I want to watch my movie-show

It has taken me nearly two years to put this movie together.  Be prepared.....it is LONG(30 min) I am sharing it because I LOVED watching other peoples trip to get their children when we were waiting....heck I love watching them now.  Please keep in mind this is our special gift to Hayden, and was made for her.  I have to tell you that she ask me almost daily to watch her "movie show" she has it memorized from beginning to end.  So I guess I was successful in my attempt to document our trip to our little blessing in a way she understood and enjoyed.  This is her story, and a beautiful one it is.

Please let me know what you think.....unless; well you don't give it two thumbs up:)  I have watched it probably 20 times and I cry like a baby every single time. 

Anyway, this is a big week for our family.....Mommy will officially go back to active status at work and leave for several weeks of training.  Please keep us(especially Hayden) in your thoughts.  It will be a long, hard and expensive month, but certainly hope it will be worth it in the end. 

Enjoy

Show us your life......Adoption

Linking to Show us your life over at

Kellys Korner

Flashback to November 3, 2008

After waiting 3 years I received the call that would change our lives forever, when I opened my email this was the picture we saw for the first time.  She was perfect in EVERY way, she was 6 weeks old and waiting for us in Taichung, Taiwan. 

The waiting had been unbearable at times, there were moments I was convinced our dream would never become a reality, but the moment I saw this picture and gazed into those big beautiful brown eyes I knew the wait(every painful minute) was part of our story.  We had to wait because this was our daughter, we had to wait for her to arrive.  I knew in my heart this was our child and I knew she was meant to be our daughter.  I don't say that in selfishness, or even silliness.  I have never been a big believer in destiny.....until that moment.  Adoption is so joyful on one end(ours) and so hard and sad on the other.  Our daughter was born halfway around the world, she has lost so much in the short 28 months she has been alive.  She lost her birth family, a foster family and her country.  We were the ones to gain everything, but we hope the love and support of her family, exposing her and teaching her about her culture and heritage, sharing her special story and journey with her that we can instill a sense of pride in herself and her story.  

Special does not even begin to cover this little girl.  But let me tell you she is SPECIAL in every single way and I know there are amazing things in the future of this little house of power:) 

Hayden has been home with us now for 21 months, and from the second I held her until this very moment she has brought so much joy, love, laughter and hope to our family.  She is bright, funny, full of energy, and has a heart full of love.  She has adjusted beautifully, as have we.  I am so grateful to have been picked to be her mommy. 

Adoption is a gift you can never fully understand or even fully appreciate until you have a child in your life that has made the journey of adoption.  It is a selfless gift given for hopes of a better future, a life that perhaps a birth mother can't provide.  It is a blessing in every sense of the word. 

If you are even considering adoption please search your heart and see if this road is the path well taken for you and your family.  This may be your story too, your child may be waiting for you in another country, another state, or even another county. 

Your family may be waiting for the blessing of adoption 

There is an amazing network of adoptive families out there ready to answer questions, provide support, offer advice.  Put your preconceived notions aside, you don't have to be wealthy, you don't have to be perfect. 

If you have questions you just have to ask!!!

There are 180 million orphans in the world, and all I can say is that every child deserves a family, deserves to be loved, cherished, supported and guided. 

Jan 2011

Cows and pigs, and horses oh my

At the western wear store there must have been thousands of pairs of boots, and I am pretty sure my little "boot lover" tried on every single pair that came in her size.  But these were the winner:)

This cow was named Angel and I am pretty sure the cow has more styling products than I have owned in my lifetime:)  Seriously they groom them so well it is incrdibe to see their perfect coif.

This girl was so sweet to take the girls to pet "her" pig.  The kids that come to the stock show have been raising their animals specifically for the stock show.  They are such a unique breed of kid's.  Kids that know hard work, and dedication.  A lot of the animals are sold in auction at the end of the show and these kid's use that money( a lot of $$$) for college and to continue on with raising stock from a baby to a mature animal ready for showing the next year.

BTW goats and sheep smell much worse than the pigs....just thought you might be curious about that unknown fact.

