tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14052759570904730892024-03-19T08:34:56.440-07:00Another Precious JewelAnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-37542953639370566242012-03-21T19:11:00.000-07:002012-03-21T19:11:59.465-07:00Homeschooling Highs and Lows...I'm so excited right now! My little one has started to read English, and we have been writing English sentences together. Wow! I don't think I could do that after only 3 months here. We go to the library a lot. She loves to get Chinese books from the Fullerton Library and English readers from the Yorba Linda Library. I'm so proud of her. She has had a consistently better attitude towards her schoolwork. I was very discouraged at the beginning of this month, because we had some major setbacks with her behavior. She would throw temper tantrums over little to nothing. It was getting to the point where we were having daily episodes. She would be very happy and loving one moment, then be mad and stonewall the next. I felt like my head was spinning. I hear this is normal and is a sign of mourning the loss of everything she knows in Taiwan, but it has been hard. This last week or two have been so much better, and I'm starting to relax again, although I'm nervous to do so.<br />
<br />
One very special moment to me though was when we were trying to find the Fullerton Library. My navigation system took us to a smaller library in Fullerton first, called Hunts Library (I think). We were surprised to find it closed and many homeless people were encamped around it. Trina asked me who all these people were and why they were sleeping there. I explained the best I could. My girl then had the wonderful idea of bringing them food, so the following week we went shopping together and fed about a dozen homeless people there. She wants to do it every week, but it is a very hard time financially for us right now. I told her we could do it once a month. I am so blessed by her heart to do this. I think we have found a new ministry together, although she has asked to have some of them move in with us. This protective mama bear drew the line at that one.<br />
<br />
Anyways, that's the latest scoop on Trina.AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-16150581044478600802012-03-07T13:48:00.000-08:002012-03-07T13:48:19.639-08:00Her English is Improving...I was sitting at lunch with Trina today at the China Buffet. I had finished two of my favorite cookies, when she asked me if I wanted any more. I told her that I did <em>want</em> more cookies but that I would get fat if I had too many. She answered back,"Mama, you're not fat. You're not fat, mama." I said ,"Thank you, sweetheart." Then she said,"You say you're <em>heavy</em>, not <em>fat. </em>Saying <em>fat </em>is not nice." Wow. That's just about all I can say. Wow.AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-52054412403387926502012-02-05T23:02:00.000-08:002012-02-05T23:09:49.053-08:00I Love This Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xY6SExb9J4ZS7S3pckPglqLBvY_WHklz6_OeN7JtvzGhLY3Kl7pN8LJE-E59iyzeXK_EKMgSx-oLtCdmrq_WxD3-h_Rn9Z5F9jhyphenhyphenCGgZietpBaQlgUFLkqS0TJJFTo33OqxuSOsZ5SO_/s1600/Jing+Qi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xY6SExb9J4ZS7S3pckPglqLBvY_WHklz6_OeN7JtvzGhLY3Kl7pN8LJE-E59iyzeXK_EKMgSx-oLtCdmrq_WxD3-h_Rn9Z5F9jhyphenhyphenCGgZietpBaQlgUFLkqS0TJJFTo33OqxuSOsZ5SO_/s320/Jing+Qi.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trina Jing-Qi as a baby-</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sabrina was able to email us some pictures of Jing-Qi when she was a baby with her foster family. I had Sam do some work on this one so we can have it framed and placed on the "family wall" in the office at my work. My parents have baby pictures of all their grandchildren up on it. Now there will be one more! God is so gracious!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are our latest pics...</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I'm still working on Sam to do a family portrait session of our family, but I can't believe how busy life gets when you add a new member to the family. I didn't realize my last post was over a month ago!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSdoBeUaUC0H3b9s5GxH1stdwOP1JFAYllA8IP3Fw7ovfKIQXeuan9i1cS1dDkNPMytv0xHlY3k60wBuuA2AuYe0ySUojR_Syi6KwehSQMR9IDHOD8t8DVZT6MPlGsOsUztuj18uDCQJ_/s1600/P2040002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSdoBeUaUC0H3b9s5GxH1stdwOP1JFAYllA8IP3Fw7ovfKIQXeuan9i1cS1dDkNPMytv0xHlY3k60wBuuA2AuYe0ySUojR_Syi6KwehSQMR9IDHOD8t8DVZT6MPlGsOsUztuj18uDCQJ_/s320/P2040002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, we still do the peace signs.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMCOT-fjqF-8eJ7qoZOdT2l7hBbeIfa6_eYCYGKAdRUM9kuRnc3HyzviB73_jQtrfCCxcgqNozREWgsKbLA5a2SfXL1fvKHenaiYmEBwTPcrISiEUBM0_nVT8FdaZwrsJy4Q4Wp2ZXM1x/s1600/P2040008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMCOT-fjqF-8eJ7qoZOdT2l7hBbeIfa6_eYCYGKAdRUM9kuRnc3HyzviB73_jQtrfCCxcgqNozREWgsKbLA5a2SfXL1fvKHenaiYmEBwTPcrISiEUBM0_nVT8FdaZwrsJy4Q4Wp2ZXM1x/s320/P2040008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This is Jing-Qi with her cousin, Hannah, who is helping her learn to ride a bike.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5SZv_eUGu603qllWihXUeXRQQzJP6-mLBczbczgxAaZRDjPCohgPhq4pNOGrwblpaWBSJzbbMytTVjRgEGUWCGmHmOfMGfnF8fIXso5xO796db0MPS1uCVfsamhW17kDx2xCJxds_R4P/s1600/P2040009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5SZv_eUGu603qllWihXUeXRQQzJP6-mLBczbczgxAaZRDjPCohgPhq4pNOGrwblpaWBSJzbbMytTVjRgEGUWCGmHmOfMGfnF8fIXso5xO796db0MPS1uCVfsamhW17kDx2xCJxds_R4P/s320/P2040009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Jing-Qi loves spending time with her cousins.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0itMfvuaZCiIOh5-hmE1sbDEncPApY92h_YadpByV0ULtOXbo7pJFtlUwq3xWvwfrO77kRBWC5hsMQCKlqwZ5tUhi30Uhhfap1c6vSvUP1gGBLzgkSVPLsjKGQiX86UnZNzOi68qawoP8/s1600/P2040010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0itMfvuaZCiIOh5-hmE1sbDEncPApY92h_YadpByV0ULtOXbo7pJFtlUwq3xWvwfrO77kRBWC5hsMQCKlqwZ5tUhi30Uhhfap1c6vSvUP1gGBLzgkSVPLsjKGQiX86UnZNzOi68qawoP8/s320/P2040010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This is the whole gang! What a blast they had cruising around the park on their bikes, looking for ducks and squirrels.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97jkpzllS_DjuSx5OGfOt3YLzNVt7eUk11ti8ZUcD_xiqrjHQGQKNk4EwPswPjmVbojcJpQd6K_9D5yqyHkbl-KOnMKMtXkNn0779ritJ0OJe1A6wvr-Gunem1Ae6wHDgFD1laDZ9fVmU/s1600/P2040012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97jkpzllS_DjuSx5OGfOt3YLzNVt7eUk11ti8ZUcD_xiqrjHQGQKNk4EwPswPjmVbojcJpQd6K_9D5yqyHkbl-KOnMKMtXkNn0779ritJ0OJe1A6wvr-Gunem1Ae6wHDgFD1laDZ9fVmU/s320/P2040012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Daddy is helping Jing-Qi learn to ride a bike. Everything of this sort is so completely new to her. I have her play on the playground after school gets out with Christina and her friends. I don't think she has ever seen monkey bars before or the big slides that are customary here. She is still building up her courage for those. I put her in gymnastics, where her lack of exposure to such things really stands out, but fortunately she doesn't seem to notice. She absolutely loves it and feels so strong and brave afterwards. I see her little body growing stronger each day, and we are off the "asthma/allergy" pills now with no snoring at night. Praise God!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQw9I47O5NSl_F6K93fc89VILbKzabV__FSVVW2OlyEJOu4s8SSao_00l4mNnREM7gPioy1mlY88kTxQCRFJlROt_6bs8CbXHcyVCosrn9ahU5393lDbaOYhFZtoC8iA7v7M-F3c4lL0-9/s1600/P2050016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQw9I47O5NSl_F6K93fc89VILbKzabV__FSVVW2OlyEJOu4s8SSao_00l4mNnREM7gPioy1mlY88kTxQCRFJlROt_6bs8CbXHcyVCosrn9ahU5393lDbaOYhFZtoC8iA7v7M-F3c4lL0-9/s320/P2050016.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">These two little monkeys love to be silly and have a blast playing together, when they aren't driving each other crazy that is. Typical sisters! </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2ZOInK-SkisP4dhNmQH80m6eHZs3cMn-aoGOffSIxWDJCL1cjZwB2Lbxb8X0MGSYtt39wLSywbf1KYviBIoeCLz07MXdSX5kJu_W-G8bJwrKojWj0lyBqcIuhIvpXaxnNHGHPAc84JQo/s1600/P2050017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2ZOInK-SkisP4dhNmQH80m6eHZs3cMn-aoGOffSIxWDJCL1cjZwB2Lbxb8X0MGSYtt39wLSywbf1KYviBIoeCLz07MXdSX5kJu_W-G8bJwrKojWj0lyBqcIuhIvpXaxnNHGHPAc84JQo/s320/P2050017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I think the adjusting has been the hardest for Chrisitna. She is not used to sharing a room and, with her SPD, the new noises at night of her sister sleeping in the same room can be quite a challenge. Her teacher said she was coming to school really tired and sleepy at first, but is doing much better now-yet another thing to be grateful for. She has had some jealous moments as well. My daddy's girl is not entirely sure she is ready to share Daddy, but things are improving each and every day, and most of the time these two are inseparable. On weekends, they love to build "pillow houses" together to sleep in and get to watch a movie in their room before bed. Very fun times!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFQPGNfQcFGgYxfYezWri6NnfdJYSRH_CimCVIXbyL50BZTNAiofycHoacdbTf5FttlgLKeFQv75R0c6wsJe1bnyKhrZDnVspj6NqBiYnAl776_qLBxD9rA6y315caMoMX82fiCX04uQ4/s1600/P2050020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFQPGNfQcFGgYxfYezWri6NnfdJYSRH_CimCVIXbyL50BZTNAiofycHoacdbTf5FttlgLKeFQv75R0c6wsJe1bnyKhrZDnVspj6NqBiYnAl776_qLBxD9rA6y315caMoMX82fiCX04uQ4/s320/P2050020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This is my attempt at trying to get them to take a serious picture. Almost there!