This Little Piggy Went To ChinaTown

The Chinese Zodiac says that the Year of the Golden Fire Pig comes only once every 600 years. 2007 was this special year. It was golden because the combination of elemental Fire, the sign Pig, and Yin/Yang components bring this year once every six centuries. It is said that children born under this sign will live in comfort as wealth and luck are always near.

This past weekend we spent a family trip in Chicago visiting with three families from Carina's travel group. All these little sweeties are Year of the Golden Fire Pig. I don't think it is for anyone to decide if our children are lucky or not. It is a decision that they will have to make at different points in their lives. One thing is for certain, four families feel very lucky to have these (not so) little one's as their son or daughter. It is amazing to see how perfectly each child was matched with their family. Was it luck of the draw, or divine intervention? Maybe a little of both.

I swear these little piggies remember the journey they shared back in April 2008 because within a short time they were all the best friends, acting quite silly at times. I'm not so sure what the other people around us thought, but I know us parents were quite amused. Even Abbey and Ellie, who were not part of the China trip, knew that these kiddos were family.

Not a day goes by that I don't think back to the journey to my beautiful daughter Liang Wan Bo. Lots of twists and turns took place during the course of those three years. Missing the trip to China was the hardest choice I ever had to make, but at the end of it all I am no less her mother. She is no less my daughter. I have no regrets. Again, as the years go by, it is up to Carina, and Abbey & Ellie for that matter, to decide if they are lucky or not. However, I do know I am one lucky woman.
***********************************************************************************
PS....I know Cari doesn't have shoes on!!!!!! What can I say, pick your battles.
***********************************************************************************

The Chuck Taylor Girls

It doesn't get any cuter than this:-)

When Things Get Quiet

My home is not quiet. There is always someone talking, banging, or screaming for that matter. Sometimes it's the kiddos, but sometimes it's the parents. This morning, a rainy day in Wisconsin, things were non eventful while I did some paper work and they played together. Up the stairs, then down the stairs the girls went. There was laughter, there was screaming, some cabinets opened and closed, then more laughter. suddenly, it was quiet. With three very creative little babes, quiet is not good. My heart sank because I could only imagine what they were getting into. Well, it wasn't so bad. Cari and Abbey were playing "baby" while Ellie watched. All is well that ends okay.

A Celebration Of Life

My baby girl turned two on July first. On August second, friends from near and far came to celebrate Carina's birthday. On a day like this I was reminded how many people love her. She was such a happy girl, and knew it was her special day. She ate cake. A Pooh Cake to be specific that she picked out. The girl loves pooh. She got her toe nails painted. She ran around with her friends. She opened presents. I stood back and just watched my baby girl grow up before my eyes. Not a day goes by that I am not reminded what an amazing little person she is. And I am the luckiest person in the world because she calls me Mama.

It Hasn't Happened Yet

To this day, I still have not gotten what I would consider a great group shot of the girls. I tried today with no luck. So, individual pics will just have to due.

Take Me To The Fair

I don't like corn dogs. I don't like going to places that smell like fried doughnuts & cow poo. And I certainly don't like rides, or should I say they don't like me? How is it that one of the best days I've had all summer consisted of all the above? I'll tell you why...... A little girl of five years old, cute as a button loves a place like this. Abbey has been talking about going to the fair since their was snow on the ground. Reminiscing about her past trips to the various fairs we have taken her to all these years. Her thoughts go back to the funnel cake, the ring pops, the rides, the animals. If anyone has a five year old, who like my Abbey, has the gift to gab,then you would know that the list does not end there. So today, Mark came home just a bit early, and we headed off to the W county fair.

The girls were awesome to say the least. Abbey was in her cotton candy, fried food glory. She squealed on the rides, and loved the animals. Cari loved the train, and talked about the choo choo the whole way home. Then came the farm animals. She was so excited to see the cows that she literally screamed at me over and over again "MAMA COW MOO NOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Translation, Mama cow moo Milk. Then came the ice cream. Picture my Cari with a large blue moon cone. She ate it with no mess at all. Her favorite treat is ice cream and would eat it morning noon and night. Last but not least comes Ellie. My easy going baby just took it all in and smiled and squealed along with her sisters. She took on all the rides with no complaints, and loved making the animal sounds along with her "bigger" sister Cari. But of the things that happened tonight, I think Ellie liked when her balloon floated into the sky. She watched it in awe. Sometimes I forget that something so simple to me, is soooo amazing to her. As for Mark and I, we just watched them with big smiles on our faces.

Okay, so Mark and I were not smiling the whole time. There was the moment that Abbey was complaining that her double scoop of blue moon cookie dough ice cream was not big enough, there was the moment that Ellie would not stop climbing on a splinter filled picnic table. Then taking off into the sunset everytime she stepped foot out of the stroller. As for Carina, she is two so a lot of "no Mama" comes with the territory. But in the end Mark and I consider our trip to the fair a pleasant summer success.

Happy Birthday Carina

On July 1,2007 an infant girl came into the world. She had no name, and no place. Her future was unkown. On July 1,2009 a beautiful little lady turned two. She has many names like Mama's big helper,Grand Daughter, Cousin, Niece, Big sister, Little sister, and most important Daughter. She is home where she belongs and is a treasure to those who are lucky enough to know her. Her future is bright, and her spirit will help her accomplish anything she puts her mind to. I may be thinking a bit too far ahead, but I hope she chooses a college close to home. Happy Second Birthday Bo Bo. Mommy loves you.