Now all three of us have ridden a camel!

We met some friends at the Zoo ... and not "our" Zoo so we had little idea what was in store for us. When we arrived we grabbed a map and started walking around. The kids of course started the day running through the mist showers that were everywhere, eating a snack and having us buy them something to drink.

After we saw a few animals...and yes, the African Wild dogs were asleep... we spotted the camels. There were three big ones and one really cute baby one. Garrison (who is 8 yrs old) said he wanted to ride so Annslee headed to pet the baby one. I was telling her all about how Mama and Daddy had ridden a camel before when we were in Africa. I told her how Daddy's camel wasn't very nice and tried to bite him. Suddenly, she proceeds to go over to the place where you get on the camels..she pointed and said "Anns" I couldn't believe what I was hearing so I asked her if she wanted to ride and she said yes and cheered. I paid the $3 and thought I would be coming back for a refund...well, I was wrong! She jumped up there and never looked back. I do admit I got pretty nervous because it was a really tall camel LOL

*I was pretty far away so you can click on any photo or collage to see better

After the ride she hugged and kissed the camel goodbye...I know, yuck! Then we went to look at the penquins. On the way we tried again to get a photo of Annslee and Garrison together...this was the best we could do

The baby zebras were really cute and we watched them for a while. The second photo is her reaction to the gorilla picking his nose and then..well, you know : ( She got one of those pennies you crush and have an animal on it and she was showing it to the monkey and I think he wanted to eat it. Finally, we were resting and she said "Mama" and obviously thought I should take her picture.

I bought a carousel token eventhough I know she usually won't ride it without me on there in a choke hold. She chose the red panda and I thought was going it alone (she did ride a camel earlier ....) but no, I had to ride too. I will say she is getting better and I was able to just stand there without her grabbing me...I really can't figure this one out ??

After lunch we passed the camels again and these boys handed her some watermelon to feed to the baby camel. I then bought some feed and she loved it eating out of her hand...it tickled : )
It was hot, late and naptime....and she was still being silly!

VBS

I realized I never posted any photos from our Vacation Bible School experience. We had a great time and she loved being around other kids. I took a ton of photos because we made little photo albums for all the parents at the end of the week. A lot of the ones I have of Annslee are kind of blurry because she was jumping around so much during Rally time!

We are out of town right now and I didn't bring my memory card reader so I can't download any new photos. I will tell you she rode a camel...so stay tuned for those pics.

In the meantime..enjoy these from a few weeks ago : )

Here we are in our matching shirts!

Our neighbor AJ was in our class and they spent a lot of time together. Each morning they started out by rocking the babies in the room. Oh, and this picture of her praying just melts me : )

Going out anyone?

Yesterday she wanted to "go shopping" so I snapped this cute one of her at the door


I was noticing how easily she can reach the door handle and it reminded me of this photo from last summer.

She actually can reach the deadbolt too so time to put the kiddie proof handle on the front door! One thing that hasn't changed is her love for going outside but now she could actually do it on her own if I am not careful.

They grow up so fast.....

..and the memories come flooding back

Here it is again..the weekend I look forward to and dread at the same time. I grew up walking up the road to our church BBQ each year and my mom was a huge contributor to the success of it. She helped prepare the slaw, potatoes and cornbread. We all hung out the night before with everyone at the "pit" as the pork cooked overnight. We only lived two houses down from the church so it was a fun time. There was music,lots of loud talk and I am sure drinking...and early the next morning the meat had to be pulled and so at around 6 am everyone gathered to do just that.

Each year we went, we ate, we worked and we made memories. After I went away to college and later moved away from home, I still came back each year. Although I had long "outgrown" the small country church, the annual BBQ was home to me..and I knew it meant so much to my mom. All the proceeds went to the cemetery fund and that was a cause she was close to as so many of her family (and of course mine) were buried there. The funny thing is I grew up playing in the cemetery, we played "hopscotch" on the foot stones, we had seances, and played hide n seek. I guess living so close to what we called a "graveyard" made me totally at peace with it and totally unafraid.

The BBQ that is etched in my memory is the one in 2002 which unfortunately was also the last time I saw my mom alive. I don't remember how much time I actually spent with her that night, I don't know what I said, but I do know I said "I love you" before I went home. I was newly married (for only a few weeks) so I imagine I was busy talking to people about that. I really meant to see her soon afterward. We had just returned from our honeymoon in Spain and I had a photo album I put together that I wanted her to see. They had travelled to the same area of Spain years before so I was anxious to "compare notes" with her. I know I talked to her on a Sunday on the way home from the lake...I told her I would see her on Tuesday. I don't remember now why I changed it to Thursday...I really don't. I just know that on Wednesday night I got a call that would shake me to the core. My dad came home from work and found my mom on the kitchen floor. She died suddenly from a brain aneurysm and I was left wondering why I hadn't seen her in a few weeks. It took me a long time to deal with the regret of that two day change of plans decision....

So this weekend we went to the BBQ as usual and it was so fun watching Annslee run around, laugh and "shop" at the country store like I used to. I somehow now think it is fitting that I saw my mom last in this place that meant so much to her....I only wish she could have met her grand daughter..they would have been big buds!