Yes it is stock show and rodeo season in our great state.  We look forward to this event every year, and now that we can take Hayden we really anticipate our journey to the coliseum of animals every year.  This year was no different, but it was extra special as we went with Miss Ruby and her family.  The girls were decked out in their best western wear, and boy did these girls LOVE the animals.  I think they were a little disappointed that they didn't get to pet more of them, but the cows, pigs and sheep that they petted were pretty AWESOME if you ask them. 

We then headed out to dinner and had picked an oldie but a goodie, and I have to say that when we turned onto the street of this popular hot spot.....well we quickly figured out that everyone in the great state of Texas  had decided to go Joe T Garcia's.  Literally the lines(yes you read that correctly that was plural on purpose) was at least 100 people long.  So while my tummy had set it sights on delicious enchiladas our journey turned into the biggest drive by EVER!! 

But no worries, our little corner of the world is never short of good Mexican eateries, so it was off to Fuzzy's Taco stand, and it did not disappoint.  The girls ran around like crazy "Chexan" girls in their boots, they danced to the jukebox, pretended to play video games and we enjoyed a delicious meal, the coldest beers ever and the greatest of company. 

I wish I had taken more and better pictures, but it was really crowded and I carried H around a lot so she could see things from a better vantage point.  But you see there are a few and I think these two look adorable in their western finery.  

I tried so hard to convince H to get red boots like Rubes, but she would have none of that.....it was PINK or nothing:)  The girl knows what she likes. 

Pre-school interviews

Wow we just went and interviewed our first pre-school.  Yup, how is it already time for Hayden Magee to be getting prepared for school?? 

I had to laugh as I prepared this weekend for this interview.....I am fairly certain I spent more time preparing my list of questions and concerns than I did selecting the college I would attend:)

Pre-school I think is different than the "Jack & Jill pre-school" I attended oh so long ago.  School is school and daycare is well daycare and far less superior, and trust me there is a difference(at least here, and so I have been told)  I feel like I have to defend the schools we are interviewing  Curriculum is VERY important when you are 3!! 

I have made my short list of schools to visit based on my long(and sometimes ridiculous) list of priorities. 

The school we visited today is a beautiful facility, brand new building.  Director with a doctorate in early education, all the teachers have 4 year degrees in education.  They have camera's everywhere and you can observe at any point and time in the day, everything is child friendly and height(the cutest toilets I have ever laid my eyes on) The have a great curriculum, and Hayden seemed very comfortable

But it is the terribly close, and it is TERRIBLY expensive, and it is VERY new.  

I don't have a true gut feeling yet as this was our first visit, I think after visiting the other two I will have a better feel and intuition about where best to send her. I think it will be clear to all of us the best choice.  Hayden did great on the visit, she wowed them with her vocabulary as she told Miss Lacy that all animals have nostrils, and that she has 2 nostrils, but dolphins have one called a blow hole(sigh) 

What I do feel in my gut is sad.....right now I simply cannot imagine not spending our days together...everyday, all day long.  I know she is ready(hence the discussion about nostrils) but I know I am not even close right now. I am sure when it comes time and she LOVES it; I will feel much better.  But it will never be the same......once we start, we then always have school in our schedule; for the next 16 years I will have to share her with the rest of the world. 

Seriously how cute does she look though??? 

just think about this for a hot minute

“Adoption loss is the only trauma in the world where the victims are expected by the whole of society to be grateful"

My other Chinese daughter

Shiyu cut 12 inches of her hair while she was home and donated it to Locks of Love(2nd time in 3 years)

Isn't her haircut darling??

H got a haircut too the same day:)

If you have read my blog for any length of time you know that 3 years ago we hosted a Chinese exchange student for her junior year of High School. You also know what an advocate I am for this program. It seriously was one of the best experiences we have had in our adult life. Shiyu came to our home in Aug 07' as a 16 year old student from Chongqing, she quickly just became one of us and is our other Chinese daughter. We love her, we are so proud of her, we miss her, we love her family in China(we spent 5 days with them prior to picking up Hayden in Taiwan) She is just a part of our family. I think she feels completely comfortable having 2 families and she just blends in with us when she is home for the holidays.

