My Daughter is Beautiful

Yes, it's true. My daughter is beautiful - inside and out. This weekend she danced her way through four performances of the Nutcracker. You know what? She's graceful, she's elegant, she's down right breath-taking... and she didn't get any of it from me. I love you Piper. You are an amazing young lady and I hope you dance through life just like did tonight.

Party of 7

Olivet Family - Party of 7!!!

My heart is in China...yet again. Yes, those gorgeous eyes in my last post belong to our newest daughter. She recently turned 3 years old and is living in an orphanage in a small, coal-mining city in Northern China. I'm probably a little biased, but I think she's the most breathtakingly beautiful little girl in the whole world. Dave and I can't wait to bring her home, which will most likely be next fall (I know, adoption takes forever!)

We're working on names right now. It's fun and it's frustrating. The more people in your family, the more opinions you get! Her Chinese name is a mouthful (although we'll keep it as her middle name) and we need something to call her. I'm open if you've got any ideas.

Do we have the numbers for a basketball team now? I would ask David but he's out of town tonight. Regardless, we're one big, happy, God-loving family and we covet your prayers to keep our little girl safe and healthy until we can bring her home.

A Little Someone New

Any guesses?

Two 5's

Guess who turned 5 this week? That's right, my youngest munchkin, Asher. He's thrilled to finally be 5 like his big brother, Kai. So now we have 2 five year olds in the household (I'm going to pause while you contemplate this fact...)

Our house is like a carnival most days - loud, crazy and just a tad bit dirty. And you know what ladies and gentlemen? I LOVE IT! I'm not sure I've ever been this happy (or this tired.) My marriage is strong, my kids are full of joy and I am one pleased mama.

Happy Birthday Ash! We love you so very much.

The Warriors

Today was our boys' first soccer game. If you want to get technical, it was also their first practice, their first time on the field and the first time meeting their teammates. This made for a very interesting afternoon of so-called soccer. What I witnessed was....

a little running,

a little kicking,

a little pushing and shoving,

a little coaching (by my hubby)

a little nose picking
(check out my sweet nephew Jackson on the far right),

a little dancing,

a little girl watching
(Ash, you're a little too young to admire her, um, assets),

a little standing around,

and a little loving.

What I did not see, my friends, was any GOAL SCORING. Maybe we can work on that tiny little issue next week.

Thank God they're cute.

One Happy Mama

School, it just ain't what it used to be (or at least it's not how I remember it!) This is a picture taken for "Dress as your Favorite Rocker Day" at J.D.'s middle school. JD went as Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer and guitarist for Green Day. No, Armstrong doesn't have a mohawk and yes, he does wear a boatload of eyeliner. JD wouldn't let me put any more "guyliner" on him even though I explained that it would make his outfit more believable. He's adorable, he's happy and he's loving middle school (what is for many, the most horrible years of their lives.) I am one happy mama.

Tummies

I tell my boys their stories often. We talk about their "China Mommies" and how they came to live in orphanages. I don't ever want there to be a day where they feel like I've lied or misled them about their lives before they became a part of our family. Most of the time, I feel pretty good about the job Dave and I are doing.

And then there are days like today. In the midst of at least 50 other parents waiting to pick up their children, Ash sees an Asian woman and yells (loudly, I might add,) "Was I in HER tummy, mommy?"

Calgon, take me away...