The Long Road to China

Apricots in a Sandwich?

2012-01-27T06:19:00.000-05:00

I know you all are going to think I have lost my mind when I tell you that I made a great sandwich about two weeks ago, and the star ingredient was an APRICOT!!! I'll admit, it does sound kind of strange, but you will have to trust me when I tell you, the sandwich was REALLY REALLY GOOD.....
in fact, it was FABULOUS!

I have very fond memories of picking apricots in my great grandfather's backyard with my cousins when we were young. We would sit on the hill and eat the freshly picked fruit until we were literally sick to our stomachs. Til this day, whenever I am in the produce department of the grocery store and see apricots, I always think of my Poppy and that big old tree. So on this particular shopping trip, I decided to fill a bag and put them in my cart.

As I was walking the aisles of the grocery store, I remembered a sandwich that was made by one of my favorite food network chefs. The recipe used grilled peaches, so I thought maybe I could substitute a few ingredients and come up with something very similar.

The first thing I did was slice the apricots and rub them with a little olive oil.....

then I grilled them on my panini press until they caramelized.

After they were done, I removed them from the press and started to put the sandwich together. I sliced my ciabatta bread then layered it with arugula, fontina cheese, the grilled apricots, and I made a quick pesto aioli(a couple tablespoons of light mayo with a teaspoon or two of pesto mixed in). Before I put the top piece of bread on, I gave it a pinch of kosher salt and some freshly ground pepper, then we were finally ready for the press.

After a few minutes, I had one rockin' sandwich ready to be eaten!!
The combination of flavors and textures were fantastic. The arugula is crisp and peppery, then you have the soft melty cheese that tastes a little salty paired with the sweetness that comes from those caramelized apricots. It is definitely a tasty and unique sandwich. I served it with tomato soup and it was the perfect winter meal. You will have to give it a try!

I have been in a soup and sandwich mode for the last few weeks....... and have become addicted to my panini press. I am coming up with all sorts of quick and easy things.
It's always fun to experiment in the kitchen:)

~Happy Weekend Everyone~

Short and Edgy

2012-01-25T17:30:00.000-05:00

I needed a change in a bad way and have been contemplating going super short with my hair for months. When I found a really cute inspiration photo online last week(thank you pinterest), I knew I needed to call my stylist and make the appointment before I talked myself out of it.

Yesterday after work, I nervously walked into the salon and watched as big huge clumps of hair fell on the floor. It was a little shocking at first, but I have to say..........

I am absolutely THRILLED with it and wish I would have taken the plunge long ago.
It took me a less than a minute to do my hair for work this morning.
A truly no fuss, wash and go look!!

I couldn't hold my big camera to get the back of my head, so I figured I would use this IPhone shot to show y'all how funky the back looks. I actually used this shot as a Facebook teaser last night:)

Anyway, I am lovin' the fresh new fun look!!!
It was the perfect pick me up and just what I needed to help keep the winter blues from setting in.
I was anxious to get home last night to see what Pat thought, I wasn't too sure he would love it as much as I do, but he really does. Every chance he gets, he tells me how much he likes the "new me".

That one little piece in the front sort of falls in my face and I like to pin it back.
I have a few fancy bobbypins with little doo-dads on the end, but I am going to need to stock up on a few more. If anyone happens to see any fun clips, be sure to let me know!!

Sicilian Family Favorites

2012-01-25T06:55:00.000-05:00

The week before Christmas, my Uncle Tony came to visit and we spent a good amount of time in the kitchen making one of our family favorites..... Sauce with Meatballs.

Together, my uncle and I are working on a new project that I am excited about.....
We are hoping to write and publish a cookbook of all the Sicilian recipes that have been in our family for years. These recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, but they have never been compiled and written out. The way I learned to cook was by spending time in the kitchen with my Mom and my Grandma. I would watch everything they did.....and there were two things that struck me....they did not measure anything and they were not following a written recipe. They learned in the same manner that I was....watching and memorizing.

In our family, the focus of all gatherings and special events is always the food. The heart of our homes, lives in the kitchen. It is the way we grew up.....it is the Sicilian way, and it is tradition. We all want our children and grandchildren to grow up with the same traditions. We want them to learn the same recipes that we did and know all the stories that go with them, so that is really why this book has become something that my Uncle feels so passionate about.

He has more knowledge of the recipes than I do, and as you could probably guess, most of my responsibilities will be on the photography side of things.

We hope to share with everyone the recipes the way my grandparents made them, then we will explain some of the shortcuts or tweaks we have made over the years and maybe even list some of our favorite ingredients and store brands. We also want to tell some of the family stories we hold very close to our hearts.

I had mentioned the other day that Nick is already showing signs that his Sicilian roots run deep as he is the newest "foodie" in the house. He was right there next to Uncle Tony every step of the way as we prepared our pot of sauce with meatballs. I know Uncle Tony was just as proud as I was to see him so interested in everything we were doing. He was also the first one to offer to taste test:)

There are a few little things that we may do differently than most when it comes to our meatball recipe. One is the type of meat we use. We actually use three; beef, pork, and veal. The other is that we do not fry or bake our meatballs, we cook them right in the pot of sauce. Trust me, you will never have a meatball that is more tender than these. They melt in your mouth..... you will think you have died and gone to heaven..... they are THAT GOOD!!!

Sauce
Olive Oil(Extra Virgin)
4 Cloves of Garlic
1 Cooking Onion
1 6oz Can of Tomato Paste
2 28oz Cans of Crushed Tomatoes
1 28oz Can of Peeled Tomatoes
Pinch of Sugar
2 tsp of Salt(Kosher)
1 tsp of Fresh Ground Black Pepper
12 Basil Leaves

Use enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pot. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent. Then add the garlic and stir for about a minute or two, but be careful not to burn it. Next, add the can of tomato paste and combine it with the onion and garlic mixture. Then, add the 2 Cans of Crushed Tomatoes, 1 Can of Peeled Tomatoes, Pinch of Sugar, Salt, Black Pepper, and Basil. Simmer it so that all of the ingredients will marry together. Usually for at least an hour.
Helpful Hint: We usually empty the can of Peeled Whole Tomatoes into a bowl and go through and cut off the ends/remaining stems. We also crush them by hand to get rid of any excess seeds that we don't want to go into the sauce.

Meatballs
1 lb of Ground Beef
1/2 lb of Veal
1/2 lb of Pork
1 Egg
1/2 Cup of Seasoned Bread Crumbs
1/4 Cup of Locatelli Romano Cheese
1 tsp of Salt
1/2 tsp of Pepper
2/3 Cup of Red Sauce

Put the three meats into a large bowl. Add the Egg, Bread Crumbs, Cheese, Salt, Pepper, and 2/3 cup of the hot sauce that is simmering. Mix by hand all the ingredients until combined, but be careful you don't over mix. The consistency should be very light and fluffy. Roll meatballs one at a time and carefully drop them into the pot of sauce to cook. Simmer them stirring occasionally. The longer they cook the better they are. I will leave them on for at least a few hours.

I hope that you will love this classic recipe as much as our family does.
It is one that will surely warm the heart and soul.
There will be more family favorites featured in the coming weeks, so be sure to check back.

Happy Chinese New Year

2012-01-23T06:45:00.000-05:00

Reagan definitely seems to be doing much better. We can once again see that little twinkle in her eyes that was absent earlier this week.

Since her spirits have lifted, we decided to bring out her red silks.

Red is found everywhere during Chinese New Year and other holidays and family gatherings.
It symbolizes good fortune and joy.

Red is definitely her color:)

She faded pretty quickly on me, but that's okay. Even when tired, with furrowed brows, and sucking those two fingers, I think she's as cute as can be.

Tonight we are celebrating Nick's birthday with our family, so we will officially welcome the year of the Dragon, next weekend!

From our family to yours, Xīn Nián Kuài Lè!

Sunday Snapshots - Shooting Out The Window

2012-01-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Each year when we get our fist snowfall, I like to take a little drive with my camera and "shoot from the window"{You can see last year's photos, HERE}. The roads were pretty awful, so I did not go too far. We live in a rural area and are always the last ones to have our roads cleared. The only advantage to this was that no one else was out there driving, so I could just stop the car, roll down the window and shoot.

I have not been converting too many photos to black and white since I said goodbye to B&W Wednesdays, but there is something about Black and White Winter photos that speaks to me, so opted to forgo color.

This is a cool old farm that is about a mile from our house. I loved the big old tree and it's perfect placement between the structures.

This old shack, as I am going to call it, is up the hill from our house and it is on a farm property as well. I am not sure what this old shack really is.... I have actually seen these on a few farms around here. They look like they were built to hold some sort of animal, but I am not sure. Does anyone know what they are? This one really caught my eye because it was so old and unstable looking. You can see that it is a little crooked and it looked as if the wind blew strong enough, it might crumble like matchsticks. {I had a little fun processing this by adding a little motion to the photo}

To quote one of the most legendary landscape photographers:
"A good photograph is knowing where to stand."
~Ansel Adams~

Do you think he ever sat from his car to take any of those amazing photos??

I highly doubt it, but I'm kind of lazy especially when the temps are below freezing.
Which is why, Ansel Adams, I will never be.....

The last time I took a cruise with the camera was in the fall when the leaves started to change. As I had my head out the window, I noticed "The Long Road" behind me in the side view mirror. I have used this as a profile picture on Facebook, but never posted it here on the blog so I thought I would share it today since it kind of fit the theme "Shooting Out The Window".

To see more Sunday Snapshots, head on over to my friend Stefanie's blog

A Little of the White Fluffy Stuff

2012-01-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

It looks like winter has officially arrived in these parts!!
We woke up to a few inches of snow this morning and it is still coming down. I believe the forecast is calling for about 8 inches, so we most likely won't be going anywhere today, which is good, because we are still trying to get Miss Reagan well.

We went back to the pediatrician yesterday, and while her oxygen levels have improved a few points over the last 5 days, he said that her lungs are still "crackling" when he listens to her chest.
So what does this mean? The nebulizer is staying for the next five days.
He feels that we might be dealing with something that is called Bronchiolitis.
As he explained it, it's caused be a viral infection in the lungs and we have to let it run it's course, but we need to watch for things such as a high fever or if her breathing starts to become more labored and we notice a lot more wheezing than we see right now.

I do think we are on our way to recovery, it is just going to take her little lungs some time to rebound from all of this. The good news is that Reagan is getting used to the nebulizer and we are not needing to fight with her as much as we did earlier in the week to take the treatments. We took the mask of the end and we are using a mouthpiece instead and that really seemed to help.

Okay, I just thought I would update everyone and let you know we are still plugging along.
Now I need to find a few more fun things for the girls to do...... we are beginning to climb the walls. Cabin fever is definitely setting in!!

To all of our China friends....

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

Favorite Photo Friday - "Happy 14th Birthday Nick"

2012-01-19T15:00:00.000-05:00

14 years ago today, I became a Mom to a beautiful baby boy.
He was born a few weeks premature, and we were not sure what to expect, but our little Nick was a fighter. To our surprise, within the first 24 hours, he was out of the NICU and in the arms of his adoring parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

It was such a special day for our family.....one that I doubt any of us will ever forget.
He was the first child, first nephew, and first grandchild.
There was more excitement in the room than you can imagine.

He ultimately became my world and in a time when my life and my health seemed to be spinning out of control, he kept me grounded and kept my spirits high. Just when I thought I could not take another day of hospitals, office visits, tests, and treatments..... I would look into the eyes of this precious little peanut and knew that I had to fight not only for myself, but for him too.

I often think back to our early days together and how scary it must have been for him as he watched me bounce in and out of the hospital while he was taken care of by my parents and close family members. He always made me proud as he handled it all with grace......

and I have to say, 14 years later, I am still that adoring proud parent!!

He is a terrific boy, with a good head on his shoulders. He has a tender heart and is very respectful to his peers and elders. In the last two years he has really come out of his shell and has become more social. He is really starting to find himself.....and passion in things such as music and food. He is the first one to come join me in the kitchen when I start to cook...... and of course, I LOVE THAT more than words can express!

Nick is growing into a wonderful young man and it is difficult to think that in just two short years he will be old enough to get behind the wheel of a car. Even though I am staring "up" at this handsome young man, it is hard for me to see him as anything but a little boy.

The years have flown by, but the memories of his baby days are fresh in my head and will always be held close to my heart.

Nick couldn't be more loved and adored by his family!
He is an all around great kid and the best big brother any girl could ask for:)

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero."
~Marc Brown~

We love you Nick.....Happy 14th Birthday!

This picture was taken this week as Nick was trying to cheer up his sick little sis!
We head back to the pediatrician tomorrow for a recheck.
As of today, I think Payton the Panda might be finding her way into Reagan's heart.
Not nearly as many tears when she makes her appearance every four hours.
Thanks for all the advice and well wishes. They were greatly appreciated.

Payton The Panda

2012-01-17T13:30:00.000-05:00

Meet our newest house guest, "Payton the Panda".....
and let me tell you, she has not been welcomed with open arms.

Payton is not your ordinary adorable panda, she is actually a Nebulizer in disguise.
And even though she is as cute as can be, Reags is not diggin' her new "furry" friend.

It has been nothing but illness after illness in this house since the girls started daycare in the Fall. Reagan has had a cough that has never really gone away, at times it seems to subside, but then it comes right back. On Sunday, I noticed that the cough was starting to sound different......and not in a good way.

First thing Monday morning, I packed her up and we headed straight for the pediatrician's office.
As soon as the doctor put the stethoscope on her back, I saw the concerned look on his face.
He listened carefully for more than a few minutes and then finally took it off and said that he did not like what he heard.

They ran a few tests to check her oxygen levels and they were not where they should be. So it was decided to start her on breathing treatments immediately. They agreed to let me take her home and administer the breathing treatments there as long as I promised to bring her back in a few days to be re-evaluated.

Reags needs 4-5 treatments a day and that in itself has not been an easy task.
She is scared of the machine..... She is fine when she sees the Panda and will even play with it as long as it is in the "off mode", but the second that motor goes on and the mist starts coming out, she starts to scream, cry, and carry on.

We have tried just about everything to get her to see that there is nothing to be scared of.
This morning before her real treatment, we let her play pretend with it.

Sarah has been such a big help and stepped right up to show her that there was nothing to wearing this mask on your face.

She agreed to give it a try..... as long as it was turned off and nothing was coming out....

but even then, when pretending, she preferred to be the nurse and not the patient.

It is going to be a long couple of days.....
Hoping we see some improvement in Reags by Friday, when we go back to visit the doctor.

He used two words when we were in his office Monday, one being "Pneumonia" and the other was "Asthma". Neither one of these words sounds good to me.......but oh man, if it is Asthma? Payton the Panda may be more than a house guest..... she may become a member of this family.

Thank goodness I have the world's best and most understanding boss.... I am basically home all week with her to try to get her over whatever it is that is causing her lungs distress.

I will update everyone after Friday's appointment. For now, we are just praying we get our girl's lungs back in good health, quickly and painlessly.

Sunday Snapshot - "Less Is More"

2012-01-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

Was anyone just a tiny bit curious to find out what kept Reagan so occupied that she decided not to join her big sister in her liberating jump on the bed?
(if you missed Friday's post, you can read it HERE)

I was pretty surprised myself when I reached the doorway and only saw one of them up there. Usually, it is a case of "monkey see, monkey do" around here.

Reags had no interest in climbing up on that bed because she was literally up to her eyeballs in lip gloss. Once I entered the room, I found her sitting in the chair with a dress up box in front of her. That box included some of Sarah's princess makeup and it obviously caught Reagan's eye.

What can I say.... I believe we have another girly girl on our hands!
She certainly loved that lip gloss and did not look to be getting bored with it anytime soon.
I tried to step in and explain to her that old lesson my Mom tried to teach me during my teeanage years.... "A little goes a long way and when it comes to make-up, Less Really is More".

Ummm... I don't really think this lesson went over all that well....

Apparently, it is going to take a little more convincing to get my message across....
but that is okay because time is on our side. She won't be wearing make up for anything other than dress up anytime soon.

~Happy Sunday~

To see more Sunday Snapshots, head on over to my friend Stefanie's blog by clicking the button below

Favorite Photo Friday - "When She Thought No One Was Watching"

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Mom tiptoed up the steps with camera in hand.....

ready to capture whatever it was causing the incessant laughter coming from Sarah's room!

I watched my daughter and could almost feel the sheer bliss that was radiating from her as she bounced on her bed and flew through the air. It's always the simplest things that bring them so much joy.

As for the "sans clothes" look.....
Reagan is going through a phase of constantly taking off all of her clothes.
It is driving me bananas. Every time I turn around, she is undressed.
I redress her and she undresses again.

At first we found this quite humorous, but now we are starting to wonder if it is ever going to stop.
I joked with Pat the other night saying that she must be rebelling from all the layers they dressed her in when she lived in China.

What you can't see in this series of photos is Reagan who was sitting on the chair that is in front of the bed. So not only was Sarah up there....Reagan was too. Sarah usually will start yelling for me if Reags starts to undress.....

You know that old expression, "If you can't beat them, join them"?

I guess Sarah decided joining her sister "sans clothes" would be more fun than telling on her:))

LOL... life with these two girls is always an adventure!

~Happy Weekend Everyone~

2012 Photography Classes Now Forming

2012-01-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: Number 7 is our lucky winner according to Random.org. Congratulations JulieM! Please contact me to let me know which class you would like to sign up for.

2011 was an exciting year and I enjoyed teaching and sharing what I know about photography with so many of you. At the same time we were able to give back to the Children of China through www.halfthesky.org which makes these classes mean that much more to me.

I have been on a teaching hiatus since November, but I am ready to get back out there and share my knowledge and passion for photography with anyone that wants to learn ot take their skills to the next level.

Today, I am officially opening enrollment for three classes that I ran last year with great success and at this time, I am also going to offer my first ever Private Mentoring Sessions. See "Option 4" below for details.

I tried to include answers to most of the questions that I typically receive when someone is considering signing up for a class. If by chance I missed something, don't hesitate to reach out to me.

For those that have already participated in these classes and are looking for more, a new selection is just around the corner. I am working on some new offerings to put into the rotation and they should be open for enrollment sometime in March.

OPTION 1
“Get Out of the Auto Zone” - Four Week Series
When: Thursday February 9th, Thursday February 16th, Thursday February 23rd, and Thursday March 1st
All classes will start at 9pm Eastern Time
Cost: $300
This is a beginner’s class that will be focused on the basics of photography. It will be a four week course that will move you past the automatic mode or the little green box as some people like to refer to it.
You will receive detailed outlines complete with photos and diagrams for the lessons each week. We will log on to a weekly live web conference(GoToMeeting.com) to discuss the outline at great length. You will also receive weekly assignments to help you comprehend the content we are learning. You will also be invited to join a private facebook group where you will be able to ask me questions or post pictures that you have taken throughout the course.

