So, I wasn't sick..... Just in case you were worried!! LOL Just tired!!
Nothing like a little wine, and a good night's rest to make it all better!

We've been SWAMPED this week/end. The girls had a gymnastics comp and I volunteered to man the judges room all weekend. So needless to say, I'm (again) tired and cold tonight!
The girls did marvelous! Abigail came in 2nd overall and made the NB Team again, and Isabelle (who is still too young to make Team NB), did well and is quite proud of herself! Actually, I lie, she doesn't give a rat's ass how she did!! She had fun she said! She wanted 1 medal, because it was cool, (made of glass) that was it...she got it... LMAO You gotta love her, water off a ducks back!
BUT.... she did get the sportsmanship award.... Is that like the Miss Congeniality Award in a beauty pageant?? because but we all know that Miss Congeniality never wins "the crown"??
Only kidding....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She soooo Rocks!! She has talent..amazing talent ... that sadly didn't come from me!!

If I was a good mother..I would of taken pictures!! BUT instead I was trying to get my kids good scores by way of the judges belly!! LOL
I think Frank did some video, I hope anyway..

Brrrrrrrrr...
I'm cold.....

soooo cold....

My neck is cold...
My back is cold... even my head is cold!

I'm wearing a sweatshirt, a long sleeved shirt, an undershirt, thick socks, and slippers, jogging pants, and even long underwear!! (sounds beautiful doesn't it)
NO, I'm not posting a picture.
I'm getting into a hot hot bath, with a cup of hot water, my electric blanket is on waiting for me and so are my flannel PJ's...
I'm going to bed right after my bath and it's only 8:30pm.

I want to be warm!!!!!!!!!

We went to Saint John Friday to welcome Meaghan home!
What a wonderful homecoming for her. So many family and friends were on hand and everyone cheered when they first entered the airport!!!
INCREDIBLE!!

This week we had a visit from Shelia and XZ!! What a great time! The girls played hard from 11:00am till 9pm and got along amazingly!
We also met up with a family from Shelia's travel group. Her daughters are now 7 and 3.5.
We were quite the scene... 3 mom's ...4 daughters... running wild!

When I say they played hard, I mean "they played hard!!!" They barely stopped to eat or drink! They played in the ball pit at the mall, then onto lunch, then shopping with the mom's (actually running around the mall- they put those "mall walkers" to shame!LOL)
We corralled them in carts at Walmart for some down time, (for the moms). Then we headed off to see the Easter Bunny!! Poor Bunny had no idea what hit him(or her??)!! LOL
4 little chinese girls running straight at him!! Jumping and waving, and hugging!! I think I saw a couple of little nuggets "behind" the bunny after they left! LOL
Well, each girl had their moment with the bunny and each left with a lollipop (or in 1 case 6)! Then it was off to Starbucks for a mommy pick me up, then we headed home to get supper ready, as Shelia and XZ were coming over!
As soon as XZ walked into our house, (coat still on) Lily was jumping up and down, and ran into her arms and gave her a big hug!! It brought tears to my eyes! She was soo happy to see her!
Those 2 played all evening while the mommies enjoyed a glass (or 2) of wine.
When Lily woke up the next morning, she had a "playdate hangover". It was so funny! I was already downstairs (in my housecoat)(Nice mental picture eh?) making lunches for the big girls, and she came into the kitchen, with her hair looking like a rat's nest, her special blankets over her shoulders, eyes puffy, and with a slur said to me "Mommy?? did you go to bed yet??" It brought me back to those University days, when you woke up thinking, "Whoa... whatta night! Is it morning? and where's my coffee"?

It was great! I can't wait to see you two again soon!!! FRIDAY When D comes home with Meaghan!!!

BEFORE... notice 2 ponytails, clean face...

AFTER....notice....1 ponytail....and dirty faces!! LOL

I have been reading.....and reading.....and reading.....
Just what have I been reading????

Well, let me name just a few.....
Toddler Adoption, The Weaver's Craft
Understanding Attachment
these 2 books, need to be read at the same time, as each is very "extreme" in their points of view, so if you read them each a little at a time, you can get the "middle of the road" view! LOL
Cross Cultural Adoption


I just finished for book group:
The Other Boleyn Girl
Usually I have another book here but, my second book group choose the same book! Whew!
I read this one soo quick... I really enjoyed it!

My "light reading"
Adoptive Families Magazine

I need something new to read, I've been meaning to pick up Lisa See's Peony in Love.
Has anyone read it?? Recommend it??

So what are YOU reading????
hmmmmmmm?

wow!!

You have to check out Journey to Baby M!! Our good friends are in China right now!!
Meaghan is so beautiful!!

Brings back many memories.... We can't wait to go back!!

We went skiing again yesterday!! Lily has taken to the hill, a little too much for my liking!
Frank has her going on the chair lift with him now, and down the main hills!! She holds onto his poles, and they ski down together!
The big girls went back again today, Lily and I stayed home!! My heart needed the rest!!
What a little daredevil!!

*** Sorry Nancy!! I took right off when I saw them!! She gained a lot of momentum down the bottom part of the hill, and nearly took out my sister when she caught her!! Lily was not fazed, and once my sister's heart started to beat normally again, Lily shouted, "Again.....I go Faster!"!!!
I was great to see you too! After seeing your daughters ski, you are in trouble! I guess it looks like we'll be seeing a lot of each other on the hill now!****

I've been able to make some interesting contacts in regards to Hanlin and the orphanage.

I am just waiting to hear back from a couple that live in China, and may possibly know Hanlin and the foster family! I will let you know as soon as I hear!

We sent off our dossier to our agency on Saturday. They should of received it yesterday, and once they make sure everything is in order, will send it to our Provincial Consultant, and he sends it to the CCAA!
I am hoping that it will make it there (to China) by March 12th. Keeping my fingers crossed!

MARCH BREAK!!!

Is now upon us!!!!! What to do with the kids???

We went skiing!! We met my brother and his 4 kids, and my nephew! All 8 kids had a fabulous time! The conditions were perfect for the kids, not too icy. I stayed on the beginner hill with Lily, who was an absolute terror on the hill. She didn't want me to hold onto her, (because it slowed her down). We decided to get her some lesson, because she took to the skis without fear and we want her to learn how to stop and be safe! she loved her instructor, and actually slowed down a bit for him, and would look up and listen to him. She wouldn't for us, she would point her little finger to the bottom of the hill, shouting "let-me-go!! Faster....Faster!! "
She finally had enough after about 2 hours, (thank goodness) and we went into the lodge/bar and had some food, and I had a beer, set up the DVD and her blanket, I read a book and she watched TV, the other kids slowly finished and after 2more hours everyone was upstairs having hot chocolate and french fries!
We had so much fun!
If the rain doesn't ruin the conditions, we are heading back out tomorrow and Friday!