Chinese New Year At Pre- K

Molly, Lindy & I celebrated Chinese New Year with their class. I read them a story about CNY and taught them a few Chinese words. We also took color pages about CNY and the year of the Tiger. I took rice, noodles, grapes and bananas for snack. Each kid got their own chopsticks to try and eat with. Molly and Lindy wore their Chinese dresses and I helped the kids make Chinese lanterns. We also gave each one a bag of Chinese goodies to take home, even a red envelope. I think they had a good time.

Indy Trip

Dave & I have been to Indy every year for nearly 20 years to go to the Supercross race at the stadium. We have only missed maybe two years and we always stay downtown, close enough to walk everywhere.

Last year my sister and her family made the trip as well. They liked it so well that they did again this year too. This year our hotel was a little farther from the stadium but only one block from the mall. (yippie) We had reserved a suite so we could all stay together, but found out on arrival that the room was not available. They had a large corner room they would substitute for much less $$ and they threw in breakfast one morning! Woo Hoo!! It was a great hotel with a great view of the monument circle.

Donna & Colin

We walked to Hooter's on Friday evening. That's the boys choice! I told them that after two years in a row that next year I was going somewhere else.

Saturday we shopped till we dropped! Here is Molly checking out stuff at the Colt's Store!

Jeff & Dave got a Chinese massage.

The big kids spent a lot of time (and $$) in the arcade. Here is biker chick Lindy on the chopper!

Colin & Jaise racing (I guess) while Daniel watches.

We found this big bear in a chocolate shop!

If you look real hard you'll see the girls standing up on the steps of the Monument. We didn't know until it was too late, but you can go up to the top of this thing. So that is on the list for next year.

And of course they all swam a lot! The pool water was so cold! But you know that don't bother a kid. But the favorite was the hot tub.

Us 4 girls stayed at the hotel while the fellas went to the race. We ordered Giorgio's Pizza for a bedtime snack! YUM!

Another good weekend at Indy. Already looking forward to next year!

This & That

Happenings

here and there...

We've all been pretty sick for a few weeks. Lindy even had to have breathing treatments. She is not a fan!

Lindy made a place mat with her birthday cards.

Molly is proud of her place mat as well.

Their new friend....
Ronald McDonald

Mamaw is coloring with Molly & Lindy in their play tent.
(yes I had to help her out!)

Girls Rock!

They can give a pretty good concert.

Happy Chinese New Year & Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Chinese New Year

2010

The Year Of The Tiger

Today we begin the celebration of Chinese New Year 2010. The above pictures are of a card we received from Molly's orphanage this year. We were thrilled to receive it.

The traditional Chinese lunar year falls on the first day of the first lunar month, following the winter solstice. Each year on the ancient Chinese calendar is a designated as the year of an animal. Chinese New Year celebrations occur until the Chinese Lantern Festival held 15 days after the new year begins. 2010 is the year of the tiger.


We were in China during some of the CNY celebrations in 2006. It was awesome to witness. Firecrackers galore, lanterns everywhere and so many good luck symbols around.


And today in America we also celebrate

Valentine's Day.
(the Chinese call it Lovers Day)

Lindy showing her card and box of candy.

Molly likes her pink heart shaped box too.

Happy Valentine's Day

to our two

Sweethearts!!!

Gotcha Day 4 Years Ago

Four years ago on Feb 5th 2006 we boarded a big jet in Beijing and flew it Guangzhou China. The weather was tropical in Guangzhou, it was nice. We arrived at the White Swan Hotel and waited for our room. We only had about 40 minutes before we had to get back on the bus to go to the Civil Affairs office to receive the babies. We waited and I started to panic as the time was dwindling down. Finally we rushed to our room with about 15 minutes to prepare our diaper bag and gifts to take with us.

We were last to get to the bus! But we were on our way. It took about 30 minutes as I recall and everyone was so excited! We were all lead to a room where it seemed like we waited forever. Finally it was time for the babies to enter one at a time. And guess who was first!

Yes, Molly was first. She was held by a young man, was not crying and seemed bright curious to what was going on. Dave took her from the man and she still didn't cry. (thank you Jesus) Soon it was my turn to feel her in my arms. She was heavily dressed, even though it was 80* outside and it felt like 100 in that room. She was sweaty just like her mommy.

