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:)

I debated whether to post this experience I had last night with Jonah, but something inside of me said I needed to. Last night Jonah, Jack, and I went to the store. On the way there Jonah told me about how in "his China" ( usually when he says this he is talking about his orphanage) he had 7 friends die!!! Now knowing that in China, orphans die all the time of things that are very minor to us, like flu, pneumonia, and other very treatable things. Then there are the orphans who have heart defects or some other correctable condition , well, ........correctable to us here in the US anyway.He then proceeded to tell me that in China , when his friends died they got put "in the fire". This made sense since all people get creamated there after death. He told me that he "saw his friend go to sleep and die, then he had to go to the fire". My little boy saw death up close and personal at such a young age. ....... These kids , or "his friends" as he put it,are kids just like any other, like any of yours or mine. They died........alone. Yes there were rotating nannies and the other orphans around them but who held them as they were sick or suffering? How scared were they, dying alone?? I have been there , to orphanages in China. Some are nicer than others but they all have one thing in common. They are filled to the brim with beautiful little children who need a Momma!!!!!!!! They are beautiful individuals, have their own personalities,their own little hearts, fears and dreams. When I look at my Jonah I see a sensitive, smart(scary smart), funny little man who has the world at his feet!!( interesting choice of words since he was abandoned because he had clubbed feet).......
PLEASE.........if you have ever even had a SINGLE THOUGHT about international adoption, think about it again!!!!!!!!!!!! Please understand that these kids deserve a chance not only for a family, but to LIVE!!!!!! ... I am so sad today for all those perfect little people who are left behind...
It's like the parable of the starfish........you know where the old man spends hours throwing starfish from the shore into the sea so that they might live. A man approaches him and asks "why are you doing that?.... You cannot save them all, you see there are miles and miles and thousands and thousands of them." The old man picked up yet another starfish and threw him back into the sea where he could live another day.......and said " It made a difference to THAT ONE"...
I will try to post some before and after pictures of my adopted kiddos who are forever part of me....I couldn't breathe a breath without them in my life..... THEY are the greatest gift let me tell you!! They bring me more joy than I could EVER bring them... They make me laugh, cry( I mean cry in a good way:) most of the time:) and smile every day!! What amazing little creatures they are!!!!!

Mia's "how well do you know Mom"

At school Mia had to complete a paper entitled How well do you know Mom...
It's always a little nerve wracking when you wonder what's coming out of the mouth of your 4 yr old! They are so honest!!!LOL!
These answers were soo funy I had to post them.
1. If you had 100.00 what would you buy your Mom?
Mia's answer ..... I would buy her a pretty white feather....
2. What's Mom's favorite food?
Mia's answer: Hamburger and Potatoes...
This is false but it is probably Jarrod's so chalk one up for her!
3. How old is your mom?
Mia's answer...13!!!!
Perfect! That means I had Kai when I was one!!
4. What time does Mom get up?
Mia's answer......5 or 5:30 YEA RIGHT!!! maybe to go to the bathroom.......then straight back to bed!!!
5. What is the best thing Mom can cook?
Mia's answer..... Popcorn!! Funny, I guess she doesn't like my "food Coach" cooking! Perfect......tonight I will make popcorn for dinner:)
6. What does mom like to do at home?
Mia's answer.........She digs holes for plants!! very funny, can you tell we had just planted our garden:)
7. What is your favorite thing to do with Mom?
Mia's answer........................"We like to fly like a birdie"
This is sweet and I know exactly what she is talking about.... when we are on the tramp together, we run circles and flap our wings and sing "we can fly we can fly we can fly" from Peter Pan:)

Words can't express how precious this child is!

Jonah's funny of the day

I HAD to sharethis one! If for anything , just so I don't forget all these cute little things he says. Soon he'll be all americanized and these funny things he says will be gone!
Jonah: "Mom, where you going?"
Me: " I am taking dinner to Danelle because she broke her big toe"
Jonah: "She got owie?"
Me: "Yes, she hasa BIG owie"
Jonah: " She broke her toe?"
Me: " Yes, she broke her toe
Jonah: " She gotta get a new one..."

I guess in China, you just get a new one! I'll take western medicine in this case!

You have GOT to read this

There have been recent news reports concerning Rubiana Ali, the child-actress in the Oscar-winning movie, "Slumdog Millionaire", and her father's attempt to sell her to the highest bidder. It is important for adoptive families everywhere to speak-out against the use of the term "Adoption" in reference to this obvious case of child-trafficking. Too many major media outlets are reporting that Rubiana's father was trying to "offer her for adoption for a price". We must never allow the very wide line between child-trafficking and adoption to narrow. Offering a child FOR SALE, to make a profit and without regard for the child's well-being, is child trafficking. Thoughtfully and legally placing a child into a loving home for the purpose of bettering that child's life, is adoption. There is a growing wave of anti-adoption sentiment sweeping the world today. As parents and advocates, let us stand ready to correct this misconception whenever it may occur.

