Our Little Mermaid

Little Pumpkin has been so excited about her end of the year program!  They have been practicing for weeks and she played the Little Mermaid DVD over and over again in preparation for this day!

They even rolled out the red carpet for her! (Ok, and everyone else's kid too.)

I was so proud of her!  She has grown up so much and followed along so much better than she did at last year's dance recital!  I sure wish I could talk her back into to dance, but she is determined to do gymnastics!

If you are bored, here's a short clip of her performance.  

(50/50 chance and I picked the wrong side of the room, so my camera was on full zoom.)

Road Trip!

So it's been a busy and daddy-less two weeks.  Therefore we had a family fun weekend planned!  Friday night started out at the pool...crazy kids swimming in super cold water!

Saturday morning was spent looking at some houses.  Found one we offered on...third time's a charm, right!?!  After dragging the kids through the houses, we hit the road.  This is what happens when you let a certain little girl play with your phone:

On our way to our destination, we drove Chickamauga battlefields.  It is still a little too much history to keep the kids attention, but we did stop to check out a few statues and cannons.

Our first stop, the IMAX;  where we saw To the Arctic.  Everyone enjoyed the Polar Bear cubs!  Plus who can resist the awesome glasses.  ;o)

The Penguins were a big hit with Little Pumpkin.  Good to know there is still one penguin taller than my baby!  When did she grow up?!?

Watch out for the Giant Japanese Spider Crab!  A favorite...although I think it had more to do with the crawling under the exhibit to get to the view point.

Another big hit was the butterfly garden.  Even if we didn't have any land on us.  They were beautiful and had some really neat cocoons. Never paid attention to how unique each cocoon could be.

Here they were waiting somewhat impatiently for the stingrays to come by so they could touch them.  Little Lion was trying hard to "catch" the guitar fish...the lady said it felt like sandpaper.

So excited that the Tennessee Aquarium is so close and so much fun!  We look forward to many more visits.  Come see us and we'll take you!  ;o) 

(No, I'm not above bribery at times.)

Awards & Party

Today Little Pumpkin had an award program and end of the year party.  (She still has a few more days of school.)  They sang a signed & sang the chorus to a Chris Tomlin song.  I took a video, but can't seem to find it currently.  Each child had memorized a scripture that began with the same letter as their name.  Kate had "Keep your tongue from evil"  She did great!  

Next came the awards:

Shocked?!?  We were too!  But proud as can be!  ;o)

Both her teachers had such sweet things to say about her.  Including being so impressed with her transitioning so quickly. "Everyone in the class loves her!"

Some sweet friends at the party.  We were moved inside due to rain.  However, I think the kids had just as much fun as they would have outside.

Little Pumpkin and Mrs. G.

Little Pumpkin and Mrs. C.

We are so thankful for the few short months she had at Rome First.  And know that God put us there for a reason. Praising Him for the smooth transition both the kids have had thus far!

When you have the time...

Amazing what you can do when you have the time!  ;o)

Finished a 10k on the treadmill yesterday.

Roman around town!

Things have been going slow...which most of the time is discouraging!  

However, this weekend a slow Saturday + beautiful weather = the perfect day!

After a very slow morning we headed out to a local college that has a BEAUTIFUL campus!  After driving deep into their campus we parked and began our walk.  First stop was the Swan Lake.

Note to self:  ALWAYS have week old bread/french fries available to fend off the nesting Canadian Geese!  WOW!!!  I knew they could be mean, but never experienced it first hand.  Once we got the Swan on our side, she protected us from the geese.  Honestly, I think it was self preservation... she wanted the bread for herself!  I'm okay with this ulterior motive 'cause it kept us from getting "goosed!" 

  

After we were far enough away from the nesting geese and our bread was all gone, the other geese allowed us to enjoy some time on the swing!  Isn't this a sweet picture of my little people!?!

They were quite excited to find all kinds of places to pose for pictures!  Even adventurous to get to some of the places.  Confession:  I did video them getting there in case they fell in so we could send it to AFV... the mistake was telling them that.  Kate was "trying" to fall in after that!  Seriously stopped and said I'm jumping in now!

Afterwards we headed downtown; sure love this area of town!  We found a fountain area (this is not it) that the kids could play in.  We had to leave because it was too much torture watching the other kids in their swimsuits.  You know us, being the mean parents we are, would not allow them to get drenched while fully dressed!  I'm sure they will work through it in counseling some day! ;0)

Still learning to slow down and enjoy the wait.  But yesterday it was a little easier!

