New and Improved

Well, here it is...our extreme blog makeover!

You'll still get the same adorable girls...
The same emotional posts...
The same plethera of pictures...
The same wit...

It will just all be in a prettier package!

A HUGE thank you goes to Tina at www.thestoryofyou.com ! Check out her creative designs and follow family journeys!

Off to another busy week! Stay tuned!

P.S. Want to reconnect with your spouse? Skip date night, forget the movies...just wash dishes together. We did that tonight! I forgot how much some uninterrupted time doing something rather mundane can really get us to focus on each other. It was nice! (Still thankful we have a dishwasher though!!)

The smell of fresh cut grass....

So wrap your mind around this one...

Tony and I took the girls for a walk around the 'hood tonight in their wagon. We were super pumped because it was warm enough for them to wear their new flip flops! (Their toes are cute enough to EAT, I swear!) Anyway, after huffing and puffing pulling all 75 pounds of Radio Flyer and twins, we decided to take the top off the Jeep and take a short drive.

While Tony was taking the Jeep apart, I took the girls out of the wagon. Because our girls are Chinese hillbillies, they had taken off their adorable little flops within two minutes of being in the wagon. So when I picked them up, I just plopped them in the grass until I could load them in the Jeep.

Well, one day last week Laney got to touch the grass with her bare feet and it lasted like a nanosecond before she howled. I wondered what this experience would bring. After I set them down, they both stood stock still like statues. They weren't whining yet, but they weren't lovin' it either.

I immediately took off my flops and tried to make it a game. I talked about how it felt on their toes and between their toes. I talked about how cold it was, etc. Then I pretended like they were trying to get me and I was trying to get away. (Yeah, right, they were frozen solid) Well, it finally worked...Abby stretched her toes out and grinned. Took a step and giggled. Her smile was priceless. Laney followed suit once she knew the grass didn't eat Abby's feet after a step or two. I'm proud to say they took three whole steps before they freaked and wanted, "Up beease"!

So imagine that...two years and 3 months old and experiencing the feel of grass on your bare feet for the very first time. The girls have had many, many firsts and many emotions associated with each one (swinging, um, yeah, wow). But this one really struck me. I'm so sad that they haven't had that experience. I'm so sad that they're scared to feel it. However, I am elated that we got to share that with them though. My goal is to have them chasing lightning bugs barefooted by July.

Just thought I'd share another first with you...I had to choke back tears and laughter all at once.

God is good...all the time...

P.S. Still no word on Grissom :(

P.S.S. Don't forget to look at our cuties on Tony's post below!

The UPDATE

Hello. First, Grissom is still missing. We received a few calls, but they turned out to be a different cat. Please keep praying we find the fat furry little guy.

Well, I am going to provide an update that covers several weeks of updates. We have had many firsts, a ton of fun and cannot wait for more! The girls are growing and learning more and more every day. They have put on some weight, grown an inch or two and are speaking unbelievably well.

Below you will find their first day in the snow (yes, I am going a ways back). Neither were too excited about the snow, but seemed to have a good time towards the end.

Just a week or two after the snow, we began to experience warm weather. Here are photos from the first trip to the park near our house.

Another fun day was spent at the Children's Museum. Here the girls check out the underside of an old car...pretty cool.

Another fun trip was to the Indianapolis Zoo! Our friends Brian and Nancy were nice enough to ask us to join them for a day a the zoo (THANKS BRIAN AND NANCY). We had a great time! We look forward to many more trips to the zoo.

The girls and their friend Morgan watch creatures that lurk in the sea.Abby and her new found buddy, a penguin.

The next new adventure is the backyard. Aunt Robin gave the girls Jarrett's playset. THEY LOVE IT!!!! THANKS AUNT ROBIN!!!

And we swapped Jeeps. The girls call it the "NEEWWW JEEP".
Thanks for checking in on us. More updates will come later.

Still no word....

We haven't heard anything on Grissom. We put posters up, put and ad in the newspaper, called all of the shelters, and walked and driven miles. We have yet to hear one single word about our poor, missing Grissom. We are SO blessed though, because we have friends and family just as concerned as us! Every day someone emails or asks if we have found him. We have also had friends and family peruse town looking for him. If he only knew the many miles that have been trekked and minutes that have been spent searching for him. He definitely wins the prize for best hider in the game of hide and seek.

