Welcome...

Hello... Welcome family and friends. This blog was started so you could follow our adoption journey to our daughter in China...Crystina Luz ChenLi. Now, it's to follow our everyday adventures with 2 active young children, who are growing SO fast, Crystina & Ethan and 2 playful Yorkies, Lola and Bertha.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

In memory of...

This post is in memory of my abuela (grandmother in Spanish)...

My abuela left us here on earth yesterday morning. She is now dancing with my abuelo in front of Christ. She was my last "living" grandparent. But knowing that my grandparents, are once again, reunited...well, THAT gives me comfort.

My abuela was a wonderful woman. She had the most stunning green eyes...I always wished I had her eyes. I am so thankful that she was able to meet my children. Here are just a few of my favorite pictures of abuela with my babies...

Abuela meeting her newest great-granddaughter for the first time... And, of course, playing with her...
Ethan wants to give abuela a kiss... I just LOVE this picture!!
82 years apart...

Its been a tough road. Alzheimer's is a terrible, horrible disease...it just wipes them away. They might be here physically but not mentally. The last few weeks, abuela would open her eyes and smile but wouldn't talk much. When we would bring the kids to visit...that would brighten her day. She would always smile at them. On one of the last visits with the kids, I put Ethan next to her and she opened her eyes, he smiled at her...she smiled at him...and then Ethan "grunted" his monster grunt and leaned in to her...well, that kind of scared abuela. ; ) Crystina would always give abuela kisses on her forehead...or give her all kinds of food (before...when she was a little better). They would entertain her...alot!

But, to me, she always knew we were there.

I have many, MANY wonderful memories of my abuela. And even though I will miss her dearly, I know she's in a much better place...with my abuelo.

Until we see each other again...

Monday, January 11, 2010

Who ate it!?!?

Today Crystina was "eating" a chocolate doughnut and when she left it unattended...well, this is what happened........


Yes, Ethan REALLY enjoyed what he was able to put in his mouth...it wasn't much but he sure liked the taste of chocolate. ; ) He's SO silly!!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year!!!!

Well...2009 is now gone. And what an amazing year it was. Here's a quick recap...

January...Edgar & I celebrated our 14 year wedding anniversary and we attended our very 1st Chinese New Year
February...we took Crystina to Disney (Animal Kingdom & MGM Studios)
March...Ethan was born
April...Crystina turned 2
May...I celebrated my very 1st Mother's Day, with 2 babies!! and we got a minivan
June...Edgar celebrated his very 1st Father's Day, with 2 babies!! and we spent a few days at the beach
July...Ethan started eating baby food : )
August...I turned another year older
September...celebrated Crystina's 1 year "Gotcha" anniversary AND we went to court to "readopt" Crystina
October...had tons of fun at Aquatica (SeaWorld waterpark)
November...enjoyed watching our babies getting bigger
December...Ethan's 1st Christmas...and enjoyed watching our babies Christmas morning, together

I hope and pray that 2010 will be a great year as well. We look forward to see what it holds for us. GOD bless...