Prayers for Nana & Meet our new baby!!

Keep the prayers coming for Chris's mom. The catheterization did not indicate any substantial information, but did indicate that one of the four arteries of Carol's previous bypass was showing more blockage than the last catheterization she had. As much as they are concerned about this, they are not sure at this point if the main culprit she is having such severe edema in her legs or shortness of breath. More diagnostics are necessary and they will be doing an ultrasound and an MRI within the next few days. We were all hoping for a magic solution or explanation for her severe health decline during today's procedure...sigh.

In happier news, Lindsey (the little girl we were sponsoring through Pearl River Outreach) has finally been united with her forever family!!


Meet our newest baby. Her name is Lian and she was born September 3, 2009. She has a tumor on her right leg which can hopefully be operated on.


Pearl River outreach is still hoping looking for additional sponsors for other children and you can find more information on their blog at http://pearlriveroutreach.blogspot.com

While I'm on the mission for promoting Chinese-related causes, just a reminder about Operation China Warm-up. See Kay Bratt's blog for more information.

Happy Tuesday. Stay healthy!

Been busy...

The girls have both been under the weather with respiratory "gunk". Emma actually missed a couple of days of school and by Friday evening, both were ready for blankets and a good movie. We pulled out Elf and made hot chocolate.

For anyone who is curious, all the Halloween decorations are officially put away. Not a single creature or orange light to be found anywhere. I'm always amazed at how much work it is to set-up and take-down, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll be sending off a check for $200 dollars to Pearl River Outreach this week. Thank you to all that donated. Every little bit helps.

On Saturday, my sister and I helped my parents start moving their belongings from their funeral home residence to their new home. Chris kept our germy girls home.

Although they aren't retiring, they are moving out of their funeral business. Their new home is just gorgeous. They haven't had a real house with a real yard for many many years. I can't wait to show interior shots...especially my mother's art studio. All my crafting takes place on my kitchen island. My mother actually has a whole room devoted to quilting, sewing, painting, stained glass making, miniature making, basket weaving, beading, gluing..etc. I'm so happy for them both.

Speaking of crafting, I dug out my Christmas crafting supplies this afternoon. I just took a peek inside my box. I didn't start anything, but it's never too early to start planning. I can't wait to try out a few new projects with the girls.

Have a wonderful week. Stay healthy.

Halloween in July (or a good excuse to purchase remote controlled tarantulas)

Most of my followers know that my family is obsessed with Halloween. Even though it's still July (I really don't want to hurry summer along..I love having the girls home and Mr. Mom in full force), Chris and I have already begun plotting a few new games and decorations for this year's party. With the success of last year's kid-friendly party (we had over 120 guests) we need to get the creative juices flowing early.



Please note that this year's party will be held on October 30th ...more details to follow later this fall! The face-painter, popcorn machine and all the other fun carnival games will be back. We are hoping to make this year's party a fundraiser for Pearl River Outreach. Families can donate whatever they chose (if they chose) and the money raised will be used to provide specialized medical training and foster care to Chinese orphans. We've been involved with this organization for almost a year (thanks Kay Bratt for the tip) and are excited about this venture.

Now, onto my tarantula story...

Target has a bunch of their National Geographic toys on clearance. While we were looking over the toys, we noticed several remote controlled tarantulas. Chris and I both came up with the idea of having tarantula races and picked up several boxes of them. Penny (our cat) spent the night attacking them in the kitchen and sunroom. They are going to be a fun new Halloween game addition. We're thinking we might even jazz them up with a bit of glow-in-the-dark paint...hee hee!

Here's a sneak peek of Josie playing with her tarantula (she's even wearing last year's Halloween pajamas in celebration).





Happy "early" Halloween...moo ha ha (insert evil laugh here)...

National Adoption Awareness Month Part 2

Our family is sponsoring a little girl in China to remain in the Bamboo Babies Foster Care Program. I would have never known about this program unless Kay Bratt (author of Silent Tears) would have written about it on her blog.

Emma has already decided that we need adopt this little girl (she's a heart baby too). We're not adopting again, but we're happy to provide an orphan with an opportunity to live in a foster setting until she is adopted by a family.

For as little as $35 a month,
you can make a difference in the life of a child--

Pearl River Outreach has three foster care programs in China:
1) Zhanjiang, Guangdong,
2) Changsha, Hunan, and
3) Hengshan, Hunan.
If you choose to sponsor a child, you will receive quarterly updates containing a picture and brief update as to how your child is doing. Pearl River Outreach Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Therefore your donation is tax deductible and 100% of your sponsorship goes directly to the care of the child you are sponsoring.

Your donation provides a child with:
a safe place to live
a loving family environment
nutrition, such as vitamins, formula,
food supplements & clothing

To Learn More:
http://pearlriveroutreach.org/sponsor.php

Next year, we've decided that our Halloween party is going to be a fundraiser for Pearl River Outreach. Party attendees can give as little, or as much as they want. Shanna Brown inspired me with her Haunt with a Heart Halloween party in which they raised funds for Love without Boundaries and we'd like to do the same thing next year for this worthy organization. It's amazing how the experience of going through an adoption can open your heart and your mind.