Thank you so much for your prayers, thoughts and concerns. If you forget what he looks like, scroll down and check out his cute picture. Some people think it is silly to be this concerned over our kitty, but they don't understand how important he was to us before the girls came home. Not-to-mention how important he is to the girls now. They ask about him often.

Thanks again...hopefully our next post will be with some good news!

Grissom is Missing....

Our little kitty (ok, he's huge and 3 years old) is missing.
I noticed Thursday night (about 10:30 pm) that he must have gotten in a
fight b/c he had a horrible gash in his lower cheek/upper neck. A
huge chunk of fur was missing and he looked really raw underneath.
Well, yesterday Tony got a good look at it today, he said we
definitely should take him to the vet.

We got an appointment for 3:45 yesterday. On the way, we dropped off the girls
at my mom's and then stopped by my sister's to get a crate. In the
process of putting him in the crate, he escaped. He shot out and
took off like a rocket. This all happened in Fountain City...so unfamiliar territory for him. :( We looked for over two hours and then off
and on all night. Upon arriving back home, Laney kept
asking where Grissom was. She looked under the seats in the car
(where he was on the way to the vet) and in our garage. It's just
heartbreaking.

So I'm asking for prayers for our little kitty. He's lost, alone,
and very hurt. We have already put up flyers and asked all around
the area where he was last spotted. Tony even went again last night to look. He thought in the dark he might spot his eyes. Poor
Grissom.

I know there are more pressing matters. But this little guy helped
us during our wait for our girls. He's one of our first kids!! (Fur
babies)

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers....

HOLY COW, WE WON!

So I got an email this morning that I won a free blog make-over!!! No, this isn't a phony website hoax. A fellow FTIA adoptive family runs a website www.thestoryofyou.com
and she hosts adoption journeys. She was running a contest in April for a free blog make-over and WE WON!!!!!

When I entered, I never thought we'd win! But, entering the contest gave me the idea to at least try and figure out a new blog name. (I like our current one too, but wanted something that could grow with us...IF we choose to grow!)

I was just wanting to change the blog name to jazz up our, otherwise, boring blog but NOW....YAY! The whole thing is going to get jazzed up! YAY, YAY, YAY! Can you tell I'm pumped?

Nothing will change (blog address, losing content, etc.) but it will look WAY better! We haven't figured out what design we want to go with yet, and I'm not sure how long it takes Tina to get it up and running. So in the mean time, you'll still see green polka-dots, and my lame attempt at color by using the tickers. But oh, baby, changes are a comin'!

Love the name ideas so far too...keep them rollin' in!

The Contest

And for you Seinfeld fans....it's NOT the same KIND of contest....:)

I want to change our blog name...I think...that IS if I can come up with something funny/catchy/witty/cute. Tony doesn't have an opinion, at least I don't think he does.

I like the idea of a play on twins, two, etc. An example would be Twindom instead of Kingdom...but Twindom what? Twindom Tired, where Abby and Laney reign supreme? Does anyone have a good idea? If we can't drum one up, no worries...our cute little title will stay, but everyone likes a good change! (Especially if we ever add to our family, the current title won't work!)

So, got any good ideas? Put them in the comments section! Thanks!!!

P.S. We're still working on a for-real post :)

P.P.S. Mom, you're right....happy kids, tired parents!!!! I was so happy as a kid, surely you were worn out!!!!

Still Alive...sort of....

Yep, we're still alive....no, the twins didn't hog tie us and put us in the closet. We are just swamped....sorting through pictures now....will post SOON, I promise...so BACK off Lauren! HA!

Man, we've had lots of fun lately. Can't wait to share!

Stay tuned!!!!

Our Easter Chickadees!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Happy 4 Months...um, yesterday

I didn't want anyone to think we missed our family's four month anniversary together! I know, I know, it happened yesterday. It has just been a nutso week with Jeeps, and city council, and homegroup, and parent/teacher conferences. We were just flat exhausted last night and didn't get it posted. BUT we DID remember it!!!

Happy 4 month anniversary baby girls! We thank God every day that He chose us to be your parents! We LOVE YOU!!!!!