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF5yBPZujm8T07kaCJBvo5pdhslHgBfjmtiU7TLoey7GNrQ6qEIUtjljKAVVwoNXzHp9uyDGpRrjg2F6o2sxCrcMqEQs9qv8kvLe30khngdTQyVT4m9q3p0GWTKn0sAlNJNYaIdkyV8AS/s1600/P2050022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF5yBPZujm8T07kaCJBvo5pdhslHgBfjmtiU7TLoey7GNrQ6qEIUtjljKAVVwoNXzHp9uyDGpRrjg2F6o2sxCrcMqEQs9qv8kvLe30khngdTQyVT4m9q3p0GWTKn0sAlNJNYaIdkyV8AS/s320/P2050022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Jing-Qi can't stop giggling. We love this girl! By the way, the mornings have greatly improved. I think we are settling into a regular schedule now. Sam and I even got out on a date night, which was so needed. It was great to be able to focus on each other and recharge a bit. My little Jing-Qi is still very much tied to my hip and does not like to be alone, which this introverted mother has found somewhat challenging. I am greatly enjoying home schooling her, though it can be very hard on the days that I work. She comes along with me and we are settling into this part of our new lives together as well. I am so very glad I decided to home school. It has given me the opportunity to spend much time alone with her, which I was able to do with my other two when they were babies. Also, it is giving her a comfortable window to learn english and our culture before starting school. I have found that some things we teach in second grade math, she has not yet learned though she is in third grade, so I'm glad to have the chance to see what she knows and, hopefully, get her caught up before she starts school in fourth grade. Life has been very busy, but very rewarding as well. I'm so proud of how well she is adapting into our family. Thank you all for your prayers. I am overwhelmed by God's grace and love for us and am so grateful for every answered prayer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-90710450804021469552011-12-31T15:06:00.000-08:002011-12-31T15:19:46.594-08:00Jing-Qi's 1st Christmas Home!We all had a blast on Jing-Qi's first Christmas. It was so wonderful to have her home. The kids had fun running through the trees at Frosty's Forest to pick out our annual Christmas tree. In all the commotion, we forgot to check that the tree was put on straight on the tree stand. We got home with our hot chocolate and tree to find that our tree looked like a cannon ready to fire. I mean it was at a 45 degree angle to the ground. Poor Sam wrestled with that tree for a good half hour before it finally surrendered and went straight. Way to go, Sam! Then, we all had fun listening to Christmas music while we decorated the tree.<br />
<br />
Jing-Qi loves to wrap. The week or two before Christmas was filled with lots of wrapping of gifts for friends and family. Christina's school hosts a special store where the kids can buy inexpensive items for their families. Jing-Qi was allowed to participate as well, and she loved having gifts of her very own to give and wrap.<br />
<br />
The eve of Christmas eve we all went to Sam's side of the family's Christmas dinner. I was concerned that meeting all the new people would be overwhelming for Jing-Qi, but she did awesome. She loved meeting everyone and playing with her cousins.<br />
<br />
On Christmas Eve, we all enjoyed going to Grandma's house for the usual Christmas Eve gift of Christmas pajamas. Then, we all went to the candle light service at church, which was beautiful as usual. I love this service. It is so much fun to sing the traditional Christmas songs and light the candles while singing Silent Night. My parents come with us every year as well, which always makes it extra special.<br />
<br />
On Christmas morning, we all went over to Grandma's house in our Christmas pajamas and open presents and have breakfast. My mom is up to twelve stockings on her hearth! Once again, I was concerned Jing-Qi would be overwhelmed by all the people and presents (Grandma has been known to get carried away), but not my girl. She had a blast!<br />
<br />
That night, we all went to Aunt Mary's house for Christmas dinner and enjoyed the fellowship with more family.<br />
<br />
We got home that night with Jing-Qi saying, "I like Mei Guo (America) Christmas!" She explained that in Taiwan she would stay up late and watch movies, which was fun, but there were no presents or family parties.<br />
<br />
I am so grateful that we were able to have her home this Christmas. She has been adjusting incredibly well. I can't believe how well! She has embraced every member of the family and is learning family life well. I am so grateful! Praise God! We start back to our early morning schedule next week for school. I hope I'm still saying this next week! My girl does not do mornings well. She fits in to the Benavides family nicely.<br />
<br />
OK. That's quite enough words! Here are some pics...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCYK_0NIt3U/Tv-Qf_2dxkI/AAAAAAAAAL4/x-sQI8Idnws/s1600/PC180075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCYK_0NIt3U/Tv-Qf_2dxkI/AAAAAAAAAL4/x-sQI8Idnws/s320/PC180075.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...at the Balboa Bay Club Christmas Boat Parade</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnzwnFWvggU/Tv-Qhl3NjfI/AAAAAAAAAMA/Rv2hQOOIRlE/s1600/PC180082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnzwnFWvggU/Tv-Qhl3NjfI/AAAAAAAAAMA/Rv2hQOOIRlE/s320/PC180082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We like silly faces...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLL9uBtLrzs/Tv-QjntXIQI/AAAAAAAAAMI/OOGIaoeyaMY/s1600/PC180083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLL9uBtLrzs/Tv-QjntXIQI/AAAAAAAAAMI/OOGIaoeyaMY/s320/PC180083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fufhpU2Tdd4/Tv-Qlv_cWhI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/mr5U1dDcGqE/s1600/PC230130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fufhpU2Tdd4/Tv-Qlv_cWhI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/mr5U1dDcGqE/s320/PC230130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christina did Jing-Qi's hair.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fsq_oaPGNXU/Tv-QoKhQMeI/AAAAAAAAAMY/RBBIs0Gk80A/s1600/PC230163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fsq_oaPGNXU/Tv-QoKhQMeI/AAAAAAAAAMY/RBBIs0Gk80A/s320/PC230163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sam's dad with all his grandchildren & great grandchildren present</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(a dozen more were out of state)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtrb8pip9oY/Tv-QqYoJ_NI/AAAAAAAAAMg/lRAdxEqDV7A/s1600/PC240167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtrb8pip9oY/Tv-QqYoJ_NI/AAAAAAAAAMg/lRAdxEqDV7A/s320/PC240167.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The dynamic duo sportin' their Christmas pajamas</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69SEi89jIkU/Tv-QsrYbmcI/AAAAAAAAAMo/pL6fkvezWm4/s1600/PC240169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69SEi89jIkU/Tv-QsrYbmcI/AAAAAAAAAMo/pL6fkvezWm4/s320/PC240169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C022jjAcH6Y/Tv-Qun41WGI/AAAAAAAAAMw/q66xMjwEMH4/s1600/PC240171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C022jjAcH6Y/Tv-Qun41WGI/AAAAAAAAAMw/q66xMjwEMH4/s320/PC240171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jing-Qi's first Grandma Christmas "sock"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAifbYXbB54/Tv-QwqvRAoI/AAAAAAAAAM4/RJbBD5OBxc8/s1600/PC240172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAifbYXbB54/Tv-QwqvRAoI/AAAAAAAAAM4/RJbBD5OBxc8/s320/PC240172.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdBPdDpEBzA/Tv-Rq8Xei9I/AAAAAAAAANE/zzjPgnAVnzE/s1600/christmas+2011+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdBPdDpEBzA/Tv-Rq8Xei9I/AAAAAAAAANE/zzjPgnAVnzE/s320/christmas+2011+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Emily's 1st pic with her 1st Nikon camera-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">following in her father's footsteps</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0oulzayolcc/Tv-RvKr4WnI/AAAAAAAAANM/my9CFMpm7pY/s1600/christmas+2011+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0oulzayolcc/Tv-RvKr4WnI/AAAAAAAAANM/my9CFMpm7pY/s320/christmas+2011+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W2HxyIYKkKI/Tv-RzH3jJXI/AAAAAAAAANU/te5YNawbmP0/s1600/christmas+2011+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W2HxyIYKkKI/Tv-RzH3jJXI/AAAAAAAAANU/te5YNawbmP0/s320/christmas+2011+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hr8JX6mHDYo/Tv-R21Y0jGI/AAAAAAAAANc/GUWFN2G8oiE/s1600/christmas+2011+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hr8JX6mHDYo/Tv-R21Y0jGI/AAAAAAAAANc/GUWFN2G8oiE/s320/christmas+2011+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Breakfast at Grandma & Grandpa's house...Yea!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9tE0paljt4Q/Tv-R6wYobcI/AAAAAAAAANk/sPfFVPsE64Q/s1600/christmas+2011+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9tE0paljt4Q/Tv-R6wYobcI/AAAAAAAAANk/sPfFVPsE64Q/s320/christmas+2011+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHpQKqZ9dxM/Tv-R-g3LjbI/AAAAAAAAANs/ckSA0pVGjZw/s1600/christmas+2011+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHpQKqZ9dxM/Tv-R-g3LjbI/AAAAAAAAANs/ckSA0pVGjZw/s320/christmas+2011+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R5Do5BMiDqg/Tv-SsHzabtI/AAAAAAAAAN4/94v4buJhW5I/s1600/christmas+2011+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R5Do5BMiDqg/Tv-SsHzabtI/AAAAAAAAAN4/94v4buJhW5I/s320/christmas+2011+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOFCDV23QTg/Tv-SwX75IhI/AAAAAAAAAOA/2Gu0iVXPzyY/s1600/christmas+2011+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOFCDV23QTg/Tv-SwX75IhI/AAAAAAAAAOA/2Gu0iVXPzyY/s320/christmas+2011+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_h4VKVtLk8/Tv-S0kVU5pI/AAAAAAAAAOI/U3NZwGCvKX8/s1600/christmas+2011+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_h4VKVtLk8/Tv-S0kVU5pI/AAAAAAAAAOI/U3NZwGCvKX8/s320/christmas+2011+061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jing-Qi's 1st digital camera from Grandma & Grandpa</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9XShvjCy3A/Tv-S40pcLVI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/vofWu5u6wSc/s1600/christmas+2011+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9XShvjCy3A/Tv-S40pcLVI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/vofWu5u6wSc/s320/christmas+2011+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christina, who struggles with SPD, wore the itchy dress!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OYve-qLWct4/Tv-S8NdbgSI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Lo533MJlBGk/s1600/christmas+2011+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OYve-qLWct4/Tv-S8NdbgSI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Lo533MJlBGk/s320/christmas+2011+081.