Fun in the Snow

Last weekend we had a few inches of snow. The girls had so much fun. Our sledding hill is small but to the girls it was a huge mountain.

Zachary and Gizmo

If you go down a few posts you will see a photo of Zachary and his dog when we first got him. Look how much he has grown. The dog, not Zachary. Last Saturday Zachary started obedience lessons. Unfortunately, they are for the dog not Zachary.

I Am Back

Looks like I will be having more time on my hands pretty soon so I decided I would start writing on my blog,again.

Lots has happened since August 12(date I last posted). We celebrated 5 years home with Julia, Grace had her second surgery, and my best friend passed away.

My mom battled Alzheimers for over 15 years. On November 16, she peacefully went to be with the Lord. Not a day goes by that I don't miss her or talk to her. I know she is in heaven playing with her grandchild and catching up with all those that went before her.

Kristopher received the Big Envelope yesterday. Inside the big envelope was his acceptance letter to NC State University. Needless to say he has one proud Daddy. Kristopher does not like making commitments so he will not say if that is definitely where he wants to go. Since he has applied anywhere else and can't stand filling out college applications I think the chances are pretty good we will have another Wolf in the house.

I am going to attempt to keep this blog updated and share lots of pictures. I have to make up for lost time.

Grace- Two Years

Two years ago today Grace came into our lives. That day is still clearly etched in my mind. It is hard to forget our day touring the Forbidden City with sweat pouring off us, our flight to Fuzhou, and then being rushed to meet Grace. Upon meeting Grace a picture had to immediately be taken and Grace was pretty inconsolable. These strangers were holding her and she wanted no part of it. Those first few weeks Grace wanted nothing to do with Dallas. She wanted me to hold her all the time but I had to be standing up. Grace is still a little bit of Mommy's girl but she definitely loves her Daddy. Every day she asks a dozen times "Where is Daddy?"

Grace is one determined little girl. She knows what she wants and if it is in her power, she makes sure she gets it. She does everything with her whole heart. Her verbal skills are no where close to where they should be but she has made great progress. She is due to have another surgery in November. Her palate is too short so this surgery is needed for her to be able to form some of the sounds. Even with the language deficient you can clearly tell Grace is a bright little girl. She learns new concepts very quickly and problems solves well. Her speech will not slow her down.

Happy Family Day, Gracie Mei! We love you!

Gizmo

Zachary has been saving for a few months for a new puppy. Today we went to a shelter and he picked out Gizmo. Isn't he cute?

A Tribute to Dads

What a great tribute to Dads. Grace and Dallas are in the video twice and Julia once. Can you find them?

This and That

Are you wondering why I don't post as often anymore. Probably not but I will tell you anyway. Facebook is so much quicker. You can just post little blurbs. If you don't do facebook you should consider it. Don't forget to invite me to be your friend.

Today we are having a yard sale. I had to leave to bring Nick to baseball practice. When I left it was going well. What gets me is when you have great prices on clothes and someone wants to give you less. I am talking about .50 for a name brand kid's outfit in excellent condition. How much lower can I go? Then you have the family that just walks up and gives you 10.00. That is the kind of family I want to be. I forgot to mention, all proceeds are going to Love Without Boundaries. Nick and Zachary made some great signs. That reminds me that I forgot to take pictures.

Julia brought home her first bad behavior notice from school. We knew it was only a matter of time. She just doesn't know when to stop. Consequences don't seem to matter to her. One of her biggest problems is kissing. She won't stop kissing people. Of course she is also being disruptive and not paying attention.

Guess that's all for now.

Tooth Lost and Hannah Montana

I am back. I need to try and post once a week. When I don't I get so far behind I can't ever catch up.

Julia lost her first tooth today. She is 6 years and almost 10 months. We were beginning to think she would never lose one. She was so excited but would not touch the tooth once it came out. I think she agrees with her Dad and thinks they are alittle gross. I,on the other hand, am fascinated with teeth.

The other picture is of Grace or is it Hannah Montana.

Look What We Saw in Washington D.C.

Stay tuned. I promise I will be back soon.

Grace's New Delicacy

That would be crunchy cheetos dipped in peanut butter and jelly. Yuck!

Happy Birthday, Kristopher!

My Baby Boy is 17.

And yes that is a cheesecake. This is often Kristopher's choice of birthday cake. A boy after my own heart.

Last Grace Birthday Photo

More Birthday Photos

Stay away from my cake!

Grace likes her cake.

Grace is very suprised about her present.

Happy Birthday, Gracie!

Grace celebrated her 4th birthday on March 20. We had a fun time showing Maribeth around East Carolina University(my alma mater) and dinner at a Chinese Buffet. Grace insisted on an Ariel cake this year. She really understood what a birthday was and spent the day arguing with everyone that it was her birthday and that she was 4.

Happy 5Oth Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

My parents celebrated their 50th anniversary on March 19, 2009. I have posted this picture before but it is my favorite of my parents so I am posting it again. This was taken at my wedding almost 19 years ago. How I wish I could turn back time...I would love to share that day with my Mom again.

Flowers in a Box

Do your flowers come in a box? Sometimes(used to be always) when Dallas goes out of town he sends me flowers. The flowers always come from Fed Ex and come in a box. The flowers are still beautiful even after travelling in a box.

The moment you have all been waiting.... Billy Joel and Elton John photos. It was a great concert. I have to admit I enjoyed Billy so much more than Elton. Elton did sign autographs for those lucky people on the front row, though. Can you imagine 2 guys over 60 that can still sell out an arena that holds 20,000 people? They definitely both still got it. I have to admit the last 2 times I have seen Billy in concert I have been concerned about him having a hard attack. He always has sweat just pouring off him, he can't keep still. Even while sitting on the piano bench he is constantly bouncing around.

Did I ever mention that Billy Joel was the very first concert I attended? I was 19 years old and Dallas took me to see him with some of our friends in Chapel Hill. I can still remember that concert clearly in my mind. Billy is just as good now as was then, 22 years later.

A Huge Thank You to my friend, Paige, for making this weekend possible. She came and stayed the night with our sick kids so we could go to the concert.

Happy 70th Birthday, Dad!

I admire the way my Dad has dealt with the hand he was given. Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, his retirement years have not been what Mom and him had hoped for or dreamed about. He has certainly made the best of the situation. He has changed so much since the father I knew as I child.

The Good and the Bad

Good-Nicholas made the track team at the middle school. Did I mention he also made the Middle School JV Baseball Team(everyone who tried out made it)? Afternoons will be very busy here. There are already times I need to be in two places at once.

Bad- Zachary has been out of school since Tuesday. He has the flu. I took him to the doctor Wednesday and he tested positive. The doctor told me to keep him away from everyone. Too late for that. We are now waiting to see if Grace has it. She woke up from her nap with a little fever. Tomorrow will tell.

What Will Julia Be When She Grows Up?

Julia is learning about occupations in school. This has led to some interesting conversations.

Saturday after visiting the zoo:
Julia: When I grow up I want to live at the zoo. I want to live in a cage.

Yesterday after coming home from school:
Julia: I want to be a doctor when I grow up.

First thing this morning:
Julia: When I grow up I want to be Spiderman.