A Welcome Surprise

As I searched for something that would stay in LeeLee's hair, I came across some adorable felt hair clips on Etsy. They were made by a lady in California named Derinda. She had an etsy store called EmmaLee's Boutique. I loved her stuff and ordered a few times. You may remember that last spring I won a clippie bouquet she had. I also referred friends to her who had Chinese daughters, because we all know how hard it is to get things to stay in their silky hair. Anyway, Derinda decided it was time to close up her store. I was bummed! Then, I got an email from her offering to send me everything in her store for free if I wanted it. I was so excited. She has blessed me with her generosity......and I am so very thankful! The girls love them and wear them everyday! Thanks Derinda!!!!!

Thanksgiving

The making of turkey shirts continues! I loved this little turkey and as soon as I saw him, I knew I would have to make them. Hope was so excited to see her name on the shirt. She really likes things that are all hers, and I guess she figures once her name is on something, it is hers. Hunter actually likes for me to make him things too. I had a design for him.....and it was so Hunter. It was a turkey with camouflage feathers. However, when I went to print it, I ran out of ink, and it turned out to be pink camo. I didn't have any more sheets to print on, so that was it. He didn't get one. Probably just as well since he had to change shirts twice before lunch because he slid into the creek and got one covered in mud, and then wrestled with his dog and got huge paw prints on the back of the other. I was super excited to finally meet my nephew this Thanksgiving. My brother (yes, I actually have a brother) has a little man, Lawson. He was super cute and so fun toddling around the house. He is just over a year old. Trying to get a picture of all five of them for my mom was not an easy task. These turned out to be the two best.

This is a side note for my friend Cathy. Cathy is a self proclaimed blog stalker of mine. She is one of the cutest, sweetest people you would ever meet. I would direct you to her blog to see pictures, but she hasn't updated in a year (oh the horror!) Anyway, I'm officially saying welcome to the world Zachary, because I know she will see it here! Love you Cathy!

LeeLee Lost a Tooth!

I can't even tell you how much this picture makes me smile. I love it when LeeLee is so happy that her eyes disappear. She has been my youngest to lose a tooth. Everyone else was 6 when they lost their first tooth, so I was surprised to find she had one loose. She was so excited about losing it that it was ALL she could think about. Noelle finally just reached in and plucked it out for her. Tradition at our house (not while in China) is that I will make a embroidered tooth bag the day you lose your first tooth. I really had good intentions of getting it done, but Noelle was home sick with strep, and I realized that the computer that had my file for the tooth fairy on it had died a few years ago. She of course didn't want to settle. She wanted a tooth bag like her big sisters with the fairy and the little saying, "Little Fairy as I sleep, take this tooth, the coin I'll keep." So, I searched for them and finally found them both (for free I might add.) She picked out her fabric, and I was all set. Except for the fact that I got completely side tracked the rest of the day. When it was bed time for LeeLee my heart broke as I looked at her puppy dog eyes. So, she went on to bed, I and did what all good mothers would do. I stayed awake and made her a tooth bag. It was close, but I got it done in time for the tooth fairy to come. We have a super cool tooth fairy that visits our house. She always brings a note when you lose your first tooth, and she brings a gift to help them keep track of how many teeth they have lost. Oh and yes, she brings money, $3.00 per tooth (I'm sure inflation is killing her!) Then as she leaves the room, she sprinkles fairy dust from their pillows to whatever window she climbed in. I'm really kinda super jealous that my kids have such a cool tooth fairy and I just had one that brought spare change. The next morning, I decided to go ahead and make Hope's tooth bag too. Since she lost her first in China, she missed out on the whole experience of our magical tooth fairy. Once I finished her bag, she compared it to LeeLee's and was very upset that she didn't have a tooth counter attached to her bag. I tried explaining in English that the tooth counter is a gift from the tooth fairy and when she loses her next tooth, she will get one. She didn't get it because she walked away wiping a little tear from her cheek. She has two loose teeth now, and I pray one falls out quickly so she will feel that everything is fair again.