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2JvzzjycgQ/Tv-TAOgwCVI/AAAAAAAAAOg/Bnh70mhpf1A/s1600/christmas+2011+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2JvzzjycgQ/Tv-TAOgwCVI/AAAAAAAAAOg/Bnh70mhpf1A/s320/christmas+2011+082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This girl is silly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She liked her Christmas dress so much, she tried to wear it to </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">McDonald's the next day. She normally doesn't feel comfortable in dresses.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWF4FZp1C6k/Tv-TD8xeIaI/AAAAAAAAAOo/cMv2W0rX50U/s1600/christmas+2011+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWF4FZp1C6k/Tv-TD8xeIaI/AAAAAAAAAOo/cMv2W0rX50U/s320/christmas+2011+085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SKmvfn-tTyI/Tv-TIFQGJCI/AAAAAAAAAOw/LmI5UKO-vHA/s1600/christmas+2011+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SKmvfn-tTyI/Tv-TIFQGJCI/AAAAAAAAAOw/LmI5UKO-vHA/s320/christmas+2011+099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christina escapes the itchy dress and celebrates with a little song.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dsv2r_KbjU/Tv-TMPDIOMI/AAAAAAAAAO4/N80eHk97nzw/s1600/christmas+2011+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dsv2r_KbjU/Tv-TMPDIOMI/AAAAAAAAAO4/N80eHk97nzw/s320/christmas+2011+101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christina treated us to "Jesus Loves Me", "Hear Dem Bells",</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and "Deck the Halls." Later, she improvises as her cousin, Hannah, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">dances ballet for us. It was quite a performance!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lgtRIJo2YOw/Tv-TT7fqDNI/AAAAAAAAAPI/R3JKHsVcoW0/s1600/christmas+2011+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lgtRIJo2YOw/Tv-TT7fqDNI/AAAAAAAAAPI/R3JKHsVcoW0/s320/christmas+2011+109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mommy enjoys cousin, Austin's, beautiful piano.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JTfIMjhMw24/Tv-TX3AWpOI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/59jGJz1P6vg/s1600/christmas+2011+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JTfIMjhMw24/Tv-TX3AWpOI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/59jGJz1P6vg/s320/christmas+2011+114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jing-Qi loves playing with her cousin, Chris, and Uncle Earl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think I will get her into fencing. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVDMuo1BTY8/Tv-Tb7t-A3I/AAAAAAAAAPY/bmD--p4_1ek/s1600/christmas+2011+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVDMuo1BTY8/Tv-Tb7t-A3I/AAAAAAAAAPY/bmD--p4_1ek/s320/christmas+2011+121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MW4x9T4TNk/Tv-TeqgXtRI/AAAAAAAAAPg/EoYwg0fH1DU/s1600/christmas+2011+141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MW4x9T4TNk/Tv-TeqgXtRI/AAAAAAAAAPg/EoYwg0fH1DU/s320/christmas+2011+141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Emily tries out Chris's archery set.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPYCpYCtJlU/Tv-TifqXgWI/AAAAAAAAAPo/gLWF5qg5fDM/s1600/christmas+2011+142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPYCpYCtJlU/Tv-TifqXgWI/AAAAAAAAAPo/gLWF5qg5fDM/s320/christmas+2011+142.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wow! Go Grandma!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbIsE8rDNg8/Tv-TmE20BYI/AAAAAAAAAPw/kDmsAyVNuc4/s1600/christmas+2011+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbIsE8rDNg8/Tv-TmE20BYI/AAAAAAAAAPw/kDmsAyVNuc4/s320/christmas+2011+146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvUEpEuE7nU/Tv-TqFcamcI/AAAAAAAAAP4/qZq0za4sSIg/s1600/christmas+2011+149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvUEpEuE7nU/Tv-TqFcamcI/AAAAAAAAAP4/qZq0za4sSIg/s320/christmas+2011+149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christina is not feeling well. We find out a couple days later in the emergency room,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with a 104.5 degree temperature, that she has a really bad upper urinary tract infection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She is doing better now, though, after a big scare to mama bear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-69466348351517604072011-12-15T20:45:00.000-08:002011-12-15T20:45:48.967-08:00Here are the pics...Here are our most recent pics of our new precious jewel. Warning: Some are very silly. Christina and Trina had a blast celebrating our Christmas lights going on for the first time, while our neighbors inflated the big snow man for the first time as well. The rest is pretty much from their cousin, Hannah's, birthday party. Last night was soooo much better in regards to the sleep situation, and she woke up no problems this morning, earning more student dollars. Yea!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviluUc0gmWFllngj3WpGbhaRBuS07Rc4I5YjviKSc_ym96n507I1uya-RPZqkIMQO0r0unUMWCpztAa0-mcSFwvhl3vlLjSLRP-4sjtff4AggKc76nOizV1Hhokqmaj3a7EZo69zpYLmd/s1600/PC080073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviluUc0gmWFllngj3WpGbhaRBuS07Rc4I5YjviKSc_ym96n507I1uya-RPZqkIMQO0r0unUMWCpztAa0-mcSFwvhl3vlLjSLRP-4sjtff4AggKc76nOizV1Hhokqmaj3a7EZo69zpYLmd/s320/PC080073.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sC9RtW_parAYeMVF7PmQw_1tGPRnRjn7GKNMCppVbBvY4Zfn66q792pYUxgr3MMsuOfd3dQHBS0Foy6hWKeDWTQKXo4i805DXn9SeagkpWLXaIJ81CYtZexlYVZRl8G_LSbYTs5-41Tm/s1600/PC080084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sC9RtW_parAYeMVF7PmQw_1tGPRnRjn7GKNMCppVbBvY4Zfn66q792pYUxgr3MMsuOfd3dQHBS0Foy6hWKeDWTQKXo4i805DXn9SeagkpWLXaIJ81CYtZexlYVZRl8G_LSbYTs5-41Tm/s320/PC080084.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3oQQnmuVq2WsPa3cD9zER2SwU0NbKQdpurGsS1WZ5fd5uF3-GysRQUG2QxlX9ZKyun3tGIZT6tXhTzmLwQDkCyYPx-Qp8XwITeDY72OnPb8jSvP9b_eWxKLlBFeRE_c-rIOwid1w5EVY/s1600/PC080110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3oQQnmuVq2WsPa3cD9zER2SwU0NbKQdpurGsS1WZ5fd5uF3-GysRQUG2QxlX9ZKyun3tGIZT6tXhTzmLwQDkCyYPx-Qp8XwITeDY72OnPb8jSvP9b_eWxKLlBFeRE_c-rIOwid1w5EVY/s320/PC080110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYTCQZSOYPZDudXGm-S8l6JZPl-nEGNtTzUqhnxGDtDM8_QBSVXckFSeEc-bkofWdtwfmiiWqEAK7dCF5INkm09rno930ahcjVKNnOfqY_fwBYAURInceTnHmG2yzhllhjyHd1srZl5Fh/s1600/PC080116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYTCQZSOYPZDudXGm-S8l6JZPl-nEGNtTzUqhnxGDtDM8_QBSVXckFSeEc-bkofWdtwfmiiWqEAK7dCF5INkm09rno930ahcjVKNnOfqY_fwBYAURInceTnHmG2yzhllhjyHd1srZl5Fh/s320/PC080116.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGoIujuyZVsVCdASMyQzd_GiLcJr0Bdf0jMTg2bKeNRnRGwFwkD8t2nF3SxMp5uynuc-qwBOz24bIV_tjX0ZSfYdVuu2J7JIGuSud3WO285cU2uVK0GFyU6o3CwcQfNTw-Q00FjAF08KX/s1600/PC080123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGoIujuyZVsVCdASMyQzd_GiLcJr0Bdf0jMTg2bKeNRnRGwFwkD8t2nF3SxMp5uynuc-qwBOz24bIV_tjX0ZSfYdVuu2J7JIGuSud3WO285cU2uVK0GFyU6o3CwcQfNTw-Q00FjAF08KX/s320/PC080123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNfKx4FfzqxIJ1lNDUTTUrV1pWTZ8WwBduCt9w7_aPwkkawkbX8IhM7fzgx2tlMu-KAOuaQiEVQGsxv9LorZvQ8anNG7_DuTAO0r4hJGKIvLMBzHJzqoJRcK41gcDKFEdKEcmaaWH3UuF/s1600/PC100145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNfKx4FfzqxIJ1lNDUTTUrV1pWTZ8WwBduCt9w7_aPwkkawkbX8IhM7fzgx2tlMu-KAOuaQiEVQGsxv9LorZvQ8anNG7_DuTAO0r4hJGKIvLMBzHJzqoJRcK41gcDKFEdKEcmaaWH3UuF/s320/PC100145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxZSY3YiLil3OXGCRkuZEbma2aysoe_iXjqy9bPv9ipYsl8a7glVZLoT32sM1IB2yC45UD-9VSLSjWEoBSJbDknl6PP0JYi3VepcQIHWLcKrPfy9FUIpOHCwzGClwfXBgjNZyQFDRjQyq/s1600/PC100147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxZSY3YiLil3OXGCRkuZEbma2aysoe_iXjqy9bPv9ipYsl8a7glVZLoT32sM1IB2yC45UD-9VSLSjWEoBSJbDknl6PP0JYi3VepcQIHWLcKrPfy9FUIpOHCwzGClwfXBgjNZyQFDRjQyq/s320/PC100147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PDT_N5Kq81m1TCKZf9e0FwwrvKcKIsxN9Q3qT6ZlvqNTjiEb73PIXJdVwa6E6pfhFBK5Ck2guqLb8C42zzNbhgUwa9aMGuepic7zHakOcB-RXxImlmwqOJJgL7P8pGQKTmBqPlj5sfRE/s1600/PC100148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PDT_N5Kq81m1TCKZf9e0FwwrvKcKIsxN9Q3qT6ZlvqNTjiEb73PIXJdVwa6E6pfhFBK5Ck2guqLb8C42zzNbhgUwa9aMGuepic7zHakOcB-RXxImlmwqOJJgL7P8pGQKTmBqPlj5sfRE/s320/PC100148.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShNk9l2daytGCmnvzErD6flBZ5CkifaO_21KU-yNcJv2G2QMFWtClvEblpEPnAW7N65s1JeG4FQZWpicDTIW9ErM7tpqTRr_O_Gc-irkbn6zVYvhIfmN-QsPGrLtD_p14I7imAzCrlbHC/s1600/PC100151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShNk9l2daytGCmnvzErD6flBZ5CkifaO_21KU-yNcJv2G2QMFWtClvEblpEPnAW7N65s1JeG4FQZWpicDTIW9ErM7tpqTRr_O_Gc-irkbn6zVYvhIfmN-QsPGrLtD_p14I7imAzCrlbHC/s320/PC100151.