Our baby girl's orphanage donation

Just so grateful

I decided after a tearful converstion on the phone with my sister Paige last Thursday afternoon that I would hop on the nearest airplane and fly to cali to help her move. She is prego with her 3rd baby and should not be lifting and really needed some help. I felt so helpless talking to her, living clear in Idaho, until I remembered that I CAN do something about it. I got an on line plane ticket and was off to Salt Lake within 8 hours! How grateful I am to live in a time of "Jet Blue"!
Erica picked me up from the airport and we went straight to Paige's house and went right to work. Thanks E for helping on the spur of the moment like that. You are the best! This just made me so grateful for our family. I love my sis and would walk the Earth for her and I know she'd do the same for me. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!! I know I sometimes am wondering at the end of the day why I wanted a big family. Then I remember that I gave them EACHOTHER, that The Lord gave them eachother and that is priceless. THAT is worth every sleepless night, every mess, every crazy sunday morning trying to get everyone's teeth brushed for church ( not to mention trying to find 2 matching shoes for all 5 kids) . Life begins and ends with family. I am so excited for our little daughter who is waiting in China for her mommy and daddy. I love her so much already and can't wait to hold her in our arms.
Sorry, I think I am babbling now. Just for the record, this is how this mom feels today. Just so grateful.
Mare- mom to SIX fantastic kids!
ps........ Our little girl is the cutie in the middle with the blue shirt with red writing! She is SO a Mallory!

Hi Aunt Paige

My mommy will be on a plane by 8:00 tomorrow morning.
Love,
Your neice,
Xiao Qi

Go check it!

I am throwing a party for an ADORABLE LITTLE BOY who is being adopted from Ethiopia by my good friend Geanie. Tomorrow he turns two. He will have no gifts, no balloons, no hugs, he won't even know it's a special day. Well, it's special to us! His momma is so sad she can't hold him so I have a plan to put a smile on the face of this amazing family. Go straight to www.extraordinaryhousewives.blogspot.com to see details. I want to help with raising money for this boy to get home to his forever family! Go check it out!!! We can make small things turn into big gifts! Trust me , their hearts(the Rodger's Family) are so big.

Mom, .........we have a hair situation........

This morning we have a friend over who is close to Jack's age, a darling little girl. ( Sarah's daughter Savana). Jack has been looking forward to it so he woke up, came out in rare form...............he was dressed and all cleaned up. Not typical for Jack first thing in the morning. Anyway, he called me over in a hurry and whispered......." Mom, I have a hair situation..." He turned around and there was a pick stuck in his bed head on the back of his head! Hilarious! I took care of it with a few squirts of no tangles stuff and off he went....... Way to go Jack! I can't wait 'till I can use this as leverage maybe when he's 16 or so!!

The daily "funny"

OK, here's the funniest comment of the today.......so far. Maybe not to you ,but to me, hey , they are my kids so I am easily amused:)

I was giving Mia good Morning hug. Mia loves to hug constantly , which is fun for this momma. Anyway, I was hugging her and she said,,,,,, pretending she was choking from my grasp said...................Mom.......... your's "choking me in half". I will be sad the day she stops these" Mia -isms". They grow up way too fast!

Ok then one more just has to make the list! We were looking at some family pictures and Jonah was on my lap. He looked at this picture taken in Oct. 2007 . We were a good 9 months away from getting him home from China so he was not in the picture. He got really sad and asked where he was(in the picture). I told him he was in mommy's heart and we were sad without him but we are together now and we will ALWAYS be his forever family.He was NOT satisfied with that answer. He kept studying the picture and then he got this huge smile on his face! He lit up as he told me that he WAS in the family picture........... he was right there in the trees! ( notice the trees). So glad to know he's been with us all along! My baby is figuring it all out in his own time. He is my son in every way, and he is my son eternally. I know someday he will understand this as well as understand our love for him and his Heavenly Father's love for him. Life is G-O-O-D!!!!!!!!!

