51 days away!

Oh My goodness!!!!!!! I am back Just!

I have been lacking sleep and feeling just absolutely crap!

It has taken until now to muster enough energy!

I had 2 full weeks off work, missed out a major work trip and have just finished coughing my lungs up on a daily basis!

In the past almost 2 months we have had an anniversary for Aiden we first saw him 14 years ago as a 4.5 month old and we are almost celebrating 14 years of living with us!

We have celebrated Nana's 85th birthday and she wanted to know why Emily and Alice had funny names!(the girls were being ratbags and I used their full names) We said it was because they have Chinese names and Nana bless her heart said they aren't Chinese! Emily looked at Alice and then put her hands on her hips and said YES WE ARE!

Nana was put in her place for sure, next time we go she will probably say the same! The effect of old age!

Then we celebrated Emily's forever family day and now tonight we are preparing to celebrate miss Emily's 6th Birthday tomorrow and then the party on Saturday!

Well I am heading off to snuggle with the girls and I hope to add some photos in later!

Hugs Ruth

We are experiencing ....

Illness!
The children last week and me this week!
Chat soon!
Hugs Ruth

Happy 2nd Birthday Alice

Well our baby turned two today and the girls were awake at 5:30 am it is 8:30 pm now and they are just drifting off to sleep!
Here are some shots from our day!

Alice and Aiden having smooches! Alice was really into opening cards and gifts by this pm she was a little shell shocked!

Emily and Alice exchanging kisses! Notice Emily wearing a tiara we found Birthday girl sash and Tiara and Emily got jealous I am sure it won't be the same when it is her birthday in 60 days but who is counting.!?!

Miss Alice Birthday girl this morning!

This is also Alice's finding day so on that day we have always sent helium filled balloons into the sky with thoughts of love and it is our chance to reflect on the enormity of the birth family's decision one which we will be forever grateful for as it means we have Alice to raise however we are always mindful of what the birthfamily maybe thinking!
Blowing out her candles of one of two cakes she had!

Uncle Kelvin I do think you are sweet was what Alice was thinking just after she gave him a kiss on his cheek! This was the first day she gave him a hug! Not bad after a whole year! YEAH for Kelvin!

The second cake made from malt biscuits and fruit puffs! Called Lollie cake here no baking just a bit of a mess making it but it is so yummy!

Tinkerbell cake was a hit! amazingly simple and looks so good and Alice gets to play with the toys afterwards total cost under $40 which isn't too bad!

I loved the little lady bug and the cute Bug ring in the purple and of course the little Tinkerbell!

Hope you enjoyed the snapshot of our day!

We had a blast! Thanks to all those who came and those who sent messages from far and near!

Hugs Ruth

How Photos Can Rock Your World!

As I sit here with a migraine developing I am in awe of the little person we tucked into bed 20 minutes ago. She was such a scared looking wee poppet in the photos that Rocked our world 5 years ago.

We were so happy that after 2 1/2 years of paperwork and stress we finally saw our darlings face. She was such a surprise and I remember it as if it was yesterday.

The phonecall came in at around 11:30 am and Keith took that call!

I arrived home just after the phone call started and looked at Jocelyn and said this is the call!

I heard Girl

Jiangxi province

10 months old

I was gobsmacked!

Watching her grown and change has been a blessing beyond words and as I worried about her care then I worry more now that she is in our arms.

We know how blessed we are each and every day.

2005

2006

2007

2008

And today's photo is still in the camera I will add it tomorrow!

Hugs Ruth

Images of Nanchang

View from Teng Wang Pavilion a very famous site in Nanchang it is an amazing building. We visited on a really hot day!

A chair outside a shop just down the road from the Hotel with a little baby duck being raised probably for food.

Working really hard and pulls a load full of papers and I just wonder how many of us could do this? Even if we wanted too?

A man fishing outside the Teng wang Pavilion.

Outside a Public Hospital in Fengcheng City about 1.5 hours away from Nanchang Alice's Birth place. I don't look to bad considering Miss Alice vomited all over all my clothes on the way to this city. Luckily I had a full change of clothes for Alice however for me no we pulled over on the side of the road at a farmers house and washed vomit off all my clothes nothing like a fat lady stripping down to her Bra and washing the vomit off her over shirt and then Spinning it around to get as much water out of it! I certainly earned many brownie points that day!

It still makes me smile and is part of Alice's story!

Aiden vomited on me in a plane. Emily had a big bottom explosion at the friendship store in Beijing. and Alice did both vomited on me and On our way home at the Hong Kong airport hotel had a major Bottom explosion! I know TMI! LOL

Hugs Ruth

Still walking down memory lane

On June 16 2008 we went to the Civil affairs building across the road from the hotel where we took our oath not to ever abandon Alice and to treat her the same as our other children. As you see I had both Alice and Emily on my lap!

The woman who officially made us a family of 5!

Alice and her foster mother!
!

The man that found Alice also worked for the SWI so we got to meet him and thank him.

The outfit that several children have worn in China it has been to China 6 times.

Then June 2008
Now June 2009

The grubby serious face of Miss Alice. We are truly blessed!

Hugs Ruth