Happy birthday 4th Linzhi Rose Xiao Li!!

Somewhere in Nanjing, China on or sometime around this date of January 31st, 2005, Our daughter was born and we didn't even know it yet...But our Lord did. My sweet Linzhi was carried inside a womb of a women that chose to give her life or a chance at having a life with a family that would love her and take care of her. This is Linzhi's second birthday with us and just like last year my heart aches for her birth mother and the loss she has to feel this time of year. I just pray one day through the grace of God we will get the chance to thank her for giving us such a beautiful, sweet hearted, determined little angel. I know Linzhi carries traits of her and her biological father and it warms my heart and yet saddens me a bit when I look at her cute feet, wide smile, gorgeous cheek bones and wonder, does she get this from her bio mom or dad? I long to know Linzhi's history before she was placed in our arms. I wonder, what time of the day was she born? What did she weigh? Was she colicky? Was she loved on? Did someone name her? I write this through tears because I know one day our Linzhi will want to know too. I can't even express how much this little girl has changed my life, all of my kids have but Linzhi was not carried in my womb and when I met her, she wasn't all to thrilled to have me as her mother. It took months of tears (mine and her), prayers, laughter, meltdowns, more tears, more prayers for the two us to surrender into each others arms as mama and baby. I can't imagine my life without my Lu Lu Belle.

So yes, there are many unanswered questions which we will live with but nonetheless, Linzhi will know the sacrifice her birth mother made for her and how grateful we are to her for giving us our daughter.

Happy 4th birthday to our Linzhi!

Linzhi at 6 months (isn't she lovely)
Linzhi now... Beautiful!

You know you have a 5 year old when....

Here's the scene... CJ and I took the girls to lunch, Wal-M@rt and a movie today. We made it through lunch with an hour to spare so we ran over to the store to shop for a computer. Well, time got away from us and we had to rush to get to the movie on time. As Rachel and I were in the check out (CJ took Linz to the truck with the computer, Rach and I were in line for movie candy.) Anyway, as we were in line Rachel whispers in my ear "I have to poopy-BAD", we quickly check out, run to the bathroom and relief comes Rachel's way. I figure I better go too (I do have a point to the story). As I am finishing up Rachel asks me in a sincere voice "Mommy will I have a booty like you when I'm old"? I said well, mommy doesn't have a big booty, right!? She shook her head no-whew- Then she asks "Will I have to wear panties up to my bra too?" Now, I start laughing to the point where I have to use the facilities again! To be very honest, I wear SPANX and I LOVE THEM!!! It smooths everything out so that's what she was referring about the panties. I had to share this story because I know there's a few mommies that read blog and can relate to NEVER having privacy even when we're pulling up our big panties! And I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Congratulations to....

So I wanted to video tape the girls pulling out the names of the winners but for some reason I couldn't get the video on my camera to work so I took pictures instead. *Note the bed head on the babies*Thank you for everyone that entered. I wish I could send all of you a little treasure...I decided this was too fun not to do again so look for a Easter giveaway coming in March/April!!



Drum roll please.... KATY at "The Country Blossom" won the Wooden Rooster sign.... Congratulations!!!





And....LAINE at "Kimmie and Quan" won the hand bag!!! Congratualtions to you both!

100th post GIVEAWAY!!!!! ****UPDATE****

Ok, instead of me sending everyone a number for the drawing, I've decided to just use your FIRST name. I don't have a bunch of followers so this will be fun and easy. So if I sent you a number disregard and if you posted on your blog I will add two. =)

Ps...Can you tell I'm new at giveaways?? ;)


OK, ladies... Here are my two giveaway items. 1. A pretty hand made straw purse from Mexico. I have one myself! It's dark brown with light brown trim and a tan handles. It zips as well. I love it!!

2. This is a wooden sign I bought thinking I could find a place for it in my kitchen, I was wrong. It's too cute so I hope it finds a home. =)

Rules:

Simply leave me a comment if you would like to be in the drawing on January 21st. If you post my giveaway on your blog, I will add two additional entries. Just let me know if you'll post it and I will send your additional numbers. That's it. Easy!

