Warm Thanks

 As the weather begins to cool off I was very excited to receive a couple packages from special friends who sent warm home made goodies to me and my babies.  Thank you for your love that warms us!

Always Ready for Christmas

Decorating for Christmas, is something we all look forward to each year...it is a special opportunity for our family to once again work together to make something beautiful,

And have lots of fun doing it 

This year a Santa suit was discovered in the bottom of one of the boxes and somehow they actually squeezed Jacob into it and then "Santa" and his elves went room to room passing out goodies and singing carols- what a delightful time we all had.

SEEing the Big House

 Spending time with the little ones brought some of my family's favorite memories...

Janessa Returns...

What a joy it was to introduce Mom and Dad to the ayis who had cared for Janessa in her first few months and for them to have the opportunity to visit her room and the other children who were with her there during that time.  The ayis were delighted to not only see Janessa once again but also to meet my family.

Janessa Turns Three- November 25th, 2011

 Happy 3rd Birthday Janessa

So many Blessings to celebrate at Thanksgiving time and here was one more!

We all had a wonderful time in Rebecca's Preschool Class as we joined them for a Birthday party.  The Children decorated cupcakes with lots of help from all their friends and we all enjoyed the frosting and the fun!

Thanksgiving

Rebecca and Janessa

Heidi, Jona, and Lily

Mommy and Janessa

Daddy, Mike, and Jacob

 A China Thanksgiving...
Family...
Coffee...
Food...
Friends...
Helping Hands...
Happy Hearts...
"Stretch the Table Out"...
Candles and Decorations....
Cooking lessons...
A downloaded copy of the 2010 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...
Prayer...
And of course the Tradition of..."What are you Thankful for this year?"

Stretching the Table Out

Together Time

     On November 23rd Mom, Dad, Melissa, and Janessa arrived to join Jacob and I at the Big House.  There were lots of hugs and even more introductions as the family was introduced to my China Family.  My ayis were so excited to finally meet my parents, there were even some of them who cried when I introduced them, what sweet tears those were.  Janessa took it all in and then crashed for a long afternoon nap.

Jacob Arrives

 November 20th- My Brother Jacob arrived to spend a few days with me before the rest of my family arrived for a visit and Thanksgiving.  It was so good to have him at the House, and we both had a great time just talking and hanging out- what a blessing to have such an incredible friend!

Cookbook Crew

The Very Large Kitchen Rice Cooker

 November 17-20 Several of the ladies from CCC in Beijing arrived at the Big House to spend a few days with the cooks in our kitchen learning how to prepare the dishes that everyone enjoys eating in order to work on a cookbook for us.  We were delighted to have them with us, not just for the cooking but also for the special fellowship that we were able to share.