work life! Work at home is harder than work at work...</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">sometimes.</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Thanks again to those of you who are following our blog! And thank you for your comments! Blessings to you all. I look forward to the week 5 update!</b></span></span><br />
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-52746222038487086612013-02-16T08:00:00.000-08:002013-02-20T17:53:12.239-08:00Home 3 Weeks!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Family and Friends,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">Week 3</span> has been tough! The biggest challenge this week has been the transition of moving Joy from Grace's room to Marta's. Now Marta and Joy are sharing a room. Joy wasn't happy with the move for many reasons that I will not go into now, but Tom and I decided that having the younger girls share a room was better. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> We repainted the room and got new bedding. The girls picked pink for the color. Then, we went to Target and got new bedding. Moving out all the junk from Marta's room and redoing the closet to accommodate 2 girls, rather than just one, was stressful. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> The 2nd big challenge of the week was starting </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">school for Jake and Joy</span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">. The week prior to starting, we visited the school during and met their teachers. Jake is in 3rd grade with Mrs Rodewoldt. Joy is in 4th grade with Mrs Norris. They've made it through the week, which included Valentine's Day (they didn't really understand what was happening, but I made sure they had valentines to exchange with their classmates). </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> During the whole room change excitement, we also had a visit from Tom's oldest sister, Missy. She drove from VA to meet the kids. Joy loved playing with Missy's camera. The visit went well and we were happy that Missy was able to come for a short time to meet her new niece and nephew. </span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Thank you</span> to my sister-in-law, Linnea, who traded beds with us! It was almost a year ago when Linnea moved to Mt Pleasant. When she was unloading her furniture she said, "You can use these if you think you'll need them." What a blessing to have these beds for free!</b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RTo73pXyHYY/URzuUAWBi5I/AAAAAAAAAnM/LULBoxfy-MA/s1600/Joy+with+camera+-+visit+from+Missy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RTo73pXyHYY/URzuUAWBi5I/AAAAAAAAAnM/LULBoxfy-MA/s640/Joy+with+camera+-+visit+from+Missy+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Missy, <span style="color: blue;">Tom's sister</span>, is in the green shirt. <span style="color: blue;">Mama Sal</span>, Tom's mother, is in the background and another family member, <span style="color: blue;">Megan</span>, came to visit. Joy loved taking pictures with Aunt Missy's camera!</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tZjPalQKcg/UR0i298jVtI/AAAAAAAAAn8/Uc1neGFelFI/s1600/Copy+of+Shane+Marta+Joy+Missy+Grace+Jake+2-9-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tZjPalQKcg/UR0i298jVtI/AAAAAAAAAn8/Uc1neGFelFI/s640/Copy+of+Shane+Marta+Joy+Missy+Grace+Jake+2-9-13.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Here's the whole gang:</u> Shane, Marta, Joy, Aunt Missy, Grace, and Jake</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Yes, I've been taking the stars for granted for way to long! Jake and Joy thought the stars in the night sky were and are absolutely amazing! They grabbed my camera and started taking pictures like crazy. We sat on the front porch for at least an hour looking at the stars. I wish you could have seen their excitement! </b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="color: red;">Jake's 1st day of school at Whitesides. </b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mrs. Rodewoldt is his teacher!</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WUDMiAevaY/UR0ySvVitwI/AAAAAAAAAo0/CHnvAmvRGt8/s1600/1st+Day+of+school+-+Joy,+4th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WUDMiAevaY/UR0ySvVitwI/AAAAAAAAAo0/CHnvAmvRGt8/s640/1st+Day+of+school+-+Joy,+4th.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Joy's 1st day of school at Whitesides Elem. Joy's teacher is Mrs. Norris.</span></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4R2cDx7FJPQ/UR00JGy9xmI/AAAAAAAAAo8/kS7MV1XOR-I/s1600/Mom+and+Marta+-+new+room+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4R2cDx7FJPQ/UR00JGy9xmI/AAAAAAAAAo8/kS7MV1XOR-I/s640/Mom+and+Marta+-+new+room+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mom and Marta getting the new room ready.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> And yes, I'm looking a bit tired. We had a house full and this day was crazy to say the least.