Golfing with daddy (and Dora)

As per our usual Saturday fare...golf and the pool. We headed out early to hit the course so we could get the pool in ahead of the rain. She had on a baby golf dress I bought her while we were waiting for our referral and it was so sweet on her



Mama...are you coming??


YAY!!! I made a hole in one!

As you can see Dora went along .... hey, she didn't want to miss out afterall

Now come on Dora...you need to concentrate

She had daddy's club in this photo and it is so sweet. Daddy tells her to "clap" her hands together...this is her interpretation. I know it looks like she is praying...hey, maybe she is : )

This is the look she gave daddy when he said "we don't want to go swimming, do we??" Really, daddy would love not to go. There is nothing he dislikes more than water (well, the pool, lake or ocean that is) However his wife and daughter LOVE it so he is stuck ; )

*We of course went to the pool but I was too busy enjoying to take pictures

Hmmm...interesting...then on to the Zoo

We had plans to meet friends at the zoo this morning and at 9 am she was still asleep. Finally I went upstairs and couldn't believe my eyes....I looked in the crib and there she was...sans clothes! I did take a photo but didn't feel comfortable posting it..believe me, it is funny..Elmo and Austin (the Backyardigan) look shocked LOL I looked around and there was her pullup (still not safe to go without at night) and her nightgown thrown across the room. I don't know how long she had been like this but she thought she was just hillarious : )

We got dressed and headed to the Zoo. We had friends in town earlier in the week and they brought her a little clouded leopard in a hot pink purse. She thought it would be a good idea to take it to the zoo today to meet the REAL clouded leopard which is her favorite animal currently.


Hey baby leopard..wanna go see a big one??

Let me give you a big hug first

Well, one was asleep and one was hiding...but she showed her baby just the same : )

I thought she looked so cute checking out the geese and goslings..she however just wanted to be left alone. I snapped a few then you will see I got "the look" and finally she just walked away

Baby leopard got hungry and needed a snack on a bamboo leaf...yes, I know we shouldn't pick them but she is two and did it anyway.... we have a backyard full of bamboo if they want it : )

We tried to get a picture of Lucas and Annslee together but it was difficult...until we gave them ice cream!!

*I just went upstairs b/c I heard her (she should be napping) and yes, she was without clothes again!!! What is this about??

First Day of SUMMER!!! (updated)

*Daddy came to the pool...worth coming back to see : )

Happy First Day of Summer everyone!!!! Although we have been having lots of summertime fun for a couple of months it is officially here. Today the high is 92 so we will enjoy that while we can (it will be 98 on Sunday) We decided to celebrate by hitting the pool .... shocker I know!

This morning she threw on a shirt and headband but no shorts. I guess she was trying to make a fashion statement...not sure what kind ; )






I convinced her that she needed to change for the pool and she gladly obliged!






She has asked me several times if Dora could go swimming with her. Well, I finally gave in even though she is not "made" for the pool. After we ate lunch she decided Dora needed to rest with her for a minute.




She even tried to share a grape with her



I was right about poor Dora..now her head is filled with water but who cares. She LOVED having Dora jump off the side to me and then she would jump in right behind. She has informed me that Daddy is taking her back to the pool when he gets home from work. I hope he is ready to catch both of them!

Daddy time!!...CATCH ME!!!!

One for the baby book!!

I sometimes have to sit back in awe of what a two year old considers a major accomplishment, funny or exciting. Annslee of course has met many major milestones in that last 19 months we have known her. We have witnessed her taking her first steps, seeing the ocean for the first time, saying her first words (in English), swimming, riding a tricycle, potty training, etc...
This morning I was able to witness another "first" She realized she could stop and start her pee pee stream. She would yell "stop" and then laugh and start it again. She has done this each time she has gone to the potty today and finds it just as funny as the first time she did it. Oh, the joy of being TWO!

This picture is not from today (it was taken in October 2006) but it was the only potty photo I had : )




*my apologies to those who may think this is TMI ; )

Playgroup fun

We had our Monday playgoup at the fountains and the weather didn't want to cooperate at first. Actually the threat of rain may have helped us because it wasn't crowded at all! The kids ran, splashed, giggled and generally had a great time.

Our attempt at a group photo..Annslee did not want to do the photo and only agreed to smile b/c I promised her some more Spicy Cheese Its as a reward..my girl, "will work for food"

Some silly girls sitting in the water

My water girl had a great time of course!

After 2 1/2 hours it was time to go...she cried (a kind of fake one) and was telling me she did not want a nap. She was asleep before we got out of the parking lot!!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!! We had a pretty low key weekend..which was nice : ) On Saturday we went to the pool and then I got Daddy's gifts together (with help of course) After they we in the bags Annslee decided she couldn't wait until the next day to hand them out!


We have a panda puppet we got at a little shop in Guangzhou and she has discovered that Daddy is really good with it. He does a little rap song while she dances along. It is really funny to watch and I have the video to prove it!

