Happy Birthday to my "China Sister," Kailee!!!

My, my, look how much you've changed! We love you, Kailee! Happy Birthday!!!!

More Karsynn Pics...of course

Every KY girl needs a good horse, even ones from China!

My new wheels! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Asleep on my horsey! Mommy's favorite picture!

Daddy and I are WORN out!

My, how time flies!

Happy Chinese New Year!!!!!

Don't you love my outfit?

Karsynn and Joanna, her newest "China Sister"

We had a wonderful weekend! On Saturday, we traveled to Shelbyville and had a CNY celebration with our friends. On Sunday, Kailee's family, and us, went to the Lexington Children's Theater to watch Chinese dance students from Harbin, China and enjoy the Explorium, a museum for children. Karsynn and Kailee had a blast! We were also surprised with an introduction to an email friend, Claire, which was a great blessing, too. We hope you enjoy the pictures.

New Pictures of Karsynn

We LIVE for SNOW DAYS!!!!!

We awoke this morning to a small 1 inch snow, but it was just enough to close school in Montgomery and Clark County, which means...Mommy and Daddy were BOTH home today. YEAH!!! It's days like this that remind me of one of the few perks there are in teaching...SNOW DAYS. We stayed in all day, except Daddy did have basketball practice, and did nothing at all. It was great. It was so nice to slip back into bed this chilly morning and snuggle up close to Karsynn. She still smelled of Baby Magic from her bath the night before and her skin was so warm. Being a mommy is simply amazing when you experience moments like that. They are PRICELESS. We slept in. Had a late breakfast, read many, many books (some more than once), and played all day long. Our living room was a total MESS, but that's ok. Thank you God for blessing us with the occasional snow day.

She's Walking!!!!

It only took 14 months, but she's FINALLY walking. It's the cutest thing, ever! She still isn't very confident in doing so, but she's getting better at it every day. I never dreamed I could love another human being as much as I love Karsynn.

A Playdate with my "China Sisters"

A Few More Pics for your enjoyment...

Happy New Year!!!

I have to say that 2007 was the BEST year of my life. It was definitely a year filled with changes for both Troy and I. Among the greatest gifts we were given in 2007 was Karsynn. What a blessing she has been to us. I cannot even begin to imagine what life would be like without her in it. She brings us so much joy, laughter and sometimes even a few headaches, but the kind you don't mind having. As we enter into 2008, I know that our lives will be filled with even more happy moments. As we begin our first full year with Karsynn, I look forward to many more 1sts. I hope you enjoy reading our family blog and hope you continue to check in from time to time. I plan to keep updating it as much as possible, as so many of you enjoy seeing the changes in Karsynn. Happy New Year to you all! May God bless you and yours with a happy, healthy, prosperous new year.

All our love...
Troy, Sammi and Karsynn

Our 1st Christmas as a Family

Well, Christmas has once again come and gone, but this will be one to remember. Not only was this our first Christmas together as a family, which was amazing, but also because our little one spent Christmas Eve night in the Emergency Room. She began feeling ill and we could not get her fever to break. So, at 2:30 A.M., we decided we had to go to the ER. When we arrived with her, her fever was 102.6. She was diagnosed with Strep Throat and was given a shot. We've been rotating Motrin and Tylenol for 3 days and she still isn't feeling up to par. I've been so worried about her. I know that God will take care of her, so with a little time and rest and TLC, she'll bounce back soon. I can't believe her first Christmas has been so miserable for her, though. She has good moments and then some very bad ones. I feel so sorry for her. I hope your Christmas was a merry one and I hope your new year will be the best ever. Enjoy the pictures!!!

We wish you a Merry Christmas...

New Pictures

Karsynn Update

Well, we are coming up on our 4 month anniversary of coming home, so I thought it was time to update Karsynn's progress. So, here's the scoop:

Walking Yet? No, she just isn't confident enough to take off, though I think she's ready just any time.

Talking Yet? All day long: dada, mummum, gigi (Bentley), Bitick (Biscuit), duck, Dora

Sleeping Yet? NO...enough said.

Karsynn is already so smart. She loves to read ALL BOOKS! She recognizes characters in the book, points to them when you prompt her and knows how to turn the pages herself. She loves Peek a Boo books with flaps and hidden objects. She also really likes texture books. We read to her everyday.

Eating Table Food? Not fully. She's still eating Stage 2 foods, but we are experimenting with table food. She only has 8 front teeth, so nothing to grind with yet. She does love ham, turkey, cheese, crackers, marshmallows, mandarin oranges, pears, bananas, and PIZZA, yes Pizza! She is still taking formula bottles, but that's because Mommy isn't ready to put the bottles away yet. She just hasn't mastered the use of a sippy cup yet.

New Experiences: Karsynn had her first long car ride to Gatlinburg, TN over Thanksgiving Break. We stayed in a chalet with friends and had a wonderful time. She also went just last night to see Disney Playhouse LIVE at Rupp Arena and LOVED IT!! She saw Mickey Mouse and his crew, The Little Einsteins, Pooh and Tigger and Handy Manny and his Tools. We really enjoyed ourselves and she danced and jumped the whole time. Thanks Daddy!!!! You're the best!

Thanks for continuing to follow our life journey.