Jazmin is learning to walk

All day on Thanksgiving, Jazmin was walking to and from anywhere she wanted to go. We didn't have our camera with video mode on it, but this one does have rapid fire shot. This is Jaz walking from Auntie Kendall to Uncle Bobby.

Jazmin loves to have her hair in braids and beads. She was flipping them back and forth all night and all day. I thought I'd try to catch a shot....worked pretty well!

Some China Pictures

Pearl TV tower at night.
Panoramic view from hotel room.
McDonald's kiosk.

Joel's hotel room.

Scary looking mask in a museum.

Interesting architecture.

China girl with a pigeon.

Medtronic Shanghai.

Joel with some co-workers from various countries.

A statue from the jade museum.

Not sure...but look at the air quality.

I'm not sure what all of these are of. I keep trying to sit down with Joel and get him to narrate what the story behind each shot is, but for some reason we just can't find the time. I'll do my best, but no promises on accuracy!

Picture Hiatus

Joel is having trouble getting the pictures from the camera onto the computer. As soon as he gets it straightened out, I'll post some. On a really exciting note (boring to most but not for me) I felt the baby moving last night!! I think that has to be one of my favorite parts of pregnancy, feeling that baby moving around and living inside you.

A China update...

Joel is home safe and sound, he surprised me at 1:30 am Thursday! I was expecting him Saturday early afternoon, so it was a very pleasant surprise. I believe he and his dad scared our night nurse half to death, but she seems to have recovered!

I still haven't managed to look at all the pictures, or hear the stories that go with them, but I promise I'll put some pictures of his trip on soon.

I would like to brag that my hubby brought home not just one beautiful set of pearls for me, he brought two, and a gorgeous designer (knockoff) bag!

Most of all though, I'm just glad he's home safe and sound, and so are the kids.

Momma's little helper

Last night, Jake helped me with dinner preparations by setting the table. He did his best, but wasn't eager to have his picture taken.

For those who might be confused...let me clarify!

I was talking on the phone to a friend tonight, one whom I haven't spoken with in quite a while. I came to the realization, that while Joel and I had voiced our intentions to our families, the social workers, and her parents, we never officially announced to the world (okay, my small group of readers) our intentions for Miss Jazmin. Joel and I intend to adopt Jazmin and raise her as one of our own. We have know for a long time how well she fit in with our family, and felt like she always belonged. The very first time she came to stay with us, even though we knew it would only be 2 weeks, it just felt right. Every time we had to say goodbye, it hurt, and the days were counted down til her next visit. Joel and I love Jazmin very much and can't wait to make her legally part of our family. The boys adjusted quickly to her permanent change of address. Ryan was a little skittish at first, but today he said something that made my heart flutter, and realize he too loves her. I was closing a kitchen drawer, and Jazmin got her fingers in it. I quickly pulled them out, but as I did it, she lost her balance and landed on her butt. Ryan looked at me and said "momma did you hurt my sister?" "is my sister okay?". I think it's safe to say that he's on board with our plans.

First accumulative snow fall

We all know that this snow won't last, but I thought I would share what's in our backyard. Ryan desperately wants to go make a snowman. I think we might need a little more snow first.