Our Third "Gotcha Family Day"

Ana Claire making cookies for her special day.

Sharing her cookies. She was so proud of herself. She did a great job!
We went tonight to celebrate our family day with Ana Claire. We went to our local favorite Chinese restaraunt. Ana Claire has come such a long way overcoming her fear of Asian people. In my post here, I described her fear. Sue, the lady in the photo below made Ana Claire climb over the table in fear and crying back in July. Tonight she gave her a big hug. I was so proud of her. Sue couldn't believe that she let her hold her. I was so proud of her.

Second Anniversary 2007

Click here to see our post from last year.

First Anniversary 2006

Photos from our Gotcha Day and time in China

Click on collage to enlarge

Referral photo 2005

This little girl has brought so much spice and love to our family. Over the past three years I have watched her blossom from a scared baby, to a toddler with some security issues, to a beautiful little girl that is taking babysteps to become little Miss Independant and over comes her fears. She is smart, funny, kind hearted, curious, hot tempered (we do have our very own little Hunan spice). It is so hard to believe that three years have already flown by. The first year was so hard. I think Ana Claire and myself were in survival mode. She has truly stolen our hearts. She has filled that empty spot in my heart. My heart overfloweth with love for her and her brothers.

Ana Claire, we love you baby girl!

Ana Claire and Clay being silly

I love it when they get along!

Clay was ready for a change

Clay had a head full of hair, but was ready for a change. So, guess what he got.......a BUZZ cut!

The BEAUTIFUL Snow

I know everyone doesn't get excited about the snow, but we do because we rarely see it. We were really hoping to wake up to a winter wonderland, but we didn't. The weather didn't quite live up to the weather man's predictions, but what we got was still absolutely beautiful. The kids were so excited to get to play in it. This was Ana Claire's first times to see it and only one of a couple of times Clay has seen it. It was sad to see it melt away before the day was over, but at least we had it for just a little while.

*****I just realized this was my 300th post*****

Thank God for SNOT

Yesterday a friend of mine was over and we were sitting at the kitchen table talking and Ana Claire was sitting with us doing some of her crafts. A bead craft to be exact. Do you know where I am going with this? She plays with beads all the time and never once has she stuck one where she shouldn't. Well yesterday she did. Out of the blue she announced she stuck one up her nose. I asked her to repeat herself and she just burst into tears and started freaking out. I laid her down and shined a flashlight up her nose and sure enough there was a bead lodged snuggly in her nostril. Well we immediately left for the pediatrician's office. Clay did this when he was younger but he stuck a rock up his nose. I tried to explain to her that she had to calm down, not to sniff etc.... I tried to explain to her that there would be NO SHOTS! The dr would just put a little tool up her nose pull the bead out and we would be on our way home. She was scary calm in the car until we reached the doctors office. Then she totally freaked out screaming and crying. All eyes were on us when we went into the doctors office. I was signing in and the nurse was about to escort us back and she said oh no her nose is starting to bleed. I looked and I said no, that is the bead. I pushed down on her nostril and out popped the bead in a glob of snot. Thank God for snot. ;) I was so relieved that it came out and we didn't have to hold her down to get it out. That would have been traumatizing for all of us.

I know you all probably have a story like this that you can share so please comment me and share yours.

A Happy Thought

A friend of mine has started her own home based business making jewelry. Here is a peak at the necklace that she made for me. This necklace only costs $20. What a way to show off my kids. I love it. She has several items to choose from. If you would like to know more you can email her at jcowsar@charter.net.

Playing at the Park

I love this photo of her


Taking pictures with her camera

Future Blogger

What a BEAUTIFUL day we are having in the south. We had a cold front pass through last week and now we ae having a warm front pass through. Ana Claire and I have tried getting out the past couple of days to play and enjoy the warmth.

New Look

Connie surprised me with a fresh new look for the new year! I absolutely love it. Thank you so much for new look! You are so thoughtful!

We're back

Two Little Monkies jumping on the bed. Luckily no one fell off the bed.
Modeling an outfit and thinking how much fun it would be to take a bubble bath.

Riding a carousel

Can you tell they were happy to play with one another?

Ring around the rosie

We went to Red Robin's for dinner. It was yummy! The kids had a great time. Ben won four stuffed animals and gave his winnings to the girls. Thank you Ben!

The girls loved playing in the tub. Who doesn't love a bubble bath? We had to drag them out of the tub.
Modeling one of their outfits. Do you have any idea how hard it was to get them to cooperate? Almost impossible. They were too busy playing and being silly.

Pretty girls

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fun and safe time bringing in the new year! Ana Claire, Clay and myself had a great time spending the past few days with Sonya, Katie Lin and Ben. The kids played so hard we were exhausted when we got home. Thank you for having us!