Thanksgiving 2008...Memories

Karsynn got to spend some time with her cousin, Shelby, who is my brother's little girl. They visited at Grandma's house, and then today, we visited my brother at his new house that they just purchased. By the way, Uncle Eric, we love your new house!!!


Mommy holding my cousin Shelby and me!

Shelby and I on her Dora couch in their new house!

Tea Party with Shelby at Grandma's house.



Mommy braided my hair!

Bring on Christmas...

Well, we made it safely through the busiest shopping day of the year...BLACK FRIDAY! Troy was the brave one this year, as he ventured out this morning before 5:00 AM to pick up a few presents for Karsynn. He originally went out after the Barbie Car at WalMart that was on sale for $88. However, when the paper came off the stack, there were only four in the store and he was about the 8th person in line. Shucks! He was able to pick up the $140 trampoline for Karsynn, complete with the safety net. YEAH!! She will love that next summer. He also managed to pick up a few important things that Mommy requested, like SD cards for the camera (you know I am a picture taking crazy woman) and 4 pajama sets for Karsynn. He's such a good man...all this while Karsynn and I lay sleeping. Thanks Daddy! Around 10:00, the three of us ran to Lexington to see if there were any last minute deals left and we found a few. Then Daddy had basketball practice, so Karsynn and I ran around Winchester while he practiced his boys. All in all, it was a great day. I thank God for being able to go out and make a few simple purchases today, as there are many who aren't as fortunate. I'll post some pictures from this Thanksgiving, but here are a few from last year. Look how little she was!!! OMG!!!


Daddy, Mommy and Karsynn in Gatlinburg 2007.

Look at that cute Thanksgiving outfit!

Karsynn and Kailee at a chalet in Gatlinburg last Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Break...what to do?

I vote absolutely nothing...Mommy needs a rest. I doubt that this will happen, as there is no time for rest with a wild two year old running around. We plan to share Thanksgiving dinner with Troy's parents and mine at his mom's house. After stuffing ourselves like a turkey, we plan to do a bit of Black Friday shopping. We also plan to tackle the old Christmas tree this week. Karsynn is so excited by all the neighborhood lights, so this Christmas should be extra fun. Beyond that, I see a restful weekend for Mommy, just spending time at the house and enjoying Karsynn. Not sure if it will happen this weekend or not, but we do plan to venture to the KY Horse Park to enjoy the Southern Lights display. It's supposed to be amazing! They have over 100 light displays, as well as a petting zoo for kids. I think Karsynn will really enjoy that, so we'll see if we can fit it into our busy schedule. Before Karsynn's birthday party at BounceU, Nila and I had Karsynn and CJ's pictures made together at Walmart. We pick them up the 28th, so be sure to check back for picture updates. They turned out really cute, birthday balloons and a big 2! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!!!

Lots to be Thankful For...

As Thanksgiving Day quickly approaches, we have much to be thankful for. First, and foremost, we are thankful for our wonderful daughter that God so richly blessed us with. She's amazing! She's growing up so quickly, but each day brings an even more amazing milestone to her. She's talking (sometimes too much), running around like a crazy child, and although she's still experiencing sleep problems, our nights are getting gradually better. She is a daredevil! She has no fear and will attempt anything at least once. Her favorite thing to do now is to grab the railing when coming downstairs, pull her feet up off the stairs and swing like a little monkey. She just giggles like its the best thing ever. Her newest saying is, "Happy Hooray!" She says this whenever anything good happens. Secondly, we are thankful for the good health that God has blessed us with. Karsynn's allergy problem is now under control, with the help of medications, and she is going longer amounts of time without needing antibiotics. Bonus: we've kept Bentley (AKA Gigi Dog) and she seems to be doing fine around him. We are also thankful for our many good friends and family that surround us on a daily basis. We have such good people in our circle, people we can truly depend on, in good times and in bad, and that is rare in the world we live in today. Troy and I are both blessed with wonderful, stable jobs. For this, I give God thanks. There are so many people who have lost their jobs or are in fear of losing their job, and that's a scary thing. I can't imagine how uncertain things must feel for them right now. I pray that our economy will stablilize and the rebuilding process will begin. I am thankful for new leadership in our country. Times are hard and CHANGE is needed. President Elect Barack Obama has his hands full come January 28th. I pray that God will give him the knowledge and skill needed to lead our country out of the trouble that we are in. It won't happen overnight, and I know that, but I pray for change to happen as quickly as it can possibly happen, so that we can take back our country. Finally, I am thankful for the many people who visit this blog daily, weekly, or monthly. For those of you who wait, I know how you are feeling. Days and nights are long and hard, but your time is coming. Be patient and know that, "All in God's timing!" He has the perfect child picked out for you and your family. This was written even before you were born. So, with that said, be patient, enjoy life everyday, and keep checking in on Karsynn! Our only hope is to bring a smile to your heart and some peace to your mind with our story. Fairytales Do Come True...believe me!!!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!
Troy, Sammi and Karsynn

What a Difference a Year Makes...

My little Asian Princess is growing up!!! I just can't believe how fast!!!

More Birthday Party Pictures...

Conquering the Wall

Is the whole thing for me?

