Florida

Well, we are in Florida at this time, enduring T.S. Fay. We are in Orlando (glad we're not at the beach), but it is still pretty strong - rain and wind. We are safe at the time in our resort, but we will need to leave tomorrow to go to the next hotel that we've reserved at WDW. It is suppose to continue with rain and wind tomorrow, but hopefully it will be much better. We are suppose to do a breakfast at Sea World with Elmo. Sarah is so excited. I'm not sure how much rain has fallen here, but the weather folks are calling for 3-10 inches. It appears by the radar that the heavier stuff is still to come. We were able to enjoy the pool yesterday, but no pictures yet. I had planned on doing them tomorrow through Friday when we visit Sea World and Disney for a day. Just keep prayers going for safety during the storm.

The School Schedule Starts

K started her two weeks marching band camp last week. According to K, the band is small as she started out as one of the two flute players, but another one arrived this week. She did mention that she switched to the piccolo today. So the band now has three pic players marching instead of flutes. She has already made some friends in the band and has a couple of boys trying to get her attention. I guess we will be in for some very interesting times. I can't believe that school will be starting in about a week and 1/2. No photos this time, but hopefully when the band starts marching at the games, I'll be snapping away. She is also scheduled to march in the Apple Festival parade on Labor Day. I'm sure SJ will like watching the parade this year.

A Reunion

Our adoption agency had a reunion and SJ loves to play with the brother of AG (a Xiushan sister) Adam. We had several of the girls play ring-around-the-rosie along with Hayne (AG's other brother).

A Visit with a Sister

Back on July 19th, SJ and I visited with another one of SJ's SWI sisters - Addie. She & her mom were here visiting other friends in the area. This was the first time that we saw them since they left China right after the swearing in ceremony. I could not believe how much Addie has grown and changed. The girls loved the swings and the sand box.

We took some beach pictures. The white dress is a dress that I found in a local antique store. It was made around 1865. I think it was beautiful on SJ.

Happy 4th

What a celebration. We got with more of the Xiushan sisters families. We hadn't seen Bethany since we parted ways in Hong Kong. She is the youngest of the girls, but was the same size as SJ. We took special pictures on the beach and tried to get all five girls together. Unfortunately, as usual, they didn't want to cooperate. So some are facing forward and some were too busy playing and had their backs to the camera. Oh well, it's the only one of all five girls.

What a Difference One Year Makes - July 1, 2008

Happy Sarah Day. Today is filled with emotion as one year ago we got our beautiful spicy girl. I can't image what this past year would have been like without her. We wake up to a sweet voice in the morning - Hi momma, Hi daddy. Lay with momma. Lay with daddy. I love you. The giggles and laughter. Of course it's not all smiles and giggles. There is also the strong will and battles and tears. There is the questions and learning - What's this, Who's that?

We started out going to the beach with Nana, Pop Pop, Aunt L and Uncle M. We played in the sand and K took to the water to catch some waves.






Our surfer girl.

Later in the afternoon we met up with two of SJ's Xiushan sisters and their families.

Sarah sharing goldfish with AG.