After we talked business with the orphanage staff that brought her we were able to really take a look at her. I took off her jacket and we gave her a little rattle, which she grabbed. David was able to get a laugh out of her right away, (again, thank you Jesus)


Soon we were all lead to the waiting bus with our babies on our hips. I couldn't tell you much about the ride back to the hotel because we didn't take my eyes off her the whole trip. Our first night was amazing. She didn't cry until it was time to change her. And of course it took this first time mommy 3 tries to get the first bottle right. She liked it so hot that sweat beaded on her forehead! yikes!

The next morning we headed back to the Civil Affairs office to make the adoption legal on the China side of things. So on Feb 6 she officially became Molly Nichol.

This photo was taken that afternoon. If she could have talked then I believe she would have

said "I'm a happy girl"!

This girl has grown so much in these past 4 years. I am amazed by her every day. She is sweet and kind and loves her sister very much. She is learning at remarkable speed, loves to color and draw. Right now her favorite animal is a pig, because it is pink (also her favorite).

We celebrated Gotcha day with a trip to Evansville. We went to Gattitown for pizza and games. The girls had a blast.

4 Years Ago

Four years ago on Feb 1, 2006 we boarded the big bird that took us to China. What a time that was. Our flight from Louisville was very early that morning. So we traveled the night before, with my parents, and stayed in a hotel near the airport. We enjoyed a good steak dinner before trying to get a few hours of sleep.

It was easily and hard getting on that first flight. I was sooo ready to go get my little girl, but scared of the unknown we were about to experience and being first time parents. The 2+ hour flight went well. We landed in Newark and found our international gate. We did not have to handle our bags again or go though security because we didn't leave the restricted area of the airport. We had several hours until the fight to Beijing so we went in search of something to eat with another adopting couple in our group. They were on the L-ville fight with us.

As we waited at our gate other adopting families started arriving. There were 17 families total traveling together. It was such a comfort knowing we were all together. We all watched out the window as they readied our plane fro the journey. It was the biggest plane I've ever seen, a 747! Dave & I settled into our seats for the long (15+ hour) flight. We each had a TV to watch. Dave slept quite a bit, but not me. I guess I was too geared up. I couldn't even read, no concentration I guess. Anyway, our trip took us north from Newark over Canada and the north pole, through Siberia and finally to China. We left on Feb 1 around 5:30 am and made it to Beijing at about 2 in the afternoon on the 2nd. Somewhere over the pacific we went through the international timeline. China is 14 hours ahead of us on time.

We were met at the airport by our wonderful guide Shirley. What a Godsend this girl was. She did everything for us, kept us on time and in check. She spoke great English had great knowledge of all that was going on. She got us checked into the hotel, told us when and where to be and bid us goodnight. We ate dinner at the hotel with another couple from the group. Then called it a night. We enjoyed the sights from our hotel widow that night. It was toward the end of Chinese New Year and there were fireworks everywhere.

We enjoyed a great breakfast buffet at the hotel the next morning. The loaded onto a bus to sight see. Our first stop was Tiannamen Square. It was huge. The photo above is of me and a guard. I was not allowed to get any closer to the guy. Chairman Mao's tomb is in the background. It was so very cold that day. We had not taken winter coats. I think the temp was about 17*. I remember wearing everything I could for our day out. We saw a acrobat show that evening which was awesome.

The next day we headed to the Great Wall of China. It was amazing. The weather was a little better. David was looking forward to climbing this massive thing. Me on the other hand decided to NOT risk getting hurt or being so sore that I couldn't take care of my new baby. So, I enjoyed all the sights and shops from below. David and a few others in our group climbed to the top (or as far as the tourist could go), they were so proud of themselves. And believe me, it was no easy task. We also visited a Cloisonne factory and the Summer Palace on this day. We even got to drive by the Bird's Nest stadium, home of the 2008 summer Olympics. It was still under construction at the time and hard to picture the finished building. That evening David got a in room message at the hotel.


We had to exchange our money and make sure our paperwork was in order. We also were told that we would be getting our babies on the 5th instead of the 6th like we had been told earlier. Everyone in our group was buzzing with excitement. Our time in Beijing was drawing to a close.


Seems like only yesterday that we were there. But I look at Molly and see how she has grown in these 4 years. I still feel as if I need pinched. Did I really go to China? Did I really become a mom 4 years ago already? As I sit here today listening to that little girl singing "jimmy Crack Corn" behind me as she rides her scooter through the house I can answer YES I DID!!!!