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3j6SEx7a6EMzheqNBM9knhdXThc-xhtxLL5-MBe6WxA-2j3YIuzZZNEfTGguW3VOPSYgV-ANHzZVArMquZkwF4d70qo4AEFPjFfmWn4QrtRJsQRd-XY62rOt1UfWLEBG5RkBh_niDz0LP/s1600/PC150154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3j6SEx7a6EMzheqNBM9knhdXThc-xhtxLL5-MBe6WxA-2j3YIuzZZNEfTGguW3VOPSYgV-ANHzZVArMquZkwF4d70qo4AEFPjFfmWn4QrtRJsQRd-XY62rOt1UfWLEBG5RkBh_niDz0LP/s320/PC150154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-88222015801381536212011-12-14T13:41:00.000-08:002011-12-14T13:41:38.317-08:00Quick Update with More to Come...I cannot believe it has been nine days since my last blog! I have been meaning to post more pictures, but we have been so busy. Trina is doing great. She is very smily and is very open to each member of the family, which I am so grateful for. She does get in an occasional disagreement with Christina, who she shares the room with, but they are the closest in age on top of sharing the room, and I would expect some bickering here or there. Most of the time, they play great. She is eating very well and loves to wrap little Christmas presents for her family. We had a wonderful time picking out our Christmas tree and decorating it. She was very excited about the lights on our house as well. Homeschooling has been going well so far, too. Christina's teacher said Trina could participate in her class's student store every 2 weeks. I handle the student store, so this was a great relief and help. Trina loves earning student dollars for reading and doing some school lessons with me. We are having the most difficult time with the sleep schedule. She simply does not want to go to bed at night. I let it go the first week, sympathizing with the time change and thinking that having to wake up in the morning to take the other two girls to school would fix the problem; however, it is a lot worse this week. She will not let Christina go to bed at night, and Christina is very overtired. Then, this morning, Trina would not wake up to take the girls to school and come to work with me. I had to carry her (all 60 lbs.) into the car with only her pajamas on and jacket and shoes in hand. My back is hurting a bit. Hopefully, tomorrow will go better. Please pray that she will adjust soon to our sleep schedule. Everything else is going very well, and we are so blessed to have our little Trina finally home. I will post pictures tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for all your prayers. They are so appreciated, and we are so thankful for every one of you.AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-66474024404664499722011-12-05T23:22:00.000-08:002011-12-05T23:22:46.338-08:00Home, Sweet Home!Sorry I didn't post the pics when I said I was going to, but here they are now. We had a really rough last night in Taiwan. The last day was wonderful, but when it came to saying goodbye to our guide we had quite a surprise. I knew my little one could have a problem with tearing up and missing people, but I expected this more when we left the orphanage. She did very well then and managed not to cry, but when it came to her last night in her home country with people that speak her home language, our daughter was very hard to comfort. This all hit as we said goodbye to our guide, Rosa. This wasn't merely quiet tears like when we hosted her. This was a full on outraged fit. She was screaming and crying for Rosa, who was indeed very wonderful and became like family to us while we were there, but I think she came to represent all of Taiwan and all that our little one has ever known. I felt terrible! I think the whole hotel could hear her screaming for Rosa. I tried to hold her and comfort her, but she just kept trying to break away and run for the door.<br />
<br />
After maybe half an hour, she calmed down enough for me to communicate with her over the google translator. I tried to tell her that I understood her fears on leaving her home country and moving to a country she doesn't know with a whole new people and language to learn. I told her that I loved Taiwan, too, and could see why she would miss it. I told her we would try to come back to visit sometime. I told her that it would take time for her to feel entirely comfortable with us and that that was OK, but that I would try to be the best mommy I could be and help her. I told her about all the family and friends who already love her and are excited to meet her back in the US. I told her that I loved Rosa, too, and maybe we could have her as our guide again when we come back to visit Taiwan. All this seemed to finally calm her down, and we ended the evening with our usual hugs and smiles. <br />
<br />
The next day at the airport, she was happy again and singing "Winnie the Pooh" as best she could. We repeated the same dialog over and over. She would say, "Zie Jian, Rosa. Zie, Jian Taiwan," and I would reply, "Bye-bye Rosa. Bye-bye Taiwan. I love Rosa. I love Taiwan. Hello US. Hello big sister. Hello, little sister. I love US." (in Chinese, of course) This seemed to be good closure for her. We had fun mirroring each other. I would copy her body position. Then she would make funny faces that I would try to copy, ending with her in hysterics. This seemed to help, too.<br />
<br />
Our flight was a miracle in and of itself. I'm usually the type that likes to wait to the last minute to get on the plane, but I felt an urgency this time, so Sam was willing to board with the early boarders-those with children and the handicapped. The plane was full, and Sam had to sit separate from Jing-Qi and I, which was already a bummer, but no sooner did we find our seats and sit down then a couple came down the aisle holding the same seat number as me. I watched as this poor couple, whose flight had been cancelled the day before, got scrunched and pressed by oncoming passengers as they awaited news of their fate from the flight attendant. As bad as I felt for this couple, I was so glad that it wasn't Jing-Qi getting scrunched in the aisle. She had enough to deal with. Eventually, the flight attendant found a man that was willing to change seats to allow the couple to sit together somewhere else on the plane. He sat next to us. Jing-Qi ate and ate and hour into the flight. Then, we hit turbulance. I didn't know my new little one gets motion sickness. There were no bags for this sort of thing in the back of my seat, so a flight attendant gave us a big plastic bag and sent an announcement over the loudspeaker asking for a doctor as we returned to our seats. It turned out that the man sitting next to us was the doctor! We all sat down just in time for poor little Jing-Qi to throw up into the big bag as the doctor and I attended her. It all got in the bag! When does that ever happen?! The good doctor was from Taiwan and spoke Mandarin, making her feel very comfortable. He told me not to let her eat for the rest of the flight. Ooops. I massaged her feet, and she fell right asleep. She slept the whole rest of the flight. <br />
<br />
When we finally made it home, a wide smiled started to stretch across her face as she observed all the Christmas lights on the houses welcoming her. "Wow!", she said. Then, we got her settled in her room. She absolutely loves it, especially the clouds and the glowing stars on the ceiling. Yea! She loves our refridgerator and pantry. She absolutely loves her sisters. She began to go around singing, "I so happy. I so happy." I began thinking, "I so happy. I so happy." Praise God! He is so faithful and has been with us through the whole journey. I am so grateful. <br />
<br />
Here are more pics....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQmfkPyg3M9Sh4SIx4_U5IPPw2gbu1nrfw3fKKW11nqDwY-qeAmHotnHSP5Q7AKCqjsfETkaqkiej3rl4Yg7C1me7Etxlpw6WTjfaJMl_IyQQRtjCONH2n37SIqI55FuVfzzeVsZbe_I9/s1600/015+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQmfkPyg3M9Sh4SIx4_U5IPPw2gbu1nrfw3fKKW11nqDwY-qeAmHotnHSP5Q7AKCqjsfETkaqkiej3rl4Yg7C1me7Etxlpw6WTjfaJMl_IyQQRtjCONH2n37SIqI55FuVfzzeVsZbe_I9/s320/015+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGyU-uRJLG2VxVL-tkZTl6LCgIBUn28XInjDrDlZ0rg_QqBlvTANV-2UglkG1zJ8xyE3EzuVbDjZb2iIbbU4VtNVb1mxXdcmTReirfam2T-wEITyDdMAawjHI30HnS3uFp55J3O0BYDwU/s1600/025+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGyU-uRJLG2VxVL-tkZTl6LCgIBUn28XInjDrDlZ0rg_QqBlvTANV-2UglkG1zJ8xyE3EzuVbDjZb2iIbbU4VtNVb1mxXdcmTReirfam2T-wEITyDdMAawjHI30HnS3uFp55J3O0BYDwU/s320/025+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbpK9_y0hH3q0ErF28pGT87Kvh_o6XdIEtDRvG5wOYAG9KduTXQ_-QeAXRXnom8hZurmhnMG_PfwVGwhjq2ravZ7E99dciYZP45OxD5twED7esyBVQczZIrdy8mFbrROWALxvNzWMak85/s1600/028+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbpK9_y0hH3q0ErF28pGT87Kvh_o6XdIEtDRvG5wOYAG9KduTXQ_-QeAXRXnom8hZurmhnMG_PfwVGwhjq2ravZ7E99dciYZP45OxD5twED7esyBVQczZIrdy8mFbrROWALxvNzWMak85/s320/028+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQR2Z3SvMk74-l3tCiAKQtljqBEr7J0IAD-q0XIECe93NF_Vg7utqAO1uyRSFKvevQVEWmc7t5pTqgwiulv7wCADuOop8uySKrlsR5XxVG-VFUZgsc-3quE8Tn5UH0lYR23AMCvMPHoar/s1600/051+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQR2Z3SvMk74-l3tCiAKQtljqBEr7J0IAD-q0XIECe93NF_Vg7utqAO1uyRSFKvevQVEWmc7t5pTqgwiulv7wCADuOop8uySKrlsR5XxVG-VFUZgsc-3quE8Tn5UH0lYR23AMCvMPHoar/s320/051+%25283%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUETyNwzY7zHv4Z6C4VUFgiS2LWQjlQpRwo_FprNhwcyBAXk-FUsnd24CrHtVT7b-kAcOIy8og1LmYaUI82z5fgc8_0snKitl88Ln4MYdwON1BFwkHNe-PCN189gEYXxC5NBY4-tX90D56/s1600/056+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUETyNwzY7zHv4Z6C4VUFgiS2LWQjlQpRwo_FprNhwcyBAXk-FUsnd24CrHtVT7b-kAcOIy8og1LmYaUI82z5fgc8_0snKitl88Ln4MYdwON1BFwkHNe-PCN189gEYXxC5NBY4-tX90D56/s320/056+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQduEi5vAe7JQ74szj1XweZzW9ZnbCSI_BeXoMamZBKqEQHWx8lO3FvQCWVB_HMsjkndg23tLYDSwVAvCbVhZPP7dPimc2NS2n2sWZVSjGEqPqg-pS7e91vIgaLYj_5kIKP-IEp7wCu00T/s1600/061+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQduEi5vAe7JQ74szj1XweZzW9ZnbCSI_BeXoMamZBKqEQHWx8lO3FvQCWVB_HMsjkndg23tLYDSwVAvCbVhZPP7dPimc2NS2n2sWZVSjGEqPqg-pS7e91vIgaLYj_5kIKP-IEp7wCu00T/s320/061+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P8v_w1CdT5-nWV5rIKvCzYzovDUQEFeXtVeIC_WokIoHFELWzTI5z17m9AFWw-bDdMPMVIR3HEUxMMqOxcEzoWSpb4zL0DbWggvtRaOxfK82QZOibUPfb8WWqT3J5OB17Ysie0GF8x-3/s1600/062+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P8v_w1CdT5-nWV5rIKvCzYzovDUQEFeXtVeIC_WokIoHFELWzTI5z17m9AFWw-bDdMPMVIR3HEUxMMqOxcEzoWSpb4zL0DbWggvtRaOxfK82QZOibUPfb8WWqT3J5OB17Ysie0GF8x-3/s320/062+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-7032477399836685242011-12-01T17:57:00.000-08:002011-12-01T17:57:47.107-08:00Pics from Yesterday...We are having a blast here in Taiwan. Trina is such a trooper. The Benavides family tends to be "go,go,go" and I think she is fitting in beautifully. We went to Taipei 101 the day before yesterday. We went first with our guide. Then, at night, we went back just us three. It was great bonding time, but we didn't get to bed until about midnight. Taiwan is amazing! Yesterday, we went to the mountain, but it was raining. That didn't stop the Benavides family. : ) We had a blast doing a short hike to see a pretty bridge through the rain. Trina was giggling the whole way through. Then, we went to the Night market. Trina giggled the whole way through this as well. She seems to be very happy and is having fun with our sightseeing. She catches up on her rest in the car, where she often naps. We have been able to sleep in the last couple of days as well, which is very helpful. I love our hotel. I love our hotel. Did I mention that I love our hotel? We have a wonderful breakfast included in the price of our room each morning. The view from the restaurant overlooks Taipei 101, which we also love. We can take the sky bridge over to Taipei 101, where they have a wonderful foodcourt in the basement. The food is great and inexpensive. Our guide, Rosa, has also been wonderful. This is our last official day of sightseeing. Then, the next day we travel home. I will post more pictures tomorrow. Thanks for all your prayers and support!