Sick, sick, sick....

Oh my Lord, I haven't been this sick in probably 10 years. I have spent the last 48 hours laying in my dark cave of a bedroom praying for death. No, I have not taken a shower. Yes, I am disgusting. My husband is the greatest man to walk the earth. He has done EVERYTHING the last two days, including keeping my darling angels away from me. I finally crawled into the living room today and I swear the boys look like they have gotten bigger. It's only been two days, but I miss snuggling those little monsters. How do you explain to a two year old that you can't hold him? I've been up on two legs for about an hour...I'm exhausted, time for another nap.

Evidence that life is short and we truly don't know His plan for us.....

It's with a heavy heart that we report that a true champion of children, family, faith and adoption has lost his youngest child to a tragic accident. Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter was accidently run over by her brother driving the family vehicle. It breaks your heart to know the pain they are experiencing. If you aren't aware, his song, When Love Takes you Home, is linked on our blog and has made me cry over, and over, and over, both before we knew Zachary and certainly since we brought him home. There is something about adoption that links people and it is very hard to explain. It's kind of like we are one big family.....it's weird to be connected to thousands of people you have never met yet you KNOW what they have been through. If you are touched by his words, as we are, and feel inspired then please consider his charity to support adoption in honor of his sweet Maria. http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

Fabulous Mother's day gift :)

I wanted to post a link to the site where my husband - with instruction - got my birthday/mother's day gift. It is a great business in Ft. Worth started by MOMS! I am now the proud owner of a triple banded ring with the names of my most precious gifts, my husband and two sons. I just LOVE it. Quintin doesn't usually listen when I tell him about things I want (or anything else for that matter :) but this time he did - BIG points for the love of my life!

Check out: http://www.nelleandlizzy.com

Happy Birthday Raleigh!!!

What a great day by the pool with our family celebrating RJ's birthday. I made my first official birthday cake and although it was lop-sided, it was GOOD. Four layers of butter yellow cake, separated by chocolate fudge and covered with white creamy frosting. Sugar heavan!! RJ loved all his toys, epecially his new tricycle from mom and dad, and his sprinkler from the Jury family. Zachary is going to be a big water bug - our little angel just loved the water and had the best time. It was HOT which usually would bother most people but it was the perfect start to the summer pool season at Mickey and Mimi's house. The best way to describe the day was NICE. It was so nice to just relax and hang out with everyone. Our lives are so hectic and it was great to take it easy.

We grilled hot dogs and burgers on Grandpa Mickey's Honda Grill. Really, it's a Honda motorcycle made into a grill. I wish I had taken a picture. It was a garage sale find - gotta love those garage sale discoveries. I have un-officially claimed it in my inheritence. I am also officially taking myself off of list of able-bodied grillers. I can cook up a storm in the kitchen, but I SUCK on the grill. For my second attempt at grilling, I managed to drop a burger through the slats into the fire for the second time.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day! Another marathon of partying begins way early....did I mention that we are busy? I couldn't be happier :)

New roles, new friends, and milestones

If you had asked me five years ago where I would be, I can't say that I could have dreamed that I would be here! A wife, mommy and...church leader? Somehow what started as a new mommy looking for some friends with kids agreeing to join the nursury committee turned into embarking on a role as Nursery Committee Chairman and a church leader?!? It's probably a good think they didn't ask for significant qualifications because I am seriously lacking! I have several....and I mean several friends who laughed their heads off when they heard the news!

I've also had the opportunity to meet some amazing women who make me laugh! A sweet friend from work asked me to join her adopting mommy's group one night so I could hear about their travels and get advice in anticipation of our referral. I just kept crashing their meetings and am so pleased to have met them. They have a collection of wonderful children for Zachary to grow up with and connect to his heritage. It makes me want to quit my job, stay home with the boys and have lots of playdates....ME, seriously, a stay at home mom? Again, I have NO qualifications.

There is a new Nick Jr. television show, much like Dora and Diego, is from the perspective of a Chinese American child, Kai-Lan. One of my mommy friends, Pam, was sweet enough to burn copies for us all (YEAH PAM!) and we were able to watch it today. As we sit at dinner tonite, RJ is saying "Ni Hao Daddy, Ni Hao Mommy, Ni Hao Zachary" Zach is to young but RJ is LOVING Ni Hao Kai-Lan! Check it out on Nick Jr. sometime.

On to our milestones! I am SO happy to report that RJ has gone No. 1 and No. 2 in the big boy potty. He is giving all the signs of being ready for potty training but we are giving him lots of time. I sure hope Zach wants to be like his brother...no more diapers!!!

I am posting a picture from Zachary's baptism where he screamed bloody murder - until the priest held him. How's that for an affirmation! He was the highlight of the service of course-everyone loves a screaming demon being blessed with holy water!

The latest..

I had to post this picture of my angels! The newest game of choice is wearing mommy and daddy's "shoe-shoes", as well as constantly asking mommy and daddy to put on our shoes, take off our shoes, put on our shoes, take off our shoes....etc. Something about Zachary's little hiney in daddy's big boots - how cute is that! So far, Zach's words are amazing including NO (of course -his favorite) Up, More, Shoes, Socks, Dog, Mommy, Daddy, snack, Tula, Kitty and Raleigh! RJ is equally amazing - he can count to TEN, sings ABCs (kinda...) and does a great Tinkle Tinkle Little Star! Although we are quite pleased with their genius talents at such a young age, you can image what their brilliant minds can conjure to drive us nuts. Needless to say the older - AND SMARTER - they get the more tired we are! RJ has...uh..named a part of mommy's anatomy "bup-bup" which he will show his teachers at school if she's wearing the wrong top. And here I though "Moms" were stuffy because they were older and mature! Nope, it's because their darling children flash complete strangers their flowery pink bras. I should start a therapy fund for him later...

Other than our adventures, all is well at Q-Dawgs house, spring maintenance has begun and we are dusting off old chore lists. We are looking forward to Baptising Zach soon and hopefully taking a long needed vacation to see the twins in DC. Everyday we are more thankful for the blessings we have been given and praying for the stamina to enjoy it!

BUSY BUSY BUSY....

Yes, we have been super busy chasing two little mischeivious 'angels'. Both RJ and Zachary are more amazing each day. RJ actaully started my day on Thursday at 6:15 a.m. with "Mommy..up. Mommy..up Mommy..up" until I got out of bed. Zachary can ask for cookies, milk and 'more'. This morning he actually said "all done" at breakfast!! Having a chatterbox for a big brother is paying off. They both love music and are dancing togther. It's fantastic!!!

We had a superbowl party and the boys would NOT go to sleep until it was over My little party animals in training. It's been hard to post pictures lately because our camera broke right before Christmas, but wwe should take care of that soon. I'm posting a couple of pics fromt he party of my little men...so darn cute that I can't stand it!

I am happy to report that my friend finally received her referral of a daughter from Sichuan province, which is the province above Zachary's. Her daugher - yet to be named - is from Chengdu and is 8 days older than Zachary. I'm so excited for her and her family. It is so exciting to watch a family being created. When you are 'in' the process, it is hard not to focus on yourself, how you feel, etc. Getting to watch Elissa's joy free from that was wonderful. There is a bounce in her step and a shine in her eyes that you can only get by being a parent. It almost makes you want another baby....almost! The Harrells describe themselves as people who love their "beagles, Texas and Jesus (not in that order)" if you want to check out their blog: http://theharrells.blogspot.com