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33ptfPnMtn0/UR014N3hMoI/AAAAAAAAApE/jxgdb9H9mk0/s1600/Mom%27s+Dollhouse+-++moved+from+room+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33ptfPnMtn0/UR014N3hMoI/AAAAAAAAApE/jxgdb9H9mk0/s640/Mom%27s+Dollhouse+-++moved+from+room+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is my dollhouse that my dad made for me when I was a little girl. Grace, Shane and Marta have all played with it. It was recently in Marta's room, but because of cleaning out her room and redoing, everything got moved out. Jake and Joy loved looking at the furniture and cleaning it up. Jake even decided that the family of this dollhouse needed their family photo taken!</b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQPYDbK9z1s/UR029TWPPtI/AAAAAAAAApM/6LtXe52QFeo/s1600/Dollhouse+Family+by+Jake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQPYDbK9z1s/UR029TWPPtI/AAAAAAAAApM/6LtXe52QFeo/s640/Dollhouse+Family+by+Jake+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is the Family of the Dollhouse! Jake set up each family member in their exact spot. Isn't this great!?</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hAeKZwIR3nY/UR0l9yNQKTI/AAAAAAAAAoM/l2lDIDdMwOI/s1600/Dad+and+Joy+cutting+tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hAeKZwIR3nY/UR0l9yNQKTI/AAAAAAAAAoM/l2lDIDdMwOI/s640/Dad+and+Joy+cutting+tomatoes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Tom and Joy are getting dinner ready together. Both of them like to fix dinner and cutting something up is usually part of the prep work. Tom is teaching her the fine art of slicing tomatoes.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today we celebrate Jake's 10th birthday! We'll have pictures and more updates. </b></span></div>
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-5140374153570121482013-02-09T07:40:00.001-08:002013-02-09T07:40:03.398-08:00Two Weeks at Home<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Hi Everyone,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> I'm so thankful we have 2 weeks under our belts now. It sure feels like we've been with Jake and Joy much longer than 2 weeks. Well, we actually have. We met Jake on Jan 7th and Joy on Jan 14th. Jake traveled with us for 3 weeks in China and Joy with us for 2 weeks. Since today is Feb 8th, Jake has been with us for a month. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> He's picked up English at a pace that I'm pleased with when you consider all the many different aspects of his life that have suddenly changed. We have introduced Rosetta Stone to both kids already. It's a learning curve with operating RS, but they are getting it.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biTz5B34UQ4/URVfFEpDNoI/AAAAAAAAAlI/6BuYOZwDL6c/s1600/Dad+%2526+Jake+working+on+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biTz5B34UQ4/URVfFEpDNoI/AAAAAAAAAlI/6BuYOZwDL6c/s320/Dad+%2526+Jake+working+on+RS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>These next pictures are the first ones that we sent to Heartsent, our adoption agency, for the 1st post adoption report. I'll try to give some info on each one.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrjnsjcJrVk/URVhILtnKjI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/erASgNzxGMs/s1600/dad+with+J+&+J+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrjnsjcJrVk/URVhILtnKjI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/erASgNzxGMs/s400/dad+with+J+&+J+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Our backyard....getting to know Dad!</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f964VqJh8f4/URZQCJv9HiI/AAAAAAAAAls/PpuSWBOig7w/s1600/in+the+living+room+being+silly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f964VqJh8f4/URZQCJv9HiI/AAAAAAAAAls/PpuSWBOig7w/s400/in+the+living+room+being+silly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Here we are being silly with the basketball on the head game in our living room! </b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g_Al_EUC_eU/URZQH9noLSI/AAAAAAAAAl0/rHlkwU4pduI/s1600/J+&+J+working+on+magnets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g_Al_EUC_eU/URZQH9noLSI/AAAAAAAAAl0/rHlkwU4pduI/s400/J+&+J+working+on+magnets.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jake and Joy discovered our ABC magnets and they went right to putting them on the fridge! And yes, they were singing the ABS song (to the best of their ability in English).</b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgKXcUFGFPQ/URZR7c00CXI/AAAAAAAAAmA/XQlWTA3f_Hk/s1600/Jake+washing+dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgKXcUFGFPQ/URZR7c00CXI/AAAAAAAAAmA/XQlWTA3f_Hk/s320/Jake+washing+dishes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jake washing dishes! (He's looking over my shoulder now as I'm posting this with a huge smile on his face).</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9knSQa_Mx0/URZSKkr62II/AAAAAAAAAmI/6fLjl9hS5OE/s1600/The+Rylands+visit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9knSQa_Mx0/URZSKkr62II/AAAAAAAAAmI/6fLjl9hS5OE/s320/The+Rylands+visit.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jake and Joy visiting with a new friend, Colin Ryland, and speaking Chinese. They are asking questions about their new family and home.