Week 1: Understanding Camera Functions – Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed, Focal Points, Etc.
Week 2: Exposure and Tackling the Manual Mode
Week 3: Finding the Light and Composing the shot
Week 4: Metering

OPTION 2
“The Art of Editing With Adobe Photoshop Class (CS3,CS4, or CS5)" - One Week Class
When: Thursday, March 8th
All classes will start at 9pm Eastern Time
Cost: $125 (if this class is combined with class number one or three you will receive a $50 discount)
This is a comprehensive two hour class on editing and enhancing your photos using Adobe Photoshop. I will be sharing with you the way I edit my photos and my work flow from camera to blog. Each participant will receive an outline of everything that is covered in class so that they will have a guide to work from after the class is over. Class will be conducted online through Gotomeeting.com

OPTION 3
"Creative Composition and Finding Your Style" - Three Week Series
When: Wednesday, March 7th, Wednesday, March 14th, and the last class will be scheduled with each participant individually. All classes will start at 9pm Eastern Time
Cost: $200
This will be a three week course focused on composition and finding your own personal photographic style.
We will be discussing things such as light, color, texture, contrast, and lines.
The first two weeks we will conduct the class as a group, then on week three, I will schedule each student for a private 30 minute session to discuss their specific needs. Each participant will receive an outline of everything that is covered in class so that they will have a guide to work from after the class is over. Class will be conducted online through Gotomeeting.com. You will also be invited to join a private facebook group where you will be able to ask me questions or post pictures that you have taken throughout the course.

OPTION 4 ****new offering****
"PRIVATE MENTORING"
When: TBD by each individual student
Cost: $125 per one hour session($110 per hour for those looking to book 4 hours of instruction or more)
Whether you are looking to take your photography and/or photo editing to the next level or if you are trying to get a small photography business off the ground, I am willing to personally help you navigate the waters. I will customize each hour to your personal needs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What do I need to participate?
For the “Get Out of the Auto Zone” class you will need a DSLR camera, your camera manual (see my disclaimer below***), and your lens of choice (if you have a prime or fixed lens like a 50mm or an 85mm that would be best, but if you don’t we can work with what you already have) and a high-speed Internet connection to attend the online class.
***Disclaimer*** You may need to reference your manual from time to time to find something we are discussing. I will be here to help you through it if need be, but I need you to understand that I am not an expert in all camera makes and models. I am here to teach you photography basics. Most DSLR cameras have the same basic functions; you just need to push different buttons on each specific camera to achieve them. If you have any questions regarding this, please feel free to email me.

For the "Creative Composition and Finding Your Style" class, you will need a DSLR camera and a high speed internet connection.

For the “The Art of Editing” class you need Adobe Photoshop CS3/4/or5 and a high speed internet connection.

How do I sign up?
To sign up you MUST email me and tell me which class you would like to sign up for.. Class space is limited and they will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. I will email you back to let you know that you have secured a spot.

Payment
Once I notify you that you have secured a seat for the class, I will invoice you through Paypal.

References Available Upon Request
Over the past year and a half, I have had the privilege of teaching many wonderful women online and in person and they are willing to share their experiences with you. I will happily provide you with email addresses and websites so you can contact them directly.

If you are new to my blog and this is the first you are hearing of "Visions of Hope" or Half the Sky, Please click HERE to read all the details.

To learn more about Half The Sky and see how they benefit the children in orphanages throughout China, you can visit them by clicking HERE.

As always, I like to giveaway one freebie when I offer new classes.
If you would like a chance to win a free seat for Option 1, 2, or 3, please leave me a comment below. You have until 11:59pm Eastern Time on Sunday, January 15th to enter.
Good Luck and Happy Shooting.

Looking For A Little Inspiration

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

“If we look at the world with a love of life, the world will reveal its beauty to us.”
~Daisaku Ikeda~

Processed with

Click here to visit Florabella Collection.

I Heart Faces - "Best Face Photo From 2011"

2012-01-09T07:18:00.002-05:00

I took this photo of Sarah this summer as the girls were playing outside on the back porch.
It is by far my favorite close up face photo of her and it just might be one of the best close up shots I have ever taken.
The unusual crop speaks to me as does the hair framing her face.....
and that smile....well, it just lights up the room!!

To see more beautiful face photos, click over to I Heart Faces!

Favorite Photo Friday - "Guilty Pleasures"

2012-01-06T06:30:00.000-05:00

Friday could not have arrived a moment too soon.....what a week!
The holidays were hectic. They came and went in the blink of an eye and it has been tough getting back to the reality of our daily routines. I will admit, while everyone is busy making New Year's resolutions, this time of year sort of depresses me a little bit. I am not a big fan of winter and the very cold temps that it brings our way. I always seem to fall into a funk in January with thoughts of the long winter ahead. I am already counting the days until Spring makes its appearance and we can spend our time outdoors again.

In an attempt to provide myself a little "pick me up", Reagan caught me in the pantry grabbing a handful of one of my favorite guilty pleasures....Skittles!

To this point, this is a treat I have never shared with her. I have always been afraid she would choke on them, but this particular day, I could not deny the little face that was staring at me as if to say, "Where are mine".
I decided it was time to let her try my favorite guilty pleasure.

Did she ever love those chewy, fruit flavored candies!!!

She sat there cherishing every last little piece as she popped them in her mouth.

.
Then she realized she had company...... Sarah entered the room.

Two bowls are definitely better than one in our house.
As long as they each have their own snack, everyone is happy!!!

They looked so cute sitting there quietly enjoying there skittles.
Not a word was said.

Then they reached the bottom of their bowls......

and the SUGAR KICKED IN:))

The winter blues I was feeling, quickly slipped away as I watched these two ham it up!

“It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.”
~Paulo Coelho~

Cape Cod-Bound for New Years!

2011-12-30T08:45:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is enjoying this holiday season!
We have spent the last week with family and friends and I have been nowhere near my computer or my camera for that matter. It has been a nice break for me and I am loving the extra time I have had each night to spend with the kids as they are enjoying all the new things Santa left under the tree.

Right now we are getting ready to head North to Cape Cod to visit our family and spend New Year's with them. Reagan and I were the first two awake this morning and she helped me go through the hat and glove box as I packed for our trip.

As you can see, someone is very excited to see "Grammy, Pops, and all of her Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins!!!

I will catch everyone up on our holiday festivities after we return.

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed New Year!

I am anxious to see what 2012 brings to our family.

Merry Christmas From Our Family To Yours

2011-12-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

(Front Cover)

(Inside Flap)

(Inside Spread)

Our card this year was a trifold and opened like a book. Since you can't really see the inside spread above, I decided to attach the three photos so you could see the detail!!!

This is my last post before Christmas as I intend on taking a bit of a break to enjoy the holidays with my family. I plan to get back onto a regular blogging schedule again after the holidays come and go.

I hope that you all have the most wonderful and magical holiday season.

May your Christmas be filled with love, laughter, and many blessings!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

With Love,

Lisa, Pat, Nick, Sarah, and Reagan

Their Stockings Are Overflowing This Christmas

2011-12-23T07:40:00.000-05:00

This has been an amazing ride....
I am not sure what is more full, my heart or "Their Stockings".
We still have a few days until Christmas, but I have already been given my gift.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every one of you that has supported, given back, and ultimately made a difference for the children of China this holiday season. I am so very grateful for your generosity. What I have witnessed the last few weeks has been magical.

I also need to thank two very special and amazing ladies, Diana and Stefanie, who I could not be more proud to have had by my side throughout this event. It has been so much fun supporting each other and cheering each other on each day. I will surely miss the constant emails and chatter, but I will be looking forward to what the 2012 Fill Their Stockings has in store for us!

Here our are last two winners:

The winner of the 18 x 24 Canvas of the China Print is Jann S.

and the winner of the Pandora $100 Gift Card is Laura D.

Congrats Ladies!!!

On behalf of the staff at Half the Sky, thank you for making this an incredible and successful event.

Wishing you all the very best this Holiday Season~

{These photos were taken at the Chenzhou Social Welfare Institute last October when we visited. I am happy to report that a few of these beautiful children have been matched with forever families and are now home.}

Our Last "Fill Their Stockings" Give-away - Posh Pandora

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

Before I start, I need to say that I am beside myself after witnessing and watching this entire event unfold, but the last two days have been extraordinarily special to me as I watched the donations come in because of the photos that I took on my journey to China. Those photos truly will hold my memories of China for a lifetime. I do not sell those photos and I never intend to, they are mine..... and this was a special gift that I wanted to share with someone that found them as beautiful, intriguing, and filled with as many memories as I do.

Yesterday was more than a little emotional as I saw the thermometer get pushed over the top.
The photos brought in $1935 in donations and as of this morning we have raised $5,715 through this event for Half the Sky and the children in their programs!!!!
You all have "helped me, help them" and together, we have officially exceeded the goal for this event.
I am completely blown away by the willingness to give back this holiday season.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

So here we go my friends..... The very last item that will be featured and given away as part of
"Fill Their Stockings With Hope".

I think you will be excited by today's featured item as many of you are collectors of this beautiful line of jewelry.

Are you completely drooling over that gorgeous Pandora Bracelet pictured above?

Well, today you have the opportunity to win a $100 Pandora Gift Card!

If you are not familiar with Pandora, take a few minutes to explore their website, by clicking HERE.
Trust me, you will be addicted, as so many are when it comes to these beautiful bracelets and necklaces.

They have hundreds of different charms/beads so you can personalize and design your own look.
The possibilities are endless. Just take a look at some of their creations I found while exploring their site.

Stunning pieces, aren't they?

Would you like an opportunity to win this $100 Gift Card to buy yourself or someone special a pretty and posh piece of pandora jewelry?

Here is what you need to do:

We ask that you consider making a donation of $5.00 or more.
If you choose to donate, simply use our "CLICK TO DONATE" button below and you will be directed to the Half The Sky donation page that was set up for this event. Your donations are going directly to Half The Sky, which is a non profit organization that makes a difference in the lives of many children that reside in orphanages throughout China. It is also possible to enter without donating. To do that, leave a comment that includes your name and email address so we can contact you should you win. All winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada.

This is it..... your last chance to give back to the children that are still in China waiting for forever families. I know that a donation is not required, but I ask you(okay beg you)to please consider it. Every dollar donated makes a difference to these children.
You have until 11:59pm Eastern Time, Thursday December 22nd to give.

A special note: All donations made to Half the Sky at this time will be matched by Jenny Bowen, the founder of Half The Sky and two of their Board Members. Jenny has recently won the 2011 Purpose Prize and has decided to match all contributions made to their foundation until they accumulate $375,000
How exciting and generous is that?
You can see Jenny's video HERE.
What an inspiring and amazing woman.

Good luck and a special THANK YOU to the giving adoptive Mom who wishes to remain nameless, but so graciously donated this gift card. Without people like you, this event could not have taken place.

Please be sure to check in on Stefanie and Diana to see the final items they are featuring for this event...you won't want to miss out.

The winners of this week's featured items will be announced on Friday!

Happy Holidays~

"Fill Their Stockings" - China Memories to Last a Lifetime

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

On October 16, 2010, I boarded a plane that was going to take me halfway across the world to meet our daughter for the very first time. My head and my heart were swirling with excitement and anticipation. The time had finally come. It was a day I had been dreaming about for over five years. I knew it was going to be an incredible two weeks, but it was even more than that......

It was a two weeks that will always be etched in my memory, but something happened in those two weeks that changed me forever.

Of course I was head over heels in love with my beautiful new daughter who was placed in my arms within the first 24 hours of arriving. We spent our days getting to know each other and exploring her country, her people, her customs and culture. I was mesmerized by it all.

Our time in China seemed to fly by. As we packed our bags to leave, I felt overcome with sadness. I was anxious to come home and be reunited with my husband, children, the rest of our family, and close friends, but at the same time, I was not ready to say goodbye to my daughter's country. I saw so many things that pulled hard at my heart and raised many questions in my mind.

The next day, as the plane pulled away from the gate, I held Reagan tightly in my arms. My heart was heavy and tears ran down my face. I made a promise to her and to myself that one day we would return to her motherland and no matter what, I was going to try to keep in communication with her orphanage and possibly try to help them and the children that are still residing in China.

A month after we were home, I was contacted by Half the Sky.
I journal-ed our trip and somehow a link to my blog was passed to someone on staff.
After reading my posts and viewing my photos, they could tell that there was a giant piece of my heart and myself that still remained in China. They wanted to know if I would be interested in doing some volunteer work for their organization. I think it took all of ten seconds for me to reply with a "yes". I felt that this was definitely a way that I could giveback and maybe make the slightest difference for some of these children.

In January of 2011, I kicked off the first of a series of photography classes that would benefit China's children through Half the Sky. I donated a large portion of each class enrollment to Half the Sky. It was a very successful year and I thought I was done for 2011 when I offered my last round of classes in September.

As the holidays approached, I felt like we needed to do more....or something special for Christmas.
Which is when "Fill Their Stockings With Hope" was born.

Stefanie, Diana, and I reached out to everyone for help in November and were asking for items that people were willing to donate for our cause. I wanted to contribute, but I was not sure what I could offer.......

Then I remembered a few of my favorite photos from China... the very photos filled with many memories that prompted my conversations with Half The Sky and ultimately led me to do some volunteer work for them.

There was the beautiful bridge in Martyrs Park in Changsha(Hunan Province)that has captivated many.
I remember this day like it was yesterday. Marla and I walked all over that park, Reagan on my chest in the Ergo, our cameras were snapping away trying to capture every last detail of all that surrounded us. It was one of our favorite site-seeing trips. The people were so friendly and would stop and pose their children so we could take their photos.

This intriguing girl who was sitting on pile of rubble while eating her lunch on BieJie Street in Chenzhou City just a few yards away from Reagan's finding place and down the street from the Chenzhou SWI. Her presence literally stopped me in my tracks.

I remember looking at this young girl and wondering if this could be a glimpse into Reagan's life had she not ended up in the orphanage. We were passing many school children on the street that day as it was lunchtime and they were on break. They were all in some sort of uniform, this girl was not. If I had to guess, she did not go to school. I think her parents owned the shop she was sitting in front of and she probably stayed there with them all day.

These photos totally captivate me. Her clothes, the jump rope around her neck, the bowl of rice in her hands, the chopsticks, and if you really zoom in, you can even see the dirt on her hands.
When they say that "a picture is worth a thousand words", they are not kidding.
So many thoughts evoked by these two photos of this Chenzhou beauty.

I find all three of these photos so very special and my hope is that maybe a few of you do too.

So, if you are still with me..... this is what I you have an opportunity to win.

You will get to choose one of the three photos in this post, and I will have an 18 x 24 inch canvas printed and shipped directly to you.

If you are not sure what a canvas print looks like, click HERE to see a few photos I recently had converted to canvas. THEY ARE GORGEOUS! No frame needed, just a nail and a hammer and you are good to go.
It is like a beautiful piece of art hanging on your wall.

Could you see one of these photos hanging in your home?

Here is what you need to do:

We ask that you consider making a donation of $5.00 or more.
If you choose to donate, simply use our "CLICK TO DONATE" button below and you will be directed to the Half The Sky donation page that was set up for this event. Your donations are going directly to Half The Sky, which is a non profit organization that makes a difference in the lives of many children that reside in orphanages throughout China. It is also possible to enter without donating. To do that, leave a comment that includes your name and email address so we can contact you should you win. All winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada.

You have until 11:59pm Eastern Time, Tuesday December 20th to enter.

Good luck and I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone that has supported me through this event and through my photography classes this year. Without all of you, I would not be able to giveback and make these wonderful contributions and support Half the Sky.

A special note: All donations made to Half the Sky at this time will be matched by Jenny Bowen, the founder of Half The Sky and two of their Board Members. Jenny has recently won the 2011 Purpose Prize and has decided to match all contributions made to their foundation until they accumulate $375,000
How exciting and generous is that?
You can see Jenny's video HERE. WOW, what an inspiring and amazing woman. If you have a few minutes, it is something you will definitely want to watch.

Please be sure to check in on Stefanie and Diana to see the fun new items they are featuring today. We only have one more give-away day to go!!

The winner will be announced later this week!

Week Three Winners...and a Little Christmas Flashback!

2011-12-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

I can never write a post without including a photo and felt like this post could use some holiday cheer.
Reagan was not even home two months when this photo was taken.
Isn't it amazing the difference a year can make?

Okay, now for the winners of this weeks fabulous items!!

Just in case you missed it earlier this week, the winner of the Ipad2/$500 Gift Card was Chanda.

The winner of the adorable Little Lesiw hair accessories is Karen B.

And the winner of the two for one gift card combo, is Dardi H.

CONGRATULATIONS to Chanda, Karen, and Dardi and thank you to everyone that donated and entered.

It has been so much fun giving you all the chance to win some really fabulous gifts and at the same time raising money for these amazing organizations that really do make a difference in lives of these precious children. So many of us have children that were sponsored by or came from orphanages that were run by these organizations and we know first hand the good that comes from programs that were put into place by foundations such as Half The Sky, Pearl River Outreach, and An Orphan's Wish. It feels pretty great to know that collectively we are all doing something to support them. Every dollar makes a huge difference.

We cannot thank you enough for all the support we have received with this event and the willingness to give back this holiday season. It is really heartwarming to see what we have done in just a few weeks.

Enjoy your Sunday! Only two more giveaway days to go. We will be back tomorrow with the our next featured items.

On the Eighth Day of "Fill Their Stockings"

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

In our effort to condense, you are going to get a two for one today!!
Two fantastic Etsy shops featured, two fabulous people who offered our winner two $50 Gift Cards to spend.
Miss Emme Jade(one of Diana's beautiful daughters)is wearing this adorable outfit that was made by one of our featured shops.

Let me introduce you to MissMollyMac Designs....

MissMollyMac Designs specializes in Custom Kids clothing. You can click her logo above and you will directed to her store where you can browse all of her beautiful creations.
I borrowed a few photos from her site to show you some of the great items she has available.

This is a peasant top, paired with a pair of her ruffled denim pants.
I love those ruffled pants and you could pair them with almost anything!

I know a darling duo that would look very sweet in these custom made tops:)

She has so many really cute things, doesn't she?

Well, you have the opportunity to win a $50 Gift Card to spend at MissMollyMac Designs, thanks to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth is a Mom who that has been very inspired by adoption and when she learned of our event wanted to contribute or help out. She is a big fan of MissMollyMac and offered to donate a gift card.
Isn't that so sweet of her?

Don't go anywhere yet.... There's more!!

My friend Shelly, who is an adoptive Mom to 3, very soon to be 4 gorgeous children, is also the owner of Mei Faith Studio. If you click her logo above, you will be directed to her Etsy shop where you will see some of her exquisite pieces.

She offers a large variety of beautiful handmade necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and artwork.

Shelly has generously donated a $50 gift card to her studio so the winner can choose what they would like.

I could easily spend that $50, how about you?

Do you want a chance to win both of these fantastic gift cards?
The lucky winner will receive $50 to spend at MissMollyMac Designs and $50 to spend at Mei Faith Studio.

Here is what you need to do:

We ask that you consider making a donation of $5.00 or more.
If you choose to donate, simply use our "CLICK TO DONATE" button below and you will be directed to the Half The Sky donation page that was set up for this event. Your donations are going directly to Half The Sky, which is a non profit organization that makes a difference in the lives of many children that reside in orphanages throughout China. It is also possible to enter without donating. To do that, leave a comment that includes your name and email address so we can contact you should you win. All winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada.

You have until 11:59pm Eastern Time, Saturday December 17th to enter.

Good luck to everyone and THANK YOU to both my friend Shelly and to Elizabeth for generously donating these gift cards.

Please be sure to check in on Stefanie and Diana to see the new items they are featuring today.

Winners from items featured this week, will be posted on Sunday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Favorite Photo Friday - "Messy But Fun"

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we decided to change things up and instead of building a gingerbread house, we made gingerbread men. I made the dough for cut out cookies and baked them. Once they were cooled off, I let the girls decorate them.

OH MAN, did they have fun.
They made a huge mess, but it was worth it. Just look at the smiles on their faces.

Of course Reagan was the first one to take a bite:)

They went a "tad" overboard with the icing and sprinkles and decided that their cookies did not taste quite as good as the ones Mommy made. I was not as heavy handed as they were!!

We never made it to see Santa, so that is on the list for this weekend!
Slowly but surely we are getting there. Cookies were baked, Christmas cards are done and out. Now I just need to finish shopping and wrapping. One more week to go...... I can't believe it!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Special thanks to my good friend Jodee who sent the girls these adorable "R" and "S" Christmas Shirts!!
They are so fun and festive....and totally cute. We love them.

We Couldn't Possibly Make You Wait Until Sunday

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

First of all, let me say, WOWZA!!
You all have managed to turn this "Fill Their Stockings With Hope" event from "Good to GREAT", in just two short days! We could not feel more blessed by the number of you that have been so kind and giving this holiday season.

To date, we have not shared where we are with our fundraising efforts or how much each item has brought into our organizations, but today we felt it was important to share the love so you can see for yourselves how much we are helping those left behind.

Do you want to take a guess at how much money you all donated for the "Surprise Spectacular Giveaway" alone?

Let me tell you, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that we would raise.......

Are you ready for this?

$5,392

Collectively, between the three of us, $5,392 came into our organizations.

We were all sitting here watching the donations come in one right after another in disbelief. The last few days have been nothing short of miraculous. Half the Sky, Pearl River Outreach, and An Orphan's Wish have benefited greatly because of YOU! We cannot thank you enough for your generosity!

I know you are all on the edge of your seats waiting for me to get to the good part, THE WINNER!!!

Without further ado, let me tell you who the lucky winner is.......

Congratulations Chanda S, you are the winner or our IPad2/$500 Gift Card Give-away! Stefanie, Diana, and I could not be more thrilled for you and hope that you enjoy your new gift!

Again, thank you to everyone that entered and supported us with your more than generous donations.

There are still a few more days to go with this event and great prizes to be won.

We did some rearranging last night and as we are quickly approaching Christmas, we felt the need to condense our last few items. We are only going to have three more days of giveaways; Friday the 16th, Monday the 19th, and Wednesday the 21st will be the last day.

Yesterday's featured items are still open for entries until Midnight tonight!

Have a great day and don't forget to stop back tomorrow morning.

On the Seventh Day of "Fill Their Stockings".....

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

Unique and Absolutely Adorable Hair Accessories!

Rachel, who is also an adoptive Mom, is the owner of today's featured store, Little Lesiw.
Have you ever seen her fabulous hair accessories?
Click HERE to visit her website and look around at the gorgeous fabrics she uses to create these intricate hair pieces, she calls "Blooms".

"Every so often, you come across something little that makes you feel really good. It could be a special sweater, a great pair of shoes, and now hopefully, a Bloom. Our Bloom Collection was created with ‘everyone’ in mind. Soft fabrics, fun colors - each Bloom will make you smile and brighten your day - no matter what your age!" ~Little Lesiw~

Aren't they just beautiful?

Rachel has offered one lucky winner $100 gift card to use in her store!!

Want a chance to win it?

Here is what you need to do:

We ask that you consider making a donation of $5.00 or more.
If you choose to donate, simply use our "CLICK TO DONATE" button below and you will be directed to the Half The Sky donation page that was set up for this event. Your donations are going directly to Half The Sky, which is a non profit organization that makes a difference in the lives of many children that reside in orphanages throughout China. It is also possible to enter without donating. To do that, leave a comment that includes your name and email address so we can contact you should you win. All winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada.

You have until 11:59pm Eastern Time, December 15th to enter.

Good luck to everyone and THANK YOU to Rachel for generously donating this fantastic gift card. I also wanted to give a shout out to Sara Parsons Photography, Tonya Daily Photography, and Liz Brown Photography. They were the photographers who took these beautiful photos of the pretty Little Lesiw models.

Please be sure to check in on Stefanie and Diana to see the new items they are featuring today on their blogs.

Winners from all items featured this week, will be posted on Sunday!

We are getting really close friends!!
If you have not checked my little thermometer, it has sky rocketed in the last two days. That goal is well within reach and it's all because of you and your willingness to help and give back to the children still waiting in China.
Gosh, I am just totally blown away and extremely grateful......... Y'all are the best!
Saying thank you just doesn't seem like enough.....

"Fill Their Stockings" Spectacular Surprise

2011-12-12T07:02:00.000-05:00

I am bursting with excitement about today's offer!!! This is the give-away extraordinaire....
And it's all because of a very generous and special Daddy who has a huge heart for adoption. Although I don't know him personally, I have been following his wife's blog for years and the love he has for her and his girls shines through in each and every photo and post. He donated this amazing give-away to help Diana, Stefanie and I raise money for the children touched by "Fill Their Stockings With Hope!"
There will be one lucky winner chosen from all of you who participate!

That IPad2 would make a great Christmas gift, so would that $500 Gift Card!
Who could not use a $500 Gift Card to Apple or Best Buy?
The possibilities of what you could purchase are endless!!

To enter to win we ask that you consider making a donation of $5.00 or more. To donate, simply use the "CLICK TO DONATE" button below and you will be directed to the Half The Sky donation page that was set up for this event. Your donations are going directly to Half The Sky, which is a non profit organization. If you can't donate, it is also possible to enter. To do that, leave a comment that includes your name and email address so we can contact you should you win. All winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada.

The iPad2/$500 Apple or Best Buy Gift Card Giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, December 13th. The winner will be chosen at random from all entries made here on my blog, on Stefanie's blog, and Diana's blog.

Good luck to everyone entering and a HUGE THANK YOU to the "Special Daddy" who so generously donated this spectacular gift.

Week Two Winners!

2011-12-11T07:30:00.000-05:00

We have three more winners this week!!!

The winner of the adorable little Christmas Sleep Set is Jann S.

The winner of the fun petti skirt and matching wildflower t-shirt is Diane H.

and last but not least, the winner of the beautiful personalized hand-stamped jewelry is Susan S.

CONGRATULATIONS to Jann, Diane, and Susan and thank you to everyone that donated and entered.

It has been so much fun giving you all the chance to win some really fabulous gifts and at the same time raising money for these amazing organizations that really do make a difference in lives of these precious children. So many of us have children that were sponsored by or came from orphanages that were run by these organizations and we know first hand the good that comes from programs that were put into place by foundations such as Half The Sky, Pearl River Outreach, and An Orphan's Wish. It feels pretty great to know that collectively we are all doing something to support them. Every dollar makes a huge difference.

We cannot thank you enough for the outpouring of support with this event and the willingness to give back this holiday season. It is really heartwarming to see what we have done in just two weeks.

Enjoy your Sunday and please be sure to stop back tomorrow morning....
We will be presenting you with a "Fill Their Stockings BONUS".
It is something you will not want to miss!!!

"Discover the Toasted Whole Grain Crunch"

2011-12-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Wheat Thins Anyone?

After pressing the button on our musical nutcracker no less than 25 times(see my previous post), Reagan decided it was time for a little snack, so she helped herself to a "few" Wheat Thins........

She has recently figured out how to help herself to anything she wants in the pantry. I thought we were safe here because the handles were too high for her to reach. Ummmm, that did not stop her......she figured out what she needs to do to get in. Smarty pants!

Love her chubby little hands clutching the box, her cheeks stuffed full of Wheat Thins, and that mischievous look on her face! These photos just make me laugh out loud every time I see them.
She is something else.....

On the Sixth Day of "Fill Their Stockings"......

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

BEAUTIFUL PERSONALIZED, HAND-STAMPED JEWELRY!!

Over the last year, I have met some really amazing women as a result of all the photography classes I have taught. Kim, the owner of Wheat and Wildflowers is one of them! She is truly a beautiful person inside and out and is extremely talented.

Not only is Kim an adoptive Mom, but she also has her business set up to give back to those left behind. She has designed necklaces for specific charitable organizations such as; An Orphan's Wish, Grace & Hope for Children, Love Without Boundaries, and Henan Kids International.
You can read more about it by clicking HERE.

She offers a very LARGE selection of gorgeous hand-stamped jewelry.
Take a look at some of her most popular pieces.....

Aren't they pretty?

Today, Kim has very generously offered for one lucky winner to receive a $100 Gift Card to be used in her store! You can pick out anything you see shown on her website, or you can have her create a personalized piece just for you.

This is my "Visions of Hope" necklace that I had Kim personalize for me earlier this year. I absolutely love this necklace and wear it as often as I can. To me it is a constant reminder of Reagan, her beginnings, the children that are still waiting in China, and the project that I worked on throughout this year. It is a very special piece that I wear proudly.

If you have a love for jewelry, or need a unique gift for someone special in your life, we ask that you consider making a minimum donation of $5.00. It is also possible to enter without donating. To do that, leave a comment that includes your name and email address so we can contact you should you win. All winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada. If you choose to donate, simply use our "CLICK TO DONATE" button below and you will be directed to the Half The Sky donation page that was set up for this event. Your donations are going directly to Half The Sky, which is a non profit organization that makes a difference in the lives of many children that reside in orphanages throughout China.

You have until 11:59pm Eastern Time on Saturday, December 10th to enter.

Good luck to everyone entering and THANK YOU to Kim for generously donating this fantastic gift card!

Please be sure to check in on Stefanie and Diana to see the new items they are featuring today on their blogs.

Winners from all items featured this week, will be posted on Sunday, so don't forget to stop back and see who won!

Favorite Photo Friday - "Nutcrackers and Ballerinas"

2011-12-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

The girls were all warm and cozy enjoying a pj day when Sarah decided she wanted to dress up like a ballerina, so she headed for the box where we keep all of her dress up clothes. Reagan was right there with her looking for an outfit so she could be a ballerina too. Her leotard was a little big(it's Sarah's).... but it worked and as soon as both of our "prima ballerinas" were in costume, they headed straight for their favorite Nutcracker.
He is musical and they have been playing with him from the minute he was pulled out of the box:)

With Christmas just around the corner, the excitement level is at an all time high.
Last year was Reagan's first Christmas, but she was still a little shell shocked and not really sure what was going on. This year she gets it and she gets so very excited over the littlest things. It has been really special to watch the magic of this season unfold through the girls' eyes. I can only imagine what Christmas morning will be like when they come down the steps and see what is under the tree!!

We have lots of activities we want to do before Christmas. We are hoping to see Santa this weekend and also want to attempt making gingerbread houses. Sarah has been begging me to do this, so I think this weekend I will let them decorate until their heart's content.

While they are spreading frosting and placing candies on their GB Houses, I will be addressing Christmas Cards.
I have procrastinated long enough and now I need to get them done.

What will you be doing this weekend?

On the Fifth Day of "Fill Their Stockings"......

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

RUFFLES..... Lots and lots of RUFFLES!!!

My good friend Kimberley, from Sophia Jane Boutique, was one of the first people to jump on board and offer to generously donate after we announced what we were trying to do this holiday season. Kimberley is no stranger to this blog as I have talked about her beautiful boutique many times over the last year or two. She is also an adoptive mom that is very active in the adoption community and has a big heart for China and their children. I am sure many of you already know her:) She owns a darling boutique that is fit to accessorize your little girl from head to toe!! I love everything in her store, and have purchased many pretty things for both Sarah and Reagan, but my all time favorite items have to be her beautiful platinum petti skirts and matching wildflower tshirts!!

How cute do they look wearing these big ruffled skirts?

These beautiful platinum petti skirts are made by hand with amazing quality and attention to detail with ruffled chiffon, silky waistbands and satin bow on the hip.
Sizes newborn to 12 years.

Available in a variety of colors: candy pink, baby blue, sunshine yellow, light pink, black, raspberry, lilac, deep turquoise, white, green, lime, ivory, orange, royal blue, red, caribbean turquoise and caribbean turquoise with lime.

In addition to the super fun and flowing skirt, the winner will also receive a matching Wildflower Top(just like my girls are wearing). Your choice of Tank, Short, or Long Sleeves.

Retail Value on this set is $90.

Items will ship in a week if in stock.
It could take up to 6 weeks if your color and size of choice are not presently available.

If you have a little diva in the making and could envision her twirling about in one of these pretty little petti skirts and matching wildflower shirts, we ask that you consider making a minimum donation of $5.00. It is also possible to enter without donating. To do that, leave a comment that includes your name and email address so we can contact you should you win. All winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada. If you choose to donate, simply use our "CLICK TO DONATE" button below and you will be directed to the Half The Sky donation page that was set up for this event. Your donations are going directly to Half The Sky, which is a non profit organization that makes a difference in the lives of many children that reside in orphanages throughout China.

You have until Thursday, December 8th at 11:59pm to enter.

Good luck to everyone entering and BIG THANK YOU to Kimberley for this fabulous donation!
My Half The Sky thermometer is continuing to climb each day because of each and every one of you.
Together, we are helping to make a difference this holiday season....what a beautiful thing!

Please be sure to check in on Stefanie and Diana to see the new items they are featuring today on their blogs.

Winners from all items featured this week, will be posted on Sunday, so don't forget to stop back and see who won!

Another "Candy Expert"

2011-12-06T06:10:00.000-05:00

On Sunday afternoon, my Mom took Nick, Sarah, and my two nephews to the movies and out for dinner.
We felt Reagan was still a little too young to make it through an entire movie, so she stayed home with us while the other kids went.

The house was especially quiet with two of the three kids gone.
Pat and I got to enjoy a little private time with Reagan which doesn't happen too often.
We had a great afternoon with her and she was in such a good mood. It was as if she knew she had us all to herself and was digging every minute of it!

Her 2nd Birthday was the day before Thanksgiving and with all the craziness of the holiday, I never had the time to get her "2 Year Old" photos done. So I stole about 20 minutes of our afternoon to get some special photos of my baby girl!

Remember last year, when I did the cake smash photos?

Well this year was a lot less messy, but still SUPER CUTE!!
(I know, I am more than a little biased)

These two photos are my favorites of the day and just make me smile from ear to ear!
Her expressions and the way she is sitting make her look like a such a big girl.
She is getting tall, her face is changing a little too, and her hair is getting SO LONG.
I cannot get over how "mature" Reagan is starting to look.

This little outfit was Sarah's..... I thought the shirt was so fun and festive and Reagan really is quite the "Candy Expert". She knows just where we hide it in the house and will hover in the general area after dinner:))

Sarah was exactly the same age as Reagan when she wore this. If you want to take a walk down memory lane, click HERE to view photos of a very little Sarah. I get great joy bringing out some of the oldies but goodies for Reagan to wear! They are just as good if not better, the second time around. Still cute and in great shape, but also filled with lots of love and memories:)

As you can see, our resident "Candy Expert" is not happy when her candy is taken away!

While we are truly enjoying everything about "Two", we are finding out that it comes with a little attitude!!!

On the Fourth Day of "Fill Their Stockings"......

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

"Twas the Night Before Christmas Sleep Set"

Isn't this absolutely adorable?

Let me give you a closer look......

10 Different fabrics come together to create this festive handmade holiday set!
You will receive a minke lined sleeping bag (47" L x 26" W)that is beautiful, warm, and cozy.
A pretty little pillow for your Christmas angel to rest her head(14" W x 10" H).
And a just after you tuck her in, you can read her "Fancy Nancy Splediferous Christmas".

If that doesn't already break the cuteness thermometer..... you get matching PJ's too!

PJ Bottoms(Size 3T) made from two fun fabrics with an elastic waist.
Paired with this A-line white cotton shirt(Size 3T)embellished with ruffles and rhinestones!!

I wish I could duplicate this set in a size 2 and 5.... I know two little girls that would love to snuggle up in these and wait for Santa on Christmas Eve!!

If you would like to win this BEAUTIFUL Holiday Sleep Set, we ask that you consider a minimum donation of $5.00. But, it is also possible to enter without donating. To do that, leave a comment that includes your name and email address so we can contact you should you win. All winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada. If you choose to donate, simply use our "CLICK TO DONATE" button below and you will be directed to the Half The Sky donation page that was set up for this event. Your donations are going directly to Half The Sky, which is a non profit organization that makes a difference in the lives of many children that reside in orphanages throughout China.

You have until Tuesday, December 6th at 11:59pm to enter.

A HUGE THANK YOU to my very generous and talented friend, Shasta from Create H.O.P.E Designs for making and donating this precious set! She is also an Adoptive Mom that has a big heart for orphans all over the world.

Good luck to everyone entering and THANK YOU in advance for your donations!!

Please be sure to check in on Stefanie and Diana to see the new items they are featuring today.
Lots of great things still to come!!

Spreading Some Holiday Cheer - WEEK 1 WINNERS

2011-12-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

We have been busy spreading holiday cheer all throughout our house, but I had to take a little break to announce the winners from week one!!

I know there are more than a few of you on the edge of your seat waiting to find out who won.

So here goes......

The super cool Strider Bike that was featured on day one is going to Amy Rankin!

The beautiful Coach Handbag is going to Branda McEwan!

and last but not least, the shiny silver Silpada Bracelet is going to Gail Clutter!

CONGRATULATIONS to all of this week's winners and thank you to everyone that donated and entered to win.

Monday morning at 7am, the next items will be going up on our blogs.

There are MANY more great things to come, so be sure to stop back to take a look!

~Enjoy your Sunday~

On The Third Day of "Fill Their Stockings".........

2011-12-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

A SHINY NEW STERLING SILVER SILPADA BRACELET!

This happens to be one of my favorite lines of jewelry!
Their pieces are all made from 925 Sterling Silver.

"This perfectly imperfect design of Sterling Silver Bangle is full of fun and fashion."
The is one of the top selling bracelets in the current catalog and it retails at $139.

I personally love everything about this bracelet!
You can wear it on it's own, but it also stacks well with other bracelets too!!

Can you see this pretty piece on your wrist?
Or maybe there is a special someone on your Christmas list that could use a new piece of jewelry?

