Baby Picture therapy (a.k.a. Chicken Soup for a Mother's Soul)

One of my favorite quotes about parenting teenagers:
"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years. "~Mark Twain, "Old Times on the Mississippi" Atlantic Monthly, 1874

At our house we have two teenagers, a tween, and two preschoolers.  Most of our days are busy, busy, busy.  Crazy busy.  As a mom of two teens, I've heard my share of  "teen parenting horror stories."  But in all honesty, I really enjoy our "big boys" most of the time. 

They are fine young men who make me laugh and have good friends.  They love God and strive to do what's right.  Please understand,  we definitely have our share of struggles and arguments, but so far I am counting my blessings!

With that being said, there are definitely days.  Days when I feel like banging my head against the wall.  On those days, I can look at these angelic baby pictures of our boys and remember all over again that they are truly precious children of God.

Kind of helps me put things into perspective...

And now we finally framed one of Sarah's baby pictures.  So now her picture will be added to the wall.  :)

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Our little ribbon dancer (CNY 2011)

On Friday night we attended a local Chinese New Year celebration.  We look forward to it every year.  It's a lot of fun to meet and chat with other adoptive families and the kids love all the activities. 
This year was extra special because the girls were invited to learn a ribbon dance.  Sarah was a little shy at first, but in "true Sarah fashion", once she saw the ribbons and all the other girls, she was ready to go!

Here she is learning the dance with the teacher.  She just beamed the entire time.  She loved it!  (Sorry some of the photos are blurry/grainy.  I was playing with my camera settings before the party and it wasn't a good idea!)

  The ribbon dancers!  I could hardly hold back the tears when I saw all of these sweet girls together for the first time!

We also learned more about Chinese New Year, how to say "Happy New Year" and how children ask for red envelopes. 

    Logan's red envelope

The gang's almost all here (Justin had an indoor track meet).

       Jason and Sarah love the lion masks and the lion dance, too!

新年快乐

xīn nián kuài lè



Catching up...

For some reason, I've had a harder time than usual "embracing winter" this year.  Not sure why, except that it has been really cold and we've had a lot of snow.  And it gets dark so early.  Cold and dark are never a great weather combination.   Anyway, it finally warmed up a little bit last week so we went sledding.   (Someday soon they won't want to wear these cute hats, so I've got to use 'em while I can!!)

Grandma P came for a visit.  We had a great time.  Here we are at a life science animal museum.  (Notice my son's winter attire.  He would wear shorts to school EVERY DAY if I didn't insist on pants during the frigid winter months.)  

Logan participated in his first Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.  He made a humvee (with help from Dad, of course!).  It wasn't very speedy (humvees aren't built for speed, right?) but it looked great!

OK, yet another "surreal parenting moment."  My oldest son is dating.  Justin asked a girl to a high school dance.  This is the first time he has"officially" asked a girl to a dance, so of course I had to get a (blurry) picture.  They went with some other couples and had a good time.  (Obviously it was a casual dance!) Cute, huh.  :) 
Not sure (as a parent) if I'm ready to "tread the unpredictable and turbulent waters" of dating, but looks like we've already jumped in! 
And little Miss Sarah has been feeling a bit under the weather.  Here she is, asleep on a pile of warm laundry on the floor!  I knew something wasn't quite right when she started laying around on the couch in the middle of the day.  Sarah is almost always in motion, so to see her resting on the couch is very unusual.  
I took her to the doctor yesterday and she has strep.  :( 
Remarkably enough, she's been home for over two years and this is the first time she has been treated with an antibiotic.   We're thankful she's such a healthy little girl!