Beautiful {pianist without fingers}

Isn't she amazing?!! Her talent doesn't surprise me. Benjamin shows me this determination daily.

{and btw,I have not forgotten my bloggy friends. i just seem to allow life to prevent me from blogging...haha. i WILL be back...soon.}

Freezing...

Today especially, I'm thankful for my nice warm house.



Our friends, who live in Ch*na, sent their monthly newsletter today. I always enjoy getting it. Their emails are hilarious yet informative. With permission, I just had to share. You might want to get a blanket and some warm hot chocolate as you read it. I felt a few degrees colder after reading.



"What is the answer to this equation?

China -- a developing country that conserves energy by mandating that areas south of the Yangtze River do not receive central heating


+ Kunming -- a city south of the Yangtze River that is over 1 mile high in elevation


+ A 10 story apartment building constructed entirely of concrete -- no insulation or indoor heat


+ Temperatures hovering right above freezing


+ A family from the Arizona desert


= equals a very COLD family

You know it’s cold when . . .


You can see your breath while sitting inside your apartment


You go outside to warm up because the temperature inside your apartment is colder than the outside temperature


You fight over who gets to wash the dinner dishes – just to get warm


You get practice at diagnosing chilblains… because you have them on your own toes (no joke!)


The highlight of the day is a hot shower


Your friend visits from Minnesota and says, “Man, it’s cold here!”


You are wearing sweat pants to work…under your regular trousers.


Food sits out on your counter all day and doesn't go bad. Who needs a frig?


You get excited when the space heater brings your bedroom temperature up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.


You avoid using the bathroom because of the shock of that freezing cold toilet seat.


It’s been a cold winter in Kunming . So according to tradition, our family is flying south to warm sunny Thailand for the Chinese New Year vacation next week. My toes should return to their normal color as we aim to mentally and physically thaw out. In addition to getting some R & R and medical & dental check-ups, I will be attending a medical conference in northern Thailand to update my medical certification. This medical conference has really encouraged me in past years with doctors from all over Asia in attendance. I am especially looking forward to this year’s conference as our keynote speaker will be Os Guinness; one of my favorite writers.

Warm sunshine, Thai noodles, Os Guiness. I can hardly wait.

Wishing you a very Happy Year of the Rabbit!!"



Wow, I really can't imagine.



About this time three years ago, a handsome little one year old was living in a very cold orphanage with temperatures of 30 degrees and no heat. My heart broke thinking about him in those conditions as we waited to finish up our homestudy and dossier. We prayed Jesus' arms were wrapped around him, keeping him warm. We know they dress the babies with many layers...so many layers that they can't move. I'm sure it helps...but it's not enough.



This morning, Benjamin is sleeping with his comfy, warm covers and never again, will his cheeks be rosie red from lack of heat.



Thank you, Jesus for all the blessings you have given to us. Help us to never, never forget those left behind, freezing in an orphanage, without the love of a mom and dad.



It breaks my heart.

Our Christmas Morning 2010

Happy New Year 2011!!

May I have some more grace, please?

With three birthdays, three family gatherings, and the Vintage Ball, I needed a week to recuperate.

And our little people were so cute on our Christmas morning, I just have to share. On December 23, the stockings were all hung by the chimney with care...and finally all the kids {even the teens} were all in bed asleep.
So...while the kids were all sleeping, Santa gathered all the stockings and filled them with fun treats and hung them back on the fireplace. He came a night early since my family came to visit on the 25th. :) The next morning, as tradition holds, they gathered up their stockings, trying not to peek in the fancy, overflowing sock.

All six gathered at the foot of our bed.

They took turns pulling out one thing at a time.

{ Awww...I love this picture. I want to always remember this as someday, they won't fit on the end of my bed...or won't be at home to wake us..sigh.}

Before Ms. Alaina went to bed, she realized that we didn't have any cookies to share with Santa. Instead, Santa enjoyed a slice of pepperoni pizza and a sip of KoolAid, grape to be exact. {We know he enjoyed it because, he had eaten all of it but the crust.} He didn't put any gifts under the tree because he remembered that a little guy named Benjamin lived here and he didn't want him to open all of them at once. He decided to place them all in my bathroom. So the next morning, Joel and I carried them all down and placed them so perfectly under the tree.

If it appears like a lot, well, it was. Alexis and I were Santa's assistants and we had a wrapping party that lasted several hours.

For many years now, the kids have picked names and most years have kept it a secret.

Alexis picked Benjamin's name and bought him a Thomas the Train puzzle.

Zachary picked Alaina's name and contributed towards an adorable Bitty Baby outfit.

Alaina was so excited that she got Joel B's name. I helped her pick out an ear hook/plugs for his Ipod Touch.

Joel B got Alexis's name. He had to be the funny guy and wrap a Ken doll and place it so strategically on top of the gift. To her surprise, he bought her an adorable phone cover for her cell phone with lots of sparkling bling.

She LOVED it...the phone case, that is. Not Ken.

Hudson got Zachary's name and 'bought' him a shirt.

Hudson was so excited that Benjamin 'bought' him Cars vehicles...just like the ones that were on Benjamin's cupcakes. Very fun.

And there they are, all together. They were so happy. I think we could have ended the gift opening right then. But we didn't. We courageously continued on, opening and opening...for at least a couple of hours.

