Picture Day!

Or should I say night? Tyson did amazing. He really enjoyed himself. Just that we made it through and didn't break the camera, I'm happy. Here are a few photos! More to come when I have time to load them and rotate them.

New List!

I heard there is a new list out of sn kids for China. I got an email from an agency that I was in contact with, and they have photo listings of about 5 boys who need homes. They are ADORABLE, and of course I am in love with two of them.

One is Jun Jun, DOB 1/17/07 and he has repaired cleft lip and repaired cleft palate.

The other is Pan Pan, DOB 6/1/06, repaired cleft lip, unrepaired palate (sounds like another little boy I know!)

This agency wants families to be paper-ready. If you'd like more info, email me at djkpowell and I'll tell you where you can see pics. I am not associated with this agency, except that they let me join their yahoo group because they used to work specifically with Changzhou, and when I matched with Ty from the shared list, people were really surprised. But through this list I met some cool people and learned more about Changzhou. I am not sure where these boys are from, but oh, if I could....you know I would! :)

Ty loves to decorate!

Kacie grabbed my Flip Camera and recorded Ty as we were getting Christmas decorations out.

Jump Tyson Jump!

Today Ty finally caught some air under his feet. I bought this little trampoline on Friday, and it's paying off already. Jumping is one of his gross motor goals. He'll get there! For now, it's just so much fun to play with Jie Jie on.

Black Friday shopping with 2 kids and one rude comment

I didn't hit the super early sales because there was really nothing I wanted that bad, and I had Kacie and Ty, as Dan not only had to work at 6 am, he got called at 3:30am to come in for 2 hours OT. I like to shop Black Friday not just for Christmas items, but to actually clothe myself and my family. I like to hit sales, and doesn't everyone? But I live in a small town where the only stores I am remotely interested in are JC Penny, Big 5, and Wal Mart. Not that I like these stores, it's just that those are my options! Normally I would drive the 45 minutes to the next bigger city to have all the choices one would wish for, but since we just drove the 1hr 10 min one way for Thanksgiving yesterday, I didn't want to put them through another car ride.

So at 8:30, off we went to JCP because Kacie needed a winter coat. I bought her a coat at the beginning of the school year, but it's not as warm as she thought it would be. But also, I needed a new coat! I haven't bought a new coat in (drumroll.........) at least 6 years. Yep, it's time. We put Tyson in the stroller (still the one from China which is a total piece of garbage at this point), and off we went. We successfully found what we were looking for, and more. We always get to this time of year and I realize that Kacie doesn't have enough long sleeved shirts. Ty was in teh stroller about an hour. He pulled down one coat rack! So scary.

We got some dirty looks because Ty likes to let out a yell that sounds like a growl. It's something that I am just used to. I know he is just trying to get my attention, and the sounds are totally cleft related. Well, we got some dirty looks at JCP. I just smiled. But one lady had the audacity to scowl and ask, "How old IS he?" as if he was too old to making those sounds. I just smiled and proudly declared, "He's 2yrs 5 months, but he has been in this country for three months and has a wide open cleft palate." She clammed up and was very embarrassed, as she should have been. Another example of how Ty does not look like he has special needs, but it's also an example of how people can be so incredibly rude. I tried to handle it with class, but I don't think I need to tell perfect strangers his life story. I think I summed it up well.

Then we drove over to Big 5 and I thought Ty would do fine without the stroller. Uh...what was I thinking? I bought a 40in jogger trampoline for Ty to bounce on to get his legs moving and jumping. Kacie was trying on shoes, and what was Ty doing? Taking her old shoes and replacing the display shoes with her old ones! When I stopped that, he then put her old shoes in the new shoe box and ran around the shoe department laughing with delight! I couldn't get out of there quick enough.

Finally, off to Wal Mart, where my mom was shopping. Carts are a good thing, and Ty likes to ride in them. We decided to try having my mom take Kacie and Ty around the store so I could buy a few things. IT WORKED! I think it helped that we had Thanksgiving with my mom yesterday. Ty is really loving "Ama" now. That was pretty cool, and I actually accomplished something. Finally, we finished our day with lunch at McDonalds, the only place we don't have to listen to Kacie complain about the food. That girl gets pickier by the day!

Kacie went on home with my mom for the weekend. Ty and I had one last stop to make. Our friend's daughter is home from college. She left for college the day before we got home with Tyson. We had a good visit, but it was way past naptime. Ty finally went down about 1/2 hour ago. Phew!

Now to tackle the mess I call my home...yuck! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

We are thankful today and everyday!

As I was falling asleep, I tried to think of a way to convey what I am thankful for in a not-so-typical way. The best way I can do it is to emulate a great children's book called "Q is for Duck".

P is for wet. Why? Because last night as we were coming in the house, Tyson found a Puddle to stomp in and get all wet. As I stared horrified, Dan said, "There's your boy!"

R is for Ma Ma. Why? Because Ty's new thing to say to me is "Ma Ma! RAININ'!" (It rains over 100 inches a year where we live).

M is for toys. Why? Because there is a constant Mess of toys in my house!

T is for AFV. Why? Because we have found a Television show the whole family can enjoy, even Tyson: America's Funniest Home Videos! He oooooh's and aaaaah's at people. I guess stupidity is a universal language.

R is for bedtime. Why? Because in the last few times, Ty lets me Rock him before bed.

All of these things and more bring tears to my eyes and joy in my heart. I am truly thankful that God is good to me and my family. I am thankful to China for allowing us to adopt Tyson. I am thankful to the US that he is a citizen. I am so thankful that he is in good health and is a bright little boy with a smile that lights up a room. I am thankful that he is with us to get the medical attention he needs (surgery in 12 days!). I am thankful for the hugs and kisses he gives, the little games he plays, and the energy he brings to our home.

But of course, I can't forget Kacie, who started her life on tubes and a breathing machine. A 6lbs 9oz 35 week preemie who was so sick with respiratory distress she couldn't maintain her own body temperature and eat/suck/swallow on her own. (Her lungs were not developed when my water spontaneously broke) My little baby who received monthly shots to keep her healthy, who endured pnemonia at age 3. He lungs had about all they could handle. AND NOW? She is FULL OF LIFE every moment of the day. She hops around the house, so excited for the holidays. She loves Jesus and is a great big sister. She has a ton of friends and a caring and nurturing heart.

So with that everyone, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Back to work!

On Monday, I went back to work. Considering that Dan was off hunting, I'd say the work part of it went rather smoothly. But in Dan's 9 days gone, we lost power, had 2 storms, I locked myself out of the house, and so many other typical issues that go along with murphy's law. But the work week was good. I have a nice class, and I just love seeing my colleagues again. However, the nights with my kids go way too fast. I hate that. I feel like I pick up the kids from daycare, make dinner, clean up, and soon it's bedtime. That I don't like at all.

If you haven't heard the new song "Heaven is the Face" by Steven Curtis Chapman, I highly suggest you try to hear it. He and his wife have adopted 3 little girls, and one went to heaven in a tragic accident in May of 08. It is a beautiful song.

So here are my kiddos relaxing on the couch this week. I'm just amazed at how God chose these two to be brother and sister.