Here she is giving gifts a day early ... he got a frame with three photos of guess who??

She was really excited to show him his new watch...

She later came around the corner with her "tennis look"

This morning we had no more gifts to give out but I think Daddy was happy just having her in his arms

At brunch I tried to get her to pose for a picture with Daddy but she didn't want to and we all know a 2 year old cannot be made to do much of anything

I did at least catch them both looking my way as she pulled leaves from the trees
It was a great weekend and we are so blessed to have each other. Happy Father's Day to all the daddies who have their children home and those still waiting.

Those bad dogs!

I know you are all surprised..but we went to the Zoo today! We decided to go to the African Wild Dogs first hoping they would be active...they were asleep!! Annslee was not happy about this and only the promise of baby cougars got her back in the stroller.

This picture came out kind of fuzzy b/c I was walking behind her when I took it but I just thought it captured her pure joy about being at the Zoo, being Two and who knows what else : )

The first picture is her reaction to the dogs being asleep...AGAIN!! As you can see, they had fun anyway : )

Before going to the Elephants we stopped at the rain room because we were hot. Earlier in the day I had mentioned to Jenny that I brought a change of clothes but didn't really know why. I was mainly complaining about my stroller being stuffed and probably not needing most of it. Then at lunch I got mustard on Annslee's top and put club soda on it b/c I was afraid it would stain. Well, I shouldn't have bothered with the club soda...I guess I grabbed that dress for a reason....

Here they are before the "incident"

I turned to get something out of the stroller and heard Jenny say "ummmm Mama...." Even before I turned around I knew it couldn't be good... I looked and there she stood, covered in mud. Apparently she was running or dancing..who knows...and slipped. She didn't cry but she was just standing there motionless (sorry, didn't think to take a pic and Jenny felt too sorry for her) We sent them on to the Elephants and we headed to the bathroom to take a "bath " in the sink. She LOVED it!!!! I am just hoping she doesn't do it on purpose next time just so she can play in the sink again

After her bath we changed clothes and headed to the Elephants... good thing I grabbed that dress!

Adoption isn't for everyone

On the street I saw a small girl cold and shivering in a thin dress, with little hope of a decent meal. I became angry and said to God: "Why did you permit this? Why don't you do something about this?For a while God said nothing, then he replied: "I certainly did something....I made you."


I don't remember where I saw the quotation above but I have always loved it. I see children all over the world who need loving families and I so want to help all of them. It has taken me a while to realize that everyone is not meant to adopt a child. I remember when people would talk about infertility and wanting a baby my thinking was always, "then adopt" but I have been told numerous times that adoption may not be the way everyone wants to grow their family. Then there are those who are busy raising all the children they plan to have, are older and their children are out of the house, or those who don't plan to have children.

However, there are children all over the world who need love, care and a family. With that in mind and knowing that everyone is not running out to put a dossier together, I present an opportunity to help. Below I have posted sponsorship programs for orphans that we are involved in.

Bring Hope is a sponsorship program through CHI, who we used for our China adoption. We sponsor a little boy from Guizhou and it is easy and wonderful. We are able with a minimal amount of money and time to give him medical care, supplies for school , etc.. Actually, they have programs for various countries and not just China.

Grace & Hope has started programs in Guangxi and Hubei. Recently they added Qichun, which is Annslee's orphanage, to their Hubei list. I thought it was so wonderful that we could actually sponsor a child from Annslee's birth town. Their main focus is getting all children into foster care and helping their special needs children get the care they need.

Our agency for Vietnam works with Catalyst Foundation and they also have a sponsorship program for children there. They provide medical assistance and educational opportunities for homeless children in Vietnam.


Amy Eldridge, of Love Without Boundaries, posted this prayer to the China Trip group and I saw it on another blog where the author suggest hugging your children a wee bit tighter tonight... and let your heart lead you.

We pray for the children
who sneak popsicles before supper,
who erase holes in math workbooks,
who can never find their shoes.

And we pray for those
who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,
who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,
who never "counted potatoes,"
who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,
who never go to the circus,
who live in an X-rated world.

We pray for the children
who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,
who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.

And we pray for those
who never get dessert,
who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,
who watch their parents watch them die,
who can't find bread to steal,
who don't have rooms to clean up,
whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,
whose monsters are real.

We Pray for the Children
who spend their allowance before Tuesday,
who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food,
who like ghost stories,
who shove dirty clothes under the bed,
who never rinse out the tub,
who get visits from the tooth fairy,
who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,
who squirm in church and scream in the phone,
whose tears we sometimes laugh at and
whose smiles can make us cry.

And we pray for those
Whose nightmares come in the daytime,
Who will eat anything
Who have never seen a dentist,
Who aren't spoiled by anybody,
Who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
Who live and move, but have no being.
We pray for the children
Who want to be carried, and for those who must,
Who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.

We pray for those children that we smother with kisses,
and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

adapted from a prayer by Ina Hughes

Here is the cutie from Guizhou we sponsor. Quankai will be five in August and he loves to dance, sing and draw..sounds like a little girl I know : )