Happy Halloween!!!

Today the kids (including Chad) got to dress up for school. Bethany got most original for dressing up like her self..ha ha! Anna Li goes to a "sugar free" school but today they lift the band for a day full of Halloween CANDY!!!

Ok, I didn't mean to put this in sideways but I am not redoing it... no way! Here is a few of our pictures from our Halloween night:)

I've Been Tagged!!

I've been tagged like three times and haven't found time to sit down and do this!! So, today is Sunday.... we've been to church, ate dinner, cleaned up, sent the kids out to play AND although I really should be doing my homework... I am going to tell the world what a weird person I am!! Thanks- Marsha, Dana, and Starla!!!!

Now to the 7 weird things about me...

1. I have social anxiety disorder!! Ok, its not diagnosed but I really can't handle large groups of people. I do much better in small groups or one on one:)

2. I slept with my parents until I was like 12 because I was scared of the dark.

3. I love Americas Most Wanted but it scares me to death!!

4. When I was in the military I turned down a trip to Germany because I was too in love with Chad to leave him. I so regret that now!!!!

5. I love cake so much that I could eat it for every meal! Yummy:)

6. I am 33 years old and have never had a manicure or pedicure.

7. It drives me insane when people rub their hands on fabric (especially blue jeans)!! Kinda the same effect that some people get when someone scrapes their fingers on a chalkboard. Ewe, I can't stand even thinking about it. What a weirdo:)

OK now who am I going to tag??????

1. Lisa W.... my friend from our FCC Athen's group who is waiting on her Alison Rose. http://www.russlisaw.blogspot.com/

2.Christie and Cash who are two crazy people from our travel group:)(just kidding) They are loads of fun!! http://www.londonland.blogspot.com/

3. Jean and Scott- the first friends we made in China. They have two boys Nate and Drew and their newest addition Lily. http://www.theochronicles.blogspot.com/

4. Sonya my Decatur FCC buddy:) (private blog) http://www.hodgefamilynews.blogspot.com/

5. Rina- my blogging buddy from Flordia who gave me a wonderful fundraising idea that helped us raise money for our adoption$$$ http://www.shpiruk.blogspot.com/

6. Becky-another friend from the Athens FCC and mother of a wonderful little boy named Noah.

http://www.journey2noah.blogspot.com/

7. Sherry- a wonderful lady who adopted a cutie from Xining a few months after we did.

www.redthreadjourneyofgrace.blogspot.com

Soccer Games, Pumpkins, and Moon Festivals

What a busy day!! We left the house at 7:30 am to head to the soccer field. Poor Bethany's team was defeated 6-0!! Chad's dad, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew came to the game. We do not get to see them much so it was a nice surprise. After the game, they came over and hung out at the house for a bit before we headed to the Pumpkin Patch.
We got a picture of all the kids. The little one is Eli:)

Our family on a hay ride at Tate Farms.
There was a petting zoo with bunnies, goats, calves, ducklings,and kittens. The kids loved it!


I think Anna Li and Bethany picked the biggest pumpkins in the patch!! After the Pumpkin Patch we headed back to Cullman to attend our second Moon Festival this year with our new friends. The kids had so much fun and Anna Li made lots of friends close to her age. There was good food, lots of kids, crafts, and a hay ride. The kids painted really cute paper lanterns!!

Anna Li Update

Wednesday night Anna Li just started talking in English! FULL sentences!! Her favorite sentence is Do you like______? horses, dogs, cats, chocolate, and the list goes on... We are really seeing a lot of progress. I picked Anna Li up from school today and her teacher said, "Anna Li has talked all day!" She is learning more and more English everyday. She is starting to sound out words and read. She is such a precious little girl and we are so proud of her. Oh wait a minute, she keeps reminding me...she is not a little girl- she is a BIG girl! No little, no little!

She is truly a gift from God and we are so thankful for His many blessings:)

Fish Tales:)

Anna Li, Bethany, and Colin spent the day with Mamaw and Papaw last Saturday. Papaw took them fishing. Bethany and Colin didn't last long. They found their way inside where there is comfort and air conditioning (what can I say, I raised some city slickers!). Anna Li LOVED it and she did great!! She was so excited when she caught her first fish! She was a little dangerous with the fishing pole (almost hooked Bethany's head). We later cooked out and roasted marshmallows. It was the funniest thing to her. She was swinging a burning marshmallow around on a stick and all I could think about was that scene from Dennis the Menace when the roasted marshmallow hits the old man in the head. Everything was moving in slow motion as I ran across the yard just as she was swinging her burning marshmallow past three kids heads!! Luckily I made in time to extinguish the fire and make her a smore:)

Found an Old Friend

When I was 19 years old, I worked at a nursing home for about a year. It was a hard job but oh so rewarding!! I met so many people that I will always hold dear to my heart. One guy that always brightened my day was "Hoop". He was such a joker and he always made our shifts so much fun!! TODAY, I volunteered at the Special Olympics and guess who I found....HOOP!! After all these years (14 years) he still remembered me! It was a beautiful day and so much fun! Hoop got first place in the 20 yard dash:) If you have never attended a Special Olympics, I highly recommend it. You can participate to be a "buddy"with one of the participants, volunteer to work one of the events, or just help with lunches. I did all three and I am really looking forward to doing it again next year. Opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics!!!!
Pictures from the Awards Ceremony