Karsynn Update...3 years old body...12 year old ATTITUDE!

It has been awhile since I've had time to post, so I thought I'd update all my followers:

1. We officially have a 3 year old with an ATTITUDE. She is the most sassy little thing lately, and he daddy blames it all on me. He says she acts just like her Mama...WHATEVER!
2. Karsynn is loving going to preschool. She loves her teacher Miss Sandy, that is, until she tries to make her mind. Then she gives her that "I'm not listening to you!" attitude that she has learned from me. (I'm so embarrassed!)
3. We have quite the little artist on our hands. She's only 3 and is already drawing people and including all the important body parts, including arms and feet. Yesterday she came home with a face drawn with one eye open and one eye shut. Miss Sandy always asks them what they've drawn and writes a note out beside the picture. Karsynn told her that it was, "Karsynn winking at you!" What a HOOT!
4. We've started trying to talk to Karsynn about the possibility of adopting a brother or sister for her. She's not having it! She gets very upset and says, "I just want an airplane...a blue one...and that's all." My child thinks all babies come by airplane. She's not interested in the baby, just he airplane.
5. I've started working with Karsynn on reading some basic Sight Words. She can already recognize cat, dog, Karsynn, Sammi, Troy and G-pa. Not too bad! I just wish I had (or could make) more time to work with her. She could be reading in no time, I'm sure. She's just so naturally intelligent. I wish I could take credit for that one, but I'm sure it's genetic.
6. Finally, I think we have a future American Idol star on our hands. Her latest favorite song is, "If you like it then you should have put a ring on it." She cracks me up!

Pictures to come!

3rd Birthday Party and December 2009 Pics

Faster Daddy, FASTER!!!!!!

Karsynn's first ever snowman. The wet snow was perfect for building a snowman!

All bundled up and ready to play in the snow!

Karsynn in her Christmas play at preschool! She did a great job!


Mommy, Daddy and Karsynn at the KY Horsepark looking at trains.

Karsynn and her Tinkerbell cake

Whitney, Shelby, Karsynn and Dylan

Sorry for the delay...

Wow, I sure hope December is better than November, at least for my family. I apologize that I have not updated the blog with pictures from Karsynn's birthday party, but I've been a bit "under the weather." I was in the ER twice during Thanksgiving Break, and they still aren't sure what is/was wrong. They are suspecting gall bladder, but who knows? Nonetheless, I'm on the mend, so I'll try to post pictures soon.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Karsynn!!!!

Today, my baby girl turned 3 years old. Don't ask me where the time goes, because I don't know. One moment, we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting to fly to China to bring her home, and the next minute she's turning 3. Wow! Simply amazing! She has been the best gift anyone could ever receive. I don't know what we did to ever deserve her, but I'm so thankful that God saw fit to give her to us. She has changed our lives in ways that know one could ever imagine. To long for a child and begin to fear that it just simply wasn't "in the cards" for your life is devastating. So, for us, Karsynn is our miracle child. She has changed so much in just a year. She is such a "big girl" now. Miss Independent, if you will. She can do it all herself, or so she thinks. Her latest fascinations include dinosaurs, any type of animals, and she continues to love Tinkerbell, which is the theme for her birthday party Saturday. She loves her "soft animals", as she so sweetly refers to her stuffed animals. I truly believe the child is destined to have a job working with animals in the future. I'm so glad she is an animal lover like her mommy. Daddy, not so much! I will try to post some recent pictures later! Thanks for continuing to follow our blog, eventhough mommy has a difficult time finding time to keep it updated.

Karsynn the monkey climbing a tree in the backyard.

Our little monkey!

Karsynn and CJ

CJ and Karsynn

Reflecting on our 2nd summer as a family...

As summer comes to an end, we'd like to reflect on all that we've done this summer to keep ourselves busy...LIFE IS GOOD!


Learning to swim...not there yet but we'll get it next summer!

Watching my first Nascar race at Daytona Speedway...

Learning about God's love at VBS...

Building sandcastles at Daytona Beach...

Visiting Disney World for the very first time...

Meeting Cinderella...

Running through mud puddles, for the very first time, after a summer rain...

Camping with Mommy and Daddy in our new camper...

Spending time with my family by our pool...

Happy Gotcha Day #2, Karsynn!!!!

The happiest day of our lives!!! Gotcha Day 2007

One year later, and my how she has grown! Gotcha Day Anniversary 2008

Gotcha Day Anniversary 2009-Two years later, and I can't believe how much she has changed!