Ok, now I'm off again...spring break starts in less than an hour! I'll be off to pick up the girls early, YAY! We can't wait to spend some time with them...and do some extra special things with them.

Stay tuned for our Easter/Spring Break updates!

HAPPY 9 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TONY!

Yes, it's true...on this very day nine years ago, I married the love of my life. It was a very cold March day, but fun nonetheless.

Tony and I have fun and frightful memories of our wedding day. We were blessed to have two pastors marry us, Pastor Dave (long-time pastor and friend) and Pastor Rob (long time youth pastor, friend, and counselor). After crying all the way through the rehearsal ceremony (Pastor Rob said that was OK!) I made it through without crying during the real one. (If you don't count when I walked down the aisle with my dad!)

Other than the tears during rehearsal, everything else the night before was wonderful! The yummy food (thanks Belinda!) and the fun Newlywed game (thanks Kyna)! I couldn't have asked for more!

As for our wedding day, our family and friends were there to help us celebrate and we appreciated that so much! The ceremony was fun! Little Dallas (who isn't so little any more) kind of hop/skipped down the aisle as the flower girl. She'd drop a petal and then delicately hop over it. Too cute!

It was also a riot to speed off after the ceremony in mom and dad's Monte Carlo and run through McDonald's drive-thru. (Thanks Mom and Dad--oh, and Robby for driving!)

I do have to thank my bridesmaids too. You girls were so brave to wear those flower-child headbands, and empire style dresses! You rock!!!

Thanks to our parents who endured all the planning and stress. Vegas was a much better idea!

There WERE two frightful parts to that wedding day. Wait, frightful might not be the most accurate adjective. Maybe irritating. The first was that our photographer was really more of a portrait photog, so it took her a blue MILLION years to take our pictures. Note to self, research photogs before getting married again (hehe, kidding honey!) Seriously, we were so late to the reception, my dad was hot, and our guests were leaving!!!

The second was when that, man of God, Pastor Rob, pulled a practical joke on me! He came to me just minutes before the ceremony and said that he was looking at the marriage certificate and found a mistake. He said they had misspelled my middle name (for those of you who know it, you know WHY this would be common). Between my nerves and personality, I immediately became panicked! I said, "Well, what do we do? Does it matter? Can we get it changed?" He calmly replied that no, we couldn't change it because the courthouse was closed on Saturdays. He said we could go through with the ceremony, but we wouldn't legally be married until it was corrected.

I think at this point, he saw the color drain from my freshly made-up face and the tears start to well-up in my eyes. It was at this point he said, "GOTCHA!" and I nearly fainted! Oh, Rob, you won't know when or where, but I WILL get you back!

All of the memories aside, this day, as hectic and dramatic as it was, was the best day of my life. It was the day I truly married my best friend. I am more in love with Tony today than I ever was.

----------------------------------

Tony,

You endured my moods and craziness all through high school. You worked hard throughout college to help establish our lives. You had a plan: college, house, marriage, family. Your plan worked. We grew, and grew-up together. I cannot imagine life without you.

I admire you for your integrity, your love of God, family, and friends. I respect you for your hard work and determination to be the best husband, father/Baba, son, friend, and employee you can be, and for just being you. You challenge me to do and be my best. I want to make you proud. Thank you for sharing the last nine years with me. I am so blessed to be your wife. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

I love you.

Rett

Keeping Busy....

Mama, Enough Pictures Already!!!!!

Thanks for stopping in to check up on us.

We have been busy. The girls keep us very BUSY, but we love every minute of it. They continue to develop their language skills and keep us laughing. For example, Abby was mad at Laney one day and told her to go to "time out, time out". Laney listened and climbed into the time out chair. It was great. A few days later, they broke a plastic bowl (I still cannot figure out how). I asked what happened and Laney immediately said "Abby did it". It was great. We have noticed that Laney does things and frequently blames Abby. They are sneaky little stinkers.

A couple of weeks ago the girls were dedicated at church. Since we pray for our meals and before bed, the girls are used to closing their eyes and putting their hands together for prayer. The dedication prayer was no different and the congregation was full of "aws" when they opened their eyes after the prayer and saw the girls with their heads bowed and eyes closed tight. (there is a cute picture below...and Laney did peek to see if Pastor Dave was finished). After the dedication Robin and Duane were kind enough to open up their home and we all went to their house for desserts and etc... We appreciate all of our family and friends that attended church that night for the the girls, another sign of caring and love for them. We appreciate it.

Last weekend was pretty nice out, unlike this weekend (there will be a separate post about the bad weather). We were able to get the girls bundled up and take a walk around the neighborhood. They loved riding in their big wagon. In fact, they did not want to get out when we returned home. We were worn out. We are used to walking the block around the subdivision, but pulling two little girls in a big wagon is a different story. We know, we are out of shape!!!!

Other exciting news is that there is a new restaurant in our area. It is a Chinese restaurant. We have been there three times in the week and a half they have been open. It is pretty bad that when we went tonight with our friend Rachel, Jason and their son Grant, the lady said to us "three times". Yup, this was our third visit. Regardless, it is nice to have choices on this end of town besides the usual fast food. The ladies that work there like the girls (which is good because the girls are MESSY!!!).

Other than that, life is good (not a plug for my favorite clothing, but if you are interested, their website is www.lifeisgood.com). We cannot wait for warm weather to arrive so that we can play outside with the girls. Robin and Duane have graciously given us Jarrett's outdoor play set (wood with tower, swings and etc...). It will be fun to get that relocated to the backyard for the girls.

Stay tuned for photos of our snowy adventure. Have a great week.

First Dairy Queen Ice Cream, YUMMY!!!!

Our girls....(and check out the pictures on the last post too!)

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Photos from the New Camera...

We purchased a new camera in order to keep up with the girls. Here are a few pictures. Enjoy.

Nothing much....and lots...

Yes, both girls are in their toy basket. Big fun!

So this will just be a quick update of some of our life events...

• The girls got dedicated at Church Saturday night! It was a special time for us. Six months ago we couldn't imagine our lives this full, but Saturday night was the reality. Many of our friends and family came just for the three-minute ceremony. It just proved that our girls be raised by one big, loving village. And we're so thankful! (Thanks to Aunt Robin for hosting a dessert party afterwards at her house! It was perfect!) God is good and we wanted everyone to know that Abby and Laney are not ours, but our Heavenly Father's. Thank you for taking part in that!

• A HUGE THANKS to those of you who donated to the Yifeng SWI snow relief effort! Our girls were at the Yifeng SWI for the first 22 months of their lives and we're so thankful they were taken care of. You all stepped up and help make life even better there! Due to the recent snowstorms, they were without heat and needed to purchase some new heaters. Well, everyone gave above and beyond and they didn't just purchase three new heaters, but SIX new heaters! They were also able to purchase some formula and other necessities. YOU DID THIS! YOU SAVED KIDS' LIVES! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

• We FINALLY got Abby's Certificate of Citizenship corrected, which meant that we could get her SS card. Well, we received it last Thursday (we were getting our taxes done on Friday)! However, the lovely government made yet ANOTHER mistake. Both girls now have the SAME Social Security number!!!!! How frustrating! Thankfully, Tony got in contact with Congressman Pence's office (they offered to help us before---and did, on another occasion) and they are helping us work it out. It might take three weeks, but we'll take it! We know they wouldn't have been quite as apologetic if we called them. THANKS AGAIN to Congressman Pence's office! (Debbie you have been just great!)

• Since we know we'll get a little something back on taxes, we did go ahead and make a family purchase. NO, it wasn't a minivan! It was a nice camera. My mom got us our other digital camera and it has worked perfectly. However, you couldn't adjust the shutter speed and, man, these girls are fast. Tony found a great deal on a Cannon Rebel XT and we LOVE it. We've taken hundreds of pictures already! We just haven't figured out how to download them yet...or upload them, or whatever. So, no pictures from that camera this time. I'm sorry. But just wait until you see some of them. They're amazing!

• Otherwise, life has been great. The girls are growing every day. I am just flat amazed at their vocabulary too. Just when you think they can't communicate with you, they throw out a word like, lid, mickey mouse, house. They're amazing. I'll be sad to start back to work full-time next week.

Ok, that's it for now. I just had to post before I got chastised for the lack of updates! Have a great Tuesday and remainder of the week!

Happy 3 Month Anniversary Girls!

