Black Friday!!!

I absolutely love to shop on the Friday after Christmas. It is my FAVORITE day to shop.

This year, I don't know if any of you noticed, but Kohl's had their stores open at 4:00 am! Yes, 4:00!

Who would be so crazy as to get up at 3:00, brave the 18 degree weather, just to go to a good sale?

You are reading her blog...

My mom, dad, sister and I all got up, freezing and still half asleep from the day before, and waited in line.

The line was down the street and around the corner. We were in the middle, which meant only one thing...

We had a really good chance of getting exactly what we wanted.

You betcha we did.

"So what exactly are we getting here?" my dad says to me as we are both huddled together, shaking from the freezing wind that was blowing.

"Um, I would like to get a car rug for John's room, but if I don't get it, that is ok too." I said between chattering teeth.

"What are you wanting, dad?"

"Nnnothing."

So we braved the weather, the crowds, the long lines, and the lack of sleep, just so we could all go in and pick up the car rug that I wanted for John's room. How much did I save?

$5.00

Yes, $5.00. Think about it this way, somewhere in the world, someone worked an entire day or week for the $5.00.

Makes me feel a little better!

Again, you are kidding me...

I want to adoopt again.

There, I said it!!! Yes, that would be six kids.

Eight pairs of pants, socks, underwear (when everyone is potty trained.)

Eight shirts, eight plates, eight glasses.

Probably about 24 -36 pancakes at breakfast.
15-18 eggs, one pound of bacon or sausage.

8-10 gallons of milk a week, and how much toilet paper?

But, I really believe we have another child out there, most likely in China.

I want Kaycee to grow up with another Chinese princess running around the house.
Someone that came from where she came from, that has the same heritage, culture, etc and most likely the same special need.

My husband is looking at the ticket prices before he gets on board with the whole idea. He has stated that he is thinking about it.

Right now, that is all I can hope for...

Finding Day

It was two years ago today, our daughter Kaycee was found on the street in front of the Fuzhou City Orphanage.

It is hard as a mom, to think of their child, at one month old laying on the sidewalk, alone.

I am not dealing with this so well today. I look at her and wonder if her mom thinks of her on this day.

We celebrate her birthday on October 6, however, this is only an estimate. November 6 is the first truth we have about Kaycee. We know she was found on 11-6, before that...it is only a guess.

It is hard to think about that. Maybe as the years go by, and we have more truths and knowns, it will be easier for me to deal with.

The not so scary side of Halloween

Our school has a great Harvest Festival for the little ones. Nothing that scares the kids, just fun games. It lets the dress up in their costumes, play some games, win some prizes, all in a warm and safe atmosphere.

We spent about an hour there last night with the three little ones, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, and Thomas the Tank Engine.

I ended up giving three left over tickets to one little boy and about five dollars to another little boy. It made their night, and I won't be vaccuuming up a little toy in the next couple of days...made my day too.

Kaycee's Two years old!!

Kaycee's birthday was actually October 6th, but we just had her party. Between football games, baseball games, (Rockies in the World Series) and FFA events, this was the first time our family could get together.

Unforturnately, I really am not the birthday party person. I never have been.

Its not because I don't like birthday parties or anything like that, I just don't do them...

Anyway, we went to McDonald's for breakfast and the kids got to play on the gym stuff. They love it and nobody realizes that there isn't a cake, ice cream or anything like that.

We had both sets of grandparents, Uncle Scott and all four kids, and Aunt Brenda. It was a good time. Even though she didn't know it was a special day, she had a lot of fun.

This is Kaycee with her tutu on, going up the slide. I thought it was a cute shot! :)

Then that night, our family celebrated with a cake. I missed the one year old eating her cake. She is such a clean eater - so we had to put a little chocolate on her nose just for us!

Deep inside though, I wondered as we were celebrating, if there was a woman, thousands of miles away that was thinking of our daughter also. Did she wonder what had happened to her? Did she send her birthday wishes to where ever she was? I will always wonder that. I will always pray for her. And I will always thank her for her gift to our family.

Where do you begin?

Where do you begin? The beginning was so long ago, maybe we should just start on July 12, 2007. That was the day Kaycee came home and we became a family of seven.

Seven, yes seven. Five kids. Five wonderful human beings that brighten up even the worst day.

Five pairs of eyes, mostly blue and green, but one a dark, dark brown, that look at you every day and say, "I love you mommy." Maybe sometimes it is stated, "I wuv ewe momma," and sometimes it is just a running kiss after a day at work, no words yet but it all means the same.

Yes, it is a lot of laundry, cleaning, dishes, grocery shopping, but in the end, I really do love it. Who wouldn't?

We have a 14 year old - soon to be 15 - he is a freshman in high school and growing taller and taller every day. His stomach is never full, and he seems like he is never home. Between football, youth group, 4H and Washington Focus, I feel like I am missing a child most days.

Our 12 year old is in 7th grade. He is the quarterback for the junior high school football team and did really well. (This isn't just mom's opinion either.) He has a huge part in the up coming play and is getting straight A's, what more could you ask for?

Our oldest daughter is 4 but I really think deep down she is 16. She is a very girly girl, but at the same time, much to her dad's delight, she can burb like the big boys! She is in preschool and we are trying to figure out how we can start her in kindergarten a year early. She already does the alphabet backwards...mom can't even do that!

Our youngest son is 2 but will be 3 in December. He was born on Pearl Harbor day...it really is fitting as his dad has a degree in history. He is our terror. He is the child that lets everyone know what his feelings are at all times. But at the same time, he is very loving and a sweet little guy!

And of course, who could forget baby Kaycee. She is our princess from China. She just turned 2 (pictures of her birthday tomorrow.) Anyway, she was a special needs adoption, she has bilateral microtia with a mild to moderate hearing loss. She currently has a bone conduction hearing aid and is doing wonderfully! She is truely our gift from heaven!

Well, that about wraps up the family. Are there any more coming? I sure hope so! I would really like to adopt one more child. If God would speak to my husband, like he does to me, I am sure there will be six pairs of eyes looking to us!