Little Pumpkin's Field Trip

Little Pumpkin's class went on a field trip to the local library.  She was so excited!!!  Upon arriving at the library she was greeted by a new friend with a huge hug and being called by name.  I think she is adjusting well.

 Waiting very patiently for all our friends to arrive. They were so good and quiet walking in that the librarians didn't even know we were there!  With 3 classes of 4&5 year olds, that's impressive!!

The puppet show was a take on Little Red Riding Hood....it was quite interactive and probably the loudest children's time at a library I've ever been too!  The kids loved it!!!  My ears did not.  ;o)

I had to slip out after the puppet show, but Little Pumpkin enjoyed a tour of the children's department and the best part...they got to walk the three to four blocks back to school!  And there was pizza involved!  Needless to say she loves her new school.  (I'm sure having 7 girls out of the 12 kids helps too!)

From our Family to Yours

We pray you had as Merry a Christmas as we did!!!

Take a guess!

What could she possibly be eating that caused this much of a mess, you ask?!? You tell me what you think!

Dinner & a Show

Sunday I went to dinner and the Beauty & the Beast performance with some very special little people: Little Lion, Little Lamb, Alligator, and Little Pumpkin!

My idea of sitting outside so I'm not worried about how loud they were, backfired just a tad with the wind and the four trains that went by in the time we ate lunch! ;o)

Some time to kill before the show, so we headed to the park! What a beautiful day it was!!! I think my children need to take some lessons on taking pictures! These girls had great smiles in every picture I took...

Best Friends Forever

Sorry Doc, I couldn't resist how precious it was...

They were actually holding hands because of being in the parking lot, but they just kept on! One we can put in the wedding album someday! ;o)

1 Peter 5:7

After a week of talking with realtors, moving companies, lenders, inspectors etc... the reality that we are moving is sinking in! It was a rough weekend at the Lion's Den. Mostly for Mommy and Daddy Lion. I'm praying the kids don't pick up on the stress and anxiety that comes with a move.

AND with that prayer, GOD has answered me in confirming all that HE is doing in our lives. Even to the simplest details. As I stood in front of the 20 or so kids in Kid's Church today, I was really preaching to myself: "WE CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON GOD."

What a reminder for me right now. GOD is moving us...HE is in control...HE will take care of the details.... HIS timing is perfect. I am CONFIDENT of this, that HE who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus! (Phil 1:6)

So here I am, casting my anxieties on HIM!

I'm not carrying them anymore!!! :o)

ROME, GEORGIA.... Here we come!

Five? Really?!?!

So today my little pumpkin turned 5! This boggles my mind...where does the time go? While praying with her last night I thanked Jesus for her and asked that she would enjoy her "last sleep as a four year old!" Apparently that was a mistake... after finishing praying I hear her sniffling:

MommyLion: Kate, why are you sad?

Little Pumpkin: I like being four!

ARE YOU KIDDIN' ME?!? ;o)

She didn't seem to mind celebrating all day long and is looking forward to her pajama party on Friday! ;o) Happy Birthday Little Pumpkin! We love you more than you'll ever understand!!!

Dual Air Control!

So we finally said goodbye to our ol' sport! It served us well for TEN years! Here's to a new decade of driving. I'm happy to have a Mazda again! ZOOM - ZOOM!!!

(Someday when I get it cleaned again I'll take a picture!)

Can you guess who was driving?!? ;o)

Anyone Surprised?

So today was D-day, well C-day....

Little Pumpkin got her hard cast today. She had been struggling with what color she was going to choose, I thought she was joking, but I think she just really wasn't sure! There are so many choices these days.

And everyone had an opinion: Daddy wanted Orange (go Beavs), Blake wanted Lime Green (the color of choice these days), someone recommended doing Pink & Purple (would have solved all our problems, but alas cannot be done)!

Even this morning while getting ready she seemed distraught..."I just want to make everyone happy." I assured her that it was HER choice and she was the one who had to look at it for the next 5 weeks!

OUT with the OLD!

Daddy Lion and Mommy Lion had an idea of what color she might pick. So even though she had only black and white on today, Mommy Lion still chose this bow! ;o)

It's healing well! Maybe it's just me, but it still looked a little bent. She did so well, AGAIN!

IN with the NEW!

oh, and if you by chance call to ask her about her pink cast...you have been forewarned:

"It's not pink, it's BRIGHT pink!" ;o)

So we will be sporting pink, excuse me, BRIGHT pink for the next 4 weeks! Pinkalicious!

Welcome Home Daddy...

