More Pictures

Just some photos.

Gotcha Day Anniversary Number 2!

We have been so blessed by our Heavenly Father! He hand picked Andrew for our family. There is no doubt about it! I can't even begin to list the ways he is like us even though he was born of our hearts and not from my womb. We have had a great day today and got great news from his ENT. No more pe tubes for now. He does have a little scarring in the left ear with a little low level hearing loss. He hearing is definitely good enough for hearing and speech. Praise the Lord for that gift!

We had dinner with friends tonight who also adopted from China. They have been home for 3 months. PF Chang's was awesome as usual.

We forgot to take our camera for picks. So sorry.

I do think of Andrew's biological parents and wonder if they realize how much is is truly loved and how he has grown. I am so thankful for their sacrifice. It couldn't have been easy. I am speechless and I am not eloquent. Can you believe it?! Know that my heart cries tears of joy! I'll try to write more later in detail.

Love to all. I miss all our travel buddies. Happy Gotcha Day to you all.

Lisa

I'm 4

It's hard to believe that our little boy is 4 years old. It seems like just yesterday that we were in China to welcome Andrew into our family. Andrew celebrated his birthday with 8 of his preschool classmates and a few other friends. Saturday, he will celebrate his birthday with family and friends.

Finally, a nice day!

We finally had a nice day! No snow or rain falling today. Yeah! There are signs of spring in the air. Can't let that fool us though. Last year we had a fantastic day gardening and playing in the yard and the next thing we knew we had a big snow! We'll see how it goes. The trees are starting to bud now and we've tilled the gardens. We jumping to do some planting . Just have to decide what it will be.

Andrew got a new T-ball set and had a great time practicing on his bike. He hasn't had much practice time since Christmas.

We've got a big week coming up. Andrew turns 4 on Thursday and we have family coming this weekend to help celebrate. Hope everyone is dong well. We send our love out to everyone. May God bless you all.

Goodbye Grandma

Didn't get one of Grandpa at the airport. Sorry Dad! We love you and miss you both.

Snow Angels!

Oh, what beauty snow is at night! It's so tranquil. As I walked out of work last evening, I was reminded of how blameless and pure our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is. How perfect He was as the sacrificial lamb. Thank you Lord for your sacrifice for our sins and for your resurrection!

We got to sleep in this morning. Andrew actually slept 11 hours and in his own bed!!!!! :) What bliss that was. We woke to the beauty of a new fallen snow, 6-8 inches total today with sleet to finish it off. The high today was 22 and dropped during the day. The low is 12 tonight and 8 tomorrow night. BRRRRRRRRR! Thanks for heat, Lord and a roof over our heads. I lift all those who do not have this blessing.

We went out to play this morning and of course made a few snow angels. Andrew was really funny. He just would not put his head down for the angels, so his were headless! I had a really neat one but didn't get a picture of it because Andrew walked all through it. The snow was too powdery for making a snowman. Maybe tomorrow or Monday if it starts to melt. We may still make room for some snow cream. UMMMM! We'll see. Today has been very relaxing. I've been catching up here and on FB. I even got a nap while Andrew took a rare nap!

After we came in, we were all about frozen. So, we plugged in the kettle and made hot chocolate with marshmellows. Andrew drank his after it cooled off some. That's why it's in a sippy cup!

It's been a quick week. Kevin's folks left Tuesday am flying back to Nebraska. It was hard to say goodbye. We had a wonderful visit and I was off for the whole 2 weeks. I got to cook lots, which I loved! My parents (Lisa) even came up for the weekend 2 weeks ago. We really did have a house full then. Good thing Kevin got our bathroom finished!

Love to all. Stay warm and rejoice in the many blessings God has bestowed upon us! Our salvation is the greatest and family is probably then next best!

Andrew won a year's family membership to the Natural Science Center in Greensboro by selling 35 containers of cookie dough. Thanks everyone! We finally had a nice day that wasn't really cold or rainy while Grandpa and Grandma were here! So, we headed off to the center and checked out the museum and petting zoo. It was pretty nice. The last time I had been was about 7 years ago when Kev and I took my nephew! They had a really cool show there with exhibitions with quick sand and other really neat tricks! Andrew checked out the homemade submarine. He also got to feed the sheep and goat and even petted the sheep. After feeding the g/s he then saw and peacock and got a close up look. He then proceeded to follow the peacock for a while! Was beginning to wonder if the peacock would turn around and rebel (it had already picked up speed trying to get away!)! We all enjoyed the trip and watch the cool chain reaction marble track on our way out. See ya later!