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YorV_vhxpqat_yD3SK6IliJ2Luyd8TJiWQW2BER3uqXHu-O-IGs2KcHAYBdHjTw481p06Njd8WjL8gKJmPScZFqucTXjrAHynMEZzKTBl6sihdJ9M26_nzNjU_SbyqMlYUQ_WStNgcEn/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YorV_vhxpqat_yD3SK6IliJ2Luyd8TJiWQW2BER3uqXHu-O-IGs2KcHAYBdHjTw481p06Njd8WjL8gKJmPScZFqucTXjrAHynMEZzKTBl6sihdJ9M26_nzNjU_SbyqMlYUQ_WStNgcEn/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvFET_RHvZJu88yY-A7SWmwGxTuMaBcW5TwI3cZRVsiGWCW5Mmwf8niVbVUTS9xlw9D1-pBMlnJW3QvOrdd1BoIy16wTSiwO3qUB4EggoWSESVVSFfk5oHVJp9yEc_1kXDPhY0Zdscf7m/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvFET_RHvZJu88yY-A7SWmwGxTuMaBcW5TwI3cZRVsiGWCW5Mmwf8niVbVUTS9xlw9D1-pBMlnJW3QvOrdd1BoIy16wTSiwO3qUB4EggoWSESVVSFfk5oHVJp9yEc_1kXDPhY0Zdscf7m/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2OUlaH1fu1mTaKjItIpKn9hDj_8IGpRJqhbZpXl9hGSufzaPtP__ch0MMaSy4DdR34fjoQa-zrspM3gLimpVc0Z6xZuUM8KD6ChHuuskxRKJoT0dWV8fwMQeJfE-Pmx8bKB1uOGqHUeS/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2OUlaH1fu1mTaKjItIpKn9hDj_8IGpRJqhbZpXl9hGSufzaPtP__ch0MMaSy4DdR34fjoQa-zrspM3gLimpVc0Z6xZuUM8KD6ChHuuskxRKJoT0dWV8fwMQeJfE-Pmx8bKB1uOGqHUeS/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPpMZ1G-aNKcm37YoIugJFuDq-U1x60CY7yQ2CcqMxugVl7pC_vKliptyjThLRzcuiE7_AllMV4M6ntf4-DCO1GsKVnaPsw7wBztw7bRGBBnPzshSe_kHjbPpo50BjbzZHt2Yr6IIbqPc/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPpMZ1G-aNKcm37YoIugJFuDq-U1x60CY7yQ2CcqMxugVl7pC_vKliptyjThLRzcuiE7_AllMV4M6ntf4-DCO1GsKVnaPsw7wBztw7bRGBBnPzshSe_kHjbPpo50BjbzZHt2Yr6IIbqPc/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-Ve-Dj-PU9ALyqoUz5AxzIVkW1rutVI5XENkZzzT27As5-59wPfEeWS1ZZXYm8IGIAt7vHbDuf78bkurhZKsH9GI1Oq_FFRIiSlaEcnQQ5J8r6cFHWkHuDpcM3f-5_lNWihsSVXX_0kc/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-Ve-Dj-PU9ALyqoUz5AxzIVkW1rutVI5XENkZzzT27As5-59wPfEeWS1ZZXYm8IGIAt7vHbDuf78bkurhZKsH9GI1Oq_FFRIiSlaEcnQQ5J8r6cFHWkHuDpcM3f-5_lNWihsSVXX_0kc/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxK6gwoouD2D5m_gIlIV2aV7d7GO1Kc8ESa1vgIv9WJ4nfJnR4zaKHDYNq8lvACDfd36AXKWGbAgQVTyZnHid-XWDtwdNxHx0Hf0cxQf5SLDlq8lyc0oOHzwxkttruDgbJxE1URmYF7VS/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxK6gwoouD2D5m_gIlIV2aV7d7GO1Kc8ESa1vgIv9WJ4nfJnR4zaKHDYNq8lvACDfd36AXKWGbAgQVTyZnHid-XWDtwdNxHx0Hf0cxQf5SLDlq8lyc0oOHzwxkttruDgbJxE1URmYF7VS/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZXMsI58cu7w_kRn7569hV7qMpLrX1poVUAIkdn7TvyOBG05cvXKokkN17FZbgkjtWxtpXPH9XRiIZjQS1sxEFUTNnq8_M-XimmkvkF54VY38jplMdIXd0Ih_ZLXf_PPGWp_IyW9DmdhJ/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZXMsI58cu7w_kRn7569hV7qMpLrX1poVUAIkdn7TvyOBG05cvXKokkN17FZbgkjtWxtpXPH9XRiIZjQS1sxEFUTNnq8_M-XimmkvkF54VY38jplMdIXd0Ih_ZLXf_PPGWp_IyW9DmdhJ/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzV1OYcqewKEmswVHm3Orw7Ce0DUumw4XKsCTe4k2PsMfmyUH4_-L5OXEQi4k8FCvDA_v0cin-hTp3IwCxf2ev91HpSnFVywO9fc0w80QgPX-o7AxcP-QrsvoO5euw4YrFhEuNYsQ3sQ3L/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzV1OYcqewKEmswVHm3Orw7Ce0DUumw4XKsCTe4k2PsMfmyUH4_-L5OXEQi4k8FCvDA_v0cin-hTp3IwCxf2ev91HpSnFVywO9fc0w80QgPX-o7AxcP-QrsvoO5euw4YrFhEuNYsQ3sQ3L/s320/020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEa30jM_GUKUka3MP1Alc_rezL2ws3q7TLvQDLa0kCA2CJWNIi1MZWw6FHNzl5Bqtzo29tzYzuAfC_3dg5oiej6jGRC8yzsBAdKmGfDrUL3wF8wEd9egpE20ZPF45O9OaRmv_7064kBJ-/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEa30jM_GUKUka3MP1Alc_rezL2ws3q7TLvQDLa0kCA2CJWNIi1MZWw6FHNzl5Bqtzo29tzYzuAfC_3dg5oiej6jGRC8yzsBAdKmGfDrUL3wF8wEd9egpE20ZPF45O9OaRmv_7064kBJ-/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAGB5po11uJWCYzb3qpmNlQPLwTr0xR2JlhzYzWhtGucp3RDxXpZ7NJGkkkq2kyaXUNWZwjJpczUhd_XhoLb5aIIMiFAAl5rbRXc7WYj4ICSWMBvBKWcnV6P2W1lhSV6D8GV9Gv7y1oc8/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAGB5po11uJWCYzb3qpmNlQPLwTr0xR2JlhzYzWhtGucp3RDxXpZ7NJGkkkq2kyaXUNWZwjJpczUhd_XhoLb5aIIMiFAAl5rbRXc7WYj4ICSWMBvBKWcnV6P2W1lhSV6D8GV9Gv7y1oc8/s320/040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYhJ0sV9Oax6kq66_hzKW7mL8qtE-c9ZEMFQO_pBqSK93MF6Oeca0mJ8YNwsRYS3_eNh7MxqxerzY0baqNmwJOpJV_W-M9VYnlf47NS_rVYRCul6TqZnQoTCYHtVrKieW0bf5RrpjXAjy/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYhJ0sV9Oax6kq66_hzKW7mL8qtE-c9ZEMFQO_pBqSK93MF6Oeca0mJ8YNwsRYS3_eNh7MxqxerzY0baqNmwJOpJV_W-M9VYnlf47NS_rVYRCul6TqZnQoTCYHtVrKieW0bf5RrpjXAjy/s320/044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE41jfT578Y3PaFdYJnOb_PeBEP4OzQGOsqtXBDYW2w7kjEx74y0HtkbLF9YFRPqzqfQVQs6wIyeJcrBWsmRXz62RjyWQxDuJniTCX9VpwyeRPj6S_IAZgAcW0b3hNmIg9YphS02L1gXUa/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE41jfT578Y3PaFdYJnOb_PeBEP4OzQGOsqtXBDYW2w7kjEx74y0HtkbLF9YFRPqzqfQVQs6wIyeJcrBWsmRXz62RjyWQxDuJniTCX9VpwyeRPj6S_IAZgAcW0b3hNmIg9YphS02L1gXUa/s320/046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOp82t6gY8gq2Xp2uqI9TbNwMkBUBY2bVWFy5BxMenu7KyAPx9sLntTqlR6yW1ksaNGug8h_HHVCHSD2os0Xhfy5pf2FoK8R68DY2FzqrWSvhUnO06OCVJLG1jklTLC6mfrmkS66B7NVG/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOp82t6gY8gq2Xp2uqI9TbNwMkBUBY2bVWFy5BxMenu7KyAPx9sLntTqlR6yW1ksaNGug8h_HHVCHSD2os0Xhfy5pf2FoK8R68DY2FzqrWSvhUnO06OCVJLG1jklTLC6mfrmkS66B7NVG/s320/052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqVTW01Wz20VoqNGvG4-ZVn7EmqDa9Gxgi09Syn5jhOxSK8pgCdHWF80DFcVZkQBVO4O-IHMWRaxeDJVBfV4KmqYSVtPFFLAu1uyrezJOX5ozpZ7P9j6RVO1KIXKvKi1ycUR85K02uu08/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqVTW01Wz20VoqNGvG4-ZVn7EmqDa9Gxgi09Syn5jhOxSK8pgCdHWF80DFcVZkQBVO4O-IHMWRaxeDJVBfV4KmqYSVtPFFLAu1uyrezJOX5ozpZ7P9j6RVO1KIXKvKi1ycUR85K02uu08/s320/047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NPY2jP1jKFcWJP1V4hdu22VJLYIp6aAjWqJEk1hJ4HfVLo3-XqNDhFvLJ5ZReltw6ZNToJ6XVQCqXrJRLOvF8fome_Q8poo3c2DITIs3NWWEmbydQNCaX_L7wKuXhjP8K6rtnhKcp0nQ/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NPY2jP1jKFcWJP1V4hdu22VJLYIp6aAjWqJEk1hJ4HfVLo3-XqNDhFvLJ5ZReltw6ZNToJ6XVQCqXrJRLOvF8fome_Q8poo3c2DITIs3NWWEmbydQNCaX_L7wKuXhjP8K6rtnhKcp0nQ/s320/056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTa5vIswavuAZXtOn12BSrJdrsLm_vvImHN-ynX4eU4pSL_OWR4Lo81HxhxdKeXEuoiAdWfE36OUWPFxj-Fa43eiEV1qQiF0u3npMZ0_1P6C01EjGc8WbKEDNCDUNbKYndUmRJvUs9qiz/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTa5vIswavuAZXtOn12BSrJdrsLm_vvImHN-ynX4eU4pSL_OWR4Lo81HxhxdKeXEuoiAdWfE36OUWPFxj-Fa43eiEV1qQiF0u3npMZ0_1P6C01EjGc8WbKEDNCDUNbKYndUmRJvUs9qiz/s320/059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGBaM5syld6fuGbXfp7O2KU-pkqSA5a2n9hi8-iONqdKPC65T-9lE52QohADEtBRZo2UlT7UahtadQzzQbTUisZ006_FTDTr1nExLAVG9zSU2_orH5z62fUyPC8qqlDW00GZIfF3uFkOH/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGBaM5syld6fuGbXfp7O2KU-pkqSA5a2n9hi8-iONqdKPC65T-9lE52QohADEtBRZo2UlT7UahtadQzzQbTUisZ006_FTDTr1nExLAVG9zSU2_orH5z62fUyPC8qqlDW00GZIfF3uFkOH/s320/061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-20681525995080136382011-12-01T16:18:00.000-08:002011-12-01T17:29:33.019-08:00More Pics...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXxBs5d5xfGjPVV2Z56RVZ4twFfWvzwguJuioi464nXN8hAHEh2HfztVA5xHs9z6M-FPcWohiUTLBt4Vroxe8rS76ZLae9GixFOk8AxfghMmvcFhvJDvxNwxFz4aMCIjrGuEvzV0txDyu/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXxBs5d5xfGjPVV2Z56RVZ4twFfWvzwguJuioi464nXN8hAHEh2HfztVA5xHs9z6M-FPcWohiUTLBt4Vroxe8rS76ZLae9GixFOk8AxfghMmvcFhvJDvxNwxFz4aMCIjrGuEvzV0txDyu/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7R7STSE41W7PeGotI7LWGK-q_1qkG3R7Yd10lAsp8q8wqUPK2k6M9is2F5_8a-ND7dv9OFDgqw-bqq2s0VOC_pFUJBMN2y4P_fIRrMaxVabL3CGxmeVDBdwAwTg5OHKs-fXPdrmlE9qq0/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7R7STSE41W7PeGotI7LWGK-q_1qkG3R7Yd10lAsp8q8wqUPK2k6M9is2F5_8a-ND7dv9OFDgqw-bqq2s0VOC_pFUJBMN2y4P_fIRrMaxVabL3CGxmeVDBdwAwTg5OHKs-fXPdrmlE9qq0/s320/011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNd968RCmGqbqsTBQMjw-OhYtxe6O5_FSNPIEy_FLhFHkxAIDEpOsJK7y6v-EHhuQO8j9s_GjSgGYQkJcUBNSq_-y7c45sTSUCoK30g8uPmnzYZBki1K4PBQ6X0XCGOL-bo9G7s26kCHaJ/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNd968RCmGqbqsTBQMjw-OhYtxe6O5_FSNPIEy_FLhFHkxAIDEpOsJK7y6v-EHhuQO8j9s_GjSgGYQkJcUBNSq_-y7c45sTSUCoK30g8uPmnzYZBki1K4PBQ6X0XCGOL-bo9G7s26kCHaJ/s320/013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjNgkYyC57A-VMR-6eKnQojNj2lfU_0lPL-M5-UT9LZbrxzG0zIpSyCUkoe8rBjs0kt70uwuufr8Qyawj26Tc1oLeItLZ5jZevGS9VjTeh5YdiwPCI9pRxw58r4xVOdQte5l_jsjvYNxl/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKml2qfkkLfL9VIhFPI2UfDewy7xAlJqEJhpTQntUNxht8i2esfWZsTe9Ea4bKcQ9KSjY9jUsg9SbRqJ7IYgsjnFdMorFexgEO4Nd6G1jCwly_uS9oj1mLtbUKv0kzi8aqIPqSw0oxCsnn/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKml2qfkkLfL9VIhFPI2UfDewy7xAlJqEJhpTQntUNxht8i2esfWZsTe9Ea4bKcQ9KSjY9jUsg9SbRqJ7IYgsjnFdMorFexgEO4Nd6G1jCwly_uS9oj1mLtbUKv0kzi8aqIPqSw0oxCsnn/s320/028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjcTG2kVdfFJYyiCQo3hYhYuA7wrDhC_A2l9m5Jt0Xo-ybV2xx88Qsefguwqp1CvctO91qjg92Rp4kMM2pju3yh_sAqftHCjQj6JDX0-_V0DbteCn_9zYEGqMjOwY8AJsy48dWeoVR80y/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjcTG2kVdfFJYyiCQo3hYhYuA7wrDhC_A2l9m5Jt0Xo-ybV2xx88Qsefguwqp1CvctO91qjg92Rp4kMM2pju3yh_sAqftHCjQj6JDX0-_V0DbteCn_9zYEGqMjOwY8AJsy48dWeoVR80y/s320/031.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxg1NzIEGNzLwHKPhIxCdhJbC7AweT6foEtMbk7ViEHuLCKpp-5wtmZm4x4vYMolrj_IMjERn0GsPM0rVOfBGxmjbSkqLStpiviyxvAXJsREjGWRbk_wP79-vESF9Fq8XGry3yjY-mLvF/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxg1NzIEGNzLwHKPhIxCdhJbC7AweT6foEtMbk7ViEHuLCKpp-5wtmZm4x4vYMolrj_IMjERn0GsPM0rVOfBGxmjbSkqLStpiviyxvAXJsREjGWRbk_wP79-vESF9Fq8XGry3yjY-mLvF/s320/033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFlPg5ngCW4NGHOJGy0BRkm95cFwFoDLwoBog72yGLz3wFh6-yzN0epKcVnHICR9SgF6n8_VgBR2XeYp6LZejB3g_UTyVVOzb529j760e5YqZre8eHLLGQxaV9eDWP4PESa-oCKaLI6Td/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFlPg5ngCW4NGHOJGy0BRkm95cFwFoDLwoBog72yGLz3wFh6-yzN0epKcVnHICR9SgF6n8_VgBR2XeYp6LZejB3g_UTyVVOzb529j760e5YqZre8eHLLGQxaV9eDWP4PESa-oCKaLI6Td/s320/037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYODqzjzBhMrlQs91051dTCjKYWRJLddh_rAem2a0gE6hT8JNeL1rqu451ByTYrddj_3cPaNLDUcX-m9h0NbLLjFUkSdPzaQXTSthgwWZ8w7mIP6dQyd5iq8QKi-Vdf2zWcw4Y1F4Sz8L/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYODqzjzBhMrlQs91051dTCjKYWRJLddh_rAem2a0gE6hT8JNeL1rqu451ByTYrddj_3cPaNLDUcX-m9h0NbLLjFUkSdPzaQXTSthgwWZ8w7mIP6dQyd5iq8QKi-Vdf2zWcw4Y1F4Sz8L/s320/039.