Happy Birthday Shiloh!

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We have had a birthday party marathon. In the last 8 days we have been to 7 birthday parties. My kids love parties, and by now, Hope understands the whole concept of picking out a gift and giving it away. While all the birthdays were super fun, one was super special for us. It was Hong Mei's birthday. Some of you may remember from our airport experience that Hope is very fond of Hong Mei, who is now named Shiloh. I didn't tell her about the party until three days before because we were shopping for birthday gifts. Once she knew we were going to see Hong Mei, she drove us crazy. Every time we put shoes on, she would shout "Go see Hong Mei." Each time she was disappointed that it wasn't time. On Saturday, she was ready to go. After a short 90 minute drive, we were there. She finally got to see Hong Mei and be a part of her birthday celebration. It brought tears to my eyes to see Hope's overwhelming excitement to see her friend. She held her by the hand and carried her around just like she did on the other side of the world. What a blessing to have two sweet girls from the same orphanage be able to share their lives with one another on this side of the world.

We were also blessed to be able to see Emma Lael. She was part of our travel group to China. She is also an Inner Mongolian girl! She lives in the same town as Hong Mei and their moms have a connection too. I put them in touch with each other when I found out they lived in the same city, then come to find out they used to work with each other at the hospital. So, now Emma Lael and Shiloh will grow up knowing each other and be able to share their Inner Mongolian connections.

Big Bird

"Momma, Momma, Big Bird, Big Bird, Really Big Bird!" Well with those words, I was hoping that maybe my neighbors had gotten overly festive and someone was dressed as Big Bird. You know, the big yellow bird from Sesame Street. So out of curiosity, I followed my little people out of the house. Imagine my disappointment when I didn't see Big Bird. Now imagine my fear when I saw THE BIG BIRD perched on my neighbors roof, staring at my yard. It didn't take long to see what the big bird had his eye on. Poor little Lulu! At seven pounds, she could easily be carried off by that BIG BIRD. We decided the bird was declaring war, so it was Hunter to the rescue. He managed to make enough noise that the bird decided to fly off. We have lots of big birds like this around here. Our raptor rehab program has been releasing lots of birds lately, and I guess after a few days they are looking for an easy meal. No worries today, Lulu is safe and sound. I think I'll make sure I stand outside with her from now on, just in case the BIG BIRD returns. Big Bird from Sesame Street would have been much more comforting to my soul!

Trick or Treating

Since mom's neighborhood didn't have an organized trick or treating time this year, we stayed in here and trick or treated with some friends. They were such a cute little bunch! We made a quick trip around a neighborhood street and brought in more than enough candy. LeeLee was a hoot when we went to one house and the man put money in her basket. She screamed, "I got MONEY, yes, yes, yes!" Then she turned and skipped down his driveway. He followed her out because he thought she was so adorable. Noelle is taunting me here with my favorite candy! After I saw all the Reece's Peanut Butter cups, I collected what I called a duty tax from each of them. As I ate them I thought about how there are sweet little blessings to having four kids. Hunter really enjoyed his role of the wolf this year. He had a really good growl down. I think he was a bit disappointed that the little girls weren't more scared of him. It was cute seeing a big bad wolf help his little piggy sister. Oh how I wish I knew what was going through Hope's head. This is the second time she has put on this outfit. It is the second time her basket was filled with candy. Paul and I figure that she will ask to dress up again in this pig costume because she will assume that if you dress up, people will give you candy. She had fun going door to door, but the leg strength really held her back. She couldn't keep up. We had our jogging stroller, so we got to the point that we just rolled her right up to people's front doors. She didn't miss out at all. I am currently hiding her basket. She no longer wants to eat meals because she just wants candy. Looks like she is my daughter after all!

Bobbing for Doughnuts

Hunter really wanted to prove to us all that he could be a winner at this game at the annual pumpkin carve. He patiently waited, then when they said "go", he took the first doughnut in with one bite! Then the second doughnut went in one bite too. And this would be the smirk of victory!!