Our beautiful girls...we've been together three months today!

Dear Sweet Abby and Laney,

As of today, you have been with us three whole months! Time has surely flown! It seems as though just yesterday we were nervously sitting in very hard chairs listening to the cries of newly formed families in the Civil Affairs office in China.

We blinked and now we've been together three months! It is amazing that we have only known one another that long. It seems as though we know you inside and out. We know every silly face you make, every squeal or cry, your favorite foods, and can understand almost every word you speak.

Just this week, you have added many new words to your vocabulary. You tell each other, "No, no, no Mei Mei!" and "Help, Baba!" You've also been connecting more words like, "Mama's drink". We're so proud of you!!!

When you were especially quiet this evening, we knew you must have discovered something new. And you did! You are now strong enough to open the refrigerator on your own and get your cups out to drink! This is both scary and exciting at the same time!

You are also learning about thanking Jesus. Before we ate dinner tonight, Abby, you immediately closed your eyes and folded your hands in prayer. We almost forgot to thank Jesus, but YOU reminded us! And you two pray so sweetly before bed that our hearts just overflow with love. We know God is rejoicing in your love as well! WE thank Jesus for YOU!

You have grown too! In China, you were both at 23 pounds. Laney, you now weigh 23.8 pounds, and Abby, you weigh 24.8! You're growing little by little and we LOVE that we get to witness it! We love every single ounce of you!

You make us laugh daily! We swell with pride at each new thing you accomplish, and cry over each fear you overcome. Because we have learned so much about you over the past few months, we're excited to see what the future holds with you!

It's just unreal that God chosen us to be your parents for forever and always. We are blessed beyond measure. Happy Anniversary Baby Girls!

We love you!

Love,
Mama and Baba

Click each column to see our many faces!

Make a postcard - it's easy!

The Girls' Homeland

Ok, friends and family...Laney gave you a little bit of information about the serious situation in China right now. They have been hit by record-breaking snowstorms, and it has brought a lot of the country to a standstill.

Well, today, the information got a little more personal. Our daughters' Social Welfare Institute (orphanage) has been affected greatly. Although Yifeng SWI was not the ideal place for our girls to spend nearly all of their first two years of life, it is those staff members and nannies that kept our daughters alive and loved until they could come home.

We are fortunate to belong to a Yahoo group of families that have children from the Yifeng SWI. One of the mothers took the initiative to find out how severe the situation was for the SWI and contacted Love Without Boundaries (LWB). This is an organization of volunteers in China that works with various SWIs on nutition, medical issues, education, and foster care programs to improve the lives of orphans.

Several of us emailed LWB to find out how serious the situation was and what we could do to help. Below is the reply I received today.

Thank you everyone for your concern for Yifeng. I just received an email from our facilitator in China and Yifeng is in desperate need. They are in one of the worst hit areas. Director Yao has said their solar heaters (for heating water) and all their air conditioners (which are also used for heating) have all broken due to the cold. The normal power supply has not been restored to their area yet but the local government has given the orphanage the highest priority so their lights are on. The local government has also given money for blankets and coats for the children but it wasn’t enough for all the children and the price of formula has jumped 30% . Director Yao has asked for 3 A/C units to keep the children warm as a first priority. The price of the A/C units (wall or tower) are $350-$625 each so we would need between $1050 and $1875 for all 3 units.

Now, a little information about Love Without Boundaries (LWB) and how to donate. LWB is a volunteer organization so 97% of all donations reach the children. Also, all donations are tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt for tax purposes. We can take donations either online or by check.

If you would like to donate online go to www.lovewithoutboundaries.com and click on ‘Donate’; click ‘Other’; enter your information and in the ‘Notes’ section please write ‘Yifeng Orphanage Assistance’.

To donate by check make your check payable to ‘Love Without Boundaries’ and write ‘Yifeng Orphanage Assistance’ on the Memo line. Mail your check to: Love Without Boundaries, 306 S. Bryant St., Ste. C, PMB 145, Edmond, OK, 73034.

Thank you for your help and if you have any questions please feel free to email me at kate.finco@lwbmail.com.

