Summer Fun

Sporting new Henna tattoos in Myrtle Beach with friends

Cate's best cheeseball smile!!!

Our summer is flying by! It always does, though. We have enjoyed every minute of it, and looking forward to spending a week at the beach with all of our family soon. Cate loves the boat and loves the water! She is actually swimming by herself now. We are so proud- such an accomplishment from a little girl who was terrified of the bathtub 10 months ago! We are constantly amazed by Cate. I get really emotional when I think of the magnitude of adoption and the blessing she is to us, and how it all unfolded. I now look at each little waiting child's face and think "the only special need they really have is that they need a mommy and daddy," and just pray that they find their family. I told Greg last night that I wish we were one of those big ole families and that we could adopt again, but he turned a little pale!

Happy Easter!!!!

I'm hoping to get back into the blogging groove. Seriously. I have been trying to adjust to homeschooling, a broken leg ( not mine- Rion's), and baseball season. And never being alone (this accompany's the homeschooling), which is going great, but did I mention I am never alone? I hope everyone had a Happy Easter!!!!!

Happy Birthday Cate, Happy Chinese Year......

It has been too long since I posted last! We celebrated Cate's fourth birthday on January 24th with a family birthday party. We went out to eat and had a princess cake for dessert! Greg spent the day putting together Cate's new kitchen, and she loved it! She enjoyed opening every present. It's hard to believe that she is four years old. Mimi and George gave Cate a bicycle with training wheels- she loves it, but we need to work on the pedaling! And I think one of her favorites was a miniature broom and mop. She loves to clean!

We also enjoyed celebrating Chinese New Year with two other families at a local Chinese restaurant. There were thirteen children and six adults! We had a great time.

Cate continues to enjoy going to school. They do lots of fun things and she loves tea party time! She is learning her colors and shapes. We think she is so smart!!! Cate just amazes me. Nothing fazes her- she takes everything in stride. She is so loving, and so patient with us when she knows we don't quite understand what she is trying to say! She loves her videos that sing in Mandarin.

Well, onto some pictures.......

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.