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMSCqB2w98Ug8bxWOj9mZsyw9pkSrlHvZRw1Fen1yNjjO3ccH-upRD8w19imKBHnUCT1I3pkYoM5lgnF6FnHssF2-jB2IV1yN5skazWYqRd1DF5jqvRvwFAF36YAqn8qzDW24xsnQrZYw/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMSCqB2w98Ug8bxWOj9mZsyw9pkSrlHvZRw1Fen1yNjjO3ccH-upRD8w19imKBHnUCT1I3pkYoM5lgnF6FnHssF2-jB2IV1yN5skazWYqRd1DF5jqvRvwFAF36YAqn8qzDW24xsnQrZYw/s320/044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_eVB4y2VJOY87bPYs81T25Y1UoxYX0gDeWDeGl5b1laKOVJH9e2MeHe2trVH3WJprI-Pup_lGIpTodQvi7Z6pB4GeuMzzlCVabmQvgZB_S-EXRDrQ2IPOZgW0DMj1dvT-Z_Wqcbqj2Mu/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_eVB4y2VJOY87bPYs81T25Y1UoxYX0gDeWDeGl5b1laKOVJH9e2MeHe2trVH3WJprI-Pup_lGIpTodQvi7Z6pB4GeuMzzlCVabmQvgZB_S-EXRDrQ2IPOZgW0DMj1dvT-Z_Wqcbqj2Mu/s320/045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDOmfE3maNWi_VRKcMDMy_m-2RYkQ1zVPsJ9kEqYKWhL9bek0-mHY7UfCNrJZol2XcTpgD3wxgermt0P0T3wbaQFZbtfKS1azWofhx9_0JFMwQ1u4XQB3hNSEOgn_94LroBbQoErOwVQ-/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDOmfE3maNWi_VRKcMDMy_m-2RYkQ1zVPsJ9kEqYKWhL9bek0-mHY7UfCNrJZol2XcTpgD3wxgermt0P0T3wbaQFZbtfKS1azWofhx9_0JFMwQ1u4XQB3hNSEOgn_94LroBbQoErOwVQ-/s320/050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Qy4N6P-QUBsfS6YjxCBeX2OvoMhvksyYwG_Wd8lMX-yuC-jAR7pz8x4oi98odRCgmlRe431kVCBuxX5BjySOOX7HwNy_G3Gu1qOJ-YXCw0H33okCL1tKyJ4HxqJmULe5mN9tVSzZCGGC/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Qy4N6P-QUBsfS6YjxCBeX2OvoMhvksyYwG_Wd8lMX-yuC-jAR7pz8x4oi98odRCgmlRe431kVCBuxX5BjySOOX7HwNy_G3Gu1qOJ-YXCw0H33okCL1tKyJ4HxqJmULe5mN9tVSzZCGGC/s320/054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwH9HqIjLA4ms7upJ_uCYoQdBIsJtL4DQ83PbyBU6HlscjgkfQoL7G4C9ZxzjW9SxDvUrKYVcd822e_xrDB2Zr3FT3iXXjPltdBdv-QNx7GeMrftZUivH9SLOcVWbRnZ-cX-cAD5JbbYu/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwH9HqIjLA4ms7upJ_uCYoQdBIsJtL4DQ83PbyBU6HlscjgkfQoL7G4C9ZxzjW9SxDvUrKYVcd822e_xrDB2Zr3FT3iXXjPltdBdv-QNx7GeMrftZUivH9SLOcVWbRnZ-cX-cAD5JbbYu/s320/056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-43469516377613051972011-11-30T06:39:00.000-08:002011-11-30T06:39:41.789-08:00God is Awesome!!!We had our AIT appointment today. Normally, people have to wait at least 2 hours before being interviewed, but we finished the whole process in less than 1 hour. Praise God! He is so awesome! Thank all of you for your wonderful prayers! Jing-Qi is officially our daughter now! Yea! We will post more pics tomorrow, but now we are very tired and going to sleep.AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-87707020672395069842011-11-29T04:10:00.000-08:002011-11-29T04:10:13.909-08:00Gotcha Day!!!Well, we survived the trip and are here in Taiwan with our daughter. Yea! It was a crazy busy day, with us landing in Taiwan at 5:30 in the morning and having appointments until we returned to the hotel for dinner. We are very tired, so I'm just going to post some pictures-the very first pictures posted of our daughter, now that she is officially ours. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBYqbjk8M9nHuhFGZ8uu3xW-s4LUgKN6yBEz95nvpSgRUFNFfoc3bp5KTdDv8x18eEOudMqZZduczkEeh2R2hh_2AQS7G_oBgbiQSg_3-dypC8GEUIuvrFMEqVS2U_4Fx4OACGw7V2tO-/s1600/Taiwan+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBYqbjk8M9nHuhFGZ8uu3xW-s4LUgKN6yBEz95nvpSgRUFNFfoc3bp5KTdDv8x18eEOudMqZZduczkEeh2R2hh_2AQS7G_oBgbiQSg_3-dypC8GEUIuvrFMEqVS2U_4Fx4OACGw7V2tO-/s320/Taiwan+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRJ7rzmTHkk4z0Hti8QTVWh9kIICQWpkieq1ZTskTXGvgWIY2fVmwAuBmsjZqR7mvcszM61cpK2bP58GM7jDRTlwV7wD_NJvCvJekRFsRZ0yuwqcRmX20Aj8HOWbrJa75W7BOXWrzgYbR/s1600/Taiwan+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRJ7rzmTHkk4z0Hti8QTVWh9kIICQWpkieq1ZTskTXGvgWIY2fVmwAuBmsjZqR7mvcszM61cpK2bP58GM7jDRTlwV7wD_NJvCvJekRFsRZ0yuwqcRmX20Aj8HOWbrJa75W7BOXWrzgYbR/s320/Taiwan+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdt2kicJt-CkXwHZ9nP7rzFvdFTGl0hgEHkAHXEHRTkpasFcIHCkp-ALCmGUJAKbhvHCWKzUSsS2_1srUs5p3Awi5IhyBbu7kKQQDu33fiv_redUlm7RZzpWJLTrEL577kesV0u1hnk74/s1600/Taiwan+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdt2kicJt-CkXwHZ9nP7rzFvdFTGl0hgEHkAHXEHRTkpasFcIHCkp-ALCmGUJAKbhvHCWKzUSsS2_1srUs5p3Awi5IhyBbu7kKQQDu33fiv_redUlm7RZzpWJLTrEL577kesV0u1hnk74/s320/Taiwan+029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIDYqsnLx25i8rkAzZgdCCoX3btF3VRQGXkKMROQJAtcUApPuSicqTrwWFD2OcW4uJkTrAUktJcgDHqpuuWclCgOjPTHv1P9wodgieQIroYfPl0wo_-dMFHd2JWyzSX9_P-B1yo_IjIpL/s1600/Taiwan+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIDYqsnLx25i8rkAzZgdCCoX3btF3VRQGXkKMROQJAtcUApPuSicqTrwWFD2OcW4uJkTrAUktJcgDHqpuuWclCgOjPTHv1P9wodgieQIroYfPl0wo_-dMFHd2JWyzSX9_P-B1yo_IjIpL/s320/Taiwan+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhr1dTS11O2mTfJuCCcjVWNCzDmCOzJXblh5bD_t7g-QKVLHwr_NjB7iFxcF4EbX6rI5et0zQqfvz2iXLjJbfrc7Sa7TGocW80Vjj4_O7EOYrzecD7DXSPp4U1TUjZ3mU7ta2eFMUFkH-/s1600/Taiwan+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhr1dTS11O2mTfJuCCcjVWNCzDmCOzJXblh5bD_t7g-QKVLHwr_NjB7iFxcF4EbX6rI5et0zQqfvz2iXLjJbfrc7Sa7TGocW80Vjj4_O7EOYrzecD7DXSPp4U1TUjZ3mU7ta2eFMUFkH-/s320/Taiwan+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6h0eZleNQbd84g8-VRUcJnBffBt5smhdTgicyyhul-Z3GtBBrxjLhWaLVBnIqZhB1bUzhGSrAvZrauR3A_LFPXHkIOS2fDlo_YA8-lRWcSpq1zWCsLJ_x4miID_rkUKVgYt_QuGMWUaD/s1600/Taiwan+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6h0eZleNQbd84g8-VRUcJnBffBt5smhdTgicyyhul-Z3GtBBrxjLhWaLVBnIqZhB1bUzhGSrAvZrauR3A_LFPXHkIOS2fDlo_YA8-lRWcSpq1zWCsLJ_x4miID_rkUKVgYt_QuGMWUaD/s320/Taiwan+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-91027191267399958982011-11-27T18:29:00.000-08:002011-11-27T18:29:50.411-08:00We're Leaving on a Jet Plane...Well, we are leaving in 34 minutes for the airport to finally travel to pick up <i>our </i>little girl from Taiwan. I am so excited and nervous all at the same time! I can't believe that it is finally here. We don't arrive in Taiwan until Tuesday morning at 5:30am Taiwan time. We will be seeing her that day, but I don't know if they release her to us then or the next day. We will post pictures as soon as we can. Thank all of you sooo very much for all your prayers. It means so much to know that we have the support of friends, family, and our wonderful church family. Thank you!AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-78280728258596361622011-11-21T20:04:00.000-08:002011-11-21T20:04:23.090-08:00Not a Good Time to be in a Fog...or is it?I apologize in advans if this blog makes absewlutely gno cents. (Just kidding.) I have a horrible cold and have pretty much been sleeping, as much as possible, the last five days. I had no idea I could sleep so much. I'm soaking it up like a sponge. Perhaps I need the rest for the days to come. My nose has been completely congested, although now it seems to have all moved to my ears. I can't hear a thing and driving up and down hills in the car makes my ears hurt. I'm hoping this clears up before our flight on Sunday, or I'm going to be in a world of hurt on the plane. I have a mildly irritating, dry, itchy cough as well. I'm not a good sick person. I'm pretty much a big baby. Sam has it as well, but not as bad, or he just handles it better. I'm not sure which. PLEASE PRAY. PLEASE PRAY. PLEASE PRAY that this cough goes away soon. (told you I'm a big baby) We leave in 6 days, and I'm hoping that I am remembering everything I need to do through this cold that has me in a brain fog. Thanks for listening to me grumble and for all the prayers. They are always so greatly appreciated.AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-20982869223975212292011-11-08T10:13:00.000-08:002011-11-08T10:13:42.411-08:00A Very Slight Change of Plans...We found out that AIT will be closing for Thanksgiving 11/24-11/27 and are even thinking of a half day on 11/23. 11/23 was supposed to be our AIT appointment, and we were originally <i>hoping, but not guaranteed, </i>to have our visa the same day to come home in time for Thanksgiving. We have decided that this is too much of a risk, and it is likely that we would not be able to come home until the following Monday. Therefore, upon our adoption coordinator's recommendation, we have changed our "gotcha day" to 11/29. We will leave 11/27 for Taiwan, and return with our Trina on 12/3. I suppose after this long wait, one more week should be bearable. I was also concerned because we were having a lot of family out for Thanksgiving, and I thought it might be overwhelming for her to come home to all that the very first day. I think this is for the best. I can't wait! It's not long now and I'll have my third precious jewel home and in my arms. Yea!AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-71023991280896269432011-11-04T11:18:00.000-07:002011-11-04T11:18:56.804-07:00Visiting an Old Friend...Little does my Trina know, but yesterday I was able to visit with an old friend of hers from her orphanage. This little girl, who we'll call JP, was just adopted last July and lives about 20 minutes away from our home and 5 minutes away from my daughters' school. Wow! <br />
<br />
I went in to talk with our social worker the other day to get tips on travel and those first days home with our daughter. Our social worker is wonderful and always has a wealth of tips to get us going on the right track. Anyways, I will be homeschooling Trina for the rest of this school year, and Rhonda recommended I talk with this other mom who was homeschooling her little girl just brought home from Taiwan. It turns out that this little girl was at the same orphanage as Jing-Qi and that they know each other. She even has a picture of the two of them together! JP is just blossoming with her new family, and it was tremendously helpful to visit with them and glean from JP's mama's experience. I am so excited at the possibility of getting these two together again in the future and sharing their common background and experiences. Lord, you are awesome!<br />
<br />
