Lotion Art

Have I ever mentioned that my sweet angel son is a bit on the mischievous side. When we first brought him home, I called it "exploring his surroundings"...well since he has explored every inch of his surroundings, it's time to call it what it is.....down right MISCHIEVOUS! I know I am a bit odd for taking his picture while he is in action but I get so tickled because he can be so creative in the process.

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I was actually in the room looking for something on the bookshelf when I realized he was in the middle of his "art project". He was having so much fun that I just let him play in it. Check out how he was getting the lotion out of the bottle. I wish I had a video....he would step on the lotion bottle and would rock back and forth until it oozed out. I cleaned up his art and gave him a bath and I have to say my son has very soft skin tonight:-)

Peanut Fun!

Vivi's sweet Calin doll and a doll stroller came in the mail today. I hope she enjoys it as much as Max is enjoying the peanuts they were packed in.

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The peanuts are much more fun out of the box!

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It's time for a much needed juice break!

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Max decides it is time to try out the stroller.

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Enough of that....back to the peanuts!

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*****Max has been playing in the peanuts for hours this morning, he is having so much fun that he hasn't yet discovered the box they came in. I'm sure after nap time it will be all about the box!

Happy Anniversary!

16 wonderful years married to my best friend!

a BIG SMACK-A-ROO

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then a BIG AWWWWW

~Today is Max Day~

One year ago today, God made us a family. Today is Max's Forever Family Day.

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Not flesh of my flesh

Nor bone of my bone,

But still miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute,

You didn't grow under my heart,

But in it.

Author: Unknown

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*I remember while we were waiting to travel, while Max was growing in my heart, I would sit in his bedroom room for hours and would stare at his pictures dreaming of our life together, as big as my dreams were they were no comparison to the what we have lived this past year. God has blessed us far beyond our dreams. Max is one amazing little guy, he is so gentle and kind, he is loving and snugly, he is friendly, funny, inquisitive and mischievous, he is very easy going and laid back, obedient and easy to reason with. Max is a happy boy and is full of life and full of joy. He is very insightful and has a strong sense of discernment, this is evident even at 2 years old to the point where you find yourself sitting in awe and unbelief. That only comes from God, He has instilled this discernment in Max and I can't wait to see how God will use it as well as his personality traits to bring Him glory in his future.

One year ago today, Dang You Song (SongSong), walked into our lives, and our lives would forever be changed. My heart is so full of love for him that it feels like it might burst at any moment. I just thank God and give Him praise for blessing us and entrusting us with His precious child. While we were in the middle of our adoption process we didn't understand and questioned the long and difficult wait. I am amazed and blessed to now marvel at God's handiwork and how He orchestrated every detail that brought us to the son He had planned for us before the beginning of time. I praise God and thank Him for calling us to adoption.

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Thank you God for loving us and blessing us so richly and abundantly!

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~ One year later ~

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We had a fun little photo shoot yesterday, it is obvious that Max has a good time.

Mr. Happy describes him perfectly!

Max, Mama and Dada love you so very very much!

Always know and remember, God has a special plan for your life. It began in China and now you are here with your forever family...it is all God's plan and the plan doesn't end here, all of this is just pieces of your puzzle. God is going to use you in a mighty way to further His kingdom.

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In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6

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You're here not by chance, but by God's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else. You are one of a kind. You lack nothing that His grace can't give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.

~ Roy Lessin

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For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

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Psalms 139: 13-16

The blessings are flowing...

in our house today. Not only today did I receive all of those wonderful bracelets for Vivi from my precious sissy but I also received something else in the mail. My sweet, precious, lovely, talented, angel like friend Tammy and her sweet husband Chris (don't tell him I called him sweet, he would NEVER want that to get out) had something special mailed to Paul and me....I guess you could say they blessed our socks off....I was just about speechless and if you know me that doesn't happen very often. They gave us a Rosetta Stone for Mandarin Chinese!

Next week Chris and Tammy are going to Italy and she ordered a Rosetta Stone for Italian and in one day she knew so much Italian (with an TEXAS twist), I could not believe it, she was even saying sentences. She said it is how they teach is the key. I can't wait to get started. Thank you Tammy, Thank you Chris. Paul and I love you both!!

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The Kristi Collection

Oh my goodness....I am so excited...I am the proud owner of 10 bracelets for Vivi Jo from The Kristi Collection. The Kristi Collection is designed by a high fashioned jewelry designer named Kristi.....MY SISTER!!!...Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Kristi....I love them so much!!! I gave Kristi a call Sunday and ask her if she would make Vivi a couple of bracelets and a few hours later she called me back and said she made her 10, plus she made me 2 pair of earrings. What a sweet and precious sister!!! They came in the mail today and they were tucked inside this cute cosmetic bag along with a tube of Clinique lipstick....Kristi is a spoiler! I was just joking, there is not really a "Kristi Collection" except for the collection she sent me....Kristi just recently learned how to make jewelry and I think she did a fabulous job....but everything she does, she does well! I love you so much!!!

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(click photos to enlarge)