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a32kiov3UaQ/URZSSDCkJWI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/vaUWiBIuJUU/s1600/let%27s+play+with+the+doll+clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a32kiov3UaQ/URZSSDCkJWI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/vaUWiBIuJUU/s400/let%27s+play+with+the+doll+clothes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jake and Joy also discovered the small cabinet of doll clothes. They were so excited and went straight to dressing up some babies.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Having two at once has been exhausting, but I know that God intended on us bringing our beautiful children home together. They relate very well to each other. Their age and backgrounds have made them so compatible. Their "Chinese Chatter" has enabled them to transition easier than if there were only one of them here. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Our next transition for Jake and Joy will be public school. They will start on Mon, Feb 11th. We decided to put them in different classes. Joy has one year on Jake (she's almost 11 years old) and so she will be in the 4th grade. Jake will go into 3rd grade. At this point in time, the biggest reason to have them go to public school is for the ESOL services that they will receive daily.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> They will have Spring Break in April! And then, summer will come quickly which means more family time. When Aug. rolls around, we will determine then, whether public school or homeschooling will again be in our future for these two. We will rely on God's wisdom to direct our path.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you again for all those who are following our journey! Many blessings,</b></span><br />
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-63090734564294233902013-02-01T07:03:00.003-08:002013-02-01T07:03:49.973-08:00Xi'an Pictures<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Posting by Tom (before Amy came home) and Amy (now editing because it didn't get posted while we were in China):</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Some pictures from China. All of these photos were sent by Amy's cousin, Charles, who accompanied her on this adventure. They celebrated his birthday on Jan. 19th!</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7jh_x93ms8/UP-6BBv1WBI/AAAAAAAAAec/GZycLqD1gk8/s1600/Shane_Grace_Jake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7jh_x93ms8/UP-6BBv1WBI/AAAAAAAAAec/GZycLqD1gk8/s320/Shane_Grace_Jake.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is the first picture that we received from China: Shane, Grace, and Jake in Xi'an. The picture is from an iPad so they are looking at the screen and not the camera.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVHzVzS_OOM/UP-8TbDZSAI/AAAAAAAAAe0/dSSpCg3S-Bw/s1600/Jake_Shane_warriors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVHzVzS_OOM/UP-8TbDZSAI/AAAAAAAAAe0/dSSpCg3S-Bw/s320/Jake_Shane_warriors.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shane and Jake with Terra Cotta Warriors. The warriors are from B.C. 209 and buried with the emperor Qin Shi Huang. There are 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6yQqHB8Kwhk/UP--bBr9hRI/AAAAAAAAAfU/uKv3-bkpemw/s1600/archers+port+Xian+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6yQqHB8Kwhk/UP--bBr9hRI/AAAAAAAAAfU/uKv3-bkpemw/s320/archers+port+Xian+wall.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> This is the wall that surrounded the ancient city. It is 40 feet tall, 50 - 60 feet wide and 8 miles in circumference.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Entrance to the Xi'an wall. The Chinese woman is Jo, the adoption coordinator for this part of the trip. She made sure Amy got to appointments on time and all paperwork was complete. She also took them sight-seeing. Jo's English was great. She went to college for English! It was a blessing to have her!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">These next pictures give you perspective of the enormity of the wall. The pictures are atop the wall.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Our crew in front of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">We were also able to go shopping. Below is a view of a market area.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGVK2PweKaU/UP_Kc3MbbBI/AAAAAAAAAhk/fYfSnSFqpXo/s1600/lambs+feet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGVK2PweKaU/UP_Kc3MbbBI/AAAAAAAAAhk/fYfSnSFqpXo/s320/lambs+feet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">You could even get lamb's feet at the market. We didn't try these, however!</span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Hope you enjoyed these pictures. More later!</span></b></div>
