7 Things about me that most people probably don't know

I got this from Ashley's blog and am finally remembered to do it!

Here are seven things about me that most people probably don't know:

1. I've lived in 5 different states. Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Florida and now Colorado. My favorite is by far Colorado!

2. In my mid 20's I, visited Greece and Turkey during the Kosovo War. I was so close that I could actually see the lights of the bombs going off. My parents grew a few extra grey hairs during that trip!

3. I hiked half of the Colorado Trail. Most of it by myself. Way cool experience :) I love sleeping outside and being in natures elements. I have well over 300 nights in the woods (Most of those nights are credited towards being employed in wilderness therapy). To this day there is nothing more peaceful than being in the backcountry.

4. I lived in my car for 3 months. Yes, I was technically homeless, but was by choice. It was a summer full of road trips and car camping after putting my items into storage. I don't think my cat liked it so much though.....seriously!

5. At the age of 17, I entered the Miss Teen All American Illinois pageant. I hated it until I found out that Halle Barry won a few years before. I didn't place, but decided it was in the end.

6. Mike and I met on www.match.com I never really thought I would fall in love with someone that I met on line. The first time we met in person, he gave me a CD and I wore purple pants and an orange shirt. Kind of funny, but love found a way.

7. I don't down hill ski. Too freaky and fast for me. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing is much more my pace. I think I'm one of few in the state that actually lives near Breckenridge and doesn't ski....oh well.

Ming Ruby Catherine Skubella

We decided on a name for Ming. Her full name will be Ming Ruby Catherine Skubella and she can choose if she would like to go by Ming, Ruby or Catherine. I hope she sticks with Ming because it is an easy name to pronounce and is part of her heritage, but who knows...maybe she'll want a more "American" name and will choose to be called Ruby or Catherine. Mike and I decided to stay with Ruby as one of her middle names because that name has been in our hearts for well over a year now. Catherine was added to carry on the Greek tradition of naming the first daughter after the Mother's Mother. Catherine is my Mother's name :)

Since we have seen Ming's photo, I don't think a day has gone by that I haven't thought of her. Mike as well. I wonder how she is doing, if she is keeping warm, how her studies in English are coming along and think about how she will react when she is told that she will be adopted. Sometimes I just get emotional thinking of her. She is our dreams come true. Preparations we are doing is learning Mandarin (Mike is doing a much better job than me), trying to find a translator (this is more difficult than I thought...we are quite rural), buying a few basic clothes, purchasing some English learning materials and putting together her Life Book. Her Life Book is mandatory by the state of Colorado (I think?) and pieces together her history into a book. This will give her a better sense of who she is. Any information we gather on her past will be put into the Life Book. It might be very tricky to put together her history, but after time we can fill in some of the missing spots as Ming opens up about her history.

Stay warm and safe no matter where you may be...

Washington DC

Youth member, me, Kathy and youth member

In DC with our Drug Free Community Coalition for a DFC training

Alive in the Year of the Rat

Happy Chinese New Year - Year of the Rat!

I am very thankful to see the Year of the Rat.

I was in a car accident this past snowy Monday night. A vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on the other side of the highway lost control of their car and crossed the median and hit me head on. My Jeep Cherokee saved my life. If a larger vehicle hit me, my car could've rolled off the cliff on my right side. The other driver and I were lucky to walk away from the accident. I am thankful to be alive and come home to a loving husband.

Ming - our family is meant to be together!

Beijing City Children's Welfare Institute

I've been trying to find photos of Ming's institute, but I have been unsuccessful. If anyone finds one, please let me know. Pictured above is a typical bed for older children living in a social welfare institute. It doesn't look to comfortable, but at least looks clean. I wonder if the kids are really cold with all the cold weather they've been having? A map of China is above as well. Beijing is market by one of the dark pink dots.