Sunday Snapshot: Gotcha Day (three years)

Three years ago Rick and I became parents in a hotel lobby in Nanchang, China. March 28^th marked our three year gotcha day. I knew the moment we met Caroline that God answers prayers. Three years later I can tell you that God answers prayers in a big way. We prayed for a daughter. We were blessed with a beautiful, brilliant, brave daughter. Caroline is a three year old, who loves to sing Taylor Swift, loves her school, her teachers, her family and Jesus. She is dramatic and loves life. She will always be my greatest blessing.

Nanchang, China March 28th 2010

Opening up in the hotel a few days later

First summer home getting to know the cat.

Almost 1 year old (July 4th 2010

First Halloween

10/31/2010

Three years later, March 2013

Loving life Spring 2013

Three years old and loves sports with daddy

JV Cheerleader

I am not sure where time went but Nara will start High School in the fall. Today she made the JV Cheerleading Squad for her high school next year. It will be a summer of practice and camps. We are so proud of her.

My Crazy Girl

Pre K-3 School Photo

Caroline has always attended some form of daycare. When we first returned from China I stayed home for 3 months and then she stayed at an in home daycare. Last year Caroline  attended a pre-school attached to the high school that I work at. I loved both places and her teachers and care givers loved her but I knew last spring that I needed to find something a little more. Caroline began attending the Pre K 3 program at a Catholic School this fall. She is learning academic curriculum, social skills and religious education. They start every morning with school wide prayers and she attends mass every week. Needless to say we are thrilled with her education. 

Caroline's Non-Uniform  School Photo

(three years old)

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

Caroline must have learned about St Patrick’s Day in school. She has been asking everyday when “Patrick’s Day was going to be. We started the day by going to church. We learned a little bit about St Patrick so I thought I would share it. If you are like me you probably do not know much about St Patrick.

When he was about 16, he was captured from his home and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After becoming a cleric, he returned to northern and western Ireland as an ordained bishop, but little is known about the places where he worked. By the seventh century, he had already come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland.

Saint Patrick's Day is observed on March 17, the date of his death It is celebrated both inside and outside Ireland, as both a religious and, especially outside Ireland, secular holiday. In the dioceses of Ireland, it is both a solemnity and a Holy day of obligation; outside Ireland, it can be a celebration of Ireland itself.

Sunday Snapshot: UM Basketball

In this house we support our Florida teams  We love the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Heat and yes even the Marlins but today it is all about the U. We are true fans during the good and the bad but today and really the entire season has been great for University of Miami Basketball. University of Miami Basket ball are the ACC Winners. Today they beat UNC to capture the title. 

Rick and I have been on spring break so we watched a lot of basketball this week. Miami played Boston College, NC State and UNC this weekend. We even watched the Heat play on Saturday night. Caroline has enjoyed the close games and all the cheering.

Caroline after the Miami/UNC Game

Caroline After the win over NC State

Caroline's Spring Showcase

Naples Player Spring 2013 Showcase

Caroline began participating in the local theater group last August. They do not usually allow kids to participate until they are four but they broke the rules for her. Caroline was a bunny in the Nutcracker Goes Pop in December. You can read about that fun here: http://onefamiliesjourneytochina.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-nutcracker-goes-pop.html



Caroline started her second class in January and had the opportunity to participate in the end of class showcase last night. It was an Adams Family/ Spooky/Ghost Buster Theme play. She had speaking parts and signing and dancing. Caroline has never been shy and I hope she never is. She thrives on the stage. She dances like no one is watching and she embraces the fun and excitement of the night. Rick and I were so proud of her.

Ghostbusters Video

In the park before the show

 At the steps of the theather

 Look at her dance

 She loves her friends

We are so proud of her

She loves her teachers

Sunday Snapshot: Our Cold Weekend

My husband and I were both raised in Florida. He was born in NJ and I was born in NC but we both moved to Florida as very young children. He stayed in Florida for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. I went to college in Tennessee and graduate school in North Carolina. I even spent my first five years of teaching in Charlotte NC. I remember the excitement of snow and I even enjoyed some of the winter clothes.  However, with all that said neither of us like the cold.  I really am a sandals and no socks girl. On Face Book I have seen all of my old friends in snow and very warm looking clothes. I have not been jealous. I do miss the fall but I am really quite happy with the change of seasons in Florida. (hurricane, rainy and tourist) I was reminded of my dislike for the cold this weekend. It started getting cooler on Friday night. It was even cold enough to enjoy a fire outside. Saturday was a little bit colder. Caroline’s swim lessons were canceled due to the weather and we turned the heater on in the house and the car. I enjoyed running and even enjoyed pulling out some long sleeve shirts for Caroline.  However, Sunday we woke up to  rain and 41 degrees outside and the enjoyment faded. Our long anticipated Easter photo shoot was canceled, the birthday party in the park was canceled and we Floridians went looking for anything inside to do.  As I was looking tonight for better lotion for my skin because I could already feel it drying, I could not help but laugh we really are spoiled and yes we do live in paradise. God Bless our Northern friends in the cold. Stay warm.

We found some fun in the "inside " playground

Enjoying our fire on Friday Night