handsful

I believe you pronounce that something like “gong, she, fa, chai”

Happy Chinese New Year! We have lanterns hung, we’ve read our CNY books, and tonight we celebrated with friends. Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China, and lasts this year from January 23rd – February 6th. Because we’re blessed with our sweeties from China, it’s important for us to celebrate the holidays of their heritage. Not to mention it’s just plain fun.

We live near Davidson College, and their Asian Culture and Awareness Association sponsored a wonderful CNY event tonight. We gathered at the Student Union and were treated to some yummy Chinese food, a great program full of dancers and other entertainment, the traditional dragon dance, and some amazing fireworks!

Mia, Anna, Dylan, and Lainey

We had a nice view of the entertainment from the second floor.

When the dragons and their…uh…helper came upstairs, the little kids clung hard to us!

Mia, Hollyn, Dylan, Anna, and Lainey….we decided to pose all of our Chinese kiddos and look what we found? A Red Couch! (quick note for those that don’t know…it’s a tradition in China to pose all the newly adopted children on the red couches at the White Swan hotel)

After all the fun indoors, we headed out into the COLD to watch a fireworks display. CNY always ends with fireworks! I’ve never been that close to fireworks before, it was just amazing…

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Our sweet Lainey made a decision tonight…

One that she’s been working on for a while now. She’s been asking lots of questions about Jesus and heaven lately. Tonight she asked if she would live in heaven one day. I explained that everyone who asks Jesus into their heart will live in heaven one day and when she was ready to talk about what that meant, her daddy and I would love to. A minute or so later she whispered to me “I think I’m ready right now”.

So, her daddy and I sat down with her and shared the wonderful gospel story with her…she knew some of it, and seemed to really understand the gift that Jesus gave to us – his life and our salvation.

So, heaven rejoices tonight because our little girl asked Jesus to be her savior! Oh, she was so happy, grinning from ear to ear with her adorable squinty-eyed smile! We ran downstairs for her to tell the big kids, and there were hugs all around.

Parenting isn’t always the easiest job in the world, but tonight…it was the very best job.
God Bless you, Lainey girl!

It’s birthday party time for our Lainey-girl and it’s a Princess theme…she was instructed to come all dressed up, so we obliged.

She found this gown in the dress up box. It’s got some age, but she couldn’t care less. This has been through Abbey and Marley, so I love that she’s now wearing it.

I made the mistake of telling Lainey about the party a week ago. She’s talked nearly non-stop about it since then.

How many night nights till the party?? What should I wear??? Which princess should I be?? When can we go shopping for her present?? Can we wrap her present now??? How many night nights again??

I’ve learned my lesson. She’ll get maybe a 2 day heads-up next time.

It was raining tonight, so Payton whisked her to the van quickly. Asian hair curls just fine, but it doesn’t stay too long and I worried the rain/humidity would immediately straighten it!

When I picked her up, her curls were just about gone but her smile wasn’t. She had a wonderful time being treated like a princess.

Our very own goofy Princess Lainey

* Since I’m off FB for awhile, I’m noticing that status’ pop into my head regularly. A sign I was on it too much? Perhaps. But, I can honestly say I’ve not missed it like I thought I would.

* Chocolate and tea, I’m missing. In the mornings, I’m substituting hot water with fresh squeezed lemon and a little sugar. It’s not bad, but it’s not my tea.

* Payton and I also did a Daniel Fast together last week for 3 days. No meats, dairy, preservatives, breads, or sugars. We survived on things like brown rice, fruits, veggies, natural peanut butter, nuts and lots of water. In the future, we’ll spend more time preparing for it so we can pull together some tastier recipes. It was a humbling experience, helping us realize how spoiled we are with the huge variety of foods that are readily available to us. My rumbling stomach reminded me to thank God for his love and provision. And, it also helped to stretch both of us a bit, in finding foods that we wouldn’t normally eat – some of which are new favorites (have you tried the 100% fruit leathers at Trader Joes?!?)

In other news…

* Sometimes a GPS doesn’t even know where it’s going, which is bad for this directionally-challenged mom.

* I need about a week with NOTHING to do so I can catch up on all the books I’ve started and not finished. Like that’s gonna happen…

* Just when you think you have all your ducks in a row, they suddenly all break out of line. Last Wednesday was one of those days.

* Today was a good day for the ducks.

* I’m stretched thin most days, with a crammed full schedule. But, I love my life.

* Waiting is hard, I don’t care who you are.

* But, the wait can be extremely rewarding. More on this soon ;)

The youth pastor at church asked if we’d host a middle school event at our house. We said yes.

About 20 teens ~ board games, snacks, polar bear antics, charades, and football

Here’s the day ~ in pictures

We love hanging out with these teens…

Before we headed home from FL last week, we had to make a quick stop to have breakfast with friends.

Dylan’s BFF, Hope, lives in Orlando so we met at a breakfast place to eat, talk, and hang out with friends we all wish lived closer (hint, hint Amy…)

In the past, Hope has been a little hesitant about hugging Dylan, but this time she met us at the door (after her mom said she called out “it’s my Dylan!”) and gave him an immediate squeeze. Suhweet!

Dylan grudgingly ate most of his breakfast quickly, and then headed off the play. They were all over that play place.

There were lots of requests for posing…

Even for the moms, in this shamefully blurry photo.

Despite the approximately 9 hours between us, we WILL find ways to get these kiddos together…every chance we get. :)

Dog crate in family room (not usually…)
Kids find a creative use for metal rings and clippies
Timed to see how long it takes them to get out
Marley doesn’t let playtime keep her from finishing her writing assignment

I walked in on this one
Payton was involved with the making of it…surprise

I love my crazy kids