5 more days

I only have to endure 5 more days until our Lola Bon is "our" Lola Bon!!! I am so excited. I came across this quote tonight. I love it and I hope to live by it in some form ...read it, love it live it:)



It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.
Leo Buscaglia

I'm looking mom....

I had to record this one for posterity. It amazes me how kids are born comedians.. Mia was getting ready to go outside and she couldn't find her shoes. I said "Mia , did you look really hard?" She replied." yes mom, I looked hard AND soft"...

Christmas 2009

 


This feels so wierd taking this picture without Lola since we will have her the week after Christmas but I have to get a snapshot every year..so here we are. It was like pulling teeth getting them to sit for a second and smile big but they did it! We are so so grateful for our life and all who share our friendship and love. Have a wonderful Holiday!

FINALLY

We are doing the Happy dance here today! We got our Travel approval a couple days ago and today got our Confirmation on our Consulate date!!! The waiting os OVAH!!!!!! We leave New years, get her on the 3rd of January(yay) and get all our in province stuff done by the 8th, fly to Guangzhou for her consulate appointment on the 12th , pick up her visa on the 14th then home on the 15th!!! We should leave 3 weeks from today!! I am not scurrying around getting ready.. because I thought we'd be there NOW..so Christmas is ready, her room is ready, I could leave today and be ready!! Happy day! We are so grateful we do not have to pray for our "sister in China" at family prayer much longer...we can just pray with thankgiving that she is HOME!!! PHEW !!!! We hope to see this pagoda when we go to her province. China is so full of beautiful things! (including Lola:)

A touching poem from a friend

Here is a poem a fellow adoptive Mom wrote. I really liked it. Merry Christmas!


Twas the Night Before Christmas--for the Parentless.....

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
there are parentless children, with no toys in hand

No stockings to be hung by the chimny with care
no hopes for a family soon to be there

Their beds are not snug--but cold and quite bare
there are no goodnight kisses--no one to care

While we in our homes, laughing in delight
all settle down for a Merry Chistmas Eve night

When in someone's heart--there arises a clatter
there are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!

Away to the computer please go in a flash
to see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!

While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglow
could this be MY child--could I already know??

When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appears
is a family to love them, to care and hold dear

As you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--
for you know in your heart that sweet face will stick

More dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-
come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!

To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to call
now child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!

So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flew
to hold this dear soul--a wish did come true

And then in a twinkling-I saw through the door
this child of my heart-that was waiting no more

As I got my camera and was turning around-
into my arms did he come with a bound!

He was dressed in many layers from his head to his foot
and into my heart his life was just put

there was no round face--no plump little belly
just sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jelly

In a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a seal
my world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!


We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at all
and I knew in this moment where I got this call

God layed his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I rose
and He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....

It won't be a shout--no not even a whistle
it won't be real clear--but faint like a whisper

Can you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?
And make a difference for one--help them see the light?

I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--
Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right!

Thanksgiving 2009/Happy Birthday Lola Bonnie

Thanksgiving this year held a whole new meaning for us, as it was also Lola Bonnie's birthday! We had a wonderful dinner and good times playing cards and games and watching football of course! It will be Bon Bon's last birthday in an orphanage so we had much to be grateful for! Here's a few snapshots of the Thanksgiving weekend..








This darling little kitty that Ashton and Mia are holding is Zoey,Lola's new kitty! Happy Brithday hunny...momma's coming soon!

Mia's funny of the day

I dropped by my good friend's baby shower last night and took Mia with me..you know for some girl time! Well, the evening was fun and Mia had a great time playing with Steph's daughter Valerie. They pranced around with their balloons all night with smiles as big as Texas. As we got in the car to leave she asked if we could take her new balloon home with us. I replied, sure honey... at which point she turned to her balloon and said" come on Greenish, mom said you can come"! Yep, she named her green balloon "greenish" and took it home to bed! She's such a crack up! At least it wasn't another stray cat...lol!
These two pictures are a testament to how our baby girl has grown ...from Gotcha in 2006 to now! I know I have said this a thousand times but we are so lucky to have this child for our very own...

Why wouldn't I?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfJIgpPtbBc

You NEED to watch this! It's the BEST 7 minutes you'll have all day! If you have wondered WHY we are adding to our family one more time through adoption, this is your answer!

A Family night to remember..