Yes, we recycle. The little guys LOVE their "new" sleeping bags {once owned by Zachary and Joel B}. Notice Hudson's Billy Blazes. F*sher Pr*ce doesn't make Resc*e Heroes anymore. They love them. Every night for a week now, they fall asleep, all cozy and warm in their sleeping bags and I then, move them to their beds.

Zachary opened his new cell phone. Look at that expression. So excited.

{We now have a "drop box" for all electronic devices that is open for collection at 9AM every morning. They are not allowed to collect them back until school and chores are finished. Funny how they thought they could text during school hours. Hmmm.}

Alaina squealed with delight when she opened her new camera from Mammaw and Pappaw. I'm sure she will start her own blog soon and display her new photos. She's actually pretty good.

Ms. Alexis {who cheated and got up early to put makeup on}, got a new coat. So cute...and practically, so warm.

Ms. Alaina will now be homeschooling her dolls. Love this book from AG.

And they received practical things like school day planners.

The most requested items this year were clothes.

Little guys are enjoying their Le*psters that were bought on Black Friday. $25, oh yeah. They also got their very own Legos and more trains to add to their collection.

The grand finale...the T*y Story gang. So how long does it take for the batteries to die..haha. Really though, these are the cutest dolls and they have played and played with them. Not so fun in the dark when you step on Buzz Lightyear. He keeps talking and talking.

After picking up a mound of wrapping paper, we headed for the mall to ride the train one more time. We watched Santa leave his big chair. He waved and briskly walked as I'm sure he had many more houses to visit that night. I'm glad he came to our house a day early.

{The next day, Christmas afternoon, my family arrived. We met Caden, our new nephew from China, for the first time. The details to follow...tomorrow.}

Benjamin's 4th Birthday!!

My baby is now 4 years old...sigh. Oh how he loved his party! A few weeks ago, I asked him what kind of party he wanted. He said he wanted a "James" birthday party. You know, "James," Thomas the Train's friend? Since Benjamin eats, breathes and sleeps "Thomas the Train" and since his last birthday party was Thomas, thought maybe we could do a different theme. Somehow, he agreed.

The little guys love Lightning McQueen and all the Cars gang.

The big boys had a late night basketball practice so Benjamin was so patient while he waited...

and waited. Then, finally...

Everybody made it home, showered and boy were we starving.

Yummy salad, spaghetti, meatballs, and garlic bread... our favorite meal {or the one made most often..haha}.

Then it was time for all eyes on Benjamin. He loved every minute.

Such cute dimples.

As I am adding pictures for this post, my mouth is watering. The cupcakes were so good. :)

Big bite.

Some ate more than one.

He opened a few gifts that family and friends had sent ahead of time. He loved his day.

And the neatest gift of the day was the beautiful full moon that God painted in the sky...I believe...just for Benjamin. :)

Happy Birthday, my baby boy!! We love you!!

And now, for 5 days, we have two 4 year olds {until Hudson turns 5 on Christmas day.} More birthday parties to come.

Hip-Hop with Flip-Flops

One day, I could hear the boys talking in their room upstairs. They had been up there for awhile. Finally, they made their grand entrance...with clothes on. As we all know, they would prefer to wear as few clothes as possible.

Hudson so proudly announces that he found "hip-hop" clothes for both of them.

Hudson takes his job very seriously, ya know. Look at that expression. And notice the flip-flops. Do hip-hop dancers wear flip-flops?

Jolly Ol' St. Nick

It was 30 degrees outside...and nice and toasty inside. Cookies. Hot chocolate. And big Sis Alexis's ballet ensemble felt honored to perform.

We were not expecting Santa to be at the post parade event. Hudson and Alaina jumped right on Santa's lap and each shared what they wanted for Christmas. It's funny that they told him silly things...small things that cost a dollar. Cool. I can return all their Christmas gifts right? haha.

It was very sweet. And then there was Benjamin. He would NOT get near Santa. Santa's elf gave him a candy cane and he seemed to enjoy it while he watched Sissy dance. We had to wait until after Alexis danced and then give it another try with Santa. Since he did enjoy the first candy cane, he thought that maybe he could get close enough to get another. And then somehow, we convinced him to be in the picture...on the other side of Santa. Eventually, he decided that Santa was a pretty nice guy. Very, very sweet.Our two little guys are adorably affectionate. They freely give everyone hugs.Including Santa. As we were walking to the van in the cold temperatures, Benjamin was holding my hand. He said, "What a wonderful surprise." It was so cute.

It's the simple things in life...our time...our love...our hugs...that mean the most to a child. And these are free.

It's fall, y'all...

And the Toy Story gang is all here.

"Woody"

"Buzz Lightyear"

and their best friend, "Jessie."They all met at the Fall Festival at our church...

and invited friends...

for some good times.

Buzz Lightyear enjoyed the Moonwalk...

a very large Moonwalk. Even the teens jumped around.

"Woody" had so much fun, that in the middle of all the festivities, he just had to take a nap. The Moonwalk, cider, smores, hilarious games, and songs...just tuckered him out. He made it through a great devotion...and then closed his eyes.

BUT..as soon as we said "CANDY!!"....the nap was all over.

{Pastor loving on my kiddos}

Trunks and trunks and even more trunks....and lots of treats!

And more Smores.

Too many Smores.

And too much candy.

They gave me all the chocolate so we are all good. :)