Look at my balloons!!!

Mama was all tuckered out!

Karsynn and her future boyfriend, Braylon, at his birthday party!

Playing Ring Around the Rosie with Annie...

Could I get a little help, please?

Busy Weekend!!!!

I finally found time to post some pictures of Karsynn's party at BounceU in Lexington. A fun time was had by all, and it was worth every penny we spent to feel relaxed, play with Karsynn and enjoy our friends. We will definitely visit BounceU again. Karsynn had a great time with all her friends, and it was great to see CJ, Abby and Kailee again. We want to thank everyone for coming!!!!


Karsynn and CJ playing!

Mommy, Karsynn and Daddy sliding...WEEEEE!

The Birthday Princess on her throne!

Karsynn and CJ

Karsynn loved all her presents from her friends!!!

It has been a very busy weekend for our family.

1. On Friday, Troy and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. He took me out to eat in Lexington and surprised me with lower arena UK basketball tickets. We had a great time!!
2. Karsynn had a birthday party to go to at TK's Gymnastics for Bryson and Braylon. I think I have a little gymnast on my hands. She loved all of it! I guess we'll be checking into gymnastic classes soon!!!
3. Today, we will celebrate Karsynn's 2nd birthday with friends and family at BounceU in Lexington. We are very excited because Karsynn will be reunited with three of her "China Sisters" from our travel group: Macy, Abby and CJ are all coming! We can't wait to see them all. Our only wish is that everyone in our travel group lived close enough for them all to be together. To all of you who live so far away, we miss you and think of you often!!!!!

I'll post pictures of our busy weekend later. Stay tuned!!!!

More Pictures of my Girl

Happy 2nd Birthday Karsynn!!!!

Today was a GREAT day spent with Karsynn. Daddy and I took Karsynn to Lexington today. We went shopping for her Christmas dress, which you see in the picture below. Then we had her 2 year old pictures, as well as Christmas pictures, made. They turned out so cute! After a few hours of picture taking, we ventured over to Chucky Cheese for pizza and play time. We simply spent the day as a family, which was perfect. The big birthday bash happens this weekend, and Karsynn cannot wait to see all of her friends. They're going to have a great time playing together. I simply cannot believe my baby is 2...

Tomorrow...you turn 2!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday!!!

Legacy of An Adopted Child
Author Unknown
Once there were two women,
Who barely knew each other.
One is in your heart forever,
The other you’ll call mother.

Two different lives,
Shaped to make yours one.
One became your guiding star,
The other became your sun.

The first gave you life,
And the second taught you how to live it.
The first gave you a need for love,
And the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality,
The other gave you a name.
One gave you the seed of talent,
The other gave you an aim.

One gave you emotions,
The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile,
The other dried your tears.

One gave you a family,
It was what God intended for her to do.
The other prayed for a child,
And God led her straight to you.

And now you ask me
Through your tears,
The age old question through the years.
Heredity or environment…
Which are you a product of?

Neither, my darling… neither,
Just two different kinds of love.

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl! You are my reason for living!! Before you came into my life, life simply had no meaning, no purpose. Now, I am complete. I love you for so many reasons.

Going to take pictures...

We're getting ready to go take pictures this evening. We took family pictures with this company last year, but this year we're only doing Karsynn. I can't wait to see how much she has changed since then, though. Pictures always tell the real story. Here are the ones from this same company last year. When we get the new ones in, I'll post those for all of you to see. We also have her 2 year old pictures scheduled in Lexington. We're trying a new company this year, so I hope they turn out as cute as her 1 year old photos did. Yes, I admit it, I'm a photo taking crazy Mama. I can't help it! I can never have enough photos of that face that I waited so long for. Guilty!

We're Proud to be Americans! We voted today!

Silly girl...

"I Voted!"

Attention all Parents Who've Adopted from China!!!

I happened upon this website on Rumor Queen. A man has started a website where you can log in your child's information, and you are able to gain access to information about other families who've adopted from your same Province and even Orphanage. I just registered Karsynn's information. It's a great way to contact others who have children from your child's same orphanage or city. You have to create an account but it's FREE. If the link doesn't work, then just copy and paste it into your browser. It should work that way. I'll also add the link to My Favorite Websites.

http://www.ourchinesechildren.com/

Sammi

12 days and counting...

It is absolutely unbelieveable to me that my baby could be getting ready to turn TWO! Where in the world does time go? It's hard to believe that just 12 months ago this month, she was so little and helpless. She wasn't walking, wasn't talking that much, and she still needed Mama to do everything for her. In just one short year, she's walking, talking (sometimes more than I'd like), and she is Miss Independent. In fact, her favorite phrases as of late are, "I do it," "I hold it just a minute," and "I touch it it Mommy!" She has gotten so big, so FAST. It makes me sad in a way, because I don't have a baby anymore. I have a toddler, and for the most part, minus a few temper tantrums and battles of the will, am loving every minute of it. We have plans confirmed for her party, so I'll be posting those pictures very soon. Stay tuned... Meanwhile, here are a few pictures from her first birthday for you to reflect on.


Enjoying her cake!

Not sure if she knew what it was all about...

Look at that cute hat and outfit!