Molly Tooting Her Horn

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Funny Faces & Tic Tac Tony

The girls got a few new games for Christmas. This so far is the favorite.

Tic Tac Tony turned into funny face making for the camera.

Silly Molly in a cute way!

Lindy being cute in a silly way.

Silly sisters!

Home-One Year

December 29, 2007 we were greeted at the Evansville airport by many family and friends. The sign above was made by my friends and co-workers (they also made one when we returned with Molly- I will treasure them always). We were so glad to be home. Everyone was so anxious to meet Miss Lindy Ann. And she was in true form too. She walked off the plane and greeted everyone like she had just been on a vacation. I was very surprised because she was somewhat shy at the time. She really didn't want anyone to hold her, but really put on a big smile for the cameras.

Molly was also glad to see familiar faces. As you can see above she was the shy one! She went running to see her Grandparents. She was ready to run off some energy and enjoyed playing with her friends and cousins.

We were also interviewed by a local news channel on our arrival. It felt a emotional and couldn't say too much. David had to do the talking (that was fine with me).

It is truly amazing to watch video of this time one year ago and then watch her now. She has come so very far already. She is truly at home here and we couldn't be happier. She is OUR CHINA GIRL !!

Christmas 2008

Christmas Eve at my grandpa's house. Lindy enjoyed passing out the gifts.
Okay, it's time to unwrap the gifts!

The girls and Great Grandpa Hatcher

At home, opening their first Christmas gift on Christmas eve.

New Pajamas. They wore them to 10PM mass at Church. Too cute!

Christmas morning. Mom & Dad with their gifts from the girls. (handprints from school)

Macho Colin (wearing the girls's dressup hat & sunglasses)

Aunt Donna getting beautified!

Mamaw too.

Don't forget mommy.

Hallie & Faith (couisns)

with Molly & Lindy

Ironing their dress up clothes

Doesn't she look fabulas?

Yes, Lindy, you too!

We had a great Christmas. The girls got a beauty vanity from Santa complete with makeup! Of course all the grandparents, aunts and uncles went all out on them this year as well. We made the rounds visiting with our families and ate way too much.

Our week

This week we visited Mamaw & Papaw. Cousins Daniel and Colin were there too. So we got a new picture for Papaw's photo cap. The girls stayed while mom and I went shopping. I think the four of them had fun, papaw was a little tired though. The kids are out of school for Christmas break. And David is on vacation too. So we have been off schedule all week. I have been baking cookies, making candy, and wrapping gifts. The weather has been nasty so we have been stuck in the house so it's been rough! It looks like a tornado has been through here. Right now the girls are pretending the table is a bridge and acting out the book "Three Billy Goats Gruff". It is cute. Molly thinks she is having a good hair day!!

Lindy making a funny face. This child has a long tongue!!



Check this out. Lindy let me put curlers in her hair. I think I could have done as well with a curling iron.

Lindy had her little play vacuum out the other day. She was was running it around the table. Eventually getting upset that the crumbs on the floor just would not suck up in the vacuum! I would get the real one out for her to use but she would only run to get on the couch! I don't think she's really afraid of the vac, just thinks it's a game to play.

Lindy's Forever Family Day-One Year

One year ago today we began our day in Beijing China, flying south to Hefei City. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon we boarded a van to go to the civil affairs office there in the city. It was a 15 minute ride through the worst traffic I have ever seen (I though Beijing was bad). Finally we arrived and were taken to a room to wait. Within a few minutes they brought in this big ball of a child! All we could see was her beat red face (not doubt from being to warm) that wore a scared expression. Her nanny spoke to her, pointing to me and saying "momma". Lindy began to whimper. I decided to just taker her and that's when the wailing began with screams of "no" (only in Chinese). I hand her back to nanny, Lindy calms down some, nanny talking to Lindy saying "momma". With a forces voice little Lindy repeats "momma" and I melt right there. David's turn, same results, only she says "baba" (that daddy in Chinese). We are trying not to cry. And poor Molly is kinda lost in the shuffle. Finally she is standing in a chair next to us with her Ling doll trying to comfort Lindy. (isn't that the sweetest) We sign a few papers and are led back to the van. And that is the beginning of our family of four.