Bedtime at the cookoo's nest

OK, a quick funny from bed time last night! I was putting Mia to bed. Ashton and Jonah could be heard getting out of their beds and fooling around in their bathroom.............not a good sign. I said to myself, not thinking Mia was awake at this point..." Oh those boys".... to which Mia muttered
"they're goin' down"...... and she seemed too thrilled about it! This girl is a peice of work! She is seriously about 10 years older than her biological age. Heaven help us, I have a teenage daughter!!!!!!!!

mom.........you're FREAKING ME OUT

My handsome Daddy on the left! I couldn't imagine life without you!~

I have had the BEST morning ever- and one of the funniest comments by Mia was made, I just had to blog it for posterity!! HeeHee
well, our sweet friend Emma (8) had a bone marrow transplant last month and her numbers are now showing that she is engrafted! The healthy,cancer free marrow is in the house and has taken over! I was in tears from receiving this news, then the phone rang and it was Paige- my sister. My Dad had surgery last week to remove a softball size tumor from his kidney. It was scary andcomplicated as his kidneys are conjoined. Anyway, after a long wait we found out that the tumor which had grown while setting up the surgery, is BENIGN!!!! BENIGN!!!!!!!!! I think that's my new favorite word. My Daddy means the world to me and he is OK!!! I prayed the Lord would see fit to keep him here with us and our prayers have been answered. So, As I am crying my eyes out with happy tears my daughter looks at me concerned. I tell her it's ok and I am crying happy tears, well, she looks at me with a serious face ans says, "Mom, stop your crying....you are FREAKING ME OUT! I was laughing, crying and peeing my pants all at once!
Seriously, this is the BEST day ever!

Isn't she CUTE

Hello, my name is Xiao Qi and I live in an orphanage in China........

I know, I know, just when I think I have seen the cutest orphans around the world needing a Momma and Baba, it never ceases to amaze me how precious these kids are. If you have ever thought about "just one more" or thought you'd like to help someone in the world who has no voice or means to help themselves................ then may I suggest getting on a plane and bring some PURE JOY to your life! Works for me!

Happy Birthday Ashton

Mia giving Ashton a big birthday hug this morning!
Ashton and Mia playing "oh no! Where's Mia's head??- Those are some cute toes sticking out of that pink coat!
And here's the picnic in the living room Ashy style......with pringles and his two best friends:)It's pretty great when your best friends are you brother and sister!
Yes that's right! It's Ashton's big #5 today! We kind of laid low because we will celebrate with family on Sunday when Daddy can be home. So, we decided to have a celebratory picnic in the living room with all of Ashton's favorite snacks! So we had a healthy breakfast of pringles and wheatables........ oh and some assorted veggies(plastic):) He was so cute as he went through the day just blown away that his birthday was FINALLY here! He almost didn't know how to act. We played outside then tonight we had pizza and rented Star Wars /Clone Wars and all is right in the world! Oh, they are so easy when they are 5! (Trust me, I have a 12 yr old who's life is oh so complicated)
Those of you who know Ashton probably already know my favorite 5 things about him
1. THOSE BIG BROWN EYES- ad yes, he uses them to get away with murder -and he does!
2. He is so compassionate! He is always worried about his sister in particular! Sooo cute!
3. He has a happy disposition. We need more of that in the world.
4. He sleeps in:)
5.He truly thinks he can do ANYTHING! THAT is a trait everyone should have!
I love you Ashy!!!!

Mia the opportunist

We all know Mia makes the most of life on any given day:) That being said, yesterday was no different as she battled a very high fever. I don't know what's wrong with her, I'll see where this goes but during her darkest hour yesterday I tucked her in bed and told her I was going to the store to get her some medicine( the Tylenol alone wasn't cutting it). So she said in a low mumble....... MOM....... will you also get me some shoes? I said shoes? Yes, she replied, I want pink sparkly shoes. She saw an opportunity and she took it! NO, I didn't come home with pink shoes but I did manage to find some motrin and her fever went down. There's one thing I do know, Mia can "work it" when she see's opportunity. Good thing I'm clued in to her um "talent"........

Tiny, tinier and tiniest

This morning my kids were sure out great white pyranese was hungry so they all volunteered to go out and give him their leftover toast! I had forgotten how tiny my kids are compared to tthe dog ( who's name is ironically "Tiny") I think he outweighs Ashton, Mia dn Jonah combined! The funny thing is that Tiny thinks he's one of the kids so he rolls around at their feet trying to start up a game. Too cute! Jonah still wants to saddle him up and go for a ride!

ASHTON'S FUNNY OF THE DAY

Ashton's funny tonight was too good not to post! He is quite anxious for his birthday which isn't until the 19th ( march) He has been trying desperately to move it up a bit. Not hi sparty but his actual birthday. I have failed to get through to him that you don't just move your birthday! Well tonight as I was tucking him in he told me " Mommy, my birthday is in 5 minutes okay...... I SAW IT !!!!"

Seriously....... you can't make this stuff up!