So, Mark's been out of town for the last *two weeks (*home on weekends). We were all anxiously awaiting his arrival Friday night. Mommylion frantically cleaning the kitchen, Little Lion and Little Pumpkin playing in Little Lion's room. I thought Little Lion was reading to Little Pumpkin... when all the sudden I hear her crying.

I ran in the room to find Little Pumpkin laying on her right side crying and Little Lion sitting nearby saying..."I'm not sure what she tripped on." As I rolled her over, it was very apparent she had a broken arm! WOW! This was a first for me, for them...small panic begins, then reality...calmly I call my good friend Magnum 'cuz her hubs is in the know being Doc and all!

So Doc talks me through how to get her into the car. I'm sending Little Lion for different things, namely a small pillow, which was apparently hard to find. (We did find it today safely keeping a doll comfy in her stroller.) Anyway, about the time I got up to go look for it, Daddy Lion was standing in the doorway of the room. "Welcome home Daddy, we're going to the E.R!"

Little Pumpkin was so BRAVE and STRONG! I could not be more PROUD of her!!!

Not even a tear when the I.V. was put in and look she was still smiling for pics after being poked and taped and squeezed! I'm sure the morphine was starting to kick in a little. (I happened to have my camera in my purse with school starting this week... a blog for another time now!)

This is her arm! No Photoshop work here!

And after it was all said in done still the best patient EVER! I will admit seeing her sedated in a twilight stage was a little hard for Mommylion, just really odd. But SO glad she has no memory of it!

Some of the better parts of being hurt... sweet cards from some very sweet friends! Gator and Little Lamb made these cards with Little Lion today (he ended up at their house for a impromptu sleep over!). The empty spaces included sweet treats like a coloring book, lip gloss and a candy bar!

More perks ~ Lolly and Pop came over with goodies! A necklace that she will always remember getting when she broke her arm. And more sweet treats ~ my chocolate lover was in heaven today! ;o)

But the best part of having a broken arm you ask?

"Only having to wash one hand!" ~ Little Pumpkin

Too much to say...

So Daddy Lion proves he is the better blogger! I've struggled with knowing exactly what to blog about... everything seem so insignificant after a trip to China! So I'll share with you some of my favorite pics from China and I'll be happy to answer any questions! *smile*

This is Mandy (Su Chen Ting), she was my translator for the first week! I am so excited to already be keeping in contact with her via e-mail! Praying one day she gets to come see me and more importantly that she gets to know my Heavenly Father!

Here is Lily, me and Julie! Lily and Julie were both 15, so they are no longer available to adopt! *frown* However, with Mandy's help I plan to stay in contact with them and hopefully encourage them! Who knows one day they may just be with me on golden streets! *SMILE*

When we went to the beach, it was very cold. So I was among the ones who played in the sand instead of the water! *grin* Lily, along with some other translators taught us how to play Chinese hopscotch! It was quite challenging! This is my roommate and newest friend, Ashley!

We were never underfed! This is the table at breakfast time! We had the same dishes give or take one or two every morning. I had no problems with the food! Although, breakfast was harder than the others. I stuck with the hard boiled eggs (and the cereal bars I brought!).

These next few pictures are of some of the cuties that could be yours! I don't remember all their names, but I could very easily find all the info you need should you feel led to bring one home! This one was so sweet! I have a sweet video of him giggling with his American buddy, Amanda!

Who can resist this sweet, mischievous smile?!? *grin* Another sweet boy!

This my friends is Tom! Talk about sweet and SMART! I'm not sure he will be available long. His American buddy, Rai is advocating for him for sure! He melted her heart!

Okay, so maybe I have a bit of a mischievousness streak in me too! This is my buddy, Jack, from week two after I gave him a piece of candy... a warhead that is! *giggle* He finished it!

ATTENTION: Cuteness alert!!! This is my other buddy from week two, Tim. He IS available for adoption! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this sweet boy. He rarely stopped smiling and was SO brave! I'm really praying that someone I know is called to be his forever family!

Family group picture from week two. Tim, me, Jack, and Danyang (my translator). Danyang is studying at University of Iowa, so hopefully she will be visiting at Christmas time this year!

Saying good-bye was hard just as expected! I love this picture. Reminds me that even the toughest kids who seem to not want to be at camp, really do enjoy it and make connections with you! Praying for Jack and his situation...his mom is unable to care for him, but alive so he is not available for adoption.

Would love to share more details if you've made it this far and are still interested! *smile* If you are local and interested in finding out more about adoption, we will be having a meeting on Wednesday night. I'll get you details if you contact me!

Continue to join me in prayer for these kids! I'm praying and saving for next summer already!!!