Jarrod is out of town again so it felt weird having family night without "the Dad" but life must go on right? I assigned Kai the lesson. I knew it would be short and sweet and really just had a lazy attitude about it tonight... Boy was I wrong...it was THE BEST EVER!!! Kai's thought for the night was short but so perfect...especially coming from him my moody 12 yr old ..haha. He just told how Heavenly Father has had a plan all along for our family, and that plan was for us to come together through adoption and he was so grateful it did.He was grateful for his forever family and knew we were lucky to have eachother..for eternity. I was moved to tears(imagine that). I will not soon forget Kai's lesson tonight:)

Jack Jack strikes again

I just picked up Jack from his friend's house..after discussing his fun day he asked me a question with that smirk on his face...you know the one that says, "I know something you don't " kind of look. With Jack, our walking encyclopedia, that is in no way a stretch...
Jack:"Mom, have you ever seen a Solar Eclipse?"
Me: No Jack, I haven't.
Jack: "That's because the last one was in 1913.." he says with that Jack voice and that Jack grin...AHHH gotta love this kid!!

The Starfish series...

These necklace and earring sets are symbolic of the parabel of the starfish... you know the one where the old man throws one starfish at a time back to safety into the ocean. There are hundreds, even thousands of them...certainly he can't "save them all". He replies.."It made a difference to that one".
This is a special story at our house as you might guess:) only I get to keep my precious little starfish!!!

These are 15.00 plus 2.00 shipping (as they are lighter than the others) for the set. Just chip in at the "chip in" and email me which color you want as well as in the comment box when you chip in. Don't forget to give me your address and ph # too!. My email again is marem@safelink.net

Again...ALL proceeds go to Lola's Orphanage Donation!!

Jewelry Chip in

Just tell me which one you want in the comment part of the chip in when you pay and I will delete the picture of it on the post and it's YOURS!

Jewelry for my little Gem

I have been making jewelry to help raise money for Lola's Orphanage. We are getting so close to travel! I hope to have TA next week sometime! This would mean leaving in early December! This jewelry is beautiful (if I say so myself) and it's made with LOVE for my baby girl! If you need a Christmas Gift for someone special I am selling these at a very reduced price. The beads on most of them are semi precious stones and I need to at least break even. Okay,so it seemed like a great idea at first to make these for a fundraiser at the time:0) haha ....They took upwards of 100 hours, over the last month ,to make ,and a chunk of change to purchase the stones. They all come as a set of a necklace and earrings! If you are interested, just email me at marem@safelink.net and tell me your address and ph #. I will mail it right away. To pay go to the new "Chip in" . The prices listed are for the SET..
I am crossing my fingers these sell and bring joy to the person receiving them. We are so blessed to be adopting our daughter, and this truly was a labor of love.
THANKS AND HAPPY SHOPPING!!!
I will post 4 more in a bit so there are more to come! BTW the necklace with the square beads and beautiful sparkley stone that looks white in the picture is actually an ICEY PINK and is gorgeous!!!
All of these are 20 dollars even plus 3.75 shipping for a total of 23.75

Pumpkin Cheesecake for my Pumpkin

 


We got GREAT news this week that the US Consulate in Guangzhou, China did a super speedy job of getting Lola's preliminary Visa processed so we are at the LAST stop and we should have travel approval in two weeks!!! It is unbelievable how our home is buzzing with the excitement of having sister home........FINALLY!
I am very grateful for the sucess of the fundraisers we have done so far for the orphanage donation. I recently inquired if Lola had a favorite toy and a favorite food. The director of the orphanage said that they are so limited on toys there is not much opportunity for a favorite....same with food..they are so limited on the food they can offer because there is so little money . My heart BROKE into a thousand pieces. I am anxious to get there and see what I can do.... This Saturday my friend Lana is having a Christmas Boutique where lots of fun gift items will be sold . I am making pumpkin cheesecakes for the event and hope to raise some if the dollars I still need to raise before we leave. I also have been making jewelry at night and hope to offer something for everyone. It really is so pretty and I have had fun with it. I am also hoping to have some recipe books there also . Lana is also going to have a "make and take" craft as well as hair flowers/bows, cards and stamps,floral arrangements,and the best part...free food:) So if you live in the area, COME BY!! It's at 374 E. 150 S. Burley (4 doors down from me) this Saturday ..Nov. 14th from 10-2:00.By the way......my pumpkin Cheesecake recipe is The Cheesecake Factory's recipe!! Can you say DIVINE?

Mia's Dance Recital

 

Here's Mia in all her glory! She had a great time tonight at her Christmas recital (well, the almost Christmas recital..) It seems like yesterday she was 20 months old and we were watching her dance to the elevator music at LAX on the way home from China. This girl loves to dance...to ANYTHING!! She has come a long way since her first recital 2.5 years ago when she got on stage and broke into tears! Tonight she was all smiles and waves as she got to show the world "her moves" as she puts it. We couldn't love that little spunky girl any more if we tried! She has my heart...all of it!

