Rock Climbing Tease...

I was hoping to have some impressive rock climbing action photos to post from yesterday, but alas, I have none.  It wasn't the ankle that held me back from participating though. In fact, once last week's MRI showed no break, and the doctor told me I could not hurt it anymore than it was, I was ready to start getting up and around. So I decided not to cancel the climbing class I purchased last March for Josh, Mike and I.  I would at least do what I could.

However, when we showed up for the class, no one else was around! So frustrating, as we had coaxed Kellen and his girlfriend to show up early so we could make the 1/2 hr. drive to class. Turns out they forgot to email us to tell us the class was cancelled, so as a consolation, they have offered us the Level II class for free. So I guess it will work out for the better, plus I get another week to let my still sore and swollen ankle rest.  The downside is that since Josh's football begins tomorrow, and volleyball next Monday, there is really no time left where we can all do it together. So Josh and I will take the class this Sunday while Mike and the girls are in Sun River with his mom, and Mike will take the class alone the following weekend. Hopefully we can all do the Level II class together. If all goes well I should have some photos to post next weekend.

For now, here are some photos from Cocoa's first trip to the beach. With the way she loves to get into our pond, I thought she would dive right into the water. However, she was afraid of the waves, but trying to eat all the seaweed on the beach. Next time one of us needs to be prepared to take her further out in the water, and I'm sure there will be no turning back.

Advocating....

This post is devoted to finding families for some children that are dear to my heart. Please feel free to share this with anyone who may be interested, as the sooner these kids have forever families, the better.

The first child is sweet Isaac. We first met him back in 2010, where I fell in love with his big beautiful eyes. Here he was then (yes, that's HIM in pink!)...

and here he is now, two years later, cute as ever...

He is such a sweet and easy going boy, and would be a wonderful addition to any family. His special need is listed as severe hypospadia.  His file is listed with the Great Wall China Adoption agency if you are interested. They list him as "Toby."

Great Wall also has the files for our Luke, but I am happy to say that his file is  listed as "pending" as a family is currently waiting for approval to proceed with his adoption.

At least two other Chaoyang children are also currently available for adoption. I think they are both on the special focus adoption list, so any agency should have access to them. They are both currently in foster care under the guidance of LIGHT. I am able to inquire of them and get updates, so if anyone is interested, please contact me.

Like Isaac above, we first met QianHong in 2010. She is now four years old, and has been in foster care since shortly after we met her. According to the physical therapist who works with her, QianHong has learned to walk despite the very tight Achilles tendon/heelcords, and has full/normal use of her hands and arms, despite the bowing of the radius in both forearms. She is a fantastic girl, such a friendly personality, and very sensitive, shows emotions readily and is quite resilient.

2010...

2012 and still has her beautiful smile...

Min Bo is now 10 years old, almost 11, and in foster care, but we first met him back in 2007. I posted about him back in July. He has been with the same family for over two years now, but is waiting for his forever family. MinBo has mild cerebral palsy, but is very social and interactive and loves to sing, loves music and loves having the Book read to him.  If you are interested, inquiries can be made through LIGHT, so please let me know if you are interested.

I had another child in foster care that I was going to be advocating for, but I have just learned that a family has just received PA for him, so I will post more about that wonderful news when I can. I had inquired more of him so that I could advocate for him here, so had tears in my eyes when I read he is one step closer to his family!

Olympic's Inspiration...

So as I mentioned in my last post, we have been watching a lot of Olympics around our house. Two weeks ago Kaia tried out for and made the Competitive Tumbling Team for Leaps & Bounds Dance and Tumbling. So we have been watching Team USA at the Olympics very closely, and Kaia is quite inspired. She has been doing plenty of practice in the front yard and on the trampoline. She is the youngest on her team, and in just her second practice she learned to do a back handspring. I didn't know why she called me in at the end of practice, but good thing I grabbed my phone, because I captured this proud moment of hers. Her coach told me that they were even better earlier in the practice, as Kaia was tired out by the time she showed me.

Hot Legs...

Remember that song by Rod Stewart in the 80's?  This is anything but hot legs; just wanted to grab your attention....

