Finally...some pictures of my girl!

Karsynn and I baked and decorated a Valentine's Day cake for Daddy!

Our little "Horse Whisperer."

Hi Mommy!

Whether its real horses or artificial cows, she has to touch them. She's an animal lover like her mommy...yeah!

Enjoying a sucker at Rupp Arena and the Sweet 16

March Madness in the Bluegrass!

Well, we did it! We introduced Karsynn to March Madness in Kentucky. She attended her very first Sweet 16 Basketball session last night at Rupp Arena. We watched two games, and she did really well until the very end. By that time, she was a bit worn out. Here is a picture of her standing beside the Sweet 16 Championship Trophy. It's bigger than her! Poor thing, she has no choice but to love sports!

We are so proud...

Troy and I both graduated from Morehead State University with our undergraduate and graduate degrees. The MSU Eagles won the OVC Championship in basketball and have earned their place in the Final 64 NCAA Tournament. We are so proud of our little university in the mountains of Kentucky. Some say they have no chance and don't deserve to make it to the "Big Dance," but it isn't always about winning or even having a shot at winning. For some, like us, it's just about the experience. Morehead State plays the Louisville Cardinals in round one of the tournament. Make us proud Eagles...

Disney on Ice

Yesterday was a busy day! We took Karsynn and her friend Isabella to Olive Garden to eat. Karsynn discovered that she really likes shredded Paremesan cheese with tomatoes. She ate like a "little pig." After that, we ventured down to Rupp Arena for Disney on Ice where she had to have Minnie Mouse ears, cotton candy and a snow cone in a Mickey Mouse cup. Not bad, that only put us back about $32...YIKES! I guess they're only little once. Karsynn seemed to enjoy the show, but she fell asleep during the Lion King part of the show. It was just too much excitement for one day. Finally, we headed back to the Fayette Mall for some ice cream at Maggie Moo's ice cream shoppe. Overall, it was a busy but very fun day. Karsynn and Isabella both fell asleep in the car coming home. So sweet! I took photos on my new Canon Rebel camera but I don't have a USB cable for it yet, so I'll try to post some pics later.

Ahhh. the taste of a cold glass of water

We live in such a privileged country, yet we take so many of our blessings for granted. During our trip to China, one of the most challenging things I faced was the inability to go to the sink and get myself a cold glass of water. The water in China is not drinkable from the tap. We were warned of this before we traveled, but I just couldn't imagine that it was true...that is until we were there. No sliding your toothbrush under the running water, no allowing the warm shower water to run down your face and a bit dripping into your mouth, and absolutely no drinking from the tap. Boy was that a challenge! Do you know why? Because we take so much for granted in the country in which we live.

Imagine if you will an orphanage full of babies waiting for their forever families. Now, imagine the nannies who care for these babies, preparing food and bottles in water that is undrinkable, yet they have no choice. Well, up until now, this has been the case of many orphanages in China, including Nanchuan City SWI, which Karsynn and her "China Sisters" were cared for in for the first 9 months of their little lives.

Now, imagine if you will, the abilitiy to make this one struggle and danger a thing of the past for so many children in China...IT CAN HAPPEN and IT IS! If this post has sparked your interest, then please visit the link below. Doesn't every child in the world have A Right to Clean Water?

I just found out that Karsynn's orphanage has been funded to have a complete water filtration system installed for FREE, fully funded by A Child's Right. In just a short time, the nannies and the babies they care for at Nanchuan City SWI will no longer have to worry about drinking contaminated, dangerous water and this makes my heart smile. I am overcome with tears of joy...

http://www.a-childs-right.org/
(If the link will not work, then please copy and paste it into your address bar!)

Be sure to check out the photo section on their web page. It shows the water filtration systems that have been installed and the children partaking in their first glass of fresh, clean water...so amazing and unbelievable!

Karsynn...

Ok, so my two year old climbs up to the computer desk, opens the laptop and looks at me and says, "I check email..." So, maybe I'm spending a little too much time on the computer or maybe she's just a really good listener and mocking bird? Hmmmm... So, I'm wondering when I should become concerned that my 2 year old isn't interested at all in potty training? The pediatrician says that she'll do it in her own time, I think this summer would be a good time to start, but I hear others saying that their child is the same age and is already potty trained. What to believe?? What to do?? I don't want to worry her with it or stress her out, so I offer but she still says no. Maybe I'll try some rewards? Here are a few more cute phrases she's using nowadays:

"I check email"
"Hey everybody! What's everybody doing?"
"Follow mommy daddy or follow daddy mommy..."
"I'm the King of the Castle! I'm the Princess!"
"I the Mommy and you're the baby..."

It's the cutest thing ever to hear her talk in such complete sentences now. Along with talking our heads off, she's singing, dancing, showing more imagination than ever, and is just as full of herself as she has ever been. I'm loving it! Finally, this is what her G-pa has taught her. One day she was scratched by a cat at a friend's house. When she walked in, she told G-pa what that "Titty Tat" did to her. G-pa said he'd punch that kitty cat in the nose and pull its tail. So, needless to say, whenever Karsynn sees a cat she says, "Punch it in the nose and pull its tail?" Not that she ever would, because she loves all animals, but it's just so cute to hear her say.

We're Back on our Feet Again...Yeah!!!

Well, after weeks of the Strep Throat, the Flu, a double ear infection and a sinus infection, we're finally a functioning family again. We've managed two days of daycare, two full days of work for mommy and daddy, and things are looking good. Keep you fingers crossed that we don't pick up any other YUCK that might be going around. Now that Karsynn is well, we're looking forward to getting Karsynn out and about again. For starters, we're going to see Disney on Ice in Lexington with Ray and his daughter, Isabella. That should be great fun. Every time the commercial comes on, Karsynn says, "I go there?" I think she'll really love seeing all the characters. After that, we're planning on some sort of adventure over Spring Break. Not sure what just yet, but we're contemplating Wilderness in the Smokies in Pigeon Forge. I think Karsynn would enjoy the water park. She loves the water, especially tubby time. She keeps looking out the back door at our pool and saying, "I swim?" I think I'll tackle teaching her to swim this summer, which should be pretty easy, I think. Here are a couple of pics to enjoy of our girl...



This is "Uncle Ray." He's Daddy's best friend and he's fun to play with!!

Illness Update Take 2:

Well, I stayed home with Karsynn on Friday. Troy and I took her back to the pediatrician in Lexington, and guess what...a double ear infection, on top of the Flu. Thankfully, she put her on another antibiotic and she's "on the mend." She's eating better, sleeping better, and is getting back to her rowdy little self. Mommy and Daddy are so glad to have our spry little girl back. She's been such a sick little thing. It's just pitiful! Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers during these crazy days of our lives. March is here and we are in need of a much better month!!! Bring it on!