Telling Mama Like it Is!

Well, you see...this is the way it's going to be! (she's a girl that knows what she wants and knows how to get it!)

I want it MY Way, Mama...that's what I want!

Well, Okay, that's alright...I give in to your silliness! "Mama's FUNNY!"

A Beautiful Sunny Day!

It was a beautiful Sunday today! Even though it was REALLY cold, the sun was shining and it was a glorious day. There is a golf course behind our church and after the service, Troy took Sarah out to take a look at the flock of Canada Goose that were hanging out on the course. She kept saying, "honk, honk!!" it was of course, the cutest!

Sarah's favorite seat in all her world is on Baba's shoulders!

Baba showing her how they fly away

A girl, her Baba, a flock of birds to watch, and Mama, takin photos...what more does a girl need?


We bought our baby this pretty outfit at the Friendship Store that we went to in Guangzhou, China. This Friendship Store was like a really fancy Department store, and relatively was expensive. (if you compare it to the other shopping venues in China. Still not too expensive compared to what it would have cost us in the U.S.) It finally fits her and wow, does she LOVE this outfit. I tried it on her last night before bed to see if it fit to wear to church today and she had a fit when I wanted her to take it off! She kept telling me, "No, Mama, soft jammies!!!" while she rubbed it with her hands. She

definitely wanted to wear it day and night!

Lots of smiles at home, playing with Mama & Baba...

A little blurry, but still cute.

New Year's Photos a little late!

This adventure was on New Year's Eve. Mama was really sick so we stayed home and had a party with Baba and me while Mama rested and tried to get better. We had fun, being silly together.

Here I am in another outfit from Lao Lao, it's from Naartjie for anyone who wants to know. I like the hearts on it, they're cute.

Hey, look, I can stand on the box of diapers that we just got, and hold onto my new toy bins! I'm thinkin' that's pretty cool!

Yup, it's fun, too!

Just being silly, and cute, too!

Heehee, Baba is being funny!

Look, Baba...I am learning how to do somersaults!

Well, kinda...

Lots of smiles and laughter!

Well, things have calmed down a little. I think I'll sit at my new pretty Disney Princesses table and read my book. Well, wait a minute, I think I want to, "talk to Poppa" I wonder if he's home...

He's not answering...Oh well!

That's okay...I'll just read my Brown Bear Book.

Holy Crap! It snowed.

So, this morning our darling, sweet, precious, naive little one was being held in her Baba's arms. He opened the back door to let the dogs outside. Troy stood there watching them and looking at yesterday's freshly fallen snow along with Sarah. She was looking around amazed at the white blanket all over everything...the trees, fence, grass, porch and stairs. Our little girl looked all over then turned and looked at her Baba in amazement and said, "HOLY CRAP!"

Troy, in shock, burst out in laughter.

Needless to say, just when you don't think they're listening, rest assured their ears and little brains hear everything you say! And when you least expect it, out it comes from their little sweet mouths!

100 Good Wishes Quilt

There is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt, to welcome and celebrate life. It is custom to invite family and friends to contribute a square of cloth along with a good wish for the baby. The quilt is said to contain the luck, energy and good wishes from everyone who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt becomes an heirloom and is passed from generation to generation.

Typically this is something that is completed before the child is born (adopted, for us). In our case, we were not aware of this tradition until we returned from China, so we decided to go ahead and collect quilt squares to make Sarah a 100 Good Wishes Quilt of her own. We would love for you to participate, if you would like, please select a machine washable, 100% cotton fabric. The fabric can be new or "used and meaningful". Please pre-wash the fabric so it will not shrink or bleed when the quilt is laundered. Cut a 9"x9" square of fabric. In addition, glue a small patch of fabric on a 4"x6" or 5"x7" paper or cardstock with your good wish for Sarah. Your wish can be simple or elaborate-of your own words and thoughts, a favorite poem or quote. Please remember to sign your wish and include your address. The good wishes with the small patches of fabric will be put into a scrapbook for Sarah. When she is older, she will be able to match up the wishes and fabric to her quilt. The quilt will also give Sarah some history. If you would like to contribute and be a part of Sarah's quilt, please send us the wish and quilt square. Email me and we'll send you our address.

Thank you so much for helping us make this gift for our daughter possible. Your kindness and generosity means so much to us.

Merry Christmas Photos, and More!

Well...I have been slacking off severely! As Sarah's Lao Lao is not forgetting to remind me about. So, this is an attempt to highlight some of the fun activities that we've experienced this past few weeks. A photo journal...one may say...

We decided to start a new tradition for our Sarah...we made a birthday cake and on Christmas Day we sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Of course, Sarah got to blow out the candles, and taste them as well!

This was one of Sarah's FUN presents. She got a Dora indoor tent that she loves! Peek-a-boo was her favorite game with it.






This year we had a blast opening presents. Sarah would look at them and say, "peasants! Open it!" and whenever ANYONE had a present to open, they had a 2 year old helper. She'd say, "help you!" while tearing into your present!

Awww, giving her new leopard hugs!


I had to post this one, Sarah has officially learned how to jump! I just wish I'd been facing her at the time, I bet the smile on her face was priceless!

She just loves those books...


This is Christmas morning and Sarah just opened her new Lamb chair. She's so cute, she gives it hugs and kisses all the time. It's so soft and comfy!

Not to mention, it's pretty bouncy, too!

Awww...those priceless hugs. This is the doggie that Mama and Baba got for me. He's so soft and cute!

And my cool new table with chairs. I love to sit and play!

More hugs for my doggie, we're still thinking of a name for him...any ideas, anyone?
This is my awesome new stool from LaoLao! It has my name as a puzzle on it and I love to try to put the letters in the right place! It's a lot of fun to sit on, too!

This was on Christmas Eve, and the awesome new legos I got from Aunt "Shay-shee", Uncle Chris, Shy, and Jash. Me and Shy built a big tower!

This is my warm and pretty new hat that Aunt "Shay-shee" made me! I like it!



I was dancing around the living room and Mama grabbed the camera, of course!

This was my cute outfit from Lao Lao. We were getting ready to go to Lili's birthday party and Mama made me smile for the camera. I don't mind, though cause I like to look at the baby on the back of the camera!



This was one of the presents that I got from my Grandma & Grandpa Archer. This is the best frog! It sings songs and I dance to them and play with it EVERY day! I love it!


Hanging out with Baba!