Kate Finco
Director of Special Projects
Love Without Boundaries
www.lovewithoutboundaries.com
'Every Child Counts'


You know where this is headed. First of all, pray. You prayed for our girls and our family so much, and we felt every prayer. I'm asking you to rise up and do that again...but change the direction. Pray for those little babies, and those little toddlers, and those younger children, and the pre-teens, and teens, and nannies, and directors. Pray that they are all able to stay warm. Pray that sickness doesn't overtake the staff or the children. Pray that the little ones that are coming home soon, can do so safely. Pray that those who haven't found forever families thrive well enough to do so. Pray that the directors make wise decisions on behalf of the kids. Pray that everyone at Yifeng have full bellies and warm beds. Simply put. Pray.

Beyond prayer, Kate laid it out how we could donate. I'm amazed at how giving people are...around the holidays. We're included in that. But now is the time to think bigger than yourself. Think outside of Indiana. Think across the world where your granddaughters, neices, cousins, and friends, Abby and Laney, lived. Their best friends are there. Their first caretakers that represent the only love they've felt before all of us are there. They need us now. It doesn't matter how much...just give. You gave so much before and the impact was staggering to our family. Now give again, to make an impact worldwide...in the lives of orphans.

I could go on and on, but I won't. Honestly, it's bigger than me. Jesus challenges us to do this.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Thank you!

Laney's Turn

It's MY turn!

OK, so Mama said that it's my turn to do the post. FINALLY! Get ready, I have a lot to say!

I haven't been feeling so hot this weekend. Well, actually, I have been super hot. I have been running a fever off and on. I'm not sure who to blame. Abby was sick last weekend and is again this weekend. She keeps coughing. Mama has been with some sick kids at her school. And Baba's sick now too. He said he blames Mama for his sore throat and my sickness. It's ok though, we still love her. Besides, it hasn't slowed me down much!

My cool cousin Jarrett spent the night last weekend. He was BIG fun! Here, he pushed me on my trike! I love him so much!

So you want my take on what has been going on around here? Not too much, really. I was doing this "potty" thing for a week or so. It was a hoot. Every 20 minutes or so, Mama or Baba would say, "Potty, Laney?" and of course, I'd echo it back to her (they don't call me a mockingbird for nothing) so then they'd whisk me off to the potty. I'd do my thing, they'd cheer and clap and I'd get some major attention. All for doing that?

Well, things were fine if they'd remind me, but I'm a kid and playing is my job. So I'd be hard at work and forget to mention that I might need to go. That made Mama and Baba frown, but we'd try it again later. I did try to get their attention sometimes though. I'd try to make eye contact and I'd do this thing that I learned in China. I'd drop my right hand down to my side and point at the ground. *shrugs* I'm not sure why they don't understand that motion here. Maybe I'm supposed to TELL them I have to potty. Who knows...they're teaching me so much I get confused sometimes! I'll get it soon!

These are my pretty toes after Mama painted them!

Other than that, we've been hanging out with Jiselle and Jessica in the mornings. I have a really good time there. It takes me a few minutes to warm up to the idea, but once I hear the other girls, I remember how much fun I had there the day before! Those girls are teaching me so much! Their Baba, Jerry, is pretty nice too. He fixes great mini-pancakes! I can't get enough!

Here I am at Chinese New Year in my red gown!

We went to the Chinese New Year party Abby was telling you about. We had a really good time. I ate lots of Chinese food, decorated a mouse cookie (because it's the year of the mouse/rat), practiced my chopstick skills, played with a hula hoop, and tried to hang out with the older girls. I wasn't afraid one bit! Abby had fun too.

We're practicing our chopstick skills on some Apple Jacks. It's harder than it looks!

Everyone kept saying, "Ohhh, the twins!" But I don't see the big deal. I mean, seriously, Abby gets on my nerves sometimes. Especially when she spots the microphone (thanks Lynn) that I wanted first, or takes my chair at our table. I'm trying to be nice though, so if I ever grab a toy she has, I give her something to replace it. See? I try!

Here I am trying to figure out what to give Abby so I can get my hands on that hula hoop!

Abby and I got to go to Mama's school last week too. We got to dress up in our red gowns again. Mama left the squeakers in our shoes too. That's always a hit! The preschool class was taking a trip to China! Now, I don't think it was a real trip, but they were learning a lot about China. They knew more than I did! They said "Happy New Year" in Chinese and counted to seven in Chinese! I just don't understand it here though. Mama and Baba are always trying to get us to speak English and here are some kids learning Chinese. So which is it???

