A bit behind.....

So I am more than a bit behind in posting. Since this really is our family's scrapbook, I have to make myself catch up to record all that we do (or at least the fun stuff!) Between the paperwork push for Ai Liu's adoption, the research on how best to fight for what Katie needs and on line shopping for wedding paraphernalia , I feel like I spend too much time on the computer to begin with! 

So - here is the first installment on the "catching up series"! 

I needed to get a certified copy of our marriage license from San Diego, so we made a day out of it last Friday and took the train down with the girls. It is a nice ride - about 2 1/4 hours, and some of it is right along the ocean.

 Once there, we ran our errand, then headed to lunch at Seaport Village with some friends. We had a shoe emergency, so while Stephanie handled that, the kids played bubbles on the lawn. 

 Although Becky was the youngest in the group, somehow I think she was the boss of everyone...

 A little Ben & Jerry's treat (wow-has ice cream always been this expensive?? We have been doing the frozen yogurt for a while now...)

 The back on the train for the trip home - 

A very successful day - errand done, friends seen and girls happy! 

Being Humbled

I believe that God uses circumstances to refine us - to chip away at the sin in our lives and to mold us into who He would like us to be. There is a sin I struggle with daily - 

every day

all day

"Please Remember I Do Everything"

that ugly word....pride.....

God is humbling me in this area - He is breaking my dependence on me and creating a dependence on Him. All for the sake of a little orphan girl in China who wants nothing more than to be able to look in mirror and see beauty smile back at her instead of the burn scars. 

Click here to read more and  "Be a part of this story"

Summer time shots

We are big summer time fans here - and I have to confess that while I was disappointed that we were not able to come to an agreement with our school district on Katie's summer placement, I am much preferring have some early morning summer tutoring at home and then having hte rest of the day free. We aren't doing anything terribly exciting with those free days, but it sure is nice to be able to if we wanted to....

what we are doing is our stand summer fare - and it usually includes some water activities!

Like building sand castles with Tia Annie.... 

Hanging at the beach with our buddies

 Lunching on the beach (has anyone else notices that 90% of the photos of Becky at the beach are of her eating? Seems like that's all she does there)

 We have also done a craft at home (yep - just one, and I was pretty proud of that one if I do say so myself - since I am not a crafty momma!). We have some fun things coming up in July - Pop-pop is coming to visit, Ashton is coming to visit, Taylor is coming back from China and we leave to go to sissy's wedding. I was getting very tired of trying to explain to Becky how long till each of these...then I saw on another mom's blog a paper chain for a daily countdown. Now - for all my teacher friends reading this and my crafty moms - please stop rolling your eyes and saying "duh...". To me, this was a brilliant never before heard of news flash. We jumped on it - with red links for "ordinary" days and pink links for the anticipated events. I am happy to say - she hasn't asked once "how many sleeps till.." - she just goes to her chain and counts - love it! 

 Katie, on the other hand, could care less about tomorrow or the next day. SHe lives exactly for the joy, excitement and activity of the moment she is in. I am pretty sure we could all learn a thing or two from her.

 We have also been in our pool - alot. This was hte best $300 we have EVER spent. On a per hour basis, it has probably cost us about $5 an hour - and it's only been three weeks we've had it. I figure by the end of the summer - we are talking pennies per hour. The bigger benefit than the exhausted kids I have at the end of the day is that they are both really improving their swimming skills. Becky has now mastered snorkeling and can do a couple laps around breathing through the snorkel. This kid needs to go the islands & see some fish (has to be there - she's a bit of a wimp abut cold water!)

 She is also learning to use the noodle as a water blaster.....guess who taught that to her....

Not exciting nor adventurous, but I am pretty convinced my kids are going to look back and remember these summer days and smile - laid back, easy and unscheduled. Do it now - while we can....

A good - no great -day

Today - we received our PA (pre-approval) for Ai Liu form the CCAA - it's a good day as we can "check off another step" and continue to move forward in the process. It's a great day because I was finally able to send an email to be delivered to the orphanage telling them we were moving forward with the adoption. We are praying that the staff will share this news with her - and give her hope that she is wanted & loved and will be home soon.

Wordless Wednesday - then & now

July 4, 2010

July 4, 2011

A Fabulous Fourth Weekend

We had a fabulous 4th of July weekend - complete with all the things that make it the 4th!

It started off with a nice visit from Grandma Julie - complete with chinese food and some practice round with the chopsticks

Saturday morning, the pool boy started off the weekend with a cup of coffee and the brand new pool vacuum....doesn't he look happy? 

One of the fun things about this past weekend was that I was able to test out some fun recipes I had been collecting. Sunday afternoon we had our good friends Art & Linda over for a bbq. I was able to try out my new stuffed hamburger patties recipe and the fun strawberry shortcake on a stick dessert! I don't usually post food pictures - but these just begged to be shared! 

Ann & Patrick just kicking back....

Our very good friends Art & Linda - who were hosting the neighborhood party the next day

Yeah for the weekend! 

A little sports action....

A LOT of pool action - complete with the new mask &and snorkel) that dad bought her - helps her with her mermaid imitation that she is busy perfecting! 

For the neighborhood party - one more recipe to try out. These are really yummy!!!! made even better with the help of my sous chef! 

Monday afternoon, the traditional neighborhood Fourth of July BBQ! The lovely Ann...and my very fashionable Sam! 

We are so blessed - we live in a great country...and a great neighborhood! 

The Pool Guy

So not only is my husband the ultimate "Mr. Mom", he also is now a pool guy! Our girls love to swim (and I confess that I love how early they go to bed at night after an hour or two in the pool in the afternoon!). While we have a great house with a lot of features, unfortunately one of them is also a backyard too small for a big pool. So - Amazon to the rescue and to the house came a big box with a 12' round, 30" deep pool. 

Doug became a pool guy - deftly setting it up along with helper Matt. The girls couldn't even wait till it was full to get in! 

being naked outside is the great equalizer in our house - so much so that the mom has been overheard saying "take your clothes off & go outside" when the conflict is running high! 

It's been an every afternoon - for several hours - activity! It's the perfect size to practice swimming and relax for everyone! My husband - the pool guy extraordinaire!