About our Journey

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Lee and Tami have been married for 22 years. We have two daughters the old fashion way, Savannah is our oldest daughter, she is 23. Alyx, our second daughter is 17. And we have five children via God's gift of adoption, Graci, who came home from China to join our family in 2007, is 7, and Dax, who came home from Guatemala in 2007 to join our family, is 6. Thad and Kamby joined our family in Dec. 2009 from Ethiopia. They are both 4 years old. Susi, our latest addition, came home from China(Aug. 2011) is 6 years old.Now we are on our way back to China to bring home our precious 3 year old son, JJ.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

March Birthday Madness

 Mommy and Graci had so much fun getting mani/pedis together for Graci's 6th birthday!
I notice a resemblance. 
 Is Susi always smiling? Yes, yes she is! Whether it is a ball or a piece of ribbon, this girl is always happy and grateful for it!
 The Very Hungry Caterpillar -created by Alyx for Thad's 3rd birthday.
 Opportunity to get a family pic and update ages.
Happy birthday to Thaddeus Joel! 
 Blow out your candles!
 Happy birthday boy going to bed in his big boy firetruck bed. He just moved out of his crib a week before turning 3. He is thanking Jesus for his birthday and for his spongebob. Grandma got him two Spongebobs and they top the list of his favorite gifts.
 Graci and Dax
 Susi painting her flower pot at Graci's birthday party. (Told you, she is always happy!)
Flower pot painting 
 Digging for bugs
 Found some!
 Planting seeds in the painted flower pots.
 Graci and her dirt cake - created by Alyx for Graci's 6th birthday.
Happy birthday to Graci! 
 My sweet 6 year old!
 Thad enjoyed eating and playing with his dirt cake.
 The dirt cake was a big hit! Cousin Serenity and Kamby.
Kamby sending a quick text about the party!

What a fun weekend celebrating our beautiful son and daughter! It is hard to believe that my little princess Graci Jia is 6 already. She is missing two teeth and almost has her perm teeth back in. We always stand in awe of what a gracious, sweet, nurturing, loving sister and little girl she is. She loves to learn and is impressing us with her reading ability. So blessed to have our precious Graci Jia!
It seems like just a minute ago we brought home our very fragile, sick, tiny little Thaddeus Joel. Now, just like that he is 3 years old. He is the most precious, sweet, loving little guy. His curious and get-into-trouble spirit makes our lives full of fun, adventure, and pure joy! Everything my little man does, brings a smile to my face as I see his sweet, curious, innocent thoughts behind it. As he is talking in full sentences now and using such emotion words, I am reminded at what a big boy he is becoming. I sure miss my little needy baby but I sure enjoy my little man! 
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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

A Day At Disney!

 This is the view in our van from the front seat. On our way to Disneyland!
As soon as we entered the park, Mickey was there to greet us! Susi was about to bust with excitement! Notice that Daddy, Kamby, and Alyx are not in the pic. As soon as we had parked the van we realized that we left the diaper bag at the hotel. So, Daddy had to go back to get it while me and the kiddos walked to the park. Kamby would not even go near Mickey without Daddy so she is actually sitting in the stroller right in front of us, screaming! I don't know why Alyx didn't get in the pic, I think she was comforting Kamby. 
First on the agenda -meeting princesses! Waiting with anticipation! 
First princess - Belle - Kamby's favorite, she ran right up to hold her hand for the picture. Graci was so excited, which means she was very nervous as well, so she is squeezing Dax's hand. She always holds onto Dax (her security blanket) when she is excited. 
 Second princess - Ariel -Graci was feeling more comfortable and held her hand. Susi was thrilled to hug every princess. She just spent the day with a full smile on her face!
Third princess - Tiana - Kamby is showing Tiana her hair. Then Kamby tells her "I have two ponytails and you only have one." You can't see from the back of his head but Thad is standing in completely awe. He is lovestruck!
Thad ran right up to hold her hand! 
 Thad's dream has been to ride a choo-choo train! When he saw a train right outside the princess faire there was no controlling him jumping on. We rode it all away around the park and he still did not want to get off.
 Dax is charming Rapunzel! He is quite lovestruck here!
 This was the highlight of most every one's day, meeting Rapunzel! The five next to her just enjoyed her and loved meeting her. The one on the floor had a blast wrapping himself up in her hair. This pic doesn't capture it but by the time we left we had to 'untangle' him!
 Another train, so my boy is happy!
 Dax and Alyx are just getting into Star Wars, so it was fun for them to go on Star Tours and to Jedi training. Alyx had tapped the stormtrooper on the shoulder and he turned around like this. It was funny!
Then he let her pose with him. 
 Going into the Buzz Lightyear ride. The smile on Dax's face when he saw the mechanical Buzz was priceless. Complete joy in his eyes!
 At the end of the day when I asked Dax what will he always remember about our trip to Disneyland, he answered, "Riding the rocket ships with my daddy, we went the fastest with my daddy, and high up!"
 
This was Kamby every time Daddy went on a ride without her. She didn't want to go but she didn't want Daddy to go either. 
 Our family waiting for the parade to start. The parade was every one's favorite part of the day except for Dax. He fell asleep right before it started and even though it was extremely loud, he did not wake up. During the parade Ariel blew a kiss directly to all the girls and they felt so special. Also, it was the only time they got to see Minnie Mouse which is who Susi really wanted to see. Susi sat in her chair during the whole parade and waved like a princess to everyone.
 As long as Daddy stayed this close, Kamby was this happy!
Graci really wanted to see Minnie's house but as soon as we got there, they closed it. It was very sad. But, we went to Mickey's house and she thought that was cool. So we took a girl picture by Minnie's mailbox.

At the end of the day everyone was happy and counted the day as a success! No meltdowns, not even mommy! And everyone had special memories to share and talk about.
Alyx- getting to take her little brother on Star Tours, Space Mountain, and share Jedi training with him; and getting a  picture with Rapunzel.
Graci -meeting her favorite princess Ariel and her favorite ride was Buzz Lightyear.
Dax - (I shared it above) plus getting to do all the stuff with Alyx; and meeting Rapunzel.
Susi - Everything! but especially meeting Ariel and Rapunzel; her favorite ride was the flying elephants.
Thad -riding a choo choo train and riding the rockets with Daddy.
Kamby -meeting Belle and Rapunzel and taking a nap.
Posted by PicasaOur whole family really enjoyed It's A Small World!
It was so precious to see the looks on all the kids faces as they saw or we pointed out their birth country. We rode through China, Latin America, and Africa. When we rode through America I said, "Alyx there is your birth country" she just rolled her eyes at me, then the kids were all excited that we went through Alyx's as well.  It was so fun to have a little bit for each of them to see and remember.