My, How Time Flys!

It's hard to believe that Cate has been home for 3 months. And then again, it feels as though she has been with us much longer. Her adjustment has been amazing. She embraced her first Christmas here just as she does everything else- full steam ahead. Not very much intimidates her- she just goes with the flow. This time last year we had no idea what 2008 had in store for us, or should I say we had no idea what God had in store for us in 2008! We feel very blessed that He allowed us to become Cate's family.

New Pictures

I have not been taking many pictures lately. Sorry- I know how much I enjoy others pictures. Would it be mean to say that I don't think my children have looked very picture friendly lately? Someone has had a runny nose now for at least three weeks. The kids had their pictures made last week and I would love for you to go take a peek at them at www.karamayphotography.com/blog. We really need some pictures of Cate to add to our house and wanted to get a Christmas card picture. I think they turned out great and I can't wait to see the rest. Happy Thanksgiving!

Cate Update

Cate is a little ham for the camera. She likes to have her picture taken!

Tired after shopping at the Holiday Market.

My subjects weren't very cooperative for the Halloween picture. I wanted to take a picture outside, but Rion felt like he was too cool and someone might see him! They were also just about to go out trick or treating!

Our pumpkins carved for our family's pumpkin carving contest. Ours was the witch, third from the right. My grandfather judges!

A day in the mountains.

Cate continues to adjust wonderfully! She has started 3 year old kindergarten three days a week and she loves it! We are loving every minute of her. She is definitely still very spicy, and we have the battle of the wills sometimes, but she is learning, and I am learning to pick my battles. I say every day how strong willed she is, and Greg says, but you are too! So, we are both learning to give and take! Communication with Cate is just not a problem. She is so smart and understands so much. She just adores Rion, Sophie and Pressley, and they love her so much too.

Tagged

I have been tagged- Thanks Robin. I considered pretending that I didn't know because I am so boring and still have no idea what I am going to say. But I have to come up with 7 random things about myself and then tag others. So, here it goes:

1. I am totally in love with my family. Seriously, I would rather be with them than anywhere else. Of course my husband and children, but also parents, grandparents,aunts, uncles and cousins. We have been to Disney World , on a Disney Cruise, camping, and so much more together, and I love it.
2. I am really shy and do not like that about myself. I wish I could make friends easier and think of all the right things to say at the right times!
3. I love flip flops. I hate shoes and socks. I wait until I can't take it anymore to wear them. I have worn flip flops all week and it has been in the 50's!
4.I am kinda a neat freak. Four children have broken me of alot of it though. I do not leave the house with unmade beds, dirty dishes or toys on the floor. It unnerves me because I know that when I walk back into the house I know I am going to have enough to do!
5.Lets see, how do I put this without sounding wierd, I am scared for anyone in my family to die. My father and brother have passed away and I don't want to experience that hurt again. I know, I will. My heart is filled with so much love for my family and friends, that it makes me cry if I let myself think about it.
6.I love shopping. SOOOOOO much. I am currently praying about this, and I need to go back to work bad.
7.I am the loser mom who does not know how to have an inside dog. My children would love one, and I will not tell you how many dogs we have "tried out" and then had to find a home for. I am embarrassed, but I do not know how to do it. We go so much and they go to the bathroom on the floor, which I just can't take. I keep saying , one day, but I just don't know!

I am tagging Erin, Dawn, and Cyndi.

Fall Day at the Pumpkin Patch

I really like this picture because you wouldn't catch Rion posing with Sophie or Pressley, but he will for Cate!

This is my favorite picture! Cate's first visit to a pumpkin patch!

Saturday was a beautiful fall feeling day so we went to the pumpkin patch. Also I wanted to get some pictures of Cate in her new Halloween dress! We rode on the haunted hayride, went through the corn maize, went gem mining, and ate pumpkin ice cream. It really was fun. It wasn't that long since I posted last, and not much new is going on. Cate is doing great. We have our 3 year old moments, but, well... she is 3! This may be an awful thing to say, and I enjoy every minute that Cate is awake, but I love it when she is sound asleep in bed. She is soooo busy!

Home Sweet Home

We have been home two weeks today. Cate is adjusting great, and we are happy to be a family of six. Cate LOVES her sister and brothers! She loves her daddy although she hasn't been able to spend a lot of time with him yet since this is his busy time on the farm. We are looking forward to having Daddy around more. Life has been very busy here-school, baseball, football,and dance. And then adding a busy 3 year old to the mix! Cate has been a blessing to our family and we are very thankful that God placed her with us. We have lots to learn from one another and every day certainly is not a bowl of cherries! But Cate is more than we ever could have hoped for and we are truly thankful. I was amazed at how many people read our blog while we were in China and have asked about Cate. Computer time isn't what it used to be, but I will update whenever I can!

