Photo Fundraiser Opportunity

Many of you remember my mission trip last year to work in the Chaoyang, Liaoning, China orphanage. Mike and I are beginning preparations for both of us to work there this summer. Our first fundraiser is coming up in a couple weeks, on February 23rd. If you live in the Whidbey Island area, come on over to our day long photo session. Lori Aschbrenner, of Moments in Time by Lori, is hosting a fundraiser for us, with proceeds going towards our trip. Please email or call me to schedule your appointment. She is a wonderful photographer who took our family photos this past fall, and she uses her talent for many charitable causes. Feel free to share this opportunity with others who may be interested.

If you are unable to come by but want to donate towards our mission trip, you can make tax deductible checks to Visiting Orphans with my name in the memo. Thanks for all the prayer and support! I wish everyone could have an opportunity such as this. It truly is a blessing to be able to spend time with these precious children.

Shopping for the Senate

Yesterday I took my 16 year old shopping, which is not exactly something he likes to do. He kept a good attitude though, as we were on a mission for an appropriate wardrobe for his stint as a student page for the senate. The week of Feb. 18 he has been selected to be a page for our Senator, Mary Margaret Haugen (sorry Mame, but our senator is a democrat). We had to shop for black pants, black shoes, black socks, a black belt, and a white shirt. It felt like we were shopping for a funeral! They will provide the ever-so-stylish red jacket. So if you know Kellen, you know this is definitely not his style. He is really looking forward to the experience though. I will do a follow-up post when he is done, and definitely include a picture of him at work (yes, it's work, and he gets paid).

Sussy

Today was a long day at work, but I perked up when I came home to my sussy on the front porch. Cody gave me a Dragon Bell Gong that fits right in to my China display, just in time for Chinese New Year that begins next week. Thanks Cody, it's perfect, and thanks Beth and Amylia, some of my online diabetes community friends, for getting this started!

The Joys of Home Ownership

Ughh, our second hot water heater in a year has went out on us! Unfortunately this time it was the one in the girls' bedroom, so carpet damage went along with it. The plumber (a friend of ours...thanks Karl!) and the carpet man were here a long time yesterday. The carpet will be back today and again on Monday (ching-ching$$$) to monitor the drying of the carpet. In the meantime, the girls are having a blast, because they are "camping" in other bedrooms! I have been washing my hair in the kitchen sink since Thursday, so I really appreciated a hot shower today. Another good thing is that the carpet man is going to do some extra carpet cleaning while he is here Monday. I am waiting to see the bill though, to decide whether or not it is worth filing a claim.

Mixed Emotions

Over Christmas I helped my 91 year old grandmother, who lives alone, clean out her cupboards. She had some beautiful antiques hiding away, to which she began offering me. It felt a little strange to be taking them from her, which has had me thinking. I think it gave her pleasure to give them to me, but I had mixed emotions about it. As I was cleaning them up to put on display, I was thinking of the stories behind each piece, and how Grandma must realize she may not be around much longer. This makes me sad, as she is very special to me. I am so spoiled though, at 42 (shh), to have three of my grandparents still alive!

The pieces cleaned up nicely, and I have put some of them on display in my kitchen. I think of my grandma everytime I look at them:)

Simply Beautiful

Many of you know that my daughter Jaelyn is missing her forearm, so I find this video beautiful and uplifting. The fact that it takes place in China is even more encouraging, since having a disability has not been a very acceptable thing in the past. The more the culture accepts those with disabilities, the more precious daughters they will keep. Take the time to watch, but just in case, have some kleenex nearby.
She without Arm, He Without Leg

Celebrations....

Whew, I think we finally have finished our many holiday celebrations. We started with the usual Christmas celebrations and time with family, then we celebrated Kaia's 3rd Gotcha Day (adoption day, 12/27), followed by Jaelyn's 4th birthday (New Year's Day). Today was her party, so I think the holiday season for us is officially closed. Sorry, but my camera died the second half of the trip, so I didn't get as many pictures there. Enjoy the slideshow.