From our Family to Yours...

Celebrating Forever Family Day!

Tonight we celebrated our first Forever Family Day the way most Chinamerican families do. Chinese food, of course. I know a few people who thought this idea was absolutely brilliant...
And to top the cake we indulged in a few treats from J's Bakery. No celebration would be complete without yummy treats, right? Yummmmmm...
Happy Forever Family Day to all of us but especially to our little noodle head! What a difference a year can make!

September 12: an extraordinary day

On 9-12-09 the Chief and I planted our feet upon the GREAT Wall of China...
I still get butterflies when I think of that day...
What an AMAZING site to behold...
Positively breathtaking...
A dream became a reality...
it was FINALLY our turn...
Really, truly, magnificently, extraordinarily one of the most memorable days of my life...


One year later on 9-12-10 we stood beside this little guy...
our firstborn...our Wild Man...the one who made us Mommy and Daddy...
Once again...butterflies...but for an entirely different reason...
Once again...an AMAZING site to behold...Once again...POSITIVELY BREATHTAKING...
Once again...a dream became reality...
Really, truly, magnificently, extraordinarily one of the most memorable days of my life...
(and for the record, the Great Wall of China is nothing in comparison to 9-12-2010!)

I have prayed for this day since I knew of his existence. The day our son would freely choose to love and serve the God who created him. That day came on July 27, 2010. Today was his day to tell the world. For most of his life, Jeremiah 29:11 has been etched upon my Mommy heart specifically for this child. It says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Today that verse became alive and active before our eyes. Thank you Lord for the blessing of September 12th...our extraordinary day.

Dear Wild Man,

We are rejoicing with you tonight on one of the most significant days of your life. Without a doubt, no life decision will be ever be more important than the one you shared with the world today. We are so proud of the young man you are becoming. We can not wait to see the plans God has in store for your life.

All our love,
Mommy and Daddy

the Serenity Now Post Birthday Extravaganza...

A few weeks ago I celebrated the 3rd anniversary of my 29th birthday. Or was it the 2nd anniversary of my 30th birthday? I dunno? Anyway. As a gift to me, the Chief planned a little belated something special for me us. I've affectionately dubbed it the "Serenity Now Post Birthday Extravaganza". {Extravaganza...what is it about the word Extravaganzaaaaahhhh? It makes me laugh every time I say the word...ex-trava-gan-zahhhhhhhhh. See what I mean?}

Our serenity lasted 24 hours and it was the amazing. Spa. Massage. Pedicure. Swanky Dinner. Free Birthday Desert complete with my own candle (care to guess what I wished for--hehehehehehehe). One full night of uninterrupted sleep. Breakfast of champions (AKA Starbucks). Then back to reality. If that list doesn't qualify as serenity I don't know what will.

For those of you wondering. Yep, the Chief had a pedicure. And he liked it. And I can say that. Because he rarely reads this blog. So he'll never know I told the world anyway. Bwahahahah... (and he'll gladly tell any guy on the block that a spa day with the wifey is awesome and they don't know what they're missing).
A special thank you to Miss Amanda, Nanny and JimPa for helping the Chief. We rarely have any length of time to ourselves and after the year we've had we really really needed it. Thank you so much!

Happy 4th Y'all!

This was the best I could do this year. Food on their faces, Wild Man making crazy eyes and Mei Mei looks thrilled, doesn't she? She's still trying to figure out what the fuss is about. :-) Just for kicks, here's a flashback to 2009...
I am amazed by how much they've grown and changed in 12 short months. I remember snapping this photo last year and being a little sad that one of our little people was missing. Not this year! Happy 4th everyone--especially to our newest little American citizen.

Mei Mei's Ladybug Picnic...

Come on--sing it with me...
1-2-3, 4-5-6, 7-8-9, 10-11-12...
12 ladybugs at the ladybug picnic

Actually, there were 28 ladybugs at the ladybug picnic and it was simply adorable if I do say so myself. I've been planning this party in my head for way too long. Since this was our first birthday celebration together I wanted to be sure it was super special. Obviously she is just two and will not remember it later but hopefully the photos will speak for themselves.
It was a beautiful spring day so at the last minute we decided to have the party outside. Too bad the wind showed up and changed the plan mid party. It's never a good thing when plates are blowing over and tablecloths are flying in the air. Bad idea. Oh well. Back inside for a few gifts.

It didn't take her long to remember what to do with that pretty paper...

Of course, she had a few "helpers" who couldn't resist...
"Ni Hao Kailan. It's me--Mei Mei. I love you." So sweet...Gifts? Check. Now time for cake. This girly LOVES to eat and she has quite the sweet tooth.
I called her "the cupcake stalker" all afternoon. Mmmmm...
Lighting the candles? Her face said it all. Ummmm...hello? Why is there a flaming cupcake inches from my face and no one seems to have a problem with it? The Happy Birthday song? That was the funniest part. When we started to sing "Happy Birthday" she told Gi-Gi, who was singing in her ear, to "shhhhh". I guess she's been watching a little too much American Idol. We tried to coax her into blowing out the candles but she was having no part of it. I think she was still trying to figure out why we thought this was a good idea. Wild Man and Little Miss came to her rescue and when they blew them out she clapped under the table. I'm pretty sure she thought a flaming cupcake was a bad choice on our part. Maybe next year. Once the candles were long gone she got down to business.

I only took 37 photos of her eating a cupcake before I got "the look". Seriously Mom. Seriously. It's just a cupcake. This was taken shortly before bedtime as we were winding down from Mei Mei's big day. You know it is a great party when everyone still looks happy at the end. TIRED but happy. The smile on Mei Mei's face says it all.
Last year on this day we "met" Mei Mei for the first time. One year later we celebrated her second birthday together. I am continually amazed by the blessings we have been given over the past year. Happy 2nd Birthday sweet Mei Mei! You'll always be our little ladybug.

The Ladybug Picnic Preview...

I've had several people email asking for more details about the party. I am happy to share...

Ladybug and Daisy dress: Little Sweetie Boutique
Invitations: poem written and invitation designed by me
Happy Birthday banner: created by using scrapbook paper and ribbon
Party Circles: The TomKat Studio (printed, punched with 2" scallop punch and taped to lollipop sticks by me)
Themed Partyware: Modern Ladybug theme from Swanky Chics (mixed with other solid colored items)
Party Favors: Chinese take out boxes filled with sidewalk chalk and bubbles
Ribbon and scrapbook paper: Hobby Lobby (wait for 50% off sale)
Ladybug accessories: currently in garden section of Hobby Lobby (wait for 50% off sale)
Beverage dispenser: Crate and Barrel a few years ago
Menu (red/black/white/yellow/green):
--Ladybug bites with BBQ and polynesian sauce (chicken bites from Chik-fil-A)
--Polka dot pasta salad (red & yellow peppers, black olives, broccoli, sharp cheddar, Italian dressing)
--Deli Spirals
--Blue corn tortilla chips and salsa
--Ladybugs on a stick (halved strawberries, mini chocolate chips & blueberries on a toothpick)
--Red Twizzlers
--Chocolate cupcakes with white buttercream
--Ladybug sundaes (premade/refrozen: strawberry ice cream sprinkled with mini chocolate chips & Twizzler "antennaes")

I love to plan parties and this one was one of my favorites. If you have more questions feel free to email me. Happy Party Planning!