She goes to school in Ohio(too far away) and we love that she wants to come home to us during the holidays. She just spent 10 days with us(too short and too fast of a visit) and I must say having her home was AWESOME!!! She embraces being Hayden's big sister in a way I can't describe. I would be tempted to tell you that other than when they were sleeping she and Hayden were attached at the hip. They played for countless hours in the play room, they read books, they watched Marmaduke at least 20 times I think(I am so sorry Shiyu) Shiyu spent a lot of time teaching Hayden words in Mandarin(BTW, Hayden has a knack for all languages) Shiyu babysat one night for us to have a date night(went to see The King's speech....highly recommend) She cooked Chinese food for us. I know you are shaking your head thinking man did you give her any time to relax?? I just can't tell you the love between these two girls. Hayden ADORES Shiyu and I guess I would say the feeling is probably mutual for Shiyu. She and her friends read my blog at school(to see what Hayden is wearing:) She shows them Hayden videos. Hayden is the sister that Shiyu doesn't have back in China(even though she keeps telling her parents that adopting a baby would be a great idea for them)


So today was the day for Shiyu to head back to school.  A VERY SAD day for all of us, but especially for Hayden.  She did pretty well until we got back in the car, and then she threw a ROYAL princess tantrum informing me that Shiyu buckles her in....not me!!  Shiyu has been riding in back with her and getting her in and out of the car the last 10 days.  After that she just melted with "I want her to come back and stay at my house, I want Shiyu to come home" It was so sad!!  The good news is that Shiyu's mother and aunt are coming in March for a visit(her mom's first to the US) and we are hopful that we will meet them in Cali!!  Then we hope that Shiyu decides to go to grad school a little closer to home(I hear TCU and SMU both have good MBA prgms)  Anyway, Shiyu if you are reading this, you are already sorely missed and we can't wait to see you in March.  We love you very much and we are so incredibly proud of you and the young woman you are becoming. 

Road tripping with a bestie

Hayden and my goddaughter Meggie

Only in TX right would there be a gun smoker

Look at them holding hands....they did a lot of this, they really get along GREAT!!!

Meggie(how adorable is she??  best hair EVER) and her mommy

Back in December we went on a little road trip to Houston with one of my dearest and oldest friends, she is the closest thing to being a sister.....I would say we did grow up together, not as teenagers, but certainly as young women.  K pretty much knows EVERYTHING about me.  We have spent some remarkable times together, both good and bad.  Her parents pretty much rocked(sweet Mama Gioia passed 5 years ago, is is sorely missed by me and by David) and have always included me as part of the family.  I love K's kiddos as my own, and they are pretty much growing up WAY too fast. We have vacationed together, we have seen each other through GREAT times and through some REALLY bad times. I have spent countless weeks of the year at her house, I adore her husband who has the patience of a monk....just like David.  Hmmmm??  She and I should analyze the fact that we both married men with a great deal of patience for us:)  K and I have been friends for 25 years(wow old people say that right?) Anyway, I hold her and her family near and dear to my heart.  They are family and I love spending time with them.

 K brought her youngest of 3 with her and we road tripped it down south.  We had a GREAT time, had Woody's barbeque on the way down(a must if you are driving on I45 in Centerville, TX) We stayed with the most GRACIOUS of friends, we did some shopping, we did some playing, we did a WHOLE lotta driving, but the girls were troopers.  K and I had a great time and were actually able to talk(except when Hayden was demanding her music be turned up) It is seldom these days that we can hold a conversation....K has 3 kids ranging in age from 9-3, a dog, a dad that lives with her as well as her incredible calendar that is far busier than one I could ever keep track of.  So texting is our best friend at this point:)  We laugh and say someday we will be old and live together and our house will be so clean and so quiet, and we will just spend our days having lunch and reading mags and browsing catalogs. 

Anyway, we did a terrible job of taking pictures on this trip, but it was not for lack of fun.  We want to road trip to Canton or Austin sometime soon.