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amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-38834083765875889592013-01-31T16:06:00.000-08:002013-01-31T16:06:10.646-08:00Gotcha Day 1 and 2<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rV22iXUywUI/UQqvmzmrRDI/AAAAAAAAAiA/MjJFjRheAwI/s1600/Jake%27s+Gotcha+Day+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rV22iXUywUI/UQqvmzmrRDI/AAAAAAAAAiA/MjJFjRheAwI/s400/Jake%27s+Gotcha+Day+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Jake's Gotcha Day Pictures</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: #cc0000;">Here we are in Xi'an. We're in the civil affairs office with "Jo" our coordinator and Jake's orphanage staff.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Joy's Gotcha Day - Jan 14th, 2013</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Gotcha Day was in the hotel room with "John", our coordinator, and Joy's orphanage staff.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSHv7PITUSg/UQsCAm24dmI/AAAAAAAAAjU/-Spl8wxgy7U/s1600/Joy+at+the+springs+in+Jinan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSHv7PITUSg/UQsCAm24dmI/AAAAAAAAAjU/-Spl8wxgy7U/s320/Joy+at+the+springs+in+Jinan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <b><span style="color: red;">Joy, smiling for mom, during our tour of the springs.</span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jinan is the city of springs.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">It was freezing cold on this tour and we couldn't wait for it to be over.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uao-TlZv45A/UQsB5e8K5lI/AAAAAAAAAjM/5l5E1QJ-C6c/s1600/Joy+signing+the+paperwork+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uao-TlZv45A/UQsB5e8K5lI/AAAAAAAAAjM/5l5E1QJ-C6c/s320/Joy+signing+the+paperwork+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joy, signing the paperwork, at the civil affairs office.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">She did a great job! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">It took me awhile to get these few pictures loaded with 5 kids running around me. We do have more pictures to share, but they'll have to wait.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">Thank you so much to our friend, A.A., who brought an incredible dinner tonight! The kids were asking for more after their 2nd and 3rd helpings. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">Things are going well. All 5 kids are doing pretty well with the adjustment. I'm not quite back to feeling normal yet with my body. I know it'll take some more time to recover.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">Thank you to all who have prayed for us & continue to pray for us. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">I'll try to keep posting on post-adoption life!</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">With love, </span></b></span><br />
<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-47105433832198145462013-01-02T17:58:00.003-08:002013-01-02T17:58:58.459-08:00Marta's "We Love You" Treats<br />
Tom and Marta will be holding down the fort while we are gone. As you probably can imagine, Marta is not to happy about mommy being the one who has to make the trip to China. I know that I need to communicate to her how much we love her and will miss her. So I decided to leave some small gifts for her to get while we are gone. <br />
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I put dates on each bag so Tom will know when to give them to her. The 1st one will be given on Mon, Jan 7th. The next one, a week later, Jan 14th. The 3rd one, on Sun, Jan 20th. And then the last one, on Jan 24th, the day we come home. This may be the hardest day because he don't get in until 9:30pm (if all goes well).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Present Bag" </td></tr>
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<br />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-9029220021555443392013-01-01T17:53:00.001-08:002013-01-01T17:53:09.705-08:00Packing, Copying, and a New Year!We have 3 days until we leave for China!!!! We are all very excited, and just trying to make sure we have everything. Things are going well, but I am tired of packing. I think we have all packed our bags about...12 times.<br />
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On Friday, we'll eat lunch with our grandparents before going to the airport. Then we fly to New York. Then from New York to Korea, then China. Thanks for your prayers!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me copying my math to take on the trip</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our suitcase (Me & Joy)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom's stuff....right now</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad wanted a picture of Shane and Marta. Silly girl!</td></tr>
