HAPPY EASTER

Easter brings back so many fun memories...hunting down the baskets and eggs in the morning before attending church, getting sick on candy and cracking red eggs (a Greek Orthodox tradition). I even recall one year the Easter Bunny had fooled me quite well and put my basket in the dryer! I remember that it took me FOREVER to find it. One tradition that became more of a high school/college event was buying Peeps. My friends and I,would buy a box of yellow Peeps for 99 cents at the local K-mart. This was something we could afford and have enough to still share. These days you can find Peeps in all colors, flavors and during various holidays. I came across the Peeps website: pretty cute! Check it out!

http://www.marshmallowpeeps.com/

I didn't buy any Peeps this year....didn't feel like having sweater teeth this time around, BUT if I were to buy a box...it would've been green hands down :)

I would also like to say HAPPY BIRTH DAY to my Mom! She is the best Mom ever and I'm so glad to have her in my life!

Loved This Book

China Ghosts by: Jeff Gammage

I finished this book a couple of weeks ago, but still think of it often. It is about a father's journey to adopt his daughter. His point of view is very eye opening and his experience and thoughts are alive in his writing. I liked that this wasn't a glorified experience and encompasses both the good and the bad. I highly recommend this book to any adoptive parent or relative.

Colorful Hallway at BWCI

I just love this photo. What a fun hallway! It was taken at the Beijing Children's Welfare Institute. I wonder if Ming walks this hallway often? Mike and I were finally able to settle on a final Adoption Parenting Class at the end of the month. We were really beginning to worry that it might be difficult to find a session so late. We shouldn't have waiting so long....heck we've had 2 years to complete them. At least now we know we don't have to take additional classes due to things changing over time. We are excited to finish the remaining classes at the end of the month and look forward to sharing what we've learned.

I other news..... we are coming to a settlement with the car accident. It has taken soooo long. I never imagined it would take over one month. At least the accident is (hopefully) coming to an end. Besides a sore left knee, but only when I kneel, I feel better. Only time will tell. All those freaky stories of back problems years later still haunt me though.

Yes, it snowed again today..about 7 inches. *sigh*

Beijing Children's Welfare Institute

Above is a photo of the front entrance to the Beijing Children's Welfare Institute. This is where Ming calls home. I found this wonderful photo, with many others, on the BCWI yahoo group site. Very informative group! The institute looks a little more upbeat and colorful compated to other photos of other ones. I hope that Ming is happy there. I wonder how cold she got this winter and if she had enough warm clothing.

In other news - Mike completed a dresser for Ming. It is really beautiful. We skipped the logs and went with a more simple look. We'll post photos as we get closer to finishing her room. Although, it won't be completely finished until Ming is home because we aren't sure of her interests/tastes. I must say that it feels more like Ming is coming home because we put her clothes in the drawers...until now any clothing that we've had, even when we were originally planning on an infant/toddler, has been in storage containers in the attic.

It is snowing again right now and we are ready for spring. My trip to AZ can't come soon enough!

More and more snow...

This is a photo of the back of our house. As you can see it is on the north side. I can't believe how much snow has built up over the winter and our heaviest snow fall month is March! The snow doesn't look that tall, but the drop off is several feet. If you look in the lower left corner of the photo, you can see the top of the door to our crawl space....this is a good comparison. I wonder if the snow on this side of the house will eventually touch the roof? Also, notice the mini dog porch Our black lab, Boo, has literally broken through this on many occasions, even with a roof!

He has separation anxiety....we now call him boodini :)

Photo of our dining room doors with snow about 2 feet above the window.