So Saturday my softball team played in the annual end of season tournament. After winning the first two, we had just begun our third game against the league champs. I was running from first to second when I was hit right on the ankle bone by the male outfielder's throw. Can you say "ow?" At least I think that is what I said. Most importantly I was safe, so after play had stopped I attempted to walk it off. The shortstop asked if I wanted a runner, to which I adamantly said "No, I'll be okay." However, then I made the mistake of looking at my ankle and saw this immediate bump and bruise:

Needless to say I decided to have a runner! As I was leaving the field the umpire told me it was okay to cry, but I told him "No, it's not." I mean, come on, I have my pride, right?

I cheered the team on for the rest of the game but decided to go in for xrays after experiencing an intense amount of pain trying to walk. Fortunately there was no break, and I have been trying to stay off it ever since. I must admit I am not so good at that. Now three days later I have a lovely array of colors from heel to calf, and a bit lumpy, although this picture doesn't really do it justice.

You can tell by the fact that I made this post that I am really bored with just sitting around the house. Thank goodness the Olympics have been on so at least I have that to watch. Mike is attending class off island this week, but he did do a good job at playing nurse while he was home.

Chaoyang 2012 Video...

I have finally completed the video from our recent work at the orphanage. I hope you enjoy it. I love the lyrics to the song; they are about both the orphans, and us volunteers!

Puppy Progress...

At last weeks' vet appointment Cocoa weighed in at 30 pounds, so we were told to put her on a diet. When we unexpectedly had to take her in Monday (more on that later),  we were excited that she hadn't gained any weight since the week before! Everyone tells us "Look at the paws on her; she's going to be huge!" Well here is a look at her pedigree so you can judge for yourself:

Her father, a recent Candadian Grand Champ

Her mother, which must be where she gets her magnetic attraction to water from:)

Although he is getting better, Romeo has been not so warm to Cocoa. Definitely some jealousy going on. Last week Romeo had one of Mike's shoes in the garage, which he was being possessive over. Evidently Cocoa got too curiously near him, so he nipped at her head and gave her a puncture bite. It abscessed, so we had to make a quick return visit to the vet. She had to have the area shaved, drained, then given antibiotics. She is doing just fine, and despite the lumpy forehead, she is still cute as can be.

Romeo has not nipped at her since, and has even played with her a couple times, but still has a long way to go. They are reminding Mike and I of a certain sibling relationship a few years back when one sibling was very jealous when a new sibling showed up in their territory. But as we know, that relationship has come a long way since then, so we have hope:)

Busy Weekend....

Friday both Joshua and Mike began the Ragnar Relay, Josh on team High Milers, made up of 12 male/female high school students, and Mike on team Ultra Edukators, made up of just six middle aged male high school teachers! I'm proud to say that Josh's team took first in the coed high school division, finishing the 200 mile relay in 25.05, and Mike's team took third in their division, finishing in 25.55.   Since I wasn't at the start or finish line, and I volunteered during the 2 am shift, I didn't get a chance to take photos.  There were photos taken at the finish line, so when those get posted on the Ragnar page, I will share them.

My boys didn't get much rest, since we headed to Seattle on Sunday to see our sister-in-law Tonyia. She was in town to send our nephew Morgan to Germany for a month, where he will be playing on a NBC International Travel Basketball Team.  It was a quick trip to Seattle, but we were able to ride the new Seattle Great Wheel ferris wheel that just opened July 1.  The girls were a little disappointed that it wasn't a more exciting ride, but I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful views.

Enclosed cars for the unpredictable Seattle weather. Each car has air conditioning just in case!

View from beneath

We walked just a bit around Pike's Place, as we were trying to be mindful of Mike's sore legs. When you enter through the back way you get  to see the famous "gum wall," which is not for the faint of heart. It is so well known now it even has it's own Wikipedia entry! On a much sweeter note, Mike bought me a bunch of flowers that included my favorite scent, the Starlight Lily.

Josh was excited to find his name already on the wall, so he didn't have to add it!

We wrapped the afternoon up with dinner at The Melting Pot, a delicious fondue restaurant that Kellen has been telling us to go to for quite sometime now. Every course is served as some type of fondue and took us three hours to complete! I think the chocolate fondues were the unanimous favorite, and Jaelyn and Joshua were even caught licking their plates!

After having such a busy summer with us going in different directions, was nice to have at least one day with all of us (well those that live under the same roof) together, even if it was only for a day!