THE CHESS-MASTER & THE PLUG-MASTER

Ahhhh, my boys. I love them both dearly and they each have their own unique personalities and interests. Anthony, our first born, loves baseball and any sport you can think of - this winter he joined a chess club. He is just SO good and so far he is unbeatable! So, that is why I call him the "Chess-master"! Go Ant!!!

Then, their is Eddie, our second born, he loves appliances, lights, tools; do you see a pattern here? But, his favorite thing ever.... is the plug! Where ever we go, whatever we do; if there is a plug in sight, well, as you can see he will point it out. He not only wants to point them out, but he wants to have a plug discussion, count the plugs he sees and just plain admire them! That is why I call him the "Plug-master"! Go Eddie!!!

*You probably think my blogging troubles are over since I am posting. Sorry to say I still have not solved the problem. The only way I am able to get into my blog is if I create a new blog! So far I have 4 new blogs! This is crazy ~ this new version of blogger STINKS! I am so frustrated!

WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY, THE MOUSE WILL PLAY!

I know I shouldn't encourage him, but he looks so cute listening to his big brothers "ipot", as he calls it. It also gives me a couple of minutes of uninterrupted time to get something done or make a phone call.

Since I'm on the subject of how cute "little brother" is; the other day we were shopping (Poppy came along for the ride) and Eddie saw a globe and asked Poppy, "where China?" ~ brainwashed or just inquisitive? Just too darn cute!!!

TRADITIONS OF CHINESE NEW YEAR!

The Chinese New Year is a time of great excitement and celebration for all Chinese around the world. On New Year’s Eve, family members gather for a huge luxurious feast. Many of the foods served have a symbolic meaning.

Each dish has a prosperous meaning, and the shapes and colors of the foods symbolize health, happiness, and good fortune. The New Year is ushered in joyfully with the thunderous roar of exploding firecrackers to frighten away evil spirits.

The dragon dance is a vital part of this celebration. The dance was originally performed to please the dragon, the god of water, and to ask for rain during periods of drought. The dragon is a symbol of strength, dignity, and success.

During the Chinese New Year, people greet each other with the phrase, "Gung Hay Fat Choy" to wish each other best wishes and prosperity This phrase means " Happy New Year."Families will visit relatives and friends to wish them a Happy New Year.

The younger members visit their elders. The elders give "lucky money" to their younger visitors. "Lucky money"; is money that is placed into specially designed red envelopes. Married couples give "lucky money" to their children and to the unmarried children of relatives and friends.

New Year gifts (oranges, tangerines, and New Year candy) are exchange between relatives and friends.

WHAT A GREAT HOLIDAY! I CANNOT WAIT TO CELEBRATE WITH MIA!

A Year Ago Today ~ January 12, 2006

Unborn Baby

I knew your spirit,
when she came to me,
Tiny,
Sweet,
Unborn baby.

Knew the color of your hair ~
and your eyes,
Knew your traits, your personality,
There was no disguise.

But I had a lesson, I needed to grow,
Although it caused my tears to flow,
God decided to take you home ~
His gain,
My pain,
I would never feel the same.

I still miss you everday,
Still cry sometimes ~
But it is the only way,
I needed to heal and be strong,
I know God's will can't be wrong.

I know you'll never be alone,
Surrounded by angels in your spiritual home,
We'll be together again someday,
In heavens garden for eternity and a day.

~ Written by Sharon Platts

IS IT REALLY WINTER?

You know it's getting cold out when the dog and kids hang out by the heating vent (in the floor)! Eddie and Penny camped out by the "warm spot" as Eddie put it. It really is about time it dipped below 50 degrees in N.Y!

Although Anthony is having a hard time accepting that he has to wear his winter jacket from now on - he thinks he's too cool and looks better in a sweatshirt ~ what will go on when he's a teenager?

Looking forward to our next FCC meeting with the girls (Meaghan and Paige's mommy's) ~ it's Friday night ~

CHRISTMAS CLEAN-UP!

Wow, what a gorgeous weekend in N.Y.! The boys have spent most of their time outside; which is nice. This mommy has been cleaning up after packing away all of our Christmas decorations, and to have the boys outside really helps a lot! The house looks so bare now!

I feel better that I left a "negative" comment for CNN following their disgusting show Friday night on China adoption. They call themselves a "news shows" - that wasn't news, it was... ignorance and stupidity rolled into 15 minutes! If you had the pleasure of missing this show, you can read about it here: http://transcripts.cnn.com/transcripts/0701/05/pzn.01.html and scroll down, I believe it was the 3rd show aired. I am really just saddened that they would air a show where no one seems to have done their homework on the subject. You will find they ask questions such as, "What's the big deal with Chinese children?" and "Why the infatuation?"

I'm sure this topic will come up for discussion at FCC's MOM'S NIGHT OUT on Friday ~ which I am SO looking forward to!

PROUD OF WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED IN 2006!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I am so excited to see what 2007 will bring to my family~ a daughter would be nice (hint, hint); but realistically that doesn't seem possible at this point. But, who ever said I was a realist??

I was just reflecting, as is common to do on New Years Day, and I just wanted to share all that was accomplished in 2006 ~ I'm pretty proud of myself!

FEBRUARY 4TH: Attend adoption seminar (where a newly adopted baby put her darling hands on mine and looked up into my eyes- this is meant to be!)

MARCH 22ND: Sent our application to GWCA (Anthony saw the paperwork and was thrilled to be getting a sister from China - love my Ant.)

MARCH 30TH: We're accepted! (So excited, but soooo nervous-kind of like finding out you are pregnant!)

APRIL 6TH: Sent in our first agency fee

MAY 11TH: Ed & I have our physicals

JUNE 5TH: Our 1st and 2nd Home Study ( I should have gotten a medal for getting thru this!)

JUNE 15TH: 3RD Home Study

JULY 14TH: 4th and last Home Study

JULY 17TH: Our completed Home Study is approved by our agency!!

JULY 22ND: Mailed out the I600A

AUGUST 4TH: Received fingerprint date

AUGUST 15TH: Fingerprinted (and found out I don't have "much" fingerprints left!?)

AUGUST 31ST: Received I171H!

SEPTEMBER 11TH: Sent Dossier to our agency! (I just remember kissing the package good-bye... a lot of love and work went into this!)

SEPTEMBER 15TH: We are DTC! (I was so happy our agency sends out dossiers weekly!)

OCTOBER 16TH: We are LID! (The wait begins, but it feels so good to have a DATE!)

What a Timeline...I know others did this all much quicker than we did. But, this is OUR timeline and a lot went on inbetween these lines (or dates, should I say). There were a lot of "signs", if you believe in that sort of thing. I will have to go into that someday ~ some amazing signs ~ I know now that all the very "sad things" that happened, had to happen in order for us to be right where we are right now.

COME ON 2007 ~ SHOW ME WHAT YOU'VE GOT!!!