To win this item, we ask that you consider a minimum donation of $5.00. But, it is also possible to enter without donating. To do that, leave a comment that includes your name and email address so we can contact you should you win. All winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada. If you choose to donate, simply use our "CLICK TO DONATE" button below and you will be directed to the Half The Sky donation page that was set up for this event. Your donations are going directly to Half The Sky, which is a non profit organization that makes a difference in the lives of many children that reside in orphanages throughout China.

You have until Saturday, December 3rd at 11:59pm to enter.

I want to give a big shout out and THANK YOU to one of my long time best friends, Shelly, for donating this beautiful bling!! Shelly is a Silver Director with Silpada and not only was she kind enough to donate a piece for us, she is going the extra mile. If you are a Silpada Jewelry lover and need anything for the holiday season, you can contact Shelly for your purchase before December 12th and she will donate the proceeds back to HTS through this event! Isn't that great?

You can reach Shelly by email: shellyssilver@aol.com or by phone: 610-390-2001
Or you can visit her site by clicking the link below.
www.mysilpada.com/shelly.mccann

Good luck and THANK YOU for all of the donations!!
Each day my little thermometer keeps climbing....... what a joy it is to see that.
Together we are all helping to make a difference. That really makes my heart smile:)

Please be sure to stop by both Stefanie and Diana's blogs to see the new items they are featuring today. Lots of great goodies just waiting to be won!

I will be posting all of this week's winners on Sunday..... I CANNOT WAIT!!!!
Happy Weekend!

Favorite Photo Friday - "Reagan is Officially a US Citizen"

2011-12-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Wednesday at 7am, our family was headed South to the Montgomery County Courthouse to have Reagan Readopted and to finally make her a US Citizen.

We were a little early and we had to wait in the hallway until the judge called us into the courtroom.
Good thing I always come prepared with snacks. We definitely needed them:)

Both Pat and I were sworn in and had to answer a few questions from the judge.
We got to take the kids with us when we took the stand and they thought it was the coolest thing.
Pat went first and he took Reagan along with him.
She was charming everyone in the room. Waving at them and saying "Hi".
When she saw the judge, she reached out for him to hold her.
I went straight for the camera and our attorney told me no pictures until the end when the judge came down from the bench:( You will have to believe me when I say it was the sweetest thing ever!!

The whole process only took about ten minutes and then everything was official.
Our judge was so great with the kids. He talked to all three of them and spent a good deal of time with Nick.
It was really a wonderful experience and a super special day for our family. One we will never forget.

There were other families waiting to go next, but our lawyer offered to take a quick photo(or three)of all of us with the Judge. Unfortunately, this was the best of the bunch. I had to laugh when I saw that her dress was up and she was not even facing forward....in every single photo. She was so over it by this point and just wanted to get down and run. But, at least we have something so we can all remember this day. That is what is all about.

Hoping to get a few more posts up this week. I am behind........ which is becoming the new normal for me!!

Have a fabulous weekend!

On the Second Day of "Fill Their Stockings"

2011-11-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

A GORGEOUS COACH BAG!!!

It's called the "Coach Poppy Signature Lurex Layla".

Isn't she a beauty?
I would love to carry "Layla" over my shoulder!!

The handbag has a pushlock closure and subtle trim. Add wit and charm to a compact and pratically designed shoulder bag.
Made out of their signature sateen fabric with a patent fabric trim.
Inside Zip Pocket
Fabric Lining
Dimensions: 10"(L) x 6 1/4"(H) x 2 1/4"(W)

RETAIL VALUE: $148

Wouldn't you love to have this handbag on your arm?

To win this item, or any of the items featured for this event we ask that you consider a minimum donation of $5.00. But, it is also possible to enter without donating. To do that, leave a comment that includes your name and email address so we can contact you if you win. All winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada. If you choose to donate, simply use our "CLICK TO DONATE" button below and you will be directed to the Half The Sky donation page that was set up for this event. Your donations are going directly to Half The Sky, which is a non profit organization that makes a difference in the lives of many children that reside in orphanages throughout China.

You have until Thursday, December 1st at 11:59pm to enter.

A special THANK YOU to my friend and fellow adoptive Mom, Shannon(and her adorable Yangxi baby, Cici) , for donating this beautiful bag.

Good luck to everyone entering and THANK YOU for the donations!!
It is exciting to see my little thermometer climb:)
Be sure to stop by both Stefanie and Diana's blogs to see the awesome items they are featuring today.

We hope to start posting winners by this weekend!

To those that helped us "Spread the Word" and were entered in the TinaSteinberg.com Gift Card Giveaway. We do have a winner.......Kathy H of "On My Front Porch Looking In" is the lucky recipient of that Gift Card. Way to go Kathy!!!

Just a quick family update.... We are heading to court early this morning with Reagan.
As of 9:30am she will officially be a US Citizen!!!
We could not be more excited!! Pictures to come very soon.....promise!

On the First Day of "Fill Their Stockings" - Take Two

2011-11-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we worked through a few kinks that came to our attention this weekend when we tried to kick off this event. Collectively, we decided it was best "Re-Launch" today, Cyber Monday! We know so many families were super busy shopping, decorating, and enjoying the holiday weekend. No worries though, you did not miss a thing. We are giving everyone the opportunity to see the products we featured on Day One, again today! Those that previously commented and already donated need not worry. We received them. THANK YOU!!

That being said, let me reintroduce my first featured item.

Today, you will have a chance to win one of these AWESOME STRIDER BIKES in the color of your choice!!!

I am very excited to be featuring these super cool bikes on my blog today.
What little one would not want to see one of these waiting for them under the Christmas tree?

If you are not familiar with Strider Bikes, let me tell you a little bit about them:

These bikes help your child learn to ride a bicycle easily and safely without training wheels.
Strider PreBikes help your child learn balance and coordination BEFORE pedaling, which develops wonderful self confidence.

Riders can start on a Strider as soon as they can walk. Charlotte above, started on hers when she was 19 months and rode her first pedal bike at 3 years old. She never needed training wheels.

● One of the LOWEST seat heights
● One of the LIGHTEST running bikes
● The ONLY running bike with frame-integrated Launch Pad™ footrests
● Kid and parent-friendly EVA polymer tires - no flat tires!
● One of the most ADJUSTABLE running bikes - seat and handle bars adjust
● User-specific Progression™ headset
● Optional foot brake adds even more fun
● 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
● Choose from 6 Colors (blue, yellow, green, orange, pink, red)

Striders can go places training wheels cannot and are much safer.
Your child learns to lean when riding the Strider so they learn to balance. There are no scary training wheel tip-overs. The balance your child learns carries over into everyday life - whether it be dance, soccer or other sports.

You can see some pictures of the Strider in action by clicking HERE.

As the winner of this prize you will win:
one (1) Strider PreBike ($99.00 Retail Value)
one (1) quick release accessory ($6.00 Retail Value) for easy seat adjustment
and because the proceeds are going to benefit Half the Sky, the winner will also get one (1) XL seat post ($16.00 Retail Value) for when your kiddo starts to grow!

The current color in stock is blue. Adam’s Bike Shop will work with you to ensure that you get the color you want. If would like one of the other colors shown or listed above, there will be a 2-3 day wait due to shipping.

Contact Adam at Adam’s Bike Shop if you have any questions:
Adam Emanoff - 612.217.0064
adamsbikeshop@gmail.com
adamsbikeshop.blogspot.com

Are you ready to try to win one of these fun little bikes for a special little toddler in your life?

To win this item, or any of the items featured for this event we ask that you consider a minimum donation of $5.00. But, it is also possible to enter without donating. To do that, leave a comment that includes your name, email and mailing address so we can contact you if you win. All winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada. If you choose to donate, simply use our "CLICK TO DONATE" button below and you will be directed to the Half The Sky donation page that was set up for this event. Your donations are going directly to Half The Sky, which is a non profit organization that makes a difference in the lives of many children that reside in orphanages throughout China.

You have until Tuesday, November 29th at 11:59pm to enter.

A huge THANK YOU to Adam, of Adam's Bike Shop for making this generous donation.
Not only is Adam an adoptive father, he and his family also support and do volunteer work for Half The Sky.

Best of luck to everyone entering!
Make sure you stop by both Stefanie and Diana's blogs to see the fun items they are featuring today.

Last but not least, come back to find out who the lucky winner will be and to see all the new items that will be featured. Remember, we will be featuring new items every Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday from now until December 23rd!

Who Says Two Is Terrible?

2011-11-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

We have another Birthday girl in the house and today we are celebrating the big "TWO".
The twos are known to be terrible, but we think that they are going to be pretty terrific.

Reagan is at such a FUN age and her personality is just bubbling over. She keeps us on our toes, but she also has us in stitches most of the time.

We love you to the moon and back sweet baby girl and could not imagine a single day without you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY REAGAN!

We were extremely blessed to have two little girls brought to our family through adoption, both born in the month of November, which happens to be National Adoption Month, and both of the girls' birthdays happen to fall within the week of Thanksgiving. We will be hosting the holiday at our house and we will be celebrating the many blessings that have been brought to our family the last few years.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Be sure to stop back on Black Friday to see the first of many fabulous items that Diana, Stef, and I will be featuring on our blogs for the "Fill Their Stockings" fundraiser.

Ready, Set......

2011-11-21T06:50:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: To those that helped us "Spread the Word" and were entered in the TinaSteinberg.com Gift Card Giveaway. We do have a winner.......Kathy H of "On My Front Porch Looking In" is the lucky recipient of that Gift Card. Way to go Kathy!!!

Wow, have we received some fabulous donations.

We feel so blessed by the number of people who have reached out to help us “Fill Their Stockings” this Christmas. Truly, we have been just blown away by each and every one of you that has reached out to help us with this effort… thank you all so much.

The best part? We are just days away from kicking off this event – a fundraiser that will make a difference in the lives of some very special children in China this Christmas.

And each of you has an opportunity to help us, help them.

Are you ready?

Here is just a sampling of some of the delicious items that will be featured…

Looks like fun, doesn’t it?

So, here are the details. Starting November 25th and running through December 23rd, each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we (Diana, Stefanie, and I) will feature a special product on each of our blogs. That means 3 items each giveaway day, for a total of 9 items every week. The gifts will range from $50-$500 in value – and all of them are fantastic.

How Do I Enter to WIN?
To win any of the featured items for this event we ask that you consider a minimum donation of $5 to the organization that we each represent: Stefanie for An Orphan's Wish, Diana for Pearl River Outreach and me for Half the Sky. But, it is also possible to enter without donating. To do that, leave a comment on the post that includes your name, email and mailing address so we can contact you if you win. Also all winners must have a shipping address in the United States or Canada.

So, you get a chance to win an exciting gift for yourself or someone special on your Christmas list and, at the same time, you can help to make a difference in the lives of orphans in China, halfway around the world.

Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

But right now, just days before kickoff, we need to spread the word about this special event. The more people who know about it, the more money will be raised for these very special children… and that’s a very good thing! If you’d like to help us in this effort and to keep in the spirit of “giving” this holiday season, read on – there just might be something special in it for you, too!

A “Spread the Word” giveaway…

Before we kick off the “Fill Their Stockings” event – to encourage y’all to spread the word – we will be giving away a $100 gift certificate to Tina Steinberg, maker of “unordinary personalized jewelry”. To enter, all you have to do is grab the “Fill Their Stockings” button below and post it on your sidebar, and then leave a comment on this post letting us know that you’ve done so. If you have not visited TinaSteinberg.com, you must. And be sure to check out her “Love Touch Collection” – sterling silver charms and pendants with your loved one’s fingerprint. Each design comes with a short inscription on the back. Truly one of a kind!

To double your chances to win the $100 Tina Steinberg gift card, just post on your blog about our “Fill Their Stockings” effort, with a link back to one of our posts detailing the upcoming event. Remember to leave a comment on this post to let us know what you did to help spread the word, and you’ll be entered. Please leave one comment for each entry… so if you posted a button and shared a post, leave two comments.

Entries for the $100 Tina Steinberg.com gift card will be allowed until 11:30pm Eastern Time, Sunday, November 27th. Winner will be chosen at random and announced soon afterward, so be sure to check back often to see if you’ve won!

And remember, the “Fill Their Stockings” event kicks off bright and early on Friday, November 25th!
We are going to have so much fun!

Sunday Snapshot - "A Birthday Fit For A Princess...Or Two"

2011-11-20T12:13:00.000-05:00

This morning before the birthday girl woke up, I got up and set the table with Sarah's gifts and her special birthday cake! When anyone asks Sarah what her favorite color is, she replies "My favorite color is Pink, Purple, and Glitter". So we were sure to pick out a cake that was decked out in her "FAVORITE COLOR".

She was so excited when she saw it, but like any other child on their birthday, she was dying to rip into those gifts!

We are having a small party for her later today when we will actually dig into that cake, right now we are all drooling as we sit here staring at it:)

We were trying to decide what to buy Sarah for her birthday..... there are more than a few things on her Christmas list already, but she kept talking about this FurReal Walking Dog, so we decided that would be her big gift from Mommy and Daddy. She was SO EXCITED when she realized what was under that wrapping paper. What we didn't realize..... was that Reagan was going to be just as excited!! Just look at those faces. Could they be any happier than this?

While Pat and Nick wrestled with the box and all the plastic packaging that kept the dog in place, Sarah started to read her new Princess book that was sent by her "Fairy Godmother".
Thanks Aunt Ann!! Sarah loves her new book!!!

I thought the dog was sort of cute in the box, but OH MY.... this little pup is absolutely ADORABLE!!!

You remember those two happy faces when the dog appeared from under that wrapping paper??
There were quite a few tears shed this morning by our little spicy girl. She wanted that puppy and she wanted it all to herself. I think we are quickly approaching the "mine" stage.

Lucky for Reags, her sister was willing to share her new bday gift and gave her a turn!

Reagan's birthday is on Wednesday and we have her gifts already, but I am thinking I may need to put those away for Christmas and get her a puppy too! They would look so cute walking them side by side!

Okay, I am off to get things in order for the birthday celebration tonight.

Happy Birthday Sweet Sarah.
Welcome FIVE...... we have heard it is FUN and FABULOUS!

Stop by my friend Stefanie's blog for more Sunday Snapshots.

Favorite Photo Friday - "Five"

2011-11-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

We are just days away from someone's very special day!

This Sunday we will be celebrating Miss Sarah's Birthday.

Can you believe that she is going to be FIVE?

I cannot.....
It seems like yesterday she was placed in our arms for the very first time.
She was this teeny, tiny. precious, little thing and in what seems like the blink of an eye, my precious little baby has turned into an independent, smart, funny, and beautiful little girl.

I wish I could keep her young forever and tell her to never grow up, but I know that I can't....
Ready or not..... Look out five, here we come!

Crazy For Her Baby

2011-11-16T06:30:00.000-05:00

There are lots of things that Reagan likes to do and play with, but these days you will most likely find her walking around or attending to one of her babies.

Just after feeding Reagan her breakfast and getting her dressed to start the day, she grabbed her favorite doll along with a cup and spoon and climbed back into her booster seat at the kitchen table and began to feed her. It was so super sweet to watch her pretend. She treated that baby with such care and concern....... but I had to laugh when I saw her sneak a bite or two of the food for herself.

Our girl loves to eat even if it is just "Pretend food".

I really needed something to make me smile today, and these photos certainly did the trick.
Things have been not so good around here. You probably would not even believe me if I told you all the illnesses that have passed through our house in the last 3 weeks.

The new germs that the girls are encountering at school are taking over in a big way. We have all had the flu, then just days later, Reagan got sick again with a stomach virus, and now the latest was waking up Sunday night to Sarah, who sounded more like a barking dog, then a little girl.....the Croup!

I am about at the end of my rope and hope that we are done being sick for a while. I pray that the girls build up a resistance to all these germs.....and soon! We rarely get sick and since the girls started daycare, we have all been sick more than we have been well. Hopefully the worst is past us and it will be clear sailing ahead through the holiday season. I am looking forward to the long Thanksgiving Holiday next week so we can relax, enjoy, and maybe actually get out of the house to do something fun as a family! That being said, can you believe that Christmas is just a little more than five weeks away? I cannot....and I am nowhere near ready!
Anyone start decorating yet?

Favorite Photo Friday - "Two Cowgirls and a Cool Dude"

2011-11-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Time is passing by so quickly I can barely stand it. I am trying not to let myself go into panic mode, because the holidays are coming fast and furiously. My "to-do" list is a mile long and instead of crossing things off my list, I keep piling things on. Not to mention that I got a summons for Jury Duty on a Federal Case during the month of December!!! I need that like I need a hole in my head. I know there are many of you out there that feel the same way this time of year. Getting out from the under "the growing list" is a bit of a challenge.

There is one thing that always kicks the stress level up a notch or two for me..... the Christmas Card photos where you want all of your kids giving you that perfect smile for the perfect card. Yeah, it never quite happens that way and things usually do not go as planned.
All that being said, I wanted this task off my plate, pronto!

Our weather turned cold pretty quickly this year, but we did have a few days that reached mid 60's this week, so I figured I better take advantage of the warm days while we had them.

Wednesday, after work, I had exactly 45 minutes of daylight left to try to capture what I had in my head. Talk about putting the pressure on yourself.

I didn't get exactly what I wanted, but I think I have something to work with. They are the only photos that I took this week, and since I don't like to share my photos before the cards hit the mail, I thought I could give you this partial sneak preview!!!

Thanks Aunt Marla for sending the girls an early birthday gift that just happened to coordinate with their outfits!!! They are digging their new pink boots and love to stomp around in them. They look super cute with almost everything they wear.....I just can't get enough of them. Thanks for sending a little "Texas" our way! Every time we look at them, we think of y'all:)

Have a wonderful and warm weekend everyone!

Help Us Fill Their Stockings

2011-11-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

We are so excited to share a way for you to be part of a wonderful - and fun - opportunity this Christmas. We hope to make a difference in the lives of some very special children Christmas season: orphans in China under the care of Half the Sky, An Orphan’s Wish and Pearl River Outreach. And we need your help to do it!

WHO: Lisa, Diana and Stefanie

WHAT: We will be hosting 12 Days of Giveaways... for a total of 36 prizes to be given away just in time for Christmas giving or keeping ;)

WHEN: Between November 25th and December 21st

WHERE: Our blogs - First a Pearl, Then Three Rubies, The Long Road to China, and Ni Hao Y’all

WHY: For Orphans in China

HOW: WITH YOUR HELP!

To get this party started, we are asking you, dear reader, to consider donating an item for us to give away. We need a total of 36 fabulous donations, all to be given away to benefit orphans in China. For 12 days, from November 25th to December 21st, Stefanie, Diana, and Lisa will be promoting this event on all three of our blogs. Our goal is to make a difference in the lives of these precious little ones who are still waiting in orphanages for their chance at a forever family. And with your help we are sure we can... and have a fantastic time while in the process!