Speaking of, well, speaking...Abby and I have been learning a lot. We are now telling Mama and Baba things without them saying it to us first. I just realized how when I say certain things, it will get me attention or what I wanted. Want to know some of my favorites? "Drink". Yeah, I use that one a lot. I'm one thirsty girl! I still use the sign with it just in case they aren't listening. I also say "cold" a lot because every time we go outside it is SO cold. I have stopped crying when Mama puts me down near the snow now. I know it isn't as scary as I thought it was. But if it's too cold, I still cry...loudly! I hate the cold!

I also use "Varoom" a lot when I'm looking at, watching, riding in, or playing with cars. I love cars. Actually, Abby and I both do. We love watching monster trucks with Baba. It's about the only show we'll sit still for. But I heard a loud varoom the other day and, boy did it scare me. Mama said he was just scraping the ice and snow to the side of the road, but he looked so close to me when I looked out the front window! Bet you can guess what I did...yep, cried. Mama loved on me though and I felt safe again. When he went by later, we all just waved and said "Bye-bye" and it was ok. (As long as I could see Mama, it was ok) Abby, well, she wasn't afraid of him though. She's a pretty brave sister.

Ok, well, I've talked long enough. I better go take my nap. I'm getting pretty sleepy. Please pray to Jesus that Abby and I feel better soon. Also please pray my Baba's throat stops hurting. I miss our play time!

One more thing, will you please pray for my China sisters and brothers that are really cold right now? Lots of snow (yuck) fell in China. More than they've had in a really long time. Places where kids stay to wait on their Mamas and Babas are in a lot of trouble. They can't get the heat to work and they're running out of supplies like food, safe drinking water, and coal. Those are my friends and I want them to be as warm as I am. I know they don't like the cold either.

There's a group called Half the Sky that works with nannies to help them take better care of us. They also do other things to help my China brothers and sisters. They're stepping in to help raise money for the necessary supplies for the hardest hit places. If you want to help our friends in China, please go to the website: http://www.halfthesky.com/

You can read about what they're doing, and then go to the bottom of the page. There's a project called Little Mouse Emergency Fund. Mama and Baba donated and so did some of their friends. If you can give a little something, it will definitely help our friends. They need to be healthy kids so that they can meet their Mamas and Babas!


Ok, I really have to go. Abby is already asleep. Thanks for reading!

A couple of seconds...

The girls in China with Kiera (above), the girls with Kiera yesterday (below)

Hello and thanks for stopping in to check up on us.

Things are going well. The girls have adjusted well to their baby sitter now that Rett has gone back to work part-time. The girls continue to learn more and more each day and jabber constantly, which is hilarious. They are putting their words and phrases together more and more in addition repeating everything you say.

We did celebrate a couple of seconds....our first second was the fact that we celebrated our second month with the girls. Time flies. We have been together just two months yet it feels like forever.

Another second was attending our second Chinese New Year Celebration presented by our local international adoption group. We almost did not go last year because we were childless and felt the wait was going to be forever...seeing all of the cute children could have been depressing. We enjoyed it last year AND EVEN MORE THIS YEAR!

It was great, a whole new group that had been waiting to see the girls. One thing that we thought was hilarious were some comments we overheard. Two different people came in saying "we have to see the twins, everywhere we go and people see our daughter, and they ask if we have seen the family with the twins." Well, everyone got to see the twins.

It was also a very enjoyable evening because we were able to see Lynn and Kiera from our travel group. They drove up from Cincy to the event with her daughter Kendall and her friend. Kiera is extremely cute and stole the show. Next year Chris and Sarah will have Jaxson home which will be fun!

Well, I will keep this short, it is getting late and tomorrow is Monday, I cannot wait to start another exciting work week :(

Thanks again for stopping by and enjoy the pictures.

Their many faces!

Trying to stay still after having their toes painted....(below)All the girls at Chinese New Year.

The girls trying new things at Chinese New Year...they loved the hula hoops.
They will climb on and into anything where their little bodies will fit, here they discover the laundry baskets.