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<br />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-27175799153381571112012-12-29T17:28:00.000-08:002012-12-29T17:28:57.560-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Hey guys! It's Grace here. :) I just wanted to do a practice post for you guys, because I will be the "official blogger" while we are in China. I can't wait to tell you all what is going on in our adoption journey. We are leaving in 6 days, (WOW) and I promise to post as much as I can. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More bails </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a couple of the many (hundreds) of cotton bails.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sibling pictures! Looking forward to adding two more to this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GMulKBFiKXU/UN-USCNBG7I/AAAAAAAAAbc/oFiHrattDfA/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GMulKBFiKXU/UN-USCNBG7I/AAAAAAAAAbc/oFiHrattDfA/s320/IMG_0183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy, Marta, Shane and I in between some cotton bails.<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rkKgXs8fd4E/UN-WPFl8H0I/AAAAAAAAAcM/VBKKFDrP25E/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rkKgXs8fd4E/UN-WPFl8H0I/AAAAAAAAAcM/VBKKFDrP25E/s320/IMG_0168.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been taking up photography lately, and this was one of my favorite. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOp5F2FZ9f4/UN-WzqPLgHI/AAAAAAAAAcU/N59Tt_n03Q4/s1600/IMG_0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOp5F2FZ9f4/UN-WzqPLgHI/AAAAAAAAAcU/N59Tt_n03Q4/s320/IMG_0153.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was another, all at my grandma's house.</td></tr>
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<br />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-76810658050647882972012-12-16T11:11:00.001-08:002012-12-16T11:11:34.587-08:00Jake and Noelle<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you Danae! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Danae and Dan were able to meet Jake and give him more pictures of his forever family right after Thanksgiving.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">They went to Jake's orphanage and brought his friend, Noelle, home to the USA!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Danae was able to give us some new pictures that we hadn't seen yet. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the group picture below, Jake is on the right side with the red, white, and blue short sleeve shirt and Noelle is standing right beside him with her cute pigtails.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffQaJPHHu0Q/UM26nJwKRKI/AAAAAAAAAa8/1_2jmKULbAQ/s1600/Scan_Pic0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffQaJPHHu0Q/UM26nJwKRKI/AAAAAAAAAa8/1_2jmKULbAQ/s640/Scan_Pic0003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> We sent Jake his first care package back in Feb, for his birthday. And looked what happened!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Danae said, "I wondered where the cake came from for Noelle because we didn't send it." Now you know why Jake has that expression on his face! </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCA4aINHJVQ/UM26vUzHZTI/AAAAAAAAAbE/e6rEJcVOCdA/s1600/Scan_Pic0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCA4aINHJVQ/UM26vUzHZTI/AAAAAAAAAbE/e6rEJcVOCdA/s640/Scan_Pic0004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jake, when you get home, we will not make you share your cake! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We will be meeting our new son on Jan 6th or 7th, 2013! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Then, we'll leave Jake's province and travel to Joy's province! Please pray for them as they are about to experience the "Big Change." Your prayers for them and our family are cherished beyond words!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And yes, we are packing! Ok, practice packing and gathering all the things from the list that we need! We can hardly believe how close it is now! </span></span></div>
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-45647509087278598692012-11-16T05:58:00.000-08:002012-11-16T05:58:13.497-08:001 Trip, 2 Kids<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQQJs_oswi4/UH7QCqFqx4I/AAAAAAAAAVo/OWD7rAsej-g/s1600/airplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQQJs_oswi4/UH7QCqFqx4I/AAAAAAAAAVo/OWD7rAsej-g/s400/airplane.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>If you're thinking to yourself, how are they going to make 1 Trip to get 2 children</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>in 2 different provinces....well, here's our plan. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>First, Jake is in Xianyang City in Shaanxi Province and Joy is in Linyi City in Shandong Province.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #990000;">Shaanxi Temple </b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ndQdZWP8xg/UH8Ac3nO-AI/AAAAAAAAAWE/T7kRDRBoftc/s1600/Shaanxi+Province.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRIaZkJzoJs/UH8Be-1ridI/AAAAAAAAAWM/H02GqvWNQQk/s1600/shaanxi+temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRIaZkJzoJs/UH8Be-1ridI/AAAAAAAAAWM/H02GqvWNQQk/s400/shaanxi+temple.