January 23, 2012

Gong Xi Fa Cai

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Today is the start of Chinese New Year. And, around these parts, that means bringing out the Chinese silks. And celebrating our kids' Chinese heritage. I had every intention of trying to get everyone in their silks today. And pictures taken. But the sun just did not want to cooperate. Eventually, I just quit waiting and took the girls out on the porch for some pictures. That is, after dressing them in their new silks. And fixing their hair. And grabbing a few of their favorite things. And I'm so glad I did. We ended … [Read more...]

29 Comments
Posted Under: adoption, celebrations, China, Isabelle, Sophie
January 21, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {Sophie turns 8}

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Her birthday list was made weeks ago. And posted on the refrigerator. Her pick of restaurants for her birthday meal was set, too. Birthday cake? Strawberry, please. All decided well before her big day. It's easy to make a type-A kid like this happy. And we did our very best to do just that. On this, her eighth birthday. She got the gifts that were starred on her list. And the dinner and dessert she requested. We added some light up balloons and glow wand. And some colorful bead necklaces and noisemakers. … [Read more...]

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Posted Under: celebrations, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot
December 31, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {my favorites of 2011}

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Here are my favorite photos of 2011. In chronological order. 1. Sophie Lu in her silks at Chinese New Year. 2. Vivienne loving the snow. 3. Asher, growing up. I thought he seemed big in this picture but man, has he grown since then. 4. Remembering - and missing - Esther. 5. Chris at his fini flight getting soaked. Much to his children's delight. 6. Father and daughter. And kite. 7. Me and my girls on our last trip to our favorite spot in New England. 8. Poppy and the Red Couch. 9. Zach at Starbucks. In China. … [Read more...]

13 Comments
Posted Under: a-bone, Esther, Jude, photography, Poppy, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Victoria, Vivienne, Zach
December 25, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {Christmas in pictures}

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*********************************************************** If you're ready to link up this week with your Sunday (or Monday or Tuesday) Snapshot, just copy the code under the Snapshot button and paste it into the body of your post where you'd like the button to be displayed. Because it's Christmas, and lots of y'all are probably otherwise occupied, I'm going to leave the link open until Tuesday night. When you hit 'publish' it should show up just fine. Then add your link below. Wondering what the heck Sunday Snapshot is? Visit here for the … [Read more...]

17 Comments
Posted Under: a-bone, celebrations, d-bomb, Isabelle, Jude, Poppy, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
October 28, 2011

Dear Fall…

sophiefall

Please don't rush on our account. We don't mind that you seem a bit late to arrive in our neck of the woods. Considering that it's below freezing, even snow-storming in some parts of the country. And that we were living in that part of the country this time last year. We're pretty stinkin' happy to still be wearing t-shirts and jeans. Leaving the door open. And sitting out on the porch for dinner. So, even though you've teased us that you were on your way for long enough for us to get out our winter garb, we don't mind. We'll take … [Read more...]

4 Comments
Posted Under: photography, Sophie
October 23, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {the neighbors}

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I've shared a few reasons why we love living here. One more reason? Our neighbors. They are a retired couple with huge hearts. Kathy, the wife, is a life-long horse lover. And the husband, Jack, loves to make his wife happy. The combination makes for some pretty amazing folks to having living just on the other side of your pasture. They've got a beautiful place, over 10 acres, with a custom built barn fully outfitted for their three equines. Just a smidge bigger than ours. She offered to let us use her little 12 hand Welsh pony, Elliott, for … [Read more...]

20 Comments
Posted Under: d-bomb, friends, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot
October 18, 2011

the tooth fairy…

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is going broke around here. Clearly someone is okay with that. … [Read more...]

7 Comments
Posted Under: Sophie
September 20, 2011

even steven

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As y'all know, Isabelle very recently lost her front tooth. And I'm happy to report that, at long last 10 days later, things have been evened up. Sophie's top tooth finally came out. And, as you might expect, Sophie is pretty pleased. She won't let on too much that being behind her sister in the top-tooth-loss department bothered her, though. She's says that Isabelle might have lost a top tooth first... but she's lost more teeth. Ahhh. Sisters. … [Read more...]

10 Comments
Posted Under: Sophie
August 28, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {hijacked}

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Okay. You probably don't get the title of this Sunday Snapshot. But by the end, you will. Promise. As you can see, Jude was the man today. Because well... he was game. And he didn't need a haircut. And he hadn't spilled anything on his shirt at lunch. Really though, that's just kinda the way Jude rolls. Pretty much game for anything. Even starting kindergarten at a brand new school this year - and having to get up at 5:30 in the morning - he was ready to go. No tears. No complaining. He just jumped up on that big ol' bus and headed off. … [Read more...]

29 Comments
Posted Under: Jude, Poppy, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot
August 25, 2011

first day of school

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Mission accomplished. Just 179 more mornings to go. Everyone was riding high on adrenaline this morning, so really things went much better than I had anticipated. That, and the fact that I had followed y'alls advice. And had done pretty much everything - besides put the kids on the bus - last night. It was pretty stinkin' dark this morning, though. Sitting at the breakfast table and glancing outside, Sophie asked if it was still night. And Isabelle said, "Mommy, I see the moon! It feels like night-night time!" Oh yes it does, … [Read more...]

23 Comments
Posted Under: a-bone, d-bomb, Isabelle, Sophie