Not to be forgotten {Losing the 1st Tooth}

I would be remiss if I didn't include an update on the loss of Abigail's very first tooth - on January 5th.  She has been surrounded by her peers at school who have been losing teeth left and right, and they make a BIG deal out of each one at school. 

So my baby has come home on numerous occasions since last September, sad because, first she didn't have a loose tooth and then sad because she had a loose tooth and it wasn't coming out fast enough!  (Not to mention her 8 year old sister came to us with several loose teeth and proceeded to lose at least 5 - ouch!)  

Lo and behold, after taking its good ol time, that tooth finally came out, no blood, no pain, just "look mom!!!!!".  Of course we made a BIG deal out of it, the tooth fairy made a visit and all was right with the world again! 

Not the best picture, but you get the idea...the first of MANY to come! 

Chinese New Year {Bo Loong}

We have spent CNY with the same people for the last six years, both in support during our wait for Abigail, and then in comraderie as a group of adoptive parents.  We usually go to a local joint and have a good meal and great conversation. 

This year we decided to venture up to Cleveland to a restaurant my hubby frequents for lunch, Bo Loong.  They are known for their dim sum and they didn't disappoint!  We had several choices off of the dim sum cart and then ordered entrees off the regular menu.  What a wonderful lunch!!

Then, we were treated to the Lion Dance in honor of The Year of the Dragon. 

 Love this picture below of the girls waiting patiently for the Lion to throw them an orange for luck~

(Livi got an orange & Abigail got some lettuce - lucky girls!)

It was a great time with good friends and we wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else (except in China for CNY) to celebrate! 

Aren't they beautiful! 

We are so blessed that they call us their parents.

Wintertime Fun

Our newest addition is from the southernmost tip of China, Guangdong Province, and she says she has never seen snow with the exception of pictures.  Livi has been soooo excited for us to get a substantial snow so she can build a snowman with Baba.

Well, last Friday; we got a nice blanket of snow…not the HUGE snows we sometimes get but a nice covering.  It wasn’t the kind of snow that packs {if you’re a Northerner you know what I mean}, but it was perfect for the four wheeler and two saucer sleds to fly around the house a few hundred times. 

I could hear the squeals of joy coming from Olivia and Abigail as their daddy took them around and around, in freezing temperatures, until he just couldn’t go anymore…they could have! 

For being from such a warm climate, that little girl LOVES to be outside in the cold (and I love watching her from the warmth of my home with a cup of hot coffee in hand).  I don't think she'll have anything to worry about where the snow is concerned.

...and a huge THANKS and shout out to my gal Christy  who has once again made our blog look sooo fine!  She's the master blog designer and she is also an awesome blogger/sister in Christ.  I love her and only dream about blogging like she does!  

I've Been Remiss

in posting...about Olivia's first Christmas, about New Years, about ANYTHING!  After being off of work for 10 days straight (and actually enjoying family time with little to no bickering), my brain needs jump started! 

Christmas was great!  We ALL headed to church Christmas eve, which was very nice for this ol mama, and then back to our place for a late dinner.  Grandma Juanita spent the night with us, so she could share the joy of Christmas morning. 

Olivia got up at 3am.  Well, needless to say, I made her get in bed with me and go to sleep.  Around 5am, in came Abigail.  I took the smart route, tucked them in quietly in our big bed and snuck into Livi's bed for a couple more zzzzz's.  Bern and I were up around 7am but NO KIDS!  I got coffee made, casserole in oven and around 7:30am, here comes Abigail.  She did a brief acknowledgment of the tree surrounded by gifts, with a glint of joy in her eyes and we waited. 

We had the video camera set up for Livi's reaction and she didn't disappoint.  There was the squeal of joy, there was the mad grab for gifts, there was paper flying, lots of smiles and then, there was "where's my Elmo?".  Seems she grasped the list idea, but not the idea that Santa might actually NOT get her EVERYTHING on her list...sheeesh. 

(Tree, post Santa, pre unwrapping)

It was an awesome day, everyone was content and kept very busy.  The hits of the day, roller skates {Ab} and scooter {Livi}.  

I am so very thankful for the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ.