Our Family’s Journey to China

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T17:26:00.001-08:00

Caroline went to her first school Valentine's day party today. She brought cup cakes and Barbie cards for the class. It was a huge hit.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

Friday Night Fun

2012-02-10T18:18:00.001-08:00

Nara and Caroline had fun tonight with Sponge Bob, soda and ice cream

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

Chicago For The Weekend

2012-01-15T06:38:00.001-08:00

Rick and I have gotten a way for the long weekend. It has been cold and snowing but we are having fun. Caroline is staying with my parents. She is having a great time but we really miss her.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

Happy Birthday Lily

2012-01-04T10:47:00.001-08:00

My wonderful Poodle turns 11 today.. We love you Lily

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T17:13:00.001-08:00

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

Christmas Cookie Making with the Cousins

2011-12-25T00:14:00.001-08:00

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

Caroline is not Afraid of Santa

2011-12-16T18:53:00.001-08:00

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

sisters playing

2011-12-03T12:58:00.001-08:00

Having fun on a Saturday morning breakfast

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

Happy Fall

2011-11-28T14:43:00.001-08:00

Caroline has had a happy fall. She goes to a pre-school twice a week and has really enjoyed it. The other three days she attends her in home daycare. She is learning her colors and her numbers. This Thanksgiving I kept thinking how thankful and blessed our family is to have Caroline in our family. Adoption is amazing and has brought so much to our life.

She has started taking a huge interest in what she wears. She loves shoes and purses. She calls any kind of ponytail a “pretty”

We are looking forward to Christmas and spending some quality time with family.

Looking Ahead

2011-10-09T13:31:00.000-07:00

As the weekend comes to an end I am looking forward to a get away with my husband later in the week. It should be a lot of fun for both of us.

Dance

2011-09-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

Nara helping out

Caroline loves the pom poms

Ready for Dance

Caroline started dance two weeks ago. She has loved it! She is is a little shy when she starts each week but she then warms up to it. However, it has turned into a Mother and Me class and I have never been good at ballet. So I am the mother who is always one step behind. To help me with my lack of dancing skills I have started bringing Nara with us to dance. Nara really enjoyed helping Caroline. It has been a lot of fun.

September 11th 2011

2011-09-11T06:59:00.001-07:00

Never forget those we lost and those who continue to fight for our freedom.

Dance

2011-09-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

I am so excited Caroline is starting a Ballet/Tap class tomorrow. The class is called tiny tots for two and three year olds. I have been looking forward to this day for a long time.

So Loved

2011-08-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

Checkout this give away. It is a great cause and a great shirt. I already have one and would love more

Sunday Snapshot: Universal

2011-07-31T14:36:00.000-07:00

As a family we have gone to Universal and Island of Adventure many times. We live in Naples and that is about a 3.5 drive to Orlando. We have had season passes since Nara was about 5 so as you can see we have never brought a toddler to a Theme Park so we were a little nervous to bring Caroline but last weekend we decided to give it a shot.

The four of us spent a lot of time here. She thought this area was magical

Caroline, Nara and I rode this while Rick sat back and took a few pics

She was not really tall enough for this but we put her little wedge shoes on her and they let her squeeze by. This was by far her favorite ride.

Nara rode this ride solo no one else wanted to get this wet.

We stayed here at the Portofino Bay Hotel. The Portofino Bay Hotel is one of the three hotels on site. We have stayed at all of them and they are all great. Best of all when you stay on the grounds you get an express pass for the rides and you get in the park early. It is totally worth it and it is a resort so each hotel has amazing pools and spas.

With Parent Swap we were even a able to ride all of the big kid rides

One of my favorite restaurants at Universal is Hark Rock and thanks to a tired little girl we did not get to go but we always have next time

Best of all Caroline got the chance to meet Sponge Bob she was so excited. As she waited for him she started chanting “Sh BoB” (Sponge Bob) and then when he walked in she ran right up to him and gave him a big hug. My little one is not shy.

Caroline

2011-07-02T11:40:00.000-07:00

This daughter of mine is such a joy. She has grown so much in the last year. Her vocabulary is expanding daily and she has such a large personality.
When we first met Caroline in China she was hungry and was obsessed with food. She always wanted both hands full of food. We really just allowed it. Rick and I both felt that she had to learn that she had food and when she understood that then her obsession with food would lessen.
It has been 15 months since we returned home and I can say that she is finally not that interested in food. She has her favorites but she has really become a picky eater.
She loves restaurants and loves to be on the go. When we pull in the parking lot of a restaurant she will often look at us and ask Eat? However, once in the restaurant she is much more interested in social interaction than food.
It has been amazing to watch her grow and become the little girl that she is.

Happy Fathers's Day

2011-06-19T05:42:00.000-07:00

Nara and I have had a great time planning Father’s day. Nara, Caroline and I spent the day shopping and planning. We bought Rick some clothes for our upcoming vacation and a cool pair of shoes. Nara decorated him a cookie and made him a huge card.

The party started last night with a family dinner and has continued this morning with Nara making her dad breakfast. Caroline and I are heading to church we will take Rick out for a late lunch later today.

Overall we are having a great time celebrating Father’s Day. Happy Father's Day to all of the great men who are called Dad

Ready for Summer

2011-06-12T17:26:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T09:04:00.001-07:00

Hppy Birthday Caroline!

2011-04-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Caroline We just returned from Gymnastic World where Caroline celebrated her 2nd birthday with family and friends. We are all tired. I will post pictures soon.

Caroline Day

2011-03-28T16:15:00.000-07:00

One Year ago today Rick and I became parents in a hotel lobby in Nanchang, China. In some ways in seams like we have always had Caroline and in other ways I question where the year went. A year ago Caroline slept in her stroller and watched TV all night. That was after she cried for two hours. It became clear that she loved the stroller and the stroller became our friend. One year later she still loves the stroller and she loves to go but can I count the ways our girl has grown. She loves to laugh, play and talk. She loves her mom and dad and big sister and brother. Tonight we will celebrate Caroline Day with green and pink butterfly cupcakes. I will end tonight the same way I ended a year ago. I will thank God for our answered prayers and I will pray for the mother that left her so she could be ours.

Our Backyard.

2011-03-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

Rick and I love to travel and we have found it a little difficult with Caroline being so young. So until she gets a little older we have been trying to enjoy our backyard
We are currently on Spring Break but have really enjoyed the last few weeks. Rick and I have made a real effort to enjoy the local area around us. Both of us grew up in the area but we have discovered lately that our little local area has a lot of fun.
We loved to go and stay on Fifth Avenue in Naples or just go and have lunch. Fifth Avenue has a lot of unique shops. It is within walking distance of the beach. We often go and have lunch and then we walk to the beach.
We are also on a big exercise commitment so we try to at least to incorporate long walks into what we do. So two weeks ago we joined the Naples Botanical Garden. Every week we try to go and enjoy the natural beauty while we walk a few miles. Caroline loves it.

Although we look forward to the day when we can pull our passport back out and travel to someone else’s backyard for now we are enjoying ours.
So here are a few of the spots we have been to lately:

Naples Beach Hotel

http://www.naplesbeachhotel.com/

This is an older hotel in Naples. You can have dinner right on the beach. The sunset is great

http://www.naplesgarden.org/

This where we love to enjoy the gardens and walk

The Inn on Fifth is in a great location to enjoy downtown Naples

We enjoy the beach but really do not go as much as we should.

Fifth Ave is in downtown Naples and is a tourist area. It has lots of great shops and restaurants.

The Asian Garden is one of our favorite stops along our walk.

2011-03-07T16:43:00.000-08:00

On Sunday Rick, Caroline and I all went to the Naples Botanical Garden
The Naples Botanical Garden is local tropical gardens with beautifully restored natural habitats. So last week we went to the Corkscrew Swamp and this week we went to the gardens. We are not trying to be tourist in our own town. Although we do live in a tourist town. Rick and I have started the Couch to 5K program So we run every other day on the days that we do not run we try to walk a few miles. So on Sundays we try to take Caroline to interesting places where we can incorporate a long walk and then we go out to a lazy lunch.

http://www.naplesgarden.org/Visiting_the_Garden.aspx

Corkscrew Sanctuary

2011-02-28T17:20:00.001-08:00

Some of the Friends we saw a long the way

Hanging with dad

Rick along the way

Helping Nara with Homework

Rick Caroline and I had a great time at Corkscrew Sanctuary http://corkscrew.audubon.org/
Rick and I have started running again so we run every other day. The day we do not run we try to walk a couple of miles. So Sunday we took Caroline and walked all over Corkscrew Sanctuary. It was about three miles. It was fun for all of us.

Catching Up

2011-02-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

She loves the park

Nara and her friends

Another great day playing outside.

I have not blogged in a very long time. It has been a busy year for our family. The month of January was full of illness. I think everyone in the family got sick at some point in January.
February has been a nice month. We celebrated Chinese New Year by having dinner at a local restaurant and celebrating with cupcakes when we returned home. Nara turned 12 on February 6th and then Valentine’s Day was here.
Caroline is growing everyday. She learns a new word daily. I love hearing her talk. She has a very sweet voice.
I will try to post more in the next few weeks.

Happy Birthday Lily

2011-01-04T16:17:00.000-08:00

Happy 10th Birthday Lily

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

2010 was a wonderful year for our family. Just a year ago we were waiting for our LOA and preparing for our trip to Sweet Caroline. It has been a year of change and growth for our family. Mostly is has been a year of love. We have loved watching Caroline grow and learn to love and trust her family. The year 2010 will always be special for us but we are looking forward to 2011 and all the new exciting things that our family might encounter. Happy New Year and I hope you find many of God’s blessings in 2011.

Nara and Caroline Having Some Fun

2010-12-30T19:16:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T18:41:00.001-08:00

Echo

2010-11-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

I have kept in touch with one of our guides in China. Today she e-mailed me back with a picture of her. Her name is Echo and she was a big part of our journey to Caroline. Echo was our guide in Nanchang. She was with us when we met Caroline. We really liked her and we talk about her often. I just wanted to post her photo on our blog so she becomes apart of this scrapbook.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T15:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving

We have had a great weekend. Caroline really enjoyed her first Thanksgiving. She loves turkey. Rick, Caroline and I went to my sister’s house for lunch and then we came home and had our own Thanksgiving dinner with Devon and Nara.
Our old friends Lynn and Chris came into to town and spent some time with us. It was wonderful that they gto to meet Caroline. She really enjoyed them.
Three weeks until Christmas break

Help this family

2010-11-25T17:49:00.001-08:00

The following family is trying to raise money to adopt from China. They are getting $2 per comment left on this Seeds Magazine blog--totally free money for them! They have reached 600 of the 1000 comments needed to receive $2000 to help bring home their daughter. They need 400 more comments by Tuesday or will miss out on $800. It's FREE...only takes a minute to comment!!! And, you can do one for each of the email addresses you have and you can do it once per day. Please take the time to do it and spread the word!
http://sixseeds.tv/s/content/adoption/640-adoption_the_christopher_family

I love this!

2010-11-15T18:27:00.000-08:00

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.But those who make their journey home across time & miles,growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands.~Kristi Larson

I felt this way the first time I saw Caroline. I know God was a part of every move

Flashback Friday

2010-11-11T21:44:00.001-08:00

This is at our hotel in Hawaii. She became an American Citizen in Hawaii. This is the stroller that we bought in Nanchang, China. The stroller was so cheap it fell completely apart before we got back to Naples. However, we loved it while we were in China.

Sears Tower Chicago

She has grown so much in the last 7 months

National Adoption Month

2010-11-10T23:08:00.001-08:00

November is National Adoption Month. http://www.nationaladoptionday.org/
Our family has been blessed by the miracle of adoption. Please pray for all the children in the world still waiting for a family

Great 30 Day Giveaway

2010-11-10T16:01:00.000-08:00

Wild Olive/Women of Faith giveaway

2010-11-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

Wild Olive/Women of Faith giveaway. Check out this site and join the giveaway http://www.wildolivetees.com/its-giveaway-time-big-time/

They have great T-shirts

Happy Fall

2010-10-20T18:20:00.000-07:00

Nara and I took Caroline on her first photo session. We were both very excited. Caroline did not share our same excitement. The photographer took about 20 shots. This was the only good one. She cried and screamed like I have never seen her do. However, Nara and I left with hope for the next time.

Caroline's website

2010-10-20T17:55:00.000-07:00

We have updated Caroline's China website

http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com/caroline/index.htm

Great Sites

2010-10-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

Check out the two following links

http://www.wearegraftedin.com/

http://www.jiayindesigns.com/JiayinDesigns/Home.html

Thursday Things to Pray For

2010-10-07T17:49:00.001-07:00

Caroline has been going to a home daycare. We love her her daycare but over the last few weeks I have realized that Caroline will really do well with just a little more of a Pre K setting. So starting next week she is going to continue to go her daycare four days a week but on Wednesdays she is going to go to a Pre-school. Please pray that this is a wise decisions and that she does well with this change.

Nara has been sick the last week. Please pray for her speedy recovery

2010-09-19T10:18:00.001-07:00

GO DOLPHINS!

Caroline's Friday Night

2010-08-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

Caroline spent her first birthday playing by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii but it took us 4 months to get her ten miles down the road to put her feet in the Gulf of Mexico. Rick, Nara and I took Caroline to the beach for a few minutes tonight before heading to the high school football game to watch Devon. She enjoyed the beach but she loved to dance with the band at the football game.

Happy Birthday Rick

2010-08-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Rick

2010-08-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet husband! He always has a way of making his birthday special for me. We went out to dinner and I am the one that got cake. Tomorrow we will have a family birthday dinner. I think Caroline is going to love it.

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

2010-08-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

First of all I must update, all of the prayers have helped. Caroline has had a much better week, but please continue to pray for her continued adjustment.

Caroline is quite a walker but after all day at daycare she loves to be carried so please pray for my back. Carrying her has done some damage to it

Please pray for Nara and Devon as they enjoy the last bit of summer break. They start school 8/23. We are all praying for a great year.

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

2010-08-05T05:45:00.000-07:00

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

1) I started back to work this week and it has been a challenge. Sweet Caroline is not so sweet early in the morning. She has really struggled with the change in her schedule. Please pray for her to adjust to her new schedule and please pray that as a family we adjust to this change.
2) Caroline appears to have a real a lactose issue. We are trying to find the diet that works best for her. Please pray for her continued good health.

Please join my prayer/blog friends on this Thursday post. I think it is fair to say we could all use prayer friends.

KISSES IN THE WIND(The Waiting Child's Lullaby)

2010-08-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

I read this often as we waited for Caroline

KISSES IN THE WIND(The Waiting Child's Lullaby)

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.~ © Pamela Durkota

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

2010-07-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

My Blog friend Kelly over at http://raudenbushfamily.blogspot.com/
has been doing this post for a few weeks now. So I thought I would give it a try.

1) I go back to work on Monday after having 6 weeks off. Please pray that I am able to make the transition smoothly for myself and my family. I love my job but it is more stressful now with Caroline
2) Please pray that Caroline enjoys daycare again. When we ended Daycare 6 weeks ago she had became adjusted but since that time she has become much more attached and more unwilling to go to other people.
3) Please pray for my parents as they journey back home to Florida from NC

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

We Start Them Young

2010-07-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Caroline loves the computer. She is not sure what she is doing but she knows it has something to do with that mouse. She immediately goes for the mouse.

Sunday Snapshot (this daughter of mine)

2010-07-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that we have not even know each other for 4 months, yet most of the time I feel like I have know her my whole life.

She is funny and smart and oh what a big heart she has this daughter of mine

This daughter of mine is a Southern China girl with a ton of American Spunk

Most Importantly, this daughter of mine is finally home where she belongs

We love you Caroline!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-21T17:01:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-14T05:46:00.000-07:00

Thankful Thursday

2010-07-08T12:34:00.000-07:00

I know I am blessed to be her mother.

Happy July 4th

2010-07-05T06:02:00.000-07:00

Even though this was a very special 4th of July it was rather low key. We usually have a big party on the 4th but that is hard with July 4th falling on a Sunday. In addition, Nara had to go to her mother’s house. The kids did get a chance to set some fireworks off on Saturday. Caroline loved fireworks. The girl has no fear.
The most special part of the day was enjoying this holiday with my beautiful daughter. It is sometimes still hard to believe that she is really home. We waited so long to have her here. The annoyance of an ex wife an the day that a holiday falls on becomes rather irrelevant when we look at our beautiful China Baby holding an American Flag. I thank God everyday for the beautiful child.

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

We have lots of beautiful places to travel and see in this world but no greater place to call home then the USA. Enjoy the 4th

Happy Birthday Emma!

2010-07-01T17:56:00.001-07:00

Just Another Summer Day

2010-07-01T17:55:00.001-07:00

Caroline and I were off to a great day when we had a tire blowout. The Gieco roadside service guy came to help out. Caroline thought the repairman was amazing. She kept pointing at the guy and the tire and saying “ look Mama” The rest of the day she kept pointing at tires. She is so smart and really surprises me still with how quick she learns.

Rainy Day!

2010-06-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

Great relaxing, rainy day with Rick, I am looking forward to having fun with Caroline and Nara tomorrow. Summer vacations are a lot of fun. Congratulations to Rick on his job promotion. He starts his new job tomorrow.

Giveaway

2010-06-25T17:31:00.001-07:00

One of my blog friends has a great giveaway going on. She is a huge adoption supporter. Check her blog out at http://www.nihaoyall.com/

Special Day

2010-06-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

Rick and I were married 7 years ago today! This anniversary was even more special because today he completed his oral comprehensive exams and was admitted into his doctoral candidacy at the University of Florida. One more year and he will have his doctorate. I am very proud of him!

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

In honor of Father'Day I wanted to post our first Family Photo. This was Gotcha Day 3/28/10
Nanchang China.
This was taken about two minutes before Caroline started crying. She cried for the next two hours.
Thank You Rick for going to China with me it was a journey we will never forget.

Happy Fathers Day

2010-06-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

Caroline, Nara and I had lunch with my parents. Rick left early in the morning to drive to Gainesville (UF) for his comprehensive exams. Good Luck Rick all of your girls love you!

First Day of Daycare

2010-06-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

Caroline's first day of daycare went well! Lots of tears in the morning but was all smiles in the afternoon.

Going back to work.

2010-05-31T12:56:00.001-07:00

I am a little sad today. I go back to work tomorrow. Caroline starts daycare tomorrow. Do not get me wrong I am looking forward to being back at work but I am going to miss all of the adventures that Caroline and I have gone on since coming home. She is so funny and amazing to watch. Every day she learns something new and so I am sad that I am going to miss some of that.

Today Caroline pointed at her nose and said nose. She is learning news words everyday. She calls balloons balls and she call all animas dog. I am sure she will do great in daycare. It is only for a few weeks on June 24th I am off for the summer.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

Week in Review May 24th

2010-05-24T13:22:00.001-07:00

Caroline hanging out with Emma at Mammy's house

Playing with Aunt Kelly

Talking to Mammy

Jaiyin Designs

2010-05-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Check this blog out http://raudenbushfamily.blogspot.com/

We travled to China the same time with this family. I am sure this is a great giveaway and business. They are wonderful people.

Weekend in Review

2010-05-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

Caroline playing at the playground

Nara, Emma, and Caroline

Learning to climb

Hanging out at Starbucks with Emma

Nara going to the 5th grade dance

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-12T04:34:00.001-07:00

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-10T18:07:00.000-07:00

I waited so many years to be able to celebrate Mothers Day. Rick worked really hard to make it a special weekend. On Friday Rick and I went out to dinner. Nara fixed dinner for all of us on Saturday and on Sunday we had lunch with my mom and sister. It was all great but really just having Caroline home was more than I could ask for. She is such a blessing.