My Dearest Karsynn-
Words cannot explain the love the Daddy and I have for you. You are a blessing from God. I'm so glad that He chose you for us and us for you. Not a day goes by that we don't thank Him for you. You fit us perfectly, and we love you so much! Thank you for bringing so much love and laughter to our lives.

Happy Gotcha Day, Karsynn!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Finally, some pictures of Karsynn...

Where we are:
1. 3/4 potty trained...YEAH!
2. 2 1/2 years old
3. Still co-sleeping with us, but she's finally sleeping through the night
4. Going back to daycare in August
5. Becoming smarter everyday..she simply amazes me with what she knows!
6. Loves swimming, reading books, jumping on her trampoline, and is fascinated with Mickey Mouse, Shamu and Cinderella...at least for now.


A day at the beach!

Karsynn with her future prom date, Braylon.

Vacation Bible School

Camping at Fort Boonesborough

Karsynn and her Papaw

Karsynn with her cousin Payton

Karsynn and her dog, Bentley

Our Little Beach Bum!

It is hard to believe that our vacation will soon be coming to an end. You work so hard all year long and look so forward to a much needed vacation, and it just seems to FLY by. Everyone should have to take a mandatory 2 week minimum vacation per year, but that's just my opinion. Karsynn has had a great time at the beach. She loved Orlando and all the parks, but she truly is a beach bum. She loves the water! She is as brown as a little bean. Tonight we had dinner at Charley Horse and ate All U Can Eat Crab Legs...YUMMY!!! Karsynn even tried them and actually liked them. Troy and I were stuffed like two turkeys when we left. Tomorrow is our last night in Daytona, and we plan to take in a race at Daytona 500. I think it's the Subway 250 or something like that. I'm not a race fan, but it should be pretty exciting and NOISY. Karsynn and I are only going because it's something Daddy wants to do. It's a night race, so at least it won't be so hot. Anyways, we'll fly home on Saturday morning early. Just a quick 1 hr. and 26 min. flight and we're home. I love it! We've had a great time, but we (Karsynn and I) miss Bentley and the rest of our family. We're considering a nice winter vacation at the beach in Dec., so we'll see.

Sammi :)

Vacationing in Florida

We are in Florida, and it has been a busy, busy trip! We spent 3 days in Orlando visiting Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Sea World and Sea World's waterpark, Aquatica. Karsynn had a BLAST! We are currently in Daytona Beach at our resort enjoying the beach and swimming. We fly home on Saturday. Karsynn loved her flight down to Florida. She kept waving out the window to Grandma, G-Pa, Papaw and Mamaw. It was so cute!

1st Camping Trip in our New Camper and Upcoming Vacation...

We just got home from a three day camping trip at Fort Boonesborough. It was our first trip in our new pop up tent camper. We had such a good time. The first two days were quiet and peaceful, but yesterday all the weekend campers came. We took Karsynn swimming one day, the other two days were spent just chilling out around camp. I actually got to read 24 chapters in a book I started a year ago. My, my, how motherhood changes your life!! For the good, of course. Just no time for myself anymore, but that's ok. I wouldn't change a thing!!! We leave Friday for our big trip to Orlando and Daytona Beach. We are flying, so this will be the first flight that Karsynn will actually remember taking. We are spending 3 days in Orlando visiting Disney World, Sea World, and Aquatica, which is a new water park. Then, we're off to spend the remainder of our time in Daytona just relaxing on the beach or at the pool. I can't wait to see Karsynn experience so many new, fun things. I'll try to post pictures from our camping trip later this week.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for Troy's dad. He is doing GREAT!!! God is soooo good!!!

Blessings!
Sammi

Prayer...

There is much to pray about in our household...

1. Troy's dad has lung cancer surgery Friday, so please remember him in your prayers. Troy's mom, Teresa, is having a very difficult time with this, and other things that are going on in her life. She needs your prayers, too.

2. Troy needs to pass a very important test to complete his Master's Degree in Guidance Counseling this summer. Please pray that God will grant him the knowledge necessary to do so. He also needs your prayers, as he is very worried about his dad, too.

3. We are still in the discussion stages of a 2nd adoption. We both feel that God has another child planned for us, but we're just not sure what His exact plan is yet. Please pray that God will show us what to do and that we will have listening ears. Patience is a virtue, and right now, I have NONE. Pray for me, too.

I realize this is a long list, but as the old saying goes, "When it rains it pours!" This too shall pass. I know that God will see us through all of these trials and tribulations.