Please continue to pray for the rest of our process, that our travel will go smoothly, that there will be no hiccups with our AIT appointment, and that the Lord will prepare all of our family's hearts as well as Trina's heart to accept and love one another and become one united family. Thanks!AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-4671635801592724492011-10-21T13:11:00.000-07:002011-10-21T13:13:18.922-07:00Happy Birthday to Our Little Trina Jing-Qi!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaBJgV5x0aC0wIk_pzZvqRbagk54B5TweH4oUvqUcBORqtu2G5B0gVCE1fR4DFAEqhd3utqVWkbOhLLokVVaBZNVxrWYBovWK0vn33wgr5f4dtAd9-MXvgVW5UH0r95JPjTSYlBytMuji/s1600/Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaBJgV5x0aC0wIk_pzZvqRbagk54B5TweH4oUvqUcBORqtu2G5B0gVCE1fR4DFAEqhd3utqVWkbOhLLokVVaBZNVxrWYBovWK0vn33wgr5f4dtAd9-MXvgVW5UH0r95JPjTSYlBytMuji/s320/Party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Even though we could not be with our little Trina for her birthday this year as expected, we made the most of it with a love-filled birthday SKYPE party. Grandma and Grandpa came as well as my sister's family-all of whom she had met the summer we hosted her. She seemed to remember everyone and was happy to see them. My wonderful neighbors wrote "Happy Birthday" in Chinese for her on our birthday poster. We had Disney princess cupcakes and sang happy birthday to her before she pretended to blow out her candle. She was even able to open the gifts we had shipped to her while on SKYPE. The shoes were too big, but hopefully we can fix that in a month when she comes home. I can't wait to be reunited with my little one. I feel like I am missing too much time with her. Her favorite color has changed since she came out, and I didn't even know-it was pink, but now it is orange. I can't wait to learn all about her when she comes. She apparently likes to run, too. I'm so excited that we will be able to spend our first Christmas together getting to know one another. Happy Birthday, Trina! Wo men ai ni!</div>AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-26082995168332167822011-10-17T09:35:00.000-07:002011-10-17T09:35:40.788-07:00I've got mascara in my eye, and I couldn't be happier!!!OK. Now that I have cried for the last ten minutes straight, I think I have composed myself enough to spread the news and the news is GREAT.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">WE HAVE OUR FINAL ADOPTION DECREE!!!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">"GOTCHA DAY" IS SET FOR 11/21!!!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">PRAISE GOD!!! HE IS SO FAITHFUL!!!</span></strong><br />
<br />
This is the first morning I didn't check my email when I first woke up. I had finally come to a place where I had accepted that there wasn't going to be news for a while. Then, I got to work and checked my mail, and there it was! I couldn't hold it back anymore. The tears and weeping just came. I'm so grateful and happy that we will be reunited with our Trina Jing-Qi soon. <br />
<br />
Our AIT appointment is set for 11/23-the day before Thanksgiving. Our adoption coordinator is checking with AIT to see if they will have our paperwork done in time for us to return home that evening to be home in time for Thanksgiving. Either way, we are sure to be extra thankful this Thanksgiving to have our little girl finally in our arms. Please pray that everything will go smoothly with our AIT appointment and the rest of our trip. We are so thankful for all of you who have been praying for us. <br />
<br />
Yea!AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-46459956147939857302011-10-11T10:07:00.000-07:002011-10-11T10:07:52.152-07:00Practice! Practice! Practice!Normally, this is what I would tell my kids when they are having a hard time mastering some skill."Don't worry. Keep practicing and you will master that skill in no time." I am discovering that, while this may be true of most things, this is not true when it comes to learning to wait patiently. When I first started the wait for our final decree, I was quite proud of myself for waiting so patiently with a peace that surpasses all understanding and a smile at the future; however, as I "Practice! Practice! Practice!" this waiting thing, I find a very disturbing picture of myself emerging. The person in this picture seems to have a wrinkle intruding on the space between her brows scattering the peace that I would like to think normally resides there. Also, this person seems to be tapping her foot impatiently at the future instead of smiling at it. Yes, I have to admit it. "Practice! Practice! Practice!" does not always work, especially in this case. I seem to be worse at waiting now than I was at the beginning. I'm sure when the wait is all over, I will look back and say that this experience has made me a better "waiter"-yeah, right!<br />
<br />
Anyways... I have asked for some more details from our adoption coordinator as to why the wait is taking SO LONG. She says the courts don't show that there are any problems with any biological relatives stepping forward. Also, the new law in Taiwan stating that a child must be available for adoption to local Taiwan families first before being adopted internationally does not affect us since our case is already in process. OK. This is all good news, so what is taking so long?! Apparently, the social worker that is working on our case over there is just taking a REALLY LONG time to get her reports back to the court. As far as we know, everything else is proceeding as normal. To all of you that have been praying for us, a huge THANK YOU! It means so much to us. Please pray for the social worker as well. ; )AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-24766816818375483342011-09-13T10:18:00.000-07:002011-09-13T10:18:40.910-07:00All is Quiet on the Home Front...Well, it was supposed to be 1-3 months after our first adoption decree that we would receive news on our final decree. It is now officially over 3 months and no news. They have tried to check on our case over in Taiwan, but the court just says that it is still pending. I wish I had more exciting news than "no news", but this is where we are at...waiting and waiting. Our whole adoption process has taken 13 1/2 months so far. If anyone had told me at the onset that it would be this long until I could hold my little one again, I don't know if I could have let her get back on that plane to the orphanage. OK, I know I had no choice, but it is really hard to think of her in limbo this whole time wondering what is really going to happen. My weak human heart is breaking a little, but as Pastor Chuck said a couple weeks ago, "Delay does not mean denial." I'm comforting myself with those words as we go forward and hope that everything really is going along fine with our case. Whatever happens, I know my Lord loves His little Trina and it will all work out fine. I miss her. Please keep praying. We sooo appreciate it.AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-9202935605427975202011-09-08T09:11:00.000-07:002011-09-08T09:11:07.473-07:00Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!My youngest gem, Christina, turns 7 today! I cannot express the love I feel for this girl. The Lord has made her truly unique and I'm so proud of her. I have seen her face her challenges head on with a persistence and strength that I greatly admire. Happy birthday, my adorable, affectionate, bright, loving, "effervescent girl...who likes to dance in the rain."(Quote from our homestudy) I am forever grateful for you!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RMPiVB-2K7zslpNRSiHTrRDNq4djSDcSmj88JiJgEQl2lmR2kIdwrU36bhszTlIrGaQtmAZJzQnF3zLM3fvylTeOpAju1FEpWmNo7Iql7uaWdqL0AlqbymA4fso9K5ZZ-w2Bz0hI12TZ/s1600/_DSC1448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RMPiVB-2K7zslpNRSiHTrRDNq4djSDcSmj88JiJgEQl2lmR2kIdwrU36bhszTlIrGaQtmAZJzQnF3zLM3fvylTeOpAju1FEpWmNo7Iql7uaWdqL0AlqbymA4fso9K5ZZ-w2Bz0hI12TZ/s320/_DSC1448.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Christina shows her "girlie" side at a friend's party.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49YQB-n-nlsI1ZoY-4wIAEvF8u_mDwkGNAJAP1j7iwnQfo11dv9admTdbluKYvEnZPuyFW3vz-f1fIy1H9zbtT3gY9KSkrfIkYNevEqjhRuR3hO7rh6Lk2FbiwXk04lj0qNnaxfQdD4Mu/s1600/_DSC1539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49YQB-n-nlsI1ZoY-4wIAEvF8u_mDwkGNAJAP1j7iwnQfo11dv9admTdbluKYvEnZPuyFW3vz-f1fIy1H9zbtT3gY9KSkrfIkYNevEqjhRuR3hO7rh6Lk2FbiwXk04lj0qNnaxfQdD4Mu/s320/_DSC1539.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaHiA8qOgavk-5QQSSiuMRLFpOQ_n40chU8mtv3ZBMbENQqc1oNRqT-h28IGJLr21iAM8OctntNGwk_pVawX2ZiQM-i5ADfSfUcISW8HrwAlbecPcNne_XuTkOsX2eL-nFGpvQoITIWnj/s1600/_DSC2415_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaHiA8qOgavk-5QQSSiuMRLFpOQ_n40chU8mtv3ZBMbENQqc1oNRqT-h28IGJLr21iAM8OctntNGwk_pVawX2ZiQM-i5ADfSfUcISW8HrwAlbecPcNne_XuTkOsX2eL-nFGpvQoITIWnj/s320/_DSC2415_crop.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Christina loves tae kwon do.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq5CvhNnmDqyAvfLH8KRiodzAUwQE2-YAb1Dah4Nf9tHLg5YCYMQ6JZJhWpBBYlvBJ8J8uMUMAXoEmQYZI2L0qdIAqRJHBPzLqiYg7FOIpeRuscHjU0Z-8E8k3OdsfhaWyo5tqrxAgN7w/s1600/_DSC2667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq5CvhNnmDqyAvfLH8KRiodzAUwQE2-YAb1Dah4Nf9tHLg5YCYMQ6JZJhWpBBYlvBJ8J8uMUMAXoEmQYZI2L0qdIAqRJHBPzLqiYg7FOIpeRuscHjU0Z-8E8k3OdsfhaWyo5tqrxAgN7w/s320/_DSC2667.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">That's my strong girl!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQijEWqqRZoxOONZrmT9ICbku1MYKSSMHH5MGFdqfB-o3zWrJ_WBcixnlOFRZLWm_DxiwibKu0iU1rMuatmHekesRdOqYwrtatLU_OWqMcsU7k1ZzZZYuYm5gwhRWkPZhLELbQc9MfXXaW/s1600/_DSC2722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQijEWqqRZoxOONZrmT9ICbku1MYKSSMHH5MGFdqfB-o3zWrJ_WBcixnlOFRZLWm_DxiwibKu0iU1rMuatmHekesRdOqYwrtatLU_OWqMcsU7k1ZzZZYuYm5gwhRWkPZhLELbQc9MfXXaW/s320/_DSC2722.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz82Wu6rfjkWb6SRsKXBc1c3COb3bO5I1bnm_46HLGfxLo7mhwGPTc-BlG38z-wAZ-Y_FX7mic_MoKFca9h308PRfS9cFQ6N8l1WktWctvPkYT1AQlyh0OL6rE4LR4U0kZqXkT8Ti9ZTag/s1600/_DSC2724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz82Wu6rfjkWb6SRsKXBc1c3COb3bO5I1bnm_46HLGfxLo7mhwGPTc-BlG38z-wAZ-Y_FX7mic_MoKFca9h308PRfS9cFQ6N8l1WktWctvPkYT1AQlyh0OL6rE4LR4U0kZqXkT8Ti9ZTag/s320/_DSC2724.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">She gives great hugs!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1F8q06Irxt94uAOFmbxXmpZEBQbHazyaqIY7F47R4UbzTiM3e7lTLoY50ekWwOm2I5YzuF4MDi8_vNNInVK_wS-EFfyTskWyA6v_Yi6vm5iMD0D3jFC9iVcvz5WmBDJIg9k9s4Smoi5rX/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1F8q06Irxt94uAOFmbxXmpZEBQbHazyaqIY7F47R4UbzTiM3e7lTLoY50ekWwOm2I5YzuF4MDi8_vNNInVK_wS-EFfyTskWyA6v_Yi6vm5iMD0D3jFC9iVcvz5WmBDJIg9k9s4Smoi5rX/s320/01.