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Boat in Moat in Shandong (Jinan) </span></b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5bnxKh0bHVI/UH8CcEzd5PI/AAAAAAAAAWU/jmfZ2TwNXXk/s1600/boat+in+Jinan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5bnxKh0bHVI/UH8CcEzd5PI/AAAAAAAAAWU/jmfZ2TwNXXk/s320/boat+in+Jinan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Amy, Grace, Shane, and Amy's cousin, Charles, will travel to China to bring Jake and Joy home.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>We will complete all the paperwork in the children's individual provinces (this will take approximately a week in each province) and then we will go to Guangzhou, Guangdong and spend a week here (picture below). We will complete the final paperwork and exit medical exams for </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jake and Joy. </b></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JrDNiQRqezc/UH8HmR7TvSI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Ack9IGTBvaM/s1600/guangzhou04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="419" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JrDNiQRqezc/UH8HmR7TvSI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Ack9IGTBvaM/s640/guangzhou04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>It will be a long trip (to say the least), but we will try to make it fun! Have you ever traveled with 4 children on a plane? </b></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">TRAVEL DATES</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">We are still waiting on our travel dates. As of now, we are hoping to travel in Jan 2013. The adoption agency says we should receive Joy's TA at the beginning of Dec. 2012. The 3 week trip makes us put off our travel until January. There are many positives for us in this time line and God's plan is perfect!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">Jake and Noelle</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">We hope to have some more pictures of Jake soon via a new blog friend, Danae. She & her husband are traveling to Jake's province to bring their new daughter, Noelle, home. The will leave on Nov 22nd. Jake and Noelle are in the same orphanage! If you want to follow their journey, here's their address:</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.andsowearegoing.blogspot.com/">www.andsowearegoing.blogspot.com</a></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers! Please keep visiting the blog for updates! Blessings, </b></span></span><br />
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-34589598781671098962012-11-09T05:23:00.000-08:002012-11-09T05:23:57.322-08:00New Pictures of Joy!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you Crista!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Joy attended a camp with Crista, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bring Me Hope, this past summer in China.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Crista was with Joy the whole week.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">She sent these pictures to us from </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CA! </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2xbFE7dRfUM/UJz-cCyQkrI/AAAAAAAAAZA/EQElvc5flrs/s1600/IMG_2606.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2xbFE7dRfUM/UJz-cCyQkrI/AAAAAAAAAZA/EQElvc5flrs/s400/IMG_2606.jpeg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I'm getting ready for </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Arts and Crafts." </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_edJ7uJlmO0/UJz-eu9gYUI/AAAAAAAAAZI/xhTA00HzOHE/s1600/IMG_2614.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_edJ7uJlmO0/UJz-eu9gYUI/AAAAAAAAAZI/xhTA00HzOHE/s1600/IMG_2614.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I'm really working hard and I'm excited about my project."</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ZfypmiPtCc/UJz-ghBFw0I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/CFDlUdjkjgA/s1600/IMG_2663.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ZfypmiPtCc/UJz-ghBFw0I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/CFDlUdjkjgA/s1600/IMG_2663.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Do you like it?"</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVnzwOcVqV0/UJz-jA38QwI/AAAAAAAAAZY/ZFFRWYc80jU/s1600/IMG_2670.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVnzwOcVqV0/UJz-jA38QwI/AAAAAAAAAZY/ZFFRWYc80jU/s1600/IMG_2670.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are going to have 2 little fashion</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">models in the making. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2jPg7UqlrYs/UJz-lrNknZI/AAAAAAAAAZg/eIyOUf7KonI/s1600/IMG_2771.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2jPg7UqlrYs/UJz-lrNknZI/AAAAAAAAAZg/eIyOUf7KonI/s640/IMG_2771.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Swinging with her friends.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhzG2HS-EM0/UJz-oapblXI/AAAAAAAAAZo/vqszu0C6sgo/s1600/IMG_2857.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhzG2HS-EM0/UJz-oapblXI/AAAAAAAAAZo/vqszu0C6sgo/s640/IMG_2857.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dancing the Hokie Pokie!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Put your right arm in, take your right arm out." </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2L8CLaxRGHg/UJz-qyKFz3I/AAAAAAAAAZw/OxL6ZFjAfLo/s1600/IMG_2862.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2L8CLaxRGHg/UJz-qyKFz3I/AAAAAAAAAZw/OxL6ZFjAfLo/s1600/IMG_2862.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We are so thrilled to have these pictures of our new daughter! Again, we can't thank Crista enough for blessing us with a glimpse of Joy's personality.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />(Grace says she's a dresser-upper, and that we are going to have another girly girl in the house.) :) </span></span></div>
