Violation of Child Labor Laws, or some such nonsense

Tonight Jay asked me why I haven't blogged this week. You'd think the man who lives in the same house with me and the kids wouldn't need to read the blog to find out what's going on, but apparently he's that out of touch. So I am going to take a moment to directly address my dear husband.


Jay, you know I'm a busy woman. I'm teaching your dear little children, raising them in the admonition of the Lord. I'm hauling everyone around to appointments and library time, and buying the groceries. I'm trying to make three meals a day, and cleaning up after you and your little Munchkins. And since I'm just sooooooooo busy, you know I need some help. So I've decided to enlist the one kid who doesn't contribute much. She isn't in school yet and she's got the free time, so I'm putting her to work. She needs to start pulling her own weight around here anyway, so maybe I can get back to blogging and surfing the net in my free time.





So far she's worked out pretty well. Hopefully she can get the laundry mastered soon, and then I might be able to start her on vacuuming and doing dishes.

Only problem is, she's lazy. That darned kid just stops in the middle of a job, asks for cheese sticks and Gramma Crackers, and then falls asleep! I'm not paying her a penny for such a lousy work ethic.

Now if I could just keep her awake so she'd work longer hours and wouldn't require so many snack breaks, I might be able to update this blog sooner!

Happy Adoption Day, Katie Mei!

Today marks the first anniversary of the day Katie Mei became our daughter. It was such a nerve-wracking morning for me. We had to get up very early for a 5:30 am bus ride and flight to Nanchang, and I was near nauseaus with concern about her health. I kept thinking how this was the day that my life was really going to change--I was going to become the mother of a child with a special need that could never be cured. A child with a broken heart which could ultimately break mine. We had so many unknowns ahead of us, and I remember praying continually the night before that flight and all during the flight that God would keep His hand on her and keep her healthy enough for the trip home. When we boarded our flight, the moon was up and the sky was a beautiful pink. Pink. A color we would come to appreciate so much in the future.

After settling into our hotel room and getting ourselves rested, we went to the civil affairs office at 3:15 pm. There was only one other family with us that day, and we both met our daughters at the same time. A nanny brought in Hui Qi, our Caroline Mei, all bundled up in a yellow coat and winter pants and about three layers of clothing under that. She was a quiet child with serious eyes, who just stood there as her nanny spoke to her, listening intently, staring at me as I squatted on the floor in front of her. I would love to know what the nanny said. I tried speaking to her and just held my hands out to her. After a few moments of checking me out, Caroline Mei leaned into me and my heart just melted. I knew I was in love, and would do anything in the world to protect and care for this child.

Everything after that is history. Caroline Mei has become affectionately known as Katie Mei, and she has become the love of our lives. She endured her open heart surgery with some difficulty and complications, but is now doing amazingly well. She is a funny, happy child who loves to pick on her older brother, imitate her sister, and live life with gusto. She is quiet around strangers but really opens up and lets loose when she's comfortable. She's got a strong will and fears little. She is affectionate, yet stubborn; shy, yet hilarious. We absolutely love her and are grateful for every day we have with her.

Katie Mei, you are a testimony to God's goodness, and the power of prayer. I love you, and the laughter and joy you bring to our family each day. God bless you and keep you, my darling!

Love,

Mommy

Wii love her!

This one is for Grandma and Baba, who gave us a Wii for Christmas. Katie Mei is our little Wii monster; she asks to play it at least twice a day and gets so excited when we let her. Tonight I got a little video of her playing the cow-racing game. Towards the end you can hear her telling her cow to get back on the road, not on the grass. Her's is the rider in red at the bottom of the TV screen.

No Post-Christmas Blues Here!

We had a beautiful first Christmas with our new daughter in our new home this year. It was a fun day, with a slow process of opening stockings, taking a break for breakfast, and opening presents. Our kids don't mind taking it slow and savoring the morning, which makes it even nicer for Jay and I. I don't think we were done until around 11 am!

The day after Christmas Jay finally decided it would be okay to lay out some extra funds and order that swingset we've all been waiting for. The kids were probably more patient that I was about it, since I've been begging for one since we left Maryland. So I ordered it on the 26th from Amazon.com and they said it would be shipped out around the 29th and arrive after January 4th. Well, we got a call the morning of the 30th that it was on the truck and the driver wanted directions to our house to drop it off! I couldn't believe how fast it was, and that was with Super Saver shipping: FREE!


Jay came home from work early that day to meet the driver and help out, and then he began to put it together. The first day was just the frame for the deck, then he added the arm for the swings and floored the deck, and slowly, the swingset has taken shape. It's beautiful, and the kids love it! Today was our first day back to school, and it was a joy to have recess outside on a swingset!



Katie Mei really thinks the swing is great, since she's big enough now to hang on and enjoy the ride on a big kid swing. The slide was a little too fast for her and her little bottom still remembers the impact with the ground, so she tends to avoid that now unless someone holds her hand on the way down.


Enjoy the photos and video~

The kids didn't know we ordered a swingset, so they were surprised to see what was in the box.

Once Jay got the basic frame up, the girls couldn't wait to swing.

Katie Mei practiced her belly swinging... And apparently she was out of practice. Thankfully the flop on her belly didn't hurt her sternum! I think she was having too much fun to feel any pain.

The girls got down to business swinging right away.

And, of course, Jacob thoroughly enjoyed the box~

Even in 40-degree temps, Daddy can conquer any project if he has some hot coffee!

Our beautiful blue Georgia sky, with the mistletoe in the pecan trees.

Breaking in the slide...and her butt!

Katie Mei's first attempt to be like her big sister on the trapeze.

Merry Christmas From All of Us!

This is Katie Mei's first Christmas. Her week in review...

New red shoes from Grandma and Grandpa...now they're her favorites!

Another version of "White Christmas" with complimentary grape jelly.

A new set of hat and mittens...and still the red shoes.

The closest thing to snow that we have gotten...frost.

The closest thing to an angel that we have!

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Our family wishes every one of you a very blessed and merry Christmas! May you enjoy the comfort of being with family, the warmth of friends, and the constant remembrance that God is with us!

Love,

Jay, Petrie

Merrilee, Jacob, and Katie Mei

Cookies!

Katie Mei had the fun job of unwrapping Kisses for cookies Friday night. She took her job very seriously. There was initially a struggle not to eat the Kisses she unwrapped, but she withstood the temptation and got them all into the container unharmed.


She was hesitant to let Merrilee get too near the home turf, so she just passed individual candies to her from behind when she felt Merrilee was ready for another one. If Merrilee dared enter the counter space, there was immediate response from Katie Mei.

Once the cookie dough was complete, Katie Mei was allowed to lick the beater. Apparently the dough was tasty, but I'm not sure how much she got in her mouth because she had it from her chin to her eyelashes!

The cookies turned out pretty, and have been a tasty treat with my coffee for a couple days now! 'Tis the season!

Can it get any wetter?!

Scenes from the Montgomery Swamp

The pecan trees might need floaties

Can't tell where the driveway stops and the lake starts

This is where Jay parks (or used to park) his car in the grass

And to think we're expecting "heavy rain" until this evening. Isn't his heavy enough? My toilets won't flush anymore!

I've got snow-envy regarding our friends back in MD who are expecting the beautiful white stuff this weekend. Trade Ya!

Soggy Hugs,

Petrie