Be bedtime she was more relaxed (as we were) but still pretty frightened. She rested quietly all night and woke up good the next morning. She was very soft spoken and loved to eat. You could tell she like her cloths and shoes we had for her and enjoyed toys.


I find it hard to believe it has been a year already. I find it hard to remember life without her in it. She has grown physically and mentally this year. She is NOT soft spoken anymore! A very fun loving kid. She is a perfect fit to our family. Many families that adopt say this, "couldn't be a better fit". Well I believe it is God work, His plan. For only God could know exactly what we needed and what Lindy needed as well. We have Him to thank, and believe me I always will!!







HAPPY GOTCHA DAY LINDY ANN, WE LOVE YOU!

Bucket Heads

Crazy girls! When the weather is dreadful you look for any kind of entertainment! I caught them head butting each other (with their head gear on of course). They were like "mom, it's fun". So I started calling them bucket heads. Oh how funny that was. They get a hoot out of some new words. Like the other day, I said to take your "underwear" off for bath time. That became the new funny word of the day.

Put-Put's Retirement

She's been a good one. We bought this car in 1992, it was ten years old and had 100,000 mile on it. We drove it to Gatlinburg on our honeymoon in 1992. I forget how many miles we drove then, but I remember we only spent $42 on gas. We drove all through the mountains and then up to Cincinnati to a ball game. ALOT OF DRIVING!

Well she had been showing her age now for a few years. (ok a lot of years) The girls lovingly named her "put-put car". They liked riding along with their daddy with the breeze blowing in (no air conditioner). Anyway, David knew the car was driving "strange" and when he checked it out he discovered the back wheel is about to fall off. That's right, almost rusted through! I wouldn't know why, every time you shut the door rust would fall off of it. :)

The insurance was due today, but we decided to retire "put-put". Those of you who know my husband, well then you know how hard this is for him to do. (Dave, get rid of anything? come on... check out the coat) You would think we were talking about his arm! (just kidding)... well maybe not! He gets that attached! I think he was thinking the girls could take it when they learn to drive! (ain't he funny) The sad thing is... the car still runs pretty good. But as we say... "she's tired".

Dolls

All dolled up for Church. Molly & Lindy love to get dressed up. Lindy calls herself a "pincess" and I have to agree, don't you? Today she stated "I'm koot"... (think she's heard that a few times?)

Lindy is still having "accidents" at night. I try to get her up to go potty, but sometimes she beats me! I worry about it in this cold weather because she doesn't wake up. I guess she doesn't mind being soaked. Anyway, yesterday morning her Daddy said to her "Lindy are we going to have to put diapers on you again?" To which she loudly replied "I not a baby!" It was pretty funny. So I think she would protest to a pull up. So I guess I will continue to change wet clothes and sheets! (I say this lovingly now, but admit to grumbling at 2AM)

Supper With Santa

This afternoon the girls and I went to the our bank. Our dear friend Mindy made the girls these sweatshirts for Christmas last year. But they didn't get a chance to wear them (and they were too big then). Aren't they too cute. (appliqued snowmen, I love em) So today we dressed up and went to see her. They also have a gorgeous tree in the lobby.

Santa's little house is right across the street. As we were leaving the bank he was arriving to greet little ones there. So away we went to see him. The girls sat on his lap and told him they wanted "roses for my mommy" for Christmas. Now, ain't that the sweetest thing!! Don't I have the best kids ever!

The girls were so excited because tonight was Supper With Santa at school. They had the gym all fixed up with craft areas and cookie decorating. We saw a line starting for Santa, so we got in it. There were about 10 people before us. Santa finally made it to his chair. The next thing I knew Molly took off running.... to the front of the line .... right on his lap! And there was no getting her off!! So they just had Lindy cut to the front too! (Sorry no photo, it was blurry) I apologized to those in line as we left, but they were all laughing. I guess it's safe to say that Molly is rather fond of Santa this year. Santa had a helper this year, Elf Mary. (Miss Mary is the class helper) She looked so cute in her outfit and she loves doing it too.