The End and The Beginning

I can't believe that this is our last post from China. We leave early in the morning and will spend the next 24 hours in airports and airplanes. But we are coming home! This trip has been full of emotions. We came here to meet a little girl, not knowing what to expect. And yet, she came to us with open arms, accepting us as her family. She is more than we could ever have hoped for. She is sweet and beautiful and funny. We give God all of the glory and thank Him for hearing and answering our prayers. We have also felt the prayers of our family and friends. Thank you for your prayers. God has also sustained me during these two weeks of a homesick feeling I never want to experience again!

A little more about Cate... We have a spicy little girl on our hands! I am so thankful that she was cared for with such love at her orphanage, but I don't think she was ever told "no". So... we are experiencing a battle of the wills. This will just be a process. She is still learning to love us and trust us, and she has a Daddy and two brothers to get to know and love.

Thank you again so much for your support and love and prayers.

At the Zoo

This morning we went to the Guangzhou zoo. It was a nice zoo and felt good to walk around. The weather is very warm here, but it was nice and shady there. They had one panda and it was walking around. Sophie was able to feed the monkeys. It was so funny because the man put food on Sophie's head and the monkey climbed up her shoulders to get it! There was one part of the zoo where you could pay to have your picture taken with a rabbit, a bird or a dog. It was kind of sad. They also had raccoons in cages. We told Helen that we saw those in the road every day! Cate and I are getting ready to go to the Consulate. Everything went great with our paperwork this morning and I am very thankful. I am so anxious to get home. I don't think it can get here fast enough!

Strolling around Guangzhou

Judy and I worked on our paperwork after breakfast this morning and it went great. It didn't take as long as I thought it would and it seems as if everything is in order. We didn't have anything else planned for today so we just played at the playground and visited a couple more shops. We're pretty sure we have everything we need and need to call it quits! We do have to pack it in our suitcases! In the morning we will go to the zoo while Judy goes to our Consulate appointment. Tomorrow afternoon, we go to take our oath and then Cate can come home with us. Tuesday will be spent packing and getting ready to come home. We are so ready!

First day in Guangzhou and Cate's medical exam

Cate is wishing these adults would go to work and let her play!

Cate loves to have her picture taken! Sophie is a great big sister!

Inside the White Swan hotel

We really like Shamian Island! It is the nicest place we have been on our trip. The White Swan hotel is very nice. It's so nice to see so many other American families. We have had two meals today that tasted like they should! This morning we went to Cate's medical exam and had her visa picture taken. Everything went very well. She was very cooperative. Cate weighs 28 pounds. We then did some shopping which we thoroughly enjoyed! I bought a stroller which has already come in handy, and she enjoys riding. She lost her princess cell phone that she loved in Hefei, so we found one today, but it has the most annoying sounds and we will "lose" it before the plane ride home! We came across a park with play equiptment and Sophie was so excited to play, but it was overrun with adults! It was so funny so I had to post a picture! Tomorrow morning, Judy will come to our room and help me prepare all of the paperwork for Monday's Consulate appointment. We are counting down the days to home!

We're in Guangzhou

We don't have any pictures of us in Guangzhou yet because we are just getting settled into our room and it's late. The White Swan Hotel is very nice. We will go to Cate's medical exam in the morning and then look around the island. On Sunday, we will go over all of our paperwork for Cate's visa and Monday is the Consulate appointment. Tuesday will be a free day, and I would give anything to come home a day early! I am so homesick, and am trying really hard to enjoy our time here, but the truth, is, I just want to be home with my husband and boys. Cate continues to amaze us with how well she has adjusted. She knows we are her family. While we can't understand anything she says, and she jabbers all of the time, we usually know what she wants and needs. She is a very fast learner. She is very strong willed, very independent, and very adorable. I can't wait to get her home. Here are a few pictures from this morning.

Adoption Day

Cate is doing great. She is a smart, funny, sweet little girl. She is full of energy! Although, poor thing, we have pretty much been confined to our room here. Today Jane took us back to the Civil Affairs office where we finished our paperwork here in Hefei. Everything went very smoothly. We will leave here tomorrow at 2:00 for Guangzhou. We are ready. We do know that Cate is scared of water. She will not even go near the fountain in the lobby. Today, Jane helped me give her a bath and talked her through it. I was very grateful. We will definitely have to work on this because our family loves the water! Here are some pictures from today.

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