If you would like to donate an item, please contact us via email.
diana@pearlriveroutreach.org
visionsbylisa@gmail.com
stefanie@nihaoyall.com

We will need to have the items selected by Wednesday, November 16th. We are looking for items with a retail value of $50 and up, and we would also ask that you will be willing to ship your item to the winner. A few examples (but certainly not limited to): jewelry, electronics, accessories, weekend get-a-ways, high-end children’s items, gift certificates. Really, anything a mom would love to win! In return for your generosity, we will feature your item on one of our blogs during the event and we will highlight your item as well as your business or organization.

We are very excited about this, our first joint effort to raise money for something very near and dear to our hearts: orphans in China! So, thank you in advance for joining us on this adventure!

Remember to check back on our blogs on November 21st to see how you can help us spread the word. It’s an opportunity for you to win a very special giveaway so don’t miss it! Together we can fill their stockings with love this Christmas!

Sincerely,
Stefanie, Lisa, and Diana

Favorite Photo Friday - "Two More Cooks in the Kitchen"

2011-11-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

The girls decided they wanted to "help" me make brownies the other day.......
I am all for help in the kitchen, but I was a little concerned that the brownies they were so excited to eat, would not taste so good. So I offered them a deal that they could not refuse.

As soon as I was done making the brownies and had them baking in the oven, I would let them make their own "special dessert" using all of my ingredients and the big mixer.

They absolutely loved the idea! They measured, leveled, and mixed all on their own with no one telling them what to do. There were no rules and no recipes to follow.

One of the cooks in the kitchen thought the unsweetened Hershey's Cocoa Powder smelled good enough to eat, so she gave it a try!

YUCK, I don't think she will try that again!!
Poor thing was trying to scrub her tongue after she ate a big spoonful.
How could something that smelled so good, taste so bad?

My kitchen looked like a war zone by the time they were done.

There was sugar, flour, water, and cocoa powder covering every inch of counter, cabinet, and floor, but none of that mattered when I looked up to see that my girls that were overflowing with joy from the top of their heads..........

to the tips of their toes!!!

The girls got the best of both worlds......they got to eat good brownies and got to have great fun!

A special thanks to one of my best friends, Shelly, who gave the girls these adorable aprons!
She knew they would put them to good use with the holidays just around the corner.
There will be lots of baking in our kitchen this year.

The aprons were purchased at Flirty Aprons.
You can visit them by clicking HERE.

~Happy Weekend Everyone~

"National Adoption Month" - Magazine Interview

2011-11-02T05:45:00.000-04:00

A few months ago, we were one of two families that were selected to be featured in a magazine article about adoption that would be printed in their November Issue.

(photo courtesy of Lehigh Valley Style Magazine)

We were pretty excited when we found out that we were chosen to share our story and the miraculous journey that we traveled to bring both Sarah and Reagan into our family. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to help spread the word about adoption and possibly educate and influence others to consider adoption.
The interview and photo shoot all took place this past summer and now the magazine has officially hit the streets.

I figured the easiest way to share the article, was to scan it in.

I have to say, I was anxious and nervous to see the article in print. I have never been interviewed for something like this before, so I was not really sure what to expect. I just answered the questions as I was asked and really did not hold back. I was not thinking about the words I was saying staring back at me as quotes in print. In fact, I did not think about what I said at all, I just spoke the truth and spoke it from the heart. The part that made me nervous was not knowing how she was going to take my answers and form them into a story.

We are happy with the outcome of the article and I think she did a really nice job with the piece. Of course there are a few things I wish I would have added or explained differently and in greater detail, but hindsight is always 20 20.

Ultimately, if this article pushes just one family or one person to consider adoption here in America or Internationally, we did what we set out to do.....spread the word and share how special and life changing adoption is for us as parents and for the children who are waiting to find families.

Daycare Halloween Parade

2011-10-31T05:30:00.000-04:00

The girls marched in their very first Halloween Parade at daycare last Friday. They did not go to school that day, but we took them in just for the Halloween festivities. Sarah wanted to wear a little make up so she could be like a "real princess". so I gave her a little glitter and gloss.

To say that the event was a little overwhelming for Reagan would be an understatement They lined up all the kids by classroom. Here she was standing with all of her other classmates getting ready to head out. Just about 10 seconds after I took this photo, she burst into tears. There were people everywhere.... tons of kids all dressed up, teachers, parents, and grandparents. It was a lot for these little one to take in. More than half of them were in tears. While I stayed with Reagan trying to calm her down, Pat was towards the back of the line with Sarah and her classroom.

Once we made our way outdoors, Sarah was feeling secure with her friends and Pat came up to help me with Reagan. Minnie had a hard time keeping her ears on, so Daddy tried to put them back in place.

The only way she would walk was if one of us held her hand......since I wanted to get some photos of the event, Daddy took her by the hand and helped her make her way around the parade route.

Although the beautiful "Ariel" said she wanted to be with her friends and classmates, the look on her face said differently.

We eventually pulled back from the crowd....

and let both of the girls walk together with us and my parents! The girls were excited to see that Mimi and Coachie came out for the parade......and they even brought them a special Halloween treat. Of course that got a big smile out of both Minnie and Ariel.

It has been a rather strange weekend to say the least.
We were walking outdoors in sweaters and sweatshirts on Friday afternoon and woke up to snow on Saturday. A LOT OF SNOW! Our area got hit pretty hard and there are many people still without power. Schools are closed today and we are hoping that trick or treat will still happen tonight. We might need to bundle up in extra layers and trade in those light up princess shoes for snow boots, but we are game.....as long as it is safe and we can see where we are going. We are crossing our fingers and toes that all the power is restored because we have two very excited little girls on our hands.

Hope you all are safe and warm today.
Have a Happy Halloween!

Favorite Photo Friday - "It's Like A Flip of the Switch"

2011-10-28T00:00:00.000-04:00

Busy, busy, busy week here and I am just now beginning to get my head above water.
I went on a little getaway last weekend. Friday morning I got on a plane and flew to Texas to surprise my friend Marla. She had no idea I was coming and was completely shocked when I walked into her house at 3:15pm. We totally pulled a fast one on her. It was their 20th Wedding Anniversary, my bday, and a year since Marla and I were in China together, so we thought it would be fun to surprise her with a visit. Plus I finally got to meet all the J's. They are so super cute and I loved all the time I got to spend with them. They even made me cards before I left to come back home. One of these days, both complete families will get to meet. I know Pat would have had a wonderful time in Texas and my littles would have had a blast with the 4 J's as well.
The weekend was lots of fun, but it went by so quickly and neither of us took any photos. We were too busy trying to cram about a weeks worth of things into just three days. The Westbrook Family rolled out the red carpet for me. Marla and Derek did an awesome job of showing me all the things they love about life in Texas...... They certainly made me want to come back again. I really enjoyed the food(big surprise)..... and all those cowboy boots!!!! WOWZA, Marla took me to a few stores that sell boots and all kinds of fun apparel. Stay tuned..... you may see a little "Texas" made it's way back to PA.

I flew back home on Monday night and due to a delayed flight, didn't arrive until very early Tuesday Morning.
On very little sleep, I got up to spend some time with the family before I had to go to work, then I came home and had to teach class. I have had classes every night this week, so I have been burning the candle at both ends....again.

Luckily, I had a few photos that were in my backlog, or I would not have had anything to post....... because my camera is still in hiding.

This photo was taken 3 weeks ago today. It was Reagan's 4th week of speech therapy. Can I just say that I am totally amazed at the progress she has made. It's almost as if someone flipped a switch. She is copying and imitating everything we say. It may not come out clearly, but she is trying and she is talking.

My guess is that she had it in her for some time, she just needed a different approach to get her to start verbalizing. The method that Miss Kelly uses is definitely working.

Here are a few clips taken that day.
You will want to scroll down to my music player at the bottom of the blog and hit pause so that you can hear.

She has really come a long way and is progressing more and more each day,
Just in case anyone was wondering, we are doing much better with the daycare situation too. I have to imagine that the combo of daycare and speech therapy is attributing to her speech immersion. Being around so many other children has to make her want to talk more......and sing too! They learn lots of new songs at school. Both the girls are very happy and loving their new environment. It is great to come home from work and hear about all the fun things they are doing each day. Sarah talks so proudly about all that she is learning.

Today the daycare is having a Halloween Parade!!
Hopefully that camera will finally come out of hiding to capture our very own Minnie Mouse and Princess Ariel.
Happy Halloween Weekend Everyone~

Favorite Photo Friday - "From Camera To Canvas"

2011-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

I know I seem like the type of person that is super organized and on top of everything, but truth be told........ there are certain things or areas in my life, that I just completely drop the ball and cannot keep up or get a system in place. One of the things that tops this list is printing and hanging the photos I take in our home.
This is so sad considering that amount of photos that live on my computer(everything is backed up) but, I am making an attempt to change that this year.

I originally wanted to do the entire wall going down our back staircase in framed black and whites, but I am rethinking that thanks to Easy Canvas Prints.

The moment I finished editing these photos from our recent trip to the apple orchard, I knew they were SCREAMING to be printed on canvas.

I bit the bullet and ordered one to check out the quality and was blown away with what I received....... so the same day my first canvas arrived, I ordered a second.

The color, clarity, and texture were out of this world.
Not to mention, they are super easy to hang and I don't need to find or buy frames:)

I am completely in love with these photos of the girls and hung them in the hallway that overlooks the front staircase, so they are very visible upon entering our home.

Now I need to get crackin on that back staircase!! The next purchase will be one of Nick. I am thinking the shot of him in front of the fire station door would look FAB in canvas.

If you are looking to add a little WOW to your wall and turn your PHOTOS TO CANVAS, click HERE and check out Easy Canvas Prints, but before you do that, you will want to go to their Facebook Page and "Like" them to receive 50% off your next order and free shipping.

My camera has not seen much action lately, so my "favorites" were not necessarily taken this week, but they happened to be placed on my wall this week.
That counts, doesn't it?

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Love Does Wonders - "Celebrating One Year With Reagan"

2011-10-18T05:00:00.000-04:00

It is hard for me to believe that exactly one year ago today, I walked into the Civil Affairs Office in Changsha, China to meet my daughter for the very first time. A day I had anticipated for just about five years, was finally happening and the amount of emotion that was involved was almost too much to handle.
(This was the very first moment we saw her. We were told she had not arrived yet, but she was sitting there quietly clutching her nanny's purse, and sucking those two fingers)

Even though it was one of the happiest days of my life, I also felt a huge wave of sadness come over me as I watched my daughter begin to grieve and experience loss for the second time in her short 11 months of life.
It is hard to think about all that these little ones have to go through and I remember feeling so helpless. There was nothing I could do or say to take away her pain. It was apparent that It was going to take time and a lot of love to get her to begin to trust and bond with me.....and her new life outside the orphanage.

Most of you know the story and have heard me talk about it many times..... the first few days were not easy but by day three Reagan was showing little signs that everything was going to be "A-Okay".

She slowly began to let me in....... and no longer cried when I looked at her or held her close to me.

She had given me an inch....... but it sure felt like a mile!

From that point forward, I knew there was no turning back......we were on the right track.

I will forever be grateful to Marla, one of my bff's who left her family for two weeks, to travel to the other side of the world with me. She was my rock and talked me through every step of this journey. When I had fear, she was there to tell me everything would be just fine. We got to share many special and memorable moments together..... some very funny and some very sad. She will always be part of our "family" and known as Aunt Marla. We just wish she didn't live so far away....... We are missing her like crazy today and wish so much she could be here with us to celebrate!

Poor Pat..... for two entire weeks, he was glued to his computer waiting for updates. Thank goodness for Skype, or he would have never made it through. He was so anxious to meet his new daughter....... he was hanging onto every blog post and every sweet comment left by our family and friends. He was just counting the days until we stepped off that plane........so he could hold Reagan for the first time. In a matter of seconds he was completely smitten by his brown eyed girl.

After a week or so at home, Reagan began to experience what life was like with a sister.
We had concerns about Sarah and whether or not she was going to be able to handle giving up her role as the baby of the family, but she surprised us and took her new role as big sis very seriously. She did not leave Reagan's side for the first few months...... they were inseparable and the bonds of sisterhood started to emerge.

Nick had the magic touch with his littlest sister. From the very first moment they met, you could see that they were going to have a very special relationship. She was so calm with him..... and very at ease. He adored her......and still does. She can do no wrong in her big brother's eyes.

In November, we celebrated Reagan's first birthday and let her have a little fun with her own personal cake!
OH DID SHE LOVE THAT CAKE!!!

Next came baby's first real Christmas.........

then Chinese New Year.

February brought that winning smile...... and we watched our girl take her first steps.

In March we had a little eye injury and had to make a few trips to the ER, but she rebounded quickly and took it all in stride.

April brought a little warmer weather and Reagan's first trip to the park.

During the month of May, Reagan got her first big girl haircut at the salon.

June was the start of her first fun filled summer!

We headed North to Cape Cod over the 4th of July and Reagan fell in love with the sun, sand, and water.

In August we celebrated one year since we saw her face.

September brought lots of fall related activities. Apple and Pumpkin picking...... and long walks in the park.

Over the last year, Reagan has come so far.

This little girl has learned to love and to be loved.

She has shown us who she is and no longer holds back
.
She knows she can trust and depend on us.

She has melted our hearts many times over and we would travel to the end of the earth and back again for her.
.
Happy One Year Sweet Baby Girl!

We love you more than words can express.

I Heart Faces - "Tickled Pink"

2011-10-17T19:20:00.000-04:00

If you have been a long time reader or follower, you probably know that pink is one of my favorite colors and I tend to buy the girls a lot of clothes that are PINK in color! Since this week's theme at I Heart Faces is "Tickled Pink"..... I knew I would have plenty of pics to choose from.

This photo of Reagan at the apple orchard has to be one of my favorites from the last few weeks.

I love how she is carrying the heavy basket of apples and sucking those two fingers at the same time!

To see more "Pink" photos, hop on over to I Heart Faces.

Favorite Photo Friday - "Ruffle Rompers and Lovely Light"

2011-10-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

I have been on a good roll of posting every few days or at least two to three times a week, but this week, I had to take a bit of a break. Reagan got sick for the first time since we are home from China and we all experienced a lot of sleepless nights. It was nothing too serious just a viral infection that needed to run its course.

Last night was the first night any of us slept..... and boy did we need it!
I am one that can usually get by on very little sleep, but I was hurting this week for sure.
Reags is now healthy and back to her happy go lucky little self.....and so am I now that I am back on a normal sleep schedule.

Last Sunday, before the crud officially hit Reagan, we decided to head out in search of a location to do our Christmas Card pictures this year. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. We have had some really low temps, but last weekend we hit 80 Degrees so we were out and about all afternoon.

I remembered I spot I once took Sarah a few years ago, so we stopped by to check it out.

I was totally in love with the light......

....and Sarah was giddy because someone put a "balance beam" in the middle of the park:)

I let her flit around for a bit while I scoped out the rest of the area.

Even though I love the light, it is not exactly what I had in mind.

But no worries, the girls had fun exploring and got to rock their ruffle rompers.
(love how Reags has those two fingers in her mouth and her other arm wrapped around Sarah's leg)

I have to admit, I am a sucker for baby chub, but pair the baby chub with the ruffles and the cuteness is off the charts!!!

Hopefully you all have had a great week and have a wonderful weekend to look forward to.
I will be playing catch up around here as I feel I have accomplished nothing the last five days.

TGIF!

If you are looking for these adorable ruffle rompers, boutique wear, or hair bling, head over to Sophia Jane Boutique by clicking HERE.
You will love all the fun things she has in stock!

Favorite Photo(s) Friday - "The Pumpkin Patch"

2011-10-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

I should have picked just one or two photos from the pumpkin patch to post as my favs and left it at that, but I can never choose....... so I am posting all of them!

We have been going to the same pumpkin patch for as long as I can remember and we love everything about it, especially the fun wagons they let you use to go up into the field to haul your pumpkins...... or your standing children:)

Sarah was a little bewildered because usually there are many more pumpkins out in the field. Unfortunately, the ridiculous amount of rain we have had this season has really hurt the farmers. We saw the affects of it when we went to the apple orchard and we saw it again when we arrived at the pumpkin patch. It was slim pickins.

Sarah did find one that she thought was perfect, although she needed a little help hoisting it into our wagon.

I think our girl Reags enjoyed apple picking more than pumpkin picking. She kept getting tangled up in the vines and decided she would rather stay put in the wagon.

We didn't last long up there in the "patch", it was bitterly cold, so we made our way back down the big hill to check out all of the other stands.

Sarah went running up to the big table of baby pumpkins.....

and started picking.

Then she had some company:)

I am almost embarrassed to say how many bags of baby pumpkins they picked and we purchased......(good thing they were very inexpensive) but they sure had fun and no one was tripping and getting tangled in vines, so all was good in our world!!

While the girls were picking their teeny tiny pumpkins, there were a few things that caught my eye. I really thought these striped ones were so pretty, so I added these to our wagon.

and the mum obsession continues. I am printing the photo I posted two weeks ago, but I needed another photo to hang with it, so I captured a few more!!

These are about to bloom and I thought the color was so bold and vibrant....so beautiful!

Our wagon was overflowing at this point, so we went into the little country store to check out.....

and found ourselves surrounded by more goodies!

It was an all around fun fall morning.......
and if I really had to choose my favorite photo, I would say this would be the one!
I never tire of watching these two in action together.
When they are together it's as if nothing could stand in their way and they can conquer the world.
The bonds of sisterhood..... they are strong and beautiful!
Happy Friday Everyone.
Enjoy your weekend!

More Fall Foods

2011-10-03T06:30:00.000-04:00

This weekend we had a break in the rain just long enough to hit the pumpkin patch with the girls.
The temperature dropped considerably around here, so after a few hours outside, I was really inspired to start cooking some fall foods that not only taste good, but warm the soul.

As I was standing in the check-out line at the grocery story, this month's foodnetwork magazine caught my eye.
The cover showed a big giant bowl of soup that made my stomach growl just looking at it.

Broccoli-Cheddar Soup - Courtesy of Foodnetwork Magazine

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups half-and-half
1 pound russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets
1/3 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 1/3 cups)
Croutons, for topping (optional)

Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Add the onion and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the chicken broth, half-and-half, both potatoes, bay leaf, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, put the broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl; add 3 tablespoons water and season with salt.
Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes; drain.

When the potatoes are tender, remove the bay leaf from the soup and transfer the soup to a blender.
Puree until smooth, leaving the filler cap slightly open to let steam escape (or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender).
Return the soup to the pot and thin with water, if necessary.
Return to a simmer over medium-low heat; stir in the broccoli and season with salt and pepper
Add the cheese and stir until melted.
Ladle the soup into bowls and top with croutons, if desired.

Above is the recipe as it appeared in the magazine. I made a few adjustments for mine.
Even though the recipe called for half and half, I used 1% Milk instead but I did not add it until I was about to puree the soup to avoid scalding it.
I also added a shake or two of red crushed pepper flakes to give it a little extra heat and flavor.