Back Home for One Week

2010-04-27T17:31:00.000-07:00

I have really been slacking with posting. These photos are of Caroline getting off the airplane in Chicago.
Caroline is doing great! She sleeps all night and is learning new words every day

Tokyo

2010-03-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

We have really enjoyed Tokyo and appreciated the Japanese people. Everyone has been so kind too us. Yesterday we visited two different wards in Tokyo, had lunch in a Japanese noodle house and rode on the subway and train system. Nara and Katrina ate cheesecake at a Japanese cheesecake store.
Today we visited two other areas of Tokyo. We went to several different electronic stores and video gaming places. We saw the Tokyo tower and we crossed the Shibuya Crossing. Today we found the Hard Rock Café and had lunch. Rick has become an expert at the subway system. We feel like we have seen a lot of Tokyo but we know we have a lot more to see. One day we hope to return to beautiful Tokyo.
Tomorrow we will do a little more of exploring Tokyo and then we will head to the airport for our flight to Beijing We will be sad to bid farewell to Tokyo but we will be happy to be one step closer to Caroline.

All our best from Tokyo
Rick, Katrina and Nara

2010-03-23T04:56:00.001-07:00

We made it to Tokyo. Long flight but doing well

2010-03-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

We are set to go. Please follow our journey to China and Back

http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com/caroline/

2010-03-21T01:38:00.000-07:00

It is 4 in the morning and I cannot sleep. Tomorrow this time we will be getting ready to embark on a journey of a lifetime. It is so hard to believe that we have finally got to this point after so many years of waiting. Rick ask me a few minutes ago if I was ready for our adventures over the next month. I am so excited to be going on this journey to our daughter with him.
I am going to try to make Sunday a low key day! We have a few last minute things to do but I really just want to enjoy the day together.

Ready to GO

2010-03-17T18:36:00.000-07:00

Hotels are booked and Plane tickets are bought. Two more days of work until my second baby shower and then we leave.

2010-03-13T17:53:00.001-08:00

The walls are painted, the clothes are hung up and Rick is putting together the crib tonight. We still need to pack. One more week until we are headed toward Caroline!

One more week!

2010-03-12T16:20:00.001-08:00

One more week of work and then I will be off work until the beginning of June. Then I will go back to work for a couple of weeks in June and then I am off for the summer. That is one of the benefits of working for the school system.
Caroline is not even here and I have already made so many plans for us I have signed her up for swimming lessons, library storytelling and I have renewed our membership to the zoo. Can you tell I am a first time mom?
Nara and I have had the best time hanging her clothes up. I have waited years to be able to make that room her room. I think Nara is just about as excited! Nara insisted that I practice putting on a diaper on her stuffed animal. It was not that hard. I think I will be ok.
Rick has been busy installing new closet doors, and putting together furniture.
I have two showers to attend in the next week and a lot of packing to do not to mention a lot to do at work before I can leave.
The last several days have been a blur of preparing. I could not help but think about Caroline and wonder what she has been doing. We have waited years for her and she has no idea her world is getting ready to change. Well, I guess she will find out soon that we have a lots of love and several adventures ahead.

Updated Photo of Caroline

2010-03-08T10:03:00.000-08:00

Caroline's Adoption Website

2010-03-04T16:40:00.000-08:00

Please follow us on our journey to Caroline

http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com/caroline/

Travel Plans

2010-02-23T14:39:00.000-08:00

We have our travel dates.

On this trip we have a few extra stops. We will begin our journey in Tokyo and end our trip in Hawaii. Rick has always wanted to visit Tokyo so we could not think of a better time to go. Rick and one of his co-workers have a presentation to make at a conference in Hawaii so the girls and I are going to tag along on our way home. So here are our dates!