Chinese songs sung by our sweet little friend Grace

I got an email a few days ago from a friend in Utah who adopted the beautiful Monroe Grace from CHI (the same agency we used with Mia and Jonah) . Grace was 10 I think when she came home to her family . She has such a beautiful , bright personality and shines from the inside out let me tell you! Her parents recorded her in a recording studio and have a CD. There are 14 genuine, beautiful Chinese songs that many of my fellow adoptive families would love. I know my kids would anyway. Grace's mom Stephenie, has approached me and asked if they can sell these cd's and donate the proceeds to our orphanage donation! What an angel. We are so very blessed these days ! If you are interested , go to her blog and order it. There is even a sample of her singing there. It brings tears to my eyes. Her blog address is www.elizamei.blogspot.com actually if you email to the following email songs@the-earls.com they will send you a paypal request and it's done.. SO easy. I want to play her sweet little voice for the world. It truly is beautiful. A piece China , that's what it feels like when I hear her voice. OKay, that email again is songs@the-earls.com ( it's a web site actually)
She is selling them for 10.00 !They will send you an electronic copy or a hard copy if you request it. What a great idea...I am so glad she was able to record those songs while Grace had them so firmly planted still in her mind and heart. SHE inspires me!

Miss L

 

This one is my favorite! She looks like such a big girl . I love her hair!!! Yep, she's a Mallory for sure! She has her daddy's smile! Maybe I need to produce a side by side of her and daddy!!

She seems to be a great big sister

 

Lola Smiles

 

Lola Bon

 

So sick of this....

I am officially whining! I am going to vent right now so bear with me or click away from this blog right this minute!!! I am so tired of going to bed at night without Lola! Who is tucking her in at night? Is she having a good day? Is she behaving? (yes, that is already going thru my mind haha) Is she wondering if we are ever going to get there? Is she wondering if we still want her? She has said that "other friends of hers are already home with their families"...:( WE ARE READY!!! Mia HATES going to bed alone in her room. Lola will be her roommate....
I have washed, folded or hung her little clothes more than once. I picked up a couple more hair bows for her...ones with headbands because her head is most likely shaved:( It's flu season....has she been well? Has she been not feeling well and is having to just take it like a brave little girl without a momma to hold her and help her feel better with books, warm, herb tea and some tylenol ??? Is it getting cold there yet? NONE of the orphanages have any heat...so is she cold. Do they have a warm coat for her? Does she get to have warm socks on at night? There is nothing worse than sleeping with no sox when it's cold...
She is living in an institution.....I HATE to think about that..a big giant day care essentially....never having your family come to get you at the end of any given day. I HATE thinking about that but I do....all day long!!
I guess I am at the end of my adoption pregnancy....I have done this both ways 3 times. I have to say that emotionally, THIS is so much harder. My baby is on the other side of the planet!!!!!!!!
ok...I guess I am done for now. We will hopefully get Travel Approval in 6 weeks...then we are off to China. We will keep you all posted!By the way...this picture is of an orphanage in China ...I don't think it's Lola's and Lola isn't in this picture..I just think everyone needs to see, study, take in a picture like this every now and again. It's very real, the need, the orphans who need homes, please, if you have any room in your heart for one more ...don't hesitate..it's amazing and frankly nothing short of a miracle for all involved!

5 little pumkins

We went to the pumkin patch tonight. It's our yearly ritual we absolutely LOVE! There seemed to be a little sadness tonight though.we, as in all of us were acutely aware that our little Lola Bon wasn't with us. We are probably only 6 weeks away from getting travel approval but tonight it feels like 6 months! Oh I miss that little pistol! Here are 5 of our 6 little goblins as we wait for Xiao Qi..3.5 yrs old...waiting for her family to arrive in Nantong China. I love you baby... momma and baba are coming soon!

Getting Healthy for a great cause......