The recipe says that the croutons are optional...... do yourself a favor, ADD THEM!!!
I make my own by cutting up a loaf of day old Italian Bread and then I put it in a nonstick pan with a little olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a little oregano.
Toss it over medium heat until you see the bread start to brown and crisp up.
Nick will sit there and eat the croutons right out of the pan:)

The soup was awesome!
It was not too rich, but it was still hearty and flavorful.
I will definitely make this one again.

After the pumpkin picking this weekend I was in the mood for a pumpkin flavored dessert.
I have never met anything pumpkin flavored that I did not like, so as I paged through the same magazine, I found a recipe for whoopie pies with a pumpkin twist and decided to give them a whirl.

The Neely's Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Ingredients for the cookies:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt

Ingredients for the filling:
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Using a stand mixer, add the butter and sugar and beat together until light and fluffy.
Add the egg, then the buttermilk and the vanilla.
Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
Add the dry ingredients in increments to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined.

Drop heaping tablespoons of the batter onto parchment lined sheet trays, leaving a 2-inch space between each cookie.
Put in the oven and bake for 8 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool on rack.

Beat together the cream cheese and butter, in a small bowl, until smooth.
Slowly add in the confectioners sugar.
Once smooth, add the pumpkin puree, the cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
Beat until smooth and well mixed.

To assemble the cookie, spread a heaping tablespoon of the filling to the flat side of a cookie and sandwich with another.
Repeat with the remaining cookies.
Transfer to a serving platter and serve.

Yep.... these whoopie pies are as good as they look.
The chocolate cakes are so moist and light tasting and the pumpkin cream cheese filling.... Oh yeah, it does not get better than that!
These will not be around long in our house, they are were flying off the plate faster than I could stack them.
If your kids like those oreo cakesters, they will LOVE these!!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend..... I think Fall is officially here to stay in our neck of the woods and I love it. It is my favorite season of the year.
Happy Fall Y'all!

Sunday Snapshots- "Making Progress"

2011-10-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

This was week number three for speech therapy and I am somewhat amazed how quickly we are seeing progress. Especially after witnessing what went down on week one.........

Reagan decided to show her new teacher just how "Spicy" she could be right out of the gate.
She would not repeat anything she said, nor would she do any of the signs that Miss Kelly was trying to teach her. She was not having any of it and had a meltdown or two during the session.

A few hours after the teacher left, Reagan woke up from her much needed nap and did every sign she was taught and said the words to go with them. Our girl was holding out on the new teacher....... or just testing the waters. Pat was present for week two and he said it went very well. Reagan began to let her in and actually did what was asked of her.

Miss Kelly does not show up with a bag of goodies. She jumps into whatever we happen to be doing here at the house. If the girls are playing in their pretend kitchen, then she takes that opportunity to use words and signs and incorporate them into play. It is working extremely well and even Sarah looks forward to Friday morning Speech Therapy. We have to gently remind her that this hour is really for Reagan, but Sarah does not want to miss a minute and is right there cheering on her baby sister and helping the teacher encourage Reags to say her new words.

I was the one here for this week's session, so I decided to pull out the camera to get a few photos of Reagan working with Miss Kelly. She knows the routine now and as soon as Miss Kelly comes in and sits on the couch, Reagan will go up and get the pen to do some drawing on her folder. After that she usually goes through her sticker book and takes one or two. I am not sure where she got this from, but she puts all of her stickers on her face. This week she put it on her nose and had Sarah laughing like crazy.

After the drawing and the stickers, they decided to play with her baby dolls.
Well.... Reagan was not so sure she wanted to hand her over, but eventually gave in and let Miss Kelly hold her beloved baby.

I simply could not believe my ears this week. Her list of words is growing quickly!
Granted they are all simple, one syllable words...... but nonetheless, they are NEW WORDS!!

In addition to saying Mommy and Daddy, she is now saying:

hi
bye
ball
mix
up
dot
pat
in
mine
me
block
pop
no
Nick
night night
and her favorite.... MORE!!

I have the most adorable video of her saying them while she is in the bathtub. Unfortunately, I can't share it because she kept getting up out of the water, I am going to try to video her again this week but I will make sure to do it somewhere other than the bathtub so you all can view it. We love listening to her little voice. It is like music to our ears. Right now I am feeling very glad that I listened to my gut and called Early Intervention when I did. We are thrilled with Miss Kelly. Not only is she great with Reagan {and Sarah}, she gives both Pat and I things to work on with her each week. When the evaluation team came out they said that they could give her the speech therapy at the daycare center if it were easier. We requested they come to our house so that one of us could be there to oversee the session and so we could learn how to incorporate all of these techniques into our everyday life. We definitely made the right decision.

So many of you said that it would not take long for us to see the benefits of Early Intervention........and now I can say I believe that wholeheartedly! She might say a lot of the same words over and over again right now, but she is TALKING, TALKING, TALKING....and that's what counts.

To see more Sunday Snapshots, head on over to my friend Stefanie's blog by clicking the button below

Favorite Photo Friday - "Class Representative"

2011-09-30T00:00:00.012-04:00

“You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes.”
~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.~

"Don't wait to make your son a great man - make him a great boy."
~Author Unknown~

I don't often get Nick in front of the camera, but this weekend we got to spend a little time together, just me and him, without the girls. It was nice to chat and let him tell me all that is going on in his world, without interruption.

So far 8th Grade is off to a great start.
He is happy to be back in school with his friends and enjoying all of the fun extra curricular activites that the school year brings. Of course he is not loving all of the homework and tests, but so far he seems to be doing well. He was voted Class Representative by his classmates the first week of school. This is a first for Nick, so he was pretty excited and we are very proud of him. I am still not exactly sure of all the responsibilities that come with this title...... but he says he is ready for it and that is all that matters.

Thankful Thursday - A Little Sentimental

2011-09-29T12:38:00.008-04:00

I am working in my office today, versus on the road in my car, where I have been spending many hours lately. I usually get one good office day a week and I try like mad to catch up on everything business related and a few personal things too.

One of the things on the top of my personal to do list was to FINALLY complete and send in our paperwork to have Reagan's readoption done here in the US. This has been weighing on both Pat and I as we are quickly approaching her one year anniversary and it really needs to be done before then.

Just a few minutes ago I called our adoption agency to make sure I had everything I needed to submit the paperwork. I had to go digging through all of our paperwork we received in China and make copies. To be perfectly honest, I got home from China last October, put that very large file in safe place and have not looked at it since.

Cracking it open today has stirred up a lot of emotion.....

Every detail that was provided to us in Chenzhou is running through my head. I have not forgotten a morsel of it. I don't think I will ever forget, but it is so difficult to see those details staring up at you in black and white. I sat here reading it all again, holding the documents, remembering the streets in her city...... the sights, the sounds, the people. It all came rushing back to me and the tears poured down my face as I revisted my daughters humble beginnings.

I look at this precious girl every single day and see how much she has changed and grown. It is hard to think what might have been........ Sometimes I wish I knew more of the details that surrounded her first few days of life, and other times I think it is best that I don't.

We love her to the moon and back and we are ever so thankful that we were chosen to be her forever family.

Reagan's dress was created by Izzy and Ivy Designs.
They have launched an exciting new project called "Create HOPE Designs". They are selling patterns of all kinds and 100% of the proceeds are going to adoption organizations. Please click HERE to see what it is all about, you won't want to miss out.

Apple Pickin' With the Girls

2011-09-26T00:15:00.005-04:00

On Friday I mentioned our quick trip to the Apple Orchard.
I made the mistake of telling the girls early Wednesdsay morning that I thought we would go pick apples when I was done with work. By the time my workday came to an end, the weather was looking funny, but there was no turning back. I was staring at two excited little faces that were not going to take "another day" for an answer.

I reluctantly packed them up and headed North prepared for the worst, but optimistically hoping for the best.

This is Sarah's third year pickin' at the same place and she knows the drill.
She went straight to the little farm market to get a box for the apples and then took a seat and waited for the bus to come and take us up into the orchard. Little Reagan was just taking it all in as this was her first time.

The bus seemed to take longer than normal and we were all getting a little restless. I spied this very cool out of service bus in the barn and told the girls to go stand in front for a photo.

Of course I didn't get one shot of the two of them together, but I will take what I can get and thought that these were really cute!

I LOVE this one of Sassy Sarah....

and I couldn't decide which one I liked better, so I am posting both the color and the black and white. I had a little fun editing these. In my opinion that funky colored school bus called for a more artistic look.

Finally the REAL bus showed up and took us way up into the fields.
Once we got out, I knew our trip was going to be cut short.
Let's just say, in addtion to the threatening weather, we had a few other small issues to deal with and it caused Sarah to have a mini meltdown.

Reagan continued to pick as many apples as she could reach.

She filled her basket....

and then she was ready to go....and it was a good thing because just like that, it started to rain!

We did not pick near as many apples as we normally do, but we still had enough to make a few apple desserts this weekend.

I usually make an apple bundt cake and I have posted that recipe the last two years. You can click HERE for that recipe. That is still my all time favorite apple dessert, but I wanted to try something else this year so I decided to make apple breads instead. The apple bread is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. A little more dense than the cake, but still very good!

Apple Bread
3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups diced apples
1/2 cup chopped walnuts(optional)
1 teaspoon flour

Mix flour, cinnamon, soda, salt and baking powder together.
Beat eggs and add sugar and oil.
Add vanilla and dry ingredients.
Stir in apples.
Mix walnuts in a tsp of flour and add to batter.
Pour into 2 greased loaf pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.

I think what I like most about this bread is the play on textures.
The outside is a a little hard and crunchy, but the inside is very soft and loaded with those tender apples. You can also really taste the cinnamon..... I tend to get a little heavy handed with the cinnamon.

I am hoping that a second trip to the orchard will be in our future.
Pat likes the bread and the bundt cake, but his favorite is deep dish apple pie and I will need a lot of apples to make one of those.

Favorite Photo Friday - "Inspired By Fall"

2011-09-23T00:00:00.008-04:00

I didn't have an opportunity to take many photos this week and while looking through the few that I did take, I had a hard time choosing just one for today.

Wednesday after I was done working, I took the girls to go Apple Picking thinking we would beat the weekend crowd. Well, that we did, but instead of the crowds we had to deal with the rain..... Just my luck, as soon as we got up there, it started to pour. The girls were pretty disappointed..... and so was I. We are planning to try again this weekend, but in the short time I was there I did manage to snap a few photos of the beautiful Mums they had for sale.

I was initially drawn to the purple ones.....

BUT I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the dimension and the color in the burnt orange variety!
{I am tempted to print this one and hang it in our downstairs half bath}

The other thing that caught my eye this week were these sweet, sugary treats!!

Each day I have been picking up a little something special for the girls after daycare and they were so excited when they saw these candy pumpkins waiting for them.

And thanks to the bowl that is within arms reach every time you walk through the kitchen, my jeans are feeling extra tight. When I am stressed, I eat.....and it is never the good for you kind of food.

The last two weeks have been somewhat stressful with all the change, but I do believe things are getting better the more Reagan goes to the new daycare. I really appreaciate all of the great advice everyone gave on the last post. We are already doing a lot of the things that were mentioned, but she did not have a picture of us to take along with her. Next week she will:)

We did experience a bit of a breakthrough.....
I had to be at work very early the other morning and typically I have been the one to drop the girls off. When Pat heard what time I had to leave, he offered to take the girls. Of course as soon as he said that I was selfishly relieved that I would not have to be there to witness Reagan cry and carry on as I walked out the door.

I called Pat just minutes after he left the girls at daycare and guess what? She hardly cried for him at all. He said she whimpered a little, but no big tears or hysterics. I called and checked in on her throughout the day and they said she was doing very well and seemed very engaged with the other kids in her class.

When we got home that night we discussed it and Pat is going to try to be the one to take them in the morning. It could have been a fluke, but it might be that she has a harder time separating from me than from him. We are hoping for both Reagan's sake and mine, that this might be the answer. I will keep you posted!

Happy Weekend~

Out of Sorts

2011-09-20T00:02:00.001-04:00

Last week I mentioned how beautifully Sarah has adjusted to her new surroundings at the daycare. She is really enjoying all of the new activities and her new friends. I wish I could say the same about Reags. Poor baby girl is having a really tough time.

Dropping her off in the morning is the absolute worst.
She turns on the waterworks and really gets herself upset, which in turn gets me upset. I don't think I have ever seen her cry and carry on like this..... not even in China.

The teachers motion for me to drop her and just leave and not hang around, but it is easier said then done. I want to stay to console her, but the longer I stay, the more upset she seems to get and the harder it is for her teachers to calm her down.

They said she usually cries for the first 30-45 minutes and then she will stop. They can get her engaged in an activity for a while, but she will cry sporadically throughout the day.

This daycare facility actually has webcams and Pat and I can log in anytime we are in front of our computers and see what the girls are doing in their classrooms. That is something that I loved about this place when I was touring different facilities. Last week we were unable to use them because they did not have us set up in their system yet. The director said by this week we should be ready to roll. In the meantime, they have had to deal with phone calls from me every few hours. I can't keep myself from calling to check in. I am sure I have already been labeled as "That" Mother.

Unfortunately, all the stress of the situation at daycare had caused Reags to take a few steps backwards here at home. I think she is feeling very unsure and unsecure at the moment. She is trying to figure this all out.

Our little girl who has gone to bed effortlessly at 8pm and slept straight through the night until about 7am, since the moment we met her, is fighting bedtime tooth and nail. We also had a few completely sleepless nights as she woke every 2 to 3 hours screaming. This past weekend, I also noticed that she began to cry and get extrememly upset if I was not within her sight or if I had to leave the house to run an errand.

I know this is all pretty normal given the circumstances..... but it is not easy. It is going to take some time to adjust to this new routine and environment. I just hope that she understands that no matter what, when we take her to daycare in the morning, we are going to come back to get her at the end of the day. It would be so much easier if she could talk to us, but she can't. For now all we can do is try to reassure her and give her the extra love and support she needs to feel secure.

Trying to be a little optimistic here and crossing my fingers that we will get through this week with a few less tears......and sleepless nights. I talked to my Mom about this the other day and she gently reminded me of the experience we had with Nick when he first went to daycare. He was three when he started and he had major separation anxieties...... He cried, screamed, and did the death grip around my neck every single day for almost 9 months! It was complete torture for him and for me.
Let's just hope it doesn't take Reags quite that long:)

Favorite Photo Friday - "A Smile That Lights Up A Room"

2011-09-16T00:00:00.021-04:00

We have two days under our belts at the new daycare and I have to say that although it has been especially hard on Reagan(and Mommy), Sarah is doing exceptionally well.

She was a little shy on day one and refused to eat any snacks or meals, but it appears that she has already made an impression on her new classmates and teacher.

We walked into her classroom this morning and two of the girls came running over and said, "YAY, Sarah is back!" and with that, Sarah ran over and began to play with them and gave me a wave goodbye as if to say, "It's Okay Mom, you can leave now."

At 5pm when I arrived after work to pick them up, Sarah was in tears.......
She asked me if I could come back later, she needed to stay longer to play with her new friends.

Her teacher told me that she has been attracting a lot of attention from her classmates and that she was having to break up arguments between the girls over who gets to sit next to Sarah for each activity. She actually ate her lunch and snacks today and they said that she really loved tumble time!

When I heard what the teacher had to say about her day, it made my heart smile.

Sarah is fitting right into her new environment and seems to be loving every minute of it.

We are very proud of her and each night when she comes home, she can't wait to tell us about everything that she did throughout the day.

I'm starting to feel like things really do happen for a reason and this is an environment where Sarah will really thrive and blossom.

I did manage to snap a few photos of the girls on their first day.....just have not had time to download them yet. I hope to post them this weekend and I will give an update on Reagan's first few days. Today is actually her first Speech Therapy session. We are very excited that they moved so quickly to get her started.

This photo was taken earlier this week as Sarah was riding her big wheel out back on the deck. She stopped and looked me dead in the eye. I love that chunk of hair that is framing her face, those beautiful baby blues.......and that smile that could light up any room! It's hard to believe she is going to be five in just a few months.
Where does the time go?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Changes

2011-09-14T00:05:00.009-04:00

The girls are pretty much inseparable.

For the last 10 and a half months they have done just about everything....together!

Wherever one goes, the other is sure to follow.

They are like two peas in a pod.

Sarah and Reagan have gotten so use to having each other right there by their side that they are a little lost when they are not together.

The summer is over, the cooler temps have moved in, the leaves have begun to fall from the trees, and school is back in session. Lots of changes going on all around us and Sarah and Reagan are about to experience a BIG change in their daily routines.

The girls are starting Day Care this morning and they will no longer be together every minute of every day. They both have been placed in age appropriate rooms within the facility. Sniff, sniff.

A few weeks ago, we were faced with having to make a change in our child care. It was unexpected and definitely threw me for a loop. The girls have never been in a real day care and the thought of sending them to one made me want to cry...... Okay, I will admit it, I did cry....A LOT!

Pat and I have been juggling, with the help of my parents, for the last 5 weeks. I have been trying to put off the inevitable, but we cannot keep going like this. We are trying to balance career and home life with no extra help for the girls during the work day and we just cannot do it anymore. We had to bite the bullet and officially enroll them.

I know they are going to make new friends and in the end it will probably be a good change for them.

There is no doubt in my mind that Sarah will thrive in this type of setting. I am tiny bit concerned about Reagan just because she has not been home quite a year yet. I hope that she will adapt to the new environment and will understand that no matter what, Mommy and Daddy are coming back to pick her up at the end of the each day.

As is usually the case, this will probably be more difficult on me then it will be on them.

Everyone says change is good and sometimes things happen for a reason.

I hope this is one of those situations that results in something that is better for the girls.

Even though they are going to be separated during the day, I hope the bond they share will remain as strong as ever and the time they do have together will be that much sweeter.

We are due to arrive at the day care around 8am and Pat and I plan to stay a bit until both girls feel secure enough for us to go.

Praying that we are able to escape without tears..... from them or me:)

Will update later to tell you how it went.

Wish us luck~

All photos were processed with the new, soon to be released, Florabella Classic Workflow Actions!
They are, in my opinion, her BEST SET EVER and I am completely addicted.
Fellow Photogs and Photoshop enthusiasts, stay tuned for details.

Favorite Photo Friday

2011-09-09T00:00:00.014-04:00

Welcome to the first Favorite Photo Friday!

This link party is about as easy as they come.

All you need to do is post your favorite photo or photos of the week.
You can tell us the story behind it or you can just simply post a picutre.
It is completely up to you.
There are no rules.
The photos can be color or black and white.
It can be a serious photo or a funny photo.
Just show us your FAVORITE PHOTO and add the button below to your post.
After you have done that, come here to my blog and create a link.
It's that simple!!

This week's choice was easy for me to make.
In my opinion, it does not get much funnier than this.
I am not sure what I love more about this photo.....
the way her tongue is sticking out the side of her mouth, her little belly,
or those chubby thighs!!!

