Poor Carys

Apparently Carys is having some severe fall allergies. The doc put her on prednisone. Hope it helps!!

Bionicle girl

Here is Carys with her new myoelectric arm. Or her "bionicle" as Kyan calls it! We had to fight for her arm with the insurance company. We were denied twice, appealed twice, and finally got the approval. She's just had it a couple weeks now and is still getting used to it.

Such a cutie!!

Using two hands to hold her cup.

Back to School Feast

OK so I have about 8 months to catch up on but I'll just jump right in with the present. I swiped this idea from a blog I read (and that most of you probably read too - if not take a peek - what an amazing person http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/ )Anywho - the idea was just too sweet. We had a grand back to school feast for the kids complete with crowns and our best China (which hasn't been used in years!). The kids loved it! We had turkey and corn on the cob, mashed potato's and gravy, peas and broccoli and since it was also Caden's birthday (Happy 8th birthday Caden!!) we had a cookie cake and cupcakes for dessert. He are some pics of the feast -which my Dad redubbed "A Thanksgiving for a mom". So true! I am READY for school to start! :)

The kids had fun setting the table.Our theme for the 2009-2010 school year "Be Kind to Others".Quinny going into 5th grade
Caden (the birthday boy) going into 3rdKyan starting 4KCallie starting 3KCarys starting 3KThe young uns

Back to school cupcakes. Carys dropped them (luckily while they were still in the box!) so I had to kindof scrape the icing back on. LOL

Now to get everything ready for Caden's first day tomorrow!

1,2,3,apple?

Yes - I know it has been a million years since I posted but just had to say how perpetually amusing Carys is as she picks up English. The other day I heard her say 1,2,3.....apple.....9. Just now she said 1,2,3,4,apple,9,poopy,10. LOL She was talking to my Dad on the phone and he said "say what I say" 1. Carys says 1. He says 2, she says apple, he says 3, she says apple. Too funny. Then when I tried to talk to him she said "My turn pleash". I promise to post pics and more stories soon and catch everyone up. She is doing fantastic though!!

We're back!

Carys did very well! I am worn out so will post more tomorrow.

Off to the hospital for Carys's surgery!

We are heading out for Carys's surgery to repair the "gap" in her heart. We have to stay over night but will update as soon as I can. Thanks for all the prayers and kind thoughts!

Formula for Orphanages in China

Love Without Boundaries has a great new program where you can donate formula to a specific orphanage. It's a great way to help the little ones still waiting plus you get to send pictures of your child and a personal message. We sent some to Callie's orphanage in Yangxi, Guangdong in honor of her third birthday. We sent these pictures:
This is the picture they sent us right before we traveled to get her. Isn't it so cute?!
And a little montage from her birthday. How can she be getting so big?! *sniff*

We let the orphanage know she is healthy and happy and loved. Now I don't expect them to remember every kid out of there. In her baby room (one of two) there were like 48 kids and two or three workers! But there were hardly any kids there with limb differences and she was a rowdy one so maybe they might remember her. Even if they don't it was a fun thing to do and I'm glad to know it might help a little.

If you haven't ever checked out Love Without Boundaries give it a look. They help in SO many ways from medical programs to nutrition and education programs to foster care and much more. With them you know your money is going where you want it to. You can even donate to a specific child's surgery or care and they will send you regular updates on that child. They get medical care for children who would not receive it otherwise. They get children healthy enough to be submitted for adoption who otherwise would not have had the chance. I simply can't say enough good things about them!

We plan on sending formula to Carys's orphanage for her birthday next month. :)

The most difficult names in the known universe

We have apparently named our children the most widely mispronounced names in the universe. In my defense our last name is really common and I wanted them to have something a little different. Little did I know....

So here is a little tutorial.

Quinn - ok so no one gets this one wrong. Score 1 for us!

Caden - "Kay-den" not Aidan, Hayden, or any other -den. Also not Kate or Katie. (Puh-leaze!)

Kyan - It's like Ryan with a K. Pronounced the same way. But NOT Ryan. It is also not Ki-YAN, Kee-an nor is it Cayenne (he is not a pepper). Well he is a fiery redhead....

Callie - "Cal-lee". Not Kay-lee or Ky -lee or any other -lee. Also not to be confused with Collie. She is not Lassie. Well she is a little lassie. But definitely not the dog kind. Although she does like to crawl on all fours and bark and stick her tongue out and lick people. (But that is a different story.)

Carys - "Care-iss". Rhymes with Paris. My Dad said we should have spelled it Karis but we really wanted the true Welsh spelling. Even though she is Chinese. ;) It is not car-iss, care-a, car-a, carries, carrie, car-yahs, or any of the other 1 million thing people have turned her name into. Carys. Rhymes with Paris. The end. It's not rocket science. (Although when the same person mispronounces it 10 times after I have told it to them you would think it is.)

PS - my mom will read this and say "I told you so" as she would have preferred simple names like John or Fred or Sally. But she will have to admit the names do fit the kids. And the kids even fit the names! Here are the name meanings:

Quinn (short for Quinlan) means "strong and well formed"
Caden means "wild goose" (although he doesn't like that so he tells everyone it means "awesome")
Kyan means "little prince"
Callie means "beautiful"
Carys means "to love"

See! We did pick good names after all! :)