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">My little scientist enjoys the butterflies we grew from caterpillars.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYllOg2zT0gR1YWMfoVi8Aap9ctT8N-Kacdpd84NIEcAPXBOsWebzRAeTXQnlSajEwy0ucTwtSKPLW0TvAH2-gM51CxoDXe6orlnUClkYwrOW3FcGTy_MGFJfZ6cJ_IcRseVvZ7NDRjnY/s1600/03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYllOg2zT0gR1YWMfoVi8Aap9ctT8N-Kacdpd84NIEcAPXBOsWebzRAeTXQnlSajEwy0ucTwtSKPLW0TvAH2-gM51CxoDXe6orlnUClkYwrOW3FcGTy_MGFJfZ6cJ_IcRseVvZ7NDRjnY/s320/03.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">She is a lover of life!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-82368311499323200772011-08-28T08:07:00.000-07:002011-08-28T08:07:54.924-07:00I Think We're in the Last Trimester!OK. I thought weird and strangely colorful dreams were only supposed to happen if you're pregnant, yet I had the strangest dream last night that I was hugely pregnant and trying to figure out how far along I was. I finally settled in my dream that I was 7 months along. Strange, I know. I think the wait is officially starting to get to me. Needless to say, I woke from my dream when I felt the baby kick very early in the morning- well, for me anyways (It was 7:22)- and scrambled to the computer to check my email to see if we had any news on our final decree...My heart sunk. No news. I did have some adorable new pictures of our Trina Jing-Qi sent to me, but Taiwan won't let me post any pictures of her until she is officially ours. These are my favorite pictures so far. She looks very happy. Anyways, I just wanted to share my craziness with you all. Please continue to pray for God's perfect timing with all this. As insane as I sound, I do trust Him and am looking forward to the day we are reunited with our little precious gem.AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-65194734805634998942011-08-23T22:39:00.000-07:002011-08-23T22:39:02.504-07:00A Treasure from Taiwan...We just received an email from Sabrina. Chung Yi had sent her an email with the pictures Trina drew in our last SKYPE session. I thought I would share it. To me, it is a precious treasure. I've made a print out of it to put up with Christina's drawings. As you can tell, tic tac toe was a big hit as well. Vicki, from Chung Yi, did try to check with the courts on our final ruling, but all they could tell her was that our case is still pending. Please keep praying for God's perfect timing and will in all of this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb4mXGXM6o7dI4tB6h4L4dcAaVRR-Edf2XHH37tsFR9JdRJJpGtivKZvLLhMuBxMj-CkGaqnPlHCQmmgOD00aGfjYfu-02f40fbD-KqMymGOrDyTu1hBX1kqBHarx2RQ2sKX6g3LbtYl0/s1600/skype+drawings+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb4mXGXM6o7dI4tB6h4L4dcAaVRR-Edf2XHH37tsFR9JdRJJpGtivKZvLLhMuBxMj-CkGaqnPlHCQmmgOD00aGfjYfu-02f40fbD-KqMymGOrDyTu1hBX1kqBHarx2RQ2sKX6g3LbtYl0/s320/skype+drawings+2.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-80614962797590293032011-08-17T20:01:00.000-07:002011-08-17T20:01:26.707-07:00She likes "Trina"! Announcing "Trina Jing-Qi Benavides"!We were able to SKYPE Jing-Qi tonight and found out that she likes her new American name, "Trina". I'm so relieved that we finally have a name for her. I always thought she would want to keep "Jing-Qi", but maybe her new "American" name is a symbol of the new life that is before her. I'm still going to keep "Jing-Qi" as a middle name in case she goes through a period of wanting to get back in touch with her Taiwan roots. Actually, I really like the name "Trina". I love to look up the meanings of names on the baby name websites. "Trina" means pure, "Jing" means perfect essence, and "Qi" means fine jade. My blog title is fitting, isn't it? She truly is another precious jewel!<br />
<br />
She looked great tonight and seemed to be in better spirits than last time. We eventually got her to smile last time, but it took a few minutes. They said she had a hard time sleeping last night. I hope she is OK. I tried to ask for some news of our final decree, but they ignored my question. I don't think I'm supposed to ask them over SKYPE, but I had to try. They say she will be starting school there soon, and I can't believe we still don't have her home. I'm really hoping we will have her home by her birthday in October. This wait is really starting to get to me, especially thinking of what she must be going through with all this waiting.<br />
<br />
On a happy note, it was wonderful to see her sweet smile again over our video call. She drew many pictures of our family and would have me guess who she was drawing. It was fabulous to interact with her. Sometimes it can be difficult to think of ways to connect over the Internet (believe it or not). <br />
<br />
Please keep praying for our sweet girl in Taiwan and that she will be able to come home soon. The Lord must have some reason that it is taking so long, and I trust Him in that, but I am so humanly impatient. I suppose I could use some prayer as well.AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-4867490611964611752011-08-14T19:41:00.000-07:002011-08-14T19:41:58.881-07:00Some Summer Fun While We Wait...Both my girls have been eager to try surfing since they saw the movie <u>Soul Surfer</u>, and to think I was concerned that they wouldn't go in the ocean again after seeing that movie. It seemed to have the opposite effect. Christina, especially, was so excited when my mom treated Sam, Emily, Christina, and another family from work to surfing lessons this vacation. I think both girls have found a new love. Sam was a great sport and went along while I waited safely on the beach. The following are pictures of their first time surfing. Hopefully, I'll find a way to get them out there again. I think even Sam would like to go again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2-bAotWXVV2_zkpLARjIlYL-hgLKVzHB_zQ-Xe90KE_XYygUzFB0R4smZrfc91ZLFMn_3-X61tNBDb-nrUlvAy-Q8Ss-nMe_33UN1qrMxBhj_jmj_rL2ZxQpWWxnK29RwNRKzCme_Kkv/s1600/folder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2-bAotWXVV2_zkpLARjIlYL-hgLKVzHB_zQ-Xe90KE_XYygUzFB0R4smZrfc91ZLFMn_3-X61tNBDb-nrUlvAy-Q8Ss-nMe_33UN1qrMxBhj_jmj_rL2ZxQpWWxnK29RwNRKzCme_Kkv/s320/folder.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlq6gwPpKs2Lf5wkzNZ0lm-zallZ1FTf4xPS3OdL02mL-07HRbUKzqeqQcddppp23xIj0FR5ppG66wyt7-USKbnGn3rDshg8TJ4LGpuJevkXVnvn6Hwgr34F-vCwvt7vCUsRcnOvDR404/s1600/IMG_2418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlq6gwPpKs2Lf5wkzNZ0lm-zallZ1FTf4xPS3OdL02mL-07HRbUKzqeqQcddppp23xIj0FR5ppG66wyt7-USKbnGn3rDshg8TJ4LGpuJevkXVnvn6Hwgr34F-vCwvt7vCUsRcnOvDR404/s320/IMG_2418.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHga9akUeGgHbkxdHcfAuqpabY_7JUcH0CR1wEA4UsJ50IEBoA-rixmmfChzIBys_RlP9Asqk4aWrq8Jd8sC0bXny9mqdx8YEr7Jkr-0PGv1PZVU1vywrgynOMXPcvSUUi8O-VZ7_nllF/s1600/IMG_2420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHga9akUeGgHbkxdHcfAuqpabY_7JUcH0CR1wEA4UsJ50IEBoA-rixmmfChzIBys_RlP9Asqk4aWrq8Jd8sC0bXny9mqdx8YEr7Jkr-0PGv1PZVU1vywrgynOMXPcvSUUi8O-VZ7_nllF/s320/IMG_2420.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56aqBlPD67DrBsRh1Hhae28SJda5dX9VhAgiJ5QksW3RO9z92lJ_VrjDoKXujz6yjwlAst5LEWYpM2EDbY60B_lLu5CN6E8D8Liqzcx_HfqGBfRihbtbOuHBMpaC0PVBnBx25e8f7N5WO/s1600/IMG_2569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56aqBlPD67DrBsRh1Hhae28SJda5dX9VhAgiJ5QksW3RO9z92lJ_VrjDoKXujz6yjwlAst5LEWYpM2EDbY60B_lLu5CN6E8D8Liqzcx_HfqGBfRihbtbOuHBMpaC0PVBnBx25e8f7N5WO/s320/IMG_2569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKmqZanFNJ13sDotzpAVt1qNqw1zbjRRj-9VJyxWN4ub4oLiXKcadsV4RNi_eISANINhJ3m8VfUDAInxPYdOLxSiFCLHMqXt0IotJ5_8jItekfG2KBY9RTRstv5YKXND68QmPmXLuvSzb/s1600/IMG_2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKmqZanFNJ13sDotzpAVt1qNqw1zbjRRj-9VJyxWN4ub4oLiXKcadsV4RNi_eISANINhJ3m8VfUDAInxPYdOLxSiFCLHMqXt0IotJ5_8jItekfG2KBY9RTRstv5YKXND68QmPmXLuvSzb/s320/IMG_2572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAsdIu2I-1cu63hmVtxALq2Dh2QtPHhD907Bcz21VjypuQZtR_BwF3D7o-P5QwJqclLfg71NTERXT8qTBAc9TYJkHCs6bqWuZm0RbYbt8oTzjeZQz0ynKeS9qlnkvBzXyCdh0Ds_LlD32/s1600/IMG_2703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAsdIu2I-1cu63hmVtxALq2Dh2QtPHhD907Bcz21VjypuQZtR_BwF3D7o-P5QwJqclLfg71NTERXT8qTBAc9TYJkHCs6bqWuZm0RbYbt8oTzjeZQz0ynKeS9qlnkvBzXyCdh0Ds_LlD32/s320/IMG_2703.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZody8F8alWHhYTFp_7eZnQLjMKPkejouYbObKphu_EvQ_iu1NtXbyPEfMBoJkvQVScne5-Yrld-fm0_bMcmdM1kPvBjqNqcsWEl_Oc6Ik4j-jEO5XhJeZ4N1TtD_SyP4bm21IQAQVxvMo/s1600/IMG_2718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZody8F8alWHhYTFp_7eZnQLjMKPkejouYbObKphu_EvQ_iu1NtXbyPEfMBoJkvQVScne5-Yrld-fm0_bMcmdM1kPvBjqNqcsWEl_Oc6Ik4j-jEO5XhJeZ4N1TtD_SyP4bm21IQAQVxvMo/s320/IMG_2718.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlEFkAV6-z6ynaXWTXdBinHmfX6KdFX2WLgbiJhsLzwvCw5_LPtPF5Tok7IisWd3ZbXC6pZbYCAxVtrqx-sY6wIvH3QDDoXCQ_urFmQMPTqPFN3lgw_lpK-yxYtcMSeAjs3PJxjXVLAHI/s1600/IMG_2720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlEFkAV6-z6ynaXWTXdBinHmfX6KdFX2WLgbiJhsLzwvCw5_LPtPF5Tok7IisWd3ZbXC6pZbYCAxVtrqx-sY6wIvH3QDDoXCQ_urFmQMPTqPFN3lgw_lpK-yxYtcMSeAjs3PJxjXVLAHI/s320/IMG_2720.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405275957090473089.post-10159952698999245742011-08-11T15:50:00.000-07:002011-08-12T01:26:04.855-07:00Is this ever going to really happen?Well, it has been two months since we received the news that we had our first ruling, yet there has been no further news on a final ruling. I am starting to wonder if this is ever going to happen. If I'm wondering about this, then what could my little Trina Jing-Qi be thinking at this point? She is probably wondering if we are ever going to come for her. It has been over a year since we hosted her, and I can't possibly imagine how she must feel. Now, I'm just <em>hoping</em> that we will have her home for her birthday in October, where I had always assumed that she would be home by this time. It is always so hard to wait, but I know that my heavenly father has everything in control including the timing of our adoption; however, I sure hope to be holding my precious little one soon. Please pray for our Lord to comfort her as she waits.AnotherPreciousJewelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165081943828889818noreply@blogger.com2