Lin-Ley Is Sweet 16!

Happy 16th birthday to our baby girl! Today mom and dad treated her to a day with friends at the mall including a movie. Then she went to her first JOB (!!) and finished things off with birthday cake and sushi. Next week... she starts driver's education classes. What??!! And apparently there are some rainbow shoes that we will be buying her as her birthday gift. I didn't get many photos since she was busy all day but I got one.

If only there were a way to find some pictures of Lin-Ley.... Oh yeah, what about all those little "gifts" she leaves me on my phone? Just a few selfies courtesy of Lin-Ley (and Five-O - our dog): (Look, I made the cut!)

Happy Birthday, Lin-Ley!    We LOVE you!!!

Crosse - Happy 3rd & 17th

Crosse is 17 years old today. One month ago, we celebrated his 3rd adoption day. Let's just say there has been lots of Chinese food lately.... Happy Birthday, Crosse!

15 Years Of Loving Lin-Ley

15 years!!

It was 15 years ago today that we first held our baby girl.

And 15 years since we joined this extended Forever Family. Just like that first, late night meeting in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, we could not be happier today with our baby girl. 15 years...... Wow!

Celebrations today included a surprise day off from school due to extreme winds and dinner at a Chinese restaurant to include her choice of lobster tail sushi.

Yes - that's how it feels. 15 years of loving our Lin-Ley. WE LOVE YOU!

10 Years Of Tru Love

It is a special day! We are celebrating ten years since Tru's adoption.

Dallas uncovered this treasure just today. It was tucked away in his mom's old photos. This pic was taken just 25 days after we first held Tru in our arms. To think of the progress and gains he made in his first year home is overwhelming and heartwarming.

We love you, Tru!!!

Lin-Ley Is 15!

Our baby girl is 15 today! Her gifts include a new watch,

a weekend at the beach,

unlimited rain,

and cupcakes. WE LOVE YOU!!!! Happy Birthday!

Crosse - Happy 2nd and 16th

Crosse recently celebrated his 16th birthday. The week prior, we celebrated his Gotcha Day. He has been home with us for 2 years now. His choice on both occasions? Chinese food of course!

Crosse continues to study hard as he wraps up 9th grade. He has been very involved in athletics at his school to include football (Prep School National Champs!), Wrestling (he won the school award for most points scored by an individual!) and track (National Deaf Interscholastic Athletic Association (NDIAA)2017 Boys Track & Field Team of the Year!). Not too shabby!! Happy Birthday and Happy Gotcha and Adoption Day, Crosse!

14 Years of Loving Lin-Ley

Look at all those young people! This was our first family photo in China 14 years ago. Today is Lin-Ley's Gotcha Day. She felt the love this morning even though she said it was too early for such. Happy Gotcha Day to our baby girl!

And here is our baby today. We love you our little Selfie Queen! XOX

December Athlete of the Month

We just received a school-wide email announcement that Crosse (on the right in the pic - just in case there are any questions....) was named Athlete of the Month at his school for December. While the announcement is a month late, we will take it!

School quote:
"Crosse is in his first year wrestling and he has already shown promising potential talent. He has the heart of a competitor for he simply refuses to give up in any of his matches. Crosse has always given 110% effort on the practice mat and during meets." - Assistant Coach AS

Way to go, Crosse!!

Tru is 11 !

Our Tru is 11 years old today!

His choice - dinner at Outback.

His gift choice - The latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. We didn't hear much from him after this.

My, how our baby has grown. (Same sweet smile)

Happy Birthday Tru Tru! Hope all your dreams come true! xox

New Schools For Everyone - 9th (x2) and 5th

Everyone is off to a new school this year.

Lin-Ley began 9th grade. High School - how did that happen?

She is a proud member of the Cross Country team.

Tru is in 5th grade. Last day of elementary school.

While he is attending the same school, they have moved into a new building.

You can see construction taking place in the background of this photo as the painters put in a few finishing touches just before school begins. For the first time, since they were in preschool, both Lin-Ley and Tru are going to schools with air conditioning. Big Deal!!

Crosse's turn. After three weeks at football camp, he begins his freshman year at a new campus today. He checked in with his friend, Peter, last night as they got settled in their residential hall.

Here's to beginning high school and closing out elementary school.

9 Years of Tru Love!

Look at this chunky guy! That's our baby boy. And today is his Adoption Day! Yesterday was Gotcha Day - definitely two days to celebrate!!

Tru's Gotcha Day outing was to Outback for ribs. No doubt, he enjoyed them!

Some things never change. This is our first night (wee hours of the morning) home as Tru devoured his carrots and veggies. What a happy eater!

Happy Gotcha Day and Adoption Day Tru-Tru! We love you so!!

Tru's New Leg (#10)!

New Leg Day! #10 for Tru. A growing boy needs bigger, stronger, more advanced legs. Today, Tru received his first adult leg.

Bonus: With a new leg and new, bigger foot, a boy also needs new shoes.

There is the line-up. Baby Red Leg all the way up to New Leg.

Tru marveled over how small his first foot was. Love Baby Red Leg!

There he is. Very proud of his "adult" leg and his new hydraulic knee. Our Baby!
Go - Tru - Go!

Just for fun, here is a link to our post about Tru's first leg which includes a video of his first steps: Tru's Leg #1

Thank you to Ms. Angie and everyone at Dankmeyer!

Lin-Ley is 14!

 
 

Look at our Spicy China Baby! Our baby turned 14 today!!

For her birthday she got a trip to Louisiana (total coincidence) and in the middle of the Atlanta airport she received her "big" gift - a new (to her) iPhone.

Although she was expecting this gift, she was still very excited and pounced on it to make it her own.

First stop in Pride was to see Mama Shirley and Papa Bill. They were waiting with a cake.

Later, she tried Papa Cowboy's hat. To wrap up a long day, she and the boys spent some time in the pool, more time with her phone, Blue Bell ice cream (thanks to our favorite cousins and most gracious hosts - The Flottes) and much to my dismay, she and I became friends on social media today. *sigh* Don't forget the birthday whooping from Papa Bill. We love you Toots! Happy Birthday!!!

Crosse - Happy 1st and 15th

April brought cause for Crosse to celebrate and remember. He arrived in the U.S. last April and soon celebrated his 14th birthday. Since then, he has had many firsts. Just to list a few - he has:

wrestled alligators,

been up close and personal while feeding the cows,

rode his first 4-wheeler,

met the China Girls,

made many new friends while participating in school sports to include football, basketball and track,

learned to be a team player,

and survived (and quite enjoyed) his first blizzard. Just to name a few first.

For his birthday, Crosse had a friend over for the day. A serious game of badminton ensued. After burgers, hotdogs and birthday cake, they were off to see the Superman / Batman face-off.

Birthday weekend continued today as Crosse was treated to a shopping spree at the Asian market and a friend gave him some gifts from NASA. Thanks Jin!

Happy 1st and 15th Crosse!