****Remembering 9/11****

I will never forget where I was when the first tower was hit in NY on that fateful day 10 years ago. I was on my way to work. I was teaching and I was in disbelief that an "accident" like that could happen! Then the second plane hit and I knew then that it was "NO" accident! My disbelief quickly turned to fear! Were we as a nation under attack? Unfortunately, yes.....yes we were under attack by a great evil. And now 10 years later the pain and memories of that awful day are still fresh in my mind. For months I had dreams that the US was under attack. I could see the planes in the air as they were swooping in to bomb us. I wold be running around trying to find a place to hide, wondering what it was going to feel like when I was shot. Yes, horrible nightmares. And now 10 years later my nightmares have taken on a different fear. For now my oldest son is a United States soldier bravely defending this country! Now my fears are not about myself, but about the safety and well being of my son. The hardest job I have ever had is being the mother of a soldier. I know our troops are making progress, but it is a war we will never win...the war on terrorism! I am sooooo very proud of my son, and I love his dedication and love for our country! But I am a mother, and I am afraid. I trust GOD with my eternity, so I must trust GOD with my son! 

Having 3 children who came from a c*mmunist country, and are now US citizens, I feel it is very important that they are well educated about the US and the job that our milt*ary does. We are a very patriotic family, and they know just WHY their brother does what he does ! We have taught them that freedom is not free! They know that they are here because of the brave!!! Are they proud of what their brother does! You bet!  So 9/11 has taken on a totally different meaning for me and our family. My son is schedulaed to be deployed within the year.....I ask that if you are reading this that you would say a prayer for my son and all of our troops! For without these brave young men & women we would not sleep well at night, nor would we be living in a nation that gives us the rights and freedoms we have! SO thank you to our military; past, present and future! May we all live lives worthy of their sacrifices!

Two Different Types of Love

Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.
Two different lives shaped to make your one.
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first one gave you life, the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, and the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name.
One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
One sought you a home that she could not provide,
The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me through your tears
The age-old question through the years,
Heredity or environment----
Which are you the product of?
Neither my darling--neither;
Just two different kinds of love.

The Red Thread

A red thread to China was cast today
From us to a child so far away.
This thread symbolizes an attachment of hearts That distance alone can't keep us apart.
Her mother and I are caught in a chase
That time alone will bring us to face
This loving young child we want so much to greet With love in our hearts before we did meet.
This tiny, thin thread may stretch, tangle or fray,But our love for her grows stronger each day.
Through the test of time it won't break or sever, She'll be part of us forever and ever.

With oceans between us, the distance is spanned
By a love that is greater than man could have planned.
For God in His mercy loved her and us
And decided our family would be a great plus.

So for now we'll just love her and pray every day
That God keeps her and loves her for us till we may
Travel to China, that land of great past,
To the side of our daughter, to hold her at last.


 

Indianapolis Chinese Festival!

On Saturday Sept. 10th, Indianapolis held their 4th Annual Chinese Festival! I found out that Hangzhou, Eli's hometown is Indy's Sister City! How cool is that? So that made it even more special to us! The girls were up early and they wanted to dress in their traditional Chinese outfits, so I allowed them to do so! We arrived right about noon so as not to miss one thing about the festival!!! The fest kicked off with the traditional Lion Dance, which is my favorite! Eli was not sure of all of the loud noise, but at least he did not scream! There were booths with traditional Chinese instruments, food, and wares that  could be purchased. They had a children's area set up with bubbles, face painting, Chinese hacky sack, Chinese Yo-yo's, Chinese checkers, origami, and an arts and craft area. Olivia had her face painted like a panda, Ellye got an airbrushed butterfly on her arm, and Eli got an airbrushed coyote on his arm! We watched a little bit of the dance performances and then the  kids were whining about starving! Zach & Courtney were able to join us in the afternoon, so  we played numerous games of Ping Pong!  Eli even played! He loved it!  We then took a walk around the canal and enjoyed our time away! By 4:00 the kids were getting tired and hungry again, so we went out to eat Chinese and started our way home! The fest was so nice and I can't wait to go again next year! Right now the girls are not really interested in watching the dancers, or the singers, which disappoints me..... but I am going to continue to go and incorporate their culture into their lives until they tell me they don't want it anymore! I feel like it is too important! I know they are young, and I pray that as they get older, they to will learn to appreciate, love, and embrace their culture as much as I do!

Some great pics of our funny boy!

Random pics of my sweet boy!