Pedicures, the Pool and Toucans...

Yesterday started out with girl time. My sister-in-law Trisha, my niece Morgan, my step-daughter Kate and I went out for pedicures, then we went out to lunch at Olive Garden!
Steffie B! We each bought the Bath & Body Works Lip Plumping lip gloss and it works!! We have Angelina Jolie lips....


I took Eli into a swimming pool for the first time and he loved it. He was very afraid at first, but by the time I got him out-shivering with blue lips and still telling me wasn't cold-he relaxed and was kicking his feet and dog paddling with his hands.

Katelyn is having a great vacation. All I see are miles of smiles!

Eli would throw things into the water and Katelyn and Morgan would dive under and get them for him. He loved it!

Dinner was at Toucan's on Mexico Beach. The food is wonderful and the environment is a blast! Eli played on the slides and swings along the beach. Everyone got a trip souvenir at their gift shop.

Here is Eli swinging. Can you see my red toes?? Maybe not.

The kids started a volleyball game on the beach with some other teenagers who were there. They had a great time.

Some PIC's from Crooked Island Beach..

This blog is 3 months old today!

This blog has brought some wonderful people into my life. Thank you to everyone who supports me day after day. I appreciate you and enjoy your friendship!

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum-Panama City FL

Today we decided to visit the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum.

Kate looks a little concerned...

This is an actual shrunken human head...

This screen would mimic your movements, it was really cool.

This is a lifesize wax figure of the largest man who ever lived.

This is a replica made out of matchsticks of the coliseum in Rome.

Oh, and don't let me fail to mention that we now have 4 new pets. Yes folks, I am now transporting 4 saltwater hermit crabs home. I have had to purchase a crab habitat for them and pull up all kinds of info on the web. All for the love of an 11 year old boy who fell in love with them on the beach.

www.5minutesformom.com is giving away a Dyson Vacuum!

The ladies from 5minutesformom.com who brought us the very fun Ultimate Blog Party now have a new contest and are giving away this Dyson vacuum cleaner. It looks like I'm the last to know since almost 900 people are registered, but if not...get over there and sign on to Mr. Linky!

Just go here: www.5minutesformom.com and enter to win!

Congratulations to my friend Elizabeth...the soon-to-be Published Author!

Congratulations to Elizabeth at 'Dragonfly and Ladybug' for having one of her pieces accepted for publishing!! You are such a talented writer and I am thrilled for you!

Bonita Bay Beach Bums!

Today we went to Bonita Bay and had a great time on the beach. It's about 80 degrees here and a little overcast. The beach was filled with hermit crabs. Eli was amazed by them. After the beach, we all went out for ice cream. Our vacation is starting out great!

We are on our way to Panama City, Florida!!

Spring Break here we come! Every year we go to visit Aunt Trish and Uncle Scott in Florida for Spring Break. Here are some fun pictures from past trips.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW IF THE PICTURES SHOW NOW?
Thanks!!

Norma at 'Bethany of China' has her LID!!

Congratulations Norma on your 2/15/07 LID!!

Norma's blog is 'Bethany of China' and yes, it's on my favorite blogs list.

Tracey and Mike 'Becoming Five' have lost a Mother

My prayers are with you at this time of loss.

The Friday Why??

Ok, here it is...another question to expose a little bit more about who you are and what you believe in to all of us out here in blogland:Who inspires you and why?

I am very inspired by Oprah Winfrey. I think that she is an amazing humanitarian and true citizen of the world. I am constantly amazed by her generosity and genuine desire to improve the lives of others.

Amy has her TA...

Prayers answered.

Liz has her TA!!!

Congratulations to LIZ!! Her TA came today. Soon she will be on her to way to China to bring Ava home! Liz's blog is 'My Red Thread to Ava Grace YaHan'. It is on my favorite blogs list.

Amanda at 'Chinese Starfish' is asking for donations to cover 3 spina bifida surgeries.

I know that many of you are familiar with Amanda at 'Chinese Starfish'. She is a foster mother in China who cares for special needs children until they are able to be adopted. She receives children who have cleft palats, heart defects and spina bifida. She takes care of these children in her home and does everything she can to raise the money necessary for their surgeries. The spina bifida surgeries she needs for Heather, Jasmine and Lily are $3,000 each. On her site she has accounts set up with Love Without Boundaries to collect donations.
Heather is pictured on the left here and Lily is on the right. I couldn't find a photo of Jasmine.

Visiting her site will be a blessing to you. If you find it in your heart to help, I know that it will be greatly appreciated. Chinese Starfish is listed on my favorite blogs list.

I shall not pass this way again..

Please join me in praying for Amy at 'Catching Butterflies'

Please join me in continuing to pray for Amy. Her situation is becoming quite serious and she needs our support. I know that she would really appreciate our kind words and advice right now. There is a package due at her agency soon which she is hoping will contain her TA. If not, she is leaving for China without it in hopes that it will arrive while she is there. She is taking a giant step of faith. 'Catching Butterflies' is linked to my favorite blogs list.

Please send a hug and gentle comments to Melissa at 'Awaiting Ava'

Please join me in sending warm thoughts to Melissa at 'Awaiting Ava'. Zeus has passed on. Her blog can be found on my favorite blogs list. I'm so sorry Melissa.

International Blog Comment Week..Time to De-Lurk!

It's International Blog Comment Week (or at least it has been in the past, so I'm bringing it back to life) which means it's time for everyone who visits my site and never comments, to leave a comment. Tell me who you are and where you come from. I'd love the opportunity to say hello. This will make a great post if everyone will participate. So, if you enjoy my blog and would like to put a smile on my face, leave me a comment today!

Bowling with Eli....Didn't work out so well.

Tyler had a bowling birthday party to go to, so we decided that we would drop him off at his party and rent a lane on the other side so that we could bowl while he was enjoying the party. We thought Eli would have a fantastic time.


Everything started out great. Kate is a fantastic bowler. Eli was enjoying rolling the ball down the ramp that the alley had for the little bowlers.

But, then the tears started. He cried when it wasn't his turn. He cried when it was his turn. He cried when he couldn't use the heaviest ball. He cried when I helped him carry the heaviest ball. It just wasn't working.


So, we finished our games through the tears and went to get something for dinner. After dinner, we picked Tyler up right on time and went home. I thought we were going to have a wonderful family time but it didn't work out so well.

Susie at 'Phillips Path to China' Needs Quilt Squares..

I know that there are a lot of you out there working to get your 100 wishes quilt squares in, so please visit Susie and make arrangements to swap. I have swapped with her and she gives a really darling piece. Phillips Path to China is on my favorite blogs list.

mommy-to-channing

mommy-to-channing, I am really enjoying all of your comments and would love to get over and see your blog. When I click on your name, I get linked to your profile but can't find a link to your blog.

Where do I go to find your site?

Canadian Adopting Parents...The Alberta Issue Raises Its Ugly Head Again

Canadian Parents, it appears that Alberta is not repealing its stand on SN Children being adopted from China. It looks to me like they have only come up with a more politically correct way of stating it. Please go to Carolyn's blog 'China Calling' and read the official statement for yourselves. China Calling is listed on my favorite blogs list.

The Friday "Why"

This past weeks "Why" question turned out to be in incredible post. I cannot believe how many people participated and it was really touching to read everyone's accounts of why they made the choices they did for their blog names and images.

So, I have decided to come up with a good Why question each Friday to hopefully keep everyone sharing and getting to know each other better.

So..stay posted, I have a good question for this Friday.