Winter Is Here

All my NY friends posting pictures of snow today and talking about the treacherous conditions inspired me to post photos from our little "dusting" on Saturday.

One of the reasons I left NY was the snow, I'm just not a fan. The cold, the starting your car 20 minutes before you go anywhere, cleaning off your car, bundling up, etc. it's just not my favorite.

But this. THIS kind of snow I don't mind. We had an inch or two, big flakes, and the roads were clear! Of course I still didn't go anywhere because even though the roads were clear, Oklahoma drivers tend to drive like crazy people. It's like everyone forgets how to drive when we have a few snowflakes.

Since it was Saturday and I had nowhere to go (other than to the store to get some milk and where I had a mini crisis leaving, but that's another story for another day), I enjoyed sipping coffee and watching the snow fall outside my cozy apartment.

By afternoon the snow had stopped and the sun was shining. That's Oklahoma weather for you.

And now? The snow is gone. Lasted a few days and then it warmed up enough to melt it all away.

Until next time, snow. Next time though, could you come during the week so I can have a "work from home in my sweatpants" kind of day?  Thank you in advance!

Winter Wonderland

Winter is here! The snow started Thursday night and has barely stopped since. I can't say I'm a huge fan of driving in the snow, but I will admit, it is beautiful. 

Merry Christmas?? I mean.... Happy Thanksgiving. Although this weather makes it a little confusing!

Dreary Saturday

Today was just a dreary day all around. It was cold (relatively speaking), rainy, and I didn't have much of a desire to do much of anything.

It was a day where it was impossible for clothes to dry, so laundry was out of the question.

What is the best thing to do on a cold, dark, damp Saturday afternoon? Pop some popcorn...

... make a cup of tea...

... and watch a good chick flick.

And that is exactly what I did. Maybe tomorrow will be more productive? Hey, we all need a lazy day every once in a while.

Sunday Snapshot: Shamian Island

Yesterday I finally made it to an area that I have been wanting to go since I moved to China almost 2 years ago. Shamian Island. This is an area where any US family adopting from China would stay at the famous (in the Chinese adoption world at least) White Swan Hotel. The main reason families would stay at this hotel was first of all because it was really nice and a luxury in China and second, because it was right next to the US Consulate where the adoptive child would receive their visa to enter to US. 

The US Consulate has moved and no longer located here and the White Swan is being renovated and so families no longer stay in this area for the Guangzhou portion of their trip. However, I have still been wanting to go. I have heard about this area for years from my parents and the adoptive online community. It's about time I made it there!

It is so beautiful and peaceful. I'll definitely be going back sometime. 

We ate lunch at "Lucy's" which is a western restaurant near the White Swan. I've read a lot about this restaurant from adoptive families and it didn't disappoint! After 2 weeks of Chinese food, I think Thad was ready for a double cheeseburger. 

The dirty beautiful Pearl River.

The Pear River.

It was just a tad smoggy yesterday (notice the sarcasm)... typical Guangzhou or China for that matter.

I'm going to miss this boy when he leaves me on Wednesday. It's been so fun having him here!

Of course I had to get a picture next to the Pear River. Surprisingly, I wasn't even wearing pearls!

The White Swan Hotel. Still has a ways to go before it'll open again.

I just love the buildings.

Figured out that this where Kiah had her "medical physical" before she could enter the US. I put it it in quotations because in order to check her hearing, they shook a rattle to see if she would turn her head. Yes, very thorough.

His serious face. Maybe he's tired of me taking his picture? He'll thank me one day when he has them to look back on.



Probably the coolest Starbucks I've seen. Definitely planning on coming back and hanging out here for an afternoon.

Oh I'm so glad I was finally able to make it to Shamian Island. It was even more special that I got to experience it with Thaddeus!

Ni Hao Ya'll

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!! This is the post where I should write about the top things that happened in 2013. Maybe I would just pick some favorite moments or perhaps organize it month by month. Maybe I would even just pick my favorite blog posts or pictures from 2013. 

Quite honestly, there has been quite a lot going on lately. Returning to China less than a week ago, traveling through Beijing and then down south, trying to get over jet lag, catch up on work at the foster home, holding my precious babies, showing my brother all the sites of my "hometown" and now trying to get a brother healthy, it's not just not the top priority right now. All that to say? 

Maybe I'll get to it by Chinese New Year. That gives me almost a month. 

In the meantime, Happy New Year! Praying that God will bless you abundantly in this new year of 2014. 

Christmas Has Begun

Christmas has officially begun. Last night, we spent the evening at my Aunt Grace and Uncle Greg's house to celebrate Christmas. Since Thad and I are leaving for China on Christmas Day, we had to rearrange our celebration this year. I have decided, we may even like this setup better! Rather than packing everything into a day and a half, we get to celebrate a little each day for four days this year. Not a bad deal!

Here's a little glimpse into our Christmas celebration last night. Pizza, pie, gifts, family, and finishing off the evening watching the "Polar Express" on "the wall."

Merry Christmas!