We were out in the field doing a photoshoot for Izzy and Ivy Designs.
They have some new patterns getting ready to launch {WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THEM} and needed Reagan to model a few. She was really in the mood this particular afternoon and we got some great shots, but then she became super silly and started lifting her dress and making funny faces. I know that this was not exactly the look Izzy and Ivy Designs had in mind for their new patterns, but I had to keep snapping.

This shot was the best of the bunch!
I will post the rest of them when the patterns launch so you can actually see what the dresses look like:)

Okay, that's it for me.
Now it's your turn.
Show us your favorite photos.
I can't wait to see!!
If you are not prepared to play along this week, maybe you can jump in next week?
Have a Wonderful Weekend.

Always Trust Your Gut

2011-09-08T00:10:00.007-04:00

It seemes like we were waiting forever to have Reagan's Early Intervention evaulation done, but yesterday at 8:30am a team of four arrived at our home to begin.

The entire process took a little longer than I expected.
In all honesty, I found it to be a little overwhelming, so I can only imagine what was going through Reagan's mind.

All four women were sprawled out on our family room floor with their big bags of tricks for Reagan and while they were playing with her, they were asking us LOTS of questions. As fast as we were answering their questions, they were entering all of the info on their laptops.

Our only concern going into this was her speech, but we were told that they would be doing a total evaluation. They tested her in all areas......

Social Skills
Receptive Communication
Expressive
Cognitive
Gross Motor
Fine Motor
Self Care

After a few hours, they were able to compute Reagan's test scores and let us know where she fell on the curve.

I am so glad that I went with my gut and did not wait any longer.....

As suspected, she did extremely well in all areas, except for expressive or verbal communication. Her score was equal to that of a 12 month old and she is just about 22 months.

As a result of today's evaluation, we are now aware of a few other things that she does or has been doing that fall in line with speech or oral motor delays. She did this more when we first came home from China, but she still does it from time to time. We will give her a snack in a bowl and she will start eating a piece or two at a time, but she does not swallow it. She will continue to put more food in and then I will see her with puffy cheeks. I know that she has way too much in her mouth and I will tell her to open up. She will spit out most of what is in her mouth and then she is able to continue eating and swallowing. It only happens on occasion, but nonetheless, it is happening so it needed to be noted.

The other thing we are going to watch is her tiptoe walking.
She just started doing this and does not do it all the time...... she seems to do it when she is barefoot in the house, but all of the evaluators told us to be aware of it and let them know if we notice her doing it more often. I am not really too concerned about it because both Nick and Sarah went through the tiptoe phase as well.

I am somewhat relieved knowing that I did not overreact.
My Mommy intuition was correct and now we can get a jump start on helping her.

Reagan's in home speech therapy will begin within two weeks, we are just waiting to get assigned to a specific therapist. I will continue to update as we progress.

Over the last few weeks so many of you have offered great advice and shared your own personal experiences with Early Intervention. I can't tell you how much I appreaciate hearing all of the positive feedback and success stories. We are very optimistic that before too long, with a little extra help, Reagan will be talking our ears off.

Black and White Wednesday... The Final Edition

2011-09-07T00:00:00.006-04:00

Hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend.
Ours was fun, but busy and then yesterday, was the first day of school for Nick.

He is at the age where he is less than thrilled by the camera, but he did appease me for first day of school because.....well, it was the first day of school and he is a big man on campus this year.
(It was pouring rain and dark and ugly, so we snapped just a few on our front porch)

Nick is in 8th grade and it is his last year at this school.
We love this school and have made some incredible friends because of the tight knit community there. Nick has been in this school since first grade and next year, we are making the change from Catholic to public school. I can barely say these words let alone type them, but he will be in HIGH SCHOOL next year. I am not really sure how this all happened so quickly. It is difficult to think of him as a high schooler, but I guess I still have another year to get use to the idea.....right?

I look at him and just cannot get over how he has matured and changed over the last year. He is looking more and more like a young man and less and less like a little boy.....it's somewhat bittersweet.

You all have seen what a fantastic big brother he is to both Sarah and Reagan and he really has a good head on his shoulders. So far he has made good decisions and does not necessarily follow the crowd. I love that about him and hope that he continues down that path.

We are very proud of Nick and can't wait to see what 8th Grade has in store for him.
He does not get that much blog glory these days, he is happy to let the little ones have the spotlight, but I do try to sneak him in whenever I can:))

Now, I guess I need to explain the title of this post?

I am sad to say that this will be the last Black and White Wednesday.
It has been a lot of fun and I am thrilled that we were able to keep it going for almost two years, but I think it is time to change things up a bit.

In the beginning I really looked forward to Wednesdays and it was thrilling to see everyone else jump in on this link fest....... but it is starting to become a little overwhelming and well..... I hate to use these words, but stale and boring??

Anyone else up for a change?

I have thought a little bit about this and I wanted to come up with something catchy, yet something that everyone could take part in....even if you are not a photographer. I don't want anyone to feel left out or as though they cannot participate.

So here is what I am thinking......

Favorite Photo Friday
It is really very simple.
Just post your favorite photo or photos from the week on Friday and link back to me.
It can be a color photo or a black and white. Whatever you prefer, as long as there is a photo in your post, you can join in the fun.

You with me?

I am looking for some new inspiration and hope that this might be exactly what I need.
Change is good..... and I think it is time for some change around here.

This Friday I plan to put up the first official "Favorite Photo Friday" post.

Happy Final Black and White Wednesday.
Thank you to all of you that have played along.
It has been a pleasure getting to know you and I have thoroughly enjoyed all the black and white goodness.

I hope to see many familiar faces this Friday..... hint hint!!

Feel free to grab my new button, compliments of my ever so talented friend, Marla.
~Thanks girl, I love what you created~

Vynecrest Vineyards and Winery

2011-09-05T00:30:00.004-04:00

Friday evening we went to a party to celebrate some wonderful news just received by a good family friend.

She was my neighbor growing up and actually, I babysat her and her brother, but I don't really want to talk about that, because that just makes me feel old.... Anyway, she has three little ones close in age to Sarah. A set of twin girls and a boy. Her world was turned upside down a few weeks ago when she had a mole removed and it came back as melanoma.

We were all so very scared for her and we said many prayers as she went through some pretty invasive tests to make sure it had not spread or progressed to any other part of her body.

I know her family can attest, it was a VERY LONG two weeks of waiting. We were stalking her facebook page for any updates.......

and FINALLY, I was sitting at my desk and I got a text from her....

ALL CLEAR!!!

We were all so relieved to find out that they got everything.
It was what we had all prayed for and the best news possible.

Her Mom said they were going to surprise her with a small gathering for their family and a few close friends and it happened to be held at the Vineyard that is in very close proximity to our house.

It was a beautiful night to celebrate life....

and the blessings that surround us each and every day.

We took quite a few walks down memory lane and the entire time I was thinking how fortunate we are to have each other, and to be here today to tell the stories of "way back when".

It was the gentle nudge I needed to make me realize I have to take time away from the crazy hectic schedules and just stop every once in a while and smell the roses, or in this case, stop and taste the grapes.

Time passes by so quickly, and we never know what tomorrow may bring.

Hope you all have a relaxing holiday.

Happy Labor Day~

PS. Reagan was not that wrinkled when I put her in the dress, but after a few minutes in the car seat, she looked a mess. I know the 5 point harness system is there to protect our kids, but it sure does wreak havoc on my ironing skills:)

Black Bean Soup, Dancing in the Wind, and Mad Chickens!

2011-08-31T00:00:00.019-04:00

I thought today might be the first time ever that I was going to miss B&W Wednesday. Luckily, we did not suffer any damage from Irene, but we were without power from 11pm Saturday until 2am on Tuesday.

It was a LONG TWO DAYS.....

As Pat said, "It is kind of like camping, but not in a tent"

I quickly reminded him, that this girl DOES NOT CAMP.

It actually was not that bad. We survived with the resources we had and were able to keep the girls occupied before sheer boredom set in. Nick is on vacation with his Dad, so we were minus one this weekend.

Obviously everyone knew this storm was coming, so we spent the better part of Friday night and Saturday, trying to prepare. We had flashlights and candles ready. Everyone charged all electronics so that we would at least be able to communicate in some manner. Pat put away all outdoor items that could blow away and I spent a few hours in the kitchen cooking and making sure we would have food readily available.

We have a gas stove, so I knew that we would be able to heat things up even if we lost power. I decided to make a new black bean soup.

The recipe is courtesy of the book, Recipes From A Very Small Island by Linda and Martha Greenlaw. Great book, you may want to check it out. My Mom has the book and gave me the recipe. She tweaks it a bit, so I did too. Here is the doctored up recipe:

Blackbean Soup
4 Large Carrots Peeled and Chopped
1-2 Shallots Chopped
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
4 16 oz Cans of Black Beans (Undrained)
1 Quart of Chicken Stock(4 Cups)
1 Large Jar of Salsa (or about 2 cups)
2 Tablespoons of Chili Powder
1 Package of Frozen Corn
1 Lime

Sautee shallots and carrots until tender
Place beans with their liquid in the large saucepan.
Using a potato masher or a large fork, partially mash the beans.
Whisk in the stock, salsa, frozen corn, and chili powder.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Add lime juice
Serve with your favorite toppings.
Recipe Serves 8

You can top the soup with any number of things.
In our house we like a little cilantro, lots of cheese, salsa, and homemade tortilla chips!
They also recommend, scallions and sour cream.

The storm actually hit our area late Saturday night. The rain was pouring down and the wind was howling. I could not sleep for fear that we would have a tornado touch down and have to make a mad dash to our basement. I think I managed to stay awake until about 3am and then I finally nodded off. We woke up and there was a little break in the rain about mid morning. Pat went outside to take a look around and before he knew it, the two little ones followed him onto to the deck in their pjs. He yelled for me to come with my camera as they were twirling around and trying to fight the wind and stay in the standing position.

They were having a great time and were no longer scared because it was daylight.
Just a few minutes after we were out there, the rain began again and the wind really picked up, so we came back in to find something else to do.

We went through many arts and craft projects. The girls played in their princess tent with flashlights for a while too. By the time late afternoon rolled around we all started to hit the wall.

Thats when I decided it was time to pull out the IPad and let them have a little electronic fun. Pat spent some time playing "Angry Birds" with Sarah and then later on, Sarah began to teach Reagan how to play.

As you can see, the IPad was a Life Saver!
I typically don't let the girls use my IPad so this was a real treat.

Not only did the little ones enjoy it, so did Pat and I.
After Reagan went to bed each night, the three of us had an Angry Birds(or Mad Chickens as Sarah calls it) competition by candlelight around the kitchen table. It really was fun and I am sure that we will one day reflect on Irene and remember all the things we did together as a family to get through.

I think we were pretty prepared for our little power hiatus, except we did make a few rookie mistakes.

The biggest one......

I was so worried about having food in the house, but I forgot to think about how to keep our food cold when the refrigerators and freezers stopped working.

We had one cooler filled with ice for the essentials(eggs, milk, juice etc)but we ended up losing the contents of our refrigerators and freezers. We had to toss everything with the exception of a few condiments and wine, cause if Mama is forced to "Camp", she needs something to help get her through.....even if it was warm wine, it was still better than nothing!

I know I should not complain about losing food, there are so many who lost much much more.

Hopefully those of you here on the East Coast weathered the storm without harm or damage.
We have family members that still do not have power and we also have friends that have suffered from the flooding and lost things that are irreplaceable. I feel so bad for them and for those that are still trying to dig out.

Be safe everyone and try to enjoy the last official week of summer.

I can hardly believe it is over.

School starts next week for Nick and the girls are about to experience their first week of what we are going to call "School" too. More on that to come.

Black and White Wednesday - "Ruffles, Chucks, and Plain White T's"

2011-08-24T00:00:00.020-04:00

These adorable outfits have been in my posession since the end of July and I have been hiding them from the girls.....especially Sarah because I knew the minute she set eyes on the pink ruffles and the blinged out plain white T, there would be no stopping the little diva. She is all about the glitz and glam.

The night before we left for Cape Cod, I took them out of hiding. The girls tried them on and were running around the house in all their glory. I managed to convince them both to take the skirts off, but not without a few tears, and then I packed them up for the long ride North.

I had grand plans to put the girls in these for sunset photos on the beach, but time got away from us and it never happened. I was disappointed to say the least, but knew I would come up with a plan b.

You always need to have a plan b....right?

We came home and had to jump straight into our crazy work week.....

but I knew as soon as the weekend was upon us, those ruffles were coming out of the closet.

I was not sure the girls would dig it as much as they would had they been wearing these frilly little numbers on the beach.

It took a little coaxing to get them to loosen up.

The littlest diva needed just one more accessory to make her ensemble complete.

My IPhone.

The minute that phone came out, little Reags came to life.

Not only did the phone become a prop for Reagan, it was also our radio. It was blaring music thanks to the "I Heart Radio" App, which caused the Pink Princess to start striking a few poses.

From that moment forward, these two became almost unstoppable.....and QUITE COMICAL.

The beaches of Cape Cod were far from my thoughts.

I realized that the location made no difference.

It was not about where we were.

and it definitely was NOT about having them stand in the perfect spot for the perfectly composed photo.

It was truly about capturing the magic thes two create while enjoying the bonds of sisterhood and all things girly.

Whether they are on a beach at sunset or in a back alley, it makes no difference.
Their love for each other comes shining through.

I want to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT and THANK YOU to Kimberley from the Sophia Jane Boutique. The girls LOVE their new ruffles and T's....and I cannot say enough about the quality and workmanship...... not to mention the GREAT customer service. If you have a diva in your house, you must check out her website to see all of the beatuiful things. Click HERE to take a look. Trust me, you will love what you see!

Jewels and Tulle- "Sunday Snapshot"

2011-08-21T01:09:00.003-04:00

On Friday, I was lucky enough to work from home. I did not have to go visit any clients, nor did I have to go to our main office, so I got up with the girls, had a leisurely breakfast, and then set them up to play while I got some work done.

Before too long, I heard the pitter patter of little feet and Sarah said that they wanted to go play in her bedroom.

About 15 minutes later, I heard them rummaging through Sarah's closet so I went in to see what was going on......

They were as happy as could be.

Sarah covered in her "jewels".....while still wearing her princess pjs and Reagan, who stripped down to her diaper and put on one of Sarah's tutus.
{Reagan has recently learned how to take her clothes off......even her diaper, which she thinks is funny..... me, not so much. I hope this phase passes quickly.}

They were having such a good time together.... and once I saw what was going on, I decided it was time for a little "coffee break".....okay, more like a camera break. I got the biggest kick out of the strand of beads around Sarah's head. I kept calling her my Hippie Chic. She ended up wearing them for most of the day.

Being home on Friday, even though I still had to work, was the perfect way to ease into our weekend. It almost feels as though I got an extra day.....and who doesn't love a three day weekend:)

To see more Sunday Snapshots, click the photo below.

The First Time We Saw Her Face - "1 Year Anniversary"

2011-08-16T08:40:00.005-04:00

It is hard to believe that I am writing this post.......
As it feels like it was just yesterday that we received that long awaited phone call.

Exactly one year ago today at 2:16pm, we found out that we had a beautiful baby girl waiting for us at the Chenzhou Children's Welfare Institute in the Hunan Province of China.

Words cannot describe the range of emotions that were felt that day. We had anticipated and waited for that call for almost 5 years........ and the moment we saw her face, we fell head over heals in love with our baby girl, Chen Wen Yi.

The staff in Chenzhou gave her the name "WenYi" hoping she would grow up to have knowledge and dreams, and would lead a happy life.

I have big tears running down my face as I sit here reminiscing about everything that has transpired over the last 10 months for our daughter.

It took a while for her to completely come out of her shell and show us who she really is........A smart, funny, beautiful, child that has a lot of love for life and her new family!

There are still moments that she will flash me a look that will remind me of those first few weeks in China, when she was so scared and withdrawn. They are few and far between, but I can never forget the road we traveled to get her where she is today.

Just shy of one year home with us, I would say there is no denying that this little girl is leading a "Happy Life".

I wish the staff in Chenzhou could see her now......

Reagan has changed our lives in a way that is indescribable and I could not imagine a single day without her.

The journey we took to bring her home has opened our eyes and our hearts in ways that I did not think were possible.

I will forever be grateful to China, the staff in Chenzhou who took such wonderful care of her while she waited for us....... and to her birth mother who had to make the painful decision to give her up. I will never know who she is, but she will always remain in my heart.......and in my daughter.

{It is a busy week for me and I won't have time to post again, so I am posting B&W Wednesday a litle early}

Friday Finds - Jiayin Designs Jewelry Giveaway

2011-08-12T02:30:00.007-04:00

UPDATE: We have a winner, #11- gghadden!
Congrats Gina! I know you will love your beautiful necklace.

While my friend Kelly was waiting to travel to bring home her daughter from China, her mother gave her a very special gift—a sterling silver charm hand cut by a Beijing jeweler with her daughter’s Chinese name. She wore it everyday while she waited to travel and when she was in China—with no idea of what it would eventually lead to.

Photo Courtesy of Jiayin Designs

When their dear friends in Beijing, Chinese natives doing mission work, were looking for a way to supplement their income, Jiayin Designs was born. Together, they have come up with a way to not only bless adoptive families through a very special way to celebrate their children’s history, they employ Chinese artisans some of whom have no other source of income and support some pretty great work there.

The direct translation for jiayin is “good and beautiful news,” and it’s the word used in Revelation for the phrase translated into English as “the mystery of God.” It seemed like the perfect name for their new project.

Photo Courtesy of Jiayin Designs

Go check out Jiayin Design’s website to see not only some of the beautiful charms but some of the other things they sell now like handmade dolls from Hunan Province and traditional tiger purses.

AND, just to make this Friday Find a little more fun, I am hosting a giveaway for Kelly. She will be giving away a custom charm of the winner’s choice. You can choose a name, a special phrase or word-the choice is yours.

Click HERE to view all of her beautiful creations.

All you need to do to enter to win is leave a comment.

Giveaway will end Sunday night, August 14th at midnight. I will post the winner some time next week.

Good luck and enjoy your weekend.
{I set this one to autopost before we left for Cape Cod. Gotta love that feature. See you all next week. Hopefully I will have a lot of fun beach photos to share.}

Black and White Wednesday - "Sassy Girl II"

2011-08-10T00:00:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago we were heading to a neighborhood picnic and Reagan was wearing the same "sassy" outfit, that Sarah wore the summer of 2008!

I normally do not allow my childrend to stand on furniture, but we put Reagan on the coffee table and told her to strike a few poses for us and she happily obliged. I love when she gives us that big cheesy grin.

I have always loved this outfit....
So I thought it would be fun to take a look back at Miss Sarah sporting it.
Click HERE to read the post and see our first "Sassy Girl".
She was just about the same age as Reagan.