March 21st Fly to New York
March 22nd Fly to Tokyo
March 26th Fly Beijing
March 27th Tour Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City
March 28th Fly to Nanchang
March 29th Caroline Day
March 30th A day of paperwork
March 31st and April 1st t Shopping and Sightseeing
April 2nd Pick up Passport and Fly to Guangzhou,
April 3rd Medical Appointment
April 4th and 5th Shopping and Sightseeing
April 6th Consulate Appointment
April 7th Oath Ceremony
April 8th Pick up Visa
April 9th Leave China and Arrive in Honolulu
APRIL 10TH, 11TH and 12th Sightseeing in Honolulu
April 13th Presentation and Conference
April 14th Get ready to go home
April 15th Fly Home

Caroline

2010-02-12T07:21:00.000-08:00

I have had several people ask me where Caroline currently is living. Caroline lives in a foster home in Fengcheng City Jiangxi province. The literal translation of the name is "Abundance City", due to its importance as a major commercial hub for agricultural products. It is located in northern Yichun, next to Nanchang. There are 26 towns and 7 sub-districts. Its area is 2845 square kilometers and its population is more than 1,300,000. We will be meeting Caroline in Nanchang. Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province

Hope for Haiti T Shirts

2010-02-11T09:20:00.000-08:00

100% of the proceeds from the sale of HOPE will go to benefit the people of Haiti, through the help of Eyes Wide Open International. Visit here to learn more about this organization and the ways they are changing lives and making a difference for the people of Haiti.
HOPE will be available for sale February 13th.

Visit Here to buy a shirt and suppoort Hope for Haiti http://www.wildolivetees.com/hope-for-haiti-the-giveaway-2/

We received our TA today!

2010-02-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday NARA

2010-02-06T16:34:00.001-08:00

Nara's Birthday Week!

2010-01-31T17:01:00.000-08:00

Nara turns 11 this week. We have a birthday party planned with Sammy and CC on Saturday.

Greek Festival (Caroline's Birthday)

2010-01-31T16:54:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Caroline’s Birthday at the local Greek Festival Rick and I have gone for the last several years and have always loved it. We were thrilled when we realized that the Greek Festival opened on her birthday. We could not think of a better way to celebrate. Nara got a new ring and all of us enjoyed the Greek food

This is Caroline's Birthday Week

2010-01-24T15:41:00.001-08:00

She will be one on Friday!

Progress toward Caroline!

2010-01-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

We are just waiting for our TA. (Travel Approval) We hope to get it by the end of the month.

We have made progress on her room. We bought her furniture. It is white with the sleigh design. We hope to travel in March!

The Best of 2009

2010-01-04T17:02:00.000-08:00

Nara and her cheerleading friends

The Homecoming Queen

Summer 2009 we took the kids to NY City. In January 2009 just Rick and I went to NY for a long weekend

Nara and Rick in central park

We saw her face for the first time on December 4th. She stole our heart.

2009 in review

2010-01-04T16:58:00.000-08:00

Nara and Rick dancing a Mark's Wedding

Halloween 2009

Violet turned 2

The homecoming queen and her dogs

2009 in review

2010-01-04T16:52:00.000-08:00

Nara and I spent a week in Miami at the Dolphin Cheerleading Camp

Rick and I wnet to the Dolphin training camp in Aug of 2009

Rick and I went away for a lot of weekends in 2009. The Hyatt Place was one our favorite stops

Nara started playing the piano in 2008 but she ad her first show and won 1st place in 2009

Happy Birthday Lily!

2010-01-04T09:16:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Lily

New Years!

2010-01-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

Nara and I went to my parent’s house and had lunch. We had a great New Years Day! Looking forward to 2010 "the year of Caroline"

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T16:41:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T15:44:00.000-08:00

Rick and I are going to dinner with friends! Nara is at my moms and Devon is at work. Looking forward to 2010

LOA

2009-12-30T01:24:00.000-08:00

We received our letter of acceptance yesterday. It was really fast we did not get our PA until December 14th. It has all happened much faster than our agency thought. It looks like we will travel sometime in February. It is all very exciting and a little overwhelming.

Caroline

2009-12-29T08:10:00.000-08:00

She will be a year old January 29th