When's The Party?

Today, Jamae kept asking me, "When's the party?" And I kept telling her that we aren't having a party. She kept insisting that we were. Finally I asked her why she thought we were having a party and she said, "Because yesterday you bought pop and that always means we are having a party!" I guess I have trained her well. 4 years ago when Jody had his heart attack, our family gave up pop. I only occasionally buy it as a special treat, usually when we are having a party. We really confused MIng on this because in China we drank pop with lunch and dinner because of not being able to drink the water. He acquired quite a taste for coke and was clearly disappointed when he realized that his new family does not drink coke at home.

Last night I decided to surprise the kids with pop, pizza, and a movie. Jody was not home and we have the Copley girls staying with us for the weekend so I thought it would be a fun way to spend Friday night. We pulled off the shelf "Night at the Museum". We hadn't watched that in a while. How funny! We are all geared up for the 2nd one coming out soon.

On another note, Jay did great at his 11 dive meet yesterday. He competed against 21 other divers across the state, coming in 5th in the meet and 1st on his team with a score of 284. Way to go Jay!
I came across this picture from this summer of him diving off of cliffs. Yes, I knew he was going cliff jumping but not cliff flipping. Now you can see why he loves diving so much - it is in his blood.

Fun At The Dentist

Today, Jamae had her first dentist visit. She has been going to the dentist with her sister and brothers and watching all the "fun" that they have had and she was very ready for her first visit. The "fun" is having your picture taken and put on the wall and getting a bag full of toys and chapstick. Here is a picture of Jamae on the wall. She was excited to have her picture put under her two good friends, Ella & Elijah Shaw.

The dentist was pleased at how still she sat and how she allowed him to look at her teeth. Jamae thought it was a lot of fun, especially when she left with her bag full of surprises.

Jamae's Surprise

"Look Mom! I'm riding my big girl bike." This is what I heard when Jamae wanted me to come out today for a surprise. One of her brothers put her training wheels on and off she went. And no, it is not this cold out to warrant a winter coat but that was Jamae's coat of choice.

Jamae's letter to China

Dear China,
I love Ming. You need to know that. We need to get on an airplane to come to China. I told my mommy that I won't throw up this time on the airplane. Ming's nannies love him just like my nanny loves me. They will be sad for him to be my brother but I will be happy! I want to take Ming to the Aquatic Center and show him how to swim. I'm not afraid to go under the mushroom this summer. Maybe Ming will go with me. I want him to go to Build a Bear Workshop with me and get a bear. It will be fun to have a brother with brown hair just like me. I have made many pictures to give to Ming when I see him. I know he will want to be my brother. China, can we please come get him?
Love,
Jamae

Fun with Jamae

IS IT SPRING YET???




Look Aunt Carol - I'm making Peanut Butter cookies with the book you sent me. I enjoy the book so much. Mommy can read me stories, I can play the piano songs, and I can make cookies.

Happy New Year!

Jamae is all dressed up and ready to go to the Chinese New Year Party at her friends, Ella & Elijah Shaw's house. The Shaw's are currently waiting to adopt their daughter Annaleigh from China so we thought it would be fun to celebrate the year of the rat together this year. Jamae was so excited to put on her China ballerina dress as she calls it. This is the first time she was able to wear this dress. We bought her dresses in China and they hang on her walls so she looks at them all the time. She has been very excited to finally wear this dress. We have saved it for Easter this year, but let her wear it first for the Chinese New Year celebration. This is the last dress that still fits her of the dresses we bought, so she is so excited to buy new dresses when we travel to China soon. The picture below was taken when we were in China right after we bought this dress. She was trying on the skirt. Truly Adorable!!!

Let It Snow!

At Jamae's house we'll build a snowman
We will have lots of fun, don't you know
There'll be lots of games, cake and ice cream
We'll be so sad if you can't show
January 12th is the party date 10 o'clock don't be late
We'll sing a happy song If you can come along
To party in Jamae's wonderland!

This is the invitation that Jamae's friends received to come to her 4th birthday party.
We had such a fun time making jingle bell bracelets, playing freezing snowball (like hot potato), hearing a story about
a snowy surprise, eating snowman cupcakes, opening presents, and playing in the snow. Sure wish you all could have been
here. We sure had a fun morning.


Jamae showing us her jingle bell bracelet


Snowman cupcakes


Jamae with her snowman cupcake


Fun in the snow


Making a snow angel


We made a snowman


What a fun party

Happy Adoption Day Jamae!

Once there were two women who never knew each other. One you do not know. The other you call Mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one. One became your guiding star; the other became your sun.
The first one gave you life; the second taught you to live it. The first gave you a need for love; the second was there to give it.
One gave you a body, the other taught you games. One gave you a talent. The other taught you aims.
One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears. One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.
One found a home for you that she could not provide. The other prayed for a child; her hope was not denied.
And now you ask, of course you do, The question others ask me too: This place or your birth place-which are you a daughter of?
Both of them, my darling - and two different kinds of love.



On Jamae's adoption day, we are reminded of the love that her China mama had for her and the sacrafices she made. We are eternally grateful that she gave Jamae life and that God placed Guang Xue Ru into our family. What an awesome journey we have been on these last 3 years.

Jamae's 4th Birthday

Jamae was so excited to celebrate her birthday. She has talked about turning 4 for months. She promised me that when she turned 4 she would still be my babycakes. She is all girl - constantly talking, playing dress-up and putting on makeup. She loves spending time with her friends, helping me in the kitchen and going to church. Every morning she greets me by saying, "Mom, what do we get to do today?" She has become very independent but thankfully stills loves to snuggle up with mom & dad. She has a special bond with her sis "Nani" (Madison) and would follow her around all day if Madison would let her. We continue to be amazed by this beautiful gift God has given us. Happy Birthday Jamae

Jamae's 3rd birthday

Jamae came downstairs on the day after Christmas and told us that she wanted more presents under the tree. I guess one of the advantages of having a birthday the day after Christmas is that when the presents are gone under the tree, your mom brings out all of your birthday presents. Jamae sure enjoyed her birthday and her week of celebrations. Tuesday was her birthday, Wednesday was the 2nd anniversary of the day we got her, coined "gotcha day", Thursday was the 2nd anniversary of her adoption day. We celebrated by seeing Charlotte's Web. And on Saturday her 4 favorite friends came over for a My Little Pony party. Oh what fun!


Jamae getting ready to open her presents!



Jamae loving on Dora.



Blowing out her candles.



Jamae being a pony at her party.