Looking back at these photos, It is hard for me to believe that Sarah was ever that little. Gosh how time flies! It is also pretty apparent that those photos were taken before I really got into photography. I believe that was when I first switched to a DSLR, but I was still shooting in the Auto Zone:)

I am totally cheating this week...... Have not had the camera out in over 10 days, so no black and whites, unless you count the spot color shots in the post of the orginal "Sassy Girl". That counts for something....doesn't it??

We are beachbound tomorrow and looking forward to our last hurrah of the summer!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful week. Be back soon~

Inspiration for a Family Photoshoot With a Twist - "Sunday Snapshot"

2011-08-07T06:00:00.009-04:00

The last seven days have been...... chaotic.

I won't bore you with the chain of bad events that took place this week.
Let's just say that it was not a week we will care to look back on and we are happy to have it behind us. Just hoping that the week ahead will bring all things good.

We do have a lot to look forward to......
Cousin Eddie is on his way down today. Of course the kids are super excited and are anxiously awaiting his arrival. He should be here before lunch. Eddie and Nick will be attached at the hip and they will have two little girls trailing their every move.

Thursday we are heading back to Cape Cod for a long weekend of fun in the sun and the sand. Really, this little trip could not have been planned at a better time. Both Pat and I are in desperate need of the peace and tranquility that Cape Cod always provides.

We have one other major event taking place this week and I am pretty excited about it......

A few months ago, our family was selected by a local magazine called Lehigh Valley Style, to share our story. Since November is National adoption month, they chose adoption as their feature story for their November Issue. They are highlighting two families in the area and we are one of them.

In addition to interviewing us, they also need to photograph us.

The photographer that was assigned to this story called me last week to set up the shoot. I spoke with him briefly to see what he had in mind and he gave me an idea as to what he was looking to do.

I have to admit, I knew this was coming, but I did not think we would need to have the picture taken so soon. The deadline is quickly approaching and he needed to get this done before we leave for the Cape.

My head was kind of spinning already last week...... so now I needed to think about wardrobe for five.

The kids are easy..... especially the girls...... but to get all five of us somewhat coordinated....not so easy.

My sweet friend Robin, at Red Thread Stitches, knocked it out of the park again with these beautiful new creations. A few months ago, when she made the girls beach dresses, I had emailed her this pattern that caught my eye as well as this fabric and off she went working her magic. Talk about talent....I wish I could whip up clothes like this! I can barely sew a button on a shirt.

As of this morning, Robin has officially added this pattern to her collection, so if you are looking to get one of these super cute halter style, mod looking dresses for your little one, head on over to her website, she is taking orders. Just tell her you want the Lola dress and pick out your fabric:))
www.redthreadstitches.com

The dresses have not arrived yet. They will be here on Monday, but thankfully Robin sent me a swatch of the fabric a few weeks ago so I was able to see the exact colors.....and she was sweet enough to snap this photo of the two dresses side by side before she packaged them up and sent them off on Friday.

These dresses quickly became my inspiration for the shoot and with a little digging through closets and jewelry boxes(thanks Mom) we are all set and I am really happy with the way it has all come together. I just hope the photographer is as happy with what I picked out, as I am.

Tuesday should prove to be rather interesting for me. It is hard for me to give up my spot behind the camera. I am much more comfortable there......then in front of the camera. The one thing I know for sure...... we will be in great hands. You can check out this photographer's FABULOUS work by clicking HERE. He has done some really cool stuff and I am looking forward to watching him in action. According to his website, he is "Team Canon"..... I like him already:)

I probably won't have time to post again until Wednesday, so I will let you know how it goes. I think everyone will do great...especially since I am not the one with the camera. My kids are usually better for other photographers.

I just hope Miss Reagan decides to cooperate. Fingers crossed.....toes too!
It's always dicey with an almost two year old. I was not sure she understood the art of bribery just yet....... but I guess she proved me wrong. I will have to come prepared.

To see more Sunday Snapshots, click the link below...... and while you are there, say "welcome home" to my friend Stefanie and her beautiful baby girl, Poppy. They just arrived home from China on Friday night.

Black and White Wednesday - "Three's A Crowd"

2011-08-03T00:00:00.014-04:00

Last Sunday Pat and my Dad hit the golf course, so my Mom, the kids, and I went to downtown Bethlehem to hit a few shops and to walk around. We all had fun and grandma treated all the kids to something special at the Moravian Bookstore. All three of them love to go in there.

Once we got home, we went outside on the deck. Mom and I cracked open a much needed bottle of wine and we watched the kids play while we were waiting for the men to get back home.

The girls were running around and dancing. Both Sarah and Reagan are really into music, so as soon as we turned on the music, they were totally giddy.

Nick grabbed his skateboard and was doing little "tricks"......and the minute the girls saw him, they made a mad dash for his board.

Grandma tried to assist so they could attempt to all "ride" it at the same time......

Eventually, all three got on the skateboard, but it was a tight squeeze.

Nick suggested that he take each of the girls for a ride, one at a time.
Since Reagan is the youngest, she got to go first.

Sarah was not so patiently waiting, while her sister was feeling the wind in her hair.....and sucking those two faithful fingers:)

Before long, Sarah got her turn..... and now Reagan was crying to get back on.

Eventually, Nick left the girls to their own devices and moved onto something else.

It really makes me smile when I watch the girls try to keep up with Nick.....especially when it comes to Sarah!

You know that saying, "Anything boys can do, girls can do better"?

Well, Sarah has never heard it, but when I look at her face, I imagine that is the very thought that is running through her mind.

Don't let her dainty build fool you...... underneath that pretty little exterior, is a tough and competitive tomboy waiting to emerge.

Early Intervention: Birth to Three

2011-07-30T07:05:00.006-04:00

We met with Reagan's Pediatrician this past week to discuss our concerns with her speech or lack there of. After spending a little time with him and answering all of his questions, he agreed that our concerns were valid. He had hoped that she might have progressed a little since our last vist, but she has not.

He did say that some children just choose not to speak and will only talk when they are ready, but it was best to move forward and contact Early Intervention through their Birth to Three program to get her evaluated.

In addition to the evaluation, we are taking her to the hospital to have a pediatric audiology test done to rule out any hearing issues. Based on what we have seen, we don't think this is something to worry about, but our doctor does want to cover all of his bases and be thorough, so we don't overlook something.

We made the initial call from the office to get her hearing test done and she is scheduled the morning of August 10th.

We also called the local office to open a case with Early Intervention that day and they have already called me back to set up an in home visit.

They will be coming out to our home the first week in September to conduct an evaluation. The therapist spent a little time on the phone explaining to me everything that will take place. Even though we only have a concern about her speech, they will still need to test her in all developmental areas(Speech, Cognitive, Fine Motor Skills, Etc). They will be sending a team of professionals to conduct the testing. Each professional is specific to one developmental area. I believe the testing method that is used is called "Battelle". After the test concludes, they will get us the results almost immediately and if she is more than 25% delayed in any area, that will constitute Early Intervention Care in our home once a week.

Even though we still do not have any concrete answers and are in a wait pattern to have all the tests and evalutions completed, I find comfort in knowing that we have started the process and before long we will know exactly what we have to do to help her speech emerge.

As the doctor mentioned, it could be nothing more than her not wanting to speak yet, and that is fine, but I would rather err on the side of caution, then sit back and wait to see if this is the root of something more.

As we get results and gather more information, I will update here on the blog. I have greatly appreciated all the words of advice and knowledge shared from those who have been down this path before.

Have a Wonderful Weekend.

I need to give a shout out to my very talented friend, Michelle R who took the special photo that appears in this post. I had the pleasure of meeting Michelle and her family, along with two more very special friends and their girls, as they were passing through our area while on summer vacation. It was so much fun to see all the girls(and Nick)running around together and great to finally meet Michelle in person. I cannot thank her enough for this BEAUTIFUL photo. Believe it or not, it is the very first photo that I have of me with all three of my children. Thanks again Michelle, this one will be framed for sure.

Friday Finds - Personalized, Handstamped Jewelry By Wheat and Wildflowers

2011-07-29T05:20:00.003-04:00

UPDATE: WE HAVE A WINNER!
Number 25, Kristi, will receive the $50 gift certificate to Wheat and Wildflowers.
CONGRATS KRISTI!

A few weeks ago I shared the beautiful dresses that the talented Robin at Red Thread Stitches had made for the girls, today I am going to share another gem that I stumpled upon.

Actually, I did not really stumble upon it, the owner/designer took one of my online photography classes and I had the pleasure of getting to know her personally.

Kim, the owner of Wheat and Wildflowers, is a beautiful person inside and out.
If you know her or take a few minutes to browse her site, you will see that she has big a heart for the children of China.

Not only is Kim an adoptive Mom, but she also has her business set up to give back to those left behind. She has designed necklaces for specific charitable organizations such as; An Orphan's Wish, Grace & Hope for Children, Love Without Boundaries, and Henan Kids International.
You can read more about it by clicking HERE.

She offers a LARGE selection of handstamped jewelry, and will even personalize something for you......as she did for me with my "Visions of Hope" necklace.

I love this necklace so much and wear it as often as I can.
To me it is a constant reminder of Reagan, her beginnings, the children that are still waiting in China, and the project that I have been working on this year.
It is a very special piece that I wear proudly.

The minute the piece arrived, I emailed Kim to thank her for designing such a gorgeous necklace. I told her that I wanted to share it here with you all and she sweetened the deal.
Did I mention that she has a GIANT HEART?

She is offering anyone who reads my blog a coupon code.
The code is VISIONSOFHOPE (All one word, all caps, no spaces)
By using this code at checkout, you will receive 10% off any purchase.
(Coupon code is only valid through August 7, 2011)

And if that was not generous enough......

She is going to giveaway one $50 Gift Certificate to be used for the piece of your choice!!!

I am SO EXCITED to be able to host this giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win the $50 gift certificate, please leave a comment here before Sunday night at 9pm Eastern Time.
We will pick the winner next Monday!

To visit Kim and see all of her beautiful creations, click HERE.

Good Luck and Have a Wonderful Weekend.

Black and White Wednesday - "Playing Catch Up....Longwood Gardens"

2011-07-27T00:00:00.017-04:00

About three weeks ago(I know, I am really that far behind)I took the girls to Longwood Gardens for the afternoon. I thought it would give us something to do and we had not been there for a visit in a long time. We usually go at least once or twice a year, but I think we skipped it last summer. You know, we were just a little busy waiting for "The Call".

Had I been there by myself, without the kids, I think I could have spent hours just looking at the gorgeous flowers and gardens. It is really a spectacular place, but.......

dragging two little ones around the sprawling gardens in 90 Degree weather was not exactly easy. We were all a tad hot and the girls were growing tired of just walking and looking.

Lucky for them, they have a fun children's garden complete with a fountain that they can splash around in.

We were parked at that fountain for a good hour plus.

The girls were having lots of fun trying to catch the water as it sprayed up in the air.

After they were completely soaked and feeling cooled off, I convinced them to move to the other areas of the garden.

Reagan was completely mesmorized by the life sized xylophone and was very excited to hear that she was actually making "music".

It was definitely worth the hour road trip, but I wish I would have picked a day that was a little cooler. We might have seen more of the exhibits. I could tell the girls had reached their limit and I did not want to push them in that heat.

As always, it has been busy, busy, busy around here. So I thought I would include a few updates that I have not had time to post about over the last week.

I picked the winner for of the August "Get Out of the Auto Zone" photography class and updated it on the original blog post, so click HERE to see who won.

Secondly, I am going with my gut and we are taking Reagan to see the Doctor tomorrow concerning her speech. I called and expressed my concerns and he said to bring her in and we will come up with a game plan.

I will post an update as soon as I have time!

Happy Wednesday.... Try to stay cool.

I also wanted to thank my friend Daleea who made the beautiful and colorful Tra-La-La Skirts and beaded bracelets for Reagan and Sarah. The girls loved them and they looked so cute wearing them. If you are looking for something fun and girly, check out her shop, Lady Peep Boutique. You can click HERE to shop or browse her collections. I am sure you will find something that catches your eye:)

Black and White Wednesday - "Sandy Candy at the Blueberry Festival"

2011-07-20T00:00:00.010-04:00

Last weekend we took the kids to the Bethlehem Blueberry Festival and although it was scorching hot, the kids had a lot of fun!

They rode a horse powered carousel with big bench sized swinging seats.

After the dizzinesss wore off, we made our way to the mini petting zoo where we attempted to feed the goats.

They were a little agressive and Reagan was a timid at first. Then she felt one of them lick her little hand and she giggled with delight! It was a good thing they had hand sanitizing stations. We certainly needed them by the time we were done:)

All week long, Sarah had been talking about the festival.
She remembered our trip from last year and said that she could not wait to have her face painted again and she also wanted to make another piece of sand art for her bedroom. You can click HERE to see last year's post. It is amazing how much Sarah has changed in a year!

Even though there were about 20 different options, she picked the same exact thing as last year. A purple unicorn.

We made our way to the Sand Art stand and we found out they changed things up for this year! It was now "Sandy Candy" Edible Sand Art! Sarah nearly screamed out loud when she realized that not only could she make something, she could eat it too!

Each color of sand was a different flavor.

You could pick a tube or a necklace that was shaped like an ice cream cone and then you began filling it with the Sandy Candy of your choice. Surprisingly, the girls both chose the tube instead of the necklace. Probably because it held more candy:)

Reagan needed a little help from Nick, because the bottles were almost as big as her. Sarah was EXTREMELY serious about her layering method. She definitely had a system and was not going to pick a color for her tube without doing a taste test first.

If you are at a local fair or festival, you will have to see if they have one of these Sandy Candy stands. It was definitely a hit with the kids!

After the girls were done making their sand art, we made our way to the food area and eventually back home. It was too hot to be out there any longer than we already were. You can see how flushed and sweaty the girls were getting just sitting there in the shade.

We have been super busy around here. We have done some fun day trips and activities with the kids, but I am a little backed up with photos and posts. I am hoping to get everything caught up soon. I still have beach photos to go through. I wish there were more hours in the day, I could certainly use them:)

I also wanted to say thank you for all the encouraging comments and emails in regards to Monday's post. It made me feel so much better to hear how many other families have dealt with this and have had such positive outcomes as a result of early intervention. I will keep everyone posted as we go down this path.

~Have a Wonderful Wednesday~

A Girl of Few Words

2011-07-18T05:51:00.001-04:00

As I have mentioned multiple times, when it comes to everything you can experience when adopting a child internationally, we have had what I would consider a pretty easy and smooth transition with Reagan.

I look at those first few days in China with her, and although they were difficult at the time, a few days of grieving is nothing compared to what some children can go through when transitioning from life in an orphanage, to life with a loving family.

Those that are in the adoption community know that it is not uncommon for our children to come to us with bonding and attachment, sensory, and/or developmental issues/delays. Some experience it to the extreme, some have very minor cases, and some never experience any of the above.

During the five years we waited to receive "The Call", I tried to prepare myself for anything and everything that could be on the horizon for our little girl.

I don't want to be that Mom that self diagnoses or marks their child with a disability or syndrome before they know for sure that something exists, but on the other hand, I don't want to be the Mom that is in denial and could be doing somthing for their child when they need it and time is of the essence.

I fully understand that every child develops and progresses at different paces and in their own time. Like most adoptive families, we had Reagan assessed by our doctor as soon as we arrived home. All appeared to be within normal range developmentally and emotionally.

We have continued to monitor things over the last few months and there is one area that is beginning to concern us.......

SPEECH

While congnitively, she is doing extremely well, her language development does not appear to be progressing at all.

We can ask her to do things and tell her to point to people or objects and she will. She can point to her ears, eyes, nose, and mouth when asked where they are located. I know that this is all very good and positive, because this means that she clearly understands what we are saying to her.......but that is where it seems to stop.

Next week she will be 20 months old and the only words that she will say are: Mom, Da Da, Ouch, Hot, and on a very rare occasion, Nick.

Now, there are a few things that I know we need to consider......

A typical 20 month old should have a vocabulary of at least 12-15 words.

I don't know that I would consider Reagan a typical 20 month old because for the first 11 months of her life, she only heard people speak in Mandarin.

Secondly, she is the youngest of three children and we tend to dote on her. The minute she whimpers, points, whines, or cries, she not only has two parents, but two older siblings jumping to get her what she needs. We are now trying to be cognisant of our actions. If she points to something, we don't just get up and get it for her. We say "Do You Want ____?" We repeat the name a few times putting emphasis on whatever it is, stating it and showing her what it is, then we hand it to her.

I have really watched her closely the last two weeks and she when she wants something, no matter what it is, she says "mom"...... I am assuming she is doing this in order to get my attention to bring her what she wants.

Our last visit to the doctor was for a check up in May. At that time I expressed my concerns and he told me not to panic, but to keep an eye on things and if we did not see any big improvement by her next visit at 24 months we would definitely test her. Then he added...... if a few months go by and you don't see any improvement whatsoever, give me a call and we will go from there.

She is a very smart little girl and I know she understands us. She has her own way of expressing what she wants or needs(I wouldn't necessarily call it sign language, but there are a few gestures that she uses for certain things)without words so we can understand her, but if there is more that we can be doing for her, than I want to start now.....instead of a few months from now.

Both Nick and Sarah were what I consider early talkers, so I have struggled trying to measure what is considered normal and what is considered delayed. I am also trying very hard not to compare Reagan with other children, but it is hard not to.

Recently, I have had conversations with other adoptive parents who traveled around the same time we did and adopted children the same age or even younger than Reagan and they tell me that their children are already linking words together.

I don't want to jump the gun, but I can't ignore the nagging feeling in my gut. I think I am ready to make that call to the doctor and see if we can have her tested now, instead of later.

Black and White Wednesday - "Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Two Cuties in the Tub"

2011-07-13T00:00:00.013-04:00

The weather has been relentless here, as it is in a good part of the country right now. The heat and humidity is unbearable and we really have not been able to enjoy our evenings outside with the kids.

The girls wanted to go in the baby pool the other night, but between the heat and the bugs, I could not tolerate being out there, so I posed an alternative to them and they were ALL OVER IT!

Sarah was pretty spoiled before Reagan came along and often got to take a dip in "Mommy's big tub with the motor".

She was beyond excited as if that big smirk on her face does not say it all.

Bubbles were a must according to Sarah and we had to give her LOTS OF THEM.

Reagan was a little overwhelmed at first by the rising bubbles and the flow of the jets. This was her first real swim in Mommy's tub:)

I was not so sure she was really digging it in the beginning, but she seemed to be content to play under the faucet as long as I left the water running.

Eventually, I had to turn the water off and the jets too. Once they were off, she became as crazy as her sis.....

and that is when the bubbles starting flying EVERYWHERE!

She looks like she has gone a couple rounds, but in the end, she won the battle of the bubbles and has now jumped on the bubblebath bandwagon with Sarah!

There is no going back to their regular bathtub now.
It looks like I will be sharing my jacuzzi tub with both of the girls.

As a side note, for those that are interested, these photos were taken at 7pm.
The sun was beaming in the big windows above the tub. I pulled the shades all the way up and let the natural light pour in.