Two years ago today...

...was Emmy Xiang's "birth" (into our family) day - otherwise known as "Gotcha Day." It was the day we gotcha, Peanut!

Everytime I look at the photos from that day I am overwhelmed with emotion - mostly gratefulness to God for allowing us the privilege of adopting a daughter. What an amazing reminder for me of the incredible pleasure He must have in growing His family - the Church (those for whom Christ died). May we honor and glorify Him for He is truly worthy!

Want to remember with us the moments when we first welcomed Emmy Xiang into our arms? Join us tonight as we eat Papa John's pizza (like we did that night 2 years ago in China) and watch our movies from Gotcha Day and our time in China. Unfortunately, Jim's in NJ for a business trip, but he's planning to get Papa John's there. And, you can join in at your house, too! Just place an order (you can do it online!) at papajohns.com, though you can't order a "Big Papa" like we did that night in China, and pull up these posts from that day. Then, with pizza in hand, enjoy the slide show, read the post and comments, and relish in God's grace with us:

I'm so glad we've "got" her.

The "We've Got Her!" post. Sigh.

The "Gotcha Day Details" post.

God is so good.

Friday Funny

EX has been acting pretty weird the past few minutes. While she was talking about 59 and her daughter Moyoy (made up completely on her own) she said that they lived in the America steaks!! Meaning to say states!

Cricket, cricket, part 3

Jane Ellen's been busy, too. Between her college classes, recreational league soccer, high school soccer and regular old school/home stuff, we've had no time for photos. (Not yet, anyway).
There have been family "events": like the Crossway Community Church Family Fun Day, complete with Chicken Pilau (pronounced Chicken Per-low, for those of you not from 'round here in North Florida), the acquisition of a new "Buzz" (as Emmy Xiang calls our new '75 Super Beetle that is too cute), and lots of sewing (mom) for a Southern Ball (all of us). The girls do a much better job than me of keeping up. But, here are a few pics to enjoy:






































































As a result of all this craziness, Emmy Xiang has taken to bouncing off the walls....though last Friday she didn't bounce very well. Instead, as mom aways warns, she "busted her head" on the hearth. So now we lovingly call her "Glue-Head."








I think we're caught up now.

Cricket, cricket, part 2

Katie enjoyed a full season of Cross County, but at the middle school level (running 2 miles instead of what she was used to, namely running the 5K). Surprisingly, she had a blast getting to know some really fun girls, and she's planning to run track season, too. She did an excellent job, finishing 14th in the county, and ran her PR in the last race (13:32). Who knew that she'd enjoy it so much?

Cricket, cricket....

....as Jim would say when it's been exceptionally quiet.

There have been many blog posts in my head. Alas, the hard part has been finding the time to actually sit down and write them out, maybe adding a picture for interest.

So here is a wrap up of the last little while (especially for the family who misses seeing the kids):

Gracie enjoyed a fun season playing volleyball. It was a great time of dedication to a team, to working out (new for her), learning new skills and making new friends. Enjoy a few shots of her in the uniform:

Friday Funny

On Learning Latin: Katie's Perspective

This post is for the purpose of making sure that readers are not left with the idea that we live in a perfect homeschool world. There are some things that are not so pleasant to my children. Though others in the family may not share her - shall we say strong - opinion on the subject at hand, she has been heard. Loud and clear. By all in the family. Now YOU know, too.

The night I came home from a meeting and checked my email, I laughed heartily when this appeared. I still laugh when I read it:

Thoughts on Latin
By: Katie Brown
Date: September 23rd, 2009
 
Katie does not want to do Latin. She would drop it in a heartbeat if she were allowed to, but Noooooo!- not while her Mama draws breath. Oh well. Katie really wishes she never had to do Latin EVER again. She wishes foreign language didn't exist, but those sinners just had to build the tower of Babel. My goodness, really? You guys couldn't come up with anything better to do?!?! I mean, really?? Now we, generations and millenniums later, are suffering for YOUR sins... now WE have to bore ourselves with studying Latin.

Oh, Latin- "you rattlesnake, you reptile"... oh how I so strongly dislike you! You are the worst thing that ever happened to me. Oh, most horrible Latin, how you ruin each day and burden an otherwise happy soul and make it so bitter! I will never forget you (well, I'll forget the language, just not the pain you put me through to forget it in the end!).

Love you, Mom!
Katie

Hope you enjoyed the laugh, too!