The girls had a really good time tonight. Then on the way home Molly said "hey daddy, did you know that Santa has a red truck?" (the Santa across from the bank was driving a red truck) I guess she is still to young to realize his is suppose to drive a sleigh. :)

2008 Christmas Ornaments

A few weeks ago, while shopping, my mom wanted to buy the girls a new Christmas ornament. Molly first picked out a family of snowmen. She said "just like us, a daddy, mommy, Molly & Lindy". She was so proud of her find! Lindy ended up with a penguin family as well. I brought them home and put our names and the year on them. The girls love them. They are the favorites this year. Thank you Mamaw!

Chistmas 2008

Christmas 2008
A few weeks ago we were going to be at the mall, so I thought it would be a good time to have their photo made with Santa. We got there when he was out to lunch, so we waited around until he came back. Lindy & Molly were having fun looking at all the decorations. Lindy had no clue who Santa was, but she said she would sit on his lap. (we'll see) Well, I could hear him coming down the mall, he was jingling his bells like mad. Of course, I was saying "oh here he comes!" trying to make it fun. I looked down to find Lindy tearing up and whimpering about the bells and all. "Oh no", I thought. She watched a few other boys take a turn on his lap before it was her turn. Well I could tell she was not up for it. But remember, she will do anything Molly does. So she let me sit her up there on his lap, but she looked kinda frightened. (no tears though) She did really well. There weren't many in line, so he talked to them some. When he asked what they wanted for Christmas, Molly said "candy" so of course that's what Lindy said too. (Anything to get off his lap!!) He gave them reindeer hats and stickers, right up Molly's alley for sure. While I was getting the photo, Lindy said to my Mom, "I no like Santa!" I think the photo turned out really well.

The girls are enjoying all the Christmas TV programs. Their favorite is The Grinch. I am ready (not really) for some snow. Molly wants to make a snowman this year. That should make some good pictures.

Christmas Cookies

My mom has been anxious to bake cookies with Molly & Lindy. So yesterday we made gingerbread and sugar cookies. I couldn't get them rolled out for them both snitching bites of dough! Lindy insisted the flour was "sugar" and was eating that too! They enjoyed cutting them out and watching them bake in the oven. They were more interested in decorating them than actually smearing the icing on, so I did that part :) We had lots of sprinkles and M & M's. I know one thing, more sprinkles went in Lindy's tummy than on the cookies. And you know we had to save some M & M's for snack!!

I was glad for the help. (thanks Mom) The girls were very proud of their cookies.

Thanksgiving Happenings

Our Thanksgiving started on Wednesday by making pumpkin cookies. The girls helped me mix the batter. They enjoy helping in the kitchen especially when they can lick the spoons!

We shared our Thanksgiving meal with David's side of the family. It was pot luck style and very good. We all gathered at his Mom's house (20 in all). The weather was really nice and the kids spent a little time outside. That evening we visited our friend Mandy. (David's sister and her family are staying with her for the weekend) She fed us lasagna and, boy, it was good. Us girls played some cards. The kids were running around playing good when Faith came into the kitchen and announced "these spanish girls are driving me crazy". We all laughed, apparently she has friends in her kindergarten class that are of spanish decent. We headed home around 9PM, the girls were tuckered out. We had a extra kid with us. Cousin Faith (age 5) came to spend the night. They played some then it was bedtime. The night went well. They love playing together.

I started Friday out with early shopping. Yes, I left all three girls with David. But I was home by 10:00 or so. I got some good deals (yeah). The girls played well until Ellen came to get Faith after lunch.

We have been planning for a couple of weeks to go to the circus. My parents bought us the tickets and decided to go to the 2PM show on Saturday. The kids were so excited. Molly has been a few times but this was Lindy's first time. When the elephants came out Molly said to me "I smell elephant poop" (they did stink) We had a good time. I asked Lindy what her favorite thing was, her answer was "too much stuff!"

