Love Without Boundaries Book.....take a look!

I have to give "my pitch" on the following book that is now for sale. If you go to the link below you can find out more about it. It is made up of wonderful stories, pictures, etc. of families that adopted from China and all proceeds from the book go directly to helping the children of China in the orphanages. The organization is amazing and the work that they do is incredible. I am so in awe of them. Check it out! http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/
This is the second book they have made like this and in the first edition the following 3 photos of Faith and the boys were in it which made it extra special for us!...........
The photo of Faith in the white dress was used in the first book. This was one of Faith's referral photos and this was the very first glimpse we had of Faith........she took our breath away! Just can't get any cuter than this!

First professional photo black and white........just lovely!

This was not the exact photo used (could not find it), but taken on the same day with their Chinese brothers and sister shirts. The one used in the book Faith was actually looking at the camera and did not have her pacifier:)

Now, in the second book the following photo will be used!! This is our wonderful adoption group from when we lived in England!! We shared so many special times with them and are blessed to have had them in our lives.....we miss them dearly!

~An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will will never break~

-Chinese Legend

DEAN'S 12th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION..........

Today was Dean's Birthday and we had a nice simple family celebration just the way Dean wanted it. We went to eat at his favorite Italian restaurant then for a couple games of bowling before back to the house for ice cream cake, cards and gifts. It was a great day!We gave Dean a certificate to pick out his own bowling ball and bag and had this bowling pin to unwrap with it!
Faith was such a hoot to watch eating her favorite fettuccine ............

Dean enjoying his pizza!

We are so proud of our birthday guy!

Of course Reed refuses to take a picture!

Faith starts out the bowling game......

Dean in action

Faith tries to throw her foot back like Dad!

Yes! I did it!

Dean beat Daddy the first round! Way to go Dean!

Of course Daddy couldn't take it and had to come back and win the 2nd game....I think Dean just let him win;)

It's over!!

Time for cake!

Dean with his requested ice cream cake!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!!

Happy Birthday dear Dean!

Happy Birthday to yooooouuuuuu!!!!

We love you and are so proud of you!!!!

It's Official.......2007-2008 School Year Begins!!!!!

Well today was our first official day of all 3 in school! This is a strange year for us with Dean and Reed going to different schools and on different schedules. Reed actually started 3 weeks ago, Faith started on Monday ( goes 3 days a week) and Dean started yesterday. Should be an interesting year between 3 schools to get to on different schedules and between activities.....just call me "Chauffeur Mom!"Dean in school uniform................
Our 7th grader

Our 5th grader

Faith with her new "hello kitty" lunch box....even though she doesn't stay long enough to have lunch at school:) She had to have it just because!

And here they are ready to head to school...can you tell Dean's back pack weighs about 100 pounds!!

It Has Been A Crazy Week.........

With all the back to school preparations and 3 kids going to 3 different schools this year this photo about sums up how my week has been.................... Reed dragging his old Mom on the medusa rollar coaster at Six Flags......supposedly the largest coaster in Northern CA! Yikes! The things we'll do for our kids!

WHY BE NORMAL!!!?

We have been slowly working on trying to go without pull-ups at night as Faith will still wake up nights with them being wet. On this particualer night we decided to try and go without one.. .......so this is where Faith decided to wear it instead! On her head! She even put one on her Mr. Cow stuffed animal. She is just too much!:) Faith and Mr. Cow wearing their pull-ups!
Guess Faith just does not want to give up her pull-ups!!

Faith's chalk art kitty cats.............

Look what I made!!
working hard at my master piece!

my kitty cats!

I like this one the best!

My Night Time Conversation With Faith

Went Like This:

Me: Good Night Faith......I love you!

Faith: I love you too Mom

Me: I love you More!

Faith: I love you more

Me: I love you more, more, more, more, more

Faith: I love you more, more, more, more, more

Me: I love you the Most!

Faith: I love you the most

Me: Well, I love you the Mostest! (I could see where this was going....)

Faith: I love you the Most Extreme!

Too cute!:) Had to let her have the last word after that one!!!

Faith's New Sporty Look!

I picked this swim suit up for Faith on sale the other day not knowing for sure if she would like it or not. Yes, she has already gotten very picky about what she likes and what she doesn't. I always try and buy her the cute girly swim suits and she tells me "No, I don't like that!" When I saw this one I thought it might be one she would like. And yes, it was a big hit, she loves it! Here she is showing off her sporty new swim suit.............

Faith's First Experience with Drama Class......

Faith took a drama class this summer at our local theater group. Do you remember the Disney show "Out of the Box??" Well, her class was taught by Miss Vivian from that show. Yes, I have to admit the only reason I had Faith take the class was because Miss Vivian was teaching. I thought where else can we take a class right in our own backyard with an actual TV personality. Pretty cool! Faith had fun learning a little singing, dancing, acting, and making crafts..............Faith and Miss Vivian
Miss Vivian talking to the group.....

Practicing some drama skills.....cool mask made in class

Faith's big performance!

Our day at Santa Cruz.....

With Reed starting back to school we were starting to feel like our summer was ending before it even got started!! So we jumped in the van today and headed to Santa Cruz.....Ruby came along with us and we had a nice day walking through the town, getting a bite to eat, and playing on the beach! Came back tired, full of sand,and feeling like summer is still in full swing!!! Just what we needed!

When Love Takes You In - Steven Curtis Chapman

I just love this!

Mommy or Mom????

The boys have always called my Mommy. In fact they still do and I love it! Right now I can't imagine them calling me anything else. Faith on the other hand calls me Mom! Not sure how she picked this up as she has only heard the boys calling me Mommy. The only time she will ever say Mommy is when she is really trying to get my attention or she is searching for me somewhere in the house. Another words when she has to raise her voice. She is so cute though the way she just calls me Mom. I just love it just as I love the way the boys call me Mommy even as they are getting older. Mommy or Mom...I love them both!!

Reed heads back to school as a 5th grader!!!!

These photos are of Reed's very first day of Kindergarten 5 years ago! I can't believe he is now in the 5th grade!!! He started back to school this week so I guess you can say our summer is officially over! Poor Reed has to head off for school while his brother and sister get to stay home (they do not start school for a few more weeks yet) This is a strange school year for me as it is not only the first year the boys are going to different schools, but they are also on different school schedules. (one year round and one traditional) Should be an interesting year! Reed has the same 5th grade teacher Dean had, just as they both had the same Kindergarten teacher. With as much moving around as we have done over the years, having the same teachers is pretty exciting stuff! Means we have actually lived in one place more than 2 years! Reed has been great getting up each morning and getting ready for school without any complaints while his brother and sister are still laying aorund in their pjs. I know it can't be easy! And of course he can't wait for November when he has the month off for his fall break and they still have to go to school!!;)

Reed was so excited to start Kindergarten 5 years ago. He had his Star Wars back pack which he used up until last year. The strap on it finally broke.

Am I in trouble????? He still has that same look!