I have been racking my brain for ways to further reach our goal to raise the orphanage donation for our daughter's orphanage in China. We have been so blessed to know she will be home soon . I feel honored to be her Mama. I know it will all work out in the end, and that the donation we are required to take will help feed and house the many many friends of our daughter's who will remain in China. I want to offer my services as a nutritionist in a way that is easy and effective no matter where you live to help raise the last chunk of money we need before we travel. SO............drumroll please:) ...... haha I've always wanted to say that:)...
I am going to offer a 4 week plan for ANYONE who wants to loose weight, make their metabolism fire up, and feel so good you can't imagine!!. I usually give this infornmation out ovver a span of 4-6 weeks for a client to help with their weight loss goals.I work with heart patients, diabetics, fibromyalgia and overweight clients on a regular basis. THIS WORKS FOR ALL OF THEM!!!!! I use a very flexible, very "real life" plan for my clients. You eat real food, you will just be paying more mind to WHEN, HOW OFTEN, AND HOW TO "FOOD COMBINE" to get your body to burn fat around the clock!!!......THIS METHOD GIVES YOUR BODY NO OTHER CHOICE but to burn FAT! Your body composition will change . Let me repeat.......your body composition will change!! I have a friend who did this, and I saw her go from 28 % body fat to 16% in a matter of a couple months! I tried this and within 4 weeks I had dropped the weight I gained this summer worrying about my baby:) It is fool proof and EASY! Exercise 3 days a week is suggested . Anyway, I can't say enouph about this method I use. I have watched it work over and over and over again! You have the power to train your body to burn fat all night long!!! EVERY NIGHT!!!!
So, the details. I have put together a "packet" if you will with ALLL the instructions, the food amounts and recipes from my own kitchen that I have developed to fit this plan. I have spent almost 2 years putting all this together. I have done the thinking for you! NOW all you have to do is plug it in and EAT!!!! ( you will eat alot trust me! 5 times a day:)!! It is very flexible and YOU decide what you want to eat......just order it and you will see for yourself!
So the plan is.....when you order, just go to the paypal widget here on my blog. The price is only 25.00!!! The average client doing this is about 225.00!! So DO IT NOW FOR 25 bucks!!! SEND ME A NOTE THRU PAYPAL( you go to the "Orphanage Donation " widget below -just keep scrolling down) WHEN YOU DONATE WITH YOUR ADDRESS, HEIGHT AND WEIGHT,. This will give me the information I need to get you started. I also will be available ANY TIME for questions and tips........via my cell phone or email.
Picture yourself lighter, happier and healthier for a GREAT cause!!

BTW.......I have recieved donations in the mail from people who wanted to do thatinstead of on the paypal. I want to thank them so much and reflect that on my donation widget! So whatever it says,,,,,, add about 550.00 to that! My heart is full and I cry alot!We are so blessed. Thank you a thousand times.I love you!

please watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzFJaF2QKO8&feature=player_embedded

Car wash for mei mei was a success.....

Our car wash and bake sale went really well and we had a ball! Thank you so much for the amazing support. We have a great support system here and we love all of you who came and ate goodies and let us wash your ride:)
The kids had fun getting wet and seeing our friends and family come out to join the fun. We raised some money for her orphanage and are closer to our goal of raising 5,000 for the orphanage donation.
We are missing our little girl and can't wait for her to meet all of you..our family and friends who we know love her too!
Stay tuned.......soon I will post lots of items and services to win or bid on....I haven't decided. Some ideas I had are handmade jewelry, babysitting, food coach meals, sod, and more. So I will keep you all posted.

Orphanage Donation

For all her family and friends who can't be here for our events, here is a very simple way to donate and help her get home! Our heartfelt thanks to all who already love her as we do. THANK YOU!!

Silent Auction for my China Doll

We are getting down to the last few months before the big trip to get our little girl. I have been doing side jobs( food coaching) and a garage sale to help with the orphanage donation .......that being said, we are still trying to find ways to bring our daughter home ie. the required orphanage donation of 5,000.00 . I have decided to do a car wash this Saturday at Stokes Fresh food Market! If you don't need your car washed then come down for some yummy chocolate cake( yes my famous Aunt Kerry's recipe) and other goodies. The Orphanage donation has gone UP by a couple thousand dollars since our last adoption and is on top of the other adoption expenses. These orphanages don't have heat, rationed food many times, few luxuries to say the least and my daughter has been there for 3 nd a half years! I cannot wait to hold her in my arms and bring her home, and will willingly and gladly leave that donation behind for the children I am leaving behind , and there are many.
Also on that note, I am having a Holiday Open House in October where there will be lots of goodies and items to help get you started on your holiday shopping. If you would like to donate items to sell, I would SO appreciate it! There will be lots of fun baskets and candles and Pampered Chef and Jewelry, and other tables, so plan on coming out! I will post more on that later:)
Thanks for being so supportive.......I have the best family and friends ever. I know, through many sleepless nights and prayer, that she is meant to be in our family. It's a long story, but we both feel , and have felt for some time that someone is missing when we kneel around the couch for family prayer or gather around the table for dinner. So crazy as one more will be, it's right for us and we are very happy to get her home where she belongs.

OH Canada!!!

I thought since it had been 2 months since I posted anything I better get my act together!!! We recently went to Canada for my grandmother's funeral. She was the most wonderful woman. Seriously the sweetesst, most kind person I have ever encountered. In all my life I have never seen her mad. I never ever heard her raise her voice. She was unassuming and humble and she will be missed dearly. She was 90 and ready to go home to Heavenly Father and to be with Grandpa who was her soul mate. I love you grandma!!
After the funeral we went camping on the way home. It was a blast. We spent time on a beautiful lake with family and saw Glacier National Park. It was AMAZING. Here are some pictures. BTW my Dad got to make the trek with us in the motorhome which was the icing on the cake:)