PFC Rohren's Graduation from Basic

After Kev's folks got here late on the 11th, we drove to Columbus, GA for Ryan's graduation from basic training at Ft. Benning. Long ride in cramped quarters! We were very happy when we finally arrived and got to see the Rohren's. It had been a long time seen this part of our family! So sorry Rach and Becca couldn't be with us!:( Had to buy long underwear when I got there. It was extremely cold especially on the metal benches for the parade. It was all worth it, seeing family and watching our new PFC Rohren! We're very proud of you Ryan! ( 1st pic) The next picture is the Rohren's (Rob, Sherri, Reid and of course Ryan). We're very proud of you too, 1st Sgt.! Thanks for your service. "Go Army!!!!! ", Andrew kept shouting while there. Thanks for the US Army scarf Sherri! Kept me nice and cozy.

These pictures were taken at the National Infantry Museum outside of Ft. Bennning. Kevin did the weapons simulation twice. After he got the feel of it the first time, the second time around he qualified expert! He hit 17 of 20 and was on site the other 3. He just was late shooting.

I love the next one. It's a cool one with Andrew walking up to the statue. He is so small in comparison! Always checking things out. Of course, the last is one of us outside the museum. It was a little warmer then. I highly suggest a visit if you are ever in the area. It's free and well worth it.

Hated to say goodbye to the Rohren's. Ate lunch in Phoenix City, AL after graduation so Grandpa John could say he'd been in Alabama. We took off for Greenville, SC to see my At. Nora. She had not met Andrew yet. Had a wonderful visit and dinner. Spent the night in SC and then headed home. It's always nice to get home to your own bed.:) Next post will be from the GSO Natural Science Museum.

Catching up 2

More on our trip to DC. It was a very cold and rainy trip! We had to buy coats once we got to Herndon! Andrew and V became fast friends in China. She's holding him at the museum of Natural History. We had a great time catching up. In the next picture, you see another Qingyang Treasure. I have been on the Qingyang Treasures yahoo group since it started and had been conversing with a fellow Tarheel who has transplanted to McLean. We got to spend a wonderful evening with Mary, Pat, and Jane. She and Andrew got along well and played hard. We really appreciated their fantastic hospitality and getting to know them.

Not even snow will keep Andrew from riding around and playing hard. On 12/19, he played and rode around while Kevin shoveled the driveway. They were both soaked when they came inside. Next picture is of my little "rocker"! Kevin and I know we're getting payback for all the toys and gadgets we gave our nieces and nephews and friends kids when they were growing up! We're in for it! :)

Last but not least, my sister, Nora, readying a Winnie the Pooh book to Andrew at Christmas.

We hope you are all having a wonderful and blessed New Year!

Love to all.

Catching up

It's been quite a while since we last posted. Been a little crazy with the holidays and getting ready for Kev's folks visit. Since we last posted, Andrew got his first official hair trim at the hairdresser's. Before that we had been using the shears like we do with Kev's and doing it all at home. Over all, he did well. We took him to Col*st*ne afterwords. Yummmmm! The church where Andrew attends pre-school had a Santa pancake breakfast in early December. So we ate some pancakes and Andrew visited with Santa. He was a little less shy this year. They had quite the chat! Andrew loves to read with anyone who will read to him. His reading with Nanny above (Lisa's mom). That's one of their favorite past times when we visit.

Andrew is also quite the Curious George. We went to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in October while at the AWAA China Family Reunion. We went with our friends the M's. Andrew had fun with the microscope and magnifying glass among other things. We really enjoyed seeing our dear friends. We traveled to China with them in '08.

He got a bike for Christmas. His legs need to get just a bit longer. Hopefully, we'll have a nice stretch of good warm weather for him to get out and practice. We're expecting a 2nd snow this weekend of about 4-8 inches this time. Our first was on 12/18, we had about 4 inches then. Will try to add more pics later. Take care and God bless.

PS: Believe it or not, Kev and I finally signed up on FB! Catch there also.

Lisa