Lucky for you all, I don't have a bunch of followers so your chances are pretty good. Enjoy!!

God bless,

Happy Birthday my boy!

Happy birthday to my first born. He is the big 16 today!!! (yikes). We have a few days of celebration this week but tonight it's out to pizza with some family. Friday, we are taking four of his friends to the Olive Garden then on Saturday, it's a family party. We usually don't do this much but you only turn 16 once.

My Trevor, is such a blessing. I still can't believe how blessed I am to be called his mom. Trevor taught me so much about unconditional love. Trevor has a sweet and faithful personal relationship with Jesus so not only do I get to see him grow physically but also spiritually. What a blessing for me to know where his heart is with the Lord. God is so good!


We are back from a wonderful time in Mexico...a few hiccups (I'll detail later) but I am preparing for my giveaways...YES, more than one!!

It happened.

This is my 100th post. I was saving it for my giveaway but felt compelled to write about an event that happened today. So my giveaway will be for my 101th post. =)

Our girls go to a small, private pre-school (3 half days per week) that is run lovingly by a sweet christian Ms. Michelle and her Godly husband Mr. Ken. They both fuss over our girls which gives us such peace of mind.

Today, they were not there but we enjoy the other teachers as well however, I don't feel as comfortable with them when it comes to the accommodations Linzhi requires at times but for 2.5 hours once in awhile, I can handle it.

Today, I pick up my girls and find my Linzhi running to the door in tears because two boys were laughing at her. Now, I get it. I've been a mother for 16 years I know boys can be well, boys. However, I saw complete pain in my daughters eyes and tears of humiliation. I also find out they were throwing balls at her!!!! Now, because the school is on a somewhat busy road I always put Linzhi in the car first and go back to get Rachel. I put Linzhi in the car and reassure her I would talk to the teachers. As I go to get Rachel, I see complete RAGE in her eyes as she very loudly tells me the names of the boys and that she was going to "Punch their faces". We don't allow our kids to speak like that but to be honest, she said what I was feeling! I would never hurt another child but the pain and anger I felt I could have easily put them in a LONG time out! So as I collect my enraged daughter I ask the sub teacher what had happened?!?!?! She stated she didn't see or hear anything. OK, I know it was pick up time and all the kids were a bit out of control but we're talking 7 kids. I just walked away knowing I would be able to speak to Ms. Michelle about this tomorrow. I will make a fuss over this for a few reasons. (1)I would want to know if my child was mean or bullying another child AND (2)if a child is acting mean spirited, it needs to be corrected or the child will grow up to be a mean spirited adult. Sorry to be harsh but that's how I feel.

So to the car we go. I lifted Rachel into the car and she immediately walked over to her crying sister, wrapped her arms around her, kissed her face and repeated "I'm going to punch their faces" at this point I told Rachel how sweet and precious she was to be so protective of her sister but punches are not going to be thrown and that if she did punch those boys they could have punched her back. When I told her this, she thought about it for a minute then said "well, I would dunk" LOL... At this point a call to daddy was in order. CJ took turns talking to his girls and all the heavy emotions seemed to subside a bit, mine too. So it happened. Linzhi was teased and picked on. I could just cry for her and I want to make it all go away and protect her from future pain. However, I can't which really sucks, I mean stinks. (Can you tell I'm upset??) Getting it out does help and I know there are lots of kiddos that are being hurt or bullied so it makes my heart bleed even more. So in closing, I am grateful Jesus walks with my babies and protects them always. I am grateful Linzhi has a family that will love and protect her when she needs us most, I am so grateful for my little fire cracker Rachel Catherine that would risk getting hurt for her baby sis and lastly, I am grateful for my husband that has an uncanny ability to calm the nerves of all his dramatic girls. =)

Thanks for letting me vent. God bless and the next post will be post-Mexico and the GIVEAWAY!