Sunday we headed to Church then saw Ellen off after lunch. Then we spent the rest of the day relaxing.

The Chair

See this? One might think it is a rocking chair... but look again. It is actually a bucking bronco! It was bound to happen sooner or later. I preach and preach, but you know how kids are. So, yep, Molly got tossed to the floor tonight. Poor thing. She wasn't hurt physically, thank goodness. But it scared her some. Of course when I knew she was OK, the preaching started again. "See, I told ya so, NOW will you listen to your mom?" It was sorta comical. Picture this... Molly on her knees in this chair ... see where this is going? She was rocking it like there was no tomorrow. Next thing she knew she was head first in the carpet, bouncing off Lindy shoulder on the way down. Her cheek was a little red, but only her pride was damaged.

This little rocker was mine when I was a child. When I got it out of storage for my girls to use my mom warned me about it. Apparently I didn't heed warning either. Imagine that!! The chair bares teeth marks that are 40+ (ouch) years old. Mom tells me it has seen rodeo riding before!

So far I have caught them sitting, standing and kneeling on the thing. And using it for a stepping stool is a must. Lindy sits in it mostly. Molly has a mushroom chair she uses. And it's thrown her too. I can see the future grade cards... "Molly will not sit still in class".

Lindy Ann

Lindy Ann is our second daughter, but OLDEST child. We knew pretty quickly after returning from China with Molly that we wanted to go again. For us and for Molly. So we applied for our second adoption in Oct06. In Apr07 we saw a photo of the most precious little girl. And that little girl became our daughter on Dec 18th, 2007.

I did not hesitate when I learned she was THREE DAYS OLDER than Molly. Having "twins" would be fun, right? Lindy's birthday is Jan 20, 2005. She is from Bengbu City, Anhui Province, China. When she came to us, just one month shy of turning 3, she was NOT happy. She screamed "NO, NO" in Chinese, protesting loudly. It was quite a change from our first time. But things went smoothly after she realized we had food. She is a little sweetheart and our family is now complete with this gem.

Today she is an average sized kid who loves to hold and care for her baby. She is smaller than Molly, but is growing fast. She almost weighs as much but is a few inches shorter. She loves to eat!

Her name did not come easily for us. After what seemed like months we decided on Lindy Ann. Lindy is a mixture of people. My middle name is Lynn and my MIL's name is Dee. Then Ann is my mom's middle name. So she is named after both grandma's and her mom.

She loves her younger yet bigger sister. She acts a little lost when they are separated. She wants to do and say everything Molly does and is one step behind her at all times. Her favorite words are "me too".

Molly Nichol

Molly is our first. We received her referral in Dec 05 and traveled to China in Feb 06. Our "forever family" day is Feb 5th. She came to us with a smile and has been a joy ever since. Her birthday is Jan 23, 2005, she had just turned one.

She is from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China.

When thinking about names we knew we would use Nichol as a middle name. Her dads middle name is Nicholas. Her first name was harder. One day I mentioned the name Molly. We both liked it allot, so it was decided that Molly Nichol would be her name. Molly comes from my great grandmother Mollie B (we called her grandma B). She passed on in Nov 1985 at the age of 93, I'm sure she would have been proud of her namesake.

She is a smart little thing who amazes us everyday. She is also big for her age, even for american sizes. She loves paper and pencils. She is a great sister and loving daughter

Adoption Journal

I am still blogging our "journey" on another site. I plan to keep it until we have been home one year with Lindy. So if you have time, visit there, but come back here and see us.

http://www.joruneytome.net/
adoption stories: Lindy Ann

Welcome

Welcome to our new family blog. This site is dedicated to our two sweet daughters. I plan to journal my thoughts and family happenings here for them to enjoy someday. You see, I'm not good at keeping a written journal, so it is my hope to "blog" our family's journey through daily life. So, come on in and join us every now and then. I think we can make you smile :).