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-79918998415671132052012-11-04T08:53:00.003-08:002012-11-04T08:53:28.953-08:00Who Am I?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PglSnDXUiFM/UJHGTRlZvvI/AAAAAAAAAYo/Nt4sqJD7Z5c/s1600/Guo+FuXia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PglSnDXUiFM/UJHGTRlZvvI/AAAAAAAAAYo/Nt4sqJD7Z5c/s1600/Guo+FuXia.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Chinese name is <span style="color: #cc0000;">Guo Fuxia</span>. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I'm 10 years old. My birthday is March 25, 2002 (that was what it was decided to be by the orphanage staff). I've lived in the orphanage my whole life.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I was left at the gate of the Welfare Institute for Children of Linyi City. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I was found on June 3, 2002. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I was left with a quilt.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My special need is dwarfishness.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I've been in the hospital for Physical Therapy. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I did this in April 2011.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The PT helped me to walk much better. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I love to play just like other kids do! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I'm gentle and get along well with others.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I like to sing and dance! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I like to recite poems of the Tang Dynasty.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Soon, I'll be the <span style="color: #cc0000;">3rd daughter of Amy and Tom Parker.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I'll live in Mt. Pleasant, SC with with my new family.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>PS - My mom sent me a <span style="color: #cc0000;">care package this week</span>!</b></span></div>
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056252751783527457.post-9658932472269603422012-10-30T18:08:00.001-07:002012-10-30T18:08:53.505-07:00TA for Jake!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Friday, while we were at a wedding reception, we got the call from Heartsent that we now have our Travel Approval for Jake!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, we will not start booking any hotels or flights, until we have Joy's Travel Approval. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are so grateful and thankful that our GREAT God has worked it out that we may bring both of our beautiful children home at the same time. This was the desire of my heart and my Heavenly Father heard my prayers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please pray that we will receive Joy's Travel Approval (TA)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">before Thanksgiving. Then we can travel after Thanksgiving and before Christmas. It's a small window, but I know that God's timing is perfect.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And also, the answer to a big question,</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Who's going?"</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've finally decided that I will go with Grace and Shane and my cousin, Charles. Tom and Marta will stay home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This means that we will have a 3 week trip. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are so blessed to have many friends and family supporting Tom and Marta while they wait on us to bring Jake and Joy home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you to all who are praying for us.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you, <b style="color: #cc0000;">Claudine Herodote and family</b>, for the incredible Chinese lunch that you prepared for us at your house yesterday, Oct 27th. Thank you also for the travel goodies and Mr. Rice! May God bless you for your generosity and hospitality!</span></span><br />
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<img src="http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz290/MakeItMineMonograms/amysig9.png" />amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333238596033479326noreply@blogger.com0