The latest on Karsynn...
1. We are in the beginning stages of potty training. Wow, what a job!
2. She continues to grow taller and taller, but she's not gaining much weight. I guess she'll be a tall and skinny Chongqing girl!
3. She absolutely loves the pool. We are working on learning to swim! She's miss independent and wants very little help from us and depends on her arm floaties.
4. Her vocabulary continues to impress even her mommy! She is such a bright, clever, expressive, and dramatic little girl. (Drama Queen...look it up in the dictionary and you'll find her picture.)
5. She looked at me the other day and said..."No more daycare!" So cute! Summer Break!
6. We finally purchased a new tent camper, so we hope to be able to do some serious camping this summer and fall.
7. Our vacation plans include a trip to Florida to visit Disney World, Sea World, and of course THE BEACH!!! Karsynn absolutely cannot wait!
8. My big girl is 2 years and 7 months old...oh my! I can't believe how time flies!

Difficult Times...

I apologize to all of you who pop in to view updates about our Chinese princess, Miss Karsynn. Mommy has been a bit too busy to post lately, but I intend to do better this summer. A lot has been going on in our lives lately, some of which we wish wasn't. Troy's dad was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. While no one ever wants to hear "the Big C" word thrown at them, he is a very, very lucky man. The cancer is contained in the lung and after a PET scan, was found NO WHERE else in his body...Praise God. His doctor believes he can remove the mass, along with 3 small spots, via surgery. We are not certain whether or not he will require Chemotherapy or Radiation, so please pray. He health is otherwise pretty good, so we are hoping that with such early detection, the outcome will be good. Karsynn really loves her G-Pa, so send up some special prayers on his behalf. Other than that horrific news, life in our house is busy busy. Troy and I are both trying to wrap up another school year. After that, we hope to take a brief vacation to Florida then Troy starts graduate classes again in July. It looks as if Karsynn and I will spending a lot of time at home alone enjoying the pool while Daddy studies.

We would also ask that you say a prayer for us, as Troy and I both feel the tug at our hearts to adopt another child. The adoption process in China is now at a 3 year wait. As we are NOT getting any younger, we need to know soon if this is what God has planned for us. Is there another little Chinese prince or princess out there waiting for his or her forever family and are we it??? To be continued...
Blessings!
Sammi

Prayers Needed!!!

It's been some time since I posted last, and I apologize for this. Life has been a bit crazy in our house lately. Karsynn had her most severe allergy attack this past weekend, and she has been coughing and her nose has been running since. She is on yet another antibiotic, but we really had no choice. Also, my father-in-law is having some health complications right now, so please say a prayer that we get good news on Monday. I promise I will try to post some pics soon. Karsynn is getting so big and changes daily. We are such blessed parents!!!

What's going on in Karsynn's World?

Well, we've all been quite busy lately, so not much time to post updates. I'll try to do better for those of you who are faithful followers and get tired of checking in daily and seeing the same old thing! Sorry!

1. Karsynn now has a new swing set to play on in the yard. She loves the slide and is getting a bit to brave around it for Mommy.
2. Tonight, Daddy and Uncle Ray put her new trampoline together and she jumped until she couldn't jump anymore. Again, a little too brave for Mommy!!
3. Karsynn is such a smart little girl. I wish we could take credit for her good genes, but NOPE, she doesn't get it from us. Her vocabulary just amazes me sometimes. You tell her something one time and she remembers it forever! Amazing!
4. She's loving her new daycare room. She is now with the older two year olds and is having a great time. Today, they colored their own horses and are going to have their own version of the KY Derby. Of course she says her horse is going to win!
5. Daddy is finishing up his two masters classes this week. He had two more to take this summer and he is finished with his Guidance Counseling degree. YEAH!!!
6. We discuss another adoption at least once a week, but we haven't yet gotten the nerve up to tackle the paperwork again. We'll see???

That's about it! Busy, busy, busy! I can't wait for school to be out for summer break, so we can relax and have fun with her. We're going to tackle potty training this summer, so we'll see how that goes.

Random Pictures of "The Girl!"

Enjoying a cuppy and watching Dora!

My girl in her cute little Easter dress!

Karsynn's "Barbie" that she saw at Keeneland...check out that hat!

I love this face!

Karsynn holding her $20 winning ticket for her first race at Keeneland!

We met a new friend from China that lives in our community...she's so sweet! Her parents are very nice people, too.

Our Spring Break Trip to Tennessee...

We spent three days in Tennessee with Karsynn and it was an absolute BLAST! The weather was beautiful, and the water park at our resort was super!!! We ALL enjoyed it so much...yes Troy and I both rode the slides, too. We did some shopping for mommy, visited a few amusement rides for Karsynn and went to the Ripley's Aquarium, too. It's always so neat to see Karsynn experience something new. She's so young and innocent. Oh to be young again...

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